Damon Weaver (April 1, 1998 – May 1, 2021) was an American child journalist who gained national attention at the age of 11 when he interviewed President Barack Obama. He became one of the youngest people to interview a sitting president and later conducted interviews with several high-profile celebrities.[1]

Early life and education

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Damon Lazar Weaver Jr. was born on April 1, 1998.[1] He grew up in Pahokee, Florida, and attended Kathryn E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary School. Weaver developed an interest in journalism at a young age and became involved with his school's television news program.

Career

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In 2008, at age 10, Weaver conducted an interview with then-Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr.,[2] who was the running mate of presidential candidate Barack Obama.

In 2009, Weaver interviewed President Obama in the Diplomatic Room of the White House.[3] During the interview, he asked the President about his administration's education policies and his basketball skills.[4][5] This interview brought Weaver significant media attention and led to opportunities to interview other celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Dwyane Wade.

Weaver covered Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States, interviewing attendees and celebrities present at the event.[6]

Later life

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Weaver graduated from high school with a full scholarship to Albany State University in Georgia, where he completed his degree in 2020.[1]

Death

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Weaver died on May 1, 2021, at the age of 23.[7] He died while involuntarily hospitalized for psychosis. His death was ruled to be from natural causes as a complication of his sickle cell disease.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Waller, Allyson (2021-05-15). "Damon Weaver, Child Reporter Who Interviewed Obama, Dies at 23". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  2. ^ Bosselman, Haley (2021-05-15). "Damon Weaver, Kid Reporter Who Interviewed President Obama, Dies at 23". Variety. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  3. ^ "11-year-old Reporter Lands an Interview with Obama". PBS News. 2009-08-14. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  4. ^ https://www.npr.org/2021/05/16/997339892/damon-weaver-student-reporter-who-interviewed-obama-dies-at-23
  5. ^ Bekiempis, Victoria (2021-05-15). "Damon Weaver, who interviewed Obama as an 11-year-old, dies aged 23". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  6. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/05/16/damon-weaver-kid-reporter-obama/
  7. ^ "Kid reporter who interviewed Obama at White House dies at 23". AP News. 2021-05-15. Retrieved 2024-07-31.
  8. ^ Staff, CBS12 News (2021-09-30). "Autopsy report on Damon Weaver released". WPEC. Retrieved 2024-07-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)