The Beat with Ari Melber

May 7, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump was confronted about whether he is dangerously pre-occupied with vanity projects and self-glorification at a time of war. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Chai Komanduri, Michelle Goldberg, Joyce Vance and Eugene Robinson. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

May 7, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump is calling for the prosecution of Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. Also, a handwritten note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein in jail shortly before his death has been unsealed by court order after nearly 7 years, raising new questions about his death. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Rev. Al Sharpton, Maya Wiley, Benjamin Weiser and Paul Mecurio....

May 6, 2026; 6pm; Congress grilled Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the Epstein files, in which he is named over 200 times. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Nancy Erika Smith, Emily Bazelon, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Jason Johnson. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...

May 5, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump is struggling to contain the fallout from the war he started in Iran, with reports undercutting his claims about Iran's nuclear timeline. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Mike Barnicle, Molly Jong-Fast, Andrew Weissmann and Fab Five Freddy. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Si...

May 4, 2026; 6pm; Six months from the midterms, the sputtering economy and an unpopular war are dragging down Donald Trump. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports and is joined by Jelani Cobb, E.J. Dionne, Maya Wiley, Kristen Clarke and Jenn Budd. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi...

May 1, 2026; 6pm; President Trump’s war in Iran is facing historic disapproval. MS NOW’s Ayman Mohyeldin reports and is joined by Molly Jong-Fast and Jared Bernstein. Plus, Mohyeldin covers ongoing turmoil inside President Trump’s Justice Department. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See...

April 30, 2026; 6pm; The Atlantic reports that Trump allies say he's "begun thinking about himself less as a peer of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," and more as an addition to the trifecta of "great men," Alexander the Great, Julius Cesar and Napoleon Bonaparte. MS NOW's Ayman Mohyeldin reports and is joined by The Atlantic's Ashley Parker. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts with...

April 29, 2026; 6pm; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House Armed Services Committee, marking his first hearing since the Iran war began. MS NOW's Melissa Murray reports and is joined by Admiral John Kirby. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority struck down a Louisiana voting map as unconstitutional, finding that lawmakers “illegally used race when drawing a n...

April 28, 2026; 6pm; The Trump Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey again, following the dismissal of his first indictment. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports, and is joined by Hofstra University’s James Sample and former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance. Plus, the Trump administration is once again targeting Jimmy Kimmel. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, s...

April 27, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Antonia Hylton reports on President Trump's attacks on the media following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Molly Jong-Fast and Robert D'Amico join. Plus, Hylton breaks down new reports of chaos at President Trump's DOJ. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplec...

BONUS: Acclaimed author and professor Francis Fukuyama discusses his seminal works “Trust” and “The End of History” and how they apply today, and to an era of mounting distrust and conspiracy theories in the new Trump era, in this extended conversation with MS NOW's Ari Melber. Fukuyama also analyzes Elon Musk’s “oligarch” politics, and shares his passions beyond academia - woodworking and drone b...

April 24, 2026; 6pm; The DOJ has closed its probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, clearing the way for Trump's new pick, Kevin Warsh, to lead the bank. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Ty Cobb, former Trump former White House attorney during the first Trump administration. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts....

April 23, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on how the Iran war and economic fallout are under-cutting President Trump's support on the right. Plus, Warner Bros shareholders have voted to approve the controversial merger with Paramount. Matt Belloni, a founding partner of Puck News, joins to discuss. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple...

April 22, 2026; 6pm; In a striking admission, longtime Trump loyalist Tucker Carlson is apologizing for helping elect Donald Trump. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Will Sommer, senior reporter at The Bulwark. Plus, President Trump’s approval rating plunges to 33%, marking a new low in his second term. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium...

April 21, 2026; 6pm; President Trump’s loss of support is becoming visible even on the far right, with Tucker Carlson going further than his past criticism and now apologizing for helping elect Trump. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Alex Wagner and political strategist Morris Katz. Plus, Trump comes under renewed scrutiny over his handling of the economy and the Iran war. To listen to...

April 20, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and its impact on the economy. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. Plus, music executive Kevin Liles joins to discuss justice reform, creative freedom & rap lyrics in court. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on...

In this podcast extra, listen to Jay McInerney on The Beat, plus a special digital conversation with Ari Melber in Times Square, where he discusses his new book and his social life in New York City. Plus, revisit McInerney’s past appearances on The Beat. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company....

April 17, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and its impact on the economy. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. Plus, music executive Kevin Liles joins to discuss justice reform, creative freedom & rap lyrics in court. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on...

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump's escalating influence at the Department of Justice, the latest developments in the Iran war, and growing questions surrounding Trump’s mental acuity. Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb joins the discussion. Plus, author Jay McInerney joins to discuss his new book, "See You on the Other Side." To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without...

April 15, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on mounting challenges facing President Trump, from the Iran war to growing backlash within his MAGA base. Reverend Al Sharpton and The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg join. Plus, New York Attorney General Letitia James joins to discuss the verdict against Ticketmaster and Live Nation. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign...

April 14, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the fallout over President Trump's feud with the Pope, and his post depicting himself as Jesus. Plus, Trump's behavior is alarming allies and critics who say it's hitting a turning point. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson joins. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts....

April 13, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new fractures in President Trump's MAGA base as he feuds with the Pope. Semafor's Margaret Carlson joins. Plus, MS NOW’s Jason Johnson and Middle East Institute senior fellow Brian Katulis break down the latest developments in the Iran war. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hos...

BONUS: Top Republicans are attacking what they call “woke” politics, and even passing laws designed to “stop” a supposed woke agenda. The singer who first brought that concept to the culture, in “Master Teacher,” Erykah Badu, reflects on social justice, culture and “woke politics” today – one of several topics the four-time Grammy winner tackles in this extended discussion with MSNBC anchor and mu...

April 10, 2026; 6pm; The U.S. is preparing for a new round of peace talks in Pakistan. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by Max Boot, a senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on AI, labor, and humanity, and is joined by The Atlantic’s Thomas Chatterton Williams and Je...

April 9, 2026; 6pm; President Trump lashes out, issuing new threats toward Iran despite the current ceasefire. Plus, Melania Trump makes a rare public statement, denying any association with Jeffrey Epstein or knowledge of his crimes. And, hear MS NOW's Ari Melber's special report on Jay-Z’s legendary career. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on A...