The Lead with Jake Tapper

A positive match, the gun and shell casings, along with fingerprints are among the brand new details from detectives which add layers in the case of a CEO’s murder. The suspected killer’s manifesto also cements a motive. Plus, a padlocked prison cell in Syria is shot open only to discover an inmate alive and CNN cameras were there as it happened.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

Detectives say they have new evidence that proves the suspected CEO killer is responsible for the murder. Plus, CNN is in Syria, inside the palace of former President Bashar al-Assad. Also, in one single hour a California wildfire tripled in size.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major arrest is made six days into the CEO murder manhunt. A 26-year-old is now in custody, saying in a note according to a source “these parasites had it coming.” Plus, CNN is in Syria with the Assad regime toppled. Who is going to take over leadership in the country now?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New York Police Department told CNN moments ago that the suspect in the murder of the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has likely left New York City. They cited video of the suspected shooter entering a Port Authority bus terminal and not leaving the terminal.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the New York City manhunt, brand new surveillance footage appears to show the man who killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO. Plus, several powerful aftershocks hit the west coast after a major 7.0 earthquake occurs off the coast of California.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pete Hegseth is making his last stand on Capitol Hill, hoping to shore up support from lawmakers so he could run the Pentagon as President-elect Trump’s pick. Plus, an active manhunt is underway in New York City as police search for the gunman who shot and killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare outside a hotel in midtown Manhattan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A close American ally declares martial law as protests emerge at South Korea’s parliament. What does this mean for a region already on edge? Plus, the president-elect’s cabinet picks are on Capitol Hill including the latest embattled nominee Pete Hegseth. We share what we’re learning about what Hegseth told senators behind closed doors about his confirmation process.  Learn more about your ad choi...

First Lady Jill Biden defends her husband’s decision to pardon his adult son Hunter after insisting for months he would not do so. Was that a boldface lie? We have the latest reaction. Plus, a look at President-elect Trump’s plans to upend the Justice Department as he kicks FBI director Christopher Wray to the curb and replaces him with Kash Patel.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

New details about bomb threats sent to a number of lawmakers while another Democrat is targeted. There is a common signature on the messages coming one day after the threats to several Trump administration picks. Plus, the Mexican president is disputing Trump and his description of their conversation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A stunning murder for hire plot targeting a detective. The suspect is a dentist who is already in jail for poisoning his wife. Plus, fears of a target list for the world’s richest man. The names of government employees were shared online by Elon Musk. Could their jobs and safety now be on the line?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden speaks at the White House after the Israeli security cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. We examine what this could mean for the region and a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Plus, President-elect Trump vows new tariffs on his first day in office. Business owners warn the costs will be passed down to consumers.  Learn more about your ad...

Special counsel Jack Smith drops two major cases against Donald Trump. We examine what this means for Trump and Jack Smith. Plus, what sources say about an internal investigation outing a character trying to make money off of his connection to Donald Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former senator and WNBA team owner Kelly Loeffler is expected to be the next name in the Trump administration. Plus, Matt Gaetz is officially out of two jobs after announcing he will not return to Congress and withdrawing his name for consideration for attorney general.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former congressman Matt Gaetz will not be the next United States attorney general amid serious questions about statutory rape and other sexual misconduct allegations. The former congressman withdrew his name from President-elect Trump’s nomination process this afternoon. Plus, Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary is being sued for allegedly enabling the sexual abuse of children.  Learn more...

The House Ethics Committee spent hours behind closed doors and came out with no agreement on what to do about the report on Matt Gaetz. The fate of the committee investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety and statutory rape remain in limbo. Plus, for the first time in Russia’s war with Ukraine the U.S. fully closed its embassy in Kyiv.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoi...

President-elect selects Mehmet Oz for a top health role. Plus, a deadly stabbing spree in New York City. Also, Trump was joined by Elon Musk for a SpaceX test flight of the most powerful launch vehicle ever built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president-elect is all in on Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, according to a source. But, what about that alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl which Gaetz denies? Today, some unbelievable details emerged in a related civil lawsuit while members of the House Ethics Committee debate whether they will make their report about the former congressman public.  Learn more about your ad...

Donald Trump tries to fill out the front lines of his incoming administration and named a communications director, an interior secretary, a personnel director, and pushed to fire FBI director Christopher Wray. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks out after originally saying it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in on whether the House Ethics Committee should release its investigation of Ma...

According to several people close to the situation, Donald Trump is on the verge of announcing RFK Jr. as his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. A devout skeptic of childhood vaccines, RFK Jr. endorsed Trump since he suspended his own presidential campaign in August and has been advising Trump’s transition team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...

President-elect Donald Trump just announced on Truth Social that he is picking Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida to be the new United States attorney general. Gaetz is currently facing a House Committee on Ethics investigation over whether he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal...

It has been one week since president-elect Trump’s historic win and his team is announcing new names for his incoming administration. One senator who pulled his name out of consideration for one of the biggest jobs joins to discuss. Plus, another outbreak of antisemitic violence in Amsterdam occurs and now police in France are on guard.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

Donald Trump’s wants some of his latest picks for his brand new administration to be put in their jobs without congressional approval in recess appointments. Also, a split ticket truth, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is asking why people would vote for her and also Donald Trump.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The celebratory calls pour into Mar-a-Lago from leaders around the world, but one president found himself not only on the phone with Donald Trump but also Elon Musk. Plus, federal prosecutors announce charges in a thwarted plot to kill Donald Trump allegedly plotted by Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump is putting the pieces in place for his second term and his allies around him float names of who could be in the next Trump administration. Plus, a look at what President Joe Biden told Trump on the phone after the election.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris spoke to supporters at Howard University after conceding the presidential race to Donald Trump. Four states are left to project: Arizona, Maine, Nevada, and Alaska. Michigan was called for Donald Trump giving him a full sweep of the blue wall states.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices