The Lead with Jake Tapper - podcast cover

The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcastswww.cnn.com
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:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Court rules Trump does not have immunity in Jan. 6 case

Donald Trump's presidential immunity claim was rejected today by three federal judges. A conservative former judge is taking us inside the ruling and shares his take on what may play out if Donald Trump takes the case to the U.S. Supreme Court where he appointed three of the justices. Plus, frustration from Capitol Hill all the way to the border with a bipartisan immigration bill on the brink of collapse. Independent Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema helped write the bill and she joins to discuss w...

Feb 07, 20241 hr 24 min

Tonight: Senate Republican leadership meets on bipartisan border deal

Migrants risking their lives crossing the Rio Grande river underscore the need for urgent action at the border. This morning, Texas authorities pulled a woman and child from the cold waters. Meanwhile, Republicans are set to meet one week after a bipartisan compromise deal was put on the table which now appears to be on the brink of collapse. We speak with a House Republican who has tough words for the deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Feb 06, 20241 hr 24 min

CNN poll: Trump narrowly ahead of Biden

Brand-new CNN polls on the 2024 race. Has the Republican contest changed at all since Donald Trump swept Iowa and New Hampshire? Which GOP candidate fares better in head-to-head matchup against Joe Biden? Also, a scary warning ahead of the November election about artificial intelligence. Plus, the mother of the Oxford, Michigan school shooter takes the stand in her defense and shares what her son told her when she asked why he carried out the massacre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

Feb 02, 20241 hr 24 min

Big tech CEOs face tough questions at child online safety hearing

The heads of Facebook, TikTok and other social media companies were pummeled today with bipartisan criticism on Capitol Hill over what the companies are and are not doing to protect your kids. We look at what led Mark Zuckerberg to stand up in the hearing and apologize. Also, a Pennsylvania man is accused of decapitating his father then posting a political rant online. Why was the horrifying video left up online for hours? Plus, we are expecting a major ruling at any moment from a judge that cou...

Jan 31, 20241 hr 24 min

Hospital officials: IDF enters hospital complex in Khan Younis

President Biden says he has decided how the U.S. will respond after the the deadly drone strike which killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan. A Pentagon spokesperson joins. Plus, Democratic Congresswoman Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) is under federal investigation for allegedly misusing campaign funds and hiring her husband for security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 31, 20241 hr 19 min

Biden meets with national security team on deadly drone attack

The Biden administration vows the U.S. shall respond after a drone attack killed three U.S. service members in Jordan. Plus, Israel spells out the actions of 13 United Nations aid workers accused of participating in the October 7th terrorist attacks including kidnapping Israelis. We examine what the allegations mean for this major relief group still operating in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 29, 20241 hr 22 min

Jury finds Trump must pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll

A jury said that Donald Trump should pay $83.3 million in damages. The verdict was the second time over the past year that a jury has awarded E. Jean Carroll millions of dollars in damages from Trump for his defamatory statements disparaging her and denying her rape allegations. Donald Trump's legal team said they will "immediately appeal" the verdict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 27, 20241 hr 44 min

Trump pressures Republicans to block border deal

A bipartisan Senate border deal is at risk of death with Donald Trump urging senate Republicans to kill it so he can use the border as a central campaign issue against Joe Biden. Also, CNN is on the ground in the streets of Ecuador where gang violence plagues the country. This month gunman took over a TV station. Also, what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu allegedly said on a hot mic that could ruin negotiations to free hostages held by Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

Jan 26, 20241 hr 23 min

UAW endorses Biden as he prepares to fight Trump for union votes

Nikki Haley gets ready to make her new pitch in South Carolina about why she believes she should stay in the race despite losses in both Iowa and New Hampshire. Plus, a big endorsement for President Biden today as his campaign sees 2024 closing in on a two-man race between Biden and Donald Trump. Also, Russia accuses Ukraine of shooting down a military plane, allegedly killing all 74 on board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 25, 20241 hr 22 min

One-on-one with Dem primary challenger Rep. Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips, Democratic congressman of Minnesota, joins to discuss what a successful result in the New Hampshire primary would look like and the importance of a large Democrat field of candidates. Plus, Donald Trump and Nikki Haley face off in New Hampshire tomorrow. CNN's John King asks Trump loyalists why they're so eager to vote for him again in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 23, 20241 hr 24 min

Sources: Sen. Tim Scott to endorse Trump

Senator Tim Scott is expected to endorse Donald Trump, even though Nikki Haley appointed him to the Senate. Four days before the all important New Hampshire primary, will his pick make a difference? Plus, President Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu spoke for the first time in nearly a month as Netanyahu openly rejects the U.S.-backed plan for the future of Gaza and the Palestinian people and the possibility of a Palestinian state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 20, 20241 hr 24 min

DOJ report: Uvalde school massacre could have been stopped sooner

The Justice Department is out with its new Uvalde report and some families of victims killed that day speak out about the long list of failures the attorney general is calling out. Plus, a look at Donald Trump's latest immunity defense that presidents can do anything even when they cross the line. Also, Israel’s disturbing find in Gaza during a search mission to find hostages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 19, 20241 hr 23 min

Trump speaks after spending day at defamation trial

We look at Donald Trump’s outburst in court when the woman who the court concluded he of sexually abused and defamed took the stand. Also, at the White House, President Biden met with leaders of the House and Senate as Senate Republicans urged House Republicans to take a deal on immigration and the border. Plus, a look at how often it is that students who are the ones preventing planned classroom attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Jan 18, 20241 hr 27 min

Trump dominates Iowa caucuses with 30-point win

After a blowout victory for Trump in Iowa, New Hampshire is next as Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley vow to stay in the fight. We go inside their campaigns to learn their battle plans after Vivek Ramaswamy and Asa Hutchinson suspend their campaigns. Plus, a new round of strikes on the Iranian-backed Houthi’s in Yemen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 17, 20241 hr 23 min

Update for January 15th

Tonight’s The Lead showcast has been pre-empted for coverage of the Iowa caucuses. For recent news updates, be sure to visit CNN’s ‘5 Things’ at: https://edition.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-things Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 15, 20242 min

U.S. and allies launch massive assault on Houthi military targets

Iran backed Houthi forces vow revenge after the U.S. and U.K. strike against them in Yemen. Will President Biden be ready for what may be next? Also, the chief spokesman for the Red Cross joins to discuss the organization's role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Plus, will snow and subzero temperatures impact turnout for the Iowa caucuses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 13, 20241 hr 24 min

W.H.O.: Gaza aid workers face “nearly insurmountable challenges”

The World Health Organization recently said it cancelled six planned missions to northern Gaza because requests for safe passage were rejected. This as hunger and disease grip Gaza on the 100th day of the war. Also, Donald Trump gets a second chance, being allowed to speak in the closing arguments at his civil fraud trial. We examine what he said and why the judge shut it down. Plus, one day after Hunter Biden’s shock appearance on Capitol Hill, he is back home facing federal charges and the Fir...

Jan 12, 20241 hr 24 min

Hunter Biden makes unexpected appearance at contempt hearing

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis face off in a debate tonight, just five days before the Iowa caucuses. Can either win over the Trump vote or is this a fight for second place? Plus, Hunter Biden shows up unexpectedly on Capitol Hill, crashing a hearing on holding him in contempt of Congress. Also, a judge says not so fast to Donald Trump taking the stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 10, 202443 min

Judges appear skeptical of Trump’s immunity claim

Donald Trump has a day in court and his legal team argues that the former president cannot be prosecuted even if his actions were criminal. Plus, with six days before the crucial contest in Iowa, a new CNN poll from another key early primary state shows a candidate gaining ground on the GOP frontrunner. Also, the defense secretary has been treated for prostate cancer. The Pentagon has been pressed on his hospital status and why the president didn't know one of his top cabinet members was in the ...

Jan 09, 202442 min

Trump calls jailed January 6 rioters “hostages”

A crucial week before the caucuses in Iowa and Trump is not there, instead preparing for court. He is falsely calling the January 6th criminals "hostages." This as Michelle Obama says she is “terrified" about what 2024 election results will bring. Plus, a CNN correspondent is embedded with a group migrants trying to get across the U.S. border from Mexico. Also, a missing door found in an Oregon backyard could be the smoking gun in the investigation as to what went wrong on an Alaska Airlines fli...

Jan 09, 20241 hr 23 min

U.S. Supreme Court to hear Trump 14th Amendment appeal

The US Supreme Court said Friday it will review the Colorado Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision removing former President Donald Trump from that state’s ballot. This as Trump is back in Iowa expected to speak at a live event ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Plus, a new batch of documents related to convicted dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein has just been released. Also, subject of TV dramas for years, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who admits she helped in the plot to kill her abusive mother, is fresh out o...

Jan 06, 20241 hr 10 min

Official: 6th grader killed in Iowa school shooting

A 17-year-old gunman killed a sixth grade student and wounded five other people Thursday at Perry High School near Des Moines, Iowa, authorities said. The gunman, who died of a self-inflicted wound, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. Also, we look at key takeaways from the latest trove of unsealed documents from a lawsuit related to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadly blast in Iran which killed dozens on Wednesday. Learn more about...

Jan 05, 20241 hr 27 min

Pressure on Netanyahu

The White House is lambasting members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet. Specifically, two right-wing extremists whom critics say are calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza leaving some in the Biden administration to wonder if Netanyahu will have to choose between Biden and extremists in Netanyahu's government. Plus, in his first CNN interview since becoming House speaker, Mike Johnson joins from the Mexico border to discuss the border crisis. Learn more about your ad choi...

Jan 04, 20241 hr 25 min

Harvard president Claudine Gay resigns

Dr. Claudine Gay is stepping down as the president of Harvard University. Was it the poorly received congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus or the mounting accusations of plagiarism? Plus, a deadly airport runway inferno in Tokyo after two planes collide. Also, a senior leader of Hamas was assassinated in an explosion in Beirut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 03, 20241 hr 25 min

Russia bombards Ukraine in biggest attack since start of war

Russia launches its biggest air attack on Ukraine, unleashing unprecedented missiles and drones across the country with schools, factories, warehouses, and hospitals hit in one of the largest air assaults of this war. Plus, President Trump has been removed from the 2024 primary ballot again, this time in Maine. We examine how his rivals are responding. Plus, a rogue wave is causing chaos in California and officials say the threat isn't over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

Dec 29, 202341 min

Chesebro: “high-level” fake elector plan involved GOP senator

We have a brand-new CNN report revealing how Trump operatives flew fake elector ballots to D.C. in a last-ditch effort to overturn the 2020 election. We bring you those details and audiotapes detailing their plot. Also, Nikki Haley is under scrutiny over controversial comments she made on the campaign trail. Plus, the house where four University of Idaho students were murdered was demolished just hours ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Dec 28, 202342 min

Bilnken urges Mexico to reduce migrant crisis

Senior U.S. officials are urging their Mexican counterparts to do a lot more to drive down the number of border encounters. These meetings come as a record number of migrants is overwhelming both sides of the border. Plus, the latest development in another attempt to keep Trump’s name off a state primary ballot next year. Also, a look at why Americans are spending so confidently and yet don’t believe the economy is doing well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Dec 27, 202342 min

Netanyahu confidant meeting with senior U.S. officials

A top Israeli official is meeting with the White House over Israel's war over Hamas as the administration asks Israel to scale back the war strategy. Also, a new caravan of thousands of migrants is headed to the U.S. border from southern Mexico one day before Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Mexico City in an effort to deal with the crisis. Plus, if you're planning to return an unwanted holiday gift, it may cost you. We'll tell you why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

Dec 26, 202342 min

Supreme Court rejects request to fast-track Trump presidential immunity dispute

The Supreme Court rejected a request by special counsel Jack Smith to fast-track arguments on whether Trump has any immunity from federal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed while in office. The court did not explain its reasoning and there were no noted dissents. Plus, an unprecedented number of immigrants are coming across the border as Biden makes an urgent call to Mexico to help manage the situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Dec 23, 20231 hr 23 min

Rudy Giuliani declares bankruptcy in federal court

Terrifying scenes in the Czech Republic after a gunman's deadly rampage, killing his father and then targeting a school. What we are learning at this hour about this rare type of attack for Europe. Plus, all eyes are on the U.S. Supreme Court as special counsel Jack Smith pushes back today against team Trump. Will the justices weigh in on whether or not Trump has immunity before Christmas? First, a new low for Rudy Giuliani as he files for bankruptcy today. His list of people he is trying to ski...

Dec 22, 20231 hr 15 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android