CNN Politics

First: President Trump is working the phones and his beloved Truth Social account, trying to persuade skeptical Senate Republicans to fall in line behind his mega bill to cut taxes and slash spending. But he's giving them a deadline that sounds almost impossible to meet.  Plus: Sources tell CNN that the president is complaining that the Supreme Court justices he nominated aren't fully supporting h...

First: The FBI is investigating a horrifying attack on Jews in Colorado as a terror attack after a man allegedly screaming "Free Palestine!" set people on fire who were marching to support the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas.  Plus: Tim Walz says Democrats still licking their wounds need to take a page from the Trump playbook by getting "a little meaner."  And: America's extreme we...

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash sits down for an exclusive interview with the man seen as the architect behind President Trump’s scorched-earth effort to upend the federal government, White House Budget Director Russ Vought. Then, House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries joins Dana to detail his party’s plan to counter Trump’s agenda, as well as respond to a new CNN poll showing America...

First: Reality check. President Trump pops off, as he fends off checks on his power. And as Republicans get an earful, are more cuts coming?  And: Digging out. As Democrats look to 2028, a brand new CNN poll this hour on the challenges ahead. And as a blue state shifts towards Trump, what is the winning path for Democrats? We're live with Congressman Josh Gottheimer, who's running for governor.  P...

First: President Trump launches an all-out attack on the judiciary branch for ruling against his policies on the same day the Supreme Court hands his administration a win. We have brand new reaction from a top Trump adviser  Plus: The White House is blaming "formatting issues" after the Make America Healthy Again team released a report on children's well being citing studies that don't exist.  And...

The ongoing feud between President Trump and Harvard University is heating up as the White House attempts to ban the university from enrolling international students. Harvard President Emeritus Larry Summers shares his insights on the clash and explains why the White House’s actions could hinder efforts to reform Harvard’s flaws. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: We're following the collision of Harvard's graduation and a key court case in President Trump's spiraling war with the country's oldest university. We'll tell you what the judge just decided.  Plus: The Trump Administration is claiming Americans are "living under a judicial tyranny" after a panel of federal judges ruled the president overstepped when issuing most of his sweeping tariffs.  A...

First: Donald Trump is aggressively using the power of the pardon to let loyalists off the hook, especially conservatives he claims - baselessly - were pursued by the Biden Justice Department for political reasons. The latest example: a reality TV couple convicted in a $30 million fraud scheme.  Plus: Trump is clearly getting fed up with Vladimir Putin's seeming unwillingness to negotiate an end t...

First: President Trump tells his government to cancel all contracts with Harvard, his latest move in a full-frontal assault on America's most prestigious university.  Plus: Canada invites the British king to open parliament, sending a clear message about Canadian sovereignty after President Trump's talk of pushing the US border all the way to Quebec.  And: What will New York's state of mind tell u...

Reacting to Russia's most extensive air attacks yet against Ukraine, President Trump says Vladimir Putin has "gone absolutely crazy." The Kremlin responded by calling Trump's response "emotional overload." We explore this new back-and-forth after bringing you the president's Memorial Day remarks from Arlington National Cemetary.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House GOP delivered President Trump a major win this week by passing his so-called “big, beautiful bill.” CNN congressional correspondent Lauren Fox breaks down what happened behind the scenes in the hours before it was passed, how Speaker Mike Johnson swayed the holdouts and the biggest questions surrounding the bill as it makes its way to the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...

First: A federal judge just blocked the Trump Administration from banning Harvard from enrolling international students. This comes on the heels of the school filing a suit over the ban. What next?  Plus: We have another sudden twist in the Trump trade roller coaster. The president this morning threatened the European Union with a 50% tariff on all goods. Will it jumpstart negotiations with crucia...

First: It was a nail biter with a whole lot of cliffhangers, but House Republicans were ultimately able to eke out a win for the president, delivering a mega MAGA bill that will bring drastic changes to people's lives across the country.  Plus: Why won't the White House reveal which deep-pocketed crypto investors won a meal with the president tonight? We'll break down the lack of transparency with...

First: President Trump is welcoming his South African counterpart to the White House today, after Trump made unsubstantiated claims that that government in is committing genocide against whites. Will he be getting the Zelensky treatment?  Plus: House Speaker Mike Johnson says there will be a vote tonight on the president's mega MAGA bill. But hardline Republicans are threatening to torpedo it unle...

President Trump goes to Capitol Hill to push House Republicans who are fighting amongst themselves about the president's sprawling bill to cut taxes and slash spending. Nothing short of the entire Trump legislative agenda hangs in the balance.  Plus: A Democratic congresswoman is facing federal assault charges after a brawl outside an ICE detention center.   And: Chasten Buttigieg, husband of poli...

First: President Trump is holding crucial phone calls today with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky about a potential path to peace, hours after Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began.  Plus: Joe Biden reveals he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that's spread to his bones. We'll break down his battle with the disease that he's worked for years to eradic...

First: Culture shock. Trump returns home from a week of fanfare and promises to face legal setbacks and infighting. Can the president deliver a long promised deal and get his own house in order? And: Fallout. Shaky new audio as Democrats face questions. Should they have done more? Plus: New reporting, Kamala Harris starts making her move. And: Wild card. The senator who took Mitt Romney's place. H...

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Trump’s tariff policy, efforts to negotiate trade deals, and plans for the US to accept a luxury jet from Qatar. Then, Jake presses Democratic Rep. James Clyburn over his past support for Joe Biden’s re-election campaign amid new reporting about Biden’s health. Next, CNN Chief Political Analyst Davi...

President Trump completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East this week, making deals—and multiple headlines—along the way. Axios reporter, Middle East expert and CNN political and global affairs analyst Barak Ravid breaks down the major moments from the week, from a historic handshake between Trump and the Syrian president to Qatar’s unusual gift of a luxury jet. Learn more about your ad choices....

First: President trump is heading home after soaking in the Gulf's opulence, fanfare and regal recognition. He loves a dramatically different approach toward countries he once reviled and renounced.  Plus: We follow a critical meeting on Capitol Hill as Republicans butt heads on how to advance President Trump's agenda.  And: California Governor Gavin Newsom is shifting to the center on a series of...

As today's show begins, the Supreme Court is hearing pivotal arguments involving President Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. Whatever the Court decides could have major implications for federal courts and their ability to curtail multiple Trump policies being challenged as unconstitutional.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: President Trump is basking in the opulence of the Middle East while cozying up to the Qatari government that plans to gift him a luxury jet. Is he really going to go home with a new plane?  Plus: Manu talks to conservative Republican Senator Josh Hawley who says cutting Medicaid is "politically suicidal." But will the House GOP heed his warning?  And: "Joe Biden totally effed us." That quot...

First: President Trump is soaking up all the pomp and circumstance on the first major international trip of his second term. He's in Saudi Arabia to sign multiple deals he says will bring hundreds of billions of dollars into the US. But criticism is ramping up within his own party over a jet he says he'll accept as a gift from the government of Qatar.  Plus: A new book from CNN's Jake Tapper and A...

An American held by Hamas for 584 days is now on his way to freedom. 21-year-old Edan Alexander was handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials in Gaza. He's now en route to an Israeli military base, where he'll be flown by helicopter to an Israeli hospital and evaluated by doctors. CNN's Jeremy Diamond begins our coverage in Tel Aviv's "hostage square."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

First: Open conflict. The U.S. and China hold high stakes trade talks. And Trump gears up for a trip to the Middle East as he looks to cut deals and broker ceasefires. Can he rein in the crisis he pledged to solve?  Plus: Resistance. As the Democratic Party struggles with a winning message. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, just announced he's running for Senate, joins me live. And: Food fight. Rep...