CNN Political Briefing

CNN

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. CNN Political Director David Chalian shares the latest insider analysis so you can make sense of the headlines.

  • 26 minutes 20 seconds
    Trump's Rapid-fire Diplomacy in the Middle East

    President Trump completed a whirlwind tour of the Middle East this week, making deals—and multiple headlines—along the way. Axios reporter, Middle East expert and CNN political and global affairs analyst Barak Ravid breaks down the major moments from the week, from a historic handshake between Trump and the Syrian president to Qatar’s unusual gift of a luxury jet.


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    16 May 2025, 8:00 am
  • 28 minutes 2 seconds
    The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Turns Ugly

    Getting President Trump's so-called “big, beautiful bill” past the finish line could be an ugly process for Congressional Republicans. CNN Anchor and Chief Congressional Correspondent Manu Raju breaks down what’s going into this sweeping bill and explains why some GOP members can’t seem to agree on key parts of the legislation.

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    9 May 2025, 8:00 am
  • 33 minutes 23 seconds
    Conspiracy Theories Are Everywhere. What Can We Do?

    Conspiracy theories are not new. They’re as old as time itself. But if you feel like they’re everywhere right now, you’re not alone. So, what do you do when somebody you love has fallen down a rabbit hole? CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan has been covering the world of misinformation for more than a decade, but now he's less interested in what people believe than why they believe it. So, he’s trying to find out.


    Listen to Persuadable here.

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    6 May 2025, 8:00 am
  • 24 minutes 56 seconds
    How to Win Voters Who Don’t Trust Politics

    How can politicians reach Americans who have tuned out politics? That’s something Rob Flaherty, a former deputy campaign manager for Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential run, argues Republicans have been doing successfully while Democrats have failed. He explains why he thinks Dems became the “party of the system” and why that’s kept them from reaching voters who believe the system is broken.

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    2 May 2025, 8:00 am
  • 26 minutes 16 seconds
    The ‘Fun Part is Over’ for Trump’s Second Term

    Next week marks 100 days since President Trump was sworn in for his second term. CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins and Chief National Affairs Correspondent Jeff Zeleny share their behind-the-scenes insights from the last few months and explain why attitudes at the White House have recently shifted.


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    25 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 21 minutes 41 seconds
    Are We Headed for a Constitutional Crisis?

    Judicial showdowns over a pair of major deportation-related cases have ratcheted up tensions between Trump and the courts this week. University of Michigan law professor, author and podcast host Leah Litman weighs in on whether these and other clashes between Trump and the judiciary have pushed the country into a constitutional crisis.


    Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.

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    18 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 21 minutes 1 second
    Have Tariffs Ever Worked?

    President Trump’s 90-day pause on most new tariffs triggered a market rally, but economic uncertainty persists as existing tariffs are still in place and a trade war with China intensifies. Trade economist and historian Doug Irwin knows how tariffs have affected Americans and American companies in the past. So, what can that tell us about what could happen to the US economy next?


    Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.

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    11 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 25 minutes 16 seconds
    What Made These Special Elections...Special

    Democrats celebrated a victory in a Wisconsin state supreme court race while Republicans secured two wins in special elections in Florida this week. The races were a window into how voters are feeling a few months into Trump's second term. Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler explains why his state saw a surge in voter turnout, while Florida Republican Party Chair Ben Power shares his take on GOP margins shrinking since November.


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    4 April 2025, 8:00 am
  • 26 minutes 19 seconds
    Former Trump Staffer on Signal War Plans

    The Trump administration is still under fire after plans for a military strike on Yemen were leaked via a group chat that mistakenly included the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. Olivia Troye was a former national security official during the first Trump administration. She shares her take on the potential dangers of what happened here.

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    28 March 2025, 8:46 am
  • 26 minutes 51 seconds
    Howard Dean's Prescription for Democrats

    The Democratic Party's approval rating has dropped to a record low. So, why is the party so unpopular right now? And what can Democrats do to revive their reputation? Howard Dean is a former chair of the DNC, a onetime presidential candidate and the former governor of Vermont. He argues the Democrats’ brand right now is “what the Republicans say it is.” And he shares some ideas for reclaiming his party’s brand.


    Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.

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    21 March 2025, 8:00 am
  • 21 minutes 21 seconds
    Why Musk’s DOGE Moves Are ‘Just Like the Twitter Takeover’

    Elon Musk is new to Washington, but what can we learn about his tactics at DOGE from how he’s run his companies? Kate Conger, co-author of the book “Character Limit,” an account of Musk’s takeover of Twitter, says Musk has been pulling from the same playbook since taking on his role in the Trump administration. Plus, she explains Musk’s affinity for recreating memes in real life.


    Have a question or a guest you'd like to hear from? Let us know. Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at (202) 430-5460.

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    14 March 2025, 8:00 am
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