CNN anchor Jake Tapper, during his network's high-profile defamation trial, made a surprising claim under oath that contradicts his own social media activity. Tapper testified that he doesn't pay attention to ratings, but Fox News Digital discovered numerous examples of him touting his show's ratings and those of other programs on social media.
CNN anchor Jake Tapper made a surprising claim under oath during his network's high-profile defamation trial that appears to contradict his own social media activity. Tapper gave his deposition in a pre-recorded video presented to jurors on Tuesday in the trial brought by U.S. Navy veteran Zachary Young , who accuses CNN of defaming him in a report that initially aired on 'The Lead with Jake Tapper ' in November 2021.
During the deposition, Young's attorney questioned Tapper about his show's viewership numbers. Tapper responded that he doesn't pay attention to ratings. However, Fox News Digital has discovered over a dozen social media posts where Tapper either boasts about his show's ratings or highlights those of other programs, directly contradicting his sworn testimony. For example, in March 2024, roughly eight months before stating he didn't care about ratings, Tapper celebrated his CNN special 'United States of Scandal', writing on X, 'Ratings go up and ratings go down, but UNITED STATES OF SCANDAL had the highest ratings in the key demo in cable news on Sunday … and was the most watched show on CNN! Thank you so much for watching!' He also touted its ratings the month prior and has repeatedly used the same 'ratings go up and down' language in August 2018, April 2021, and February 2024. In January 2015, Tapper shared a Washington Examiner article with the headline 'CNN’s Tapper on ratings win streak, jumps viewers 75%' and wrote, 'Thank you so so much for watching #TheLead, folks! My team and I work hard and I'm humbled that you're watching.'Tapper's interest in ratings extends beyond his own show. He has highlighted viewership numbers for a wide range of programs, from the CNBC GOP primary debate in 2015 to a speech by then-President Trump in 2017, even 'Sharknado 2.' In January 2017, Tapper criticized Trump on-air for denying the decline in 'The Apprentice' ratings, stating, 'The Apprentice' was spectacularly rated for the first few seasons, but then viewership began to drop... And the show's former publicist said Trump was never willing to recognize that change. He even tried to influence those who publish the ratings!'Neither Tapper nor CNN responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. CNN has previously expressed confidence that it will prevail in the defamation trial once all the facts are presented. In his lawsuit, Young accused CNN of suggesting he illegally profited off desperate people trying to flee Afghanistan following the Biden administration's military withdrawal, implying he was involved in 'black market' dealings and ruining his professional reputation. Tapper first teased the 2021 report, telling CNN viewers of 'desperate Afghans still trying to escape the country being preyed on by folks demanding that they pay up big time to get out.' Once the segment began, Tapper said Marquardt found 'Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success.' The trial resumed Wednesday and is being streamed live on Fox News Digital
CNN Defamation Trial Jake Tapper Zachary Young Ratings Social Media Testimony
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