

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

Feb 22, 2023 • 1h 20min
President Biden says Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia
President Biden rallies for NATO while Putin blames the West for forcing him to invade Ukraine, vowing to stay the course. Plus, Rep. Angie Craig joins to discuss getting threatening messages after being attacked in her apartment building. She’s blaming a segment on Fox for the threats which came after the attack. Also, the EPA demands Norfolk Southern clean up its train wreck in Ohio.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 21, 2023 • 1h 20min
Biden makes unprecedented trip to Ukrainian capital
In a surprise trip to Ukraine, President Biden becomes the first U.S. leader in modern history to visit an active war zone without American troops on the ground. Rep. Mike Quigley of the Ukraine Caucus joins to discuss increasing eagerness for the U.S. to send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Plus, how virtual reality is being used to help alleviate a huge shortage in one job field. Also, an arrest has been made in the killing of a Catholic bishop in his own house. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 17, 2023 • 41min
5 former Memphis officers plead not guilty in Nichols case
The five former Memphis police officers charged with killing Tyre Nichols have been arraigned, all entering pleas of not guilty. Now, the district attorney is reviewing dozens of other cases connected to those officers. Plus, in the middle of the January 6th insurrection, then President Donald Trump did not call the secretary of defense, the attorney general, or the head of Homeland Security. Wait until you hear who he did call.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 23min
Georgia grand jury finds no widespread fraud in 2020 election
The Georgia special grand jury that investigated Donald Trump and his allies' attempts to overturn the 2020 election just released parts of a new report. Plus, a professor describes his encounter with the Michigan State University gunman and the quick thinking that may have saved lives. Also, a major recall at Tesla after a problem with the self-driving feature. Then, Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro joins to discuss holding Norfolk Southern accountable following a disastrous train derailment.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 20min
Congress grills FAA chief over delays, safety concerns
Major questions were raised today about your safety in the air as Senators grill the FAA on why the agency cannot be so sure there will not be more runway near misses and grounded flights. Plus, Nikki Haley officially kicks off her 2024 campaign, presenting a pledge to bring in a new generation of leadership. Also, Gov. Mike DeWine announced the water safe to drink after a toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 15, 2023 • 1h 20min
3 students dead, 5 critically injured in campus mass shooting
Three students have been killed and five injured at Michigan State University. The gunman’s father is describing the shooter's anger as we learn more about what led to yet another mass shooting in America. Plus, how former Vice President Mike Pence plans to push back on a subpoena about the January 6th insurrection even though he wrote about it in detail in his recent book. Also, Bob Costas joins to discuss race and hiring practices in the NFL.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 20min
Pentagon: object shot down Saturday was “small, metallic balloon”
Four times in eights flying objects have been shot down over North American skies by the U.S. military. Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand of the Intelligence Committee joins to answer if the objects were a threat and to discuss recent laws passed which address reporting unidentified aerial phenomena in the United States. The White House insists there is no indication extraterrestrials are affiliated with these flying objects. Plus, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes joins to discuss winning Super Bowl LVII.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 20min
U.S. shoots down "high-altitude object" near Alaska
The United States military has taken down another high-altitude object flying over the United States. Rep. Mike Waltz of the Armed Services Committee joins to discuss why these objects may now be appearing in U.S. airspace. Plus, Russian forces struck Ukraine’s south and northeast in what the Ukrainian prime minister is calling one of the largest air attacks to hit Zaporizhzhia since the war began. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 10, 2023 • 1h 20min
21,000+ dead and 75,500+ injured three days after quake
CNN is on the ground in Turkey and Syria as rescue crews climb through earthquake rubble and the death toll passes 21,000. Also, Sen. Jon Tester joins to discuss if the Chinese balloon should have been shot down earlier and how much of a threat the balloon really was. Then, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joins to answer what happened when a reporter was arrested during a news conference.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 8, 2023 • 1h 20min
Biden visits key battleground states after addressing the nation
President Biden leaves the D.C. beltway to take the state of the union message to voters in some key battleground states. Will he get cheers or jeers from the American people? Plus, more than 12,000 people have now been killed in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Also, a passenger’s battery caught on fire mid-flight, forcing a plane to land and sending four people to the hospital. To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


