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The Lead with Jake Tapper
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.
One of the richest men in the world took questions today about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This as the New York Times is revealing a freakout at the White House about Epstein as they tried to contain the fallout. Plus, a look at the recent drops in the stock market.
Jun 10, 2026
Trump says Iran shot down a United States Army Apache helicopter and says the United States must respond. Is this the start of yet another major escalation? CNN is live at the White House and Iran.
Jun 10, 2026
Israel and Iran are suspending military operations against each other after a wave of strikes exchanged overnight. Plus, a look at the upcoming election in Maine.
Jun 9, 2026
A shakeup is coming to some of the nation’s biggest spy agencies and the man doing the firing will be Bill Pulte, a controversial Trump loyalist that the president wants to be acting director of national intelligence despite having no intel or national security experience.
Jun 6, 2026
The transcript is out revealing exactly what Pam Bondi told lawmakers about the Epstein files and how she passed the buck to the man President Trump wants to succeed her. Plus, CNN traces the source of the latest ebola outbreak.
Jun 5, 2026
CBS fires journalist Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes and there’s continued disagreement about what occurred. Plus, is powering the artificial intelligence boom coming at the expense of local communities?
Jun 3, 2026
From a role in housing to the acting director of national intelligence, reactions pour in about Trump selecting a loyalist with no demonstrated national security or intelligence experience.
Jun 3, 2026
The Trump administration now says it will abide by a court ruling to pause the creation of a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate those who the administration says were wrongly targeted by the government. The pause was ordered by a federal judge in Virginia last week.
Jun 2, 2026
Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her role in the release of the Epstein files in a closed door interview. A look at what she in the room about Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, President Trump says he is near a final decision on Iran.
May 30, 2026
A series of strikes from the United States and Iran as a tentative agreement emerges to open the Strait of Hormuz and start nuclear talks, according to US officials. Plus, protestors gather outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey for the seventh day in row while lawyers say inside detainees are on a hunger strike over the conditions they’re enduring.
May 29, 2026