Jon Sopel
About
From the steps of Downing Street to the inside of the White House press briefing room, Jon Sopel has spent four decades reporting on global events and interviewing the people who tried to shape them. Described by President Trump as ‘another beauty,’ his face has graced just about every news programme on the BBC, and his familiar voice has carried across the airwaves of BBC Radio from Paris, Kuwait City, Washington DC, and Blackpool. In February 2022, Jon announced he was leaving the BBC to launch the News Agents Podcast alongside Lewis Goodall and Emily Maitlis. In July 2023, Jon launched News Agents USA with Emily Maitlis.
Career
Early Career
Jon began his career as a BBC reporter, quickly establishing himself as a skilled and insightful journalist. He held numerous high-profile roles within the BBC, showcasing his versatility and depth of knowledge.
Major Assignments
- North America Editor: Jon reported on the rise and fall of President Trump, providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the political landscape in the United States.
- Paris Correspondent: Jon was Paris correspondent when Concorde crashed.
- Kuwait City Correspondent: He was based in Kuwait City during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Presentational Skills
Jon’s presentational skills have been extensively used across the BBC as an in-studio host for:
- BBC News Channel
- The Politics Show
- BBC News at One
- BBC Two’s party conference coverage
- Newsnight
- BBC World News
Reporting Highlights
Jon has reported live into every major BBC news bulletin on location from around the country and across the globe, including coverage of:
- Nelson Mandela’s funeral
- The inauguration of a new Pope
- Countless elections
- Wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Middle East
He has interviewed numerous Presidents, Prime Ministers, and the occasional Emir.
News Agents Podcast
In February 2022, Jon left the BBC to launch the News Agents Podcast with Lewis Goodall and Emily Maitlis. This venture marked a new chapter in his career, allowing him to explore new formats and reach new audiences. In July 2023, he and Emily Maitlis launched News Agents USA.
Books
- Tony Blair: The Moderniser (1995): A biography of Tony Blair, published two years before he became Prime Minister.
- If Only They Didn’t Speak English: Notes from Trump’s America: An acclaimed best-seller examining the Trump Presidency.
- A Year at the Circus (2019): The second book in his trilogy about the Trump Presidency.
- UnPresidented: Politics, Pandemics and the Race that Trumped All Others (2021): A personal diary of the 2020 presidential election.
Awards
Jon has received many awards for his work, including:
- Political Journalist of the Year (2007)
- Shortlisted for National Presenter of the Year at the Royal Television Society Television Journalism Awards (2011/12)
- Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Southampton (2011)
Personal Life
Jon currently lives in London with his wife, Linda. He is an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust and enjoys golf, travel, and watching football.