Jake Tapper, a veteran journalist, has been known for his anti-Trump moments throughout his career. His coverage of former President Trump has been particularly hostile, as seen in these five memorable instances.
During the presidential election in 2020, Tapper declared that for many Americans, Trump’s presidency was a “long national nightmare.” He criticized Trump for his divisions, failures in handling the pandemic, and inhumanities such as child separation.
Tapper also linked Trump to Adolf Hitler, drawing parallels between Trump’s comments on immigrants and Hitler’s rhetoric. He accused Trump of dehumanizing immigrants and posing an existential threat similar to Hitler’s beliefs.
When Trump contracted COVID-19, Tapper scolded the president for his handling of the virus. He criticized Trump for not following health experts’ guidelines, mocking mask-wearing, and putting others at risk with his behavior.
Tapper was particularly critical of Trump’s performance at the first presidential debate against Biden in 2020. He called it a disgrace and accused Trump of interrupting, lying, and maliciously attacking Biden’s son. Tapper also accused Trump of running the most negative and sleazy campaign in American history.
In another instance, Tapper snapped at his CNN producers for airing footage of Trump celebrating with supporters after pleading not guilty to federal charges. Tapper criticized Trump for turning his legal issues into a campaign ad and reminded viewers of the serious national security implications of the case.
Overall, Tapper’s coverage of Trump has been marked by strong criticism, drawing attention to what he perceives as Trump’s failures, divisive rhetoric, and disregard for human life. As Tapper prepares to moderate the upcoming presidential debate, his past anti-Trump moments provide insight into his journalistic approach and perspective on the former president’s tenure.