Home Podcasts The Lead with Jake Tapper
The Lead with Jake Tapper

The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts 1591 episodes Latest Jun 3, 2026

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.

Episodes

Trump Taps U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for Top Intelligence Post Jun 12, 2026 5416 President Trump claims, yet again, that a new deal with Iran is just days away. Did two nights of strikes actually lead to a breakthrough? Plus, the World Cup is officially underway and CNN takes you to the action.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NYT: Inside White House Crisis Meetings Over the Epstein Files Jun 10, 2026 5388 One of the richest men in the world took questions today about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This as the New York Times is revealing a freakout at the White House about Epstein as they tried to contain the fallout. Plus, a look at the recent drops in the stock market.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump Says Pilots Safe After Apache Shot Down Near Hormuz Jun 10, 2026 5706 Trump says Iran shot down a United States Army Apache helicopter and says the United States must respond. Is this the start of yet another major escalation? CNN is live at the White House and Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks Jun 9, 2026 5409 Israel and Iran are suspending military operations against each other after a wave of strikes exchanged overnight.  Plus, a look at the upcoming election in Maine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
WSJ: Trump Urges Pulte to Start Firing Intel Employees Jun 6, 2026 5413 A shakeup is coming to some of the nation’s biggest spy agencies and the man doing the firing will be Bill Pulte, a controversial Trump loyalist that the president wants to be acting director of national intelligence despite having no intel or national security experience.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bondi Transcript: Blanche “In Charge” of Entire Release of Epstein Files Jun 5, 2026 5432 The transcript is out revealing exactly what Pam Bondi told lawmakers about the Epstein files and how she passed the buck to the man President Trump wants to succeed her. Plus, CNN traces the source of the latest ebola outbreak.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Scott Kelley Fried by CBS After Clash with Management Jun 3, 2026 5150 CBS fires journalist Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes and there’s continued disagreement about what occurred. Plus, is powering the artificial intelligence boom coming at the expense of local communities?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Trump Taps a Leader of Retribution Tour as Acting Intel Chief Jun 3, 2026 5124 From a role in housing to the acting director of national intelligence, reactions pour in about Trump selecting a loyalist with no demonstrated national security or intelligence experience.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
DOJ Says it Will Abide by Court Ruling to Pause “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Jun 2, 2026 5389 The Trump administration now says it will abide by a court ruling to pause the creation of a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate those who the administration says were wrongly targeted by the government. The pause was ordered by a federal judge in Virginia last week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Source: Bondi Answered Questions on Ghislaine Maxwell in Interview May 30, 2026 5396 Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her role in the release of the Epstein files in a closed door interview. A look at what she in the room about Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, President Trump says he is near a final decision on Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
U.S. & Iran Reach Deal to Open Strait, Trump Must Still Sign Off May 29, 2026 5429 A series of strikes from the United States and Iran as a tentative agreement emerges to open the Strait of Hormuz and start nuclear talks, according to US officials. Plus, protestors gather outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey for the seventh day in row while lawyers say inside detainees are on a hunger strike over the conditions they’re enduring.   Learn more about your ad choices. Vis
Trump’s GOP Purge Continues as Paxton Ousts Sen. Cornyn May 28, 2026 5395 A slew of ads and attacks from the Republican establishment over the past year and a half against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are all gone now that Paxton is the GOP pick to face Democrat James Talarico in one of the most contested fights for the Senate.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recommended

Playing