CNN Contributor Alice Stewart’s Sudden Death Stuns Colleagues

Bruce Haring

18 May 2024 at 6:56 pm·2-min read

The unexpected death of political pundit Alice Stewart has drawn immediate response from her colleagues in the CNN newsroom and beyond.

Stewart was found dead outdoors in her Bellevue neighborhood in northern Virginia early Saturday morning. No foul play is suspected, and officers believe a medical emergency occurred with the 58-year-old.

More from Deadline

Alice Stewart Dies: CNN Political Commentator Was 58
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
Sean Combs Won't Face Charges For 2016 L.A. Beating Of Cassie, DA Says, Despite Video Evidence; "Cover-Up" Could Warrant Possible Probe

She was a regular contributor to CNN and had a strong social media presence. Stewart also built a lengthy resume as a political communications head on several campaigns.

Some of the early reactions:

Horrible news about our beloved and gifted commentator Alice Stewart. Just awful. We are all gutted. https://t.co/07iMO30HWP
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) May 18, 2024

Such an awful shock. Alice Stewart was a consummate pro who made every show she was on so much BETTER. More importantly, she had a huge heart and a generous spirit https://t.co/GA0B2LxKNM
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 18, 2024

I’m very sad about this news. Alice was kind, decent, hard-working and a woman whose faith sustained her. She was a breath of fresh air -always professional- at a time when lack of decorum and civility reign in political discussions. May she rest in peace. https://t.co/e7qSWjzZOW
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) May 18, 2024

Alice Stewart was a woman’s woman who brought kindness and support along with smarts and expertise. I met her in Iowa in 2007 covering the Huckabee presidential campaign and worked with her in politics before I got to call her a CNN colleague. I can’t believe she’s gone. pic.twitter.com/GfReopigt7
— Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) May 18, 2024

I'm devastated by the news of Alice Stewart's untimely passing. We were colleagues at @CNN and on the senior advisory board of the ⁦@HarvardIOP⁩. You'd be hard put to find a nicer, kinder person. She will be missed by all who knew her. https://t.co/6efBDuuNAq
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) May 18, 2024

I am stunned and saddened by the news of Alice Stewart’s passing. She was a political pro and a wonderfully nice person to just have a conversation with on any topic. I will miss Alice and will pray for her family. https://t.co/RxJ22Xlxbr
— Chris Christie (@GovChristie) May 18, 2024

A stunning loss for the CNN family: Political commentator @AliceStewartDC has died https://t.co/QNl5w9xYg7 pic.twitter.com/9qaC9FEz50
— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) May 18, 2024

My heart is broken over the passing of our dear colleague Alice Stewart. We’ve been friends going back to the 2012 campaign. We spent so many weekends talking politics with the wonderful @MariaTCardona – they always spoke so passionately but with kindness and civility. Alice was… pic.twitter.com/fv97A2LP7w
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) May 18, 2024

Best of Deadline

Associated Press
Texas has a powerful new House speaker in a blow to the GOP's hard right
A push by Texas' hard right to widen control in the state Capitol fell short Tuesday after House lawmakers rejected its choice for the powerful speakership amid a Republican feud accelerated by the historic impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton. Instead, new House Speaker Dustin Burrows won the job with the support of Democrats, who favored him over a challenger backed by the GOP's emboldened right. The outcome is a victory for Texas Republicans' establishment wing, and it’s possible that Democrats could still lose influence under the new leadership.
The Independent
How Farage lost the Brexit Party and why it means Reform is not inevitable
NEWS ANALYSIS: The last week has seen Farage and Reform top a national poll and hold another packed rally as their political momentum continues to gather steam. But the embarrassing row with Elon Musk and issues around Tommy Robinson exposed a number of serious problems for Reform behind the scenes, reports David Maddox
Evening Standard
The 'virgin' Sophie Rain set to make $60m on adult site: The rise and backlash of OnlyFans' biggest star
After earning $43 million in 2024, Sophie Rain will surpass that this year amid fierce ethical debates about her child-like looks and controversial pals
Malay Mail
That’s bananas: High Court slashes man’s three-month sentence for stealing a single bunch
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — The High Court in Muar today reduced the three-month prison sentence of a widower convicted of ba...
People
Newlywed Wife Is Allegedly Stabbed to Death by Husband After Traveling Overseas to Meet up with Him: Authorities
Marvil Facturan-Kocjančič, a native of the Philippines, was killed seven days after arriving in Slovenia
InStyle
Brooke Shields Reveals Why She's "Glad" She Never Had Kids With Andre Agassi
The tennis player told the actress, "I would not have made this easy for you."
Reuters
North Korea's suicide soldiers pose new challenge for Ukraine in war with Russia
After a battle in Russia's snowy western region of Kursk this week, Ukrainian special forces scoured the bodies of more than a dozen slain North Korean enemy soldiers. But it is among mounting evidence from the battlefield, intelligence reports and testimonies of defectors that some North Korean soldiers are resorting to extreme measures as they support Russia's three-year war with Ukraine. "Self-detonation and suicides: that's the reality about North Korea," said Kim, a 32-year-old former North Korean soldier who defected to the South in 2022, requesting he only be identified by his surname due to fears of reprisals against his family left in the North.
HuffPost
Kamala Harris’ Carter Funeral Photo Goes Viral Over 1 Key Omission
"The perfect crop doesn’t exi-," joked one commenter.
The Independent
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ‘disaster tourists’ after photo with LA wildfire victims, claims star
‘Meghan Markle and Harry are no better than ambulance chasers,’ said ‘Family Ties’ star
InStyle
Kate Middleton’s 43rd Birthday Post From Prince William Points to a Key Change in Their Marriage
It's a stark shift from Kate's last birthday tribute.
Malay Mail
Chinese families desperate for help as relatives fall victim to yet another human trafficking case in Thailand
BANGKOK, Jan 14 — Desperate Chinese families are urgently seeking help after their relatives disappeared in Thailand, su...
Malay Mail
KK Mart blames supplier after Jakim says halal logo misused for ‘ham and cheese sandwich’ sold by convenience chain
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 — KK Mart today said its logo was misused by a supplier of a “ham and cheese sandwich” sold by the...
The Daily Beast
Trump Snubs Elon With Decision on White House Digs
Elon Musk is reportedly set to receive office space in the White House complex for his incoming work as co-head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but he won’t be wall-to-wall with President-elect Donald Trump. Citing two sources that have been briefed on the plans, The New York Times reports that Musk will set up camp at the Eisenhower Executive Office, a separate building adjacent to the White House. It’s still not clear whether Musk’s DOGE partner, Vivek Ramaswamy, will also h
People
Bodycam Shows Bizarre Post-Arrest Behavior of Teen Who Killed Boyfriend by Intentionally Driving 100 mph into Wall
Mackenzie Shirilla, 19, of Ohio, was convicted in 2023 of killing her boyfriend and a friend after crashing into a car
The Telegraph
Man Utd’s signing of Diego Leon is more significant than it might seem
There was an understandable sense of frustration among a number of Manchester United scouts on that day in August 2023 when Chelsea completed the signing of Moisés Caicedo from Brighton for a British record £115 million.
Evening Standard
Deborra-Lee Furness 'fuming' at Blake Lively following split from Hugh Jackman
The Australian producer considered the American actress a friend while she and The Greatest Showman actor were together
The Independent
Owner of Vietnam’s ‘foreigners only’ restaurant charged with facilitating prostitution
Owner admits to acting as intermediary between women staff and foreign clients
People
Lucy Liu Explains Why She Spoke Out About Bill Murray’s Behavior on “Charlie's Angels”: ‘I Am Going to Protect Myself’
In 2021, Liu alleged that Murray directed “inexcusable and unacceptable” language toward her on the set of the film
The Telegraph
How ‘glacial’ Nicole Kidman became Hollywood’s most sexually daring star
In her new film Babygirl, Nicole Kidman pushes the boat out. At 57, she gets on all fours, at the request of Harris Dickinson, who plays a young intern at the tech company run by her character. She laps up cream from a saucer during one of their assignations.
AFP News
India opens giant Hindu festival for 400 million pilgrims
Vast crowds of Hindu pilgrims in India bathed in sacred waters as the Kumbh Mela festival opened on Monday, with organisers expecting 400 million people -- the world's largest gathering of humanity -- to assemble over six weeks.India is the world's most populous nation, with 1.4 billion people, and so is used to large crowds.

Latest stories