The Beat with Ari Melber

In this podcast extra, news anchor and music journalist Ari Melber delivers a special report on Jay-Z’s life & career, drawing on the rapper’s dense lyrics, his classic albums “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint,” and original reporting on the history, culture and politics informing how those albums resonate today — amid their anniversaries and the Yankee Stadium shows. From New York’s poverty a...

April 8, 2026; 6pm; Ambassador Dennis Ross, a leading expert on Middle East affairs, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber to break down the latest developments in the Iran war. Plus, new warning signs for Republicans as Democrats gain momentum heading into the midterms. 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 com...

April 7, 2026; 6pm; President Trump posted on his social media site that he will suspend his threatened attacks on Iran for two weeks. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments. 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.adswizz.com for information about our collection and us...

April 6, 2026; 6pm; President Trump attempts to make his case for an unpopular war in Iran amid a global energy crisis and ongoing economic strain. MS NOW’s Ari Melber is joined by Democratic strategist James Carville to break down the political implications. Plus, the Artemis II crew sets a new record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth. To listen to this show and other MS podca...

In this podcast extra, listen to MS NOW’s Ari Melber’s extended interview with Snoop Dogg, who reflects on his career, life, goals, music, and politics. Snoop discusses his creative ventures with Def Jam, which grew out of his discussions with Lucian Grainge; advising newer artists like Benny the Butcher; music projects including “The Algorithm” and collaborating with Ice Cube, E40 and Too $hort i...

April 3, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by retired four-star Army General Barry McCaffrey and Ambassador Dennis Ross. Melber also reports on the firing of Pam Bondi as attorney general after a 14-month tenure leading the Department of Justice. Bondi is the second member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet to be forced out this term. Melber is...

April 2, 2026; 6pm; President Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after just 14 months leading the DOJ. MS NOW’s Melissa Murray reports, joined by The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast and former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Plus, Trump is facing new heat as the endgame in Iran remains unclear. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Ap...

April 1, 2026; 6pm; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins MS NOW’s Melissa Murray on "The Beat" to discuss President Trump’s war in Iran, escalating clashes over ICE and more. Plus, NASA’s Artemis II sends astronauts on a historic mission around the moon. Retired NASA astronaut John “Danny” Olivas joins for analysis. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NO...

March 31, 2026; 6pm; The Supreme Court will hear arguments on President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Plus, Melber reports on the latest in the Iran war and is joined by Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman for analysis. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up...

March 30, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ayman Mohyeldin reports on the impact of the massive "No Kings" protests. The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of "Indivisible" join. Plus, Mohyeldin reports on the war in Iran and growing questions about President Trump's lack of strategy and growing risk of escalation. Paul Rieckhoff, national security and political analyst,...

In this podcast extra, Ari Melber and Dylan Ratigan break down the Iran war and “rigged” Wall Street, while Molly Jong-Fast fact-checks Donald Trump’s biggest campaign promises. These new interviews are a Beat bonus from our podcast series “The B-Side.” Real talk and Ari’s extended conversations off air. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple...

March 27, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the eve of the nationwide “No Kings” protests, with more than 3,000 demonstrators expected across the country. Plus, Melber is joined by Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during the first Trump administration, for an extended conversation on the latest developments To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Pr...

March 26, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s plummeting approval ratings amid the Iran war and rising gas prices, and is joined by legendary political strategist James Carville. Plus, iconic director Baz Luhrmann joins Melber to discuss his new project “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert,” working with Jay-Z on The Great Gatsby soundtrack and more. To listen to this show and o...

March 25, 2026; 6pm; Congress is searching for answers as questions mount surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s death in jail. It follows a bombshell report revealing that "bags" of documents were shredded and thrown away at the jail just days after Epstein died. The Miami Herald’s Julie K. Brown, the journalist who broke the story, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber. Plus, a California jury found Google and Meta...

March 24, 2026; 6pm; A bombshell report from The Miami Herald reveals that "bags" of documents were shredded and thrown away at the New York jail where Epstein died just days after it happened. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports. Plus, Melber breaks down the chaos at airports nationwide as President Trump deploys ICE agents to allegedly "assist" overwhelmed TSA workers amid the ongoing DHS shutdown. To l...

March 23, 2026; 6pm; Confusion is swirling around Donald Trump’s war in Iran, now entering its fourth week, as Trump backs off a potentially illegal threat to “obliterate” civilian power plants. Plus, the NTSB holds a press conference after a regional Air Canada jet collided with a Port Authority airport vehicle at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, killing two people. To listen to this show and...

In this podcast extra, legendary hip-hop artist, actor and businessman 50 Cent joins MSNBC’s Ari Melber to discuss his new television broadcast deal with Fox and the 2024 election. Plus, 50 Cent celebrates 20 years of “Get Rich or Die Tryin,” and reflects on making music alongside Eminem and Dr. Dre. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podc...

March 20, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's attempted power grabs and is joined by Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during the first Trump administration. Plus, “Track Star” host Jack Coyne and Rolling Stone veteran Gus Wenner join to discuss how the upstart show has become a destination and what it signals for the future of digital media. Melber also reports on the l...

March 19, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on new testimony from Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime lawyer before the House Oversight Committee. Nancy Erika Smith, renowned civil rights attorney, joins to discuss. Plus, Melber reports on the drawbacks and benefits of the music streaming era. Melber also covers Bad Bunny topping both global and U.S. charts, his Super Bowl performance as a ratings hit...

March 18, 2026; 6pm; President Trump’s DOJ is being pressed for hiding more Epstein documents. Top House Oversight lawmakers met with embattled Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche over hiding files and alleged abuse of redactions. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports, joined by New York Times Magazine writer Emily Bazelon. Plus, Melber reports on the latest in Iran. To listen to this show...

March 17, 2026; 6pm; The Trump administration’s top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, has resigned. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the highest-level defection from Trump’s administration over Iran. Plus, Melber reports on how iconic artist Banksy is shaking up politics and art. Rev. Al Sharpton and The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast join. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ad...

March 16, 2026; 6pm; The war with Iran enters its third week as oil prices spike and the U.S. endgame remains unclear. MS  NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest and delivers a special report on President Trump escalating attacks on the First Amendment, with former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann weighing in. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium...

In this podcast extra, Chef Mario Carbone joins Ari Melber for a conversation about restaurants, cooking and his path from shucking shrimp to building the Carbone empire. Then Ari hosts Ish from The Joe Budden Podcast for an extended discussion on rap today, Jay-Z, Jay Electronica, Lyor Cohen, haters, the impact of streaming, music that plays best outside and even the “Verizon Man.” These new inte...

March 13 2026; 6pm; A Federal judge quashes grand jury subpoenas in the DOJ's probe into the Federal Reserve chair. Plus, the latest on the Iran war, with the Pentagon confirming six additional American deaths. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Jelani Cobb and Isiah Thomas. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by...

March 10 2026; 6pm; The FBI and local law enforcement agencies give briefings on attacks on Temple Israel in West Boomfield, Michigan and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Plus, the latest on the Iran war, with mideast strikes threatening economic upheaval. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Marc Santia, Marq Claxton, Brian Katulis, and Dylan Ratigan. To listen to this show a...