John King (journalist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John King
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King in 2024
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| Born | 1962/1963 (age 61–62) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Education | University of Rhode Island (BA) |
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| Children | 3 (1 with Bash) |
John King (born September 27, 1963) is a well-known American news anchor. He works for CNN as their chief national correspondent, based in Washington, D.C. He is famous for his clear explanations of election results using a special "Magic Wall." Before his current role, he hosted popular shows like Inside Politics and State of the Union.
Contents
About John King
Early Life and Education
John King was born in Boston, a big city in Massachusetts. His family has roots in Ireland. He went to Boston Latin School and later studied journalism at the University of Rhode Island. He earned a bachelor's degree there, which means he completed his college education.
Family Life
John King has three children. He was first married to Jean Makie, and they had two children, Noah and Hannah. Later, he married fellow CNN anchor Dana Bash. They had a son named Jonah. Before marrying Dana, John King became Jewish, which is her religion.
Health Information
In October 2021, John King shared that he has multiple sclerosis. This is a health condition that affects the body's nervous system. He was diagnosed 13 years before he shared the news publicly. Because of this condition, he is considered immunocompromised, which means his body's ability to fight off infections might be weaker. He has had problems feeling his legs since the late 1990s, which led to his diagnosis.
John King's Career in News
Starting as a Reporter
John King began his career in 1985 at the Associated Press, which is a major news agency. He started as a writer, gathering and reporting news. By 1991, he became their chief political correspondent. This meant he was in charge of covering important events like the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections. He also won an award for his reporting on the Gulf War in Kuwait.
Joining CNN and Key Roles
In 1997, John King joined CNN, a big news television channel. From 1999 to 2005, he was the senior White House correspondent. This meant he reported on the President and what was happening at the White House. In 2005, he became CNN's chief national correspondent, a role he still holds today.
The "Magic Wall"
John King is very well-known for using a special tool called the Multi-Touch Collaboration Wall. People often call it the "Magic Wall" or "Magic Map." He first used it during the 2008 presidential campaign. This wall lets him show and move around maps and charts of election results and polls. It helps viewers understand how elections are going in different parts of the country. He used it a lot during the 2016 and 2020 US Presidential Elections.
Hosting News Programs
John King has hosted several news programs on CNN. He hosted State of the Union starting in 2009. In 2010, he began hosting a new show called John King, USA. On May 2, 2011, he was the CNN anchor who announced the death of Osama bin Laden to viewers. In 2012, John King, USA ended.
From 2014 to 2021, he anchored Inside Politics, a show where different journalists discussed current political topics. He also often appears on other CNN shows like The Situation Room and Anderson Cooper 360°.
Important Election Coverage
John King is highly praised for his coverage of major elections. He received a lot of positive feedback for his work during the 2020 United States presidential election. His ability to explain complex election data using the "Magic Wall" made him a favorite for many viewers.
In April 2023, CNN announced that his former wife and colleague, Dana Bash, would take over as the main anchor of Inside Politics. John King is now working on new projects related to election politics.
