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The Lead with Jake Tapper

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1567Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

A defiant Jerome Powell vows to stay as a Federal Reserve board member once his term as chairman ends next month. Plus, the decision from the Supreme Court that critics say chips away at the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act.

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For the second time in world history, a British monarch, King Charles III, went to Capitol Hill and addressed Congress. Topics ranged from climate change to NATO to the United Nations. Plus, former FBI  Director James Comey is indicted for the second... more

Britain's King Charles III met with Trump at the White House amid fraying United States and United Kingdom relations due to the Iran war. We bring you all the latest updates and planned events surrounding the monarch’s four-day state visit.

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A United States delegation is heading to Pakistan. But, will they get to meet face-to-face with a top Iranian official who is already there? Plus, a report alleges more Epstein crimes after Virginia Guiffre tried to sound the alarm.

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Philip Rieker
Charge d'affaires, US Embassy London (as referenced on UK side)
UK Embassy
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Sally Bedell-Smith
CNN royal commentator
CNN
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
James Roscoe
Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Washington, DC
British Embassy
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Ken Law
CNN military/defense correspondent (outside Torrance)
CNN
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Brendan Boyle
Democratic Congressman, Pennsylvania
U.S. Congress
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Yvette Cooper
British Foreign Secretary
UK Government
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
Esme Morgan
England Women's National Football Team player
Washington Spirit/England Team
Episode: King Charles Begins High-Stakes Diplomatic Visit to U.S.
George Erison
Grindr CEO
Grindr
Episode: Report: Warnings About Epstein Abuse Went Unheeded by UK Police
Amanda Roberts
Virginia Guiffre's sister-in-law
Roberts family
Episode: Report: Warnings About Epstein Abuse Went Unheeded by UK Police

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
  • 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 Statesa month 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 States6 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 States8 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 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
#202
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#98
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#119
Philippines/News
Apple Podcasts
#130
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#138
Chile/News
Apple Podcasts
#155
Sweden/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Step Down as Labor Secretary
Q: What is the status of the Iran ceasefire and potential talks with Iran?
Officials describe a fluid situation with high-level diplomacy ongoing; there is cautious optimism that talks could resume, but key participants have not confirmed concrete plans, and timelines remain uncertain.
U.S.-Iran Ceasefire on Shaky Ground Amid Continued Attacks
Q: What does the ceasefire say about Iran's nuclear enrichment and the status of the Strait of Hormuz?
The hosts highlight that the 10-point plan is unclear in writing, with ongoing questions about whether the ceasefire covers Iran's nuclear enrichment and how the Strait of Hormuz will be managed, indicating uncertainty and ongoing diplomacy.
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.

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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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. CNN Inside Politics
5. Erin Burnett OutFront

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched 11 years ago and published 1567 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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. Philip Rieker
2. Sally Bedell-Smith
3. James Roscoe
4. Ken Law
5. Brendan Boyle
6. Yvette Cooper
7. Esme Morgan
8. George Erison

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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