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The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts
Donald Trump
Jeffrey Epstein
Iran
Trump Administration
President Trump
FBI
Ghislaine Maxwell
Ukraine
Nancy Guthrie
Government Shutdown
Venezuela
Russia
Congress
United States
ICE
Charlie Kirk
Hurricane Melissa
Savannah Guthrie
Political Violence
Department Of Justice

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1582Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

The United States announces new charges against Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro. He is charged for his role in the 1996 killing of three Americans in planes over international waters. Plus, a new lawsuit from two police officers who defended the... more

President Trump, his family, and his businesses are now all protected under new terms added in a settlement with the Treasury Department, the Justice Department, and the IRS. A look at the settlement that creates a fund to compensate people the Trump... more

Authorities in San Diego provide updates on a deadly shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego. This as a source tells CNN a security guard was among the three victims.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump reveals his thoughts on the Reagan-era commitment to Taiwan making it sound less like an ironclad promise and more like ancient history. A look at Trump’s recent talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he heads back to DC.

Learn more... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Rob Whitman
Republican Congressman, Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee
U.S. Congress
Episode: Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
Nicholas Burns
U.S. Ambassador to China (Biden administration)
U.S. Government / Foreign Service
Episode: Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
Grace Chen Drexel
Grace Chen Drexel, daughter of imprisoned pastor Grace Chen (Zion Church) in China
Zion Church / Family of detainees
Episode: Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
John Krakauer
Author of Into Thin Air; Everest climber
Author
Episode: Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
Jane Harman
Former chair of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy; former Democratic congresswoman
U.S. Congress
Episode: Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan
Nicole Hallett
Attorney representing Tray of civil rights matters related to DHS raid
Attorney
Episode: Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan
Rob Flaherty
Kamala Harris deputy campaign manager; political strategist
Democratic Party
Episode: Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan
Don Knight
Attorney for Richard Glossop
Glossop legal team
Episode: Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan
Jim Griffin
Attorney for Alec Murdoch
Murdoch defense
Episode: Xi Hails New Era in U.S.-China Relations But Warns Trump on Taiwan

Host

Jake Tapper
Host and lead anchor with CNN, central to the program's Washington reporting.

Reviews

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

    Radical tranny leftist

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Blah blah 45789$
    United States24 days ago
  • Great reporting every day!

    Always outstanding!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lutabuta
    United Statesa month 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 States2 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 States7 months ago
  • Free Speech

    Is not a tradition It’s the law

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests and analysis are generally seen as credible and insightful, though reviews vary by episode.
The program's live elements and diverse set of correspondents are praised for depth and immediacy.
Audience appreciates expert perspectives from former officials and reporters.
Some listeners feel the host leans in a particular direction and prefer more even-handed questioning.
Listeners value the show's thorough, real-time coverage of fast-moving stories.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#194
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#93
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#119
Austria/News
Apple Podcasts
#133
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#155
Finland/News
Apple Podcasts
#184
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump Won’t Commit to Taiwan Arms Sale
Q: Does it concern you at all that President Trump did not directly and explicitly commit to this arms sale to Taiwan?
The congressionally mandated Taiwan Relations Act requires the U.S. to provide for Taiwan's defense, and lawmakers emphasized that the policy remains in effect even as the president considers reviewing or delaying sales.
Iran & U.S. Trade Shots, Iran Attacks UAE
Q: What is the current status of the ceasefire between the US and Iran?
Analysts suggest the ceasefire is fragile and at risk of collapsing as both sides engage in renewed hostilities and strategic posturing, with hopes for negotiations yet to yield concrete de-escalation.
Trump Gets Revenge on Indiana Republicans Who Defied Him
Q: On the Indiana results, what should be expected for the GOP in upcoming elections?
The guests explain that Trump's support remains a powerful force within the party, and lawmakers who align with his positions tend to fare better, while those who defy him risk primary challenges or removal, signaling a race-by-race dynamic rather than a uniform national trend.
King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Q: What is the strategic goal of King Charles's visit beyond ceremonial duties?
The guests and hosts frame the visit as an effort to repair and strengthen the US-UK alliance, emphasize shared democratic values, and leverage royal diplomacy to bridge tensions between political leaders, while highlighting long-standing security and economic ties.
Report: Warnings About Epstein Abuse Went Unheeded by UK Police
Q: What is Shelly Kittleson sharing about her captivity?
She described being abducted by a pro-Iran militia in Iraq, subjected to multiple detentions, severe beatings, rib fractures, and a stressful detention experience before being released with help from the embassy, and she stressed the importance of documenting such experiences for journalist safety.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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 delivers fast-paced, two-hour coverage of national and international news with a strong focus on politics, policy, and live reporting. Episodes frequently combine in-depth briefings from Washington, on-the-ground reporting from conflict zones, and expert analysis from former officials and correspondents. The show stands out for weaving live press conferences and field reports with timely context, often exploring how global events affect energy markets, security, and domestic politics. This mix of breaking updates, strategic commentary, and high-profile guests makes it a go-to for readers seeking authoritative, real-time insight into unfolding crises and policy debates.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Lead. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Lead and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Lead get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Lead have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Lead has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Erin Burnett OutFront
5. CNN Inside Politics

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched 11 years ago and published 1582 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Lead?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Lead from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Lead?

Recent guests on The Lead include:

1. Rob Whitman
2. Nicholas Burns
3. Grace Chen Drexel
4. John Krakauer
5. Jane Harman
6. Nicole Hallett
7. Rob Flaherty
8. Don Knight

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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