Who is John King? What to know about CNN anchor and his ‘magic wall’

It’s Election Day and voting is in full swing across the country as Americans choose their next president between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.
Among those reporting live on the election and analyzing results in real-time is John King, who will be leading election coverage on CNN. King, his “magic wall” and use of the word “fun” became the subject of many memes and social media chatter during the last election cycle.
While the magic wall will be making a comeback this election cycle, King, in an interview with USA TODAY last month, said he will be switching from using the word “fun” to “fascinating” or “challenging,” because “people watching at home would get mad at (him) and for them close elections are not ‘fun’.”
Here’s what you need to know about the anchor and CNN Chief National Correspondent.
Coffee, squats and a ‘magic wall’:How CNN’s John King will get through Election Day 2024
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John King is CNN’s Chief National Correspondent, an anchor and an “integral part of the network’s coverage of American government and politics,” his bio on CNN says.
He was previously the host of “Inside Politics,” stepping away from the role in April 2023 to “take on a new role focused on voters in battleground states during the 2024 presidential election,” according to an April 2023 CNN news release. In a recent interview, King told USA TODAY that he’s been on ground and traveling across the country for the last 15 months to understand voters’ perspective and will continue to do so up until the week before the election.
On Election Day, King will be reporting on election results from his famous “magic wall,” which, he described as the as “the most powerful information tool” he’s ever worked with, adding that the software brings everything to his fingertips and helps present information to viewers in an interactive and transparent manner.
“It’s just a fascinating tool in every election cycle with the help of an amazing team, we try to make it better,” King said.
King, who has been covering elections for almost 40 years now, said one of his biggest takeaways from being on ground and covering election cycles is that people “enjoy the journey,” and the “magic wall” gives him the opportunity to take his viewers to different parts of the country and give them an insight into the voting process there.
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A Boston native, King earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Rhode Island. He has also been awarded honorary doctorate degrees from URI, American University and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Prior to joining CNN in May 1997, King worked at the Associated Press for 12 years, the last six as its chief political correspondent, his bio on CNN says. King has reported from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.
King has three children, two – a son and a daughter – from his first wife Jean Makie, and one with fellow CNN anchor Dana Bash. King and Bash tied the knot in May 2008 and welcomed their son Jonah in June 2011. The couple separated in March 2012.
This story was updated to fix a typo.
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.