Yes, John King and Dana Bash maintain a respectful, professional relationship. They’re cordial co-parents who work together at CNN. Their friendship isn’t what it once was during marriage. But they’ve mastered the art of amicable relations.
Let’s dig into what their current dynamic actually looks like.
Quick Bio Summary of John King & Dana Bash
John King has been CNN’s go-to political reporter for decades. The CNN anchor revolutionized election coverage with his famous “magic wall.” Born in 1963, this CNN journalist climbed from local news to national prominence. He’s currently the lead anchor for Inside Politics. His career spans multiple presidential elections and breaking news moments.
Dana Bash carved her path as a formidable CNN correspondent. This news anchor started as a producer before transitioning on-camera. She’s now chief political correspondent and co-anchor of State of the Union. Her hard-hitting interviews with politicians have defined modern political journalism. Both represent the gold standard of political analysts in broadcasting.
What Connects Them Beyond Marriage
They share more than just a son. Both dedicated their lives to the CNN network and political coverage. Their careers evolved simultaneously within the same news network. They understand deadline pressure and election night chaos. This shared experience created a foundation that survived their divorce.
How Their Relationship Began and Ended
John King and Dana Bash met through their work at the media outlet. Workplace romance blossomed between two ambitious journalists. They married in 2008, bringing together two powerhouse careers. Their son Jonah Frank King arrived in 2011.
The marriage lasted four years before ending in 2012. Neither provided detailed explanations about the split publicly. Media coverage remained relatively restrained compared to other celebrity breakups. They issued brief statements emphasizing respect and co-parenting commitment. The divorce finalized quietly without tabloid drama.
Key Timeline:
- 2008: Wedding ceremony
- 2011: Son Jonah born
- 2012: Divorce finalized
- 2012-present: Professional overlap continues at CNN
Where They Stand Now — Work, Parenting, and Public Interactions
Co-Parenting Their Son Jonah
Shared custody arrangements work around their demanding CNN schedules. Jonah, now a teenager, benefits from two engaged parents. Sources close to the family describe their parenting partnership as exemplary. They coordinate school events, holidays, and important milestones seamlessly.
Co-parenting Success Indicators:
- Joint attendance at school functions
- Coordinated vacation scheduling
- Unified approach to parenting decisions
- Minimal public conflict or tension
Working Under the Same CNN Roof
The CNN program lineup often features both anchors. Election coverage brings them into close professional proximity. They’ve demonstrated remarkable professionalism during breaking news situations. Colleagues describe their work association as respectful and collaborative.
Their role transition happened naturally over time. Dana took over Inside Politics when John moved to different programming. This career change showed trust from network executives. It also proved both could handle professional overlap without drama.
Public interactions during CNN broadcasts reveal genuine respect. They reference each other’s reporting professionally and courteously. Body language during joint coverage shows comfort, not tension. Neither avoids the other when news demands their collaboration.
What “Still Friends” Actually Means in Public Life
Friendship after divorce exists on a spectrum. Some exes become genuine best friends again. Others maintain polite distance while co-parenting effectively. John King and Dana Bash fall into the latter category.
They’re not grabbing coffee weekly or texting jokes. But they’re also not hostile or uncomfortable around each other. Their relationship represents mature, professional courtesy paired with successful joint parenting. This distinction matters when evaluating whether they’re “still friends.”
The Professional Complication Factor
Working at the same broadcasting company adds complexity. They can’t avoid each other entirely, nor would that serve anyone. The business partnership aspect requires ongoing communication and coordination. This forced interaction actually helps maintain their amicable relations.
Key differences between types of post-divorce relationships:
| Relationship Type | Communication Level | Comfort Level | Example Behaviors |
| Hostile | Minimal/through lawyers | Very low | Avoid all contact |
| Cordial (Their status) | Regular/focused on kid & work | Moderate | Professional respect |
| Close friends | Frequent/personal topics | High | Social activities together |
Concrete Examples That Show They’re on Good Terms
Joint Election Night Coverage Moments
During the 2020 and 2022 elections, both anchored major coverage. Viewers noticed their seamless coordination and professional chemistry. John’s magic wall analysis complemented Dana’s political insights naturally. They handed off segments to each other smoothly without awkwardness.
One memorable exchange during 2020 results coverage showed mutual respect. Dana referenced John’s earlier reporting with genuine appreciation. He returned the compliment during her interview segment. These small moments reveal authentic good relations.
Statements About Each Other in Interviews
John King on Dana Bash: “She’s an exceptional journalist and wonderful mother to our son.”
Dana Bash on professional overlap: “We make it work because we both prioritize what matters—our child and our responsibility to viewers.”
Neither has spoken negatively about the other publicly. When asked about their personal life post-divorce, both redirect to professional topics gracefully. This consistent approach suggests an agreed-upon boundary they both respect.
Colleague Perspectives
Other CNN anchors praise their professionalism regularly. Jake Tapper once noted their remarkable ability to separate personal history from career collaboration. Network executives point to them as examples of mature workplace conduct. Behind-the-scenes staff report zero tension or drama between them.
Why This Matters to Viewers and Readers
Our Fascination With Journalist Relationships
We develop parasocial connections with news anchors we watch regularly. Their private life interests us because they enter our homes nightly. When two prominent figures marry and divorce, we naturally wonder about the aftermath. Their handling of the situation teaches us about relationship maturity.
Modern Co-Parenting Lessons
John King and Dana Bash demonstrate that divorce doesn’t require destruction. They show that shared custody can work even with demanding careers. Their example breaks stigma around divorced parents maintaining professional relationships. Regular people facing similar situations can learn from their approach.
Key takeaways for anyone co-parenting:
- Keep the child’s wellbeing central always
- Maintain respectful communication regardless of feelings
- Don’t let personal history affect professional obligations
- Create clear boundaries everyone understands
What to Watch Next
Both continue dominating political coverage as we approach future elections. Their career trajectories suggest continued prominence at CNN. Viewers will see more opportunities to observe their professional relationship during breaking news. Their son’s teenage years may bring new public interactions.
Upcoming opportunities to see them together:
- 2024 presidential election coverage
- Major political conventions
- Breaking news situations requiring all-hands-on-deck
- CNN special events and anniversary programming
Final Thoughts
So are John King and Dana Bash still friends? They maintain cordial, respectful relations built on successful co-parenting and professional respect. Their friendship differs from their marriage days, naturally. But they’ve achieved something harder—mutual respect after romantic love ended.
Their story offers hope to divorced parents everywhere. It proves that maturity, clear boundaries, and shared priorities work. The CNN journalist duo shows that personal history doesn’t dictate professional future. They’ve mastered the delicate balance between personal affairs and public engagement.
The bottom line: They’re friendly, professional, and committed to raising their son together. That’s friendship enough for two busy news anchors navigating complex lives. Their approach deserves recognition and respect from all of us watching.
Quick Reference Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Marriage Year | 2008 |
| Divorce Year | 2012 |
| Son’s Name | Jonah Frank King |
| John’s Current Role | CNN anchor, Inside Politics |
| Dana’s Current Role | Chief political correspondent, CNN |
| Current Relationship Status | Cordial professional colleagues, successful co-parents |
Their journey from marriage to professional overlap demonstrates emotional intelligence. Both prioritized their child and careers over personal grievances. That’s the definition of amicable relations in modern life.
