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
Latest from Jonathan Capehart

Adam Bry on the future of drones at home and in the battlefield

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 21, Skydio CEO Adam Bry talks about the prominence of China in the drone industry, why it threatens U.S. national security, and how the company’s drones are being used both in Ukraine and here in the United States.

March 28, 2024

Regina King on bringing groundbreaking lawmaker Shirley Chisholm to the big screen

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 22, actor Regina King breaks down her starring role as Shirley Chisholm in the new biopic, “Shirley,” talks about why the film took 15 years to make and explores the lawmaker’s enduring legacy.

March 21, 2024

Julio Torres on his surrealist take on the U.S. immigration system, ‘Problemista’

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March 13, actor and comedian Julio Torres talks about his directorial debut, “Problemista,” which he also wrote and stars in, digs into how his own experience with the U.S. immigration system informs the film and explores the importance of the protagonist Alejandro being a fully fleshed character.

March 14, 2024

Rep. Ro Khanna on why he’s calling for a permanent cease-fire in the Israel-Gaza war

In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on March. 6, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) breaks down why he’s worried President Biden’s support for Israel is fraying the Democratic coalition, how Congress should investigate the administrations steady and quiet transfer of arms to Israel, how activists’ calls for a permanent cease-fire have affected White House messaging, and what he hopes to hear from the president’s State of the Union address.

March 8, 2024

    ‘American Fiction’ is ‘not so fictional at all’ | Opinion

    “We in America lack a fluency in race,” Oscar-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright says. His latest film, “American Fiction”, explores themes of race and identity.

    March 7, 2024

    Jeffrey Wright on ‘American Fiction,’ identity and ‘improving discourse’ regarding race in the U.S.

    In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Feb. 23, Oscar-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright discusses his latest film, "American Fiction," how the movie further explores themes of race and identity, how to have "better discourse" regarding race and the landscape for Black storytellers in Hollywood.

    February 29, 2024

    A’ja Wilson on inspiring the next generation with ‘Dear Black Girls’

    In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Feb. 15, two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson discusses her new book, “Dear Black Girls: How to Be True to You,” as well as how her grandmother made her a dreamer, what brought her to basketball and why Black women and girls need to have “the talk” that’s associated with Black men and boys since the death of Trayvon Martin.”

    February 22, 2024

    Denver Mayor Mike Johnston on the ‘catastrophe’ of U.S. immigration policy

    In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Feb. 14, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston talks about how the influx of migrants sent to his city has pushed it to “a breaking point,” what the impact of the bipartisan Senate immigration bill would have been and how former president Donald Trump is trying to keep the crisis going.

    February 15, 2024

    Post Opinions: The Disorienting Feeling of Being American Amid the Israel-Gaza War

    Almost four months since Hamas’ barbaric attacks, Israel’s bloody operation in Gaza is still ongoing, with civilian casualties mounting by the day. The war has dominated our news feeds and dinner table conversations, and opened up rifts that cross traditional partisan lines. Three of our columnists — Jason Rezaian, Alyssa Rosenberg and Shadi Hamid — got together to discuss if the war is changing how they think about America, its moral standing in the world and what it means to be an American. Keep listening for updates on more conversations coming from the Opinions team at The Post. Capehart will be back with a new episode next week.

    February 8, 2024

    Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor on the journey from ‘Caste’ to ‘Origin’

    In this conversation recorded for Washington Post Live on Feb. 2, actor Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor digs into her new film “Origin," working with director Ava DuVernay, and how she prepared her portrayal of author Isabel Wilkerson writing the best-selling book, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” 

    February 2, 2024