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The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts
Iran
Donald Trump
Jeffrey Epstein
Nancy Guthrie
United States
President Trump
FBI
Venezuela
Trump Administration
ICE
Hurricane Melissa
Government Shutdown
Savannah Guthrie
Epstein Files
Ghislaine Maxwell
Minneapolis
Obamacare
Cuba
Jamaica
Congress

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1813Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine has privately made clear to other top Trump advisers that the US needs to find an off-ramp from the war with Iran, according to sources. Plus, Todd Blanche could be confirmed for the next attorney general a... more

Breaking with norms and straight down party lines, Republicans in the Senate vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt. Plus, foodborne outbreaks spread across the United States.

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Michigan’s race for United States Senate is now set. Progressive Abdul El-Sayed wins the democratic primary and will now face off against former seven term congressman Mike Rogers.

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Pressure is mounting for Ohio Republican congressman and former White House aide Max Miller to end his congressional reelection bid amid allegations of physical and emotional abuse from his ex-wife.

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Abdul El-Sayed
Progressive candidate, Michigan US Senate nominee
Campaign for Abdul El-Sayed
Episode: El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
Jonathan Cohn
Senior National Correspondent
Bullock (media organization referenced in transcript)
Episode: El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
Peter Welch
Senator (Note: Vermont) and Judiciary Committee member
U.S. Senate
Episode: El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
Jamal Bowman
Progressive Congressman from New York
U.S. Congress
Episode: El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
Max Miller
Republican Congressman under pressure amid abuse allegations
U.S. House of Representatives (Ohio)
Episode: Rep. Max Miller Under Pressure to Resign Amid Abuse Allegations
Jim Trusty
Representative for Trump during investigations into Mar-a-Lago and Jan. 6 probe
Private legal team for Trump
Episode: Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund but Loopholes Remain
Elliott Williams
Former federal prosecutor
Private practice
Episode: Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund but Loopholes Remain
Sepideh Malafi
Actress nominated for an Emmy
The Pit (TV show)
Episode: Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund but Loopholes Remain
Josh Kolb
Attorney representing David Hearn
Law firm
Episode: Blanche Rescinds Anti-Weaponization Fund but Loopholes Remain

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 States4 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 Statesa year 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
#226
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#192
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#230
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#239
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#120
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#127
India/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

U.S. Economic Growth Slows to 1.5%; Inflation Stays High in June
Q: What explains the change in GDP growth in the latest quarter?
The slowdown is attributed to a surge in imports of capital goods and a positive but smaller consumer demand contribution, with the overall growth rate dampened by those imports despite healthy domestic spending.
El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Democratic Primary
Q: How will Dr. El-Sayed counter the narrative that he is too extreme to represent all of Michigan?
Panelists suggested focusing on universal issues like affordability, healthcare, and confronting the economic concerns of working families, while leveraging his record on healthcare and Wayne County leadership to appeal to a broader electorate.
Officials Still Probing Cause of Cyclosporiasis in Nine States
Q: What are the contributing factors to the measles outbreak?
The contributing factor is declining vaccination rates since the COVID-19 pandemic, with national rates dropping from above 95 percent to around 92.5 percent, and even lower in some states, enabling larger outbreaks.
CNN Poll: Most Voters Unhappy with Trump on Iran War & Economy
Q: What impact might the weak independent vote have on the midterms?
Manchin explains independents could reshape governance by allowing more cross-party collaboration and reducing party-line pressure, potentially altering the dynamics of the midterms.
18 Days in Minnesota: Chaos & Coverups After Renee Good Killing
Q: What did the investigators find about the handling of Renee Good and Alex Pretti cases?
The episode reveals that investigators faced political pressure, cooperation deteriorated between federal and local authorities, and several prosecutors resigned in protest, signaling a breakdown in standard procedures and accountability.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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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 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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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 1813 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. Abdul El-Sayed
2. Jonathan Cohn
3. Peter Welch
4. Jamal Bowman
5. Max Miller
6. Jim Trusty
7. Elliott Williams
8. Sepideh Malafi

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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