John Harwood

<p>A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who has covered the White House and national politics for America’s most prestigious news organizations, John Harwood offers audiences his deeply respected, nonpartisan take on politics and the economy. </p><p>For more than three decades, John Harwood has been one of the most instantly recognizable faces and one of the most trusted voices in journalism, reporting for the most iconic American news media, including t<em>he Wall Street Journal, the New York Times</em>, CNBC, CNN, PBS and NPR.</p><p>Harwood has interviewed every president from George H.W. Bush to Joe Biden and received an Emmy nomination for his hour-long, live CNBC town hall with President Barack Obama. His career spans coverage of pivotal moments—from the September 11 attacks to the global financial crisis and Great Recession—offering audiences rare historical context for today’s challenges.</p><p>For<em> the Wall Street Journal, </em>Harwood covered the first Bush White House, President Bill Clinton’s agenda in Congress and four presidential campaigns. He was part of the Journal’s team covering the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, which won the Pulitzer Prize. For<em> the New York Times</em> and CNBC, Harwood chronicled the financial crisis and Great Recession, including the first 2009 television interview of President Obama as he prepared to enter the White House that January. He moderated Republican presidential debates during the 2012 and 2016 campaigns.</p><p>Today, he equips audiences with a clear understanding of how policy decisions, economic forces, and media dynamics intersect—delivering practical insights into what’s ahead for businesses, institutions, and the broader political landscape.</p>

First Name
John
Last Name
Harwood
Twitter
JohnJHarwood
Siebel ID
1-B2HXB
Moniker

Award-Winning Journalist; Former CNN White House Correspondent; Former CNBC Chief Washington DC Correspondent; Political Analyst and Commentator

Speech Topics

<ul><li><strong>The New Washington: Policy, Politics, Media, and What It Means for You</strong></li><li>Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist John Harwood brings more than three decades of frontline reporting to a clear, nonpartisan look at Washington today. Drawing on his experience covering six presidential administrations—and interviewing each of the last six presidents—Harwood breaks down the policies driving today’s agenda, from tariffs and tax policy to immigration, defense, international relations, and the growing role of AI and technology in governance. He puts today’s biggest decisions into historical context, helping audiences understand not just what’s happening, but why it matters now. Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of where policy is headed, how Washington’s decisions will affect their organizations, and what to watch for in the months ahead.</li><li><strong>Washington and the Economy</strong></li><li>America’s $27-trillion–and–growing economy moves to rhythms all its own—but the decisions made in Washington, from the White House to Congress to the Federal Reserve, play a powerful role in shaping which businesses thrive, what workers earn, and how secure jobs really are. As the second Trump presidency continues to develop and a new Congress debates the path forward, key choices around taxes, spending, interest rates, and regulation will have real consequences for Americans’ everyday finances. Drawing on decades of experience reporting for The Wall Street Journal and CNBC, John Harwood breaks down what these shifting policies mean for your bottom line—and what to watch for next.</li><li><strong>Suddenly Facing Mortality—and Surviving</strong></li><li>In this deeply personal and uplifting talk, veteran journalist John Harwood reflects on the life-altering experience of being suddenly diagnosed with a rare, fast-moving cancer—and the miraculous chain of events that led to his survival. He shares how a routine physical, world-class medical care, and the unwavering love of family carried him through a health crisis he never saw coming. With honesty, grace, and humor, Harwood explores the dizzying unpredictability of life, the emotional toll of confronting mortality, and the profound resilience that can emerge in the face of it. Audiences will walk away with a renewed sense of gratitude, a fresh perspective on the miracle of modern medicine, and a reminder of the power of connection</li><li><strong>Journalism and the Threat to Democracy</strong></li><li>The pressures facing American journalism and democracy today are closely connected. Economic shifts and cultural divides have fractured the public’s trust in long-standing institutions, including the media, and eroded a shared sense of facts. As recent elections and national events have shown, disagreement over basic information continues to shape public debate in profound ways. This creates a difficult landscape for journalism, as it balances the need for clear, accurate reporting with the realities of a diverse and often skeptical audience. With decades of experience in print, broadcast, and presidential debates, John Harwood offers a thoughtful, insider’s view of how journalism can adapt and stay resilient in service of a healthy democracy.</li><li><strong>An Insightful, Humorous and Skilled Moderator and Emcee</strong></li><li>One of the most instantly recognizable faces and voices in journalism today, John Harwood is the ideal moderator, panelist and emcee for events focused on national politics, elections and the economy. His 30-plus years covering the most important national news stories of the day for CNN, CNBC and other prestigious news outlets—moderating presidential debates and interviewing sitting presidents and other leaders—were the ideal preparation, and he brings clarity, nonpartisan objectivity and thought-provoking insight to every event.  </li></ul>

Hide Fee
Off
Exclusive
Off
Image Alt Tag
<p>John Harwood, Business Speaker, Keppler Speakers Bureau</p>
Marketing Toolkit
Harwood J-Bio.docx
Harwood J-Photo (HEADSHOT).jpg
Harwood J-Topics.docx
Harwood Ja-Bio.docx
Harwood Ja-Topics.docx
Ignore Keppler Lit?
No