showcast
State of the Union
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.

On CNN’s State of the Union, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer joins Dana Bash for a wide-ranging interview on Ukraine peace talks, Trump’s handling of immigration and the economy, Schumer’s future as a leader in his party, and rising antisemitism in America. Next, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joins Dana to discuss the continued economic uncertainty around Trump’s tariffs and the impact they’re having here at home. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban, CNN Political C...Show moreommentator Karen Finney, Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari, and former Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler join Dana to break down CNN’s new poll showing Trump with dismal approval ratings across the board as he approaches the 100-day mark of his second term.
Apr 28, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen joins Dana Bash to discuss his trip to El Salvador to meet with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Then, Dana presses House GOP Whip Rep. Tom Emmer on Trump’s standoff with the courts over his immigration policies. After, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar tells Dana that she believes the US is “getting closer and closer to a constitutional crisis.” Finally, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, former Trump White House Communicati...Show moreons Director Mike Dubke, Republican strategist Lance Trover, and Harris Campaign Senior Adviser Adrienne Elrod join Dana to discuss Trump’s escalating campaign of retribution against his perceived political opponents.
Apr 20, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett over the confusion and turmoil caused by Trump’s tariff rollout. Then, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren joins Jake to discuss how Democrats should respond to Trump’s economic chaos. Finally, CNN Political Commentators Brad Todd and Ashley Allison, Republican Rep. Tim Burchett, and former Democratic Rep. Susan Wild join Jake to discuss the economic and political impact from the turmoil around Trump’s tariffs.
Apr 14, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for clarity on Trump’s sweeping tariffs as the economic fallout grows. Then, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz joins Jake to respond and to weigh in on what he thinks Democrats’ strategy needs to be to counter Trump. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban, CNN Political Commentator Jamal Simmons, Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten, and Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis join Jake to break down the political and economic impact of Trump’s tariffs, as well as the move by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to remove books from the Naval Academy library as part of the administration’s anti-DEI push.
Apr 7, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Republican Sen. James Lankford joins Dana Bash to discuss the fallout from the Trump administration’s Signal chat leak, as well as the impact from President Trump’s escalating trade war. Then, Dana asks Democratic Governor and potential 2028 candidate Wes Moore about Democrats struggle to find a path forward under the Trump administration. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator Shermichael Singleton, Michigan State Sen. Ma...Show morellory McMorrow, and former Biden Chief Pentagon Spokesman Chris Meagher spar over the seriousness of the signal leak and what a winning political strategy for Democrats moving forward looks like. Dana also asks McMorrow about her political future as she weighs a run for US Senate in Michigan.
Mar 31, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon joins Dana Bash exclusively to discuss what the future looks like for the Department of Education as President Donald Trump pushes to dismantle it. Next, Dana asks Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna if a new Tea Party is forming among Democrats. Then, Democratic Rep. Jason Crow, CNN Senior Political Commentator Shermichael Singleton, CNN Political Commentator Xochitl Hinojosa, and Republican strategist Doug Heye join Dana to discuss...Show more the Democrats' latest efforts in their search for a path forward. Finally, Dana speaks with Rep. Brittany Petterson and her newborn son, Sam, up on Capitol Hill to discuss the congresswoman's latest push for Congress to update the rule regarding in-person voting for new moms.
Mar 23, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff joins Jake Tapper to discuss his hours-long meeting with Vladimir Putin and the prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Next, Jake asks Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett about the finger-pointing in her party after Congress’ shutdown showdown and the frustration with Sen. Chuck Schumer. Then, Jake presses Republican Sen. Mike Rounds over Trump’s use of wartime power to ramp up deportations and the impact from his escalating trade war...Show more. Finally, Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, CNN Political Commentator Brad Todd, and Democratic strategist Ashley Etienne join Jake to break down Democrats’ infighting and the politics of Trump’s tariffs.
Mar 16, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Republican Sen. Rick Scott over Elon Musk’s approach to slashing government, as well as President Trump’s whiplash-inducing tariff policies. Then, with Democrats facing a do-or-die moment this week on a potential government shutdown, Jake asks Democratic Sen. Andy Kim how he plans to vote. After, US Hostage Envoy Adam Boehler joins Jake fresh off his unprecedented meeting with Hamas in an effort to negotiate a hostage deal. Finally, Democratic Rep...Show more. Jake Auchincloss, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales, CNN Political Commentator Ashley Allison, and Republican Pollster Brenda Gianiny join Jake Tapper to discuss a whirlwind political week, Trump’s pressure campaign against Ukraine, DOGE protests at GOP town halls, and the potential government shutdown.
Mar 10, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Speaker Johnson joins Dana Bash to discuss the stunning Trump-Zelensky blowup, as well as his strategy for preventing a government shutdown in less than two weeks. Then, Dana presses National Security Adviser Mike Waltz on the future of US-Ukraine relations and if it’s possible to repair the damage from that Oval Office meeting. Next, Dana sits down with Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy to discuss the fallout from the Ukraine meeting, as well as how he thinks Democrats s...Show morehould be countering Trump. Finally, Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings, Political Commentator Xochitl Hinojosa, Republican strategist Erin Maguire, and Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam join Dana to discuss Musk and Vance jockeying for influence in Trump’s administration, as well as the impact from Musk’s DOGE cuts.
Mar 3, 2025
On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks with President Trump’s point person leading negotiations to end the wars in the Mideast and Ukraine, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. Witkoff says he’s optimistic that negotiations over phase two of the Gaza ceasefire will move forward. Jake also presses him over Trump’s attacks on Ukrainian President Zelensky and Witkoff’s suggestion that Russia’s invasion was “provoked.” Then, Jake talks with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries about his party’s ...Show morestruggle to counter President Trump and Elon Musk. Next, Republican strategist Kirstin Davison and CNN political commentators Xochitl Hinojosa, Adam Kinzinger and Shermichael Singleton join Jake to discuss the latest federal workforce cuts and Donald Trump's first month in office. Finally, Jake takes a look at President Trump’s effort to remove officials responsible for oversight in the federal government and questions what he’s trying to hide from the American people.
Feb 24, 2025