Margot Haddad is one of those journalists whose career does not follow the classic path of Parisian newsrooms. Born in Jordan, trained in the United States, and having worked at CNN before becoming a familiar face on LCI, she embodies a distinctly international profile in the French audiovisual landscape.
A training at Columbia University that shapes the rest
Before appearing on French channels, Margot Haddad built her journalistic foundations across the Atlantic. She is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, one of the most prestigious schools in the world in this field. This academic choice largely explains the trajectory that followed.
This American training opened the doors to English-speaking newsrooms. She has collaborated with CNN, NBC News, ITV, and the BBC. All of these media require a perfect command of English and the ability to cover international news in real-time.
To better understand the journey of Margot Haddad journalist LCI, her American years form a foundation that should not be overlooked. It is there that she acquired the instincts of journalism focused on the field and direct contact with political sources.
Margot Haddad on LCI: from the studio to the show named after her
Margot Haddad’s return to France was through the TF1 group. She became a presenter on LCI and a contributor on BFM Business. On LCI, she first made a name for herself with her analyses of American politics, a niche where her Franco-American profile gives her rare credibility.
She now hosts “20H Haddad,” a prime-time show on LCI. The program pages of TF1 Info and TF1+ present her as the host of this show, with editions broadcast several days a week. The format revolves around the day’s major events and a significant interview.
Transitioning from journalist-analyst to host of a slot identified by her own name represents a milestone. Few journalists from the TF1 news channel achieve a format bearing their surname in the title.
What the “20H Haddad” format reveals about her positioning
The show is not limited to a classic news broadcast. The principle of the major interview brings it closer to a political interview format, where the journalist conducts a face-to-face with a personality. This positioning distinguishes her from presenters who chain briefings and reports without in-depth interaction.
The Donald Trump episode: an uncommon direct access for a French journalist
In April 2026, Margot Haddad made headlines well beyond the circle of LCI viewers. She spoke to American President Donald Trump twice in less than a week, directly by phone. The information, relayed by TV Magazine, surprised due to its unusual nature.
Why did this episode circulate so widely? Because direct phone access to the President of the United States remains exceptional for a French journalist. Correspondents in Washington themselves do not easily obtain this type of contact.
Margot Haddad described the behind-the-scenes of these exchanges during a television interview, explaining that she was at home at the time of one of these calls. The anecdote helped to enhance her media visibility and solidify her image as a journalist connected to American political circles.
Margot Haddad’s origins: what is documented and what is not
You may have read various sites with information about Margot Haddad’s family origins. Some sources attribute to her a father of Tunisian origin and Spanish or Sephardic roots on her mother’s side. Precision is needed on this point.
These family origins are not confirmed by a direct public statement from the journalist. Her professional profile does not detail the origins of her parents. What is known for certain is that she was born on February 26, 1988, in Jordan and identifies as a Franco-American journalist.
The name “Haddad” means “blacksmith” in Arabic. It is a common surname in several Middle Eastern and Maghreb countries, held by both Muslim and Christian families. Therefore, this name alone does not allow for a precise geographical or confessional origin to be deduced.
Bilingual French-English, a more reliable marker than assumptions
Rather than speculating on unconfirmed family roots, one factual element deserves attention: Margot Haddad is perfectly bilingual in French and English. This linguistic skill, combined with her years in American newsrooms, best defines her profile.
She hosts international conferences in both languages. Several event agencies reference her for this type of service, confirming that her bilingualism is not merely functional but professional.
What truly distinguishes her journey in the French media landscape
Margot Haddad’s profile combines several characteristics rarely found in a presenter of a French news channel:
- A birth abroad (Jordan) and training at a top American university, giving her a network and perspective on news different from her colleagues trained in French journalism schools
- Concrete experience in major English-speaking newsrooms (CNN, NBC News, BBC, ITV), not as a sporadic freelancer but as a regular contributor
- A television format bearing her name on LCI, a sign of strong editorial confidence from the TF1 group
This journey places her in a unique category. She did not arrive at French television through the usual path of internships in local newsrooms followed by a gradual rise in national channels. Her itinerary passed through international before returning to France.
The continuation of her trajectory will likely depend on her ability to maintain this hybrid positioning, between French news and American expertise, in a media landscape where news channels are constantly seeking profiles that stand out.
