Podcast · 322 episodes
The Lead with Jake Tapper, page 5
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 5
Sen. Cassidy Bucks Trump on Iran, Ballroom after Primary DefeatThe episode covers multiple political and health stories. Main topics: (1) A lawsuit by two police officers (Harry Dunn and Daniel Hodges) challenging a new $1.776–$1.8 billion “anti-weaponization”…21 May 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 33 chapters
First Claim Filed to “Anti-Weaponization” FundThe episode is a politics-and-news roundup led by Jake Tapper, focused on President Trump’s “punishing enemies and rewarding allies” strategy, a new Justice Department compensation fund critics call…20 May 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 39 chapters
Police: Three Adults Killed in San Diego Mosque ShootingThe CNN “The Lead” episode reports and analyzes the San Diego Islamic Center mosque shooting, then pivots to other national news (Trump’s “anti-weaponization” taxpayer fund, Ebola in the DRC, and…19 May 2026 · 1 h 27 min · 36 chapters
Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms SaleCoverage of President Trump’s China summit and its fallout, focusing on Taiwan arms sales ambiguity, Iran/Strait of Hormuz pressure, plus separate U.S.16 May 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 42 chapters
Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on TaiwanCoverage of the Trump-Xi summit, focusing on Taiwan and Iran; plus separate U.S.15 May 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 34 chapters
Iran, Trade, Tech, Taiwan on Agenda for Trump-Xi SummitThe Lead (Jake Tapper) covers: the Iran war’s impact on a looming Trump-Xi summit; U.S.-China leverage on Iran, trade, fentanyl, Taiwan, and AI/semiconductors; and multiple U.S.14 May 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 29 chapters
Sources: Trump Seriously Thinking of Restarting Combat OperationsThe episode centers on President Trump’s Iran negotiations and potential escalation while he travels to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping; it also covers related U.S.13 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 35 chapters
16 Passengers Under Observation in Nebraska Quarantine UnitThe Lead covers the return of 18 passengers from a cruise ship hantavirus outbreak to the U.S., their monitoring/quarantine plan in Nebraska and Georgia, and broader political and security stories…12 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 31 chapters
Democrats Delivered Major LossThe episode is a multi-topic news roundup focused on (1) a hantavirus outbreak on the MV Hondias cruise ship and the U.S.9 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 39 chapters
CENTCOM: U.S. Military Responded to “Unprovoked Iranian Attacks”The episode of The Lead (Jake Tapper) focuses on two main threads: the U.S.-Iran conflict and a hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship.8 May 2026 · 1 h 34 min · 27 chapters
Trump Gets Revenge on Indiana Republicans Who Defied HimThe episode covers (1) an FBI raid in Portsmouth, Virginia targeting State Senator Louise Lucas and businesses she owns, amid claims of political retaliation; (2) U.S.-Iran diplomacy and whether a…7 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 32 chapters
Hegseth: Ceasefire “Is Not Over” Despite Mutual AttacksThe episode of The Lead (Jake Tapper) focuses on three main threads: U.S.-Iran tensions, U.S.6 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 39 chapters
Iran & U.S. Trade Shots, Iran Attacks UAEThe episode centers on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions in and around the Strait of Hormuz, including U.S. claims of shooting down Iranian boats and Trump’s warning that any attack on U.S.5 May 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 33 chapters
Trump Rejects Latest Proposal From IranThe Lead covers President Trump rejecting Iran’s latest peace proposal, with the Strait of Hormuz still largely closed and U.S. gas prices rising.2 May 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 29 chapters
Hegseth Defends War Despite PollsThe episode’s main threads are (1) soaring U.S. gas prices tied to the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions, (2) Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defending the Iran campaign’s timeline and facing…1 May 2026 · 1 h 34 min · 34 chapters
Trump Confirms Call with PutinThe episode covers multiple breaking political and legal stories: a Secret Service briefing on a White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting; the Oversight Committee’s Epstein investigation and Pam…30 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 41 chapters
Arrest Warrant Issued for Former FBI Director James ComeyThe episode (CNN’s The Lead / Lead on Jake Tapper) covers multiple breaking political stories centered on President Trump’s response to perceived threats and pressure campaigns.29 Apr 2026 · 1 h 31 min · 33 chapters
King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.King Charles III and Queen Camilla begin a four-day, high-stakes U.S. state visit (day one) marked by strained U.S.-U.K.28 Apr 2026 · 1 h 34 min · 33 chapters
Report: Warnings About Epstein Abuse Went Unheeded by UK PoliceThe episode mixes U.S.-Iran brinkmanship (blockade and talks), renewed reporting on UK/US failures to investigate Jeffrey Epstein, and Washington media/politics coverage (White House Correspondents’…25 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 41 chapters
Trump Orders Navy to “Shoot & Kill” Mine-Laying Boats in StraitThe episode of The Lead (Jake Tapper) focuses on escalating U.S.-Iran tensions and the Strait of Hormuz, plus follow-on stories about the Epstein files, suspicious oil trading, and AI in medicine.24 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 44 chapters
WH: Trump Has “No Firm Deadline” for Iranian Peace ProposalThe episode of The Lead focuses on stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks amid renewed Strait of Hormuz attacks, plus U.S.23 Apr 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 37 chapters
Trump: “I Expect to Be Bombing” if No Progress in Iran TalksThe Lead (Jake Tapper) covers breaking developments in the U.S.-Iran conflict and a parallel “politics lead” on resignations, corruption allegations, and a new DOJ case.22 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 35 chapters
Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Step Down as Labor SecretaryA fast-moving news roundup focused on U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks under a looming deadline, a U.S.21 Apr 2026 · 1 h 30 min · 25 chapters
Trump: Iran Will Turn Over “Nuclear Dust”The episode centers on President Trump’s claims about a potential Iran deal and the status of the Strait of Hormuz, including Trump’s assertion that Iran will never get a nuclear weapon and that the…18 Apr 2026 · 1 h 36 min · 34 chapters