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
May 3, 2025 • 1h 22min
Stocks Rally After Jobs Report, Signs Of China Trade Talks
A better than expected jobs report provides perhaps some economic relief. How long can the good news last? Economists are warning that higher prices are coming quick. Plus, CNN is in Mexico as troops hunt down drug cartels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 2, 2025 • 1h 23min
Waltz Out As National Security Adviser
President Trump ousts his national security adviser after not one but two different Signal scandals. Plus, the financial report from McDonalds that might make you feel sick after an earnings call reveals how much trouble the United States economy might be in. Are we headed for a recession? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 1, 2025 • 1h 23min
CNN Poll Shows Dismal Approval Rating For Congress
As new numbers show the United States economy shrink for the first time in three years, the President now says he is not to be blame at all. Plus, a major Senate vote on Trump’s global tariffs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 28min
Trump Speaks In Michigan To Mark 100 Days In Office
When the trade wars hit home, President Trump calls the founder and executive chair of Amazon peeved that the company would consider displaying the cost of tariffs on Amazon’s spinoff cheaper goods, Amazon Haul, website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 22min
ICE: Operation Leads To Nearly 800 Arrests In Florida
Crackdowns on illegal immigration and Trump is digging in. We examine how his White House is defending deportations so far. Plus, a new CNN poll shows that most Americans believe that Trump is making the economy worse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 26, 2025 • 1h 23min
FBI Arrests Wisconsin Judge, Accuses Her Of Obstructing ICE
When immigration officials tried to arrest an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom, Judge Hannah Dugan allegedly tried to help him leave the building marking an escalation in the battle between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Plus, President Trump and Melania Trump land in Rome ahead of the funeral for Pope Francis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Fact-Checking Trump’s Claims About The Prices Of Groceries & Gas
Russia is dropping its deadliest bombs in months on Ukrainian civilians as Trump insists he is putting pressure on Russia to end the war. 12 people were killed and 90 were wounded in the capitol of Kyiv overnight. Plus, major questions about Trump’s trade war with China and what is really going on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 24, 2025 • 1h 22min
Trump, Besset Soften Tone On Trade War With China
The word from the White House today is that there is opportunity for a big deal as Trump and his treasury secretary signaled potentially backing off of the stunning 145% tariffs on China. Plus, a look at the White House peace plan presented to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 23min
WH: Trump Allowed To Express Displeasure About Fed Chair
The White House is firmly backing defense secretary Pete Hegseth at least publicly even after admitting to sharing sensitive military information in a group chat with his wife, brother, and personal attorney. Plus, behind closed doors the president’s treasury secretary says the United States' trade war with China is unsustainable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 23min
Pope Francis Dies On Easter Monday At Age 88
New details from the Vatican about the pope and the special request he made before he died. We look back on some of the defining marks the pope left on some of the issues of our time. Plus, defense secretary Pete Hegseth used another Signal group chat to share military strike plans. This time on the chat were his wife, his lawyer, and his brother. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
