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The Lead with Jake Tapper

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1611Founded11 years ago
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News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

In a consequential day at the Supreme Court, President Trump tees up a legislative fight after losing his birthright case which guarantees that children born in the United States are, in fact, United States citizens. Plus, the court ruled that states... more

President Trump brags about his win at the Supreme Court today on federal firings and goes off about the other cases that he lost. We break down the implications of these rulings and what it means for you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod... more

The devastation is getting worse two days after powerful earthquakes in Venezuela and more than 300 aftershocks. Help is on the way, but can it arrive fast enough in a window closing in to find people alive?

Plus, breaking news, the US responds, hit... more

Two strong earthquakes in Venezuela just seconds apart leave the country in shock. The death is regrettably rising as rescuers from around the world are heading to the disaster zone. Plus, from immigration to guns, new major decisions from the United... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Adam Smith
Democratic Congressman, top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Soon: Rubio Heads to Middle East to Meet with Gulf Allies
Robert Malley
Iran nuclear deal negotiator (2015 JCPOA)
Center for Security Policy / Former Obama-era official
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Jonathan Younger
Arcana Labs co-founder and CEO
Arcana Labs
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
David Sanger
The New York Times White House and National Security correspondent
The New York Times
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Greg Jaffe
New York Times Pentagon reporter
The New York Times
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Kevin Liptak
CNN White House correspondent
CNN
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Barbie Nadeau
CNN Global affairs journalist
CNN
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Hanako Montgomery
CNN correspondent in Tokyo
CNN
Episode: Israel, Hezbollah Renew Ceasefire After Conflict Nearly Derailed U.S.-Iran Talks
Nicholas Dockery
Medal of Honor recipient; interview subject
US Army
Episode: White House Defends Iran Agreement Amid Criticism

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 States2 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 States3 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 States8 months ago
  • Free Speech

    Is not a tradition It’s the law

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Che Block
    United States9 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
#191
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#22
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Arab Emirates/News
Apple Podcasts
#105
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#144
Denmark/News
Apple Podcasts
#168
Finland/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
VP JD Vance Joins to Discuss Iran Agreement
Q: Does this deal address Iran's ballistic missile programs or funding of terrorist groups like Hamas or Hezbollah in a concrete way in the MOU?
The host and guest indicate that the MOU is a broad framework, not a detailed, final arrangement, and while the structure requires Iran to meet obligations, specifics on ballistic missiles and proxy funding are not spelled out in the page-and-a-half document and will be worked out in the 60-day negotiations.
Police: Three Adults Killed in San Diego Mosque Shooting
Q: How did the response unfold on the ground, and what role did the security guard play?
The officers arrived quickly, entered the mosque, and reported that a security guard outside helped prevent further harm, which is highlighted as a crucial factor in limiting casualties.

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 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 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. Erin Burnett OutFront
5. CNN Inside Politics

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched 11 years ago and published 1611 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. Adam Smith
2. Robert Malley
3. Jonathan Younger
4. David Sanger
5. Greg Jaffe
6. Kevin Liptak
7. Barbie Nadeau
8. Hanako Montgomery

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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