Return to Transcripts main page

The Lead with Jake Tapper

Note: This page is continually updated as new transcripts become available. If you cannot find a specific segment, check back later.

April 29, 2021
• President Biden Hits the Road to Sell Ambitious Economic Plans; Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) is Interviewed About Biden's Ambitious Economic Plans; Biden's First 100 Days Show Biggest Market Gains Since JFK; New CNN Poll: Sharp Divisions on Vaccines, Return to Public Life. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 28, 2021
• Biden's First Address To A Joint Session Of Congress Soon; Three Men Charged With Federal Hate Crimes In Ahmaud Arbery Death; Raid At Giuliani's Apartment & Office As Feds Advance Criminal Investigation Into His Lobbying Activity In Ukraine; Crisis In India: Deaths Top 3,000 In One Day As Hospitals Run Out Of Oxygen; Secretary Blinken: It's "Possible" Withdrawing U.S. Troops Could Lead To Civil War, Taliban Takeover In Afghanistan; CNN Poll: 66 Percent Of Americans Approve Of Biden's COVID Handling. Aired 5-6p ET
• Capitol Riot Warning Signs Missed?; America's Gun Violence Epidemic; Interview With North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein; Capitol Tightens Security for Biden's Joint Address Tonight; Rep. Val Demings (D-FL) is Interviewed About the Insurrection, Capitol Security and the Police Reform Bill. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Federal Agents Execute Search Warrant at Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan Apartment & Office; Tonight: Biden's First Address to a Joint Session of Congress; Judge Denies Public Release of Andrew Brown Jr. Body Cam Video. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 27, 2021
• U.S. To Share 60 Million Vaccine Doses With Other Countries; Biden Admin Shifts Mask Guidance, Touts Benefits For Fully Vaccinated Americans. Aired 5-6p ET
• Alaska Lawmaker Banned From Flights For Refusing to Wear Mask; Republican Propaganda; Biden-Putin Summit Planned?; FBI Opens Civil Rights Investigation in Andrew Brown Jr.'s Death. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Brand New CNN Polls on Policing In America; Both Parties Express Cautious Optimism on Police Reform Deal; Biden: Vaccinated Americans No Longer Need a Mask Outdoors If Not In Large Crowd. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 26, 2021
• The Republican Party And Conspiracy Theories; Andrew Brown's Family Shown Only Snippet Of Body Cam Video; India's COVID Crisis, No Hospital Beds And Low Oxygen Supplies; Sources: Biden Will Announce New CDC Mask Guidance Tomorrow; Pro-Democracy Demonstrator Describes Beatings With Cable Wires, Other Torture Tactics By Myanmar Military; Vaccinated Americans May Be Allowed To Vacation In Europe. Aired 5-6p ET
• Iranian Political Intrigue; Biden Administration Touts COVID Accomplishments; Sources: Trump Advisers Urge Him to Make a Vaccine PSA. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Attorneys: Family Shown "Snippet" of Video from Police Shooting; AG Garland Announces DOJ Investigation into Police Practices in Louisville, KY; Democrats Push to Pass George Floyd Policing Act by May 25; Sources: Biden to Announce New Mask Guidance Tomorrow. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 23, 2021
• Biden: Action on Climate Change & Infrastructure Will Create Jobs; Recent Police Shootings Reignite Debate Over Use of Force; Nearly 75 U.S. Colleges Requiring Students to Get Vaccinated; Is Futuristic Tesla Without Autopilot Safe?; CDC Advisers Recommend Continued Use of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine in U.S. for People 18+. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Any Minute: CDC Panel Votes on Future Use of J&J Vaccine; Federal Prosecutors Examine Whether Gaetz Took Gifts, Including Travel and Paid Escorts for Political Favors; Pelosi's "Gucci Glove, Iron Fist" Approach to Politics. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 22, 2021
• Daily Pace of Vaccinations Drops Below 3 Million Shots Per Day for the First Time in 2 Weeks; Putin Critic Transferred to Civilian Hospital, Doctors Plead for Him to End His Hunger Strike. Aired 4:30- 5p ET
• Recent Police Shootings Reignite Debate Over Use of Force; Funeral for Daunte Wright Held in Minneapolis; President Biden Sets Ambitious Goal to Cut U.S. Carbon Emissions 50 Percent By 2030. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 21, 2021
• Interview With Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI); Interview With Senior White House COVID Response Adviser Andy Slavitt; President Biden Touts 200 Million Vaccines Given; Taliban Threaten to Kill Afghans Who Helped U.S. During War. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Floyd Family Hopeful Verdict Will Lead to Real Police Reform; DOJ Opens Investigation Into Minneapolis Policing Practices After Chauvin Convicted for Floyd Murder; White House: Biden to Address Police Reform in Speech to Congress. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 20, 2021
• Verdict Reached in Derek Chauvin Trial, Awaiting Announcement. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Jurors Reach Verdict in Murder Trial of Ex-Police Officer Derek Chauvin. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 19, 2021
• Closing Arguments in Chauvin Murder Trial; Prosecution Gives Rebuttal to Defense's Closing Argument. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Prosecution Gives Rebuttal to Defense's Closing Argument. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 16, 2021
• Researchers Begin Testing Pfizer Vaccine on Kids as Young as Two; White House Backtracks on Refugee Decision, Says Biden Will Announce New Increased Cap by May 15. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Eight Killed, Several Injured in America's Latest Mass Shooting; Police Identify FedEx Mass Shooting Suspect, Motive Still Unclear. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 15, 2021
• No Decision Yet On J&J Vaccine More CDC Advisory Committee; Biden Addresses New Sanctions Imposed on Russia. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• President Biden Hits Russia with Dozens of New Sanctions; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is Interviewed About U.S. Hitting Russia with Sanctions; Closing Arguments Start Monday After Defense Rests. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 14, 2021
• Testimony Continues in Derek Chauvin Trial; Ex-Cop Who Killed Daunte Wright Arrested; Chauvin Trial in Recess After Defense Experts Testimony; Intel Chief: Domestic Extremism is an "Immediate", "Complex" & "Growing" Threat to the United States. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Biden to Withdraw U.S. Troops from Afghanistan By September 11; Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) is Interviewed About Ending America's Longest War; Any Moment: CDC Vaccine Advisers to Vote, Could Update Recommendations for Use of J&J Vaccine. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 13, 2021
• Interview With Former Rep. John Boehner (R-OH); Biden To Withdraw All U.S. Troops From Afghanistan By Sept. 11; Jon Stewart Pushes Bill To Help Veterans Made Sick By "Burn Pits"; U.S. Businesses Ask Biden To Take Major Steps To Save Planet. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Police Chief, Officer Who Shot & Killed Daunte Wright Both Resign; Prosecution Rests, Defense Calls First Witnesses in Murder Trial; CDC, FDA Recommend Pause of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine. Aired 4- 4:30p ET


April 12, 2021
• Biden Hosts Bipartisan Infrastructure Meeting at White House; COVID Cases Rising; Iran Accuses Israel of Attacking Nuclear Site, Vows Revenge; Canada Facing Vaccine Shortage, Asking U.S. For Help. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Multiple Deadly Police Encounters Amid Derek Chauvin Trial; Police: Multiple Gunshot Victims Including a Police Officer in Shooting at High School in Knoxville, Tennessee; George Floyd's Brother Testifies in Chauvin Trial. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 09, 2021
• Defense Cross-Examines Medical Examiner Who Did Floyd's Autopsy; Pfizer Asks FDA To Authorize Vaccine For Children Ages 12-15; House Ethics Committee Opens Probe Into Gaetz. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Defense Cross-Examines Medical Examiner Who Did Floyd's Autopsy. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 08, 2021
• Brutal Military Crackdown in Myanmar Continues, At Least 570 People Killed; CDC: Children's Sports Likely Spreading COVID-19; Aide Tells Times Union New York Governor Cuomo Groped Her at Governor's Mansion. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Pulmonology Expert: Floyd Died "From A Low Level of Oxygen"; Biden Takes "Initial" Steps on Guns, Calls on Congress for More; Brutal Military Crackdown in Myanmar Continues, At Least 570 People Killed. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 07, 2021
• Did Matt Gaetz Seek Preemptive Pardon?; President Biden Touts Infrastructure Plan; Tiger Woods Speeding About 40 MPH Above Limit When He Crashed; Restaurants Face a Nationwide Ketchup Shortage Due to COVID. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Day Eight of Chauvin Trial Testimony Focuses on Use of Force; U.K. Variant Now Most Dominant Strain in U.S. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 06, 2021
• California Set to Fully Reopen June 15; Biden Wants All Adults Eligible For COVID Vaccine By April 19; CDC: Variant First Seen in U.K. Now Detected in All 50 U.S. States; Arkansas GOP Legislature Overrides Republican Governor Hutchinson's Veto on Anti-Trans Health Bill; Hockey Game to Save World's Biggest Fresh Water Reservoir. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Seventh Day of Testimony in Derek Chauvin Trial; Biden Gives Update on U.S. COVID Vaccination Goals. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 05, 2021
• Inside Myanmar; Interview With Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger; CNN Live in Myanmar as Military Crackdown Intensifies; Trump Campaign Used Shady Tactics to Get Donors to Making Recurring Donations. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Defense Cross-Examines Police Chief Who Fired Derek Chauvin; U.S. Vaccinating Nearly Five Times Faster Than Global Average; Tensions Between GOP & Georgia-Based Businesses Over Voting Law. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 02, 2021
• 1 Officer Killed, 1 Wounded, Attacker Dead at U.S. Capitol; CNN & Amnesty International Investigate Shocking Video of Executions By Ethiopian Soldiers. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• 1 Officer Killed, 1 Wounded, Attacker Dead at U.S. Capitol. Aired 4-4:30p ET


April 01, 2021
• Fourth Day of Testimony in Derek Chauvin Trial. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• New Video Shows Medics Trying to Revive George Floyd; Parents of Marine Vet Held In Russia Turn to Biden Admin for Help; Fourth Day of Testimony in Derek Chauvin Trial. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 31, 2021
• President Biden Announces Infrastructure Plan. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Eyewitness in Tears Rewatching Video of Floyd Incident; Pfizer: Vaccine 100 Percent Effective in Children Aged 12-15; Any Moment: President Biden to Unveil $2T Infrastructure Plan. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 30, 2021
• Derek Chauvin Trial Continues; Firefighter: Police Wouldn't Let Me Check George Floyd's Condition. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Second Day of Testimony in Derek Chauvin Trial. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 29, 2021
• Challenging Georgia's Voter Restrictions; CDC Director Warns of COVID Surge; White House to Brief Dems Tomorrow on Situation at Border. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Trial Begins for Ex-Officer Charged in George Floyd's Death; This Week: Biden to Unveil Multi-Trillion Dollar Infrastructure Plan; Interview with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 26, 2021
• Interview with Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina; Police Still Searching for Motive in Boulder Shooting; Brazil ICU Units Overwhelmed by COVID Patients; Study: Winter is "Vanishing" from Lake Michigan Due to Rising Temps. Aired on 4:30-5p ET
• Georgia Law Restricts Voting, Fox Sued For $1.6 Billion as Trump Whitewashes MAGA Mob; White House: Biden Thinks Making It Harder to Vote is Un-American, Met with Stacey Abrams Over Georgia Law; Fauci: Redfield Saying COVID-19 Escaped from China Lab Just "An Opinion". Aired on 4-4:30p ET


March 25, 2021
• Tornado Touches Down Near Birmingham, Alabama; Colorado Massacre Suspect Makes First Court Appearance in Wheelchair; Biden Sets New Goal of 200 Million Vaccines in First 100 Days. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• First News Conference: Biden Drilled With Questions on Migrant Children, Voting Rights, North Korea Launching Missiles, Gun Control; Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) is Interviewed About Biden's First News Conference. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 24, 2021
• Democrats Push Voting Rights Legislation; States Expanding Vaccine Eligibility. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Colorado Massacre Suspect to Make First Court Appearance Tomorrow; White House: Biden is Considering Executive Actions on Guns While Congress Debates New Restrictions; Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) is Interviewed About Background Checks Legislation; New Video Shows Attack on Slain Officer During January 6 Riot. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 23, 2021
• AstraZeneca Vaccine Data Questioned; Interview With Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH); From Columbine to Boulder: Colorado's Dark History with Mass Shootings. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• All 10 Victims, Suspect in Boulder Shooting Identified; Biden Calls on Congress to Ban Some Semi-Automatic Weapons, Close Loopholes on Background Checks; Hero Officer Was First to Respond to Shooting, Leaves Behind Seven Children. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 22, 2021
• Trump's Political Plans?; Trump Culpable For Capitol Riot?; Philadelphia Lets Some Kids Return to Classrooms Twice a Week. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Biden Admin Facing Surge of Unaccompanied Children at Border; Interview with White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki; CDC Director: We are at a Fork in the Road, Could Have Another Avoidable Surge. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 19, 2021
• Heartbreaking Accounts from Victims Reveal How Rape is Used As a Weapon of War in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia; New Yorker: Top Staffers of New York Governor Made Efforts to Discredit His First Accuser by Leaking Her Personnel File; U.S. to China: Respect Global Norms or Face "More Violent" World. Aired on 4:30-5p ET
• CDC Cuts Distance Needed in Schools to 3 Feet From 6 Feet; Biden to Speak After Meeting with Asian American Leaders in Atlanta; Biden Meets Goal of 100M Shots in 100 Days Today (Day 58). Aired 4- 4:30p ET


March 18, 2021
• FBI Releases New Videos of Insurrections Assaulting Officers; McCarthy Claims He Never Backed Trump Push to Overturn Election; Putin Invites Biden to Virtual Talks, After Biden Calls Him a Killer; CNN Follows Migrant Children Along U.S.-Mexico Border. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Biden Touts Progress as U.S. Nears 100M Shots Under His Presidency; Fauci: We are in a Race Between Vaccines and Variants; Atlanta Police "Don't Have a Position" On If Shootings Were a Hate Crime, Say "Nothing is Off the Table"; Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA) is Interviewed About Discrimination Against Asian Americans. Aired on 4- 4:30p ET


March 17, 2021
• Interview With Former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Christopher Krebs; Atlanta Murder Spree; Migrant Surge. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Cuomo Response to Biden: That's True, If You Committed a Crime You Should Be Prosecuted; CDC: Strains First Detected in California are "Variants of Concern"; Biden to Would-Be Migrants: Don't Come, Don't Leave Your Town. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 16, 2021
• AstraZeneca Vaccine Pause; Migrant Crisis?; New Reports Find Russia Favored Trump in 2020 Election; Interview With Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA). Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Biden Makes First Stop to Promote COVID Relief Bill; First Kids Vaccinated in Moderna's Pediatric Vaccine Trial; Interview with California Governor Gavin Newsom. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 15, 2021
• COVID Spring Break; Two Men Charged With Assaulting Capitol Hill Officer; Will Andrew Cuomo Resign?; Generation of Syrian Children Scarred by 10 Years of War. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• President Biden Touts "Shots in Arms and Money in Pockets"; Growing Number of Dems Ask Biden to Make Urgent Changes at Border. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 12, 2021
• Breonna Taylor's Mother: Lack of Justice is "Still Unbelievable"; Cuomo Blames "Cancel Culture" Amid Increased Calls for Resignation from Fellow Democrats. Aired on 4:30-5p ET
• George Floyd Memorial; Biden Sets May 1 Goal For Adult Vaccine Eligibility; President Biden Touts COVID Relief Plan. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 11, 2021
• Top Biden Officials to Meet with Chinese Counterparts Next Week; 59 New York Democratic Lawmakers Tell Cuomo to Resign; Texas Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against City of Austin and Travis County Over Mask Requirement. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Veteran Charged in Insurrection; New Phase of Pandemic?; Interview With Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA); President Biden Signs COVID Relief Bill. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 10, 2021
• Texas Reopens; Crisis In Yemen; Five Jurors Selected In Trial For Ex-Cop, One Juror Said He Never Saw Video. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Texas Reopens; Interview With Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA); COVID Relief Bill Passes Congress; President Biden Secures 100 Million More Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Doses. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 09, 2021
• Trump vs. GOP Over Money?; Republicans Attack Biden Nominees of Color; Queen Elizabeth Breaks Silence; Report: Chinese Government Responsible for Genocide, Sent 2 Million Uyghurs & Other Minorities to Detainment Camps. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• CDC COVID Guidance Pushback?; Interview With Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI); House Nearing Vote on COVID Relief Bill; FBI Releases New Video in Capitol Pipe Bomb Investigation; Queen Elizabeth Breaks Silence. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 08, 2021
• President Biden to Deliver Prime-Time Address Marking Anniversary of COVID Crisis; President Biden Nominates Two Female Generals For Four Stars. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Meghan Markle Speaks Out; CDC Issues Guidelines For Vaccinated. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 05, 2021
• LeBron James Joins Fight Against Republican-Led Bills Which Would Make It Harder to Vote; How Schools in Canada Stayed Open. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• White House Warns Against States Reopening Too Fast; Cuomo Accuser Speaks Out; Senate Debates COVID Relief Package. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 04, 2021
• Senate Opens Debate on COVID Bill, After VP Harris Breaks Tie; Some Businesses Confused and Worried as Texas Lifts Mask Order; Sources: Diplomatic Official Loses Role Over Racist and Offensive Comments About Biden, Harris. Aired on 4:30-5p ET
• Interview With Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI); Republican Governors Eliminating COVID Safety Measures; Interview With National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 03, 2021
• Democrats Push Forward on COVID-19 Relief Bill; Republicans Ramp Up Vote Suppression Efforts; CNN Exclusive: Internal Documents Reveal Packed Facilities, More Unaccompanied Kids Crossing Border; New York Governor Cuomo Apologizes for His Behavior, But Denies He Touched Women Inappropriately. Aired on 4:30-5p ET
• Republicans Ramp Up Vote Suppression Efforts; Biden Blasts State Governors Eliminating COVID Restrictions; Interview With Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX); Right-Wing Extremists Planning Another Attack?. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 02, 2021
• New Cuomo Allegations; President Biden Delivers Address On Vaccine Efforts; Inside Look As Chicago Schools Reopen After Nearly A Year; Source: New York State Lawmakers Moving To Repeal Cuomo's Expanded Executive COVID Powers. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• President Biden Delivers Address on Vaccine Efforts; Texas Fully Reopening; Interview With Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT); FBI Director Testifies on Capitol Hill; Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Rollout Begins. Aired 4-4:30p ET


March 01, 2021
• Border Challenge; Interview With New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio; Cuomo Under Fire; Trump Faces Five Separate Investigations in New York, Georgia & DC. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Cuomo Under Fire; Interview With Mary Trump; Trump Addresses CPAC; Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Begins Shipping Out. Aired 4-4:30p ET


February 26, 2021
• FDA Committee to Vote on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Could Be in Arms as Soon as Next Week if Approved; White House Faces Backlash from Dems After Biden Ordered Syria Strikes Without Congressional Approval; Soon: Biden to Speak as Texas Recovers from Power & Water Crisis. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• U.S. Announces Sanctions for Saudis Involved in Khashoggi Murder, Except Crown Prince; Tonight: House Votes on Biden's $1.9 Trillion Pandemic Relief Bill; Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) is Interviewed About U.S. Not Imposing Penalties on MBS and Senate Ruling on Minimum Wage Hike; Soon: FDA Committee to Vote on Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Could Be in Arms as Soon as Next Week if Approved. Aired 4-4:30p ET


February 25, 2021
• Ohio School Safely Reopens with Mask Wearing, Teacher Vaccinations and Just 3-Foot Social Distancing; Tomorrow: House to Vote on Biden's $1.9T Stimulus Plan; Trump Planning Political Comeback, Mulling Presidential Run; New York Governor Cuomo Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations Made By Former Aide. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Homegrown COVID Variants. Interview With Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL); Congress Holds Hearings on Capitol Insurrection. Aired 4-4:30p ET


February 24, 2021
• Invisible Weapon; Tiger Woods Recovering Following Car Accident; Interview with Secretary of Dept. Of V.A. Denis McDonough. Aired 4:30-5p ET.
• Republican Divisions; Biden Nominee for OMB in Jeopardy; FDA Calls Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Safe and Effective. Aired 4-4:30p ET


February 23, 2021
• Interview With Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA); Congress Holds Hearing on Capitol Insurrection; Tiger Woods Injured in Car Crash; Biden's Nominees Face Tough Questions in Senate Hearings; White House: States Now Get 14.5M Vaccine Doses Per Week. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• Interview With Bob Costas; Tiger Woods Injured in Car Crash. Aired 4-4:30p ET


February 22, 2021
• U.S. Passes 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths; Biden's Nominee to Lead OMB in Political Peril; Boeing Recommends Grounding Some 777 Planes After Engine Failure. Aired 4:30-5p ET
• U.S. Set to Pass 500,000 COVID-19 Deaths; Trump Forced to Hand Over Tax Returns; Attorney General Nominee Merrick Garland Faces Confirmation Hearings. Aired 4-4:30p ET


Next Page