Elex Michaelson is an anchor and correspondent for CNN based in Los Angeles. He will anchor weeknights live from 9-11 pm PT / 12-2am ET on CNN and CNN International starting this fall.

Michaelson previously served as evening anchor at KTTV FOX 11 in Los Angeles, where he created, hosted, and executive produced California’s first statewide political show, The Issue Is with Elex Michaelson, which aired in every TV market in California.

He has conducted exclusive, one-on-one interviews with key political figures including President Donald Trump, former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

While at KTTV, he organized and co-moderated live, televised debates in the races for California governor, US senator, Los Angeles mayor, Los Angeles County sheriff and multiple congressional seats. He also field-anchored live from multiple Democratic and Republican national conventions and presidential inaugurations and hosted more celebratory live broadcasts such as the Tournament of Roses Parade, the Emmys red carpet and World Series postgame shows.

Michaelson anchored continuous coverage of major breaking news events including Southern California’s devastating wildfires, civil unrest, mass shootings and the COVID-19 pandemic. He also produced a series highlighting people who use their platforms to serve their communities featuring George Clooney, Sammy Hagar, Magic Johnson, Clayton Kershaw and Father Greg Boyle.

From 2010 to 2017, Michaelson was a reporter at KABC-TV in Los Angeles. Before that, he served as a weekend morning anchor and weeknight reporter at XETV in San Diego.

Michaelson has won eight Emmy Awards, eight Golden Mikes and six Los Angeles Press Club Awards, including TV Journalist of the Year in 2023.

Michaelson graduated first in his class from the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California. He earned summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa honors while earning dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.