The Lead with Jake Tapper
CNN Podcasts
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
Mentioned books
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 31min
Senate Rejects Health Care Bills As Obamacare Deadline Looms
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
Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 33min
Trump: U.S. Seized Oil Tanker Off Coast Of Venezuela
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
Dec 10, 2025 • 1h 30min
Australia Social Media Ban Takes Effect For Teens Under 16
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
Dec 9, 2025 • 1h 31min
Trump On Paramount’s Hostile Bid: “I Don’t Know Enough About It”
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
Dec 6, 2025 • 1h 31min
FIFA Awards Trump Its New “FIFA Peace Prize”
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
Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 35min
2021 DC Pipe Bomb Suspects Arrested, Facing Explosives Charges
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
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 31min
Sen. Paul: “Buck Stops” With Hegseth On Follow-Up Boat Strike
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
Dec 3, 2025 • 1h 30min
Trump Says Strikes On Land To Start In Venezuela “Soon”
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
Dec 2, 2025 • 1h 32min
WH Confirms Follow-Up Strike On Alleged Drug Boat
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
Nov 29, 2025 • 1h 30min
Trump Says He’s Canceling Anything Biden Signed Via Autopen
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
