The Lead with Jake Tapper

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.

Last refreshed: June 14th, 2026 at 9:03 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Surgeon General warns of new U.S. "hot spots"; Trump to sign $2 trillion stimulus bill, largest of its kind; New York nurse dies from coronavirus complications; U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus;

U.S. leads the world with most reported cases; At least 265 reported coronavirus deaths in U.S. today, highest single-day death toll; NY Gov: The rate of patients getting hospitalized is slowing; Dr. Fauci calls Trump's Easter deadline "aspirational"; NY Gov: Looking at possible apex in 21 days; New Jersey testifying sites open for first responders; U.S. Navy ship arrives in L.A. to help provide hospital relief; Letter from Michigan hospital system details who gets life-saving care in "worst-cas...

Mar 27, 2020•1 hr 16 min

Grim milestone: More than 1,100 deaths in the U.S.; 3.28 million filed for unemployment last week, most in history; China to ban most foreigners from entering starting Saturday; L.A. Mayor: Residents should prepare to stay home until May;

Coronavirus patients start to overwhelm U.S. hospitals; New York coronavirus cases soar to 37,000+ health officials say worst is yet to come; NYC hospital sees 13 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours; NYC builds makeshift morgue ahead of coronavirus death surge; Doctors describe "terrifying" hospital scenes as coronavirus patients overwhelm health system;100 deaths from coronavirus in NY in one day; Gov. Cuomo: When I feel tired, I think of the heroes; Pelosi promises "strong bipartisan vote" in House...

Mar 26, 2020•1 hr 22 min

Special Edition II: Expert: Peak of deaths in the U.S. could be three weeks away; Trump says U.S. should reopen by Easter despite advice from health experts; Spain's death toll surpasses China, second-highest globally;

World Health Org says the time to act was last month; At least 11 states report over 100 new coronavirus cases; Why is the U.S. behind in coronavirus testing; One NYC hospital system reports cases up tenfold in one week; Trump makes light of Romney's negative test result; 185 new deaths reported in U.S. today, deadliest day so far; India's 1.3 billion residents under mandatory 21-day lockdown; Prince Charles tests positive, now in self-isolation; Some Latin American leaders downplay coronavirus ...

Mar 25, 2020•40 min

Special Edition I: Nearly 900 coronavirus deaths in the U.S.; Senate yet to call vote on $2-trillion stimulus package; Pentagon orders 60-day freeze on U.S. Troop movements overseas due to coronavirus;

NY Gov: Evidence suggests social distancing may be working; Coronavirus crisis in Louisiana in part due to Mardi Gras; Coronavirus brings surge of patients to rural hospitals; Three GOP Senators say they won't vote on stimulus bill until "error" in draft fixed; Historic unemployment benefits, small business loans, aid to airlines included in stimulus plan; Children across CA, GA test positive for coronavirus, 12-year-old was "fighting for her life," now getting better; W.H.O. Spokesperson: "Ther...

Mar 25, 2020•38 min

Special Edition: Joe Biden speaks to CNN about coronavirus pandemic; Gov. Cuomo: 25K cases in NY, rate doubling every three days; Senate negotiators close to massive, $2-trillion stimulus plan;

W.H.O. says U.S. has potential to be next epicenter; NY Gov to FEMA: You pick the people who will die because you didn't send enough ventilators; Trump: Want the U.S. "opened up and just raring to go by Easter"; White House Officials looking for ways to "open" U.S. economy without causing health catastrophe; Biden: I have not been tested for coronavirus, have no symptoms; NY to test coronavirus treatment with blood from recovered patients; NY Gov: Need 30,000 ventilators, FEMA only sent 400; For...

Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 17 min

Special Edition: W.H.O. says coronavirus pandemic is accelerating; Senate again fails to advance coronavirus aid bill; Scientist identify 69 drugs that could treat coronavirus; Trump suggests containment measures may be too extreme

U.S. confirmed cases up 10x in one week; Surgeon general: "this week is going to be bad; NYC mayor says hospitals facing major crisis; U.S. surgeon general examining high number of coronavirus cases among young Americans; Sen Dems try to force Trump's hand on producing medical supplies; Stocks tumble despite emergency action by federal reserve; St. Louis fed chair warns unemployment may soar to 30%; GE, Ford, Zillow among companies cutting back as more Americans urged to stay home; Maryland gov....

Mar 24, 2020•1 hr 16 min

Nearly 16,500 coronavirus cases, 215 deaths in the U.S

Trump: Defense production act kicked "into gear"; Nearly 1 in 5 Americans ordered to stay home amid pandemic; Trump: No current plan for nationwide lockdown; NY Gov. orders 100% of non-essential workers to stay home; More than 7,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in New York; California Gov. orders all residents to stay home - Nearly 40M people can only leave for essential reasons; Trump says FDA will fast-track treatments for coronavirus, but months of research still ahead; NIH studying treatment ...

Mar 21, 2020•1 hr 16 min

11,000+ confirmed cases in the U.S., 164 deaths; Trump says FDA will fast track anti-viral treatments

11,000+ confirmed cases in the U.S., 164 deaths; Trump says FDA will fast track anti-viral treatments; Trump won't use defense production act yet because he says getting supplies is up to states; Trump: Anti-malaria drug will be available soon to treat coronavirus, but no guarantees it will work; Pence: Tens of thousands of Americans being tested daily ; Trump: Governors should get supplies for their own states, federal government is "not a shipping clerk"; NY Gov. orders 75% of workforce to wor...

Mar 19, 2020•1 hr 17 min

Trump invokes Defense Production Act to ramp up production of hospital masks, protective gear; Coronavirus now reported in all 50 states; Senate passes coronavirus relief bill

Trump sees himself as a "wartime president"; Defense Secy: military will provide up to five million masks for health care services; U.S. Navy to deploy two hospital ships to help treat non-coronavirus patients; 49 service members test positive for coronavirus; Non-essential NY businesses ordered to keep 50% of workforce home; Labs across U.S. face shortages in coronavirus testing supplies; Trump admin ordering thousands of ventilators; Distilleries using alcohol on tap to make hand sanitizer To ...

Mar 18, 2020•40 min

NYC Tells 8 million + to be prepared to shelter in place; Trump: U.S. could "Be Rolling Again" if restrictions done right; Top Official to young Americans: Don't put loved ones at risk; Obama tweets about ER doctor's family facing coronavirus threat;

NYC Mayor To Residents: Be prepared to shelter in place; Top Official to Young Americans: It's up to you to help slow coronavirus spread by creating social distance; Top health official urges young Americans to create social distance, says "we can't do this without" them; Top health official urges young people to protect older Americans; Quarter of Americans 65+ live in three states; Top official: "Weeks" to know if we're slowing coronavirus; Top Health Official: "Several weeks or maybe longer" ...

Mar 17, 2020•40 min

Trump announces tougher guidelines to slow Coronavrius spread; Trump: the Coronavirus is not under control ; Trump: New Coronavirus reality could last until July, August; WH: Number of people of people tested for Coronavirus unknown

Trump announces tougher guidelines to slow Coronavrius spread; Trump: the Coronavirus is not under control ; Trump: New Coronavirus reality could last until July, August; WH: Number of people of people tested for Coronavirus unknown ; Trump not looking at nationwide lockdown, only 'certain areas'; Dow freefalls 2,997 pts amid Coronavirus fears; NYC Mayor: Considering "everything" including a curfew to stop spread of Coronavirus; Hospitals brace for rush of patients, rationing masks, gloves, and ...

Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 27 min

Coronavirus fears spark huge stock market tumble; National Guard arriving to nation's first containment zone; Trump cause confusion with inaccuracies, omissions in prime-time speech to nation; Italy closes restaurants, bars, and shops amid virus

Trading temporarily stopped after Dow drops dramatically for second time this week; Dow plunges 2,300+ points over coronavirus fears; 1400+ coronavirus cases in the U.S., Top health expert admits U.S. "failing" on coronavirus testing; Tom Hanks test positive for coronavirus, highlighting Australia's access to testing; U.S. lags behind other countries in coronavirus tests; NYT: Testing delays set back U.S. coronavirus response; Utah Jazz test full team, confirms second player tests positive; Fear...

Mar 12, 2020•41 min

Top official warns coronavirus outbreak is "going to get worse"; W.H.O. officially declares coronavirus outbreaks a pandemic; Sanders says he has no plans to drop out after major losses

Top health official warns "it's going to get worse" after President Trump claims coronavirus "will go away"; Top official warns coronavirus "is going to get worse"; NY Gov: 13 more coronavirus cases near NY containment zone; Seattle is first major city to close public schools; W.H.O. officially declares coronavirus outbreaks a pandemic; Sources: workers without proper gear assisted evacuees; WH official: travel restrictions for Europe "under discussion"; Trump to make statement tonight on corona...

Mar 11, 2020•41 min

Markets tank amid Coronavirus fears & oil pries fight; trading briefly halted during wild day on wall street; Dow plunges 2,000+ points, Wall St. suffers historic losses; Oil prices suffer worst crash since 1991; New CNN polls on Coronavirus outbreak

Markets tank amid Coronavirus fears & oil pries fight; trading briefly halted during wild day on wall street; Dow plunges 2,000+ points, Wall St. suffers historic losses; Oil prices suffer worst crash since 1991; New CNN polls on Coronavirus outbreak, Trump's handling of crisis; California docks cruise ship with 21 virus cases ; Cruise passengers to be quarantined at bases across U.S.; More than 600 confirmed Coronavirus case in the U.S.; Most U.S Deaths from Coronavirus involved patients 70...

Mar 09, 2020•43 min

WH & Trump give conflicting messages on CDC visit; Thousands in limbo on cruise ship awaiting coronavirus results; Stocks drop again as coronavirus fears grow; Biden & Sanders ready for next Super Tuesday showdown;

Sources: Trump receiving conflicting info from outside friends; Trump: "Very few" cases in the U.S. compared to other countries; Sources: WH Officials worry top expert's statements on severity of the outbreak could anger Trump; Top Health Official: Millions of testing kits needed ASAP; Outbreak spreading to at least 21 states, 250+ infected; Thousands self-quarantine in CA, NY, & across U.S.; Health experts urge people over 60 to reconsider usual activities; Stocks close lower as Wall Street...

Mar 06, 2020•40 min

Warren drops out, "not ready" to make endorsement; Senate GOP ramps up investigations as Biden surges; Trump and VP Pence take different tones on coronavirus; Sanders says political establishment is "working frantically to defeat us";

Dow plunges, nearly wiping out Wednesday's gain; Warren: If you say there was sexism in this race, "everyone says whiner"; Sanders, Biden praise Warren after she drops out of race; Sen. Romney criticizes GOP efforts to investigate Burisma; Sanders says political establishment is "working frantically to defeat us"; Trump says he'll make Burisma a 'major' campaign issue; Trump disputes W.H.O. on virus death rate, citing his "hunch"; Trump's comments on coronavirus add to confusion; Coronavirus spr...

Mar 05, 2020•41 min

Joe Biden wins Maine, his 10th Super Tuesday victory; Sanders picks up 3 states & is leading in California; Sanders touts Obama relationship for first time in new ad; At least 149 U.S. coronavirus cases; death toll rises to 11

CNN projects Biden wins Maine, further extending delegate lead; Sources: Warren assessing path forward in 2020 race; Results so far show Sanders' support has shrunk since 2016; Soon: Pence gives coronavirus briefing amid testing confusion; United Airlines cutting U.S. flights amid coronavirus crisis; Sen. Schumer accused of threatening Kavanaugh, Supreme Court takes up first big abortion case of Trump era; Gorsuch for saying "you will pay the price" amid abortion case; Dozens still missing after...

Mar 04, 2020•40 min

Sources: Klobuchar & Buttigieg to endorse Biden tonight; Bloomberg on the ballot for the first time as democrat tomorrow; Six coronavirus deaths confirmed in Washington state; Trump meets with top pharma execs on coronavirus;

DOW soars 1,200+ points after worst week since 2008; Klobuchar campaign: "this is a moment of unity"; 2020 Dems hit Bloomberg for his prior record as a republican; Bloomberg: I have no plans to drop out of the race; Bloomberg: my time as mayor was the best for New York City; Azar: U.S. is "radically" expanding coronavirus testing; U.S. surgeon general: you can raise your risk of coronavirus by improperly wearing a mask; Trump contradicts top disease expert, says vaccines are moving along "very q...

Mar 02, 2020•38 min

Markets continue historic slide over coronavirus fears; Trump administration downplays fears of coronavirus despite rise in U.S. cases; In 2016 Sanders wanted superdelegates to overrule voters; Pompeo heads to Qatar to witness Taliban peace deal signing

Global markets lose trillions in value over past week; Fed char: coronavirus poses "evolving risk" to economic activity; WHO: coronavirus spread & impact risk are "very high"; World Health officials warn of "pandemic potential"; CDC: hope to have every state & local health dept. testing for coronavirus by the end of next week; Up to 100 health workers exposed to CA coronavirus patient; Mulvaney, Donald Trump Junior suggest media and democrats using coronavirus to hurt Trump; Mulvaney: me...

Feb 28, 2020•41 min

Dow, S&P on track for worst week since 2008 financial crisis; First coronavirus case of "unknown" origin confirmed in U.S.; Is South Carolina primary the last chance for Sanders' rivals to make a stand?;

Dow drops 1,000+ points, closes in red every day this week; Goldman Sachs predicts no earnings from U.S. companies in 2020 due to coronavirus, say it could lead to recession; Health Officials: First coronavirus case of "unknown origin" reported; Trump contradicts health officials, says it's not inevitable coronavirus will spread here in U.S.; Sources: Pence will take lead on public statements, all Admin Health Officials must get VP office sign off; Market slide continues amid fear of coronavirus...

Feb 27, 2020•40 min

New: 60 U.S. cases of coronavirus; Health officials: now is the time to prepare for pandemic; Biden: I will win South Carolina primary on Saturday; 2020 Democrats attack Sanders, say he could hurt Dems in other Senate & House races

Trump news conference on coronavirus at 6:30p; CDC: Coronavirus could cause "severe disruption" in U.S.; U.S. military restricts travel to South Korea over coronavirus concerns; World Health Org: more new coronavirus cases today outside of China than inside; Biden nabs major SC endorsement from top Dem James Clyburn; 2020 Democrats attack Sanders, say he could hurt Dems in other Senate & House races; Sources: Trump considers czar to combat coronavirus in U.S.; Sources: Trump frustrated with ...

Feb 26, 2020•39 min

DOW plunges nearly 900 points amid coronavirus concerns; Trump dismisses Russian inference & attacks two Supreme Court justices; Polls show Bernie Sanders in striking distance of Joe Biden in South Carolina;

Dow tumbles second day in a row amid coronavirus concerns; CDC: 57 cases of coronavirus in the U.S.; Sources: Trump privately vents over coronavirus, publicly insists everything is fine; Trump Admin asks Congress for $2.5B to combat coronavirus; Schumer calls Trump's virus response "dangerous incompetence"; Kudlow claims coronavirus is "very contained"; Bipartisan concern & outrage on coronavirus; WHO: Virus outbreak has "pandemic potential"; Trump won't say if he believes Russians interferi...

Feb 25, 2020•41 min

DOW drops as coronavirus cases surge outside Asia; Sanders leads Dem field in delegates after Nevada, NH wins; Sources: Trump wants only loyalists installed in key admin jobs; O'Brian claims w/no evidence Russian meddling meant to help Sanders not Trump

DOW plunges 1,000+ points on coronavirus fears; Gains in 2020 now wiped out; Italy has largest cluster of coronavirus outside Asia with 215+ cases, seven deaths; New SC poll: race narrowing, but Biden still leading; Candidates ramp up attacks on Sanders ahead of critical 9 days; Moderate Dem attacks Sanders' partial defense of Castro; Bloomberg advisor: other candidates "don't deserve to win" if they can't find courage to challenge Sanders at debate; GOP's Scott: Sanders is biggest threat to Don...

Feb 24, 2020•41 min

Source: President's new personnel head tells agencies to look out for staffers disloyal to Trump; Bloomberg says women can be released from non-disclosure agreements; CNN examines medical docs Sanders released after heart attack;

Sources: Election security official told lawmakers Russia is looking to help Trump win in November; Source: President Trump upset he heard about intel conclusion on Russia from a House Republican; Warren slams Bloomberg as an "arrogant billionaire"; Sen. Bernie Sanders briefed by U.S. Officials that Russia is trying to help his presidential campaign; U.S. & Taliban agree to 7-day break in violence in Afghanistan; To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Le...

Feb 21, 2020•40 min

Trump: Roger Stone has "very good chance of exoneration"; Frontrunner Sanders faces new attacks at fiery debate; Trump appoints staunch ally with no intel experience as Acting Intelligence Chief;

Trump: Won't pardon Stone now, but "good chance of exoneration"; Bloomberg: Nominating sanders would be a "fatal error"; Contentious debate sets stage for caucuses in less than 48 hours; Sanders: I've talked with Obama multiple times in last month; Bloomberg: Trump was the "real winner" of Dem debate; Buttigieg camp on Bloomberg: "worst debate performance" ever; Members of Nevada's largest union express fear over Sanders' "Medicare for All" proposal; Trump's pick for Acting Intel Chief has histo...

Feb 20, 2020•40 min

Sanders says he will not release more medical records; Allegations of misogynistic & sexist comments loom over Bloomberg's first debate; Source: Barr has considered resigning over Trump's involvement; The money trail behind those granted clemency by Trump

Bloomberg campaign: Sanders' aide claim that Bloomberg had heart attacks "an absolute lie"; New Sanders ad targets Biden over voter enthusiasm; Sanders, Bloomberg brace for attacks at last Democratic debate before Nevada caucuses; Biden slams Bloomberg: "he didn't endorse Barack or me when we ran"; The money trail behind those granted clemency by Trump; Rod Blagojevich on clemency: "I'm a Trump-ocrat"; Assange lawyers say WikiLeaks founder offered pardon if he denied Russia hacked the DNC, WH de...

Feb 19, 2020•40 min

Trump commutes Rod Blagojevich's sentence and grants clemency to 10 others; Sanders takes clear lead over Dem field in new poll; Biocontainment unit used for Ebola tapped for coronavirus; WaPo: Therapy notes being used against minors in immigration court;

Trump: I'm actually the Chief Law Enforcement Officer; Trump commutes Blagojevich's sentence after seeing his wife argue his case on Fox; Judge to sentence Trump confidante Roger Stone Thursday as Trump demands new trial; Federal judges hold emergency meeting amid questions about DOJ; Bloomberg, Sanders trade attacks ahead of Nevada debate; Sanders campaign hits Bloomberg for supporting entitlements cuts in 2012; Experts downplay odds of coronavirus spreading in U.S. despite 73,000+ cases worldw...

Feb 18, 2020•40 min

Candidates amplify attacks on Sanders ahead of Nevada caucus; Long lines, tech issues plague early voting in Nevada; More than 2,000 former DOJ employees ask Barr to step down; Barr in 1991: the AG must keep the law away from politics

Dems turn focus to Nevada with early voting under way; 26,000 Dems turn out for early voting in Nevada so far; Bernie Sanders biggest challenge in Nevada: major state union opposes "Medicare for All"; Dems criticize Bloomberg's $400 million ad spending; Nevada volunteers, campaigns express concern over caucuses, campaign aide says they "have a lot more questions"; Ex-DOJ officials: AG Barr's actions in Roger Stone case "outrageous", he should resign; Trump campaign manager tweets pic of Air Forc...

Feb 17, 2020•39 min

Moves by AG Barr raise questions over DOJ independence; President insists he can intervene in any Justice Dept case; Bloomberg faces criticism for past comments on discriminatory practices; CDC: Coronavirus outbreak could last through next year;

Sources: Barr orders review of high-profile cases Trump rails about while claiming Trump has no influence; Trump: I have the right to interfere in legal cases, but I haven't; WH Official: Trump angered by decision not to charge McCabe; Source: Barr expressed frustration to Trump before interview; Sources: Barr orders review of Flynn case despite saying Trump can't bully him; Avenatti guilty on all counts in Nike extortion trial; Candidates call out Bloomberg for past comments on discriminatory p...

Feb 14, 2020•39 min

John Kelly: what Vindman heard on Trump-Ukraine call was equivalent to "an illegal order"; Bloomberg, Trump escalate feud with personal insults; AG Barr: Trump should stop tweeting about DOJ; makes it "impossible for me to do my job"

Hope Hicks, Trump's ex-body man return to White House; Source: official who ran office overseeing Stone case resigns after nomination for top treasury job pulled; Trump: may stop aides from listening to calls with world leaders; President Trump says Kelly was in "over his head" after ex-chief of staff says working for Trump was a "killer"; Barr slams Trump's DOJ tweets, but says president never asked him to do anything in Roger Stone case; Bloomberg spending on campaign ads top $350m; AG Barr: T...

Feb 13, 2020•40 min

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