Jonathan Capehart

Washington, D.C.

Opinion columnist focusing on the intersection of social and cultural issues and politics

Education: Carleton College, BA in Political Science.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart has been a member of The Washington Post editorial board since 2007. He writes about politics and social issues, hosts the podcast “Capehart” (formerly named “Cape Up”) and anchors the weekly Washington Post Live show “First Look,” which is also streamed on “The Choice MSNBC” on Comcast’s Peacock streaming service. Capehart is also an MSNBC contributor and the anchor of “The Sunday Show with Jonathan Capehart.” His MSNBC special “A Promised Land: A Conversation with Barack Obama” was nominated in 2021 for an Emmy for Outstanding News Discussion & Analysis. At PBS, Capehart serves as a commentator on “The PBS NewsHour” and is featured on the popular Friday segment
Share confidential news tips with The Post
Latest from Jonathan Capehart

David Oyelowo on bringing the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River to life

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Jan. 10, actor David Oyewolo talks about his new series, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” in which he plays the eponymous Bass Reeves, the first Black deputy U.S. marshal west of the Mississippi River. Oyelowo also discusses what it was like to work with his wife in a part weighted with personal and historic significance, and why it was important for him to bring Reeves’s story to the screen.

January 18, 2024

Justin Pearson on continuing the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Jan. 11, Tennessee Rep. Justin J. Pearson discusses how the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. has impacted the rising generation of political leaders and why he thinks U.S. institutions are being degraded through partisan politics.

January 11, 2024

Best of: Colson Whitehead on ‘Crook Manifesto’ and his Harlem trilogy

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on July 20, Colson Whitehead discusses his new book, “Crook Manifesto,” how the novel fits into the Harlem trilogy, his process of grounding critiques of how we live into his writing, and what genres he plans to conquer next.

December 28, 2023

Best of: How Ruth E. Carter brings Black style to the big screen

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on June 22, two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter discusses her new book, “The Art of Ruth E. Carter: Costuming Black History and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther,” dives deep on her creative process, and reflects on how her work has helped define Black style and culture.

December 21, 2023

Michelle Ebanks is forging the Apollo Theater’s next act

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Dec. 14, Michelle Ebanks, the president and CEO of the Apollo Theater, discusses the history of the legendary performing arts venue in the heart of Harlem, the building’s first expansion and renovation – and how two decades of leadership at Essence Communications have positioned her to lead the Apollo into its next chapter.

December 14, 2023

Adrienne Warren and Marissa Jo Cerar dig into ‘Black Cake’

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Dec. 6, actor Adrienne Warren and creator & showrunner Marissa Jo Cerar discuss their new series, “Black Cake,” and dig into the intergenerational, intersectional story of a Black American family learning the truth about their mother after her death. Warren and Cerar also touch on the importance of showing stories of Black and Brown people that are not about the civil rights movements, slavery or oppression, and why the story could only be adapted as a series, not a film.

December 7, 2023

Lily Gladstone and Erica Tremblay on their ‘love letter’ to Native communities

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Nov. 29, actor Lily Gladstone and writer-director Erica Tremblay discuss their new film, “Fancy Dance,” the importance of setting the story on a Seneca-Cayuga reservation, the themes of indifference and invisibility, and why, despite its great acclaim and reviews, no studio has bought the film.

November 30, 2023

Best of: Ned Blackhawk on ‘The Rediscovery of America’

In this conversation first recorded for Washington Post Live on April 27, Yale University professor Ned Blackhawk discusses his book, “The Rediscovery of America: Natives Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History,” which recently won the National Book Award for nonfiction, and explores the foundational role Native Americans have played in U.S. history, including in the formulation of our country’s Constitution, and how their presence and contributions are frequently overlooked, or worse, erased.

November 23, 2023

The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop: ‘Somebody knows’

Forty years ago, the body of a prime minister went missing. The Post’s Martine Powers asks: Who’s responsible?

November 19, 2023

Q&A with Mitch Landrieu: Why doesn’t Biden get credit for his achievements?

President Biden’s infrastructure law is historic. Why don’t voters acknowledge it?

November 16, 2023