The Beat with Ari Melber

October 29, 2026; With just 5 days until the midterms, MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on Donald Trump's meltdown over Barack Obama's 'cheesecake' diss. Plus, Melber sits down with Former DNC chair, and architect of Democrats' famous '50-state-strategy,' Howard Dean to discuss the GOP's struggles.

October 28, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber examines the final stretch of the midterms, with Barack Obama and Donald Trump holding dueling rallies, Republicans confronting affordability backlash, and Democrats pointing to early-vote enthusiasm. Guests Alex Wagner, Michelle Goldberg, Larry Sabato, and Rebecca Bennett discuss polling shifts and competitive House and Senate races.

October 27, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber breaks down a federal grand jury rejecting the DOJ’s bid to indict Cassidy Hutchinson, then interviews Wes Moore and Sherrod Brown on Democratic strategy, Ohio’s Senate race, affordability, tech billionaire spending and accountability. MS NOW's Ali Velshi maps the House battlegrounds Democrats are targeting one week before Election Day.

October 26, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber breaks down the Trump DOJ’s new James Comey indictment, Barack Obama’s midterm push, and how Democrats could use House oversight powers if they win next week. The episode’s key takeaway is that investigations, subpoenas, and cabinet impeachment could become central tools for accountability over alleged corruption, war crimes, ICE tactics, and weaponized justice.

Republicans are on defense with 11 days until the midterms. MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by political strategist Chai Komanduri and MS NOW political analyst Juanita Tolliver.

With just 12 days until the midterms, MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments and is joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton and The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast.

With just 13 days until the midterms, MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the state of American politics as President Trump’s approval rating plunges and Republicans fear an electoral apocalypse.

With just two weeks until Election Day, Republicans are on defense as President Trump’s approval rating drops to 31%. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by former RNC Chair Michael Steele and Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

With just 15 days until the midterms, Republicans are scrambling. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Brett Meiselas, co-founder of the MeidasTouch Network, and Democratic strategist Alencia Johnson.

President Trump’s White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is out after just five days on the job. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Joe Lockhart, former White House press secretary under President Bill Clinton, and The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments following a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. Plus, with less than three weeks until Election Day, Republicans are in panic mode as the midterms approach. Melber is joined by former SDNY civil prosecutor Maya Wiley and Fordham University's Christina Greer.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's failure to tame inflation and the broader political fallout for the GOP. Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and The New York Times' Michelle Goldberg join.

The Trump administration is facing backlash for allegedly defying a judge’s order, reportedly missing a deadline to stop running taxpayer-funded campaign-style ads after a judge temporarily barred them. MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance.

MS NOW's Peter Alexander reports on The Wall Street Journal's reporting that Kimberly Guilfoyle, the new U.S. ambassador to Greece, boasted of private jet trips paid for by two wealthy Greek tycoons while working at the World Economic Forum. Trump vet Sarah Matthews joins.

The GOP reaches a new level of panic ahead of a potential midterm reckoning. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by podcaster Brian Tyler Cohen and political strategist Chai Komanduri. Plus Melber is joined by Hollywood super-agent Ari Emanuel to talk mergers, AI and political censorship.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on a new legal loss for President Trump in his ongoing war on free speech. Andrew Weissmann, former FBI General Counsel and former Mueller prosecutor.

With just four weeks until the midterms, Republicans are trailing in most polls and playing defense in what Politico calls “triage mode.” MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Jelani Cobb, dean of the Columbia Journalism School, and Christine Quinn, vice chair of the New York State Democratic Party.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s declining support as the midterms approach. The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast and former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee join.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis joins MS NOW's Ari Melber on "The Beat" for an extended interview.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s “Red State Tour” and the latest jobs report. Political analyst Juanita Tolliver and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson join.

Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed joins MS NOW's Ari Melber on "The Beat" for an extended conversation.

Leaked audio obtained by The New York Times reveals Republican Senate candidate Ken Paxton apparently insulting President Trump’s convention. Paxton’s team disputes the claim that Paxton sees Trump as a drag.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on bombshell testimony from former special counsel Jack Smith, the first federal prosecutor to criminally charge a former president. Smith appeared before Congress today defending his two indictments of Trump.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s declining approval ratings as the midterms draw closer and is joined by legendary Democratic strategist James Carville.

MAGA is breaking with President Trump over his embrace of AI. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Naomi Klein, journalist and bestselling author of "End times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World."

President Trump loses the first court test of his press ban. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

President Trump’s White House press ban faced skeptical questions at an emergency court hearing. MS NOW’s Ari Melber breaks down what happened.

New MS NOW reporting details how House Republicans are privately worried about their prospects in the midterm elections. Melissa Murray reports and is joined by The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast and David Litt, former Obama speechwriter.

In their lawsuit challenging President Trump’s White House press ban, CNN, MS NOW and Politico warn of the chilling effect the restrictions could have on press freedom. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports and is joined by Marty Baron, former executive editor of The Washington Post.

President Donald Trump says he is banning MS NOW, CNN and Politico from the White House. He did not cite specific reports that prompted the decision and suggested other news organizations could face similar action. The Trump administration has taken no formal action at this time. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on new warning signs for President Trump’s economy. Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast join.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on new fallout from President Trump’s war and economic challenges, from the Fed to the markets. Slate’s Jacob Weisberg and The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg join.

The Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s bid to halt a judge’s order that blocked the federal government from implementing mail-in ballot restrictions for the midterm elections. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Andrew Weissmann, former FBI general counsel.

AI rivals are coming together with a new message: “Slow it down.” Leaders from OpenAI, SpaceX and Anthropic are responding to growing concerns over the rapid pace of artificial intelligence. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Will Knight, senior writer for WIRED.

September 11, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber hosts The Beat and reports on the U.S. marking 25 years since the September 11th attacks. Plus, new scrutiny on the Trump administration and censorship as Jimmy Kimmel alleged the Trump Administration "threatened" him and ABC over his planned TV interview with Democratic Senate candidate from Texas, James Talarico. Jason Johnson, Michelle Goldberg, Sen. Angela Alsobrooks and Busta Rhymes join.

September 10, 2026; The firing of Fox host Maria Bartiromo has caused a huge rift among MAGA, pitting the conservative network against the president. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports.

MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by Trump aide Peter Navarro on "The Beat" for an extended interview on the Fox-WH feud and more.

With 56 days until the midterm elections, MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports on the latest developments and is joined by The Nation’s Joan Walsh and former Obama speechwriter David Litt.

A federal judge temporarily halted a Trump-directed Postal Service requirement that would exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the midterms. MS NOW's reports on the breaking news.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on a pivotal court hearing challenging President Trump’s plot to corrupt the midterm ballots and is joined by Ty Cobb, a former Trump White House lawyer during his first term.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on signs that President Trump is rattled by the upcoming midterm elections and is joined by Brett Meiselas, co-founder of the MeidasTouch News Network.

The Trump DOJ is facing new questions over its handling of the Epstein case. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Bloomberg’s Jason Leopold.

MS NOW's Antonia Hylton reports on the latest on the Iran war and is joined by Reverend Al Sharpton.

The war in Iran has reached the six-month mark. MS NOW’s Jackie Alemany reports and is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson and Bloomberg’s Jeff Mason.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on tech innovator and Microsoft founder Bill Gates issuing an extensive warning about the current AI boom. Plus, President Trump faces a polling crisis amid an unpopular war and high prices.

Meta and a group of state attorneys general announced a settlement agreement in which the social media giant will pay up to $17 billion and make changes to its apps following allegations that its technology harms children’s mental health. MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers a special report.

Tributes pour in for country music legend Dolly Parton. MS NOW’s Ari Melber remembers the singer, songwriter, musician, businesswoman and philanthropist. Grammy-winning songwriter Diane Warren, Martha Ackmann, author of “And Nobody’s Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton,” and Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, join to discuss Parton’s legacy.

President Trump revives a tariff clash with ally and trading partner Canada. Veteran journalist Kurt Andersen joins to discuss. Plus, MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers a special report on a key area where Trump is trying to skirt or break the laws that oversee prosecutors.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on a flashing “Code Red” for President Trump and Republicans as Trump’s poll numbers continue to sink. Plus, Melber reports on a troubling new power grab in Trump’s retribution campaign and is joined by former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance.

MAGA allies are making huge bets on AI amid new signs that a tech “bubble” could rattle the economy. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes and journalist Ed Zitron.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on new results and signals emerging from the primaries, including bruising losses for Trump-endorsed candidates. Reverend Al Sharpton and Bill de Blasio, former New York City mayor join.

New polling from Reuters shows President Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s latest legal setbacks with former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber delivers a special report on the tech boom, deregulation and the MAGA allies reshaping AI and media. Melber draws from a New York Times investigation, “Larry Ellison Bet It All on the A.I. Boom. Will He Be the Face of an A.I. Bubble?” New York Times reporter Jim Rutenberg joined Melber later on “The Beat.”

MS NOW’s Ari Melber is joined by former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb to discuss growing backlash to President Trump’s power grabs.

New reporting from The Washington Post reveals that President Trump’s White House construction projects are expected to cost nearly $1 billion, with taxpayers footing most of the bill. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Alex Wagner and CNBC’s Ron Insana for analysis.

Evidence of President Trump’s autocratic ambitions is mounting. MS NOW’s Ari Melber examines allegations of corruption involving Trump and is joined by acclaimed novelist Gary Shteyngart and Josh Marshall, founder and editor-in-chief of Talking Points Memo.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber delivers a special report on how the Trump White House is resurrecting parts of the failed Jan. 6 coup attempt.

August 7, 2026; 6pm; A new July jobs report shows the US economy losing 23-thousand jobs. Plus, a new legal setback for Trump as a federal appeals court halted above-ground construction on the White House ballroom. Jared Bernstein, Jason Johnson, Juanita Tolliver, Liz Stein, Priya Sridhar and Keith Ellison join The Beat.

In this podcast extra, genre-defying music icon Jon Batiste joins MS NOW's Ari Melber to discuss growing up in a legacy musical family, overcoming stage fright, the power of failure, why he put both Lil Wayne and Kenny G on his new album, and what it means for him to “love being myself in every room.” This interview aired in 2023.

Aug 6, 2026; 6pm; With less than three months before the midterms, Trump is facing a massive polling crash, rising gas prices, an unpopular war of choice, and a MAGA revolt by some of his closest MAGA allies. Molly Jong-Fast, Rick Wilson, Tim O'Brien, Will Sommer and Rick Reilly join The Beat to discuss.

Aug 5, 2025; 6pm; Progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan formally declared victory in his Democratic Senate primary. Democratic strategists see an opportunity to retake the Senate in this year's midterms. Eugene Robinson and Adam Green join The Beat to discuss. Plus, Mary Trump on her uncle's "decline."

Aug 4, 2026; Voters are heading to the polls tonight for primaries in five states: Kansas, Missouri, Virginia, Washington, and here in Michigan. MS NOW's Jacob Soboroff reports live from a polling site at Wayne County Community College District's Northwest Campus in Detroit. MS NOW Chief National Correspondent Chris Jansing, Detroit News reporter Craig Mauger, and MS NOW's Ali Velshi join.

August 3, 2026; Melissa Murray hosts "The Beat." Donald Trump's attorney general nominee Todd Blanche issued a statement officially dropping the controversial anti-weaponization fund, teeing up a Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance his nomination to the full Senate. Maya Wiley, David Litt, Fmr. Amb. Norm Eisen, and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks join.

Legendary Democratic strategist James Carville joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber to discuss President Trump’s economy and the war in Iran.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination has been put on hold indefinitely due to concerns from two Republican senators. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann.

Dr. Anthony Fauci pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a fiery Senate hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports.

Late-night comedian Jon Stewart criticizes President Trump over his performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by political strategist Chai Komanduri.

New polling shows President Trump is losing support over his handling of multiple issues, including the Iran war, the Epstein scandal and inflation. MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by Jason Johnson to discuss.

In this podcast extra, media mogul Byron Allen joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber to discuss his journey from the youngest comedian to perform on The Tonight Show to building Allen Media Group. This interview is a new installment of “The Summit Series with Ari Melber,” featuring discussions with leaders at the summit of their fields.

Melissa Murray reports on new Wall Street Journal reporting detailing President Trump’s fury in the Oval Office over the Iran war. Former Obama speechwriter David Litt and MS NOW political analyst Michelle Goldberg join the discussion. Plus, Murray reports on troubling new questions about whether President Trump’s Pentagon is trying to hide and distort information about the Iran war.

President Trump’s DOJ said it will withdraw the subpoenas it issued to reporters who reported on security concerns related to the new Qatari-donated Air Force One. Melissa Murray reports and is joined by The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and MS NOW's Lisa Rubin.

President Trump’s nominee for attorney general, current Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, faces pushback ahead of his confirmation vote. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and Rev. Al Sharpton.

In this podcast extra, Oscar and Grammy-winning producer and DJ Mark Ronson joins MS NOW's Ari Melber for an extended interview about DJing in 1990s New York City, what makes a party, premiering Biggie’s “Hypnotize” and working with music legends in this installment of Mavericks with Ari Melber, a series of interviews with artists, musicians, and cultural icons, parts of which previously aired on MS NOW in 2025.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the Iran war escalating as the conflict spreads across neighboring countries. The Atlantic's Tom Nichols joins.

Ty Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer during President Trump’s first term, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber on "The Beat" for a wide-ranging discussion on the Trump administration and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber delivers a special report on accountability for Sen. Susan Collins. Plus, The New York Times has filed a motion to quash subpoenas the Trump DOJ sent to the paper’s reporters. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's string of legal losses and is joined by The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and former federal prosecutor John Flannery.

A U.S. judge has voided Donald Trump's $1.8 billion settlement with the IRS. MS NOW's Ari Melber has the latest.

In this podcast extra, Memphis Bleek discusses his time on stage with Jay-Z at Yankee Stadium with MS NOW's Ari Melber.

President Trump is refusing to sign a housing bill passed by his own party's Congress. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by The New York Times' Michelle Goldberg and Mark Leibovich.

The war in Iran, the Epstein scandal and high prices continue to engulf the Trump White House. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Political strategist Chai Komanduri and veteran journalist Tara Palmeri.

President Trump says the ceasefire with Iran is over amid renewed fighting in the region. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments and is joined by The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and Bill De Blasio, former mayor of New York City.

The New York Times' Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan join MS NOW's Ari Melber to discuss their new book, "Regime Change," which goes inside the chaos of President Trump's second term.

New receipts show President Trump is profiting off the White House. MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers a special report.

In this podcast extra, the celebrated actor, composer, lyricist and writer Lin-Manuel Miranda talks Obama, “Hamilton,” “Warriors,” and life lessons in this extended interview with MS NOW's Ari Melber. This interview originally aired in 2024.

MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace joins Ari Melber to discuss her exclusive interview with former Special Counsel Jack Smith.

President Trump's annual financial disclosure reveals he made at least $2.2 billion during the first year of his second term. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

The Supreme Court issued its final decisions for cases argued this term, including rejecting President Trump’s executive bid to end birthright citizenship. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

MS NOW'S Ari Melber delivers a special report on President Trump's mixed day at SCOTUS. Plus, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin joins to discuss AI and the economy.

BONUS: Listen to Ari Melber's 2024 interview with retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, who discusses the reversal of Roe v. Wade, attacks on judges, and his views on law and a series of consequential issues.

A federal judge has ordered the Trump DOJ to release more Epstein files in response to a legal filing alleging the department failed to comply with the Epstein Act. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by The New York Times' David Enrich and veteran journalist Tara Palmeri.

A federal judge has blocked President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments and is joined by Columbia Journalism School Dean Jelani Cobb and The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg.

In a stunning rebuke, the Senate votes to block President Trump’s war with Iran unless Congress authorizes it. MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock to discuss.

President Trump is threatening to sue ABC News again over its coverage of his multi-million dollar renovation of the Reflecting Pool. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by esteemed veteran journalist Marty Baron, former executive editor for The Washington Post.

President Trump eyes a deal with Iran that appears to echo aspects of the Obama-era agreement he once scrapped. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments. Plus, Melber remembers legendary music executive Clive Davis, who passed away today at the age of 94.

In this podcast extra, hear Ari Melber's conversations with New York rapper Lexa Gates and Knicks legend Bill Bradley. Melber talks with Gates about what it really means to be a New Yorker and sits down with Bradley to discuss the Knicks' historic championship run and what the victory means for New York.

MS NOW's Melissa Murray reports on renewed fears that the president is asserting an expansive vision of presidential power. Semafor's Margaret Carlson and longtime journalist Tara Palmeri join.