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
Updated Yesterday

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Newest first

June 6 · 1 hr 30 min
WSJ: Trump Urges Pulte to Start Firing Intel Employees
A shakeup is coming to some of the nation’s biggest spy agencies and the man doing the firing will be Bill Pulte, a controversial Trump loyalist that the president wants to be acting director of national intelligence despite having no intel or national security experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 5 · 1 hr 30 min
Bondi Transcript: Blanche “In Charge” of Entire Release of Epstein Files
The transcript is out revealing exactly what Pam Bondi told lawmakers about the Epstein files and how she passed the buck to the man President Trump wants to succeed her. Plus, CNN traces the source of the latest ebola outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 3 · 1 hr 25 min
Scott Kelley Fried by CBS After Clash with Management
CBS fires journalist Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes and there’s continued disagreement about what occurred. Plus, is powering the artificial intelligence boom coming at the expense of local communities? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 3 · 1 hr 25 min
Trump Taps a Leader of Retribution Tour as Acting Intel Chief
From a role in housing to the acting director of national intelligence, reactions pour in about Trump selecting a loyalist with no demonstrated national security or intelligence experience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 2 · 1 hr 29 min
DOJ Says it Will Abide by Court Ruling to Pause “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
The Trump administration now says it will abide by a court ruling to pause the creation of a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate those who the administration says were wrongly targeted by the government. The pause was ordered by a federal judge in Virginia last week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 30 · 1 hr 29 min
Source: Bondi Answered Questions on Ghislaine Maxwell in Interview
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her role in the release of the Epstein files in a closed door interview. A look at what she in the room about Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, President Trump says he is near a final decision on Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 29 · 1 hr 30 min
U.S. & Iran Reach Deal to Open Strait, Trump Must Still Sign Off
A series of strikes from the United States and Iran as a tentative agreement emerges to open the Strait of Hormuz and start nuclear talks, according to US officials. Plus, protestors gather outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey for the seventh day in row while lawyers say inside detainees are on a hunger strike over the conditions they’re enduring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 28 · 1 hr 29 min
Trump’s GOP Purge Continues as Paxton Ousts Sen. Cornyn
A slew of ads and attacks from the Republican establishment over the past year and a half against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are all gone now that Paxton is the GOP pick to face Democrat James Talarico in one of the most contested fights for the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 27 · 1 hr 29 min
Trump Backing Paxton Over Sen. Cornyn Tests His Grip on GOP
Will a Trump-backed candidate unseat Republican Senator John Cornyn in Texas? We go live to Texas as the voters decide. Plus, Iran warns of retaliation after US strikes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25 · 1 hr 29 min
U.S. Iran Work to Resolve Disputes on Nuclear Issues & Sanctions
Sources say the White House is optimistic about a deal to end the war with Iran despite disputes about the country’s nuclear program. Plus, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton battle for the Texas Senate nomination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 23 · 1 hr 29 min
Trump and Republicans Clash Over “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
The president is at odds with growing pushback even from Republicans over his fund to compensate those who feel wronged by the federal government. Plus, Tulsi Gabbard is stepping down from her post as director of national intelligence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 22 · 1 hr 29 min
First Anti-Weaponization Fund Applicant Speaks to CNN
From legitimate cases of grievance, to January 6 rioters, to election deniers, to even a television network. Many come forward claiming they were wronged by the federal government and they want in on Trump’s $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 21 · 1 hr 29 min
Sen. Cassidy Bucks Trump on Iran, Ballroom after Primary Defeat
The United States announces new charges against Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro. He is charged for his role in the 1996 killing of three Americans in planes over international waters. Plus, a new lawsuit from two police officers who defended the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 20 · 1 hr 30 min
First Claim Filed to “Anti-Weaponization” Fund
President Trump, his family, and his businesses are now all protected under new terms added in a settlement with the Treasury Department, the Justice Department, and the IRS. A look at the settlement that creates a fund to compensate people the Trump administration feels were unfairly targeted by past administrations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 19 · 1 hr 27 min
Police: Three Adults Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting
Authorities in San Diego provide updates on a deadly shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego. This as a source tells CNN a security guard was among the three victims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 16 · 1 hr 30 min
Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
President Trump reveals his thoughts on the Reagan-era commitment to Taiwan making it sound less like an ironclad promise and more like ancient history. A look at Trump’s recent talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he heads back to DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 15 · 1 hr 31 min
Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan
Xi Jinping makes clear that the United States will pay a price for any interference in Taiwan. Hear what President Trump said ahead of his final meeting at the U.S.-China summit. Plus a CNN exclusive, a top ethics attorney told acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former private attorney, to recuse himself from legal cases that involve the president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 14 · 1 hr 30 min
Iran, Trade, Tech, Taiwan on Agenda for Trump-Xi Summit
President Trump is hours away from his face-to-face with Xi Jinping. A former White House insider joins to discuss their negotiations. Plus, a court overturns the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, the South Carolina lawyer who took the stand in his own defense denying that he killed his wife and son. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 13 · 1 hr 29 min
Sources: Trump Seriously Thinking of Restarting Combat Operations
President Trump heads to China while leaving a pile of problems behind him back at home in the United States. Issue number one is American wages getting eating up by inflation. Plus, an American mayor is stepping down, pleading guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12 · 1 hr 30 min
16 Passengers Under Observation in Nebraska Quarantine Unit
18 passengers on the cruise ship with the hantavirus outbreak are back home in the United States including one person experiencing symptoms. Plus, President Trump calls the latest Iranian negotiation counterproposal “garbage.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Lead with Jake Tapper

WSJ: Trump Urges Pulte to Start Firing Intel Employees

Bondi Transcript: Blanche “In Charge” of Entire Release of Epstein Files

Scott Kelley Fried by CBS After Clash with Management

Trump Taps a Leader of Retribution Tour as Acting Intel Chief

DOJ Says it Will Abide by Court Ruling to Pause “Anti-Weaponization” Fund

Source: Bondi Answered Questions on Ghislaine Maxwell in Interview

U.S. & Iran Reach Deal to Open Strait, Trump Must Still Sign Off

Trump’s GOP Purge Continues as Paxton Ousts Sen. Cornyn

Trump Backing Paxton Over Sen. Cornyn Tests His Grip on GOP

U.S. Iran Work to Resolve Disputes on Nuclear Issues & Sanctions

Trump and Republicans Clash Over “Anti-Weaponization” Fund

First Anti-Weaponization Fund Applicant Speaks to CNN

Sen. Cassidy Bucks Trump on Iran, Ballroom after Primary Defeat

First Claim Filed to “Anti-Weaponization” Fund

Police: Three Adults Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting

Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale

Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan

Iran, Trade, Tech, Taiwan on Agenda for Trump-Xi Summit

Sources: Trump Seriously Thinking of Restarting Combat Operations

16 Passengers Under Observation in Nebraska Quarantine Unit