cnn-political-briefing

CNN Political Briefing

Politics

podcast

CNN Political Briefing

Join CNN Political Director David Chalian as he guides you through our ever-changing political landscape. Every week, David and a guest take you inside the latest developments with insight and analysis from the key players in politics.

Trump, Tragedy and Politics CNN Political Briefing

A nearly constant stream of news has been coming from the White House since Donald Trump moved back in. CNN’s Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny has been there to cover it all. He joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to sort through some of the major moments of these first days—including a press conference where President Trump suggested, without evidence, that diversity initiatives could have played a role in the tragic midair collision near WashiShow morengton, DC. Plus, how Trump’s “executive flex of power” ran into some roadblocks this week.  What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 618-9460.

Jan 31, 2025

Trump’s ‘Sweeping’ Immigration Actions, Explained CNN Political Briefing

In his first hours in office, President Donald Trump signed a slate of executive orders related to immigration. So, what have been the immediate impacts, and what could come next? CNN Correspondent Priscilla Alvarez sits down with CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to break it all down. Plus, what makes Trump’s actions on immigration now different from his last time in the White House. What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 618-9460.

Jan 24, 2025

Joe Biden’s ‘Extraordinary’ Admission CNN Political Briefing

Joe Biden’s more than 50-year political career will come to an end Monday when he turns over the Oval Office back to Donald Trump. USA TODAY’s Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page had the rare opportunity to do an exit interview with Biden during the last days of his presidency. She joins CNN Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to share her insights from that conversation, including an “extraordinary” admission by the president. Plus, why Biden’s farewell address wasn’t what either of them expected. What questions do you have about the new Trump administration? Email us at CNNPoliticalBriefing@Gmail.com or give us a call at (202) 618-9460.

Jan 17, 2025

The World’s Most Exclusive Fraternity CNN Political Briefing

This week marked a rare meeting of the so-called presidents club—the elite, unofficial club of living US presidents. It’s a complicated moment for the former commanders in chief, as they say goodbye to one member and prepare for Donald Trump to make the historic transition from ex-president to current president. CNN’s presidential historian, Tim Naftali, joins Washington Bureau Chief and Political Director David Chalian to discuss this “club,” its past, its purpose and Trump’s strained relationship to it.

Jan 10, 2025

Will Biden’s Legacy Be Defined by Trump’s Win? CNN Political Briefing

In a month, President Joe Biden will hand the keys of the White House back to his political rival, Donald Trump. Franklin Foer is a staff writer for The Atlantic, and he closely observed the first two years of Biden’s presidency to write his book, “The Last Politician: Inside Joe Biden’s White House and the Struggle for America’s Future.” He joins CNN Political Director and Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian to discuss what Biden’s legacy will be and whether the accomplishments of his presidency will be reduced to an “asterisk” in the shadow of Trump’s win.

Dec 20, 2024

History Shows Us Why Harris Lost CNN Political Briefing

CNN senior political analyst and editor for The Atlantic Ron Brownstein joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to break down how Vice President Kamala Harris’s top campaign leaders are explaining their loss. They discuss whether it was a winnable race for Harris and why the most shocking thing about this election may just be how normal it was. Plus, the moment Harris’s campaign leaders were most defensive about and the exit poll insight that gets at the heart of the results.

Dec 13, 2024

Trump’s ‘Unprecedented’ Pick to Head the FBI CNN Political Briefing

President-elect Donald Trump wants to replace the current FBI director with firebrand Kash Patel—a fierce Trump loyalist who promises to root out the “deep state” and make radical changes to the agency. CNN National Security Reporter Zachary Cohen joins CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes to break down this controversial pick and what it reveals about Trump’s approach to his second term. They share what they’re hearing about Patel from sources in law enforcement and Trump’s inner circle. Plus, they discuss Trump’s distrust of the FBI and what makes this an unprecedented pick.

Dec 6, 2024

Why It Feels Like Your Phone Is Listening to You CNN Political Briefing

It’s a familiar feeling if you spend enough time on the internet: you talk about something in the real world, and then you see that same thing advertised to you online. This uncanny experience has led many people to wonder: are our devices listening to us? And is that how online advertisers are able to serve such specific ads? David Choffnes, associate professor at Northeastern University, says it’s not that simple. You can read the full study David discussed in this episode here. Follow Terms of Service here.

Nov 29, 2024

How Gen Z Helped Trump Win CNN Political Briefing

Young voters—especially first-time young voters—helped deliver President-elect Donald Trump his victory this month. The 18-to-29-year-old set tends to vote Democratic, and most of them did. But Trump made significant inroads with young people. This week, John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics, joins Political Director and Washington Bureau Chief David Chalian to discuss what happened with the youth vote and where the Democrats went wrong with this age group. They also break down three things Gen Z Trump voters expect from a second Trump term and explain why some young voters feel left behind.

Nov 22, 2024

Inside Mar-a-Lago and the Trump Transition CNN Political Briefing

Preparations for President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House are well underway and CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes is following the transition closely. She joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to break down what we know so far about Trump’s mindset, his staffing choices and the mandate he believes he has from American voters. They discuss Trump’s most controversial cabinet picks so far and what they reveal about how he’s approaching his second term. Plus, Kristen describes a typical night at Mar-a-Lago.

Nov 15, 2024