Mark Knoller, the longtime CBS News White House correspondent who became the unofficial presidential historian and statistician, died Saturday, August 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. He was 73.
CBS News confirmed Knoller’s death, noting he had been in ill health and suffered from diabetes. The Brooklyn-born journalist dedicated more than three decades to covering the presidency, establishing himself as a fixture in the White House press corps from 1988 to 2020.
Born February 20, 1952, Knoller graduated from New York University before launching his journalism career. He began as an intern and copy boy at WNEW Radio in New York, working his way up to weekend reporter. In 1975, he joined the Associated Press Radio Network, where he remained for 13 years.
Knoller’s transition to CBS News came in 1988 when producer Susan Zirinsky recruited him as an assignment editor for the Washington Bureau. However, he found the role unsatisfying and eventually moved to his dream position as White House correspondent for CBS Radio.
During his tenure, Knoller covered the final year of President George H.W. Bush’s term and both terms of Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, along with President Donald Trump’s first term. His meticulous approach to documentation set him apart from his peers.
Knoller began systematically recording presidential activities in 1996, frustrated by the lack of a central database for such information. He maintained detailed logs of speeches, travel schedules, vacation days, golf outings, pardons, vetoes, and state visits. This self-imposed responsibility filled what he viewed as a significant gap in American historical documentation.
Despite working in journalism’s competitive environment, Knoller generously shared his comprehensive database with reporters, historians, and even White House aides seeking information about their own administration’s records. His encyclopedic knowledge became an invaluable resource for the entire press corps.
In his final decade at CBS, voice issues limited Knoller’s radio broadcasting capabilities, prompting him to embrace social media. He became well-known on Twitter, now X, where he amassed nearly 300,000 followers by sharing White House news, statistics, and commentary. This platform allowed him to continue his reporting mission in a new format.
Tom Cibrowski, CBS News president and executive editor, praised Knoller’s contributions to journalism. Cibrowski described him as “the hardest-working and most prolific White House correspondent of a generation.”
CBS News senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell remembered Knoller as simply the best, emphasizing his legendary status among White House journalists. She noted his kindness, humor, and willingness to share his extensive knowledge of the presidency with colleagues and friends.
Major Garrett, CBS News’ chief White House correspondent, indicated that Knoller defined what it means to chronicle and cover the White House. Garrett emphasized Knoller’s devotion, tenacity, and clear-eyed approach to journalism, considering their professional relationship among life’s greatest blessings.
Jim Axelrod, chief correspondent and executive editor for CBS News’ “Eye on America” franchise, highlighted Knoller’s generosity toward colleagues. Axelrod noted that while Knoller’s knowledge of the White House and presidency was impressive, his willingness to help others with kindness and class surpassed even that expertise.
ABC’s Jonathan Karl recognized Knoller as a longtime pillar of the White House press corps and a true legend. Karl characterized him as a reporter’s reporter who focused on facts, earning respect across the political spectrum for his fair and accurate reporting.
Knoller’s work earned him numerous prestigious journalism awards throughout his career. His unique role as both correspondent and unofficial presidential historian made him an indispensable resource for understanding the modern presidency.
The veteran correspondent’s death marks the end of an era in White House reporting. His methodical approach to documenting presidential activities and his generous spirit in sharing that information with others established a standard for political journalism that influenced colleagues across news organizations.
Knoller’s legacy extends beyond his reporting to the comprehensive historical record he created single-handedly. His meticulous documentation of presidential actions, movements, and statements provides researchers and historians with an unprecedented resource for understanding eight different administrations spanning more than three decades.