• Jake Tapper’s show The Lead hits lowest ratings in a decade amid backlash over his Biden mental health book.
• Tapper admitted mistakes in covering Biden’s decline and apologized to critics like Lara Trump.
• Despite criticism, Tapper insists the book aims to reveal the truth, not to make money.

Jake Tapper, the CNN anchor, recently experienced his lowest TV ratings in ten years. His show, The Lead with Jake Tapper, averaged only 525,000 viewers from April 28 through May 25. This number represents a 25% drop compared to the same time last year, according to Nielsen ratings. The decline occurred while Tapper was busy promoting his new tell-all book about President Joe Biden’s mental health. Tapper appeared on many podcasts, talk shows, and news programs to discuss the book, which CNN itself widely praised. Despite all the promotion, his viewership numbers fell sharply.

The Tell-All Book About Biden’s Health Sparks Interest and Controversy

Tapper co-wrote the book Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Againwith Axios reporter Alex Thompson. The book focuses on Biden’s mental health struggles and alleges that his team tried to cover it up. The timing of the book drew more attention when news broke that Biden had aggressive prostate cancer. This health news made the topic of Biden’s decline even more relevant. However, while the book generated discussion, it also brought strong criticism against Tapper.

Fox News and MSNBC Surpass Tapper’s Show in Ratings

During the same time slot, Fox News programs like The Five and Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 3.3 million viewers. MSNBC shows also pulled in over 1 million viewers. In contrast, Tapper’s show had just 11% of the national cable news audience. MSNBC claimed 21%, and Fox News led with a dominant 68%. These numbers highlight the steep drop in Tapper’s popularity. In fact, this month marked his lowest-rated since August 2015. The decline in viewers aged 25 to 54, the most valuable demographic for advertisers, added to the concerns. Tapper’s show lost 15% of this group, averaging only 95,000 viewers.

CNN Faces Widespread Rating Problems in Key Demographic

The poor ratings for Tapper’s show mirrored broader issues at CNN. In May, CNN had its second-worst month ever in the important 25 to 54 age group. This affected both daytime and primetime programming. Advertisers prize this demographic because it influences network revenue. The overall decline in CNN’s numbers raised questions about its future strategy and appeal. However, CNN remained optimistic and pointed out the limitations of Nielsen’s U.S.-only data.

CNN Defends Tapper’s Global Reach Beyond U.S. Ratings

A CNN spokesperson said the Nielsen ratings do not show the full picture. Tapper’s show airs worldwide on CNN International and on the Max streaming service. The spokesperson emphasized that no single metric can fully capture the show’s true reach and impact. CNN believes Tapper’s influence goes beyond U.S. cable ratings. Still, critics argue that falling domestic numbers remain a serious problem for the network and its star anchor.

Tapper Faces Backlash Over His Role in Covering Up Biden’s Decline

Many people criticized Tapper for his previous defense of Biden’s mental health. Some online called him a “fraud” and “phony” for allegedly helping hide Biden’s decline. They shared clips of Tapper attacking Republicans who questioned Biden’s mental fitness. For example, in October 2020, Tapper slammed Lara Trump after she suggested Biden showed signs of cognitive decline during a speech. Tapper said she had “no standing” to diagnose Biden and accused her of mocking Biden’s stutter. This incident resurfaced as critics pointed to Tapper’s role in the cover-up.

Tapper Admits Mistakes and Expresses Regret Over Media Coverage

Tapper later admitted he trusted Biden and his aides too much. He said he took their assurances at face value. His turning point came after moderating a poor debate between Biden and Trump in June 2024. Tapper told Megyn Kelly he felt “tremendous humility” and acknowledged that conservative media got the story right. He called for “soul-searching” within the media about how the story was covered. He expressed regret and said he wished he could have done things differently.

Apology to Lara Trump and Acknowledgment of Wrongdoing

Tapper even apologized to Lara Trump for his harsh criticism. She told Fox News that Tapper called her two months ago before the book release. He said he planned to publicly admit she was right about Biden’s decline. Lara Trump appreciated the apology but said it came too late. She believes Tapper and the media lost the American people’s trust. She warned that this loss of trust helped Donald Trump win the presidency again. Lara stressed that people want honesty and authenticity from journalists.

Tapper Responds to Stephen A. Smith’s Claim That the Book Is a “Money Grab”

Stephen A. Smith, an ESPN host, called Tapper’s book a “money grab.” Tapper seemed uncomfortable but denied the claim. He explained that few authors write books just to make money. Tapper said his main job and income come from CNN, not book sales. He stressed that the book’s purpose was to uncover the truth and leave a legacy. Tapper wants to share a message and reveal important information. He said the book is about getting the facts out, not earning profits.