CNN Podcasts

The Lead with Jake Tapper

News EN ↓ 1619 episodes

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

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CNN Podcasts

Category

News

Podcast website

www.cnn.com

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

McCarthy suffers defeat on 3rd speaker ballot 04.01.2023

For the first time since 1923, the vote for House speaker has gone to multiple ballots leaving Rep. Kevin McCarthy without enough votes. GOP Rep. Chip Roy of Texas joins to discuss his vocal opposition to McCarthy. Former acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney also joins to answer how he sees the future of the House playing out. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit...

McCarthy scrambles for votes needed to win speakership 03.01.2023

Kevin McCarthy’s bid to become House speaker comes down to the wire and a group of Republican hard liners continue to push their demands. Plus, how police tracked down a suspected killer through DNA evidence, the web, and his Hyundai Elantra in those tragic Idaho college murders. Also, former White House communications director under the Trump administration Alyssah Farah Griffin joins to discuss...

News conference on Idaho college student murders 30.12.2022

A suspect has been arrested in the murders of the four University of Idaho students. The FBI and Pennsylvania police arrested 28-year-old Bryan Kohberger this morning in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. We go live to a news conference on the crimes. Plus, according to emails provided by Jared Kushner to the January 6th select committee, Donald Trump wanted to trademark “rigged election.” To learn more...

Jan. 6 committee releases transcripts from 19 additional witnesses 29.12.2022

New witness transcripts have been released from the January 6th select committee, including one from Donald Trump’s own son. Then, officials are calling it the largest Russian missile strike since the war began. Plus, some signs of relief are on the horizon for tens of thousands of Southwest passengers who have been stuck in the airline’s meltdown for now eight days. To learn more about how CNN pr...

Southwest Airlines cancels 2,500+ flights today, 2,000+ tomorrow 28.12.2022

Six days in and Southwest Airlines has canceled more than 15,000 flights as the company’s stock is taking a hit. Then, new details are emerging about the final days of the Trump administration. A witness told the January 6th committee that Donald Trump’s chief of staff regularly burned documents. Plus, why celebrities and social media are driving a shortage of a life-saving diabetes drug. To learn...

Southwest Airlines meltdown strands thousands of passengers 27.12.2022

Another disastrous day for Southwest Airlines as it cancels more than 2,500 flights for the second day in a row. Executives say they’ll need to cancel many more tomorrow. Then, Republican Congressman-elect George Santos admits he lied about major parts of his resume, but wait until he explains his Jewish heritage claims. Also, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been placed on concussion...

“Historic” storm kills at least 49 people in nine states 26.12.2022

More than two dozen people are dead from the horrific blizzard that slammed Erie County, New York over the holiday weekend. Some dying in snow buried cars, other in homes with no power. Conditions are so bad rescuers needed rescuing. The storm has caused more than 3,000 flights to be cancelled. Plus, how a toy and a car led police to find a kidnapped baby.  To learn more about how CNN protects lis...

Jan 6 committee: Trump & allies made “at least 200” attempts to overturn election 24.12.2022

The January 6th select committee released its final report which spelled out why in their view Donald Trump is solely responsible for the Capitol riot. Also, a historic and sadly deadly winter storm has left over a million Americans without power as more than 4,000 flights are cancelled. Plus, more Iranians fear a new wave of executions engineered to crush protests. To learn more about how CNN pro...

Hutchinson testified she felt pressured by Trump-aligned lawyer 23.12.2022

As the release of the January 6th select committee’s final report still looms, former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson said she was pressured to not talk to the committee by her lawyer. Also, the Taliban suspends university education for women in Afghanistan. Then, China struggles to maintain a Covid-19 outbreak after easing restrictions. Plus, a major winter storm is causing travel delay...

Patriot defense system part of $1.85B aid package for Ukraine 22.12.2022

President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Biden hold a joint press conference live at the White House and discuss Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Sen. Jack Reed of the Armed Services Committee joins beforehand to discuss what he wants to hear from Zelensky and if he’s worried about backlash from Russia. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about...

U.S. border cities struggle with new surge of migrant crossings 21.12.2022

Will the Biden administration proceed with plans to lift a border policy which allowed the government to expel immigrants quickly? Plus, plans are underway for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenky to visit the White House tomorrow. Also, TikTok responds to calls to ban the app over security concerns.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about yo...

January 6 committee refers Trump to DOJ 20.12.2022

Congress has referred Donald Trump to the Justice Department on four criminal charges surrounding the events of January 6th. Rep. Elaine Luria of the January 6th select committee joins to answer how the committee reached this conclusion as Republicans, including Mike Pence, react to the referrals. Plus, a deadline is quickly approaching on the border as more migrants line up to cross to the U.S. T...

Ukraine PM: Russia’s goal is to cut off lights, water, heat in Ukraine 17.12.2022

Ukraine’s prime minister says that Russia’s goal is to target key infrastructure after Ukraine intercepted a new barrage of strikes. Also, Twitter suddenly suspends the accounts of several journalists, including CNN’s own Donie O’Sullivan. Plus, days before they draft their final report, multiple sources tell CNN the January 6th select committee is considering asking the Justice Department to purs...

Lawmakers running out of time to avoid government shutdown 16.12.2022

Only one day left to reach a deal as the Senate hits a snag over federal spending. Also, in a very first interview, the U.S. Capitol police sergeant who was beaten by rioters on January 6th joins to discuss why he's now resigning from his job. Plus, more governors are banning TikTok on government devices. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about...

Federal Reserve lifts interest rates by half point 15.12.2022

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates for seventh time the year. Can the U.S. economy avoid a recession? Plus, Ukraine claims to have shot down a series of drones that took aim at its infrastructure. Plus, Rep. Tony Gonzales joins to discuss immigration reform and long term solutions to the border crisis.  To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn m...

Biden signs bill to protect same-sex & interracial marriages 14.12.2022

President Biden has signed legislation guaranteeing that states have to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages after the bill passed in Congress with bipartisan support. Also, Biden celebrated new economic data that shows inflation is cooling more than expected. Plus, a new Senate report has found widespread sexual abuse in female federal prisons. Senator Jon Ossoff joins to discuss the next...

Scientists create nuclear fusion reaction that generates more energy than it consumes 13.12.2022

Billions of dollars and decades later, scientists have figured out how to replicate the energy of the sun, creating what could be an unlimited supply of clean energy. Plus, a Los Angeles city councilman’s brawl with a man at a holiday party. Then, as winter settles over Ukraine, access to power is becoming one of the most pressing concerns. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, vi...

Senator from Arizona leaves Democratic Party 09.12.2022

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema declares she will leave the Democratic Party and will register as a political independent. Jake Tapper sits down for an exclusive interview to find out why she’s making this decision and if she would support Biden in 2024. Plus, Elon Musk says Twitter will roll out a new feature in response to “shadowbanning” claims. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy...

WNBA star Brittney Griner freed from Russia in prisoner swap 09.12.2022

After 294 days in Russian custody, basketball star Brittney Griner is on her way back to the United States. We examine the details of the prisoner swap, the negotiations, and look at the Russian prisoner in the exchange, Viktor Bout, nicknamed “Merchant of Death” by his accusers. Plus, the House passes a bill protecting same-sex and interracial marriages. Also, according to police, more arrests ar...

Source: two documents with classified markings found at storage unit used by Trump 08.12.2022

Two documents with classified markings were found in a Florida storage unit during a search by a team hired by former President Trump. Plus, Senator Raphael Warnock has won reelection in Georgia marking the first time since 1934 that the party in charge of the White House picked up Senate and governor seats in a midterm election. Also, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case which could u...

Update for December 6, 2022 06.12.2022

There is no new episode of The Lead showcast. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FBI joins investigation after NC power grid “targeted” 06.12.2022

The North Carolina governor addresses the targeted attack on power substations leaving thousands of customers, including those in hospitals, without power in the December cold. Plus, a look at protestors in two different countries taking on two oppressive regimes. Could their demonstrations spark change in Iran and China? To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy...

January 6 Committee weighs actions against GOP reps 02.12.2022

The January 6 committee stares down a fast-approaching deadline to complete its work and Rep. Zoe Lofgren of the January 6 Select Committee joins to discuss the timelines of potential consequences including criminal referrals to the DOJ for members of Congress who ignored subpoenas. Plus, more than a dozen letters containing blood or explosives have been sent to Ukrainian diplomats around the worl...

Senate passes bill to avoid catastrophic rail strike 02.12.2022

Following the Senate vote to avert a rail shutdown, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joins to discuss the tentative agreement and paid sick leave for rail workers. Plus, a letter bomb was sent to the U.S. embassy in Spain, prompting increased security. Also, the Supreme Court keeps a block on the Biden student debt plan, scheduling arguments for February. To learn more about how CNN prot...

Attorney general speaks out about Oath Keepers convictions 30.11.2022

Attorney General Merrick Garland spoke about the landmark verdict in the Oath Keepers trial, calling the decision a significant victory for the American people. His remarks come after a jury found the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers and his deputy guilty of seditious conspiracy for their role in the Capitol insurrection. Plus, the House passes legislation to avoid a rail strike and shutdown....

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