The Lead with Jake Tapper

Democratic Senators hash it out behind closed doors to determine what their response will be to growing concerns over Biden’s presidential bid. With President Biden’s big NATO speech just minutes away, we look at what his message might be and what it might need to be. Also, Donald Trump returns to the campaign trail, pushing a watered down platform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A shouting match erupted inside the White House briefing room today as the press secretary faced blistering questions over President Biden’s health. This as Biden hits back at critics in a letter to congressional Democrats. Plus, from the Texas coast to major cities, Hurricane Beryl roars ashore and now millions are without power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden rallies supporters in a key battleground state promising he is in this race for the long haul. Is that enough to calm the growing number of Democrats who want Biden off the ticket? Plus, a conservative plan lays out sweeping plans for a second Trump term. But, Trump now says he doesn’t even like some of it. What’s going on? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As concerns over Biden’s reelection bid grow, Biden told Democratic governors during a meeting at the White House on Wednesday that part of his plan going forward is to stop scheduling events after 8 p.m. so that he can get more sleep, according to several sources. Plus, we take you inside the elections in England, including who looks to be the next UK prime minister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden speaks at an event at the White House as numerous Democrats officials are expressing panic and many are starting saying out loud that if Biden stays on the ticket, the ticket will lose and bring many Democrats down with it. This as Biden says he is “absolutely not” considering stepping down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down the details on the first congressional Democrat to speak out on the record that President Biden should drop out of the 2024 race. This as several Democratic governors push for a meeting with the president to discuss the 2024 election. Plus, the sentencing for Donald Trump in the New York hush money cover up case has now been delayed by months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a huge decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump has limited immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts he took as president including possibly some efforts he took to overturn the election. We break down what this means for pending cases against the former president. Plus, Democrats in Washington D.C. and across the country are panicking over whether they can continue with Biden as the nominee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We provide the latest post-debate analysis after former President Trump and President Biden debated on CNN last night. Our panel discusses reports of White House staff feeling deflated after the debates and what the next steps for Democrats in the 2024 election could be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Continuing the countdown to the CNN Presidential Debate. Wolf Blitzer and Kaitlan Collins anchor with a panel of CNN experts, including: Nia Malika Henderson, Jonah Goldberg, Phil Mattingly, Jamie Gangel Manu Raju, Shermichael Singleton, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Ashley Allison, and Bakari Sellers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Counting down to the CNN Presidential Debate. Wolf Blitzer and Kaitlan Collins anchor with a panel of CNN experts, including: Nia Malika Henderson, Jonah Goldberg, Phil Mattingly, Jamie Gangel Manu Raju, Shermichael Singleton, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Ashley Allison, and Bakari Sellers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We bring you details on the final preparations which are underway for tomorrow’s historic presidential debate on CNN. Plus, a look at the rules and format for tomorrow’s Trump-Biden debate. Also, we analyze possible strategies and talking points the candidate may utilize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We cover Thursday’s CNN presidential debate from all angles, including the topics the Trump team wants to focus on and how team Biden could respond. Also, Wikileaks founder Julian Assange is set to plead guilty after leaking thousands of classified documents. Plus, protestors in Kenya storm the parliament building then set it on fire amid outrage over a new finance bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look at what supporters are saying candidates should do in the presidential debates which will be held on CNN, Thursday of this week. Plus, it’s been two years since the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, setting off fights in states over reproductive rights. We take a closer look at what has happened across the country since Roe has fell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The situation has been contained after 2 people have been killed and 8 wounded in a mass shooting at an Arkansas grocery store. The shooter has been critically injured and taken into custody. Plus, with 6 days until CNN’s presidential debate, Trump outraises Biden for second straight month by tens of millions of dollars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are days away from a debate between Trump and Biden, kicking off a critical stretch of the presidential race. This as the Supreme Court is ready to rule on presidential immunity and more. Plus, a ship from the Philippines gets sandwiched by the Chinese coastguard resulting in several service members being injured. We break down the details of the event and implications for countries in the West. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is this incredibly hot weather the new normal? At least 27 large wildfires are burning out west, fueled by insanely high temperatures. 70 million Americans from Indiana to Maine are under an alert from that same heat. Plus, Vladimir Putin says he and Kim Jong Un have taken their relationship to a new level. We examine what they are promising each other and what that might mean for the free world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another loss in court today for Donald Trump after New York’s highest court has declined to hear Trump’s appeal on a gag order in his hush money case. Plus, Sen. Bernie Sanders joins live to discuss what he wants to hear from pharmaceutical companies about the high cost of Ozempic, a medication for weight loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Biden campaign is dropping $50 million on new television ads in battleground states ahead of the presidential election. This as we are 10 days away from the first presidential debate which will air on CNN. Plus, dozens of wildfires burn thousands of acres across California. What is the rest of the summer going to be like? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New information from Catherine, Princess of Wales, who says she’s making good progress against her cancer. Plus, the Supreme Court weighs in on several cases today, but not the January 6th immunity case. Also, with 144 days until the presidential election, House and Senate Republicans unite in support of Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Nancy Pelosi to Taylor Swift, Donald Trump was on a tear behind closed doors meetings with House and Senate Republicans. We bring you direct quotes from Republicans inside those rooms. Plus, Trump’s face-to-face with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, his very first since the 2020 election. Also, new accusations facing Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from a Senate Democrat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A Republican-led House vote is underway to impeach Attorney General Merrick Garland after he refuses to hand over audio of President Biden’s interview with the special counsel. Plus, a hate crime task force is launched to investigate repeated acts of antisemitism and vandalism in New York City. We explore some of the acts under investigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the first time in the history of the United States, the child of a sitting president is a convicted felon. Hunter Biden has been found guilty on all charges on his federal gun trial. Will Hunter Biden head to prison and, if so, for how long? Plus, alleged leaked messages from the leader of Hamas reveal that he thinks Hamas is benefiting from the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A doctor who treated the recent four Israeli hostages rescued in Gaza says the hostages were beaten and were malnourished. New footage of the operation is just in as we learn new details about the mission and the dozens of Palestinians killed in the process. Plus, Donald Trump meets with a probation officer. Also, closing arguments are now done and the jury now has the case in the Hunter Biden federal gun trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Starkly different messages from two starkly different men as President Biden warns about the state of democracy around the world and Trump vows for revenge. Plus, a dramatic turn in the Hunter Biden federal gun trail. Also, a look at the judge overseeing Trump’s classified documents trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel says it targeted a Hamas compound operating inside the school. Also, world leaders take the stage, marking 80 years since D-Day but it is the current conflicts that are top of mind. Plus, Steve Bannon is ordered to report to prison by July 1st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dirty laundry is aired in court during Hunter Biden’s federal gun trial as his ex-wife and ex-girlfriend took the stand. We look at how testimony involving a crack pipe is being used to build the prosecution’s case. Plus, massive news in Donald Trump’s federal classified documents case as the judge delays hearings. The judge is also allowing more voices to weigh in on whether special counsel Jack Smith should have the case in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brand new rules at the U.S. border as the president clamps down on how many people can seek asylum. But, why now? Numbers on border crossings are down, but so are the numbers on President Biden’s polling on immigration. Plus, another state is charging Trump allies with crimes related to a 2020 fake electors scheme. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The question of the moment for the Trump campaign is if they should try to move the former president’s sentencing date in New York. The GOP convention begins July 15th in Milwaukee and sentencing begins July 11th. Plus, Anthony Fauci is back on Capitol Hill facing questions and some attacks about the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

34 convictions, but what happens next? Donald Trump takes to the mic, airing familiar grievances and railing against the historic guilty verdicts in the hush money cover up case. We’ll tell you what the Trump team’s plan is moving forward. Plus, Sen. Rick Scott from Florida who is running to replace Mitch McConnell as the Senate GOP leader joins to discuss the verdict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The historic verdict is in: Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States, has been found guilty by a jury of his peers on all 34 New York State felony counts of falsifying business records tied to the alleged Stormy Daniels hush money cover up. The former president of the United States is now a felon. We bring you all the latest in this historic verdict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has been found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. A former juror from another high-profile case joins to discuss what likely happened behind the closed doors today. We bring you all the latest in this historic verdict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In just over four hours of deliberations, the jury in the New York hush money cover up trial is asking to hear read back of four parts of testimony. We bring you all the latest in the trial as twelve jurors will decide the fate of former President Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump’s New York hush money cover up trial is in its final phase as the prosecution is in the midst of giving its closing arguments. The prosecution argued that Trump corrupted those around him and that he got them to lie and cover it up. This follows nearly three hours of closing arguments from Trump’s defense attorney who attacked one of the prosecution’s witnesses, Michael Cohen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are less than 24 hours away from the defense and the prosecution making their final pitches to the jury in Donald Trump’s New York hush money cover up trail. How strong is the prosecution’s case going into this final phase? A panel of experts including a former New York judge join to discuss. Plus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is claiming a military strike on Rafah was a tragic mistake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Millions of Americans put aside conceptions of the economy as record travel starts the summer season off with a bang. Can President Biden capitalize off of this sentiment as the 2024 election creeps closer? Plus, a horror story in Haiti after an American couple serving as missionaries are killed by gangs. Also, the future of law enforcement, drones in danger zones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the Empire State, which no Republican presidential candidate has won in over 40 years, Donald Trump is setting his sights on New York and is trying to set inroads with Black and Hispanic voters. What does this political move say about the political moment we are in? Plus, Chinese fighter jets and warships encircle Taiwan. The Chinese government is insisting this is only a test. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The New York hush money cover up trial is quiet today but another case involving Trump is turning into a shouting match. Attorneys traded barbs in the federal classified documents case in Florida. This as Trump’s co-defendant accuses prosecutors of selectively and vindictively charging him with a crime. Plus, new footage shows the very moment three Israeli women were kidnapped by Hamas. This as Norway, Ireland, and Spain will recognize a Palestinian state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The defense rested in Donald Trump’s hush money cover up trail in New York. The jury is expected to begin deliberations next week in what will be no doubt a historic ruling in the very first criminal trial of a former president. Plus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu joins live from Jerusalem a day after the decision by the International Criminal Court to seek an arrest warrant for both leaders in Hamas and also leaders in Israel, including Netanyahu himself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The prosecution has rested its case in the New York hush money cover up trial and now it’s Donald Trump’s turn. His defense team has called a witness, Robert Costello, an attorney who at one point advised Michael Cohen. Costello has claimed Cohen has lied about him under oath during this trial. Star witness Michael Cohen admitted that he stole from the Trump Organization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shocking new video backs up allegations of domestic violence perpetrated by Sean “Diddy” Combs. The damning new video obtained exclusively by CNN shows clearly a violent assault. The video shows him throwing his ex-girlfriend to the ground, dragging her, and kicking her. This was in 2016. Why are we only seeing this tape now? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If Donald Trump is acquitted in his hush money cover up trial, the history books could point to today’s testimony from Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer. Trump’s defense attorney Todd Blanche laid out Cohen’s past lies under oath and then introduced evidence claiming that Cohen has lied in this trial. Cohen’s cross-examination is set to resume next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden and former President Trump have put into writing that they will face off in two 2024 presidential debates. The first debate will occur in just weeks on CNN. The political jabs are already flying. Plus, a look at the charges that could soon be on the way for Boeing, one of the biggest plane manufacturers in the world, after the investigation of deadly crashes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the New York hush money cover up trial, Michael Cohen is facing incredibly aggressive cross-examination. Trump attorney Todd Blanche has gotten Cohen to confirm that he wants to see Trump convicted in this case and that he makes money off of his anti-Trump social media posts. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson is the latest and most senior Republican official to defend Donald Trump outside of the courthouse. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The witness at the center of the case, Michael Cohen, is testifying in New York for the hush money cover up trial. He is detailing how he came to pay $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels who came forward about an alleged episode with Donald Trump in the days leading up to the 2016 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The next star witness in line to testify in the New York hush money cover up case is Donald Trump’s former lawyer known as the fixer. What is the impact of this trial on Trump himself? Former Trump White House aide Anthony Scaramucci joins to share his perspective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several witnesses including Stormy Daniels testified today in the New York hush money cover up trial. Jake walks you through what he saw while observing the courtroom proceedings today. At the end of the day, the proceedings heated back up as Trump’s attorneys argued, out of the presence of the jury, for a mistrial and to lift Trump from the gag order from speaking about Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan denied both motions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the New York hush money cover up case, CNN is learning of a new legal strategy by Trump’s legal team in direct response to testimony from adult film star Stormy Daniels who returns to the stand tomorrow morning. Plus, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is acknowledging a worm ate part of his brain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel is vowing to continue its operations in Gaza until Hamas is eliminated or another hostage is returned while Hamas has its own response. Plus, President Biden is condemning the alarming rise in anti-semitism in the United States. Also, Stormy Daniels is on the stand in the New York hush money cover up case, going into detail about her alleged rendezvous with Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A stern warning for Donald Trump today from the bench, keep violating your gag order in your hush money cover up case and you may well end up in jail. Judge Juan Merchan that Trump violated that gag order for the tenth time. He fined Trump $1,000, which is the maximum penalty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today one of Donald Trump’s most loyal aides and the first former Trump White House employee to testify took the stand in the hush money cover up trial. Hope Hicks acknowledged to the jury that she was nervous to testify at times and she did in one instance cry on the stand leading to a brief delay in the trial. She testified about the campaign’s panic behind the scenes when they learned of the now infamous Access Hollywood tape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices