CNN Politics

As today show begins, President Biden is holding the first cabinet meeting of the year and taking some questions from reporters. We get the latest from CNN senior White House reporter Kevin Liptack. Following his report, we turn to the presidential race and Kamala Harris' trip to Atlanta for a speech focused on abortion rights. It comes on the heels of a frightening report about two pregnant women...

This was a pivotal week for the US economy. The Fed announced its first interest rate cut since the pandemic — and it was a big one. Voters say they're thinking a lot about the economy during this election. In poll after poll, issues related to the economy rank at the top of voters’ priority lists. Catherine Rampell is an opinion columnist for the Washington Post and an economic and political comm...

First: A slew of new polls from three crucial swing states show a remarkably consistent reality. The country is divided and the presidential race is up for grabs. We break down the numbers and what it means for both candidates' path to 270.  Plus: Team Harris is relying on Tim Walz to cut into a huge source of support for Donald Trump: men. The group White Dudes for Harris is also launching a $10...

The historically Black sororities and fraternities known as the Divine 9 have a long legacy of political activism, though it’s traditionally been nonpartisan. Now that Vice President Kamala Harris — a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the country’s oldest Black sorority — is at the top of the Democratic ticket, the organizations are mobilizing in a whole new way. And nowhere is that more evident or mor...

First: Shortly after today's show concludes, the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates for the first time in four years. It's a signal that the central bank thinks inflation is finally under control, and it could have major political aftershocks.  Plus: Attempting to shore up her coalition, Kamala Harris is holding events with minority groups and targeting the all-important youth vote...

First: Donald Trump is now blaming Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for the second apparent assassination attempt. This coming from a man who's arguably pushed more incendiary political rhetoric than any other US president or candidate.  Plus: We have no details regarding the indictment against Sean Diddy Combs. Prosecutors want the rapper behind bars after he "abused threatened, and coerced victims fo...

First: That's the chilling assessment from the Secret Service after a second assassination attempt on Donald Trump's life. We bring you the latest on the investigation and breaking details from the suspect's parents.  Plus: JD Vance is still defending baseless and racist conspiracies about Haitian immigrants eating pets. The VP candidate tells Dana he is willing to "create stories for media attent...

On State of the Union, Dana Bash challenges Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance on why he's continuing to spread baseless rumors about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Then, Springfield Mayor Rob Rue joins Dana to respond to Vance and discuss the security threats in his town. Next, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro breaks down the neck-and-neck race in his critical state. Final...

Ground game. Post-debate, Harris targets deep red territory. While Trump digs in.  CNN's political director joins us at the magic wall. Why one city could tip the balance. And abortion politics. New reporting on an issue roiling the GOP and the surprising message from Republicans.  Plus, in their endorsement era. On a big week, we're one on one with Senators Romney and Manchin. On who they may bac...

First: Donald Trump is known for his love of cameras and a huge audience. So why is he turning down the chance to debate Kamala Harris again  Plus: As we pass the midway point of the hyper-speed Harris campaign for president, we have new reporting on Team Kamala's strategy to defeat Donald Trump.  And: Democrats think this is the year they may be able to turn the Tar Heel State blue. Dana talks to...

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris faced off on the debate stage for the first time this week. Harris landed jabs, and Trump struggled to stay on-message. But will their performances move the needle in this extremely tight race? And what should Harris’ and Trump’s campaigns focus on now with the big debate behind them? Karen Finney is a CNN political commentator and was...

Colleges and universities are still dealing with the political fallout of last spring’s campus protests and encampments. It’s a political fight that’s led to the ouster of high-profile university presidents and generated national debate and even Congressional hearings. Audie talks with Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, about how campus protests over Gaza offer a lens on wider argumen...

First: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are back on the trail after 67 million people watched Tuesday's debate. They're aiming to mobilize voters in crucial battleground states as polls show this is a race that will be won by incredibly narrow margins.  Plus: Dana talks to a top Harris campaign adviser about their plans to reach those still-undecided voters.  And: The attorney general issues a stark...

First: The Harris campaign is pushing to get back on the debate stage while Donald Trump claims he won and doesn't need a round two. His advisors may disagree. We have the highlights, the fallout, and the fact checks from what may be voters' last chance to see the candidates faceoff before heading to the polls.  Plus: The biggest star on the planet says she's a "childless cat lady" who won't "leav...

First: Just hours from now, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in a debate that could define the final weeks of this deadlocked presidential race. We have new reporting on both candidates' tactics on this crucial night.  Plus: Nikki Haley is offering some blunt advice for the Republican ticket that needs to narrow the gender gap, but will Donald Trump fall into too-familiar habits tonigh...

First: As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump get ready for their first - and perhaps only - face-to-face meeting before votes are cast, we break down how the candidates are preparing for tomorrow's debate.  Plus: The Harris campaign is clearly trying to get into Donald Trump's head, releasing a new ad featuring his former vice president, defense secretary, and national security adviser all explaining...

Face to face. With Harris and Trump set to square off, two pollsters break down brand new numbers this morning. Our panel dives into the preparations and how they could go on the offense. Who will come out on top?  Plus, on the trail. Manu goes one on one with both candidates in a key race that could decide control of the Senate.  And upping the ante. Who the betting markets think will have the up...

On CNN’s State of the Union, Former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg joins Dana to discuss how he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris should handle Republican attacks over the Afghanistan withdrawal. Then, Dana presses Sen. Tom Cotton on the Georgia school shooting and DOJ allegations of Russian support for right-wing media. Next, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman joins Dana to p...

The 2024 presidential race has reached a key turning point. Labor Day has passed, Election Day is just over eight weeks away, and the presidential nominees are set to face off on the debate stage in just a few days. New battleground state polls by CNN this week showed a very tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Stuart Stevens is a former Republican con...

Donald Trump was back in a New York City courtroom today where his lawyers pushed a federal appeals panel to throw out the jury verdict that found him liable of sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Following his appearance, Trump launched a verbal attack on Carroll and several other women who have accused him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct over the past several decades.  L...

First: In a surprise, Hunter Biden offers to change his plea to avoid a trial in his federal tax evasion case, moments before jury selection was scheduled to begin.  Plus: A crucial hearing wraps up in the federal case against Donald Trump for trying to overturn the last election.  And: The former president unveils a new economic policy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/...

Today's show begins with breaking news of yet another deadly school shooting. According to law enforcement sources, at least two people are dead and others are injured after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. A suspect is in custody. Video from outside the school, which is located in a community about an hour outside of Atlanta, shows several ambulances and a large active poli...

First: New TV ads, bus tours, and economic rollouts ... the Harris team is trying to flood the campaign zone one week before the candidates meet face-to-face for the first time on the debate stage.  Plus: From a very pro-choice to the most pro-life president, Donald Trump is certainly contorting himself on the critical issue of abortion. Phil Mattingly asks one of the former president's top suppor...

On CNN’s State of the Union, IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani joins Dana to discuss the tragic news that the bodies of six hostages, including an American citizen, have been recovered from Gaza. Then, the parents of another Israeli-American still being held hostage in Gaza tell Dana that more needs to be done by Israeli and American leaders to secure the hostages’ relea3se. N...

First: The grieving family of a hostage murdered by Hamas makes one final memory while Israelis from all corners of the country strike in a message of defiance and distrust aimed at Benjamin Netanyahu.  Plus: With just eight days till a potentially defining debate, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris hightail it to swing states.  And: In an interview with Mark Levin, Trump claims he had "every right" t...