CNN Podcasts

The Lead with Jake Tapper

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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.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.cnn.com

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First doses of Moderna’s vaccine administered today; Pres-elect Biden, incoming first lady get first vaccine doses; AG Barr rebukes Trump claim: we don’t need a special counsel to look into voter fraud; Russian spy duped into revealing details of plot to 21.12.2020 43:32

TSA pandemic record: 1M+ travelers for 3 days in a row; New virus variant in U.K. may be 70% more transmissible; Dozens of nations shut down travel to U.K. due to new, highly transmissible COVID-19 variant; Fauci: not recommending U.K. travel shut down right now; Biden’s surgeon general pick: most Americans won’t get vaccine until mid-summer or fall; Giroir says it will take until January to vacci...

VP, Karen Pence, Surgeon General, Pelosi, McConnell vaccinated; COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record for 12th straight day; Govt runs out of money at midnight as stimulus talks drag on; Trump tweets about "Russian hoax" as VP Pence got Covid vaccine; Dona 18.12.2020 43:42

California nears breaking point as COVID-19 surges; LA Mayor: ICU bed availability at 0% in Southern California; CDC reports highest-ever number of drug overdoses in a year; Michigan governor eases restrictions as COVID-19 numbers improve; Dr. Gupta on being vaccinated live on CNN; Pres-elect Biden and incoming first lady to get vaccine Monday; Pentagon cancels transition meetings with Biden team...

Worst Day Ever: U.S. sees record deaths, cases, hospitalizations; FDA panel reviews emergency authorization for Moderna vaccine; $600 stimulus checks remain sticking point in negotiations; Several U.S. agencies attacked by suspected Russian hackers; +913K 17.12.2020 43:18

Trump out of sight as U.S. faces worsening pandemic, WH Transition, ongoing cyberattack, no stimulus deal; Former National Security Adviser: Trump must get past his election grievances and govern; 885,000 Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, 4th increase in 5 weeks; U.S. Cybersecurity Agency: Hack poses "grave risk" to Fed & local govts; Biden Atty Gen. decision at deadlock over co...

Second vaccine likely authorized this week while U.S. experiences grim reality of surging pandemic; Hundreds of Trump allies lobbying him for pardons; Pete Buttigieg to become first openly gay cabinet member; Congressional leaders on verge of $900b Covid 16.12.2020 43:25

Politico: top Trump appointee pushed herd immunity theory internally, said “we want them infected”; Trump fires back after McConnell congratulates Biden; Sources: Trump pushing for appointment of special counsels to probe Hunter Biden, 2020 election; Hundreds of Trump allies lobbying him for pardons; Trump considering pardons for more than two dozen people; Biden picks Pete Buttigieg as Transporta...

Pfizer vaccines being given in U.S.; Moderna vaccine expected to be authorized this week; Trump refuses to accept election results after electoral college confirms Biden win; Biden campaigns in crucial Georgia senate runoffs; McConnell: “we’re not leaving 15.12.2020 43:38

Fauci: “bittersweet” to see vaccines happening the same time COVID-19 is surging in the U.S.; U.S. medical workers start receiving COVID-19 vaccine; FDA panel document: Moderna vaccine safe, 94.5% effective; Moderna claims vaccine can prevent infection, not just severe disease; Biden transition: will announce “soon” when Biden and Harris will be vaccinated; Sen McConnell congratulates Biden & Harr...

Biden speaks to nation tonight after Electoral College affirms his win; Michigan congressman leaving the Republican Party; U.S. deaths surpass 300,000 as first Covid vaccinations begin 14.12.2020 45:42

Biden speaks to nation tonight after Electoral College affirms his win; WH Adviser: Trump looking to “long shot” challenge in Congress; The Electoral College is casting its votes for president To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One-on-one with “Operation Warp Speed” Moncef Slaoui; Supreme Court could make decision on Texas lawsuit any moment; U.S. averaging 2,200+ deaths, 210,000+ new cases daily; Biden introduces more cabinet nominees & senior advisers; Millions on brink of fin 11.12.2020 44:31

Sources: White House told FDA Chief to authorize Pfizer vaccine today or resign; CNN: Messaging failures around COVID vaccine distribution; Admin Official: Most states expect to use up first COVID vaccine shipment within days; CDC advisers expect FDA authorization of Pfizer’s vaccine before Saturday morning; Sources: WH told FDA Chief to authorize Pfizer’s vaccine today or resign; FDA calls report...

FDA panel to vote on emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine; More than 100 House Republicans support Trump-backed Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate millions of votes; 853,000 Americans file for first-time unemployment benefits 10.12.2020 44:33

U.S. reports more Covid deaths in one day than Pearl Harbor or 9/11; More than 100 House Republicans support Trump-backed Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate millions of votes; Biden adds more former Obama staffers to his team; New Yorker: “Dianne Feinstein’s missteps raise a painful age question among Senate Democrats”; Critical vaccine meeting happening as U.S. hits 3,000 daily deaths; Poll: 61%...

FDA advisory committee to meet tomorrow to consider emergency use of Pfizer vaccine; Hunter Biden says U.S. attorney’s office in Delaware is investigating his “tax affairs”; Several stimulus proposals on the table as time winds down; Trump spends last wee 09.12.2020 45:10

WH task force: vaccine will not reduce spread until late Spring; Covid deaths average 2,200 a day, 123% spike in one month; Idaho health meeting abruptly cut short as protestors gather outside homes of board members; Most of CA under new stay-home orders as hospitalizations surge; Member of Biden Covid advisory board talks transition; Biden announces historic defense secretary nomination; CNN: Bid...

Trump falsely claims he won; Biden vows 100M vaccine doses in 100 days; U.S. tops 15 million COVID cases, record 102K hospitalizations; Senate Dems slam GOP for allowing discredited vaccine sceptic to testify at COVID hearing; 09.12.2020 44:59

Trump falsely claims he won the election during vaccine event; NYT: Trump admin turned down Pfizer’s offer to buy more vaccine doses months ago; Source: Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis tests positive for COVID-19; Biden’s goals for first 100 days: 100 million vaccine doses, universal mask wearing, reopen schools; President-elect Biden introduces key members of his health team; Biden team to meet with ope...

One million Americans diagnosed with Covid in just five days; Make-or-break week for congressional action on Covid relief; Sources: Trump campaign legal efforts may be coming to an end; CNN analysis: first shipments of U.S. vaccine doses will fall short 07.12.2020 44:39

Fauci: middle of January could be “dark time” for Covid in U.S.; New York may close indoor dining in NYC this week if hospitalizations don’t drop; Pfizer vaccine could get authorization this week, but first shipments estimated to fall short of need in 27 states; 190k students returning to in-person classes this week; For 5 consecutive days U.S. reports over 100k Americans hospitalized; Biden annou...

Biden: Future “very bleak” without another COVID relief package; Biden: I will ask Americans to wear masks for my first 100 days; One-on-one with ousted DHS Official who rebuked Trump; Fauci: U.S. yet to see “full brunt” of post-Thanksgiving peak; GOP con 04.12.2020 43:40

Biden: U.S. in “dire, dire, dire straits” without new aid package soon; Biden doesn’t commit to appointing person of color as Attorney General or Defense Secretary; Biden: Inauguration “probably will not be gigantic” due to COVID; Biden: “We’re going to need more bipartisanship” to save economy; Biden: Trump should attend inauguration to “demonstrate the end of this chaos that he’s created”; Biden...

The worst ever: U.S. deaths, hospitalizations at all-time high; Trump & his attorneys still falsely claiming voter fraud; Dems now back bipartisan $900 billion deal, but negotiations ongoing with GOP Senate; Obama, Bush, Clinton volunteer to get vaccinate 03.12.2020 43:45

CNN: WH Liaison to DOJ has been banned from building; California issues stay-at-home order linked to ICU capacity; U.S. hospitalizations surpass 100K, 911 call system at a “breaking point”; Trump won’t say if he has lost confidence in AG Barr; GOP Rep. McCarthy claims he hasn’t seen the Attorney General’s comments of no widespread election fraud; WH, State Dept. planning large holiday parties desp...

UK approves Pfizer vaccine, first shots early next week; Moderna trial participant describes vaccine side effects; CNN: trump discussing potential pardons for his children, son-in-law; Mark Kelly sown in as Democratic Senator of Arizona; Biden facing pres 02.12.2020 43:04

Azar: UK Vaccine approval should give Americans even more confidence; 100 million American could be vaccinated by February per operation warp speed; First U.S. shipments of Pfizer’s vaccine; U.K. to vaccinate tens of thousands next week; Experts fear vaccine side effects could determine people from getting second dose; Top Georgia election official to Trump, Senators: Stop inspiring acts of violen...

Barr to AP: No evidence of fraud that would change election; Biden vows to build back an economy for all Americans; Average of U.S. daily cases increased by 95% during November; Hospitalizations have doubled since Nov 1 & tripled since Oct 1; 01.12.2020 44:11

AG Barr appoints special counsel to investigate 2016 campaign & Russia; Trump Campaign dismisses DOJ conclusion there’s no widespread election fraud; Trump Atty says his comments that top election official should be “shot” were “sarcastic” and “made in jest”; Biden promises a new stimulus deal once he takes office; Biden introduces economic team, as 12 million unemployed after Covid; Biden says he...

Biden, Harris receive first presidential daily brief today; Operation warp speed official: 100% of Americans who want a vaccine will have gotten one by June; 30.11.2020 44:38

Trump repeats baseless, debunked election conspiracies; Biden names econ team, picks Janet Yellen for treasury secy; Biden announces all-female senior WH coms team; Arizona certifies Biden’s win, as Trump lawyers fight results; Former DHS official debunks Trump’s election fraud claims; Republicans encouraging Trump to consider attending inauguration; McConnell refuses to answer questions on Biden’...

Federal appeals court denies Trump campaign’s effort to challenge PA results: “the claims have no merit”; CDC committee calls for emergency meeting Dec 1 on vaccine distribution; U.S. aircraft carrier moving back into Persian Gulf for cover as troops are 27.11.2020 43:28

Trump snaps at reporter who asked about conceding; For the first time, Trump says he will leave white house if electoral college votes for Biden; Trump won’t say if he will attend Biden’s inauguration; Trump says he’ll campaign in GA senate runoffs; Ex-election security chief: “I stand by” my statement, the election was the most secure in American history; Biden & Harris to receive first president...

Trump announces full pardon for Michael Flynn; Biden urges Americans to recommit to fighting pandemic; Staggering Covid numbers going into Thanksgiving 25.11.2020 48:22

Biden: “every decision we make matters” in fighting Covid; Biden urges unity: “we’re at war with a virus, not each other”; Trump cancels PA trip, makes baseless claims of voter fraud at GOP event on speaker phone; Trump calls into PA event with baseless election claims; Sources: pardon for Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort and George Papadopoulos under discussion at White House; Trump announces full pa...

Biden introduces first cabinet picks, declares “America Is Back”; Doctor: We’re all “really, really scared of what’s to come”; New details on timing of GSA’s formal approval of Biden transition: Record pandemic-era air travel despite CDC guidance to stay 24.11.2020 43:24

Trump makes surprise appearance to brag about stock market before annual turkey pardoning; Biden: America will “lead the world, not retreat from it”; Biden: Team brings experience, leadership, fresh thinking; Trump makes two brief appearances today, takes no questions; Trump’s HHS Secy” We’re “Immediately” getting Biden team all material they feel they need; Experts warn new covid surges could fo...

Biden announces his first cabinet picks, names top members of foreign policy and national security team; Astrazeneca: vaccine shows 70% “average efficacy”; Michigan State board votes to certify Biden’s election win 23.11.2020 43:52

Biden names Antony Blinken as Secretary of State; Trump campaign drops lawyers who pushed conspiracies; Biden nominees include first immigrant as Homeland Security secretary & first woman to lead intel community; Trump’s “election defense” donations also go to his leadership PAC; Millions travel for Thanksgiving amid Covid-19 surge; Doctor: n95 masks are still in short supply; NJ Gov: GSA chief’s...

Biden, Harris meet with Dem leaders Schumer, Pelosi; Pfizer requests FDA emergency use today for its COVID vaccine; U.S. sees record -setting 187,000+ cases in a single day; President stalls transition process by refusing to concede; 20.11.2020 45:10

Trump falsely claims “I won” the election; President Trump continues quest to overturn election, meeting with Michigan GOP lawmakers; President-elect Biden speeding up key cabinet decisions; Biden adds more staff to incoming administration; Michigan state lawmakers at WH for meeting with Trump; Source: Handful of alarmed Republicans discussing Trump intervention; In latest fundraising pitch, 75% o...

Biden: “No national shutdown”; CDC recommends against travel for Thanksgiving; U.S. death toll surpasses 251,000 as pandemic rages; Biden: We’re witnessing “incredible irresponsibility” from Trump; Giuliani, Trump Campaign officials try to overturn electi 19.11.2020 35:12

Biden to meet with Schumer & Pelosi tomorrow in Delaware; Source: MI GOP Officials asked to rescind vote to certify election after personal calls from President Trump; Source: Trump told ally he knows he lost, but wants to get back at Dems for questioning legitimacy of his 2016 win; Biden, Harris speak after meeting with governors; Biden: There’s no excuse to not share data and let us plan; Biden:...

Trump fires election security chief who debunked his fraud claims; Biden meets with health care workers about Covid response; U.S. hospitalizations at record 76,830, up 20% in one week; GA Secy of State: audit found no widespread voter fraud 18.11.2020 43:37

Source: HHS staffers told not to communicate with Biden team; official: Trump in “bunker mentality” as he stayed behind closed doors; Biden: if Trump keeps delaying transition briefings, our Covid response will be “behind by weeks or months”; Biden coronavirus adviser: “we will be ready on day one”; Sources: Biden considering RI, NM govs for HHS secretary; WH: Trump canceled Thanksgiving trip beca...

Trump orders troop drawdown during final days in office; Biden meets with top intelligence & defense experts in lieu of security briefing being blocked by Trump; GA Secy of State says Sen. Lindsey Graham asked him to “look hard” for ballots to throw out; 17.11.2020 44:26

Acting Defense Secy announces troop drawdown in Afghanistan, Iraq; Biden: Top job as President is “protecting the American people”; Biden announces senior White House staff; Biden: U.S. “been through a lot of damage in the last 4 years; President Trump shares praise of campaign lawyer who pushes deranged conspiracy theories; Sources: President Trump in “dark mood”; Trump’s 10th day since election...

Biden: “more people may die” if Trump & GOP obstruct transition; Moderna: Coronavirus vaccine 94.5% effective; VP Pence speaks with governors amid major vaccine news; CNN: U.S. military told to plan for U.S. troop drawdown in Afghanistan & Iraq in final 16.11.2020 43:36

Biden: Trump & GOP refusing to allow transition is “ more embarrassing than debilitating” to the country; Pandemic reaches worst levels yet as Trump denies Biden transition access to key agencies; Biden: sooner we get transition plan, sooner vaccine can move forward; Fauci: it’s “obvious” that coordination with Biden amin would be better for U.S. public health, Trump hasn’t attended task force mee...