The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

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1,808 episodes
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July 4 · 1 hr 30 min
DC’s Capitol Fourth Concert Expected to Go On Despite Heat Wave
Cancelled parades, delayed fireworks, and even the Great American State Fair put on hold all because of dangerous heat not letting up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 3 · 1 hr 29 min
Philadelphia Declares Heat Health Emergency, Shortens July 4 Parade
The Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool vandalism case reaches a new level after an Olympic canoeist is indicted by a grand jury and now faces a felony charge of destruction of property. Plus, thousands are without electricity as temperatures soar into the triple digits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 2 · 1 hr 29 min
Trump Takes First Flight on Qatari-Gifted Air Force One
From cryptocurrency to real estate to watches and bibles, President Trump is cashing in on his presidency, making more than $2 billion last year. Plus, dangerous and even deadly heat sets into major cities in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 1 · 1 hr 29 min
Supreme Court: States May Ban Trans Athletes in Sports for Girls
In a consequential day at the Supreme Court, President Trump tees up a legislative fight after losing his birthright case which guarantees that children born in the United States are, in fact, United States citizens. Plus, the court ruled that states can bar transgender students from playing on girls’ athletic teams in schools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 30 · 1 hr 30 min
Supreme Court: Trump Can Fire FTC Commissioner but Not Fed Gov.
President Trump brags about his win at the Supreme Court today on federal firings and goes off about the other cases that he lost. We break down the implications of these rulings and what it means for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 27 · 1 hr 29 min
Death Toll in Venezuela, Now Closer to 1,000
The devastation is getting worse two days after powerful earthquakes in Venezuela and more than 300 aftershocks. Help is on the way, but can it arrive fast enough in a window closing in to find people alive? Plus, breaking news, the US responds, hitting inside Iran after Iran's strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Is this a temporary escalation or something longer term? And in the Epstein investigation, a dramatic move by Congress trying to get a billionaire investor to talk and reveal what he knows about the dead pedophile and non-disclosure agreements and women who reportedly signed them and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 26 · 1 hr 30 min
Search and Rescue Underway After Venezuela Quakes Kill at Least 188
Two strong earthquakes in Venezuela just seconds apart leave the country in shock. The death is regrettably rising as rescuers from around the world are heading to the disaster zone. Plus, from immigration to guns, new major decisions from the United States Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 25 · 1 hr 30 min
Sen. Scott to Trump: Voting Bill Does Not Have Enough Support
President Trump throws a last minute grenade into what was supposed to be a major bipartisan victory on housing affordability legislation. Plus, a sweeping victory for Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates in three New York City congressional races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 24 · 1 hr 29 min
Trump Falsely Claims Stock Markets Hit New High Today
Artificial intelligence has rattled a nerve, driving a major tech selloff on Wall Street just as President Trump falsely claimed the stock market hit a new high today. Plus, the Senate votes to limit President Trump’s war powers with Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 23 · 1 hr 28 min
Soon: Rubio Heads to Middle East to Meet with Gulf Allies
After direct talks with Iran, Vice President JD Vance is heading home and Secretary Rubio will now head to the region. A look at what he hopes to accomplish after conflicting reports about what the vice president got done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 20 · 1 hr 30 min
Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
The new Air Force One is a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar and is expected to enter service soon. What CNN is learning about how the military made sure this foreign plane was safe for the president. Plus, it’s the first day on the job for Trump’s controversial pick for acting director of national intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 19 · 1 hr 30 min
White House Defends Iran Agreement Amid Criticism
New CNN reporting about secret proposals between the United States and Iran as the two sides officially begin 60 days of negotiations. These plans go beyond the agreement President Trump officially signed last night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 18 · 1 hr 25 min
U.S. Releases Official Text of 14-Point Agreement with Iran
Confusion and frustration on Capitol Hill after President Trump forced his own pick for director of national intelligence to skip his confirmation hearing today. Plus, with Americans struggling under the weight of the highest inflation in three years, today the Federal Reserve decided not cut interest rates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 17 · 1 hr 29 min
Five Charged in Alleged Plot Against White House UFC Fight
Five men are in custody after the FBI said it foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight night event at the White House on Sunday. The plan allegedly included using a drone to drop explosives and snipers to hit high-value targets in the ensuing panic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 16 · 1 hr 33 min
VP JD Vance Joins to Discuss Iran Agreement
As questions mount about what exactly is in the Iran agreement, Vice President JD Vance joins to try and clear up any confusion. Plus, former Vice President Mike Pence also joins to share his reactions to the breaking news out of Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 13 · 1 hr 30 min
America’s Largest Energy Hub is Running Out of Oil
According to a senior administration official, the Trump administration is feeling good about its dealings with Iran. So, what’s holding up the next stage? Plus, Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 12 · 1 hr 30 min
Trump Taps U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for Top Intelligence Post
President Trump claims, yet again, that a new deal with Iran is just days away. Did two nights of strikes actually lead to a breakthrough? Plus, the World Cup is officially underway and CNN takes you to the action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 10 · 1 hr 29 min
NYT: Inside White House Crisis Meetings Over the Epstein Files
One of the richest men in the world took questions today about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This as the New York Times is revealing a freakout at the White House about Epstein as they tried to contain the fallout. Plus, a look at the recent drops in the stock market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 10 · 1 hr 35 min
Trump Says Pilots Safe After Apache Shot Down Near Hormuz
Trump says Iran shot down a United States Army Apache helicopter and says the United States must respond. Is this the start of yet another major escalation? CNN is live at the White House and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 9 · 1 hr 30 min
Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks
Israel and Iran are suspending military operations against each other after a wave of strikes exchanged overnight. Plus, a look at the upcoming election in Maine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lead with Jake Tapper

DC’s Capitol Fourth Concert Expected to Go On Despite Heat Wave

Philadelphia Declares Heat Health Emergency, Shortens July 4 Parade

Trump Takes First Flight on Qatari-Gifted Air Force One

Supreme Court: States May Ban Trans Athletes in Sports for Girls

Supreme Court: Trump Can Fire FTC Commissioner but Not Fed Gov.

Death Toll in Venezuela, Now Closer to 1,000

Search and Rescue Underway After Venezuela Quakes Kill at Least 188

Sen. Scott to Trump: Voting Bill Does Not Have Enough Support

Trump Falsely Claims Stock Markets Hit New High Today

Soon: Rubio Heads to Middle East to Meet with Gulf Allies

Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks

White House Defends Iran Agreement Amid Criticism

U.S. Releases Official Text of 14-Point Agreement with Iran

Five Charged in Alleged Plot Against White House UFC Fight

VP JD Vance Joins to Discuss Iran Agreement

America’s Largest Energy Hub is Running Out of Oil

Trump Taps U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for Top Intelligence Post

NYT: Inside White House Crisis Meetings Over the Epstein Files

Trump Says Pilots Safe After Apache Shot Down Near Hormuz

Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks