The Lead with Jake Tapper

The devastation is getting worse two days after powerful earthquakes in Venezuela and more than 300 aftershocks. Help is on the way, but can it arrive fast enough in a window closing in to find people alive? Plus, breaking news, the US responds, hitting inside Iran after Iran's strike on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. Is this a temporary escalation or something longer term? And in the Epstein investigation, a dramatic move by Congress trying to get a billionaire investor to talk and reveal what he knows about the dead pedophile and non-disclosure agreements and women who reportedly signed them and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two strong earthquakes in Venezuela just seconds apart leave the country in shock. The death is regrettably rising as rescuers from around the world are heading to the disaster zone. Plus, from immigration to guns, new major decisions from the United States Supreme Court.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump throws a last minute grenade into what was supposed to be a major bipartisan victory on housing affordability legislation. Plus, a sweeping victory for Zohran Mamdani-backed candidates in three New York City congressional races.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Artificial intelligence has rattled a nerve, driving a major tech selloff on Wall Street just as President Trump falsely claimed the stock market hit a new high today. Plus, the Senate votes to limit President Trump’s war powers with Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After direct talks with Iran, Vice President JD Vance is heading home and Secretary Rubio will now head to the region. A look at what he hopes to accomplish after conflicting reports about what the vice president got done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The new Air Force One is a luxury jet donated by the government of Qatar and is expected to enter service soon. What CNN is learning about how the military made sure this foreign plane was safe for the president. Plus, it’s the first day on the job for Trump’s controversial pick for acting director of national intelligence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New CNN reporting about secret proposals between the United States and Iran as the two sides officially begin 60 days of negotiations. These plans go beyond the agreement President Trump officially signed last night.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Confusion and frustration on Capitol Hill after President Trump forced his own pick for director of national intelligence to skip his confirmation hearing today. Plus, with Americans struggling under the weight of the highest inflation in three years, today the Federal Reserve decided not cut interest rates.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Five men are in custody after the FBI said it foiled a plot to attack the UFC fight night event at the White House on Sunday. The plan allegedly included using a drone to drop explosives and snipers to hit high-value targets in the ensuing panic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As questions mount about what exactly is in the Iran agreement, Vice President JD Vance joins to try and clear up any confusion. Plus, former Vice President Mike Pence also joins to share his reactions to the breaking news out of Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to a senior administration official, the Trump administration is feeling good about its dealings with Iran. So, what’s holding up the next stage? Plus, Elon Musk becomes the world’s first trillionaire.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump claims, yet again, that a new deal with Iran is just days away. Did two nights of strikes actually lead to a breakthrough? Plus, the World Cup is officially underway and CNN takes you to the action.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the richest men in the world took questions today about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This as the New York Times is revealing a freakout at the White House about Epstein as they tried to contain the fallout. Plus, a look at the recent drops in the stock market.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump says Iran shot down a United States Army Apache helicopter and says the United States must respond. Is this the start of yet another major escalation? CNN is live at the White House and Iran.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sources say the White House is optimistic about a deal to end the war with Iran despite disputes about the country’s nuclear program. Plus, John Cornyn and Ken Paxton battle for the Texas Senate nomination.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The president is at odds with growing pushback even from Republicans over his fund to compensate those who feel wronged by the federal government. Plus, Tulsi Gabbard is stepping down from her post as director of national intelligence.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From legitimate cases of grievance, to January 6 rioters, to election deniers, to even a television network. Many come forward claiming they were wronged by the federal government and they want in on Trump’s $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States announces new charges against Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro. He is charged for his role in the 1996 killing of three Americans in planes over international waters. Plus, a new lawsuit from two police officers who defended the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump, his family, and his businesses are now all protected under new terms added in a settlement with the Treasury Department, the Justice Department, and the IRS. A look at the settlement that creates a fund to compensate people the Trump administration feels were unfairly targeted by past administrations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Authorities in San Diego provide updates on a deadly shooting at the largest mosque in San Diego. This as a source tells CNN a security guard was among the three victims.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump reveals his thoughts on the Reagan-era commitment to Taiwan making it sound less like an ironclad promise and more like ancient history. A look at Trump’s recent talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping as he heads back to DC.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Xi Jinping makes clear that the United States will pay a price for any interference in Taiwan. Hear what President Trump said ahead of his final meeting at the U.S.-China summit. Plus a CNN exclusive, a top ethics attorney told acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump’s former private attorney, to recuse himself from legal cases that involve the president.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump is hours away from his face-to-face with Xi Jinping. A former White House insider joins to discuss their negotiations. Plus, a court overturns the murder convictions of Alex Murdaugh, the South Carolina lawyer who took the stand in his own defense denying that he killed his wife and son.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump heads to China while leaving a pile of problems behind him back at home in the United States. Issue number one is American wages getting eating up by inflation. Plus, an American mayor is stepping down, pleading guilty to acting as an illegal agent of the Chinese government.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 passengers on the cruise ship with the hantavirus outbreak are back home in the United States including one person experiencing symptoms. Plus, President Trump calls the latest Iranian negotiation counterproposal “garbage.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CDC staff are now en route to that cruise ship with the hantavirus outbreak ready to escort Americans off and get them into a biocontainment unit in Nebraska. Plus, the Virginia Supreme Court rules the commonwealth’s new congressional maps are null and void.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Multiple states are now monitoring Americans who may have been exposed to the hantavirus. Plus, the United States confirmed Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. A look at what it means for the ceasefire and negotiations to end the war.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FBI raided the office and business belonging to one of the most powerful Democrats in Virginia politics. Plus, paying tribute to CNN founder Ted Turner who died today at the age of 87.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was front and center at the White House briefing room today where he underscored a new phase of the war with Iran. This as we are seeing a new power struggle over the Strait of Hormuz.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new threat from Trump as the United States shoots down more Iranian boats and Iran attacks the United Arab Emirates. Plus, did taxpayer money help keep sexual harassment cases involving several members of Congress out of public eye?   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The price of US gas climbs to $4.39 and experts expect another spike this weekend. President Trump is “not satisfied” with a new Iranian proposal to end the war. The President also spoke to a crowd of senior citizens in Florida to promote his new “no tax on Social Security” plan.  The Attorney General of Alabama pushes the Supreme Court to allow its 2023 congressional map. Former President Biden makes first 2026 endorsement by backing Kesha Lance Bottoms for Governor of Georgia. Plus, The Pentagon strikes an AI deal with seven big tech companies, actor Adam Scott on his new film and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Experts explain why the price of gas is on the rise. Plus, the recent United States Supreme Court decision is already upending elections. Louisiana is now putting House races on hold one day after the Supreme Court invalidated the state’s congressional maps.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A defiant Jerome Powell vows to stay as a Federal Reserve board member once his term as chairman ends next month. Plus, the decision from the Supreme Court that critics say chips away at the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the second time in world history, a British monarch, King Charles III, went to Capitol Hill and addressed Congress. Topics ranged from climate change to NATO to the United Nations. Plus, former FBI  Director James Comey is indicted for the second time in the past year.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices