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
Apr 23, 2024 • 1h 25min
The First Witness Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Case
The prosecution and defense sparred in opening statements during Donald Trump's hush money scheme. Did Trump violate a gag order? Crisis on college campuses; are Jewish students safe at School? Calls increase for Columbia University's President to resign over handling of antisemitism. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to decide if cities can punish people who are homeless, and a U.S. animation studio's work has been found on a North Korean server. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 20, 2024 • 44min
Full jury panel selected for Trump trial
A horrific scene outside of Trump’s New York City courthouse after a man lit himself on fire while inside the courthouse there was a major development in the hush money trial. How long can the prosecution hold out and keep its witness list outside of the hands of Donald Trump and his defense team? Also, in an extraordinary move, some 165 House Democrats came to the aid of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, drawing the ire of hard-line Republicans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 19, 2024 • 1h 36min
Judge removes two Trump trial jurors
The shocking actions that leads to two jurors in the Trump hush money case suddenly being dismissed in an unusual occurrence. Plus, name calling and fresh threats for House Speaker Mike Johnson by hard-right Republicans demanding he keep his hands off the rule which, as of now, allows just one member of Congress to force a vote to remove him as speaker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 29min
Senate votes to end Mayorkas impeachment trail
House Speaker Mike Johnson finds a way to allow votes on aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan but it’s his path forward that has his party in an uproar. Speaker Johnson joins to answer if he needs helps from Democrats. Plus, a brand new filing from the hush money case includes a line of questioning the prosecution may take if Trump takes the stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 25min
USC: it’s a safety issue, not about free speech
A deep divide in the U.S. Supreme Court is on display today as justices challenge whether prosecutors have been overzealous using obstruction charges against rioters. Plus, a valedictorian’s speech is canceled, the criticism about the muslim student that lead to objections on the campus of the University of Southern California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 16, 2024 • 1h 27min
Pro-Palestinian protests disrupt traffic in several U.S. cities
Day one of the New York hush money cover up case against Donald Trump wraps. A playboy model will be allowed to testify and the infamous Access Hollywood tape will not be allowed to be aired in court. Plus, a critical meeting at the Capitol as House Speaker Johnson is weighing his next move in the wake of the weekend attack from Iran. Will Speaker Johnson isolate support for Israel for an aid package without attaching new aid for Ukraine? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 13, 2024 • 1h 26min
Pentagon moving more assets to Middle East in face of Iran threat
The US has been on high alert for a significant Iranian retaliatory attack on Israel in recent days as fears grow of a wider regional war. Plus, the House passed a modified surveillance bill, just two days after an earlier version failed to advance in a public rebuke to GOP leadership. The bill, which reauthorizes the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, also needs to pass the Senate ahead of an April 19 deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 12, 2024 • 1h 24min
O.J. Simpson, known for double-murder trial, dead at 76
O.J. Simpson, Heisman Trophy winner most known for the double murders of his ex-wife and Ron Goldman, the crimes of which he was infamously acquitted, has died of cancer at the age of 76. Plus, comedian Conan O’Brien joins in studio to discuss his latest project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 11, 2024 • 1h 23min
Trump says if president, he would not sign a federal abortion ban
In classic Donald Trump fashion, the former president is giving his supporters whiplash after blasting both Arizona and Florida for their abortion bans just two days after saying abortion should be left up the states. Plus, another Hail Mary appeal hearing from Donald Trump as his legal team tries to stop the Stormy Daniels case from beginning. Also, from tornado warnings to flash flood emergencies, the United States is on severe weather alert as dangerous storms move in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 23min
Arizona Supreme Court upholds extreme Civil War era abortion ban
The Arizona Supreme Court ruled the state must comply with a 160-year-old law barring all abortions, the only exception being to save a pregnant woman’s life. There are no exceptions for incest or rape. Plus, Donald Trump is rejected again in yet another attempt to delay the New York hush money trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
