Elmar Theveßen: The ZDF Veteran Shaping Germany’s View of America
BERLIN, 19 January 2026 – For over three decades, Elmar Theveßen has been a fixture of German television journalism. As the head of ZDF’s Washington studio since 2019, he is the primary lens through which millions of Germans view American politics, from the War on Terror to the era of Donald Trump. A seasoned author and recognised terrorism expert, Theveßen’s career embodies the complexities of transatlantic reporting and the weight of journalistic influence.
From Viersen to Washington: A Journalistic Journey
Born in Viersen on 3 June 1967, Elmar Theveßen’s path to journalism began with studies in history, Germanistics, and political science at the University of Bonn, complemented by coursework in foreign policy and journalism at the American University in Washington, D.C. He joined ZDF in 1991, first as a politics editor in Bonn before becoming a North America correspondent in Washington from 1995 to 2001.
His rise within ZDF was steady and significant. After a stint as a reporter for the investigative magazine Frontal21, he served as Chief of Desk for the network’s main news department from 2003. From June 2007 to February 2019, he held the dual role of Deputy Editor-in-Chief of ZDF and Head of the Current Affairs Department, overseeing flagship programmes like heute and heute-journal. His move back to Washington in March 2019 to lead the ZDF studio there marked a return to his core expertise: analysing the United States for a German audience.
Key Facts: Elmar Theveßen
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 June 1967, Viersen, Germany |
| Current Role | Head of ZDF Studio Washington, D.C. (since March 2019) |
| Previous Key Role | ZDF Deputy Editor-in-Chief & Head of Current Affairs (2007-2019) |
| Expertise | Terrorism, US Politics, Organised Crime, Intelligence Services |
| Memberships | Atlantik-Brücke, International Press Institute, Kuratorium of the Fridtjof-Nansen-Akademie |
| Recent Candidacy | Applied to succeed Tom Buhrow as WDR Intendant in 2024; was not elected. |
Expertise, Authorship & Controversy
Theveßen is frequently cited as ZDF’s leading expert on terrorism, a subject he has extensively covered in both reporting and writing. His numerous books, often critical analyses of US presidents and security policy, include Die Bush-Bilanz (2004), Nine-Eleven (2011), and Die Zerstörung Amerikas (2020). His 2025 book Deadline, critiquing the “Trump system,” appeared on the Spiegel bestseller list.
His sharp commentary has occasionally sparked controversy. In September 2025, following the assassination of American activist Charlie Kirk, Theveßen stated on the talk show Markus Lanz that Kirk had, among other things, called for the stoning of homosexuals—a characterisation later challenged by fact-checkers. The remarks drew criticism, including calls from former US Ambassador Richard Grenell for Theveßen’s expulsion from the US. The ZDF television council condemned “any form of hate and political pressure” aimed at restricting reporting. Theveßen later apologised, acknowledging he had presented Kirk’s statements in an incorrectly shortened form.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Theveßen has received several prestigious awards, including the Medienpreis of the German Bundestag (1994), the RIAS Commission TV Prize (1998, 2001, 2002), the German Television Prize for the documentary 9/11 (2012), and the Hanns-Joachim-Friedrichs Prize in 2023.
The German Media Landscape: Context for Foreign Reporting
Theveßen operates within a robust but complex German media system. Germany’s constitution guarantees press freedom, and the media are often described as a “fourth estate.” The landscape is split between public-service broadcasters like ZDF and ARD, funded by a licence fee, and private commercial broadcasters. This system aims to ensure a diversity of opinion and a basic supply of information.
Reporting on international conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, presents particular challenges for German journalists. Studies indicate that while major German media initially showed pro-Ukraine solidarity, the tone and focus can shift with domestic economic concerns. Research into German far-right media has also noted its alignment with pro-Russian narratives, creating a fragmented information environment. Foreign correspondents and their local “fixers” navigate significant power dynamics and safety concerns to deliver reporting from war zones, a context that underscores the difficulty and importance of the international reporting Theveßen oversees from Washington.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the controversy surrounding Elmar Theveßen and Charlie Kirk?
In September 2025, on the talk show Markus Lanz, Theveßen made claims about the murdered US activist Charlie Kirk, including that Kirk had advocated for the stoning of homosexuals. These statements were widely contested. Following criticism, Theveßen apologised, stating he had presented Kirk’s views in an overly simplified and incorrect manner. The ZDF defended its journalist against external political pressure while acknowledging the error.
Did Elmar Theveßen become the head of WDR?
No. In 2024, Theveßen was among the candidates to succeed Tom Buhrow as Intendant (director-general) of the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). However, he did not secure the position in the election held by the WDR broadcasting council.
What are Elmar Theveßen’s main journalistic focuses?
Theveßen is best known as an analyst of US politics and a terrorism expert. He has authored several books on these topics and, as head of ZDF’s Washington studio, is responsible for coverage of the US, Canada, and parts of Latin America.