The Lead with Jake Tapper

Latest Episodes:

Iran & Israel Halt Attacks as Strikes Test Peace Talks Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Israel and Iran are suspending military operations against each other after a wave of strikes exchanged overnight. Plus, a look at the upcoming election in Maine.

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WSJ: Trump Urges Pulte to Start Firing Intel Employees Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

A shakeup is coming to some of the nation’s biggest spy agencies and the man doing the firing will be Bill Pulte, a controversial Trump loyalist that the president wants to be acting director of national intelligence despite having no intel or national security experience.

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Bondi Transcript: Blanche “In Charge” of Entire Release of Epstein Files Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

The transcript is out revealing exactly what Pam Bondi told lawmakers about the Epstein files and how she passed the buck to the man President Trump wants to succeed her. Plus, CNN traces the source of the latest ebola outbreak.

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Scott Kelley Fried by CBS After Clash with Management Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

CBS fires journalist Scott Pelley from 60 Minutes and there’s continued disagreement about what occurred. Plus, is powering the artificial intelligence boom coming at the expense of local communities?

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Trump Taps a Leader of Retribution Tour as Acting Intel Chief Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

From a role in housing to the acting director of national intelligence, reactions pour in about Trump selecting a loyalist with no demonstrated national security or intelligence experience.

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DOJ Says it Will Abide by Court Ruling to Pause “Anti-Weaponization” Fund Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

The Trump administration now says it will abide by a court ruling to pause the creation of a $1.8 billion fund meant to compensate those who the administration says were wrongly targeted by the government. The pause was ordered by a federal judge in Virginia last week.

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Source: Bondi Answered Questions on Ghislaine Maxwell in Interview May 30, 2026

Show notes

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi defended her role in the release of the Epstein files in a closed door interview. A look at what she in the room about Ghislaine Maxwell. Plus, President Trump says he is near a final decision on Iran.

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U.S. & Iran Reach Deal to Open Strait, Trump Must Still Sign Off May 29, 2026

Show notes

A series of strikes from the United States and Iran as a tentative agreement emerges to open the Strait of Hormuz and start nuclear talks, according to US officials. Plus, protestors gather outside an ICE detention facility in New Jersey for the seventh day in row while lawyers say inside detainees are on a hunger strike over the conditions they’re enduring.

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Trump’s GOP Purge Continues as Paxton Ousts Sen. Cornyn May 28, 2026

Show notes

A slew of ads and attacks from the Republican establishment over the past year and a half against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are all gone now that Paxton is the GOP pick to face Democrat James Talarico in one of the most contested fights for the Senate.

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Trump Backing Paxton Over Sen. Cornyn Tests His Grip on GOP May 27, 2026

Show notes

Will a Trump-backed candidate unseat Republican Senator John Cornyn in Texas? We go live to Texas as the voters decide. Plus, Iran warns of retaliation after US strikes.

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