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The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts
Iran
Donald Trump
Jeffrey Epstein
President Trump
Trump Administration
Venezuela
Nancy Guthrie
Government Shutdown
FBI
United States
Ghislaine Maxwell
Hurricane Melissa
ICE
Savannah Guthrie
Epstein Files
Obamacare
Congress
Ukraine
Department Of Justice
NATO

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 fo... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1625Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

A new warning from the president after the first U.S. death since the early days of the Iran war. A look at what could come next as the United States pumps more American ships into a combat zone.

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The Trump administration pushes new narratives about election security, alleged foreign interference, and what could happen if states don’t use Trump’s way to secure your vote.

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A new update from the White House about Trump’s address tonight. Plus, many Epstein survivors finally got to meet with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

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Two men audition for permanent top level roles in the Trump administration. Could enough wavering Republicans deny the nominations? Plus, the mayor of Philadelphia accuses the Trump administration of trying to erase history.

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Carolina Piguero
CNN reporter on the Houston scene
CNN
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Lena Hidalgo
Harris County Judge
Harris County
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Benjamin Crump
Attorney representing Nolan Wells' family
Crump Law
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Jordan Wood
Democratic candidate, Maine Senate
Maine Senate race campaign
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Dan Kleban
Democratic candidate, Maine Senate
Maine Beer Company
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Ashley Etienne
Political commentator
CNN/Panel
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Rosie O'Donnell
Actor/Comedian, commentator
Media
Episode: Is The Trump Administration Telling The Truth About The Latest Deadly ICE Shooting?
Fred Pleitgen
CNN correspondent reporting from Tehran
CNN
Episode: Covering Conflict: Strikes, Politics, and the Global Stage
Ari Shapiro
CNN correspondent
CNN
Episode: Covering Conflict: Strikes, Politics, and the Global Stage

Host

Jake Tapper
Host of the program; CNN chief national correspondent and lead anchor for political coverage.

Reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • Radical leftist

    Radical tranny leftist

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Blah blah 45789$
    United States3 months ago
  • Great reporting every day!

    Always outstanding!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lutabuta
    United States3 months ago
  • ridiculous

    bro yammers about how horrific Hassan is ….hours later CNN has him on for a segment! 😆. CNN is washed.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    loomasauris
    United States4 months ago
  • Disappointed

    I often listen to this podcast but have been growing increasingly disappointed by it. Tapper’s coverage used to be very fair but lately I find that he questions and pushes back on Democrats far more than Republicans. He should be pushing back equally on all politicians.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    JPPHL
    United States9 months ago
  • Free Speech

    Is not a tradition It’s the law

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Reporting style is clear, credible, and timely for policy audiences.
Prominent guests and live reporting add valuable context.
The host delivers fair, balanced coverage with strong guests.
Some listeners feel coverage is too one-sided or partisan.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#179
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#107
Saudi Arabia/News
Apple Podcasts
#115
Chile/News
Apple Podcasts
#138
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#153
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#158
India/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Covering Conflict: Strikes, Politics, and the Global Stage
Q: What is the current status of U.S.-Iran negotiations and the ceasefire?
The administration expresses frustration with the pace of negotiations, while mediators search for a pathway back to dialogue; the White House signals ongoing efforts but acknowledges renewed strikes complicate talks.
Supreme Court: Trump Can Fire FTC Commissioner but Not Fed Gov.
Q: What does the Slaughter ruling mean for FTC independence?
It suggests presidents may have broad power to fire independent agency officials, but with required due process considerations, indicating a limited but significant expansion of executive authority.
Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks
Q: How is California handling the delayed vote tally and what does it mean for trust in elections?
Officials emphasize counting transparency amid late mail-in ballots, with experts noting historical swings and urging patience to preserve perceived legitimacy of the results.
Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks
Q: What is the status of the Maine Senate primary and how are candidates handling controversy?
Voters are focused on unseating Susan Collins while considering Graham Platner's scandals; reporters highlight mixed voter reactions and how controversies may influence the general election, suggesting a high-stakes primary with potential impact on the Senate balance.
VP JD Vance Joins to Discuss Iran Agreement
Q: What is the evidence that sanctions relief or unfrozen assets will happen, given the administration says they have not been released yet?
The guest asserts that there has not been any actual sanctions relief or unfrozen assets yet, and reports of potential relief are misinterpreted or propagandized; the true position is that relief would occur only if Iran complies with the obligations, and the document itself does not guarantee immediate relief.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lead

What is The Lead about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program provides high-velocity political and global affairs coverage, rotating through hard news, live reporting, and expert analysis on topics like U.S. domestic politics, foreign policy, national security, health, and technology. Episodes frequently center on major political developments, courtroom and Oversight Committee dynamics, international diplomacy, and high-profile interviews, blending live updates with panel discussions and journalist perspectives. A standout pattern is combining political reporting with timely context from analysts, former officials, and subject-matter experts, making complex stories accessible for a broad audience of professionals and engaged citizens. The show's pacing, breadth of topics, and clear emphasi... more

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How many listeners does The Lead get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Lead have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Lead?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lead:

1. State of the Union
2. The Source with Kaitlan Collins
3. The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown
4. CNN Inside Politics
5. Erin Burnett OutFront

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched 11 years ago and published 1625 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Lead?

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What guests have appeared on The Lead?

Recent guests on The Lead include:

1. Carolina Piguero
2. Lena Hidalgo
3. Benjamin Crump
4. Jordan Wood
5. Dan Kleban
6. Ashley Etienne
7. Rosie O'Donnell
8. Fred Pleitgen

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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