CNN Politics

President Donald Trump is facing serious backlash from the MAGA world over his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. CNN senior correspondent Donie O’Sullivan explains why Epstein looms so large in the MAGA-verse—and why this controversy isn’t likely to die down soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We have new details from the Wall Street Journal on the friendship that once existed between President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Trump says the WSJ story isn't true and has asked the Justice Department to release new information about the Epstein case.  Plus: We have new details of potential 2028 presidential hopefuls making their way into some early primary states to make early impression...

First: The Epstein outrage cycle shows no signs of letting up after the Justice Department fired a top prosecutor in the case, who also happens to be the daughter near the top of the president's enemies list.  Plus: We have brand new CNN polling that shows Democrats can't wait to vote in next year's midterms. It's an enthusiasm advantage that could pay dividends for the party, except for another u...

Responding to a question about the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein controversy, President Trump claims Republicans "got duped by the Democrats" and attacks his own supporters for questioning AG Pam Bondi's assertion that there is no "client list" nor conspiracy surrounding Epstein's death.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We bring you brand new CNN polling on the Jeffrey Epstein saga. Do Americans think their government is hiding something?  Plus: President Trump's plan to take apart the Department of Education gets a thumbs up from the Supreme Court. It means the department could be virtually eliminated without permission from Congress.  And: Democrats in Arizona will pick a candidate to replace a 77-year-o...

First: President Trump says there's nothing to see here on Jeffrey Epstein, but many in his base aren't buying it after he and some top officials spent years telling supporters that Epstein's death is at the center of a massive conspiracy.  Plus: The president says he's losing patience with Russian President Vladimir Putin. And this time he says he will back up those words with weapons.  And: Afte...

First: Crisis control. As President Trump nears six months in office, he threatens new tariffs and ramped-up ICE raids. But amid backlash to his bill and a MAGA world mutiny, can the president take back the narrative? And: Survivor. One year after he was shot, how has the assassination attempt shaped Trump? A new book has fresh details on that fateful day. Plus: Exclusive. As Trump hits the road t...

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses White House Border Czar Tom Homan over Trump’s immigration crackdown amid chaotic ICE raids in California. Next, California Sen. Alex Padilla sits down with Dana to respond. Then, Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales joins Dana amid growing calls for accountability after the deadly floods in his state. Finally, CNN Political Commentators David Urban and Kristen S...

First: The president and the first lady are on their way to a state ravaged by flooding. They'll arrive to pressing questions about vacancies inside the National Weather service and about red tape slowing federal help.  Plus: A candidate's wife shakes up an important primary by dropping a bomb about filing for divorce. She did it on social media, citing biblical grounds.  And: It's a bird. It's a...

Investigative reporter Josh Dawsey is co-author of a new deep dive into last year’s historic election, ⁠2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America⁠. He shares some of the most striking moments in the book — from Trump’s trip to the Fulton County Jail to take his mugshot to the buzzing scene at Mar-a-Lago days before his inauguration. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

First: CNN has learned that the homeland security secretary waited a full 72 hours to sign off on a request for more first responders to the deadly Texas flooding.  Plus: A couple of days after President Trump publicly turned on Vladimir Putin, he threatens Brazil with massive tariffs if they don't stop a "witch hunt" targeting the country's former leader.  And: The authors of a new, revealing loo...

First: First responders are searching for at least 160 people still missing since Friday's flood. Meanwhile, we have new details about the real-time response to the disaster.  Plus: Russia unleashes on Ukraine after President Trump explained why he restarted weapons shipments to Kyiv.  And: Bill Nye "The Science Guy" is spending the day lobbying on the Hill, warning about funding cuts to NASA and...

First: The number of dead in Texas floods eclipses 100 families grappling with immeasurable loss. Could anything have been done to save their loved ones?  Plus: In a made-for-TV moment, President Trump is touted as a peacemaker while he defies his MAGA base by sending weapons to fuel a far-flung war.  And: While the calendar reads 2025, the California's governor's travels today send a message abou...

Politics is taking a back seat to the harrowing and devastating flooding disaster as the hope for a Texas miracle wanes. Rescue crews are trying to outrun the rain and find survivors clinging to life before floodwaters can descend on central Texas again. The death toll sits at 89, making it one of the most destructive floods in the United States in the past 100 years.    Learn more about your ad c...

CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny and CNN’s Boris Sanchez cover the devastating flash flooding in central Texas. Sanchez is on the ground in Hunt, Texas. Hear from Texas officials who provide an update on the deadly flooding. Plus, President Trump signs a Texas disaster declaration. And, the midterm elections are 16 months away, but President Trump's mega bill is already shapi...

President Trump is getting exactly what he wanted this Independence Day, signing his mega MAGA bill into law at a huge celebration. His tax cuts got extended. He got more money for defense and immigration. But will Republicans pay a political price for Medicaid and SNAP cuts?  Plus, two top politicians join us with two totally different takes on the big beautiful bill. Republican Congressman Mike...

Rahm Emanuel isn't shy about criticizing his own party. He also isn’t shy about his potential political ambitions. He’s made it clear he’s considering a potential 2028 presidential run. He shares how he’ll make that decision, what he brings to the growing field of potential candidates and why he thinks Dems shouldn’t talk about democracy without also talking about affordability. Learn more about y...

As today show begins, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is in his seventh hour of a marathon speech delaying a vote on President Trump's big beautiful bill. Meanwhile, President Trump holds a crucial phone call with Vladimir Putin just two days after the US announced a pause in certain weapons shipments to Ukraine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Music mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs is found guilty of two counts of prostitution but is acquitted of the more severe charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. 12 New York jurors delivered the bombshell verdict after 13 hours of deliberations. CNN's Laura Coates and Kara Scannell have been covering this case since the beginning. They join the show to explain the ramifications of the verdi...

As today show begins, the Senate, after at least 27 hours in the chamber, is holding the final vote on President Trump's massive agenda bill. Majority Leader John Thune has just said he hopes they will have the votes. (Spoiler alert: They do.) CNN's Lauren Fox kicks off our coverage.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Senate Democrats are gearing up for what's essentially open mic night on Capitol Hill as they rail against the president's "big, beautiful bill" with endless amendments. Republicans hope to get the massive legislation to the Oval Office by President Trump's self-imposed July 4th deadline.  Plus: Just hours after getting berated by the president for saying he won't vote in favor of the big,...

On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks to Republican Senator Katie Britt about the President's domestic policy agenda as it nears its final vote in the Senate. Democratic Senator Mark Warner slams Republicans for supporting this bill while also what he knows about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Finally Republican Rep. Riley Moore, Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio, Ashley Allison and Al...

First: Make or break. After a late night of arm twisting, the Trump agenda clears a key hurdle. But with the July 4th deadline just days away, can badly divided Republicans seal the deal? My panel joins me with the very latest from Capitol Hill. Plus: Identity crisis. Political shockwaves after a Big Apple bombshell. But as Democrats divide over a new messenger, is this the Democrats' future or do...

Zohran Mamdani pulled off a major political upset over Andrew Cuomo in this week’s New York mayoral primary. CNN senior reporter and New York City native Edward-Isaac Dovere explains how Mamdani was able to secure the victory and what Democrats more broadly can learn from his surprise success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump Administration is laser focused on telling Americans that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities were an unequivocal success, even as questions remain about whether the regime's capabilities were actually eliminated.  Plus: Republicans are running out of time to get their massive policy bill over the finish line by July 4th. So today the president is bring food delivery drivers and...