The Lead with Jake Tapper

Latest Episodes:

New Polls, Debates Give Democrats Hope with 26 Days Until Midterms Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

With 26 days left until the midterm elections, CNN looks at three key races for Senate and what voters are revealing about the candidates in two of those races. Plus, oil companies along the Gulf Coast are bracing for Hurricane Isaias. Could this result in even higher gas prices?

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Trump Admin Presses Russia for Information as it Struggles to Plan for Potential Plague Fallout Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

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 time at port.

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Top Intel Democrats Push DNI for Transparency on Election Security Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Dozens Quarantined After Researcher at Russian Plague Laboratory Dies of “Unknown” Infection Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Cornell Students Call for Transparency, Accountability from University Oct 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

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Cornell Gang Rape Allegation Puts Focus on Campus Sexual Assault Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

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 alleged 2024 fraternity gang rape.

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CNN Obtains Jane Doe’s 2024 Statement to Cornell Police Oct 01, 2026

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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.

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Trump: A.I. Industry Will “Self-Police” as Rogue Agents Persist Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

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 top leaders of the artificial intelligence industry.

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Woman Sues Cornell and Chi Phi Fraternity Over Alleged Gang Rape Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

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 University that could potentially soon lead to criminal charges.

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RNC Trains New “Special Monitors” to Scrutinize Voting Machines Sep 26, 2026

Show notes

With just 39 days until midterm Election Day, a new ruling from the Supreme Court allows the Trump administration expanded access to review who is and who is not eligible to vote. Plus, did anything substantial come from the three day visit from Chinese leader Xi Jinping?

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