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David Chalian
David Chalian
David Chalian
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David Marc Chalian (born July 20, 1973) is an American journalist and political analyst who serves as Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director for the American cable news channel CNN.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Chalian was born on July 20, 1973,[1] to Carol (née Steloff) and Robert P. Chalian.[2] His father worked as a salesman before his death in 1984, and was of Armenian Jewish heritage.[3][non-primary source needed][2][4][non-primary source needed]

Chalian attended Marlboro High School in Marlboro Township, New Jersey, where he participated in the school's performing arts programs and graduated in 1991.[5] He then attended Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree.[6]

Career

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After graduating from Northwestern, Chalian joined NY1, a 24-hour cable news television channel based in New York City, and having produced the nightly news program, Inside City Hall.[6] He immediately thereafter worked as political director for ABC News and appeared as a political analyst on ABC World News Tonight, Nightline, and Good Morning America.[6] At ABC, he created and co-anchored the daily political webcast, "Top Line". In January 2009, he won an Emmy Award as part of the team that produced ABC News's presidential inauguration coverage.[6] He next worked as the political editor and an on-air political analyst for the PBS NewsHour and then as Vice President for Video Programming at Politico.[6]

Chalian in 2013

Yahoo

[edit]

Chalian served as Yahoo! News' Washington bureau chief, but was fired from that position after he was overheard on a live microphone during an online broadcast from the 2012 Republican National Convention saying that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann Romney were "not concerned at all" and "happy to have a party with black people drowning" during Hurricane Isaac.[7][8] Chalian later apologized for his remarks, saying, "I am profoundly sorry for making an inappropriate and thoughtless joke. I was commenting on the challenge of staging a convention during a hurricane and about campaign optics. I have apologized to the Romney campaign, and I want to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Gov. and Mrs. Romney."[8][7]

CNN

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After Yahoo, he was hired as political director at CNN replacing Mark Preston.[9] In this role, he has overseen the political coverage across all of CNN's platforms.[10] He often appears on-air as a political analyst on New Day and The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.[6]

Personal life

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Chalian lives in Washington, D.C.[6] He has been married to Justin Tyler Bernstine since 2017.[11] Dr. Bernstine serves as Deputy Dean of Students at American University.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

David Chalian

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David Chalian is an American journalist who serves as CNN's Senior , Washington Bureau Chief, and Political Director, roles in which he oversees the network's daily political coverage across platforms. Chalian joined CNN in 2013 from , where he had been vice president for video programming, and prior to that served as Washington bureau chief for Yahoo News. He was elevated to Political Director in 2014 and further promoted to his current senior positions in November 2024. In these capacities, he has directed editorial strategy for major cycles and hosts the CNN Political Briefing , providing analysis of evolving political dynamics. A significant early career event occurred in August 2012, when Chalian was dismissed from Yahoo News after being caught on a hot microphone during coverage of the Republican National Convention disrupted by Hurricane Isaac; he remarked that Republicans were "happy to have a party with black people drowning" and that presidential candidate Mitt Romney did not care about black people. Chalian issued an apology for the comments, which highlighted partisan sentiments in media commentary.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family influences

David Chalian was born on July 20, 1973, in , to Robert P. Chalian, a salesman, and Carol (née Steloff) Chalian. He has an older sister, Jill Meredith, born on September 15, 1970. The family lived in Manalapan and the Morganville section of . Chalian's father died at age 43 in 1986 while residing in Morganville. His mother, who later remarried and became Carol A. Krimko, worked as a teacher at Frank J. Dugan Elementary School in Manalapan until her retirement. Public records indicate extended family connections in the area, including step-relatives through his mother's remarriage, though no specific influences on Chalian's career or interests are documented in available biographical details.

Academic background

David Chalian attended from 1991 to 1995, earning a degree with majors in theater and . No records indicate pursuit of .

Professional career

Entry into journalism and ABC News tenure

Chalian entered following a background in theater and performance arts. After graduating from in 1995 with degrees in and theater, he worked as a researcher and assistant to performing artist on projects exploring the intersection of media, politics, and performance, which ignited his interest in political reporting. In February 2001, Chalian joined News, a 24-hour cable news channel focused on , in an entry-level production role that involved operating cameras and covering local events across the city's boroughs. He advanced to produce Inside City Hall, a nightly political program, where he covered the 2001 mayoral election and developed expertise in local political coverage. Chalian transitioned to national journalism in 2003 by joining ABC News's political unit as a producer. He was promoted to deputy political director in 2005 and elevated to political director in March 2007, a position he held until June 2010. In this role, he oversaw the editorial direction of political coverage across ABC News programs, including , , and , coordinating reporting on major events such as presidential campaigns and elections. Under Chalian's leadership at ABC, the political unit received a Primetime Emmy Award in 2010 for its coverage of President Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration. His tenure emphasized integrating on-air analysis with digital and broadcast elements, though it later drew scrutiny amid broader critiques of network political reporting.

Digital media expansion and the Yahoo News dismissal

In November 2011, Chalian transitioned from his role as political editor at PBS NewsHour to become Washington bureau chief at Yahoo News, marking a shift toward digital-first media platforms. At Yahoo, he oversaw political coverage and reporting from the D.C. bureau, contributing to the outlet's efforts to bolster its online news presence amid growing competition in . This move aligned with broader industry trends in the early , where traditional journalists increasingly adapted to web-based formats emphasizing real-time updates, integration, and audience engagement metrics over legacy broadcast constraints. Chalian's tenure at Yahoo News lasted less than a year, ending abruptly on August 29, , when he was dismissed following an off-air comment made during preparations for live coverage of the . Yahoo News confirmed the termination in a statement, citing the need to maintain journalistic standards, though specifics of the incident were addressed in separate coverage of Chalian's career controversies. The swift dismissal highlighted risks in production, where hot mics and multi-platform streaming amplify unfiltered remarks, contrasting with more controlled environments in traditional outlets. Chalian issued a public apology, expressing profound regret, but the event curtailed his digital expansion phase and prompted a brief career interlude.

Interim roles at Politico and PBS

Following his dismissal from Yahoo News in August 2012, Chalian joined in October 2012 as vice president of video programming, a role in which he directed the outlet's growing video initiatives amid its push into multimedia content. This position lasted approximately nine months, ending in July 2013 when he departed for CNN, marking a brief transitional stint that leveraged his expertise in to bolster 's digital strategy during a period of industry expansion. Earlier, from July 2010 to November 2011, Chalian served as political editor at PBS NewsHour, succeeding from ABC News to oversee the program's political coverage across broadcast, digital, and on-air analysis segments. In this capacity, he coordinated reporting on key events such as the 2010 midterm elections and early 2012 presidential primaries, contributing to Emmy-recognized coverage from his prior ABC tenure while adapting to public broadcasting's emphasis on in-depth, non-commercial analysis. The roughly 16-month role bridged his network television experience to digital leadership at Yahoo, reflecting a pattern of short-term strategic positions amid shifts in media landscapes.

Rise at CNN and recent promotions

David Chalian joined in July 2013 as supervising producer for the relaunched program. In this initial role, he contributed to the production of the debate-style show hosted by , , , and , which aimed to revive 's opinion programming amid competitive cable news dynamics. Chalian was elevated to CNN's political director in June 2014, succeeding Mark Preston in overseeing the network's across television, digital, and radio platforms. He managed a team of political reporters and analysts, setting the editorial direction for coverage of major events including the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections, while frequently appearing on-air as a commentator on programs such as and . On November 14, 2024, following the departure of Sam Feist to lead , CNN promoted Chalian to senior vice president and Washington, D.C., bureau chief, expanding his responsibilities to include oversight of the network's D.C. operations and approximately 100 journalists stationed there. This promotion positioned him to guide 's reporting on the incoming Trump administration, leveraging his decade-long experience in political analysis amid heightened scrutiny of media coverage impartiality.

Controversies and public scrutiny

The 2012 hot mic incident

On August 28, 2012, during a live webcast partnership between ABC News and Yahoo News covering the (RNC) in , David Chalian, then Washington bureau chief for Yahoo News, was recorded on an open microphone making disparaging remarks about Republicans and presidential nominee . The RNC had been postponed earlier that day due to Hurricane Isaac, which was impacting the Gulf Coast, including New Orleans, prompting criticism that the event prioritized politics over disaster response. While preparing for the broadcast segment, Chalian stated: "The Republicans are all about white people. But the Republicans don't have a single clue. They're happy to have a with black people drowning," referring to the Romney campaign and RNC proceedings amid the hurricane's effects on predominantly Black communities in the storm's path. The comments, captured inadvertently during a technical delay, were quickly circulated online by bloggers and media outlets after the webcast audio surfaced. Yahoo News responded swiftly, terminating Chalian's employment the following day, August 29, 2012, citing the remarks as "inappropriate." The incident drew widespread condemnation for revealing apparent partisan bias in a senior journalistic role, with critics arguing it exemplified unprofessional of a news executive tasked with objective coverage. Chalian did not issue a apology at the time, and the event marked a abrupt end to his tenure at Yahoo, though he resurfaced in media roles shortly thereafter.

Criticisms of bias in political analysis

Chalian's appointment as CNN's political director in 2013, following his 2012 hot mic incident at Yahoo News, prompted accusations from conservative commentators that his partisan worldview would taint his oversight of coverage and polling . Critics argued that promoting someone who had publicly expressed derisive views toward Republicans indicated CNN's acceptance of ideologically slanted political reporting, potentially skewing interpretations of voter data and campaign dynamics. In defending the hire during a 2014 Time Warner shareholder meeting, CEO dismissed concerns by noting the comment occurred two years prior and asserting Chalian's competence, but detractors, including the National Center for Public Policy Research, contended this reflected broader institutional indifference to left-leaning bias in news operations, with Chalian's role exemplifying tolerance for analysts whose personal views could influence neutral assessments of electoral trends. A analysis post-incident labeled Chalian a "reliable liberal" masquerading as an objective , suggesting his background as a "political hack" would prioritize ideological alignment over empirical rigor in dissecting partisan strategies and shifts. Such critiques have persisted, with observers questioning whether his analyses, such as breakdowns of polling margins or debate performances, adequately account for conservative voter motivations without implicit dismissal, though specific instances of analytical distortion remain debated rather than empirically proven.

Personal life and public persona

Relationships and family

Chalian married Justin Tyler Bernstine, an educator and administrator at , on October 28, 2017, in The couple met in 2015 through mutual friends in the city's professional and social circles and became engaged in 2016. The couple has two children: a daughter born in May 2020 and a son, Isaac Bernstine Chalian, born on January 8, 2022. Chalian and Bernstine reside in , where they balance family life with their respective careers in media and academia. No public details are available regarding Chalian's extended family or prior relationships.

Advocacy and personal disclosures

Chalian publicly disclosed his through his marriage to Justin Tyler Bernstine, an assistant dean at , on November 4, 2017, in . The ceremony was officiated by , a minister, and attended by approximately 100 guests. The couple resides in . In January 2022, Chalian and Bernstine welcomed a son, Isaac Bernstine Chalian, born via in . This family announcement was shared on Chalian's personal account, highlighting the couple's expansion amid his ongoing role at . No public records indicate Chalian's direct involvement in organized LGBTQ advocacy efforts, such as leadership in activist groups or policy campaigns; his disclosures appear limited to personal milestones rather than broader activist statements. As a political , he has professionally analyzed related topics, including the 2020 ruling extending workplace protections to LGBTQ individuals under Title VII, but without evident personal advocacy beyond factual reporting.

References

  1. https://www.cnn.com/profiles/david-chalian
  2. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/david-chalian-cnn-washington-bureau-chief-1236210063/
  3. https://deadline.com/2024/11/david-chalian-cnn-washington-bureau-chief-1236176576/
  4. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/cnn-david-chalian-dc-bureau-chief-1236061901/
  5. https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/political-briefing
  6. https://muckrack.com/davidchalian
  7. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-19418514
  8. https://www.politico.com/story/2012/08/chalian-the-latest-media-casualty-080405
  9. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2012/08/29/yahoo-editor-fired-over-anti-romney-joke/
  10. https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/david-chalian-apologizes-for-romney-remarks/
  11. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/07/29/archives/birth-notice-1-no-title.html
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/05/fashion/weddings/david-chalian-justin-bernstine.html
  13. https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/27/archives/births.html
  14. https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/145841389/
  15. https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/carol-krimko_id_G6174970548169136913
  16. https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-chalian-27117454
  17. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/press-releases/david-chalian-will-join-pbs-newshour-as-political-editor
  18. https://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/fall2008/feature/chalian.html
  19. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/20/playbook-birthday-david-chalian-240745
  20. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/david-chalian/story?id=6499665
  21. https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/10/david-chalian-back-in-business-138292
  22. https://www.yahoo.com/news/blogs/cutline/yahoo-news-hires-david-chalian-washington-bureau-chief-053011491.html
  23. https://current.org/2011/11/newshours-david-chalian-will-head-yahoo-news-d-c-bureau/
  24. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/yahoo-fires-washington-news-chief-over-republican-joke-idUSDEE87S0HS/
  25. https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/08/yahoo-news-fires-david-chalian-133662
  26. https://archive.nytimes.com/mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/08/30/is-this-thing-on-yahoo-firing-proves-the-perils-of-feeding-many-platforms/
  27. https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/david-chalian-out-at-politico-167514
  28. https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/cnn-hires-former-abc-news-political-director-david-chalian-for-crossfire/
  29. https://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/07/david-chalian-joining-cnns-crossfire-169382
  30. https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/david-chalian-named-cnn-political-director/
  31. https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2024/11/14/cnn-promotes-david-chalian-to-senior-vice-president-and-washington-bureau-chief/
  32. https://barrettmedia.com/2024/11/14/cnn-elevates-david-chalian-to-senior-vice-president-and-washington-bureau-chief/
  33. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2012/08/david-chalian-s-abc-yahoo-hot-mic-mishap-romneys-are-happy-to-have-a-party-with-black-people-drowning.html
  34. https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2012/08/29/Yahoo-newsman-fired-for-Romney-remark/38131346292431/
  35. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/time-warner-ceo-defends-cnn-711814/
  36. https://nationalcenter.org/ncppr/2014/06/16/time-warner-chairman-and-ceo-jeff-bewkes-questioned-about-cnns-liberal-bias/
  37. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0812/80405_Page2.html
  38. https://www.instagram.com/p/CHL-ve-nIQ4/?hl=en
  39. https://www.instagram.com/p/CYmwCn2PhX9/?hl=en
  40. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tDErmEd26Zfvzj8AaGUrZ
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