The Lead with Jake Tapper

President Biden speaks at the White House after the Israeli security cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon. We examine what this could mean for the region and a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Plus, President-elect Trump vows new tariffs on his first day in office. Business owners warn the costs will be passed down to consumers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Special counsel Jack Smith drops two major cases against Donald Trump. We examine what this means for Trump and Jack Smith. Plus, what sources say about an internal investigation outing a character trying to make money off of his connection to Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former senator and WNBA team owner Kelly Loeffler is expected to be the next name in the Trump administration. Plus, Matt Gaetz is officially out of two jobs after announcing he will not return to Congress and withdrawing his name for consideration for attorney general. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former congressman Matt Gaetz will not be the next United States attorney general amid serious questions about statutory rape and other sexual misconduct allegations. The former congressman withdrew his name from President-elect Trump’s nomination process this afternoon. Plus, Donald Trump’s pick for education secretary is being sued for allegedly enabling the sexual abuse of children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House Ethics Committee spent hours behind closed doors and came out with no agreement on what to do about the report on Matt Gaetz. The fate of the committee investigation into allegations of sexual impropriety and statutory rape remain in limbo. Plus, for the first time in Russia’s war with Ukraine the U.S. fully closed its embassy in Kyiv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect selects Mehmet Oz for a top health role. Plus, a deadly stabbing spree in New York City. Also, Trump was joined by Elon Musk for a SpaceX test flight of the most powerful launch vehicle ever built. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president-elect is all in on Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, according to a source. But, what about that alleged sexual encounter with a 17-year-old girl which Gaetz denies? Today, some unbelievable details emerged in a related civil lawsuit while members of the House Ethics Committee debate whether they will make their report about the former congressman public. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump tries to fill out the front lines of his incoming administration and named a communications director, an interior secretary, a personnel director, and pushed to fire FBI director Christopher Wray. Plus, House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks out after originally saying it would be inappropriate for him to weigh in on whether the House Ethics Committee should release its investigation of Matt Gaetz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to several people close to the situation, Donald Trump is on the verge of announcing RFK Jr. as his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. A devout skeptic of childhood vaccines, RFK Jr. endorsed Trump since he suspended his own presidential campaign in August and has been advising Trump’s transition team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump just announced on Truth Social that he is picking Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz of Florida to be the new United States attorney general. Gaetz is currently facing a House Committee on Ethics investigation over whether he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, accepted improper gifts, dispensed special privileges and favors to individuals with whom he had a personal relationship, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It has been one week since president-elect Trump’s historic win and his team is announcing new names for his incoming administration. One senator who pulled his name out of consideration for one of the biggest jobs joins to discuss. Plus, another outbreak of antisemitic violence in Amsterdam occurs and now police in France are on guard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump’s wants some of his latest picks for his brand new administration to be put in their jobs without congressional approval in recess appointments. Also, a split ticket truth, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is asking why people would vote for her and also Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The celebratory calls pour into Mar-a-Lago from leaders around the world, but one president found himself not only on the phone with Donald Trump but also Elon Musk. Plus, federal prosecutors announce charges in a thwarted plot to kill Donald Trump allegedly plotted by Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump is putting the pieces in place for his second term and his allies around him float names of who could be in the next Trump administration. Plus, a look at what President Joe Biden told Trump on the phone after the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris spoke to supporters at Howard University after conceding the presidential race to Donald Trump. Four states are left to project: Arizona, Maine, Nevada, and Alaska. Michigan was called for Donald Trump giving him a full sweep of the blue wall states. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All across the United States, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, Michigan to Georgia, and battlegrounds in between, the final hours are underway in one of the closest and most consequential presidential races ever. With the time to choose upon us, we bring you all the latest in this historic election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are in the final hours of this historic presidential campaign season. Nearly 79 million voters have already cast their ballots through mail or through early person voting. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are closing out their campaigns with sharply contrasting messages. Our panel of analysts break down what to expect tomorrow on Election Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris is in battleground Wisconsin as her campaign says it fully suspects Donald Trump to fully declare victory before all the votes are in. Plus, former President Trump is in Michigan one day after he called Liz Cheney a war hawk who should have guns trained at her face to see how it feels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The final stretch of the election arrives as presidential transition starts to enter view with new hints today about who might be in a Trump administration and who is already out. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris is calling out Donald Trump for saying he would protect women whether the women would like it or not. Can she galvanize voters on that message? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is taking advantage of President Biden’s gaffe in which he seemingly referred to Trump supporters as garbage. Biden denies that’s what he meant but now Kamala Harris is trying to distance herself from the remark if not the president. Plus, the Supreme Court allows a battleground state to remove folks from their voter rolls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a scene described as utterly catastrophic, an Israeli airstrike hits a multistory building in Gaza and nearly 100 people are killed. CNN is in the region with the aftermath. Plus, we are just one week away from the election and Gov. Roy Cooper of North Carolina joins to weigh in on Harris’ chances of winning in that swing state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New fallout after Trump’s weekend rally where a comedian called Puerto Rico a floating island of garbage. Do undecided voters care? Plus, a new lawsuit is asking if artificial intelligence is to blame for a 14-year-old’s suicide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell call out Kamala Harris saying that it is her rhetoric that is flaming the flames of political animus. We analyze these remarks. Plus, in a stunning proposal, a Republican leader in a battleground state reportedly wants to do away with election process all together and anoint Trump that states’ electoral votes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Under the backdrop of many, many threats, election workers are getting ready to count votes as election lies take hold. Plus, we are awaiting if the Melendez brothers get a chance to have their life sentences reconsidered. Also, there are only 13 days until Election Day and the race is getting even more heated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris is calling out Donald Trump after he reportedly dismissed a fallen army soldier as a “f***ing Mexican” not worth the $60,000 burial. Plus, we are counting down to the CNN presidential town hall with Kamala Harris tonight. Also, a look at the humanitarian crisis overwhelming Sudan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch is under arrest and in court today on charges of sex trafficking. Plus, Rudy Giuliani is now facing the consequences of his actions around the 2020 election. A judge has now ordered the Trump ally to hand over all of his valuable possessions to two election workers whom he defamed. Also, we are two weeks away from Election Day and both candidates are making their pitch to undecided Latino voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new fight is brewing over a Texas death row inmate whose life was spared last week. Plus, voters rank the cost of living consistently as one of their biggest concerns heading into the election. We dig into both the Harris and Trump plans to see if they would save you money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in Michigan today. Both candidates are focusing on the economy and jobs in their events as questions swirl over Harris’ campaign strategy and Donald Trump’s comments in a new Fox News interview. Plus, a huge new trove of evidence was unsealed in Trump’s federal election subversion case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a major development in the Israel-Hamas war, Israel has killed Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader and believed by Israel to be the chief architect of the group’s deadly October 7th terror attack. Israel Defense Forces say he was killed during a routing military operation near a building in Gaza. We examine what lies ahead in the region. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Jimmy Carter makes history, casting his ballot at the age of 100. Plus, a Democratic congressman and veteran is blasting his Republican colleagues over a lawsuit he says could impact the ability of service members overseas to vote. Also, with 20 days until Election Day, Trump’s vision for his second term is being spelled out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Putin to January 6th to international trade wars, a wide ranging interview today with Donald Trump reveals his headspace with just three weeks until Election Day. Plus, Kamala Harris is in battleground Michigan, being interviewed by a radio host who once criticized her and called Democrats cowards. Also, early voting is breaking records in Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 race enters new territory with new targeted media interviews, new outreach, and new lines of attack with just 22 days until Election Day. Plus, the Justice Department is suing Virginia, accusing the commonwealth of trying to illegally clean its voter rolls with just weeks until the election. Virginia’s Republican governor joins to respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With 25 days until Election Day, Trump is in Aurora, Colorado talking about Venezuelan gang members in that city. But, what is the reality on the ground? We examine how much of this is fact versus fear mongering. Plus, former President Barack Obama delivers a stern message to Black men who may be reluctant to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least nine people have been killed in the state of Florida as search and rescue efforts are underway right now after Hurricane Milton made landfall as a powerful Category 3 storm last night. Flood waters inundated multiple areas across Florida. The storm ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field, the home of the Tampa Bay Rays Major League Baseball team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are following Hurricane Milton as it is hours away from making landfall on Florida’s west coast. The monster hurricane is already making its presence known through winds and rain. The storm is also bringing Florida a record breaking number of daily tornado warnings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What could be the worst storm to hit Florida’s Gulf Coast in a century is taking aim. The head of the National Weather Service joins to provide updates on Hurricane Milton. Plus, Kamala Harris was asked what she would do differently than Biden. Also, former British Prime Minster Boris Johnson joins to react to new reporting on Trump from Bob Woodward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hurricane Milton’s intensity has exploded, going from a tropical storm into a powerful Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours. We cover everything you need to know from a new storm track to evacuation orders. Plus, a Republican effort pushed by Donald Trump Jr. to cut ties with one of the federal government’s biggest contractors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A deep dive into the tactics that Trump is accused of using to try and overturn the 2020 election. Plus, could your vote in the upcoming election be influenced by something completely fake? We are seeing artificial intelligence show up on campaign ads, on social media, and even robocalls to voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two battlegrounds are in focus with 33 days out from Election Day. Donald Trump is in battleground Michigan as he tries to break down the so called “blue wall.” Meanwhile Kamala Harris wheels down in Wisconsin and brings along high-profile Republican help. Plus, the recorded message from Melania Trump that undercuts one of her husband’s top campaign issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A filing was released today from the office of Special Counsel Jack Smith which outlines in detail evidence in the federal election subversion case against Donald Trump. We review the contents of the filing. Plus, Israel vows retaliation for the Iranian missile attack leaving the Middle East on edge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At roughly 12:30PM EST, Iran launched a major attack on Israel, firing nearly 200 ballistic missiles according to U.S. officials. Plus, we are hours away from the first and only 2024 vice presidential debate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least 119 people have been killed by Hurricane Helene and the number is expected rise in the days ahead. Plus, Trump takes campaign rhetoric to a new and unprecedented place. Also, we are one day away until the vice presidential debate and we look at each campaign’s potential strategies going into the event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hurricane Helene, a monstrous deadly storm that is leaving large parts of the southeastern United States in shambles, leaves life threatening conditions continuing across multiple states in the United States. Twenty-five people have been reported dead including a four-year-old girl killed in a car wreck in North Carolina. More than 50 people are stranded on a roof of a hospital in Tennessee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warnings of “unsurvivable” storm surge flooding are made as Hurricane Helene was just upgraded to a powerful Category 3 storm. It is already wrecking havoc on bridges and roadways in southwest Florida. We bring you the latest on what federal and state officials are saying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new interview with a Republican who says he’ll be on the public enemies list if Donald Trump gets reelected and is even musing about whether he would need to leave the country. Plus, stunning failures by the Secret Service are detailed in a new report from the lawmakers investigating the first attempt to assassinate Donald Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A brand new CNN poll on the presidential race as new data shows the strengths and weaknesses among different voting groups for Trump and for Harris. Plus, an explosive report on a New York congressman in a tight race for reelection reveals he reportedly put his fiancee’s daughter and his lover on the payroll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dramatic accounts from residents in Lebanon after hundreds are killed and thousands injured as the Israel Defense Forces say it is targeting Hezbollah with drones. Now, with the Middle East at a potential tipping point, the United States is sending even more U.S. troops to the region. Plus, brand new polls show Donald Trump’s strength in some of the most crucial states in the election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The governors race in North Carolina is rocked by scandal involving GOP gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson and his inflammatory comments on a porn site. Plus, with only 46 days out until election, a new added hand count process could drag out results in a key battleground state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

North Carolina’s controversial lieutenant governor and candidate for governor is in the hot seat once again for offensive comments but this time on a porn site. Plus, Israel says they are in a new era of war after a third straight day of attacks in Lebanon. Also, the mayor of Springfield, Ohio is giving himself emergency powers after weeks of false claims about Haitian migrants in his town eating cats and dogs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A second straight day of explosions hit Lebanon, apparently targeting members of Hezbollah. Yesterday it was their pagers that blew up and today it was their walkie-talkies. Plus, markets are closing on the heels of the highly anticipated decision by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in the United States by a half point. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices