CNN has announced that Rahm Emanuel has joined the network as a senior political and global affairs commentator. Emanuel will leverage his extensive background in American and international politics to contribute to CNN's on-air coverage.
A prominent figure in Democratic politics for over three decades, Emanuel most recently served as the 31st United States Ambassador to Japan under President Joe Biden. His previous roles include mayor of Chicago (2011-2019) and White House Chief of Staff under President Barack Obama. During his time as Chief of Staff, Emanuel played a key role in the Obama administration's policy initiatives. Before entering the executive branch, he represented Illinois's 5th Congressional District in the House of Representatives (2002-2008), serving as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.
Emanuel’s academic credentials include a bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College and a master's degree in speech and communication from Northwestern University. The hiring of Emanuel follows a common practice among cable news networks of engaging former political figures and experts as contributors. While CNN hasn't disclosed the financial details, it's typical for such roles to involve compensation.