Podcast · 321 episodes
The Lead with Jake Tapper, page 4
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 4
Trump Falsely Claims Stock Markets Hit New High TodayThe episode covers (1) a false claim by President Trump that the stock market hit a new high, while markets fell on an AI-driven tech sell-off; (2) a U.S.24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 31 chapters
Soon: Rubio Heads to Middle East to Meet with Gulf AlliesThe Lead covers U.S.-Iran negotiations after talks in Switzerland, including Vice President J.D.23 Jun 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 27 chapters
Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran TalksThe episode centers on whether the U.S. and Iran can salvage negotiations after Israel and Hezbollah reignited fighting in Lebanon, nearly derailing the talks.20 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 32 chapters
White House Defends Iran Agreement Amid CriticismThe episode centers on the White House defending a new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) amid bipartisan criticism, including reports of “secret” written proposals (“gentlemen’s…19 Jun 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 34 chapters
U.S. Releases Official Text of 14-Point Agreement with IranThe episode (CNN “Lead”) covers three main stories: U.S. politics/national security, Fed policy on inflation, and a Knicks championship parade—then returns to breaking news about a U.S.-Iran nuclear…18 Jun 2026 · 1 h 26 min · 34 chapters
Five Charged in Alleged Plot Against White House UFC FightThe episode leads with a reported FBI/Secret Service thwarted plot to attack the White House during a Sunday UFC Fight Night, allegedly involving drones dropping explosives and snipers targeting…17 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 37 chapters
VP JD Vance Joins to Discuss Iran AgreementThe episode of The Lead focuses on a newly signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding meant to end the war, lift the U.S.16 Jun 2026 · 1 h 34 min · 33 chapters
America’s Largest Energy Hub is Running Out of OilThis episode of The Lead (Phil Mattingly) covers four main stories: US-Iran diplomacy, a legal fight over the Kennedy Center sign, energy/infrastructure impacts on prices, and Elon Musk’s…13 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 33 chapters
Trump Taps U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for Top Intelligence PostThe episode covers President Trump’s claimed breakthrough with Iran after canceled strike threats, his nomination of Jay Clayton as permanent Director of National Intelligence, and related political…12 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 36 chapters
NYT: Inside White House Crisis Meetings Over the Epstein FilesThe episode of The Lead focuses on the fallout from the Epstein files and how U.S. officials tried to manage the political damage, plus several other breaking news items.10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 30 chapters
Trump Says Pilots Safe After Apache Shot Down Near HormuzThe episode is a CNN “The Lead” segment covering multiple breaking stories. Main topic: escalation between the U.S. and Iran after Iran shot down a U.S.10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 35 min · 31 chapters
Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace TalksA CNN “Lead” episode covering (1) Maine and California election vote-count updates, (2) whether Democrats can win the Maine Senate race despite candidate Graham Plattner’s scandals, (3) Israel and…9 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 32 chapters
WSJ: Trump Urges Pulte to Start Firing Intel EmployeesThe Lead covers President Trump’s plan to have incoming acting DNI Bill Pulte begin mass firings inside the U.S. intelligence community, plus separate segments on Iran-U.S.6 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 31 chapters
Bondi Transcript: Blanche “In Charge” of Entire Release of Epstein FilesCNN “The Lead” focuses on political fallout from House Oversight Committee transcripts of former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s closed-door testimony about the release of Jeffrey Epstein files, and how…5 Jun 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 29 chapters
Scott Kelley Fried by CBS After Clash with ManagementThe Lead (CNN) episode centers on two major political-media controversies and their broader implications.3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 26 min · 24 chapters
Trump Taps a Leader of Retribution Tour as Acting Intel ChiefPresident Trump appoints Bill Pulte, a controversial housing official, as acting Director of National Intelligence; debate centers on his lack of intelligence/national security experience and alleged…3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 25 min · 42 chapters
DOJ Says it Will Abide by Court Ruling to Pause “Anti-Weaponization” FundThe episode is about the Trump administration pausing its planned “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” a $1.776 billion DOJ-created compensation fund for people the administration says were wrongly targeted by…2 Jun 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 24 chapters
Source: Bondi Answered Questions on Ghislaine Maxwell in InterviewThe episode centers on CNN’s “The Lead” covering a closed-door Capitol Hill interview with former U.S.30 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 36 chapters
U.S. & Iran Reach Deal to Open Strait, Trump Must Still Sign OffThe episode centers on a fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire framework and the political/legal fallout around President Trump, plus separate U.S. domestic stories.29 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 30 chapters
Trump’s GOP Purge Continues as Paxton Ousts Sen. CornynThe episode centers on Texas politics and broader U.S. political and global headlines.28 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 33 chapters
Trump Backing Paxton Over Sen. Cornyn Tests His Grip on GOPThe Lead (CNN) covers Texas GOP runoff politics (Trump’s endorsement of AG Ken Paxton over Sen.27 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 36 chapters
U.S. Iran Work to Resolve Disputes on Nuclear Issues & SanctionsThe episode is a news roundup led by CNN’s Pamela Brown on Memorial Day, focusing mainly on U.S.-Iran negotiations to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, plus other stories.25 May 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 29 chapters
Trump and Republicans Clash Over “Anti-Weaponization” FundThe episode centers on President Trump defending a proposed $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund meant to compensate people who say the federal government wronged them.23 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 30 chapters
First Anti-Weaponization Fund Applicant Speaks to CNNThe Lead with Jake Tapper focuses mainly on the U.S. Justice Department’s $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and who is trying to claim it, alongside related political and foreign-policy…22 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 37 chapters