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The Lead with Jake Tapper

CNN Podcasts
Donald Trump
Fani Willis
Georgia
Republican Party
Stormy Daniels
Joe Biden
Gaza
U.S. State Of the Union
Tiktok
Fulton County, Georgia
Aaron Rodgers
Israel-Hamas Conflict
Cj Rice
Pennsylvania
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Wrongful Conviction
Incompetent Legal Representation
Election Subversion Case
Rico Charges
Sandy Hook School Shooting

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1554Founded11 years ago
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News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

President Trump’s new warning to Iran just one day ahead of peace talks set to begin tomorrow. Plus, one of the most critical moments of the Artemis II mission is just moments away.

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First lady Melania Trump delivers a surprise statement, saying the lies about her and Epstein must end. But, why is she making this statement now? Plus, Lebanon is bombarded by a series of new strikes from Israel. Will Netanyahu jeopardize the peace ... more

The vice president is calling the two-week ceasefire between the US, Israel, and Iran fragile. Today, Iranian state media reports that Iran has stopped oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz because, Iran says, Israel has carried out strikes... more

We are hours away from President Trump’s deadline for Iran to make a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The President just told Fox News that the United States is in heated negotiations over the Iran war.

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dan Lamothe
Pentagon reporter
The Washington Post
Episode: U.S. Searching for Crew Member After F-15 Downed in Iran
Sam Altman
CEO of OpenAI
OpenAI
Episode: U.S. Searching for Crew Member After F-15 Downed in Iran
Miles O'Brien
CNN Aerospace Analyst
CNN
Episode: AAA: CA Drivers Paying About $5.89 For Gas, Highest in U.S.
Tom Foreman
CNN correspondent
CNN
Episode: AAA: CA Drivers Paying About $5.89 For Gas, Highest in U.S.
Mohammed Iqbal Salani
Afghan interpreter and refugee advocate
Independent/faced with asylum considerations
Episode: AAA: CA Drivers Paying About $5.89 For Gas, Highest in U.S.
Leroy Chao
Former NASA astronaut and aerospace expert
Former NASA astronaut
Episode: AAA: CA Drivers Paying About $5.89 For Gas, Highest in U.S.
David Becker
CEO and founder, Center for Election Innovation and Research
Center for Election Innovation and Research
Episode: AAA: CA Drivers Paying About $5.89 For Gas, Highest in U.S.
Jane Harman
Former Congresswoman, former chair of the Commission on the National Defense Strategy
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (via guest)
Episode: Status Of Diplomatic Talks Uncertain Amid Trump’s Shifting Goals
Kareem Sajjipour
Senior fellow with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Episode: Status Of Diplomatic Talks Uncertain Amid Trump’s Shifting Goals

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
  • 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 States5 months ago
  • Free Speech

    Is not a tradition It’s the law

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United States7 months ago
  • Meghan Hays

    Your show is very informative but please don’t book Hays on your show or any other CNN show. She talks so fast it’s almost impossibly to understand what she’s saying

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Avid listener 227
    United States7 months ago
  • Don’t be Scared

    Make these Very Good Lying rep’s Pundits

    Answer The FN Question Asked. Make Them.!

    rep’s are Trained by🌎’s Greatest LIAR.The🍊

    Please Concentrate On Making Them Answer

    Question & Or Questions Asked @ The Time.

    It’s Not Hard. Stop them from Lying.! Answer

    The Question I Asked…. Just That Simple.!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    From Another Great Admirer
    United States9 months ago
  • Dr Phil?

    Really? I fInd CNN these days trying to keep Trump and his gang happy more than reporting pure journalistic truth. It’s extremely disturbing!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DaisymyBeagle
    United States10 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
#137
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#247
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#85
Finland/News
Apple Podcasts
#99
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#136
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#144
New Zealand/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Status Of Diplomatic Talks Uncertain Amid Trump’s Shifting Goals
Q: What's your take on the current state of negotiations with Iran?
The guests suggest that there is no clear evidence of serious negotiations with Iran, with private talks unclear and the regime dynamics making a straightforward deal unlikely; the markets and political concerns are driving much of the public narrative.
Top U.S. Counterterrorism Official Resigns Over Iran War
Q: How did President Trump respond to the allied challenges in securing support for the Hormuz Strait?
Trump publicly challenged allies, suggesting they are not needed, while arguing for the possibility of acting alone or with limited support, which reflects a shift in tone regarding alliance reliance.
Top U.S. Counterterrorism Official Resigns Over Iran War
Q: What is the significance of Joe Kent's resignation in the broader Iran policy debate?
Kent's resignation is presented as a high-profile sign of dissent within the administration, highlighting disagreements over the threat assessment and the rationale for pursuing war with Iran, and it raises questions about internal alignment on Iran policy.
Judge Blocks Subpoenas In Jerome Powell Investigation
Q: How is the local community responding to this incident?
Officials described a coordinated response with 605 law enforcement personnel, expanded security around houses of worship, and a public call for vigilance and unity in the wake of anti-Semitic threats.
Judge Blocks Subpoenas In Jerome Powell Investigation
Q: What can you tell us about the suspect's background?
The suspect had no prior criminal history or registered weapons, but DHS records indicated connections to Hezbollah; investigations are examining family ties and possible motives linked to regional conflicts.

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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How many listeners does The Lead get?

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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 Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown
3. The Source with Kaitlan Collins
4. Anderson Cooper 360
5. Erin Burnett OutFront

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched 11 years ago and published 1554 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. Dan Lamothe
2. Sam Altman
3. Miles O'Brien
4. Tom Foreman
5. Mohammed Iqbal Salani
6. Leroy Chao
7. David Becker
8. Jane Harman

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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