If you’ve spent any time watching CNN over the last two decades, you’ve seen them. Dana Bash and John King are the institutional backbone of American political reporting. They are the faces of election nights, the voices of the "Magic Wall," and the anchors who guide us through the chaos of DC.
But for a long time, they were more than just colleagues. They were a powerhouse couple.
It’s been over a decade since their divorce, yet people still search for Dana Bash John King like the news just broke yesterday. Why? Maybe it’s because they managed to do something almost nobody in the high-pressure world of cable news does: they stayed friends. Honestly, they didn't just stay friends; they became the industry standard for how to handle a public split while raising a kid and working in the same building.
The Newsroom Romance That Actually Happened
They met where you’d expect—at work. Back in the mid-2000s, John King was already the network's chief national correspondent, and Dana Bash was a rising star covering the Hill. They were both coming off previous marriages (Bash to Jeremy Bash and King to Jean Makie).
It wasn't just a casual fling. They got married on May 25, 2008, at a private ceremony on Cape Cod.
One of the most telling details of their commitment was King's decision to convert to Judaism. He was raised Irish Catholic in Boston, but he spent a year studying before the wedding. He even joked at the time about inviting people to his "Bar Mitzvah." It showed a level of respect for Bash’s heritage that really resonated with people.
Then came 2011. They welcomed their son, Jonah Frank King. At the time, they seemed like the ultimate DC power couple—balanced, brilliant, and totally in sync.
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Why It Ended (And Why We Still Care)
The split came fast. In March 2012, just less than a year after Jonah was born, they announced their separation. There was no public scandal. No tabloid-worthy cheating rumors.
They just went their separate ways.
Sometimes, two people who are incredible at their jobs and deeply respect each other just don't work as a couple. It happens. But because they are on TV every day, the "Dana Bash John King" dynamic remained under a microscope.
They had to navigate the awkwardness of being exes while sharing airtime. Most people can't stand their ex-spouse across a dinner table, let alone across a multi-million dollar news set with millions of people watching. Yet, they made it look easy.
Redefining the "Ex-Wife" Label
Fast forward to 2023. A major shift happened at CNN. John King decided to step away from his daily show, Inside Politics, to focus on a new project traveling the country for the 2024 election cycle. The person tapped to replace him? Dana Bash.
It was a huge moment for her career. But the Los Angeles Times ran a headline that rubbed her the wrong way. It read: "John King Exits CNN's 'Inside Politics' for New Role. His Ex-Wife Dana Bash Will Succeed Him."
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Bash didn't stay quiet. She took to X (formerly Twitter) and basically told them to do better.
"Yes, John and I used to be married. We are now friends and share a wonderful son together. In this context I am not an 'ex-wife,' I am a veteran journalist with decades of experience who worked hard for this role."
That moment was iconic. It wasn't an attack on King—it was a demand for professional respect. King, for his part, has always been her biggest cheerleader. He has frequently praised her reporting and her skill as a moderator.
Co-Parenting and Health Struggles
The bond between them was tested again when John King went public with his Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 2021. He had been keeping it a secret for 13 years.
Bash was right there. She posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, saying how proud she was of him—not just for sharing his story, but for the reason he did it: to encourage people to get vaccinated and protect the immunocompromised.
She thanked him for being a "good dad and role model" for their son.
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That’s the thing about Dana Bash John King. Their story isn't a "failed marriage" story. It’s a successful family story. Jonah is a teenager now, and by all accounts, they have remained a united front in his life.
What You Can Learn From Them
We live in a culture that loves a messy divorce. We want the drama. But Bash and King gave us the opposite. They gave us a roadmap for maturity.
- Professionalism beats personal feelings. They never let their personal history interfere with the quality of the news.
- Identity is more than a relationship status. Bash's pushback against the "ex-wife" label is a reminder that a woman's career achievements should never be secondary to her marital history.
- Respect is a choice. King’s conversion and his continued support for Bash's career show that you can value someone's presence in your life even if the romantic part is over.
The Bottom Line on Dana Bash and John King
Today, Dana Bash is the solo anchor of Inside Politics and co-anchor of State of the Union. John King is still the undisputed king of the Magic Wall, providing the deep-dive data analysis that defines election cycles.
They are two of the most powerful people in media, and they happen to share a son and a history.
The reason the search term "Dana Bash John King" is still so popular isn't because of the divorce. It's because people are fascinated by the "good" breakup. In a town like Washington, where egos are massive and everything is a competition, their mutual respect is actually the most shocking thing about them.
If you are looking for a takeaway, let it be this: you don't have to erase someone from your life just because a chapter ended. You can rewrite the roles and keep moving forward.
Next Steps for Following the Story:
- Watch Inside Politics: See how Dana Bash has made the show her own since taking over for King.
- Monitor Election Special Coverage: Look for their occasional on-air handoffs; the chemistry is purely professional, but the mutual respect is always visible.
- Check Social Media: Both occasionally share updates about their son Jonah, providing a glimpse into their successful co-parenting dynamic.