MEDIA WINNER: Jake Tapper Trevor Reed, the former Marine who was released from a Russian prison last month, spoke with Jake Tapper in a CNN Special Report, “Finally Home: The Trevor Reed Interview,” that aired Sunday night, to share the experience of his ordeal and advocate for other Americans held by hostile foreign nations overseas. It was a powerful and moving hour of television, with Reed sharing about his "sham" trial, the horrific conditions inside the prison labor camp, his efforts at resistance, and emotions upon learning he would finally be coming home. Tapper spoke with Reed's family, who played an instrumental role in lobbying the White House to negotiate for his release, and the family of Paul Whelan, another former Marine still in Russia. Reed's family directly credits the media and a bipartisan group of elected officials for helping bring him home -- Tapper's colleague Kaitlan Collins played a small but key role -- and Whelan's brother and sister echoed the same message. Tapper concluded the special with a short montage of some of the 55 Americans who are still imprisoned overseas, whose families have requested media attention. A solid interview with the potential to help bring more Americans home. |