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CNN Podcasts

Hosted by CNN's Jake Tapper and Dana Bash, State of the Union features interviews with top newsmakers on politics and policy—covering Washington, the country, and the world.

State of the Union

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper sits down exclusively with California Gov. Gavin Newsom for a wide-ranging interview. They discuss his decisive redistricting win, the state of the Democratic Party, whether he will run for president in 2028, and how Democrats can reverse their slide among young male voters. Then, amid mounting travel turmoil, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joins Jake to discuss what travelers should expect as the shutdown drags on. Next, CNN Political Commentators Xochitl Hinojosa, Kristen Soltis Anderson, Bakari Sellers, and Republican Rep. Riley Moore join Jake to discuss what lessons Trump and Republicans should take from Democrats’ sweeping election wins. Finally, Jake wonders why President Trump isn’t taking his past advice on what presidents need to do to end government shutdowns.
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Interviews with California Gov. Gavin Newsom; Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper asks Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent whether the Trump administration will use emergency funds to restore SNAP benefits for millions of Americans. Then, Jake asks House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries whether New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is the future of the Democratic Party. Next, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman tells Jake his party is to blame for the shutdown. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Ashley Allison and Bill de Blasio, Republican strategist Kristin Davison, and Republican Rep. Buddy Carter join Jake to preview Tuesday night’s elections.
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Interviews with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries; Democratic Sen. John Fetterman

On CNN’s State of the Union, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger joins Jake to discuss his opposition to California’s redistricting push. Then, Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy joins Jake to respond to Trump’s new Canada tariffs and the ongoing stalemate over the government shutdown. Next, CNN Senior Political Commentator Adam Kinzinger and CNN Political Commentators Brad Todd, Xochitl Hinojosa, and Kristen Soltis Anderson break down the potential political fallout from the shutdown, as well as Trump’s shocking demolition of the White House East Wing. Finally, CNN’s Abby Phillip sits down with Jake to discuss her new book on the far-reaching legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
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Interviews with Arnold Schwarzenegger; Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy; CNN’s Abby Phillip

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan over President Trump pressure on the Justice Department to go after his political opponents. They also discuss ICE’s aggressive tactics and Trump firing federal workers en masse. Next, Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly sits down with Dana to discuss Democrat’s strategy as the shutdown stretches into its second week. Then, former Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan joins Dana to react to the potentially historic ceasefire-hostage in Gaza and what’s next for the Middle East. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator Jamal Simmons, former State Department official Nayyera Haq, and foreign policy analyst Rebeccah Heinrichs discuss Trump’s success negotiating peace abroad while sowing discord here at home.
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Interviews with Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan; Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly; Former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan

On CNN’s State of the Union, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker joins Jake Tapper to respond to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Chicago and plans to deploy National Guard troops there against his will. Then, top Trump economic adviser Kevin Hassett joins Jake to discuss Trump’s handling of the shutdown and his threats to fire federal workers and slash funding for Democratic states. Next, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego sits down with Jake to discuss his party’s shutdown strategy and whether they’re any closer to a deal to reopen the government. Finally, Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Republican Congressman Buddy Carter join CNN Political Commentators Shermichael Singleton and Xochitl Hinojosa to discuss the shutdown blame game, as well as the right-wing backlash to Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.
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Interviews with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker; National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett; Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego; Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Republican Congressman Buddy Carter

On CNN’s State of the Union, House Speaker Mike Johnson joins Jake to discuss the looming government shutdown and what will be on the table when Trump hosts Democratic leaders at the White House. Jake also presses Johnson over the Comey indictment and Trump publicly pressuring the Justice Department to go after his political opponents. Then, former FBI Deputy Director and CNN Senior Law Enforcement Analyst Andrew McCabe joins Jake to respond to Comey’s indictment and questions over whether he is involved in the case. Then, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen tells Jake that Democratic leaders should “hold the line” ahead of the government shutdown. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Bakari Sellers, Kristen Soltis Anderson and CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings spar over the fallout from the Comey indictment.
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Interviews with Speaker Mike Johnson; Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen; Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe

On CNN's State of the Union, Dana Bash presses Chuck Schumer on whether Democrats will shut down the government. John Fetterman responds to Schumer and discusses whether Democrats can win back the Senate in 2026. Senator Markwayne Mullin responds to Trump increasing pressure on the DOJ to investigate his political enemies. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett explains why she voted no to the Charlie Kirk resolution in the House. 
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Interviews with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, SenatorJohn Fetterman, Senator Markwayne Mullin, Representative Jasmine Crockett

On CNN’s State of the Union, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joins Dana Bash on the latest in the investigation into Charlie Kirk’s assassination, as well as his appeal to Americans to turn away from political violence. Then, Republican Senator and pastor James Lankford joins Dana to discuss the rise in political violence and what responsibility lawmakers have to lower the temperature. Next, Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth, Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, and CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban break down the path forward for a deeply-divided American. After, the panelists share what’s giving them hope in a dark time. Finally, Dana warns about the impact social media algorithms are having on Americans.
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Interviews with Utah Gov. Spencer Cox; Republican Senator James Lankford; Democratic Rep. Sarah Elfreth and Republican Rep. Kevin Kiley

On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses FL Surgeon General on him not conducting any study before calling to lift vaccine mandate. Doctor Paul Offit responds. And White House Border Czar Tom Homan says sanctuary cities across America will be seeing immigration raids this week. Our panelists Rep. Kim Schrier, Scott Jennings, Xochitl Hinojosa, and Shermichael Singleton discuss Vice President Vance's fiery twitter exchange and who the next leaders of the Democratic Party will be. 
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Interviews with Florida Surgeon General Joe Ladapo; Doctor Paul Offit; White House Border Czar Tom Homan

First: Crisis averted as a surprise deal to stave off a government shutdown has passed. After the house speaker makes a deal with Democrats will Republican hard-liners try to oust him? The Republican leading that charge, Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks followed by Democratic congresswoman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.Next: Former President Donald Trump ramps up his violent rhetoric. Former aids warn he's unfit for office but does he have the GOP nomination all sewn up? Our political panel discusses the situation.Then: An outpouring of affection for the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Her friend Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joins us to share what you might not have known about her.
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Interviews with: Rep. Matt Gaetz, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

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