Podcast · 320 episodes
The Lead with Jake Tapper, page 2
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 2
Trump Signs Order Renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America”The Lead covers President Trump escalating tensions with Canada by renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” plus multiple other news segments (Nepal flash floods, a Massachusetts infanticide trial,…28 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 28 chapters
Unstoppable Floodwaters in Nepal & China Kill more than 150 PeopleBreaking news coverage of catastrophic flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal–China border, plus pop-culture and other U.S. news segments.27 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 30 chapters
Country Music Legend Dolly Parton Dies at 80CNN’s pop-culture lead and tribute to Dolly Parton after her death at age 80, focusing on her music, business savvy, philanthropy, and cross-partisan appeal, plus recent health struggles and…26 Aug 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 24 chapters
Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Order to Curb Mail BallotsThe U.S. Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration in a challenge to a March executive order that would increase federal involvement in elections by using DHS and the U.S.25 Aug 2026 · 1 h 33 min · 35 chapters
The Atlantic: NPS Changed the Way it Prioritizes Projects to Expedite Trump’s RequestsThis episode of CNN’s “Lead” (Phil Mattingly in for Jake Tapper) covers multiple stories, led by a new Supreme Court decision and follow-on political and legal implications.22 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 30 chapters
Michael Cohen Interviews Trump Years After Dramatic Falling-OutCNN’s “The Lead” covers Michael Cohen’s exclusive radio interview with President Trump after their 2018 falling-out, plus related politics and legal stories.21 Aug 2026 · 1 h 37 min · 31 chapters
Study: New Treatment Cuts Recurrence Speed of MelanomaA health segment leads with a phase 3 melanoma study: Moderna’s personalized mRNA therapeutic vaccine plus Merck’s Keytruda (pembrolizumab) after tumor removal.20 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 30 chapters
Republicans Confront Growing Midterm Peril as Iran War Drags OnThe Lead (Jake Tapper) covers multiple fast-moving stories. In the politics lead, it focuses on Republicans’ midterm worries as the U.S.-Iran conflict drags on.19 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 34 chapters
Trump Says North Korea’s Kim Jong Un Responded to Call for TalksThe Lead by Jake Tapper covers shifting U.S. foreign policy and multiple breaking news items.18 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 31 chapters
Special Bonus - Introducing: Civilian or SpyA CNN Presents limited series trailer, Civilian or Spy, tied to a Mississippi motel shooting involving the FBI and the unanswered circumstances around a 2024 death.17 Aug 2026 · 1 min · 1 chapter
Wife of U.S. Service Member Aboard USS Lincoln Speaks OutThe episode centers on allegations that U.S. service members aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (deployed in the Middle East for 250+ days) are suffering from deteriorating living conditions and…15 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 28 chapters
Sailor Went Overboard amid Reports of Poor Ship ConditionsThe episode centers on reports that the USS Abraham Lincoln’s crew is suffering during an unusually long deployment amid the Iran war—allegations include poor ship conditions, food and mail problems,…14 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 28 chapters
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Leaving White HouseThis episode of CNN’s Lead covers multiple breaking political and legal stories, plus sports and world news.13 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 29 chapters
Darline Graham Fights for Her Brother’s Seat in SC Senate PrimaryThis episode is an election-night roundup focused on multiple U.S. primaries, plus major national-security and world-news developments.12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 25 chapters
Executive Order on Childhood VaccinesThe episode centers on President Trump’s newly signed executive order that overhauls the childhood vaccine schedule.11 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 32 chapters
Sources: Trump’s Top General Looking for a U.S. Off-Ramp from ConflictThe episode of The Lead focuses on alleged political “weaponization” of the Justice Department and related legal fights, plus Senate confirmation politics, a major mass shooting in Thailand, U.S.8 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 33 chapters
Senate Panel Votes to Hold Fauci in Contempt of CongressThe episode is about a major political and legal fight over COVID-era testimony and broader U.S. policy disputes. First, Republican senators voted 8-5 to hold Dr.7 Aug 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 29 chapters
El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic PrimaryThe Lead focuses on Michigan Democratic primary results and the fallout heading into November, plus separate national political and legal stories. Topic: Progressive Dr.6 Aug 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 31 chapters
Rep. Max Miller Under Pressure to Resign Amid Abuse AllegationsThe episode centers on mounting pressure for Ohio Republican Congressman Max Miller to withdraw from his 7th District re-election bid amid allegations of domestic abuse and potential illegal drug use.5 Aug 2026 · 1 h 39 min · 34 chapters
Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund but Loopholes RemainThe episode focuses on whether the Trump administration has truly ended the “anti-weaponization fund” tied to a settlement over leaked Trump tax returns, despite Todd Blanche’s documents and…4 Aug 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 33 chapters
Polls Sink; Trump: U.S. in “Golden Age”The Lead covers U.S. politics and legal news: a fight over President Trump’s “anti-weaponization fund” during the confirmation of acting attorney general nominee Todd Blanche; Trump’s foreign-policy…1 Aug 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 29 chapters
U.S. Economic Growth Slows to 1.5%; Inflation Stays High in JuneThe episode covers (1) U.S. economic growth slowing to 1.5% in the latest quarter while inflation falls to 3.7% in June, (2) political turmoil over Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s stalled…31 Jul 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 32 chapters
CNN Poll: Most Voters Unhappy with Trump on Iran War & EconomyCNN’s “The Lead” covers (1) a new CNN poll showing low approval for Trump tied to Iran war, inflation, and airport construction priorities; (2) the jeopardized Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation…30 Jul 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 30 chapters
Israel Prepares Major Military Operation in West BankThe episode focuses on U.S. President Trump’s five-month war with Iran, including claims about Iran rebuilding nuclear sites, and a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.29 Jul 2026 · 1 h 34 min · 34 chapters