State of the Union Creators & Guests

Dana Bash is an American journalist, news anchor, and chief political correspondent for CNN.

Jake Tapper is a prominent journalist, author, and television anchor best known for his work with CNN. As the Chief Washington Correspondent and host of "The Lead with Jake Tapper" and "State of the Union," he is recognized for his incisive interviews and in-depth political reporting. Tapper has received numerous awards for his journalism, including several Emmy Awards. He is also a bestselling author, having written both non-fiction and fiction books, including "The Outpost," which was adapted into a feature film. Tapper's rigorous reporting and commitment to journalistic integrity have made him a respected figure in American media.

Zoe Lofgren is an American politician serving as a U.S. Representative from California.

Denver Riggleman is a businessman, politician, Representative for Virginia's 5th congressional district, and former Air Force officer.

David Axelrod is a political consultant and analyst.

Nancy Mace is a businesswoman, politician, author, and U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district.

Alyssa Farah Griffin is an advisor and political commentator at CNN.

Antony Blinken is a former deputy national security advisor of the United States.

Peter Meijer is a politician and business analyst. He is representing Michigan's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.

Paul Begala is an American political consultant and political commentator best known as the former adviser to President Bill Clinton.

Susan Collins is a politician.

Jim Himes is a businessman and politician.

Larry Summers is an economist.

Mike Johnson is an American lawyer and politician serving as the 56th speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, he is in his fifth House term, having represented Louisiana's 4th congressional district since 2017.Johnson is a graduate of the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. Before entering politics, he worked as an attorney in private practice and for the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a conservative Christian legal advocacy group. Johnson sat on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention between 2004 and 2012.Johnson's political career began when he was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015; he served in that body until 2017. He was first elected to represent Louisiana's 4th congressional district in 2016. During his time in Congress, he contested the results of the 2020 presidential election on the House floor and in court. A social conservative, Johnson supported bills to ban abortion nationwide before saying that in the wake of the Dobbs decision, abortion policy was the purview of the states. Johnson chaired the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives in Congress, from 2019 to 2021. He was vice chair of the House Republican Conference from 2021 to 2023.On October 25, 2023, after Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted from the position, Johnson was elected to replace him. As speaker, Johnson helped pass a bill meant to provide Ukraine with $60 billion of U.S. military aid. Johnson was reelected to a full term as speaker in 2025.

Michael Richard Pence (born June 7, 1959) is an American politician and lawyer serving as the 48th and current vice president of the United States.

Gabby Giffords is a retired politician and gun control advocate. She served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona's 8th congressional district from January 2007 until January 2012.

Michael McCaul is an attorney and politician.

Tom Homan is a former ICE director and stalwart on Border Control.

David Urban is a lobbyist, political operative, and political commentator.