
CNN Politics
A collection of all CNN's political podcasts, featuring episodes from: The Assignment with Audie Cornish, CNN Inside Politics, CNN Political Briefing, The Axe Files, State of the Union, CNN One Thing and more.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2025 • 44min
CNN Inside Politics: Camels, Horses and Teslas - Oh, My!
First: President Trump is basking in the opulence of the Middle East while cozying up to the Qatari government that plans to gift him a luxury jet. Is he really going to go home with a new plane?
Plus: Manu talks to conservative Republican Senator Josh Hawley who says cutting Medicaid is "politically suicidal." But will the House GOP heed his warning?
And: "Joe Biden totally effed us." That quote from a top campaign official is in a new book by CNN's Jake Tapper and Axios' Alex Thompson that reveals new details about the former president's decline while running for a second term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 13, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: A Regal Return
First: President Trump is soaking up all the pomp and circumstance on the first major international trip of his second term. He's in Saudi Arabia to sign multiple deals he says will bring hundreds of billions of dollars into the US. But criticism is ramping up within his own party over a jet he says he'll accept as a gift from the government of Qatar.
Plus: A new book from CNN's Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios reveals Joe Biden's inner circle floated the idea of getting him a wheelchair if he was reelected at the same time they were publicly highlighting his vigor.
And: The star witness in Sean "Diddy" Combs' criminal trials takes the stand. CNN was inside the courtroom so we can bring you all the breaking developments from Cassie Ventura's testimony. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 12, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: American Hostage Released by Hamas
An American held by Hamas for 584 days is now on his way to freedom. 21-year-old Edan Alexander was handed over by Hamas to Red Cross officials in Gaza. He's now en route to an Israeli military base, where he'll be flown by helicopter to an Israeli hospital and evaluated by doctors. CNN's Jeremy Diamond begins our coverage in Tel Aviv's "hostage square."
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May 12, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: Global Conflicts Dominate Trump Agenda Ahead of Trip Abroad
First: Open conflict. The U.S. and China hold high stakes trade talks. And Trump gears up for a trip to the Middle East as he looks to cut deals and broker ceasefires. Can he rein in the crisis he pledged to solve?
Plus: Resistance. As the Democratic Party struggles with a winning message. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, just announced he's running for Senate, joins me live.
And: Food fight. Republicans spar over Trump's so-called big, beautiful bill.
Plus: My new reporting about whether one of the longest serving Senate moderates will run for reelection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 12, 2025 • 49min
State of the Union: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick; Dem. Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez; Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu
On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for details on Trump’s trade negotiations with China and the impact tariffs are having on Americans. Then, Democratic Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman, LaMonica McIver, and Rob Menendez join Dana to respond to the Trump administration’s threat that they could be arrested after a clash with ICE officials in Newark, New Jersey. Next, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu square off over the politics of Trump’s trade policy. Finally, Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam and CNN Political Commentators Kristen Soltis Anderson, Brad Todd, and Xochitl Hinojosa spar over Trump’s latest immigration threat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 9, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: The DOJ's MAGA Makeover
First: President Trump names another top ally who's pushed for investigations of Trump's perceived enemies to a job where she can do just that, even as the president keeps baselessly accusing his predecessor of weaponizing the judicial system against Republicans.
Plus: The Vatican is turning a page with the first American-born pope now leading the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Dana talks to a member of the most famous American Catholic family about the decision that sent shockwaves around the globe.
And: Tax hikes have never been part of the Republican playbook. But is President Trump really going to overturn decades of GOP dogma? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 7, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: A Divine Decision
First: Cardinals from six continents are sequestered inside the Sistine Chapel for one of history's most sacred and secretive rituals, the Conclave. Plus: India's retaliatory airstrikes inside Pakistan are causing worldwide anxiety as President Trump attempts to brush aside the escalating hostilities.
And: MAGA world is mobilizing against the Republican senator who says he won't support the president's highly controversial choice to be DC'ss top prosecutor.
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May 6, 2025 • 27min
CNN Inside Politics: Oh, Canada!
As today's show begins, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is about to pay a visit to the Oval Office. Will sparks fly? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 5, 2025 • 43min
CNN Inside Politics: Trump Downplays Recession Fears
First: President Donald Trump is brushing off concerns his tariff plan could lead to a recession, claiming everything would still be okay in the long term.
Plus: Trump is pushing to reopen Alcatraz prison more than 60 years after it closed. Why?
And: How do you cut $1.5 trillion from the federal budget? Dana speaks to a key member of the House Republican Conference.
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May 4, 2025 • 43min
State of the Union: Dem. Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Sen. Ron Johnson and Stephen A. Smith
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake sits down with Democratic Sen. Mark Warner to discuss Trump’s shake-up of his national security team. Then, Jake asks Republican Sen. Ron Johnson about a growing lead crisis in Milwaukee, as well as Americans’ unease over Trump’s handling of the economy. Next, Stephen A. Smith joins Jake to discuss whether he is considering running for president in 2028. Finally, Democratic Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and CNN Political Commentators Ashley Allison, Shermichael Singleton, and Kristen Soltis Anderson break down Trump’s messaging on the economy as well as him saying “I don’t know” if he has to uphold the Constitution as president. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices