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
WH Discussing Options For Greenland, Military Not Off The Table
1/6/2026
The world reacts to Stephen Miller telling Jake that the United States is going to take Greenland. Plus, a new Capitol rally after the deadly riots there five years ago today incited by President Trump who then refused to accept that he lost the 2020 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:31:39
Colombia Increases Military Presence Along Venezuela Border
1/5/2026
A classified urgent briefing to top lawmakers is taking place on Capitol Hill over the extraordinary situation in Venezuela. The briefing comes after President Trump ordered the United States military to conduct unprecedented strikes on Venezuela and capture its leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:35:29
HHS Freezes Child Care Payments To MN After Viral Fraud Allegations
1/2/2026
The fraud allegations are starting to mount as the Trump administration turns its attention to Minnesota. Hear from one lawmaker who says Republicans have a larger goal to cut funding from the entire state. Plus, new video as more protestors take to the streets of Iran Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:30:38
U.S. Says New Year’s Eve Strike On Alleged Drug Boats Killed 5
1/1/2026
Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as mayor of New York City. What will his first action be? Plus, a New Year’s tragedy occurs at a ski resort in Switzerland leaving about 40 people dead. How champaign bottles lit with sparklers may have ignited the disaster. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:30:52
Sources: CIA Carried Out Drone Strike On Port In Venezuela
12/30/2025
The countdown to January 1st is on and we look at what authorities will be watching one year after a deadly attack. Plus, an iconic bourbon brand stops production at one of its distilleries. Also, new details on the first known United States attack inside Venezuela. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:31:43
Trump Meets With Netanyahu In Florida On Day 2 Of Peace Push
12/29/2025
Global diplomacy is on the menu at Mar-a-Lago but is President Trump making progress toward ending foreign conflicts? Plus, more than 20 million Americans are under winter weather alerts as a powerful storm sweeps across the country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:30:52
DOJ Says It Found 1M+ More Docs Potentially Related To Epstein
12/26/2025
One week after what was mandated to be the total release of the Epstein files, we are now learning that task is proving far more ambitious by the day amid continued questions over what has been redacted and what hasn’t. Plus, a Mar-a-Lago meeting between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky is reportedly set for Sunday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:33:40
FBI Emails From 2019 Refer To Epstein’s “10 Co-Conspirators”
12/23/2025
Many mentions of President Trump in the latest DOJ release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, what the Justice Department says about the letter signed by a “J. Epstein” sent to imprisoned pedophile Larry Nassar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:32:59
Trump To Announce Shipbuilding Effort As Venezuela Tensions Flare
12/22/2025
The President and top Pentagon brass reportedly are about announce the US Navy will build more warships as the US ramps up aggressive action to seize oil tankers near Venezuela. Plus, Epstein survivors speak out to decry the actions of the Justice Department and its handling of the release of the files. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:32:37
Garcia: Epstein Doc Redactions “Absolutely Breaking The Law”
12/19/2025
The United States Justice Department released at least some of the many files it has on dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. CNN teams are going through the release documents, bringing updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:33:27
Kennedy Center Board Votes To Rename It “Trump Kennedy Center”
12/18/2025
Investigators believe they have identified the suspect in the Brown University shooting that killed two students and injured nine others. Plus, the day before the Justice Department must publicly release its files on Jeffrey Epstein, House Democrats unveiled more than 60 new photographs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:26:27
Trump Orders “Complete Blockade” Of Oil Tankers Into Venezuela
12/17/2025
The House speaker is on defense as four Republicans break with his party and side with Democrats to force a vote on a healthcare deal. Plus, a Senate Republican and key ally of the president joins to discuss Trump’s new actions in Venezuela. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:30:24
Authorities Give Update In Brown University Killings
12/16/2025
Four days after the deadly shooting at Brown University in Rhode Island police release a new photograph, giving the closest look yet of the person of interest. Plus, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced two counts of first degree murder charges against Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of famed film director Rob and his wife Michele who were found dead in their home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:40:23
Authorities Give Updates In Brown University Killings
12/15/2025
Democratic Congressman Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island joins to discuss the Brown University mass shooting that left two students dead and injured nine others over the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:41:58
New Photos From Epstein Estate Show Trump, Bill Clinton & Others
12/12/2025
Trump, Bannon, Clinton, and Gates are just some of the men seen in new photos linked to the dead pedophile Jeffery Epstein. A look at why Democrats on the House Oversight Committee call the images significant. Plus, stunning details behind the arrest of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:31:18
Senate Rejects Health Care Bills As Obamacare Deadline Looms
12/11/2025
Can a majority in a deeply divided Congress agree on a health care fix before the deadline in less than three weeks when premiums for millions of Americans could go up drastically? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:31:02
Trump: U.S. Seized Oil Tanker Off Coast Of Venezuela
12/10/2025
Two healthcare votes are set to fail tomorrow as the deadline to save Americans from skyrocketing premiums tics even closer. Is there any hope for a bipartisan deal before the end of the year? Plus, a substantial escalation in the U.S. conflict against Venezuela. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:33:01
Australia Social Media Ban Takes Effect For Teens Under 16
12/9/2025
Children in Australia are waking up now blocked from their social media accounts after the country passed a world first social media ban for kids under 16-years-old. Could this be the first domino in a global trend? Plus, President Trump is minutes away from a major speech on the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Duration:01:29:57
Trump On Paramount’s Hostile Bid: “I Don’t Know Enough About It”
12/8/2025
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
Duration:01:30:45
FIFA Awards Trump Its New “FIFA Peace Prize”
12/5/2025
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
Duration:01:30:50