

CNN Politics
CNN Podcasts
A collection of all CNN's political podcasts, featuring episodes from: CNN Inside Politics, CNN Political Briefing, State of the Union and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 19, 2025 • 41min
CNN Inside Politics: Dial-up Diplomacy
First: President Trump is holding crucial phone calls today with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky about a potential path to peace, hours after Russia launched its largest drone attack on Ukraine since the war began.
Plus: Joe Biden reveals he has an aggressive form of prostate cancer that's spread to his bones. We'll break down his battle with the disease that he's worked for years to eradicate.
And: House Republicans remain deeply divided as they race to pass the president's sweeping agenda. Can House Speaker Mike Johnson pull off a miracle on the hill?
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May 19, 2025 • 41min
CNN Inside Politics: Trump Returns Home To New Blowback After Whirlwind Trip
First: Culture shock. Trump returns home from a week of fanfare and promises to face legal setbacks and infighting. Can the president deliver a long promised deal and get his own house in order?
And: Fallout. Shaky new audio as Democrats face questions. Should they have done more?
Plus: New reporting, Kamala Harris starts making her move.
And: Wild card. The senator who took Mitt Romney's place. How John Curtis is forging his own path in Trump's Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 18, 2025 • 42min
State of the Union: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Rep. James Clyburn, David Axelrod and Van Jones
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Trump’s tariff policy, efforts to negotiate trade deals, and plans for the US to accept a luxury jet from Qatar. Then, Jake presses Democratic Rep. James Clyburn over his past support for Joe Biden’s re-election campaign amid new reporting about Biden’s health. Next, CNN Chief Political Analyst David Axelrod and CNN Senior Political Commentator Van Jones join Jake to respond to his reporting that top Biden aides hid signs of decline from the public. Finally, Jake previews his new book “Original Sin” and looks at the dilemma facing Democrats as they try to look ahead to 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2025 • 25min
CNN Political Briefing: Trump's Rapid-fire Diplomacy in the Middle East
President Trump completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East this week, making deals—and multiple headlines—along the way. Axios reporter, Middle East expert and CNN political and global affairs analyst Barak Ravid breaks down the major moments from the week, from a historic handshake between Trump and the Syrian president to Qatar’s unusual gift of a luxury jet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 16, 2025 • 41min
CNN Inside Politics: Pageantry Mixed with Policy
First: President trump is heading home after soaking in the Gulf's opulence, fanfare and regal recognition. He loves a dramatically different approach toward countries he once reviled and renounced.
Plus: We follow a critical meeting on Capitol Hill as Republicans butt heads on how to advance President Trump's agenda.
And: California Governor Gavin Newsom is shifting to the center on a series of issues. Will this rebrand help a potential 2028 run? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 15, 2025 • 54min
CNN Inside Politics: SCOTUS Tackles Birthright Citizenship
As today's show begins, the Supreme Court is hearing pivotal arguments involving President Trump's plan to end birthright citizenship. Whatever the Court decides could have major implications for federal courts and their ability to curtail multiple Trump policies being challenged as unconstitutional. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 14, 2025 • 42min
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 • 41min
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 • 41min
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 • 41min
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