The Lead with Jake Tapper

All across the United States, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, Michigan to Georgia, and battlegrounds in between, the final hours are underway in one of the closest and most consequential presidential races ever. With the time to choose upon us, we bring you all the latest in this historic election.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are in the final hours of this historic presidential campaign season. Nearly 79 million voters have already cast their ballots through mail or through early person voting. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are closing out their campaigns with sharply contrasting messages. Our panel of analysts break down what to expect tomorrow on Election Day.  Learn more about you...

Vice President Kamala Harris is in battleground Wisconsin as her campaign says it fully suspects Donald Trump to fully declare victory before all the votes are in. Plus, former President Trump is in Michigan one day after he called Liz Cheney a war hawk who should have guns trained at her face to see how it feels.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final stretch of the election arrives as presidential transition starts to enter view with new hints today about who might be in a Trump administration and who is already out. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris is calling out Donald Trump for saying he would protect women whether the women would like it or not. Can she galvanize voters on that message?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Donald Trump is taking advantage of President Biden’s gaffe in which he seemingly referred to Trump supporters as garbage. Biden denies that’s what he meant but now Kamala Harris is trying to distance herself from the remark if not the president. Plus, the Supreme Court allows a battleground state to remove folks from their voter rolls.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

In a scene described as utterly catastrophic, an Israeli airstrike hits a multistory building in Gaza and nearly 100 people are killed. CNN is in the region with the aftermath. Plus, we are just one week away from the election and Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina joins to weigh in on Harris’ chances of winning in that swing state.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...

New fallout after Trump’s weekend rally where a comedian called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Do undecided voters care? Plus, a new lawsuit is asking if artificial intelligence is to blame for a 14-year-old’s suicide.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell call out Kamala Harris saying that it is her rhetoric that is flaming the flames of political animus. We analyze these remarks. Plus, in a stunning proposal, a Republican leader in a battleground state reportedly wants to do away with election process all together and anoint Trump that states’ electoral votes.  Learn more about...

Under the backdrop of many, many threats, election workers are getting ready to count votes as election lies take hold. Plus, we are awaiting if the Melendez brothers get a chance to have their life sentences reconsidered. Also, there are only 13 days until Election Day and the race is getting even more heated.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris is calling out Donald Trump after he reportedly dismissed a fallen army soldier as a “f***ing Mexican” not worth the $60,000 burial. Plus, we are counting down to the CNN presidential town hall with Kamala Harris tonight. Also, a look at the humanitarian crisis overwhelming Sudan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is under arrest and in court today on charges of sex trafficking. Plus, Rudy Giuliani is now facing the consequences of his actions around the 2020 election. A judge has now ordered the Trump ally to hand over all of his valuable possessions to two election workers whom he defamed. Also, we are two weeks away from Election Day and both candidates are making th...

A new fight is brewing over a Texas death row inmate whose life was spared last week. Plus, voters rank the cost of living consistently as one of their biggest concerns heading into the election. We dig into both the Harris and Trump plans to see if they would save you money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in Michigan today. Both candidates are focusing on the economy and jobs in their events as questions swirl over Harris’ campaign strategy and Donald Trump’s comments in a new Fox News interview. Plus, a huge new trove of evidence was unsealed in Trump’s federal election subversion case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a major development in the Israel-Hamas war, Israel has killed Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader and believed by Israel to be the chief architect of the group’s deadly October 7th terror attack. Israel Defense Forces say he was killed during a routing military operation near a building in Gaza. We examine what lies ahead in the region.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...

Former President Jimmy Carter makes history, casting his ballot at the age of 100. Plus, a Democratic congressman and veteran is blasting his Republican colleagues over a lawsuit he says could impact the ability of service members overseas to vote. Also, with 20 days until Election Day, Trump’s vision for his second term is being spelled out.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...

From Putin to January 6th to international trade wars, a wide ranging interview today with Donald Trump reveals his headspace with just three weeks until Election Day. Plus, Kamala Harris is in battleground Michigan, being interviewed by a radio host who once criticized her and called Democrats cowards. Also, early voting is breaking records in Georgia.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

The 2024 race enters new territory with new targeted media interviews, new outreach, and new lines of attack with just 22 days until Election Day. Plus, the Justice Department is suing Virginia, accusing the commonwealth of trying to illegally clean its voter rolls with just weeks until the election. Virginia’s Republican governor joins to respond.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastc...

With 25 days until Election Day, Trump is in Aurora, Colorado talking about Venezuelan gang members in that city. But, what is the reality on the ground? We examine how much of this is fact versus fear mongering. Plus, former President Barack Obama delivers a stern message to Black men who may be reluctant to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

At least nine people have been killed in the state of Florida as search and rescue efforts are underway right now after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm last night. Flood waters inundated multiple areas across Florida. The storm ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po...

We are following Hurricane Milton as it is hours away from making landfall on Florida’s west coast. The monster hurricane is already making its presence known through winds and rain. The storm is also bringing Florida a record breaking number of daily tornado warnings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could be the worst storm to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in a century is taking aim. The head of the National Weather Service joins to provide updates on Hurricane Milton. Plus, Kamala Harris was asked what she would do differently than Biden. Also, former British Prime Minster Boris Johnson joins to react to new reporting on Trump from Bob Woodward.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...

Hurricane Milton’s intensity has exploded, going from a tropical storm into a powerful Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours. We cover everything you need to know from a new storm track to evacuation orders. Plus, a Republican effort pushed by Donald Trump Jr. to cut ties with one of the federal government’s biggest contractors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adch...

A deep dive into the tactics that Trump is accused of using to try and overturn the 2020 election. Plus, could your vote in the upcoming election be influenced by something completely fake? We are seeing artificial intelligence show up on campaign ads, on social media, and even robocalls to voters.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two battlegrounds are in focus with 33 days out from Election Day. Donald Trump is in battleground Michigan as he tries to break down the so called “blue wall.” Meanwhile Kamala Harris wheels down in Wisconsin and brings along high-profile Republican help. Plus, the recorded message from Melania Trump that undercuts one of her husband’s top campaign issues.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

A filing was released today from the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith which outlines in detail evidence in the federal election subversion case against Donald Trump. We review the contents of the filing. Plus, Israel vows retaliation for the Iranian missile attack leaving the Middle East on edge.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices