The Lead with Jake Tapper

Iran backed Houthi forces vow revenge after the U.S. and U.K. strike against them in Yemen. Will President Biden be ready for what may be next? Also, the chief spokesman for the Red Cross joins to discuss the organization's role in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Plus, will snow and subzero temperatures impact turnout for the Iowa caucuses? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Health Organization recently said it cancelled six planned missions to northern Gaza because requests for safe passage were rejected. This as hunger and disease grip Gaza on the 100th day of the war. Also, Donald Trump gets a second chance, being allowed to speak in the closing arguments at his civil fraud trial. We examine what he said and why the judge shut it down. Plus, one day after Hunter Biden’s shock appearance on Capitol Hill, he is back home facing federal charges and the First Lady is now weighing in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis face off in a debate tonight, just five days before the Iowa caucuses. Can either win over the Trump vote or is this a fight for second place? Plus, Hunter Biden shows up unexpectedly on Capitol Hill, crashing a hearing on holding him in contempt of Congress. Also, a judge says not so fast to Donald Trump taking the stand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump has a day in court and his legal team argues that the former president cannot be prosecuted even if his actions were criminal. Plus, with six days before the crucial contest in Iowa, a new CNN poll from another key early primary state shows a candidate gaining ground on the GOP frontrunner. Also, the defense secretary has been treated for prostate cancer. The Pentagon has been pressed on his hospital status and why the president didn't know one of his top cabinet members was in the hospital and couldn't do his job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A crucial week before the caucuses in Iowa and Trump is not there, instead preparing for court. He is falsely calling the January 6th criminals "hostages." This as Michelle Obama says she is “terrified" about what 2024 election results will bring. Plus, a CNN correspondent is embedded with a group migrants trying to get across the U.S. border from Mexico. Also, a missing door found in an Oregon backyard could be the smoking gun in the investigation as to what went wrong on an Alaska Airlines flight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US Supreme Court said Friday it will review the Colorado Supreme Court’s unprecedented decision removing former President Donald Trump from that state’s ballot. This as Trump is back in Iowa expected to speak at a live event ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Plus, a new batch of documents related to convicted dead pedophile Jeffrey Epstein has just been released. Also, subject of TV dramas for years, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who admits she helped in the plot to kill her abusive mother, is fresh out of prison and talking to CNN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 17-year-old gunman killed a sixth grade student and wounded five other people Thursday at Perry High School near Des Moines, Iowa, authorities said. The gunman, who died of a self-inflicted wound, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. Also, we look at key takeaways from the latest trove of unsealed documents from a lawsuit related to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, ISIS is claiming responsibility for the deadly blast in Iran which killed dozens on Wednesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House is lambasting members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet. Specifically, two right-wing extremists whom critics say are calling for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza leaving some in the Biden administration to wonder if Netanyahu will have to choose between Biden and extremists in Netanyahu's government. Plus, in his first CNN interview since becoming House speaker, Mike Johnson joins from the Mexico border to discuss the border crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Claudine Gay is stepping down as the president of Harvard University. Was it the poorly received congressional testimony about antisemitism on campus or the mounting accusations of plagiarism? Plus, a deadly airport runway inferno in Tokyo after two planes collide. Also, a senior leader of Hamas was assassinated in an explosion in Beirut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia launches its biggest air attack on Ukraine, unleashing unprecedented missiles and drones across the country with schools, factories, warehouses, and hospitals hit in one of the largest air assaults of this war. Plus, President Trump has been removed from the 2024 primary ballot again, this time in Maine. We examine how his rivals are responding. Plus, a rogue wave is causing chaos in California and officials say the threat isn't over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a brand-new CNN report revealing how Trump operatives flew fake elector ballots to D.C. in a last-ditch effort to overturn the 2020 election. We bring you those details and audiotapes detailing their plot. Also, Nikki Haley is under scrutiny over controversial comments she made on the campaign trail. Plus, the house where four University of Idaho students were murdered was demolished just hours ago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senior U.S. officials are urging their Mexican counterparts to do a lot more to drive down the number of border encounters. These meetings come as a record number of migrants is overwhelming both sides of the border. Plus, the latest development in another attempt to keep Trump’s name off a state primary ballot next year. Also, a look at why Americans are spending so confidently and yet don’t believe the economy is doing well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A top Israeli official is meeting with the White House over Israel's war over Hamas as the administration asks Israel to scale back the war strategy. Also, a new caravan of thousands of migrants is headed to the U.S. border from southern Mexico one day before Secretary of State Antony Blinken heads to Mexico City in an effort to deal with the crisis. Plus, if you're planning to return an unwanted holiday gift, it may cost you. We'll tell you why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court rejected a request by special counsel Jack Smith to fast-track arguments on whether Trump has any immunity from federal prosecution for alleged crimes he committed while in office. The court did not explain its reasoning and there were no noted dissents. Plus, an unprecedented number of immigrants are coming across the border as Biden makes an urgent call to Mexico to help manage the situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Terrifying scenes in the Czech Republic after a gunman's deadly rampage, killing his father and then targeting a school. What we are learning at this hour about this rare type of attack for Europe. Plus, all eyes are on the U.S. Supreme Court as special counsel Jack Smith pushes back today against team Trump. Will the justices weigh in on whether or not Trump has immunity before Christmas? First, a new low for Rudy Giuliani as he files for bankruptcy today. His list of people he is trying to skip out on paying includes Hunter Biden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Any moment now we are expecting team Trump to appeal the ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that Trump disqualified himself from the 2024 ballot for engaging in an insurrection. A former U.S. attorney general under Trump is here to discuss. Plus, new signs from both Israel and Hamas that a temporary pause might be on the table. Also, the US has reached an agreement to secure the release of six wrongfully detained Americans and four other Americans held in Venezuela. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania joins to discuss border security, his party backing Israel wholeheartedly, and says he's not a Progressive. Also, a volcanic eruption is creating warnings and wonder around the world. Plus, GOP presidential hopefuls blitz Iowa as caucuses near. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House is pushing Israel to adjust its rules of engagement after the IDF accidentally killed three hostages. New gripping accounts emerge from hostages formerly held by Hamas describing their horror while in captivity including dodging airstrikes from Israeli forces. Plus, Jews in America are being targeted again, after more than 200 fake bomb threats and SWAT calls in one week alone. We look at what law enforcement sources are telling CNN about what is being done to track down those responsible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A jury ordered Rudy Giuliani to pay nearly $150 million to two Georgia election workers for the harm caused by defamatory statements he made about them following the 2020 election. Freeman and Moss were awarded more than $16 million each for defamation, $20 million each for emotional distress and $75 million total in punitive damages, stemming from a series of statements Giuliani and others, including former President Donald Trump, made. Plus, an autopsy now shows that Matthew Perry died of “acute effects of ketamine”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN’s Clarissa Warn gains access to southern Gaza to report first-hand on the horrifying reality on the ground as Biden has a new message for the government of Israel. Also, an exclusive CNN investigation into the nation’s largest credit union, Navy Federal, reveals an alarming disparity between White and Black applicants. Plus, deliberations are underway in the defamation lawsuit against Rudy Giuliani as several Georgia election workers seek $48 million in damages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal judge has just paused Donald Trump’s 2020 election interference case which could lead to his March 2024 trial being delayed. Plus, the White House is working to square Biden’s “indiscriminate bombing” comment with claim that Israel is trying to limit civilian causalities. This as political appointees and Biden administration staffers are expected to hold a vigil in front of the White House on Wednesday to call on President Joe Biden to support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Capitol Hill with lawmakers and at the White House to request aid and make the case that his country is fighting a losing battle with Russia. Plus, Present Biden privately tells supporters that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to change his strategy and his plans for Gaza and that Netanyahu himself needs to change. Will Biden's comments impact the relationship with Israel? The Lead is live from Des Moines, Iowa, ahead of a major event for the 2024 race. CNN moderates a town hall tonight with Governor Ron DeSantis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the very first time, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide if Donald Trump can be prosecuted for the things he did as president. Plus, as the humanitarian catastrophe worsens, critical aid into Gaza is delayed at one crossing and completely cut off at another. What is being done by President Biden and others to alleviate the suffering? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Essentially trapped in Gaza, what do some Palestinians really think of Hamas and the conflict? Plus, the state of Texas is pushing back on a court order that allowed a woman to terminate a high-risk pregnancy. The case challenges one of the strictest abortion bans in the nation. Also, Hunter Biden speaks out on Republicans who want to tie his legal problems to his father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liz Cheney joins to talk about Tump, Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker Mike Johnston, and her fears for what the U.S. might look like in 2025. Plus, a look at the threats to public officials, lawmakers, and election workers. Who is making them, why, and what can be done? Also, Trump is in court today as GOP rivals campaign in New Hampshire and Iowa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three people were killed and one person is in critical condition after a shooting on the UNLV campus, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said Wednesday. The suspect was also killed, police said. Plus, in a vote that is happening now, Senate Republicans are threatening to block funding for Israel and Ukraine. Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware joins discuss what’s in the aid package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New warnings of an apocalyptic situation in Gazza as Israel takes deadly aim at Hamas. Plus, Chairman of the Intelligence Committee Sen. Mark Warner joins to discuss the GOP being willing to block Ukraine and Israel aid if border funding is not included. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is now claiming President Biden, not himself, is a threat to American democracy. This as there is six weeks left until the Iowa caucuses. Plus, Israel is expanding its war, targeting Hamas in all of Gaza, even in the south where Israel first told Palestinians to flee for safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, regrettably, is over and the White House is blaming Hamas. Now, Israeli strikes resume in Gaza while Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing new criticism and tough questions about warnings his government received and dismissed as recently as last summer about impending Hamas attacks. Also, the locks have been changed on George Santos's office already, just hours after the historic vote expelling him from Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is back in Israel trying to stop the war from restarting. Can he help secure the release of the eight Americans still being held hostage by Hamas before bombs start dropping again? Plus, one of the innocent Palestinian college students in Vermont describes the moment the gunman came after him and his friends. His family says this crime was motivated by bigotry. So, why no hate crime charges? Plus, a gag order has just been reinstated on Donald Trump who keeps personally attacking the judge and his clerk in the civil fraud trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the truce expiration looms, Israel says a new group of hostages has been freed including an American citizen. Some of the hostages’ families sit down with Jake for an exclusive interview. This as Qatar says 30 Palestinians, 16 minors and 14 women, are being released Wednesday in exchange for the release of hostages in Gaza. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Officials say thirty more Palestinians were freed from Israeli prisons as 12 more hostages were freed from Hamas, but not two American women. What happened to the deal cut last week that was thought to have included them? Plus, a CNN exclusive with the father of Emily Hand, the 9-year-old kidnapped by Hamas. Also, former Republican Congressman Liz Cheney is naming names and shares what fellow Republicans would tell her secretly behind closed doors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After more than 50 days of being held captive by Hamas, 11 more hostages are freed tonight after Israel and Hamas agree to pause fighting for a few more days, leading to more hostage releases to come. Plus, a look at the Palestinian prisoners who Israel is letting go and the two-tiered justice system for many of them that led to so many being held without trial in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's show was preempted by CNN's continuing live coverage of the Middle East hostage release. If you haven’t already, please check out CNN’s other podcasts and showcasts at cnn.com/audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today's show begins, the FBI is investigating a car explosion at the US-Canadian border near Niagara Falls. Two people in the car died. This happened just a few hours ago at the Rainbow Bridge connecting New York and Canada. According to law enforcement services, the car accelerated in the US side, went airborne, and crashed and exploded near a checkpoint. In response, authorities shut down all four land-border crossings between the US and Canada near Niagara Falls. Our coverage begins with CNN's Brynn Gingras. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As today show begins we're awaiting word on a deal to release some of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas. The full Israeli cabinet is meeting to give what is believed to be a final approval of the deal. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously asked them to support the deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Donald Trump pushes back on a federal judge who put limits on what the former president can say and where he can say it. We take you inside the courtroom and explain why today's hearing matters so much. Plus: Big news for the White House today about the fate of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas and the negotiations to get them released. And: Hundreds of employees at tech giant OpenAI threaten to quit over the firing of their founder and face of the company, Sam Altman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The remains of a hostage are found inside Gaza making it the second such discovery this week as Israeli forces comb areas around the Al-Shifa hospital and uncover evidence of a hidden terrorist operation run by Hamas. Plus, in the 2024 race, age is still a problem, perhaps a bigger problem, for President Biden, as voters in a key primary state weigh in on a brand-new CNN poll. Also, a Republican who says he was also once given some unwanted hostile physical attention from then Speaker Kevin McCarthy, joins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The special counsel investigating hunter Biden is now using a Los Angeles grand jury as part of the investigation into the business dealings of President Biden's son. Plus, inside the scathing House Ethics Committee report on Rep. George Santos which reviews the alleged trips he bought and the campaign money he used to buy Botox and settle his own credit card debt. Also, new video shows a tunnel shaft at Gaza hospital complex. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A hospital in Gaza is now a military scene where Israel and the U.S. say Hamas is hiding a command center. But, what is the goal of this specific operation? Also, Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie joins to comment on Nikki Haley suggesting she might pardon Donald Trump. Plus, Hunter Biden wants to subpoena Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Biden just arrived in San Francisco preparing for his first meetings ahead of his one-on-one tomorrow with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Plus, a defining vote for the new House speaker, but does he have bigger problems as GOP colleagues are physically throwing blows? House Republican Rep. John James of Michigan joins to talk about the chaos in his conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is on a 2024 campaign of vengeance and vile remarks vowing to root out his political opponents and leveling everyone against him as vermin while making some extreme plans to round up every undocumented immigrant and put them in camps. Plus, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen joins to discuss Donald Trump Jr. finishing up his testimony in the New York civil fraud trial. Also, our correspondents on the ground provide the latest updates on the Isreal-Hamas war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A global outcry sounds over the civilian deaths in Gaza. America’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said far too many Palestinians have been killed. This as we learn about warnings from other American envoys in Arab countries. Plus, sources are telling CNN the FBI has seized the phones of New York City Mayor Eric Adams as an investigation heats up into possible illegal campaign contributions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin says he won’t seek re-eleciton, but will he run for higher office? Plus, a plumber, a maid, and even a chauffeur may be among the names of people who may be a witness in the criminal case against former President Trump. Also, Kevin McCarthy sits down for an exclusive interview with CNN one month after his fall as speaker of the House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Democracy won and MAGA lost” according to President Biden after big wins for Democrats including Ohio voters approving a constitutional right to an abortion and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear winning reelection. Plus, for the very first time in American history, the daughter of a former president of the United States has been forced to testify as a witness in a case against her father. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight’s The Lead showcast has been pre-empted by breaking news coverage of election day in America. For recent news updates, be sure to visit CNN’s ‘5 Things’ at: edition.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-Things Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A historic and contentious day in court court has just come to a close after Donald Trump spent the day on the stand in New York repeatedly clashing with the judge, the very person who will decide how much the Trumps must pay after having been found liable for fraud. Plus, the Palestinian Ministry of Health says more than 10,000 deaths have taken place in Gaza since Israeli launched its military offensive nearly a month ago. For information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN’s podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel’ here: https://link.chtbl.com/-lB8n-bJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Israel has just claimed responsibility for an attack outside a hospital in Gaza City. Footage shows multiple people dead and injured people on the ground near the Al Shifa Hospital which is Gaza’s largest medical facility. Also, the military leader of Hezbollah spoke on Friday to warn that clashes at the Israel-Lebanon border have a possibility of escalating into a broader Middle East conflict. For information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN’s podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel’ here: https://link.chtbl.com/-lB8n-bJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight’s The Lead showcast has been pre-empted by breaking news coverage of the Isreal-Hamas war. For recent news updates, be sure to visit CNN’s ‘5 Things’ at: edition.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/5-Things Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Israel ramps up its bombardment, innocent civilians are finally being allowed to leave war-ravaged Gaza. An Egyptian official tells CNN that 361 foreign nationals left Gaza and entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing today. CNN speaks with the family of an American who got out of Gaza about what it was like visibly seeing her family member leaving Gaza. For daily information on the Israel-Gaza conflict, check out CNN’s podcast ‘Tug of War: Attack on Israel’ here: https://link.chtbl.com/-lB8n-bJ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices