The Lead with Jake Tapper

Ranking history

About the show

Latest episodes

• Trump Admin Presses Russia for Information as it Struggles to Plan for Potential Plague Fallout

  October 8, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

  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 carrier that spent more than 10 months at sea with very little…

• Top Intel Democrats Push DNI for Transparency on Election Security

  October 7, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

  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 protests rise across France.   Learn more about your ad choices…

• Dozens Quarantined After Researcher at Russian Plague Laboratory Dies of “Unknown” Infection

  October 6, 2026 · 1 hr 25 min

  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 an alleged gang rape.  Learn more about your ad choices…

• Cornell Students Call for Transparency, Accountability from University

  October 3, 2026 · 1 hr 29 min

  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 attack at that very same fraternity house.  Learn more…

• Cornell Gang Rape Allegation Puts Focus on Campus Sexual Assault

  October 2, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

  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 voicing their outrage over the university’s handling of an…

• CNN Obtains Jane Doe’s 2024 Statement to Cornell Police

  October 1, 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

  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 AI models going rogue.  Learn more about your ad choices…

• Trump: A.I. Industry Will “Self-Police” as Rogue Agents Persist

  September 30, 2026 · 1 hr 31 min

  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, President Trump met this afternoon at the White House with…

• Woman Sues Cornell and Chi Phi Fraternity Over Alleged Gang Rape

  September 29, 2026 · 1 hr 40 min

  36 days left until the midterm elections. A look at what CNN is learning about Trump’s aggressive campaign strategy as more candidates appear to be slipping away from the president’s support. Plus, an explosive lawsuit against Cornell…