CNN host Jake Tapper’s hypocrisy is even upsetting to his leftwing colleagues. At least two staffers told The Daily Beast Tapper angered colleagues who felt he put them in danger after he stayed around the office and conducted his show after testing positive for COVID-19.
Tapper received a positive test result at the network’s Washington, DC bureau on Monday May 9th just before he was to go on his show live. Colleagues were angered that Tapper decided to stay and do his show, and not go home immediately.
Ironically, Tapper risked infecting his colleagues in order to report on the tragic deaths due to the virus. “This happened in the same week that the country was mourning the millionth death due to COVID, which Jake covered on his show,” one staffer said.
Dana Bash hosted for Tapper on Tuesday night, but then returned Wednesday in what appeared to be a home studio.
CNN was quite defensive, stating “Testing is voluntary to enter our offices. It is mandatory to enter the studios. He tested shortly before his show,” a network spokesperson said.
“When he was notified of the positive result, he asked CNN execs what to do and then followed it to the letter—he double-masked and isolated, did the show solo in a flash studio (single-person enclosed room) and went home immediately after.”
“Everyone on The Lead team was notified during their pre-show call that day,” the spokesperson added. “Jake had only been in direct contact with a few others, who were also notified.”