The Lead with Jake Tapper
CNN
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.
Location:
Washington, DC
Description:
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.
Twitter:
@theleadcnn
Language:
English
Website:
http://cnn.com/thelead
Episodes
Trump: “I Probably Would” Talk To Venezuela’s Maduro
11/17/2025
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
Duration:01:29:39
Trump Orders Investigation Into Ties Between Top Dems & Epstein
11/14/2025
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
Duration:01:31:13
Epstein Emails Renew Questions About What Trump Knew & When
11/13/2025
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
Duration:01:30:27
Soon: House To Vote On Ending Record-Long Government Shutdown
11/12/2025
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
Duration:01:32:25
Financial Times: Trump Donors Receiving Benefits From WH Moves
11/11/2025
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
Duration:01:30:11
Soon: Senate Vote On Ending Government Shutdown
11/10/2025
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
Duration:01:30:00
More Than 4,000 Flights Delayed, 900+ Canceled Today
11/7/2025
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
Duration:01:31:08
Nation’s Busiest Airports Brace For Imminent Cuts
11/6/2025
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
Duration:01:31:23
Trump’s Tariffs Face Tough Questions From Supreme Court
11/5/2025
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
Duration:01:30:33
First Exit Poll Results In Races Test Trump’s Pull
11/4/2025
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
Duration:01:24:23
Dems Watch VA, NYC Races For Cues About Party’s Future
11/3/2025
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
Duration:01:29:20
FBI Says It Thwarted Potential Terror Attack In Michigan
10/31/2025
New details about what the FBI says could have been an ISIS inspired terrorist attack. Plus, two federal judges weigh in on SNAP benefits set to expire tomorrow because of the government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:23:15
DOJ Scrubs Mention Of Trump & January 6 From Sentencing Memo
10/30/2025
Two assistant United States attorneys are suspended after mentioning facts about President Trump and the January 6th attack in court documents. A federal judge just weighed in. Plus, Britain’s King Charles strips his brother Andrew of his title. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:23:59
Jamaican Officials: Four Bodies Recovered In St. Elizabeth Parish
10/29/2025
Dozens are killed and the devastation is significant after Hurricane Melissa pummeled multiple Caribbean islands. CNN reporters are standing by throughout the region with the latest details on the damage. Plus, what CNN is learning about covert CIA efforts targeting Venezuela’s Maduro regime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:23:35
Jamaica’s PM: Hurricane Melissa Will Bring “Catastrophic Damage”
10/28/2025
Hurricane Melissa, history’s second strongest hurricane in the Atlantic, is unleashing on the island of Jamaica. We bring you the latest on this historic storm. Plus, Israel Defense Forces are again pounding Gaza with air strikes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:28:06
Jamaica Braces For Worst Hurricane Ever To Hit Island
10/27/2025
Hurricane Melissa is the now the strongest storm on planet earth this year. The storm is bearing down on Jamaica tonight as a deadly Category 5 hurricane with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour. Plus, millions of low income Americans who rely upon food stamps are at risk of losing them in just days due to the government shutdown. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:22:56
Top Russian Envoy In U.S. For Talks After Trump Imposes Sanctions
10/24/2025
As tensions rise with Venezuela, the USS Gerald R. Ford strike group is leaving Europe to head closer to South America. This as a key ally to Vladimir Putin arrives in the U.S. for meetings with the White House. This Putin ally joins live. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:24:41
Shutdown Will Extend To Next Week As Senate Leaves D.C.
10/23/2025
The Pentagon expands where it’s targeting suspected drug boats with yet another hit in the eastern Pacific. Now, one county’s leader says he is moving missiles amid growing tensions with the United States. Plus, a massive sports gambling scandal rocks the NBA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:24:12
Federal Workers Line Up For Food Bank As Shutdown Hits Week 3
10/22/2025
New images show portions of the White House are now rubble even though President Trump previously said that the structure would not change with the addition of the ballroom. Plus, Russia launches a large scale attack against Ukraine and NATO’s secretary general is huddling with Trump working to drive an end to the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:35:53
NYT: Trump Demands $230M Settlement From DOJ For Past Cases
10/21/2025
In her posthumously published memoir that hit shelves this morning, Virginia Giuffre exposes details of the horrors she endured at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and their powerful friends. Plus, President Trump is demanding $230 million from his own Justice Department. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:31:44