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 forefront.
Latest episodes
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1 h 32
Nearly 30 Million Ballots Cast in Midterm Elections So Far
President Trump is attaching a cash prize to stop, what he claims without evidence, is widespread vote fraud. Plus, the Justice Department is trying to convince a California court…
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1 h 29
Trump Admin Sues Alaska to Block Certification if the GOP Loses
More than 23 million Americans have already cast their ballots with only 11 days left until Election Day and the Trump administration is trying to sow some doubt in the integrity o…
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1 h 30
Trump & Vance Back Ramaswamy Ad While Other Republicans Stay Away
President Trump finds himself compelled to head to ruby red Iowa with only 12 days left until the midterms despite having won the state by 13 percentage points in the last election…
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1 h 32
Ramaswamy Stands by Ad Featuring Rivals Mom, Despite Backlash
The New Mexico attorney general files a civil lawsuit against two Epstein advisers. Plus, more than 15 million Americans cast ballots during early voting. Learn more about your ad…
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1 h 29
Michigan Senate Candidates Take Questions on Their Economic Ideas
More than 10 million American voters have already cast their ballots in the midterm elections with in-person early voting starting today in some states. Plus, CNN goes inside a vot…
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1 h 30
2,000+ Arrested After Protests Turn Into Deadly Rioting
President Trump is in yet another red state where he is trying to save a Republican seat. Plus, parts of France are under curfew this evening after protests spread into country-wid…
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1 h 42
Officials Give Update on Oregon School Shooting
Police in Bend, Oregon provide an update on Thursday’s deadly mass shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School. So many questions remain unanswered as the Bend community grapples wit…
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1 h 41
House Dems Ask Kimberly Guilfoyle for Records Related to Alleged Pay-to-Play Scheme
With 19 days until midterm elections, CNN is tracking the key races that could shift control of congress to Democrats. Plus, ranking member of the House Oversight Committee Rep. Ro…
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1 h 30
Trump Holds Rallies as Inflation Rises Ahead of Midterms
Only 20 days left until polls close in the 2026 midterm elections and President Trump is headlining a campaign rally in the swing state of Arizona. Plus, CNN is live in Texas ahead…
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1 h 30
“Brutal”: WH Officials Pan Katie Zacharia’s First Press Briefing
The Vatican has confirmed Pope Leo XIV had a cancerous growth in his lung. CNN brings the latest updates on his health condition. Plus, CNN’s John King visits North Carolina to ask…
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1 h 30
Trump Weighing Whether to Help Saudis Respond to Deadly Strikes
An early morning raid on the DC home of Rep. Ilhan Omar. Plus, a brand new investigation at the State Department into Kimberly Guilfoyle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit po…
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1 h 31
Gulf Coast Bracing for Life-Threatening Storm Surge, Strong Winds
A brand new forecast for Hurricane Isaias. The National Hurricane Center warns conditions are rapidly deteriorating along the northern Gulf Coast. In just a few hours, Hurricane Is…
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1 h 30
New Polls, Debates Give Democrats Hope with 26 Days Until Midterms
With 26 days left until the midterm elections, CNN looks at three key races for Senate and what voters are revealing about the candidates in two of those races. Plus, oil companies…
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1 h 30
Trump Admin Presses Russia for Information as it Struggles to Plan for Potential Plague Fallout
President Trump says he has a call with Vladimir Putin about the plague after a lab worker’s death. Should the public be worried? Plus, CNN is on board the troubled aircraft carrie…
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1 h 30
Top Intel Democrats Push DNI for Transparency on Election Security
The nation is four weeks away from midterm Election Day. Plus, a new audio recording surfaces in the alleged gang rape case at Cornell University. Also, unprecedented student prote…
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1 h 25
Dozens Quarantined After Researcher at Russian Plague Laboratory Dies of “Unknown” Infection
The world wants to know what happened inside the Russian research laboratory. Plus, breaking news at Cornell University, a new audio recording emerges of the suspects involved in a…
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1 h 29
Cornell Students Call for Transparency, Accountability from University
The alleged gang rape at Cornell University is now in the hands of a special prosecutor as we learn of a ketamine overdose and a drug-related arrest just one day before the alleged…
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1 h 29
Cornell Gang Rape Allegation Puts Focus on Campus Sexual Assault
Alabama reaches a landmark deal with TikTok over claims the app harmed children and teens. Plus, a public hearing in Ithaca, New York, home to Cornell University, where many are vo…
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1 h 30
CNN Obtains Jane Doe’s 2024 Statement to Cornell Police
CNN has now obtained the six page signed statement from the woman known publicly as Jane Doe laying out exactly what she told university police back in 2024. Plus, new fallout over…
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1 h 30
Trump: A.I. Industry Will “Self-Police” as Rogue Agents Persist
How text messages about a basketball game lead to an embarrassing moment from one senator on Capitol Hill as he tried to accuse former special counsel Jack Smith of perjury. Plus,…