The Lead with Jake Tapper

One of the biggest brands in media is making an aggressive pitch to own Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. A look at why this mattes with tech journalist Kara Swisher. Plus, a Senate race shakeup in Texas.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is setting the stage for the one of the biggest sporting events on the globe — the 2026 World Cup. Somehow, he has earned himself a peace prize in the process. Plus, did the US Supreme Court just create a rush to redraw congressional maps mid decade nationwide?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was the grainy video that spurred conspiracy theories for years and now the FBI says they finally know who put those pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Pentagon watchdog points fingers at Pete Hegseth and sources say that the inspector general report finds that he risked endangering the lives of US troops by sharing sensitive war plans in a Signal group chat. Plus, chilling new footage from Jeffrey Epstein’s private island.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump appears to doze off during his own cabinet meeting while just minutes earlier we learn new details about that second follow-up strike on the suspected drug boat. Plus, as many Americans are struggling with the cost of living, Donald Trump says that any questions about affordability are a Democratic scam.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump and his top national security officials meet behind closed doors about the next steps for Venezuela. This comes as lawmakers from both parties are raising grave concerns about a follow-up strike on an alleged drug vessel in the Caribbean where the US military killed survivors of the first strike.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is escalating his already aggressive immigration crackdown in the wake of the shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC. He’s taking an even closer look at immigrants legally in the United States and those waiting to get in.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two West Virginia National Guardsmen were shot in downtown Washington, DC just blocks away from the White House. Both guardsmen are in critical condition and officials are calling this a targeting shooting saying they were ambushed by a lone gunman.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Signals emerge that the United States and Ukraine are closer to a plan that could be the first step toward negotiating an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Plus, behind the scenes discussions on Capitol Hill about health care reform.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal judge tosses the indictments against two perceived Trump opponents, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. A look at why the judge says the Trump loyalists behind those indictments was unlawfully appointed.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Polar opposites of the American political spectrum, Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani, meet at the White House. Also, a look into what the people of Ukraine want from the resolution to the war. Plus, the holiday rush begins one week out from Thanksgiving.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can the United States have a stronger than expected jobs report while the unemployment rate went up? Plus, the Justice Department opens up yet another mortgage fraud investigation, this one involving Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff of California.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

So, when will America finally see the highly-anticipated Epstein files? Who are the pedophile's clients? How much data will be redacted? Attorney General Pam Bondi is weighing in. Plus, updates in the criminal case against former FBI director James Comey.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First the House and now the Senate is voting possibly as soon as tonight on the Epstein files and releasing them. This as lawmakers agree it is time see everything the Justice Department has on the dead pedophile and sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and any other accomplice.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Republicans have Trump’s blessing after he now says he wants them to release the Epstein files. But, why make America wait? Plus, is the criminal case against former FBI director James Comey tainted? A judge is raising questions about profound investigative missteps.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A top prosecutor just put in charge of the Jeffrey Epstein case is now investigating Epstein's ties to key Democrats. Plus, prison employees have been fired after a whistleblower revealed Ghislaine Maxwell’s cushy conditions behind bars.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New questions and new messages all emerging from the 20,000 newly-released documents related to the dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Donald Trump’s name keeps appearing. Who and what else is mentioned?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House is now taking the final step before voting to end the longest government shutdown in history. Plus, thousands of files related to Jeffrey Epstein have been released.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A CNN exclusive on how the United Kingdom is cutting off the United States when it comes to the deadly boat strikes. Plus, a key House committee is meeting tonight with the final vote to reopen the government now set for tomorrow afternoon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At any moment almost every Senate Republican and eight Senate Democrats are going to vote on funding the federal government. Plus, a wave of staffing problems as a result of the shutdown and airlines are ready to cancel even more flights.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Right now millions of Americans are choosing health care plans and seeing their health care premiums skyrocket. Now, as the longest government shutdown in American history continues, many flights across the country are being cancelled or delayed.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delta, United, Southwest Airlines all announce they are preemptively cancelling flights ahead of the Trump’s administration’s plan to reduce air traffic starting tomorrow because of the government shutdown. Plus, Nancy Pelosi announces plans to retire from Congress after nearly 40 years in the House.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court justices are sounding skeptical about the president’s power to impose tariffs as the plaintiffs argue the president has gone too far. Plus, historic wins after Election Day 2025 including Zohran Mamdani.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Voters are racing to try to get their ballots in these final hours amid long lines in New York City and across the country. We bring you all the latest on Election Day in America.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are just hours from Election Day and we break down key races in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, California, and more. Plus, a look at why premiums for health care are going up.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices