CNN Politics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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