Career Highlights and Achievements
Rachel Scott's journalism career has been marked by significant milestones and high-profile assignments. Starting as a production associate in 2016, she quickly advanced through various roles at ABC News, including positions at the network's New Haven affiliate WTNH. Her promotion to White House correspondent in July 2020 marked a turning point, giving her access to cover major national events and political developments.
Scott's first week as congressional correspondent coincided with the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, which she covered extensively with live reporting as the insurrection unfolded. She subsequently led ABC News' coverage of Donald Trump's second impeachment trial and has been instrumental in reporting on major legislative moments, including the battle for House speaker, Supreme Court confirmation hearings, and significant gun safety legislation passed in 2022.
Her recognition in the industry includes a 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Emerging Journalist, multiple Peabody Awards for her Roe v. Wade coverage, and a 2024 Emmy for Outstanding Health and Medical Coverage. Scott was named NABJ Emerging Journalist of the Year in 2020 and recognized as Washingtonian's Outstanding Journalist in Broadcast Television in 2024.
Notable Interviews and Reporting
Scott has become known for her tough, direct questioning of political and world leaders. Her interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2021 drew international attention when she pressed him on human rights abuses and the fates of his political opponents. She asked, "The list of your political opponents who are dead, imprisoned, or jailed is long … So my question is, Mr. President, what are you afraid of?"
In July 2024, Scott interviewed Donald Trump at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, where she questioned him about his past statements regarding Black women leaders and his stance on diversity initiatives. The interview generated significant media attention and became a focal point in political discourse.
Scott has also conducted exclusive interviews with Vice President Kamala Harris and former Vice President Mike Pence, demonstrating her access to top-tier political figures. Her reporting spans major national stories including the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on communities of color, police brutality protests, and comprehensive 2024 presidential campaign coverage.
Personal Life and Background
Rachel Scott was raised in Diamond Bar, California, where she graduated from Diamond Bar High School in 2011. She initially applied to the University of Southern California but was rejected as an undergraduate. Rather than being discouraged, she enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, and later transferred to USC, ultimately graduating with a bachelor's degree from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 2015.
In January 2024, Scott announced her engagement to Elliot Smith. The couple married on September 6, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California, and their wedding was featured in Vogue magazine. Scott has also served as a White House intern during the Barack Obama presidency in 2012, an experience that helped shape her interest in political journalism.