Podcast · 322 episodes
The Lead with Jake Tapper, page 12
by CNN Podcasts · English
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.
All episodes, page 12
Trump Attacks Free Speech As CEOs Try To Cash InPresident Trump escalates threats to punish media outlets and late-night comedians for negative coverage, calling it “illegal” and “cheating,” and tying the issue to FCC licensing.20 Sep 2025 · 1 h 14 min · 26 chapters
FCC Chair Credits Local TV Stations For Kimmel SuspensionThe episode centers on fallout from ABC suspending Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after his Monday monologue joke about the Republican response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk.19 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 32 chapters
Fed Cuts Interest Rates To 4%, Citing “Weakening Job Market”The episode covers multiple breaking and political stories, centered on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and related investigations, plus a Federal Reserve interest-rate cut, online radicalization…18 Sep 2025 · 1 h 35 min · 37 chapters
Prosecutor: Suspect’s Mom Says He Became More Left-LeaningTyler Robinson’s first court appearance after the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah; prosecutors seek the death penalty and read detailed charges based partly on…17 Sep 2025 · 1 h 33 min · 37 chapters
FBI Director Reveals New Details About Alleged Kirk ShooterThe episode focuses on the FBI investigation into the alleged assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, including new evidence and a reported online confession.16 Sep 2025 · 1 h 33 min · 36 chapters
Utah Officials Urge Political Restraint After Kirk KillingThe episode reports the arrest of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, charged with the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, and uses the case to discuss political violence and polarization.13 Sep 2025 · 1 h 23 min · 34 chapters
Manhunt Underway For Suspect In Charlie Kirk’s KillingCNN’s breaking-news coverage of the manhunt for the person who assassinated right-wing activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah Valley University-area college event; investigation details, political reaction,…12 Sep 2025 · 1 h 27 min · 31 chapters
Trump: Charlie Kirk Is DeadThe episode reports on the apparent assassination of Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot in the neck while speaking at Utah Valley…11 Sep 2025 · 1 h 51 min · 45 chapters
WH: Israeli Strike In Qatar Runs Counter To Trump’s ObjectivesThe Lead covers President Trump distancing himself from an Israeli strike in Doha, Qatar that Israel says targeted Hamas political leaders, and the implications for U.S.-Qatar mediation and any Gaza…10 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 29 chapters
House Cmte. Gets “Birthday Book,” Other Docs From Epstein EstateThe episode centers on the House Oversight Committee releasing documents from the Jeffrey Epstein estate, including a 2003 “birthday book” page allegedly containing a Donald Trump drawing/signature;…9 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 34 chapters
America’s Weak Jobs Report Flashes Warning Signs About The EconomyThe episode is about multiple breaking-news threads, led by a weak U.S. jobs report and the political/economic fallout around it. Topic: The August jobs report showed only 22,000 jobs added (vs.6 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 26 chapters
Kennedy Struggles To Account For His Promise On Vaccine AccessThe episode centers on a contentious Senate hearing where Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.5 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 35 chapters
Trump Accuses Xi, Putin, Kim Of Conspiring Against U.S.Epstein trafficking file transparency fight; Trump’s claims about Xi, Putin, Kim conspiring; Laura Loomer’s influence over intelligence oversight; RFK Jr./HHS CDC turmoil and vaccine mandate changes;…4 Sep 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 39 chapters
Congress Returns To Renewed Fight Over Epstein FilesThe episode centers on renewed congressional pressure to release Jeffrey Epstein-related records, including House Oversight Democrats interviewing Epstein victims and the committee releasing about…3 Sep 2025 · 1 h 22 min · 30 chapters
Sources: Immigration Operation In Chicago Could Start This WeekThe episode is a fast-moving roundup of political and national stories, led by reports that the Trump administration could launch a major federal immigration enforcement operation in Chicago as soon…2 Sep 2025 · 1 h 23 min · 36 chapters
Inside The Upheaval At FEMA From Staffer Put On LeaveThe episode is a fast-moving news roundup focused on health policy, federal disaster response, public safety, trade, and international politics. Topic 1: RFK Jr. and CDC turmoil.30 Aug 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 25 chapters
Police: 116 Rifle Rounds Recovered In Minneapolis School ShootingThe episode is a CNN “The Lead” segment covering the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic School shooting and related fallout.29 Aug 2025 · 1 h 25 min · 25 chapters
Police: 2 Children Killed, 14 Children & 3 Adults Hurt In ShootingCNN’s “The Lead” covers the Minneapolis Annunciation Catholic School mass shooting during a church mass on the first week of school.28 Aug 2025 · 1 h 23 min · 41 chapters
Lawyer: Fed Governor To Sue Over Trump’s Attempted FiringThe episode centers on President Trump’s attempt to fire Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, a Biden-appointed, Senate-confirmed Fed governor, amid mortgage-fraud allegations.27 Aug 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 30 chapters
House Oversight Committee To Interview Alex AcostaThe episode of The Lead focuses on three major stories: (1) the House Oversight Committee’s planned investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case, (2) the Trump administration’s expanding use of…26 Aug 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 30 chapters
DOJ Releases Audio, Transcript Of Maxwell Prison InterviewThe episode is about the Justice Department’s public release of audio and a transcript from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s two-day, hours-long interview with convicted sex trafficker…23 Aug 2025 · 1 h 26 min · 33 chapters
Soon: Texas Senate Expected To Pass Trump-Backed Map Favoring GOPTexas Senate expected to pass a Trump-backed Republican redistricting map that would add five GOP-leaning U.S.22 Aug 2025 · 1 h 29 min · 35 chapters
Target CEO Stepping Down As Sales Continue To PlungeThe episode is a CNN “Lead” segment covering multiple breaking stories. Topic 1: Hurricane Aaron. It’s a strong Category 2 storm expected to stay offshore but still threaten the U.S.21 Aug 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 31 chapters
White House Says Putin Agreed To Meet ZelenskyU.S.-led efforts to broker a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire and possible Trump role, amid conflicting claims about whether Vladimir Putin will meet Volodymyr Zelensky; plus U.S.20 Aug 2025 · 1 h 24 min · 29 chapters