The Weekend

Episode 1Spoiler Hidden

Episode 2Spoiler Hidden

7am: Maduro was taken by armored vehicle from Stewart Airport in Orange County, New York to be processed at a DEA field office in New York City. It comes less than 24 hours after a major U.S. military operation in Caracas, where more than 150 aircraft were deployed to neutralize Venezuelan air defenses and facilitate the capture of Maduro and his wife from their home. Laura Barron-Lopez and Missy Ryan join The Weekend to discuss the events of the last 24 hours in Venezuela. Former CIA Director John Brennan also joins The Weekend to discuss what comes next for the country after its president was captured by U.S. forces.8am: Reaction to President Trump's military operation in Venezuela , which did not have congressional approval, has largely split along party lines.  But there are many questions about what comes next after President Trump's stunning claim that the U.S. will run the country. Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas, who serves on both the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, joins "The Weekend" to discuss. Plus, Matthew Bartlett, Republican Strategist and Former Trump appointee to the State Department, joins "The Weekend" to share his take on where things might go from here.9am: On this hour of "The Weekend," three members of Congress talk the latest on the president's military action in Venezuela. Including, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, Washington Representative Adam Smith, who says Secretary of State Rubio, "misled the American people" by claiming U.S. activities weren't aimed at regime change. Plus, Illinois Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. And Colorado Congressman Jason Crow – one of the Democrats who last year warned the military not to carry out illegal orders.

Episode 3Spoiler Hidden

7am: Renee Good's killing has ignited protests around the nation and friction in the Capitol. A heated exchange caught on camera shows Democratic Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig having an intense discussion with Minnesota Republican Tom Emmer. Representative Craig joins "The Weekend" to recount the exchange and share her thoughts on the ICE operations.8am: Trump renewed his threats to take over Greenland in a White House meeting with oil executives. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Danish officials to discuss Trump's plans next week. But those plans have been met with fierce pushback from European officials, as well as some in President Trump's own party. We have a live report from Copenhagen and then Former Ambassador to Denmark, Rufus Gifford, joins The Weekend to discuss how the president's threats are landing.9am: Protests are expected to continue, sparked by the death of Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Plus, the federal government is facing growing frustration from Minnesota officials after the FBI took full control of the investigation into the shooting, cutting off the state's access to key evidence, scene materials and interviews. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 4Spoiler Hidden

7am: Several cities across the United States saw major protests following the killing of Minnesota mom Renee Good. The Trump administration continues to double down on its argument that the ICE officer acted in self-defense. The Department of Homeland Security released a 3-minute video showing the moments leading up to the incident to back their claim. Minnesota officials reject that narrative. MS NOW Political Analyst Eugene Robinson and Former FBI Special Agent Christopher O'Leary join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The Palisades and Eaton fires claimed 31 lives, destroyed more than 16,000 structures and obliterated almost everything across nearly 80 square miles. Senior Political and National Reporter Jacob Soboroff covered the costliest wildfire event in American history last year as his own childhood home in the Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood was destroyed. His new book "FIRESTORM: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America's New Age of Disaster" offers a deeply reported account of the catastrophe. Soboroff joins The Weekend to discuss his book and aftermath of those fires.9am: Trump has taken his presidency to new extremes while testing the limits of executive power, forcing some of the top Republicans to stand up to the president. Republican California Congressman Kevin Kiley, who also serves on the Judiciary committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss his party's latest moves on the War Powers Act and health care subsidies.

Episode 5Spoiler Hidden

7am: Just days after President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota, the Justice Department launched a criminal investigation against Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Plus, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller falsely accused Minnesota officials of staging an "insurgency against the federal government." Michele Norris, MS NOW Senior Contributing Editor, and Ankush Khardori, Senior writer at Politico Magazine and a former federal prosecutor, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: President Trump appears to understand that his unpopular agenda could cost Republicans the midterms. In a recent interview with Reuters, he stated, "we shouldn't even have an election." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt walked back those comments, telling reporters the president was "simply joking" and "speaking facetiously." Former Department of Homeland Security Chief of Staff Miles Taylor and New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: The protest comes as a bipartisan delegation of U.S. lawmakers are in Denmark this weekend, with hopes to reassure leaders of the country and Greenland of Congressional support after President Trump's threats to seize the Arctic island. Rep Sarah McBride joins The Weekend to discuss the resistance Trump's acquisition ambiton of Greenland.

Episode 6Spoiler Hidden

7am: Tensions flared in Minneapolis with dueling protests over the weekend. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has mobilized the National Guard to support local law enforcement. And new reporting reveals the Pentagon has ordered active-duty soldiers to prepare for possible deployment in Minnesota. MS NOW White House Reporter Laura Barrón-López, former federal prosecutor Paul Butler, and MS NOW contributor David Drucker join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Tuesday marks one year since President Trump returned to office. During his inaugural address, he vowed to bring costs down, end wars, and put America first. On this episode of "The Weekend", the hosts discuss the promises made and the promises broken with former Special Counsel to President Barack Obama, Norm Eisen; former White House Deputy Press Secretary, Sarah Matthews; and Reverend Al Sharpton.9am: This past week numerous Democrats in Congress have revealed that they are under investigation by Trump's Justice Department over their protected speech in telling military members that they can refuse illegal orders. The same DOJ has launched criminal investigations into Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for speaking out against the ongoing immigration crackdown in their state. Liz Oyer and Ty Cobb join The Weekend to discuss the Trump Administration's autocratic approach to governan

Episode 7Spoiler Hidden

7am: The news comes after massive crowds took to the streets in Minneapolis yesterday to protest ICE, despite bone-chilling temperatures with a windchill as low as 40 degrees below zero. Alex Tabet, Quinta Jurecic, Kimberly Atkins Stohr, join The Weekend to discuss the latest in the ICE activities in Minneapolis.8am: President Trump has backed off on his threat to impose tariffs on eight European nations over his demand for Greenland. But the damage from his ongoing threats and attacks has already been done, potentially causing a major rift in the world order. Plus, as Trump insists he's making progress on the "framework" of a Greenland deal with NATO, Greenland's Prime Minister claims he doesn't know what's in it, but has asked to respect his country's sovereignty. Adrienne Elrod, former Senior Advisor and Senior Spokesperson for the Harris Campaign, Elise Labott, host of "Cosmopolitics" on Substack, and Issac Stanley-Becker, Staff Writer at The Atlantic join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: A striking image of a five-year-old wearing a blue-knit bunny hat went viral this week after witnesses said he was used as "bait" to lure his father from their home. The Department of Homeland Security claimed the child was detained because he was abandoned by his father, who fled the scene – but school officials have disputed the administration's account of events. Those officials, School Superintendent Zena Stenvik and School Board Chair Mary Granlund, join "The Weekend" to describe the scene and share how ICE operations are impacting their community.

Episode 8Spoiler Hidden

7am: The shooting came three weeks after Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent while in her SUV. In both cases, the Trump administration wasted no time in asserting what they claimed were the facts in the case, just hours after the incidents, before any investigation could be conducted, labeling Good and Pretti not as victims, but as assailants. David Noriega, Michele Norris, Tom Manger, join The Weekend to discuss the latest on the shooting and the victim.8am: The Department of Homeland Security is set to investigate the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis instead of the FBI. Members of Congress are calling for action, including blocking funding to the Department of Homeland Security. Representatives Delia Ramirez and Glenn Ivey join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: The threat comes after federal agents shot and killed a second person in Minneapolis, three weeks after killing Rene Good. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and resident of the city, was shot and killed while at least five agents surrounded him on the ground. Sen. Alex Padilla joins The Weekend to discuss Democrats response to the shooting of Alex Pretti and the possible government shutdown.

Episode 9Spoiler Hidden

7am: The Department of Homeland Security is set to investigate the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis instead of the FBI. Members of Congress are calling for action, including blocking funding to the Department of Homeland Security. Representatives Delia Ramirez and Glenn Ivey join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: New York Attorney General Letitia James is one of those leaders. She joins The Weekend for an exclusive interview to discuss the Department of Justice's attempts to get states' voter rolls, President Donald Trump's extreme immigration crackdown, and the attacks on the rule of law. She also discusses the administration's investigations into her.9am: The Justice Department released more than 3 million additional pages of Jeffrey Epstein files as legally mandated by Congress. But Congressional Democrats were quick to disagree, pointing to the 6 million pages Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the DOJ had identified as "potentially responsive" to the law during its collection efforts. Democratic Rep. James Walkinshaw of The House Oversight Committee joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 10Spoiler Hidden

7am: The United States-mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, set to begin today, have been delayed for unknown reasons. A new study reveals up to 325 thousand Russian soldiers are dead, and up to 140 thousand Ukrainian fighters have died since the February 2022 attack. Former U.S. Marine and Russian prisoner Trevor Reed joins "The Weekend" to discuss his new book and why he returned to Ukraine to fight on the front lines against Russia.8am: In a Texas state senate race, Democrat Taylor Rehmet was declared the winner over Republican Leigh Wambsganss by double digits in the state's deep-red 9th district that President Trump won by 17 points in 2024. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin joins The Weekend to discuss the latest victory for Democrats and what it means for the party.9am: Protesters are filling the streets across the country, responding to the killings of two Minneapolis residents. And instead of trying to defuse the situation, President Trump threatened protesters and instructed federal agents to be "very forceful" in their protection of federal property. Plus, the latest developments in DHS's Operation Metro Surge are now playing out in courts as a federal judge denied Minnesota's request for a preliminary injunction. In response, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison claims they will continue the legal fight to protect Minnesotans. He joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 11Spoiler Hidden

7am: The racist video on his social media account was posted late Thursday, the fifth day of Black History Month, and depicts the Obamas as apes -- a longtime racist trope that has deep historical roots. The post sparked backlash with Democratic and Republican lawmakers quickly condemning it. Symone Sanders Townsend and Miles Taylor join The Weekend to discuss the president's post and his refusal to admit any wrongdoing.8am: The impact of "Operation Metro Surge" will be felt for weeks to come, especially for the courts. A group of former federal prosecutors and civil-rights attorneys have signed a letter to  Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding transparency in the Minnesota investigations. One of the lawyers who wrote that letter, former Federal Prosecutor and Chief of the Criminal Division in the Southern District of New York, Perry Carbone, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: The administration first cut the funding in last october's shutdown, alleging it was to ensure it wasn't used on "unconstitutional dei principles." Now the Gateway Development Commission overseeing the project is also suing in a separate case, claiming the Department of Transportation breached several grant and loan agreements and that the suspension is politically motivated. All of this just one day after new reporting revealed the stunning quid pro quo from the president's officials to Sen. Chuck Schumer to help rename Penn Station and Dulles Airport after President Donald Tump in exchange for the federal money. Rep. Rob Menendez joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the project.

Episode 12Spoiler Hidden

7am: Republicans are worried about a Democratic blowout in both chambers of Congress. One race they're focusing on is GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's seat in Georgia, where 21 candidates are already on the ballot. Plus, the only Senate Democrat up for re-election this year is Jon Ossoff, who delivered a fiery speech attacking the Trump administration for being out of touch. MS Now Political Analyst Eugene Robinson and Stuart Stevens, Senior adviser at the Lincoln Project, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: This week the Labor Department said job openings in December dropped to their lowest level in five years, and layoffs surged in January to their highest level since 2009 during the Great Recession. Even members of President Trump's party are raising the alarm heading into this year's midterms. Senate Repbulicans worry backlash to Trump's handling of the economy and his aggressive deportation policies could cause a Democratic wave that sweeps both the House and Senate. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) joins The Weekend to discuss the current state of the economy. Actor Lena Waithe also joins The Weekend to discuss her new play Trinity and the Trump administration's attempt to rewrite Black history in America.9am: Congress faces a big week in the ongoing investigation into the Jeffrey Epstein case. His accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, will testify virtually before the House Oversight Committee, but her lawyer confirmed to MS Now that she will exercise her Fifth Amendment right to stay silent. Plus, beginning on Monday, Congress will gain access to the unredacted versions of the three million Epstein files. Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 13Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump's policies are unpopular here at home and also rattling allies abroad. House Speaker Emerita and Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joins "The Weekend" from the Munich Security Conference to discuss America's standing on the global stage, concerns over possible election interference during the midterms in November, and her reaction to Minnesotans' protesting against ICE tactics.8am: This week, the DOJ came to the defense of President Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon, seeking to undo his conviction for defying a subpoena regarding the January 6th insurrection. Plus, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro's federal prosecutors failed to secure indictments on charges of seditious conspiracy against the six Democratic lawmakers who released a video last year urging troops to refuse illegal orders. Former Federal Prosecutors Brendan Ballou and Paul Butler join "The Weekend" to discuss the hyper-political Department of Justice.9am: The most striking moment came when Bondi declined to apologize to the Epstein survivors for the DOJ's missteps. Jess Michaels, an Epstein survivor, joins The Weekend to discuss the moment Attorney General Bondi failed to acknowledge the survivors who were present at her hearing.

Episode 14Spoiler Hidden

7am: On Saturday night, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a 6-page letter to Congress writing that the DOJ acted in accordance with the Epstein files Transparency Act and had finished releasing all the files. The letter also states that the only records withheld in full were those for which such withholding is permitted under the text of the bill. Now, lawmakers are calling out the DOJ for trying to "muddy the waters" in names released. MS Now Political Contributor Jason Johnson and former Federal Prosecutor Ankush Khardori join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The Trump Administration announced its plans reduce the number of immigration agents in Minnesota after weeks of protests, arrests, and use of force. This withdrawal comes with lingering skepticism among Minnesotans who remain dubious about the administration's announcement. Minneapolis City Council President Elliot Payne and Former Federal Public Defender Liz Oyer join "The Weekend" to discuss the lasting impacts of Operation Metro Surge.9am: Former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff joins "The Weekend" to discuss growing concerns about the impact of AI in the workplace and the weaponization of the Justice Department under Donald Trump. Emhoff calls this week's congressional testimony by Attorney General Pam Bondi "shameful."

Episode 15Spoiler Hidden

7am: The court struck down his far reaching global tariffs in a 6-3 decision Friday, ruling that he did not have authority under a 1977 emergency economic powers law.  Tim O'Brien and Courtenay Brown join The Weekend to discuss the latest in the SCOTUS decision and how the ruling may impact President trump's economic agenda, as well as the bottom line for U.S.8am: Election season is here with early voting underway in Texas with special focus on the U.S. Senate primaries. On the Democratic side, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is facing off against State Representative James Talarico. And for Republicans, incumbent Senator John Cornyn is fighting to keep his seat against State Attorney General Ken Paxton and Congressman Wesley Hunt. The primary is set for March 3, and the results could shake up the direction of both parties come November. Matthew Bartlett, Republican Strategist and former Trump appointee to the State Department, and Shaniqua McClendon, Vice President of politics at "Crooked Media," joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: After former Prince Andrew's arrest for misconduct in public office, there are growing calls for accountability here in the United States over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. This week, we got a look inside the deposition of Epstein's former billionaire benefactor, Les Wexner. The former CEO of Victoria's Secret testified behind closed doors to several Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, and Republican lawmakers did not attend. Congressman Suhas Subramanyam joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 16Spoiler Hidden

7am: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will meet with committee members on Thursday, and former President Bill Clinton will testify a day later. The depositions will take place behind closed doors, but they will be filmed and transcribed. Both have denied any wrongdoing, and Hillary Clinton has said that neither of them has links to the late sex offender. Rep. James Walkinshaw, who will be in the room for both depositions, joins The Weekend to discuss the depositions and his decision to bring Jeffrey Epstein survivor Jess Michaels as his guest to President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday.8am: President Donald Trump's State of the Union is shaping up to be a very dramatic event before it even begins. It comes as the president has faced several setbacks, including a major Supreme Court loss after the court struck down his tariffs. Former speechwriter and special assistant to former President Joe Biden, Jeff Nussbaum, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: Ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks, joins "The Weekend" to discuss potential U.S. action against Iran and calls out President Trump for attempting to sidestep Congress in getting authorization for potential strikes, and calls on the president to brief lawmakers.

Episode 17Spoiler Hidden

President Donald Trump announced the largest military intervention of his two terms in the Oval Office, saying the United States is launching sweeping attacks on the Iranian military and calling on the Iranian people to rise up and seize control of their government.The U.S. military has launched "major combat operations" in Iran, Trump said in a video posted to Truth Social early Saturday, with the goal of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and protecting American personnel and interests abroad and at home.

Episode 18Spoiler Hidden

President Donald Trump announced the largest military intervention of his two terms in the Oval Office, saying the United States is launching sweeping attacks on the Iranian military and calling on the Iranian people to rise up and seize control of their government.The U.S. military has launched "major combat operations" in Iran, Trump said in a video posted to Truth Social early Saturday, with the goal of stopping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and protecting American personnel and interests abroad and at home.

Episode 19Spoiler Hidden

7am: A massive explosion was heard in Tehran today after the Israeli military intercepted more missiles launched towards Israel this morning. Associated Press Correspondent Sam Mednick and MS NOW Political Reporter Alex Tabet join "The Weekend" to share the latest. Then, Retired Lieutenant General Mark Hertling and MS NOW Political Analyst Richard Stengel join the conversation to discuss what's next. 8 am: Cheers were heard from large crowds of Iranians in several cities following the confirmed death of Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the U.S., Iranian-Americans took to the streets in cities like Los Angeles and Washington D.C. to celebrate the blow to the Iranian Islamic regime. While there were celebrations taking shape, there were also scenes of mourning from the leader's fiercely loyal base. Thousands of pro-government supporters gathered in Tehran to memorialize Khameni. Through the split screen of emotions, questions remain on what powerbase will emerge now that the man who ruled iran with an iron fist for nearly four decades is gone. Former CIA Director John Brennan joins The Weekend to discuss how the attacks have affected Iranians around the globe.9am: As strikes continue between the U.S. and Iran, Democrats in Congress are calling for an immediate War Powers vote to rein in President Trump's military actions. Trump officials are slated to brief Congressional committee staff on the Iran operation. Top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Gregory Meeks, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 20Spoiler Hidden

7am: Meanwhile, the Israeli military said its fighter jets launched 230 munitions toward several military sites across Tehran. President Donald Trump is threatening to hit Iran again "Very Hard." He's expected to travel to Dover Air Force base to attend the dignified transfer of six U.S. service members killed in the war. NBC News is reporting that Trump has privately expressed real interest in deploying American troops on the ground inside of Iran. Former CIA Director John Brennan joins The Weekend to discus the growing uncertainty surrounding the motive for the war.8am: It's been more than 10 years since the Obama Presidential Center was announced in Chicago, and we've got an EXCLUSIVE announcement on its progress. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: Congressional Republicans once again surrender power to the president to do as he wishes in Iran after the War Powers Resolution fails in the House and Senate. Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton of Massachusetts, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a Marine veteran who served four tours in the Iraq War, joins "The Weekend" to discuss. 

Episode 21Spoiler Hidden

7am: Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia said they are continuing to fight off Iranian drone and missile attacks. The UAE says Iran has fired 16 ballistic missiles and 117 drones in new barrages. Iran's Foreign Ministry said its defensive operations against U.S. military bases in the region will continue, but the attacks should not be construed as hostility toward neighboring countries. Nancy Youssef, Meghan O'Sullivan, and Jon Finer join The Weekend to discuss the going war in the region.8am: On this International Women's Day, Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o joins "The Weekend" along with Senator Angela Alsobrooks, to discuss a critical health issue affecting millions of women worldwide.9am: The first week of the U.S.-Iran war has been defined by contradictions as questions emerge over U.S. goals in the operation. For example, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth initially insisted this would not be a regime change war, yet President Trump is already talking about shaping Iran's future government. MS NOW international reporter Ines De La Cuetra, MS NOW political analyst Molly Jong-Fast, and former Democratic Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, join "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 22Spoiler Hidden

7am: The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad was struck by a missile according to Iraqi security forces Saturday morning, after U.S. forces bombed targets on Iran's Kharg Island, home to the primary terminal that handles that country's oil exports. Meanwhile, MS NOW has learned the military plans to send 5K troops and several additional ships to the Arabian Sea, a day after the U.S. military confirmed six U.S. service members were killed when a refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq. Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth addressed the tragedy nearly 9 minutes into his press briefing yesterday after first scolding the media. Terry Moran and Toluse Olorunnipa join The Weekend to discuss the latest with the war in Iran.8am: As the economic pain from the war gets worse, the Trump administration says it's just short-term pain for long-term gain. This week, the stock market took another nosedive as Iran's newest leader vowed to use the Strait of Hormuz as a "tool to pressure the enemy." Plus, Gas prices have jumped an average of nearly 60 cents since the initial attack. Senator Alex Padilla joins "The Weekend" to discuss rising costs. 9am: A bipartisan group of senators is calling for a probe into the Justice Department's redactions of the files accusing the Trump administration of violating the Epstein files transparency act and re-victimizing survivors. A bipartisan group of senators is calling for a probe into the Justice Department's redactions of the files accusing the Trump administration of violating the Epstein files Transparency Act and re-victimizing survivors. In the house, Oversight Committee chairman James Comer said this week that they are moving quickly to schedule depositions from Attorney General Pam Bondi and commerce secretary Howard Lutnick. Rep. James Walkinshaw joins The Weekend to discuss the congressional concerns of the DOJ's release of Epstein files.

Episode 23Spoiler Hidden

7am: In an interview with NBC News, President Trump claimed that Iran was ready to negotiate a ceasefire but rejected their offer because "the terms aren't good enough." But Trump has declined to say what those terms would be. This comes as the president has called on allies to help re-open the Strait of Hormuz. White House Correspondent for NOTUS, Jasmine Wright, and senior economics reporter for Axios, Courtenay Brown, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: A recent NBC poll shows that the war has not fractured the MAGA base all that much, with 90% of MAGA-aligned republicans approving of the strikes on Iran. However, some prominent MAGA and conservative media figures are among those crying foul the loudest over the war. When it comes to republicans who don't align with MAGA that number falls to 54 % in support of the attacks on Iran. David Drucker and Adam Serwer join The Weekend to discuss why some elected officials in the G.O.P are getting increasingly nervous about the iran war's impact on their election prospects in November. Makena Kelly also joins The Weekend to discuss the whistleblower report revealing how social security data may have been taken by a former doge employee to his new job.9am: This weekend, the U.S. has intensified airstrikes on Iran's most important oil export terminal, Karg Island. Investors warn that additional action could plunge global oil markets into further chaos as the island exports roughly 90 percent of Iran's crude oil. U.S. Amos Hochstein, former United States Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources under President Biden, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 24Spoiler Hidden

7am: Overnight, Iran says its nuclear facility – the country's largest enrichment site – has been hit in an airstrike. On Friday, President Trump said he was considering winding down military presence in the region. However, MS NOW reports the administration has doubled the number of United States troops deployed to the region. Josh Lederman, fellow at the Center for International Security Studies, and Alan Eyre, Former Senior U.S. Diplomat, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard contradicts Trump's claims about the war with Iran, including on whether Iran's nuclear program posed an imminent threat, even as the White House used that as justification. At two separate hearings this week, she said it's not her job to assess threats. John Brennan, Former Director of the CIA and MS Now Senior National Security and Intelligence Analyst, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: Meanwhile – questions remain if U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will comply with the committee's subpoena to answer questions about the investigation. House Democrats stormed out of a last-minute closed-door briefing with Bondi this week. They say they were enraged by her refusal to commit to testifying under oath. Democrats also pressed Chairman James Comer on whether he'd compel Bondi's testimony or seek to hold her in contempt, but Comer does not seem interested in that. Sen. Jeff Merkley joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the Epstein investigation.

Episode 25Spoiler Hidden

7am: The Senate has been working through the weekend to come up with a plan to fund the Department of Homeland Security. In an attempt to speed up that process, President Trump threatened to replace TSA officers with ICE agents as soon as Monday. Eli Stokols and Eugene Robinson join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Organizers predict next week's "No Kings" protests will be the largest in American history. One of the issues fueling the protests is Trump's draconian immigration crackdown. Chief Political and Advocacy Officer for the ACLU, one of the organizations planning "No Kings" events this upcoming Saturday, Deirdre Schifeling, and Democratic strategist and senior advisor to the Harris-Walz campaign, Adrienne Elrod, join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: Democratic candidate for New York's 12th Congressional District Jack Schlossberg joins The Weekend in an exclusive interview to discuss his presentation that Profile in Courage award to Minneapolis residents.

Episode 26Spoiler Hidden

7am: Last night, the House of Representatives passed a short-term Republican proposal to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security after rejecting a deal passed unanimously by the Senate that would have funded most of DHS, except ICE. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says the House GOP bill is dead on arrival, and amid the standoff, President Trump signed an executive order to pay TSA workers as soon as Monday. MS NOW Senior Contributing Editor Michele Norris and former DHS Chief of Staff Miles Taylor join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The Trump administration is once again seeking a DOJ probe into one of Trump's most vocal critics, New York Attorney General Letitia James, after the administration had already failed to prosecute her multiple times. In the same week the DOJ settled a lawsuit from trump ally Michael Flynn for a reported $1.2 million, despite the fact that Flynn pleaded guilty to misleading the FBI during its investigation. Former Federal Prosecutor Brendan Ballou joins The Weekend to discuss Trump's escalated retribution campaign.9am: Organizers said the purpose is to stand up against President Donald Trump, his administration and his increasingly authoritarian policies. This will be the third "No Kings" protest of Trump's second administration. While protests are set to begin in the U.S. Later this morning, protests overseas have already begun. Maine Gov. Janet Mills and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the protest.

Episode 27Spoiler Hidden

7am: Yesterday, massive "No Kings" protests swept across the nation, and organizers say at least 8 million people attended more than 3,300 demonstrations, with nearly half of them held in battleground states. What does this mean for the midterms? Former Congressman Joe Walsh and the President of Media Matters, Angelo Carusone, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: With Iran continuing to block the key Strait of Hormuz the price at the pump continues to climb closer to $4 a gallon. In fact the war has raised the price of everything from flights to fertilizer and food prices and even balloons for your kid's birthday party. Jared Bernstein joins The Weekend to discuss the financial burden the war is taking on Americans.9am: As the U.S.-Israel war against Iran enters its fifth week, The Washington Post reports the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations. While President Trump has yet to approve the plans, it comes as the U.S. Central Command said more than 3,500 U.S. forces arrived in the Middle East on Friday. Nancy Youssef, Staff Writer at The Atlantic and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, Retired Commander of U.S. Army Europe, join "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 28Spoiler Hidden

7am: The search for an American service member inside Iran enters a second day today. That missing service member is one of two crew members aboard a U.S. F-15 fighter jet shot down over southern Iran early yesterday. Iran is believed to have shot down a second plane yesterday. A U.S official told MS NOW American forces safely rescued the plane's pilot after the aircraft went down near the Strait of Hormuz. As the U.S. continues its search for the missing service member, President Trump says this incident will not affect negotiations with Iran "at all." MS NOW Reporter David Noriega joins "The Weekend" from Israel to share the latest. Then, Mark Mazzetti and former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy Mara Karlin join to discuss conflicting messages from the White House.8am: The lawsuit comes in addition to a separate legal challenge filed by Democratic Party leadership, which also argues the President has no such authority to order his sweeping change to elections. It's the opening salvo in what could become a major legal fight after the President doubled-down this week on false claims about mail-in voting, his favorite excuse for why he lost the 2020 election. Founder for the "Fair Fight" voting rights group and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams joins The Weekend to discuss the president's latest attacks on voting.9am: We're learning new details on what this will mean for both the future of the Department of Justice and the White House. Bondi was a loyal foot soldier and fierce defender of Trump, but clearly, that was not enough. Sources say her failed prosecutions of Trump's political opponents and the fallout from the Epstein files, played a big part in why she was ousted. The Atlantic reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick joins The Weekend to discuss what it means for the next candidate who will spearhead the DOJ and the possible purge of other Trump Administration officials. Democratic Congressional Candidate for Georgia's 14th District, Shawn Harris, also joins The Weekend to discuss the special election for the seat previously held by Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Episode 29Spoiler Hidden

7am: Details are emerging after a U.S. servicemember was found after ejecting from a fighter jet on Friday. According to the president and new reporting, the rescue mission involved hundreds of special forces, dozens of aircrafts, and various intelligence capabilities. President Trump reacted on Truth Social and shared the servicemember "sustained injuries, but he will be just fine." MS NOW Senior National Security Reporter David Rohde, MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid, and MS NOW National Security and Intelligence Analysts Christopher O'Leary, and Marc Polymeropoulos join "The Weekend" to discuss the latest.8am: Vice President JD Vance is heading to Hungary next week in what appears to be a show of support for prime Minister Viktor Orbán -- just days before the country's election. Hungary's leader of 16 years could be in real trouble, with polling showing that center-right candidate Peter Magyar is currently leading. President Trump has already endorsed Orbán, who has faced condemnation for his authoritarian actions. Anne Applebaum joins The Weekend to discuss what Vice President JD Vance's upcoming trip to Hungary, just days before its key election, has to do with voters back here in the United States.9am: President Trump continues to threaten Iran with "hell" if they don't agree to a deal or reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In his most recent post on Truth Social, the president dropped the f-bomb and pledged to attack power plants and bridges on Tuesday. This week, more than 100 international law experts wrote an open letter warning that U.S. strikes on Iran violate the UN charter and may be war crimes. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Dan Maurer and Retired Four-Star General Barry McCaffrey join "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 30Spoiler Hidden

7am: The United States and Iran are in Pakistan to work out a ceasefire deal. Vice President JD Vance, who is leading the talks, is accompanied by Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Just last night, the president warned that the U.S. will open the Gulf "with or without" Iran. Sky News International Affairs Editor Dominic Waghorn joins us from the region to share the latest. Then, Former Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith and MS NOW Security Analyst and Former Rear Admiral John Kirby join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: They're offering a preview of what the '28 campaign season might look like for the Democratic hopefuls while sounding the alarm on President Trump's blatant attempts to interfere in the midterms.9am: The rare public appearance caught many White House staffers off guard according to a White House official, including President Donald Trump. Yet, there's still no clear reason why the First Lady decided to make her statement now, or why she felt it was the time to call on Congress to hold a public hearing for Epstein's survivors, especially as her husband has repeatedly called the Epstein controversy a "Democrat hoax." Former W.H. Communications Director Stephanie Grisham joins The Weekend to discuss the First Lady's actions and her denial of any close relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

Episode 31Spoiler Hidden

Episode 32Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump has said Iran agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, but this morning, Iranian officials announced that restrictions in the Strait will be reimposed, warning that the passage through the waterway will remain blocked until the United States lifts its blockade on Iranian ports. Trump has said repeatedly that the blockade will continue until a peace deal is reached. MS NOW Senior National Security Reporter David Rohde, Former CIA Director John Brennan, and Axios White House Reporter Marc Caputo join "The Weekend" to discuss the latest.8am: Palermo, who worked as the institution's first curator of Visual Arts and special programming, joins The Weekend to discuss the report and dive deeper into his claims.9am: Prosecutors have charged Agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. with two counts of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Morgan Jr. allegedly pointed his firearm at two civilians in their vehicle after they cut him off. The charges come as Minnesota officials are already investigating 17 incidents involving federal agents, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the charges and the presence of ICE in her state.

Episode 33Spoiler Hidden

7am: Democratic stars held events in Michigan and Georgia this weekend to build momentum for the 2028 midterms. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Whitmer, Senator Cory Booker, and Governor Andy Beshear spoke at fundraising events in Detroit. Senator Jon Ossoff took direct aim at the Trump Administration during a campaign rally in Augusta, GA. Meanwhile, reporting suggests Republicans are growing increasingly worried about the midterms amid recent polling. Representative Debbie Dingell of Michigan joins "The Weekend" to discuss. 8am: President Trump renewed threats to Iran as he announced the U.S. will be going to Islamabad tomorrow for negotiations. The Weekend's Jackie Alemany spoke by phone with President Donald Trump on his just-announced peace talks with Iran. Over the phone, he told Alemany that the American negotiators will be U.S. Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, and also Vice President JD Vance will not be traveling to participate in talks. This was before two senior U.S. officials told MS Now that Vance in fact would lead the U.S. delegation.9am: Yesterday, protesters came out to stand against what they call inhumane conditions at an immigrant detention center in Dilley, Texas - the country's only detention center for families. Plus, Minnesota officials formally charged an ICE agent with assault over his actions during "Operation Metro Surge". Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 34Spoiler Hidden

7am: This morning, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading back to Islamabad, Pakistan for another round of peace talks. Iran says it will not engage in direct talks with the United States and will instead convey its position through Pakistani officials. MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid joins "The Weekend" from Dubai to discuss the latest. Then, Former Senior U.S. Diplomat Alan Eyre and Bloomberg White House Reporter Kate Sullivan join the conversation.8am: They will consider a new congressional map that could net Republicans three to five seats in this year's midterm elections. This comes after voters in Virginia narrowly approved a new congressional map that will allow Democrats to pick up as many as four new seats. President Donald Trump started this fight last year after successfully pushing red states Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina to redraw their congressional maps to create more Republican- friendly seats. Republicans were ecstatic about those rigged maps until the Democrats fought back, secured wins, and put MAGA's hypocrisy in the spotlight. Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the redistricting war between both parties.9am: Instead of a comedian, this year's dinner will feature mentalist Oz Pearlman, who is known for his mind-reading tricks that have made him a viral sensation. Pearlman could give us a glimpse into what is on the mind of not only the journalists in the room, but maybe President Trump himself. He joins "The Weekend" to discuss the White House Correspondents' Dinner and to show off a few of his tricks.

Episode 35Spoiler Hidden

A suspect is now in custody following gunfire at the White House Correspondents' Dinner last night. Police say 31-year-old Cole Allen of California charged at a Secret Service checkpoint armed with multiple weapons. He was tackled by agents at the scene and was taken to a nearby hospital.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney were among the first to condemn the violence. Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada Chrystia Freeland, who was present at the event, joined The Weekend to discuss to discuss her experience. Members of Congress are reacting to the shooting that unfolded at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Representative Suhas Subramanyam joins "The Weekend" to share his experience.

Episode 36Spoiler Hidden

7am: Demonstrators poured into the streets across the country yesterday for May Day protests, billed as "Workers over Billionaires." Organizers say more than 3,300 events took place in American cities from coast to coast, where protesters called for peace, higher wages, and better working conditions. MS NOW Contributor David Drucker and USA Today Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: In the name of disentangling race from voting, the Supreme Court has made it virtually impossible for Black voters to challenge gerrymandered congressional maps. For decades, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act acted as a guardrail, preventing Southern legislatures from carving Black voters out of political power. Within hours of that ruling, states across the South began moving to redraw their maps ahead of the midterms. President and CEO of Democracy Forward Skye Perryman and Melissa Murray join The Weekend to discuss how this will affect voting and the midterms.9am: Trump's claim came on what was the 60-day deadline for him to gain approval from Congress to continue the war with Iran. Meanwhile, in his first Capitol Hill appearances since the start of the war, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was grilled about a host of issues, including the cost of the war, which the Pentagon put at $25B dollars over two months. Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton joins The Weekend to discuss Hegseth's testimony to congress and the conflict's mounting price tag.

Episode 37Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump said he is reviewing Iran's latest peace plan, but has already implied the proposal will be dead on arrival. Plus, a senior foreign diplomat who's been linked to negotiations told MS NOW contributor Inzamam Rashid that officials are bracing for further conflict, saying Iran is "preparing to be attacked again." Former Senior Pentagon Official Katherine Thompson and Host of Cosmopolitics, Elise Labott, join "The Weekend" to discuss what's next.8am: GOP super PAC "Americans for Prosperity Action" is warning the party's Senate majority is at risk -- and is calling on Republicans to focus on the cost of living in their messaging. One state where this is being tested is Ohio, which holds its primary elections on Tuesday, including in a closely watched Senate special race for the seat formerly held by JD Vance. Republican incumbent Jon Husted, who was appointed to the seat, is running unopposed for his party's nomination. The Democratic favorite is former Senator Sherrod Brown, who has long centered his political career on the working class and economic issues. Republicans seem worried that Democrats could be competitive here in November, even in a state that Trump has carried three times. Kimberly Atkins-Stohr and Jackie Kucinich join The Weekend to discuss how President Trump's low approval ratings may cause an uphill battle for Republicans in the midterms.9am: It's been a long week of the Justice Department and Supreme Court enabling Trump's autocratic moves. From the massive blow against the Voting Rights Act, to yet another James Comey probe, the enablers' actions from this week will be felt for generations. Eric Holder, the 82nd Attorney General of the United States and now chairman of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 38Spoiler Hidden

7am: As the United States waits for Iran to respond to a permanent end to the war, the two continue to exchange fire. On Friday, Central Command said U.S. military forces carried out airstrikes, hitting and disabling two Iranian-flagged oil tankers trying to break the American naval blockade. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates said it intercepted drones and missiles launched by Iran. MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid joins "The Weekend" from Dubai with the latest. Then, former Senior U.S. Diplomat Alan Eyre joins the conversation.8am: Sources tell MS NOW that Patel has "ordered the polygraphing of more than two dozen former and current members of his security detail, as well as other staff." This follows a series of unflattering reports about his leadership from The Atlantic – one describing the FBI Director as drinking to excess, missing important meetings and using federal resources for personal endeavors. The other describes him traveling with a supply of personalized branded bourbon bottles that he has been handing out as gifts. The bureau denies the accuracy of both reports and it has gone as far as launching a criminal leak investigation into the journalist who wrote both pieces. Former Federal Prosecutor Paul Butler and Former DOJ Pardon Attorney Liz Oyer join The Weekend to discuss the accusations against the FBI Director and new comments from Former Special Counsel Jack Smith that the DOJ has been "corrupted."0am: Alabama became the latest state in that fight on Friday when Republicans approved plans for new primary elections pending a court decision on whether those newly drawn GOP House districts can be used in the November midterm elections. Chaotic scenes erupted at the Alabama Statehouse as a protester was dragged from the packed House gallery by security officers. Tensions also ran high in the Tennessee state capitol this week where protesters were removed from hearings over proposed congressional maps that overwhelmingly favored Republicans. The protests did not prevent Republican lawmakers from enacting a new map that abolishes the state's only majority-Black district. Governor Bill Lee signed the new map into law the same day. Tennessee House Representative Justin J. Pearson and  Former Alabama Sen. Doug Jones join The Weekend to discuss how Republicans in their respective states are striping away Black voting power.

Episode 39Spoiler Hidden

7am: A hantavirus-stricken cruise ship has finally arrived in Spain, where more than 140 people on board have begun what Spanish officials are calling an "unprecedented" evacuation process to get them back safely to their countries of origin. Sky News Reporter Sadiya Chowdhury joins "The Weekend" from Spain with the latest.8am: The crowded primary is June 2nd with the top 2 candidates advancing to the general election regardless of party. Among the candidates are Democrats Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, and Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. However, after two fiery debates last week, there is still no clear frontrunner. A CBS-YOUGOV POLL, conducted in late April, shows only 7 percentage points separating the top 5 candidates. Former. Rep. Katie Porter, who is one of several Democrats running for the seat, joins The Weekend to discuss the California Governor's race.9am: With less than six months until the midterms, Republicans are facing Trump's plummeting approval ratings and warning signs on the economy. However, GOP lawmakers privately tell MS NOW they will still stand by the president because they have ‘no choice.'  California Congressman Kevin Kiley, a former Republican, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 40Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump is back in Washington following his two day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The visit was heavy on pageantry and flattery but appears to have accomplished little in terms of policy, with no resolution on key issues like trade, the war in Iran, or Taiwan. Lara Seligman, National Security Reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and Jennifer Welch, Former National Security Director for China and Taiwan, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Peters was sentenced to nine years after prosecutors proved she gave an unauthorized person access to Mesa County election equipment in the aftermath of the 2020 election, then helped spread false claims that the vote was stolen. Her case became a cause célèbre on the right, with President Trump repeatedly calling her a "political prisoner" and demanding that Colorado set her free. The move comes after months of pressure from Trump, who cast Peters as a martyr in this broader campaign to rewrite the history of the 2020 election. Colorado Sec. of State Jena Griswold joins The Weekend to discuss the governor's decision.9am: The Supreme Court's ruling gutting the Voting Rights Act has cleared the way for a new congressional map in Alabama that would eliminate one of the state's two majority-Black districts before this year's midterms. Alabama is just one of several Republican-led Southern states that are seeking to redraw their maps in a way that would dilute Black voting power. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and Black Voters Matter Founder LaTosha Brown joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on Voting Rights Act.

Episode 41Spoiler Hidden

7am: Organizers say thousands gathered yesterday in Selma and Montgomery, Alabama, to protest gerrymandering while honoring the historic 1965 civil rights marches that made the Voting Rights Act possible. MS NOW Contributor David Drucker and Former State Representative Don Calloway join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: On Saturday, Americans mobilized for voting rights demonstrations across the south, including Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, who was at a rally in Montgomery, Alabama. He joins "The Weekend" to share what's at stake for our democracy.9am: ICE is moving forward with its plan to convert warehouses across the country into mass immigration detention centers despite active lawsuits from multiple states. Just this week, a Georgia town of fewer than 5,500 people sued the Department of Homeland Security to stop a facility for 10,000 detainees from opening in their backyard. Andrea Flores, a former DHS official in the Obama administration, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 42Spoiler Hidden

7am: In a rare show of defiance, members of President Trump's own party are pushing back against his so-called anti-weaponization fund, which could give millions to January 6 rioters. Republican lawmakers have described the $1.8B fund as "utterly stupid, morally wrong", "unexplainable," a galactic blunder," and "stupid on stilts." Ali Vitali, host of "Way Too Early" and MS NOW Senior Congressional Reporter, and Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent for Bloomberg, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Clyburn is South Carolina's only Black member of the U.S. House and one of the most influential voices in congress and the Democratic party, and this move would further dilute Black voting power in the state for potentially decades. The new map still has to get through the State Senate, which yesterday failed to secure enough votes to finalize it before early voting begins Tuesday in South Carolina's primary election. Some Republicans don't seem to be totally on board with five of them joining Democrats in opposing a rushed process. Fmr. Rep. Joe Cunningham and Adam Serwer join The Weekend to discuss the latest redistricting efforts by the GOP in that state.9am: In the past week, two of his biggest Republican critics, Rep. Thomas Massie and Sen. Bill Cassidy, lost their respective primaries to keep their seats after Trump pushed for their defeat. Trump has also made remarks that seem to threaten the seat of another critic within his party, Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who has dared to, at times, go against Trump's agenda. Fmr. Ohio Gov. John Kasich joins The Weekend to discuss how Trump treats members of his party who oppose his agenda.

Episode 43Spoiler Hidden

7am: Secret Service agents shot and killed a gunman who opened fire near a security checkpoint. A bystander was shot during the gunfire exchange and was rushed to a nearby hospital in serious condition. It is unclear whether that person was struck by the gunman or a responding officer. Sources tell MS NOW the suspect is identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who had previous encounters with the Secret Service last summer and was ordered to stay away from the White House. MS NOW White House Correspondent Jake Traylor and MS NOW Law Enforcement Analyst and Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger join "The Weekend" to discuss the latest.8am: Those districts are in states like Arizona, Michigan, and Georgia, battleground states that have repeatedly helped decide control of Congress and the White House in the past. The voters in these communities could offer an early read on how Americans are feeling about the economy, the conflict with Iran, government corruption, and the broader state of our democracy heading into one of the most consequential election cycles in recent memory. Arizona State Sen. Analise Ortiz, Michigan State Sen. Chedrick Green, and Georgia State Sen. Nikki Merritt join The Weekend to discuss the midterms in their respective states.9am: President Trump put his authoritarian tendencies on full display this week as he is pushing to give his allies $1.8 billion dollars of taxpayer money over claims of government "weaponization". MS NOW Legal Analyst Andrew Weissmann joins The Weekend to discuss.

Episode 44Spoiler Hidden

7am: The grown pusback included a judge ordering the removal of his name from the Kennedy Center, a judge's refusal to dimmiss the most serious charges against Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and his fellow supporters who were convicted on charges of seditious conspiracy, a ruling barring his $1.8 billion slush fund, and accusations that the president has committed fraud when he ended his lawsuit against the IRS. Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General for NSD Mary McCord and Will Sommer join The Weekend to discuss the onslaught of decisions against the president.8am: Trump pulled off a clean sweep in Republican primary battles, driving out or sidelining candidates he deems insufficiently loyal. However, as Republicans look ahead to the general, Trump says the midterms are the least of his concerns amid negotiations with Iran. Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico's campaign says it raised $3M in just 24 hours after Ken Paxton's runoff victory. President and CEO of Voto Latino Maria Teresa Kumar and Dave Weigel join The Weekend to discuss the upcoming Texas Senate election in November. Rep. Jim Clyburn also joins The Weekend to discuss Republicans' redistricting campaign and offers some advice to the Democratic party.9am: While there were no reports of her coming with that burn book like we saw in her last Congressional hearing, Democrats on the committee say Bondi was not forthcoming and was even combative at times, especially when asked about Donald Trump who she said she would not discuss. Bondi appeared to shift the blame to her deputy - now acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam joins The Weekend to discuss the hearing.

Episode 45Spoiler Hidden

7am: Senate Republicans are preparing for a showdown over President Trump's $1.7 billion so called Anti-Weaponization fund, which is part of a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement reconciliation package. It's unclear how GOP leadership plans to navigate the dissent over the fund within their own party after previous concerns that some Republicans would support Democratic amendments blocking the proposal, effectively gutting the fund. Trump, of course, is likely not happy about all this, especially since he gave a self-imposed June 1st deadline for the GOP to pass the reconciliation package. House Speaker Mike Johnson probably won't be thrilled either and he's got his own hands full. The House will revisit a war powers resolution aimed at reining in President Trump's military operations in Iran, which was previously scrapped after GOP leaders concluded they didn't have enough votes to defeat it. It's expected to pass with a handful of Republican defections. Mychael Schnell and Scott MacFarlane join The Weekend to discuss the discuss the congressional vote, likely to happen this week.8am: After most of the musicians slated to perform at the White House's Great American State Fair for the nation's 250th Anniversary dropped out, the president announced in a series of Truth Social posts that the concert would be changed to a rally headlined by of course, Himself. Akayla Gardner and Dana Milbank join The Weekend to discuss some of the setbacks the president is facing this week.9am: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to appear before a House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday, where he could face new questions about the Department of Justice's mishandling of the investigation. In her interview with the House Oversight Committee Friday, Former Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared to shift blame for the mishandling of the files' release onto Blanche, saying she "delegated oversight" to Blanche for the investigation and the release of the files. Bondi also reportedly raised questions about FBI director Kash Patel's role in the files release. Congressman Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the Overisight Committee says the panel will subpoena both Blanche and Patel. Rep. Ro Khanna joins The Weekend to share his thoughts on Pam Bondi's evasive testimony.

Episode 46Spoiler Hidden

7am: Last night, more than 500 Mainers joined a rally for Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner in his first public event since The New York Times reported allegations of physical intimidation against him by ex-girlfriends. Platner has denied the claims, and his campaign has since announced that it raised more than $200K in the 24 hours since the report. MS NOW Congressional Reporter Kevin Frey, who was at the rally, joins "The Weekend" to share what Maine voters are saying. Then, Elana Schor, Senior Washington Editor at Semafor, and David Drucker, MS NOW Contributor, discuss primaries.8am: Even as he faces a record low approval rating amid the ongoing war with Iran, Trump is focusing on celebrating America's 250th Anniversary the only way he knows how: By centering himself in a series of vanity projects. Those projects include the octagon on the south lawn of the White House for the upcoming UFC fight, construction on the ballroom, painting and refilling the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial, building a so-called Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle, and the unprecedented proposal to put the current, living president's face on a $250 bill. Jake Traylor and Courtenay Brown join The Weekend to discuss the president's vanity projects and his historic low approval ratings.9am: In his interview with Eugene Daniels, Mamdani also discusses how the party can improve on its outreach to young Americans, new voters, and his relationship with President Trump.

Episode 47Spoiler Hidden

7am: Republicans are reportedly "thrown off-balance" by Trump's distractions and dismissal of cost-of-living issues. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Dingell joins "The Weekend" to talk Trump's inability to connect with voters on the economy and the scandal-plagued campaign of Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner.8am: National Democrats are carefully navigating how to respond to growing controversies surrounding the likely nominee in one of their most important Senate flip targets — Maine being the only Republican-held seat on the ballot in a state that Kamala Harris won in 2024. So far, Democratic leadership has not pulled support for Platner. Kevin Fry and Jackie Kucinich join The Weekend to discuss the latest controversies involving Platner and the Senate primary election in Maine. Rev. Al Sharpton also joins The Weekend to discuss the Supreme Court's decision to allow Alabama to use a congressional map that favors Republicans, but was previously ruled as an intentionally racially discriminatory practice by a lower court.9am: The US Attorney's Office in Los Angeles claims it has opened "multiple election fraud investigations" into California's elections. The office also sent a federal prosecutor to monitor counting at a center in Los Angeles on Friday. Skye Perryman and Miles Taylor join "The Weekend" to discuss the dangers this poses ahead of November's midterms. Then, Democratic Representative Glenn Ivey of Maryland talks about Trump's constant choice of loyalty over qualifications in staffing his administration.

Episode 48Spoiler Hidden

7am: Last night, a federal appeals court rejected a last-minute bid from the Trump administration to keep his name on The Kennedy Center. MS NOW White House Reporter Laura Barrón-López and Washington Correspondent at Vanity Fair, Aidan McLaughlin, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: On Friday, a federal judge extended an indefinite block on Trump's $1.8 billion so-called "anti-weaponization" fund. In her decision, the judge cited acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's unwillingness to rescind the order in writing, as well as Trump's continued public push for the fund. The judge said she will consider rescinding her order if the DOJ submits a sworn written declaration that the administration is not moving forward with the fund, and is giving them until next Friday to act. Former Federal Prosecutor Ankush Khardori and Skye Perryman, whose nonprofit organization represented the plaintiffs challenging the fund, join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am:  As President Trump continues his baseless claims of California voter fraud, Democrats warn that he is "laying the groundwork" to challenge midterm election results in November. Aaron Ford, Nevada Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor, joins  "The Weekend" to discuss how he is fortifying voting rights in his state and how he plans to combat Trump's claims of election fraud through the courts.

Episode 49Spoiler Hidden

7am: Overnight, celebrations erupted outside Madison Square Garden and across New York City after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94 to 90 in a nail-biting Game 5 victory in the NBA Finals. MS NOW reporter Marc Santia, who covered the victory celebrations overnight, joins "The Weekend" to share more. Then, Actor Steve Schirripa and Howard Beck, Senior NBA Writer for The Ringer, join to discuss the games leading up to the win.8am: The organizers aimed to represent a modern redefinition of the traditional presidential library with campaign memorabilia and artifacts on display, while also making room for public spaces like a new library, basketball court, gardens, a huge playbround and picnic area. As the New York Times points out, "It is a trip to a parallel universe, one suffused in earnest talk of hope and change, not dark warnings about American carnage, One marching toward a multiracial, progressive future rather than dismantling a suffocating woke tyranny." Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, and former Senior adviser to President Barack Obama joins The Weekend to discuss the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.9am: Much of the hype and money that is surrounding the event has spurred controversy, with critics saying it reeks of corruption. President Trump and some of his allies could personally benefit from the fight. The Trump Organization has also promoted a line of "Freedom 250" themed silver and gold medallions, priced from $250 to $12K, tied to the event. The "No Kings" movement will hold a counter-event to protest Trump's policies and what organizers calling "strongman politics." Sen. Cory Booker (NJ-D) joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the UFC Freedom 250 event, Men's Mental Health, the Iran conflict and the confirmation of Todd Blanche to as Attorney General.

Episode 50Spoiler Hidden

7am: This morning, Israeli air strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least five people, according to Lebanese state media, just hours after a ceasefire took effect between Israel and Hezbollah. It comes a day after that conflict delayed an expected first day of talks to reach a final peace deal between the United States and Iran. MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid joins "The Weekend" from Dubai with the latest.8am: The fund, which was designed to benefit Trump's allies, and possibly include compensation for January 6th rioters, was previously scrapped after fierce bipartisan backlash last month. The Trump Administration declined to submit a court-requested sworn declaration to a federal judge that the program is officially dead.  Liz Oyer and Eddie Glaude Jr. join The Weekend to discuss the resurgance of the bill. Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate Candidate James Talarico also joins The Weekend in an exclusvie sit-down with Eugene Daniels on the momentum he's experiencing in the Senate race in Texas and attacks on his masculinity.9am: Bill Pulte, who is a Trump loyalist and Director of Federal Housing, took over the position Friday. Pulte has no experience in the intelligence world, but he does have a history of doing the president's bidding by launching probes into Trump's perceived enemies. As acting DNI , he's in a position where he can further peddle the president's conspiracy theories on election fraud. Pulte's appointment is not popular, even among some Republicans who are against it. Colordado Secretary of State Jena Griswold joins the weekend to discuss Pulte's appointment.

Episode 51Spoiler Hidden

7am: Negotiating teams from the United States and Iran are in Switzerland for a new round of talks. Vice President JD Vance is leading the U.S. delegation. This comes after a day of confusion on whether the Strait of Hormuz is open or closed and President Trump threatening to charge American tolls there. MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid joins "The Weekend" from the U.S.-Iran talks at Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland. Then, Jon Finer, former principal deputy national security adviser in the Biden administration, and Thomas Nides, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, join to discuss the latest.8am: Vice President J.D. Vance addressed the press and thanked delegates from both Pakistan and Qatar. It's the latest attempt by the U.S. and Iran to get last week's agreement back on track after strikes between Israel and Lebanon, which led Iranian officials to announce plans to close the Strait of Hormuz.9am: President Trump's $14 million reflecting pool has turned into a green, peeling mess, and he continues to blame everyone but himself for the downfall of his renovations. In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump writes in part, "many additional people have been arrested having to do with the disgraceful vandalism of our beautiful reflecting pool." Meanwhile, cyclist and former Olympian David Hearn, who was arrested Friday on a misdemeanor charge of destruction of government property, told The Washington Post he touched the pool's detached liner but "didn't destroy or break or peel anything."  MS NOW reporter, Maya Eaglin, joins "The Weekend" from the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Episode 52Spoiler Hidden

7am: This week, President Trump cancelled a big bipartisan signing event on Capitol Hill for a bill that would make housing more affordable in this country. As lawmakers were gathering for the event, Trump said he would not sign it unless Congress passed his big voter suppression bill, the Save America Act. This comes after two federal judges blocked Trump's executive orders trying to restrict the use of mail-in ballots. Kimberly Atkins Stohr and David Drucker join The Weekend to weigh in on how this could actively hurt the Republican party's chances in November.8am: After four Senate Republicans sided with Democrats on a War Powers Resolution to limit the President's authority in Iran, Trump reportedly berated those Senators during a closed-door lunch on Wednesday. The next day Senate Republicans rejected a similar measure. former Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) and former Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) join The Weekend to discuss Trump's standoff with the members of the Senate GOP.9am: The ruling could cause the hundreds of thousands of children born in the U.S. each year to undocumented parents or those with temporary status to not receive automatic U.S. citizenship. If the Justices side with the administration it would mark one of the biggest victories yet for Trump's mass deportation agenda. Paola Ramos joins The Weekend to discuss.

Episode 53Spoiler Hidden

7am: Trump is becoming his own worst enemy, hurting his agenda and his party with his fixation on things like vanity projects and non-existent voter fraud, while ignoring real concerns like inflation. Plus, Trump scrapped a planned signing of a bipartisan housing bill and demanded Congress pass the Save America Act, which would target federal elections. MS NOW political analyst Eugene Robinson and Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent for Bloomberg, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: In one case dealing with the Epstein files, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was ordered to comply with the Epstein files transparency act and release unredacted versions of several files by next Thursday or explain why so many documents are still heavily redacted. In another case regarding the DOJ's so called "anti-weaponization" fund, a federal judge said a lawsuit challenging its creation would proceed given the agency's continued refusal to confirm in writing what Blanche has said publicly, which is that the fund is dead. In normal times, a federal court would not be necessary to see the DOJ fulfill its role but as we all know, this is anything but normal times. Andrew Weissmann joins The Weekend to discuss how judges are checking those extraordinary actions.9am: Meanwhile, he has fixated on his own pet projects like his reflecting pool makeover and his White House ballroom, which the Washington Post reports will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars despite the president insisting that it would come at no cost to the American taxpayer. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA) joins The Weekend to discuss the current economic concerns and the president's on-going vanity projects.

Episode 54Spoiler Hidden

7am: On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the United States, President Trump delivered a political speech at Mount Rushmore. Instead of delivering a unifying message about the country's future, the president devoted much of his remarks to warning against a renewed communist threat in the United States, calling for political opponents to be "sent into exile," and pushing his SAVE America Act. Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley and Anne Applebaum, staff writer for The Atlantic, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: An intelligence official tells MS NOW that the individuals fired by the Trump Administration are officials "who they believe are deep state" and who leadership alleges have not provided complete pictures of available intelligence. The latest move comes just two weeks after Pulte's takeover of the agency and his decision to cut six political appointees put in place by former Director, Tulsi Gabbard. 9am: Burns examines the idea of democracy and its role during the revolution. He also discusess his next project and what, if anything, he considers off limits.

Episode 55Spoiler Hidden

7am: After being delayed by severe weather, President Trump delivers a patriotic and yet partisan speech to mark America's 250th birthday hours after masked white supremacists march in the nation's Capitol. MS NOW's Eddie Glaude Jr. and Michele Norris join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: He and his family could find themselves under intense scrutiny if Democrats win big in November's midterms. As Axios reports, Democrats are planning a serious of subpoenas intent on exposing what has become the most lucrative presidency in American history. Democrats may also investigate people in Trump's orbit over a myriad of corruption allegations involving Trump's crypto empire, his sons' investments in defense companies seeking federal contracts, and billions of dollars worth of investments in Saudi real estate projects. Author Megan Gorman joins The Weekend to discuss the president's finances.9am: With Republicans drawing more favorable congressional maps ahead of the midterms, Democrats will likely need a strong turnout advantage to win back the House. Early signs show the redistricting fight may be energizing voters more than Republicans expected. In South Carolina's recent runoff elections, early voting reached levels typically seen only in presidential years. In South Carolina's 6th Congressional District, represented by Rep. James Clyburn, turnout jumped by more than 50 percent, despite an uncontested primary. That surge was driven largely by Black voters, who make up roughly 60 percent of registered Democrats in South Carolina.  Representative Al Green, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 56Spoiler Hidden

Gas prices are poised to climb again as the conflict with Iran escalates. Moody's chief economist estimates the average household has already spent roughly $1,000 more because of the war. And Trump refused to sign a bi-partisan housing bill that became law anyway at midnight. It's one of the few measures that would actually help with the affordability crisis. But Trump refused to sign it in protest over Republican refusal to pass his voter restriction bill, the SAVE America Act. As those challenges mount, the President and his friends have devoted increasing attention to something else entirely: tributes to Donald Trump and his pet projects. New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan and authors of "Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump," join The Weekend to break down the ongoing chaos at the White House and the President's fixation on his vanity projects instead of voter issues.He submitted paperwork to remove his name from the ballot yesterday, clearing the way for Maine's Democratic party to replace him. On Wednesday, Platner announced that he was suspending his campaign after a woman he dated accused him of sexually assaulting her in 2021 - an allegation he denied as "false." As Democrats race to select a new nominee by the July 27th state deadline, which they will do through a nominating convention on July 25th, the fallout is reigniting a debate over how political leaders are held accountable. Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky join The Weekend to discuss the Maine race and political accountability.

Episode 57Spoiler Hidden

7am: His office confirmed the senator "passed away from a brief and sudden illness." Senator Graham served in the House of Representatives for eight years before winning his senate seat in 2002. He briefly ran for the 2016 Republican nomination for president where he was very critical of Donald Trump, saying that the GOP would "get destroyed" if they made Trump the nominee. Senator Graham later became one of President Trump's top allies and defenders in congress. Graham was chair of the Senate Budget Committee, and was a hawk when it came to foreign policy. He had just returned from a trip to Kyiv, where he met with President Zelenskyy on Friday.8am: It has been a little more than three months since Blanche took the reigns at the Department of Justice after Trump's last AG Pam Bondi was fired, reportedly in part due to Trump's growing frustration with the pace of prosecutions against his perceived political rivals. In just that short time Blanche has shown his willingness to allow his former client to assert himself, as Trump has repeatedly declared, to be the chief law enforcement officer" of the U.S. Melissa Murray and Andrew Weissmann join The Weekend to discuss his confirmation hearing.9am: On Wednesday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee in his hearing to become Trump's next confirmed Attorney General. Founder and Executive Director of Justice Connection, Stacey Young, and MS NOW legal analyst and former U.S. attorney Joyce Vance join "The Weekend" to preview how it's likely to go.

Episode 58Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump packed his Thursday primetime address with false and misleading claims about U.S. election security. Trump unveiled documents he claimed provided definitive proof of widespread voter fraud, but many of those are directly undercut by the documents the White House released. Chief Washington Correspondent for MeidasTouch, Scott MacFarlane, and Jackie Lopez, partner with the Elias Law Group, join "The Weekend" to debunk some of his election conspiracies.8am: Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn continue to question whether the DOJ's controversial $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" initiative is truly "dead," as Blanche has claimed. Blanche also met with Jeffrey Epstein survivors after Sen. Tillis made it a condition for Blanche to get his vote. Glenn Thrush and Ankush Khardori join The Weekend to discuss the latest on Blanche's confirmation hearing.9am: Multiple fatal shootings involving ICE officers spark a major national day of action against Trump's immigration crackdown. In response to the shootings, the Department of Homeland Security paused ICE vehicle stops except in cases that involved serious criminal targets. However, President Trump reversed the order. Andrea Flores, former Department of Homeland Security and White House official, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 59Spoiler Hidden

7am: Thousands of Americans took to the streets to protest against ICE and the Trump administration's harsh immigration crackdown. The demonstrations come as Trump is urging ICE to keep up aggressive traffic-stop operations despite the recent deadly shootings. At the same time, Trump spent this week focused on reviving election conspiracy theories, laying out the groundwork to challenge midterm election results if Republicans lose. President of Media Matters, Angelo Carusone, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: But across the country, voters have more real-world concerns. With that in mind, Democrats are trying to win over voters, even in red states like Iowa, by focusing on the future and practical concerns. Former Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg was in the Hawkeye State and Florida this week holding events with Democratic candidates running for office there. He joined The Weekend to weighs in on the path forward for Democrats as we move ever-closer to the midterm elections.9am: More than two dozen House Democrats met this week for a closed-door strategy session to map out how they would respond if President Trump tried to interfere in this year's midterms. House Democrats have told MS NOW that one fear they have is that Trump could be using the Save America Act as a pretext, and if the legislation fails, Trump could declare a state of emergency to make electoral rule changes. Congressman Joe Morelle of New York, who organized the meeting with House Democrats, joins "The Weekend" along with Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward.

Episode 60Spoiler Hidden

7am: It's round two of the White House Correspondents' Dinner, months after the first one was cut short by the shooting. Trump used the opportunity to take personal jabs at the press and Democrats, and made a 2028 presidential bid "joke." Plus, Trump's speech comes amid efforts from his administration to threaten press freedoms. On Thursday, the Justice Department had to drop subpoenas it issued to New York Times reporters over security concerns about the new Air Force One gifted to Trump by the Qatari royal family. Vanity Fair Washington Correspondent Aidan McLaughlin, and MS NOW Senior White House Reporter Vaughn Hillyard, who was at last night's dinner, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: 601 delegates are gathering in Bangor for a nominating convention to decide between the two remaining candidates: former State Senator Troy Jackson and bio-science CEO Saundra Pelletier. Each candidate will give a roughly 5-minute speech before the voting begins. Executive Director of Maine's Democratic Party Devon Murphy-Anderson joins The Weekend to discuss.9am: As the Iran war drags on in its fifth month, President Trump is weighing options to majorly intensify the war. He reportedly met with top advisers and senior cabinet members to consider his options yesterday and warned a "massive attack" is to come. Meanwhile, oil prices have surged to $100 a barrel this week, with the national average remaining over $4 a gallon per tank. Representative Ro Khanna of California joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 61Spoiler Hidden

7am: As concerns continue to grow about the steps President Trump has taken to make it harder to vote, some of his actions are hitting roadblocks. Yesterday, an appeals court upheld a lower-court ruling blocking key parts of Trump's executive order that would restrict mail-in voting in 23 states. Tomorrow, President Trump is expected to rally in the crucial battleground state of Michigan. MS NOW political analyst Eugene Robinson and former DHS Chief of Staff Miles Taylor join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: As the president prepares to rally in the battleground state of Michigan on Monday, early voting is happening now for the state's primary election scheduled to take place on August 4th. Earlier this month, Trump's Department of Justice sent letters to officials in three of Michigan's Democratic-leaning cities, including Detroit, detailing plans to have federal monitors observe voting during next month's primary. The Justice Department also warned several states, including Michigan, that they could face criminal action if they knowingly allow non-U.S. Citizens to vote or to remain on their voter rolls. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist joins The Weekend to discuss.9am: This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to decide whether to advance the nomination of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. All eyes are on two Republican committee members, Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, either of whom could tank Blanche's nomination. Meanwhile, Blanche's leadership continues to face scrutiny. Yesterday, a U.S. District Judge ordered the acting attorney general to submit to the judge unredacted copies of key Jeffrey Epstein related emails and documents along with evidence backing up the DOJ's claims that the original redactions were legitimate and followed the law under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Senator Cory Booker, a member of the Judiciary Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 62Spoiler Hidden

7am: Yesterday at Camp David, President Trump defended the anti-weaponization fund he and his attorney general have said is dead, and blamed a Democratic governor for a water-supply attack U.S. officials say was likely carried out by Iran. As Americans continue to face higher prices at the pump and the grocery store, Trump has received all-time low approval ratings across multiple polls this week, with just one-third of voters approving the job that Trump is doing as president. Elise Labbott, host of Cosmopolitics on Substack, and Jeff Mason, White House Correspondent for Bloomberg, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: Interviews with dozens of people indicate"staggering fundraising and influence operation, with Trump at the center of it all," according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Trump has raked in $800 million dollars since returning to office, including $50 million from Japan's Softbank for his presidential library, $25 million from Apple for the Ballroom project, and a $10 million donation from Microsoft. Former Senator Claire McCaskill and Kevin Frey join The Weekend to discuss the report.9am: Eugene Daniels traveled to Chicago for the DSA's National Organizing Conference, where he sat down with members and got their insight on key issues and some things they say have been misrepresented in the media.

Episode 63Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump has once again pulled back from threats to escalate US strikes in Iran, cancelling a planned attack that was expected this weekend, saying that Mideast allies reached the "perimeters of a deal" to end the war.  Mara Karlin, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans and Capabilities in the Biden administration, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The race in Michigan is not only a battle for a Senate seat in a swing state, one that very well may determine control of the chamber next year, but it's also emblematic of the fight inside a divided Democratic Party. Democratic voters will decide between Rep. Haley Stevens, the establishment favorite, and progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Tuesday's winner will head to the November election against former Rep. Mike Rogers, the presumptive Republican nominee who is running unopposed. El-Sayed joined The Weekend to discuss his campaign and react to attacks waged against him by his opponent. 

Episode 64Spoiler Hidden

7am: The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as the next Attorney General. Now, President Trump's former personal lawyer has become the head of the nation's chief law enforcement agency, while questions remain about whether his focus is on defending the rule of law or continuing to defend his former client. Sabrina Siddiqui, National Politics Reporter for the Wall Street Journal, and MS NOW Political Analyst Kimberly Atkins-Stohr join "The Weekend' to discuss. 8am: The calls come as allegations that Miller abused his ex-wife and young daughter are consuming his campaign. Miller has strongly denied the allegations. If he were to drop out, Ohio Republicans would have until Monday to name a new candidate. But, so far, Miller is refusing to back down. President Trump says he's not going to weigh in on whether Miller, who worked in the first Trump administration, should drop out or resign. However, several Republican lawmakers have called for Miller to step down, including his former father-in-law, Sen. Bernie Moreno. Alex Isenstadt and Jessica Taylor join The Weekend to discuss the scandal that's plaguing the GOP.9am: August 8, 2026, 9 AM; Michigan Democrats have presented a united front this week- with a special appearance by former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Jocelyn Benson, Abdul El-Sayed, and Haley Stevens all join The Weekend to discuss the party's unity.

Episode 65Spoiler Hidden

7am: The new monthly employment report revealed that the U.S. lost an unexpected 23,000 jobs in July when economists originally anticipated a gain of 83,000 jobs. Plus, job numbers from May and June were revised down sharply by 103,000, suggesting the job market may be weaker than previously understood. This news comes on top of Americans already struggling with a housing shortage and the high cost of groceries and gasoline, made worse by the war in Iran. As the midterms rapidly approach, a new survey found that the majority of Americans view rising living costs as the biggest barrier to a better life, with 60% of respondents saying they wanted greater financial security. Democratic Mayor Matt Tuerk of Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Republican Mayor Daniel Rickenmann of Columbia, South Carolina join "The Weekend" to discuss the impact the economy has on their constituents.8am: Despite his repeated efforts to put pressure on his party, Senate Republicans left town yesterday for their August recess without moving on his much talked about Save America Act. But the voter suppression bill is only one of the many ways Trump has been working to put his thumb on the scale for the Republicans. The New York Times is reporting that there are a growing number of election deniers who hold offices involved in state and local elections across the country. Sen. Richard Blumenthal joins The Weekend to discuss his concerns over the integrity of the midterm elections.9am:  President Trump's focus is drifting further away from issues like the war in Iran and the economy, and further into his retribution campaign, vanity projects, and conspiracy theories. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, a member of the House Oversight and Intel Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 66Spoiler Hidden

7am: The costs of President Trump's vanity projects are reaching new heights after the Washington Post reported his administration is estimated to spend at least $900 million on remodeling the White House. The spending on all of these projects comes as the American economy continues to struggle due to Trump's war with Iran, something he said he won't apologize for. Vanity Fair Washington Correspondent Aidan Mclaughlin and Axios Senior Economics Reporter Courtenay Brown join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The group "Alabama Leadership Fund" released a new campaign ad targeting Tuberville on his goal of expanding data centers in the state. Candidate for Governor in Alabama and former US Senator Doug Jones joins The Weekend to discuss the gubernatorial race in his state and the rising concerns over A.I. data centers.9am: The Democratic Party is expected to give final approval to its presidential primary calendar, with South Carolina scheduled to be the first on January 22nd. This meeting comes amid growing Democratic optimism about the midterms and surging turnout in recent primary elections. However, the party is also facing internal turmoil over questions about leadership and fundraising. DNC chair Ken Martin, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 67Spoiler Hidden

7am: The Democratic National Committee finalized sweeping changes to their primary calendar on Saturday, making South Carolina the kickoff state in the sprint to Super Tuesday. The party's membership ratified the decision during their summer meeting in Austin, Texas, moving more racially diverse states to the front of the line. With that 2028 business settled, the focus returns to this year's midterms. Three states will hold primaries on Tuesday: Alaska, Wyoming, and Florida. In Florida, voters will choose a new governor after eight years of Ron DeSantis. Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Florida, former Congressman David Jolly, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: New polling from Emerson shows that the race for the U.S. Senate is a near dead heat between Democratic candidate James Talarico and Republican candidate Ken Paxton. In the governor's race, Republican incumbent Greg Abbott leads State Representative Gina Hinojosa by just four points -- only one point outside the poll's 3-point margin of error. Hinojosa joins The Weekend to discuss her campaign to energize voters.9am: ICE plans to spend up to $20 million dollars to purchase thousands of gloves that can deliver painful electric shocks intended to gain compliance from combative individuals. Civil rights advocates quickly sounded the alarm over the plan, saying ICE officers already face scrutiny over their use of excessive force with little oversight or accountability. But supporters of the gloves say they are generally only used in specific jail or transport situations to subdue violent suspects. Congressional Democrats plan to host a field hearing in Biddeford, Maine, tomorrow, on ICE's use of force after a deadly shooting, last month. Maine Democratic Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, who represents the district where the shooting happened, joins "The Weekend" to discuss. She has been an outspoken critic of ICE's use of force and will host tomorrow's hearing.For more, follow us on social media:

Episode 68Spoiler Hidden

7am: The Supreme Court just gave him the green light to continue his $400M White House ballroom renovations, for now. Chief Justice John Roberts issued a temporary stay, freezing a lower court ruling that would have brought the project to a halt this morning. Trump has focused so much on his pet projects that the White House has now dubbed him the "Builder-in-Chief." However, his policies are causing things to crumble. Americans across the country are struggling with the cost of living, exacerbated by his war in Iran. Additionally overnight, trade talks between the U.S. and Canada fell apart. 50% tariffs are now in effect on about $20B worth of Canadian goods, which could lead to higher prices for American consumers. Rep. Jennifer McClellan joins The Weekend to discuss the President's focus on his vanity projects over the US economy.8am: The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration this week for violating the Freedom of Information Act by failing to turn over "records about any plans to seize ballots, voting machines or other election materials before the 2026 midterms are certified." The concerns over Trump potentially interfering in the midterm elections are shared by election officials across the country who are at this moment "war-gaming" every move they think President Trump might make come this November. Rep. Joe Morelle and Jacquelyn Lopez join The Weekend to discuss how the party is preparing for any such nightmare scenario.9am: Last night at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, President Trump conceded that voters may not be very enthusiastic about this year's midterm elections, but encouraged them to "pretend" he's on the ballot. This comes as three more Trump-endorsed candidates lost this week in Republican primaries in Florida and Wyoming. According to MS NOW's "Races to Watch," one of the best pickup opportunities for Senate Democrats is in Maine. Troy Jackson joins "The Weekend" to discuss his bid against Senator Susan Collins.

Episode 69Spoiler Hidden

7am: As U.S./Canada trade talks fall apart, President Trump is holding yet another spectacle in Washington, D.C. that taxpayers are contributing to -- a massive "Freedom 250 Grand Prix" IndyCar race throughout the streets of Washington, D.C. Later today, Trump will wave the green flag and will also reportedly take a "lap of honor" in The Beast. Taxpayers are footing the bill for security, which is expected to cost at least $10 million. Will Sommer, Senior Reporter for The Bulwark and Dana Millbank, Columnist for NOTUS, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: This week, the Cook Political Report shifted Senate races in Texas and Iowa to the left: from "lean Republican" to "toss-up." MS NOW still rates both of these races as Lean Republican. Meanwhile, MS NOW's Political Unit is characterizing Senate races in Alaska and Ohio as toss-ups, two seats that are currently held by Republicans. Terrance Woodbury and Rachel Bitecofer join The Weekend to discuss the Democrats' prospects.9am: As Americans continue to grapple with the ongoing affordability crisis, Trump's policies are again threatening to drive the prices we pay even higher. Trump took to Truth Social to claim Canada wanted "the benefits of being a state, without being one." It comes after Canada said Saturday it would match "dollar for dollar" Trump's new 50% tariffs that went into effect after trade talks fell apart on Friday. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country had been "attacked" by the new American tariffs. Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 70Spoiler Hidden

7am: This week marks 6 months since the start of the war with Iran, a war Trump originally said should last only 4-5 weeks. There's no end in sight, but Trump posted a meme on social media declaring ‘mission accomplished.' Plus, as Trump reignites an unnecessary trade war with Canada, Americans continue to worry about affordability. MS NOW White House reporter Laura Barron-Lopez and Wall Street Journal national politics reporter Sabrina Siddqui join "The Weekend" to discuss all that and more.8am: ICE arrested nearly 50,000 people in July, a 15% jump from the previous month and the highest single monthly arrest total since the start of President Trump's second term. Just this week, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the wife of an active-duty soldier was deported back to Honduras. She is at least the 7th spouse or parent of an active-duty service member to be deported as part of Trump's immigration crackdown. The administration is reportedly preparing to cancel up to 200,000 immigrant visas nationwide, a move that would mark the largest revocation effort in U.S. history. Dara Lind, Senior Fellow for the American Immigration Council, and Rosa Flores, MS NOW National Reporter, join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: The Trump administration has appealed a ruling temporarily blocking his efforts to restrict mail-in voting, after a Massachusetts federal judge prohibited the U.S. postal service from carrying out Trump's plan. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, who is part of the lawsuit over Trump's mail-in ballot order, and Brendan Ballou, former federal prosecutor and former lawyer with the DOJ National Security and Antitrust Division, join "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 71Spoiler Hidden

7am: Yesterday, Michigan Democrats put up a united front in their first convention since their contentious primary. Democratic candidate for Governor Jocelyn Benson and Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed took the stage and called on the people of Michigan to fight against the actions of the Trump Administration. And in Texas, Democratic Candidate James Talarico has taken a slight lead over Republican candidate Ken Paxton, according to polls. Aaron Parnas, author of "The Parnas Perspective" on Substack, and MS NOW political analyst Eugene Robinson join "The Weekend" to discuss8am: President Trump is feuding with a top ally that could lead to price hikes for Americans. After Trump's trade with Canada collapsed, and both countries hit each other with tariffs, the trade war took a bizarre twist. Not only did Trump sign an executive order to formally rename ‘Lake Ontario' to ‘Lake America,' he also shared an AI generated video on Truth Social depicting an army of heavily armed Canadian geese with Trump wigs. Chrystia Freeland, the former Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister of Canada, and Democratic Rep. Tim Kennedy of New York, whose district is on the border of Canada and Lake Ontario, join "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: Republican lawmakers are privately admitting that Trump is being described to them by Republican voters as exhausting. Plus, Trump continues to center himself in midterms, even as his approval rating sinks. Former Democratic Washington Governor Jay Inslee and former Republican Ohio Governor and MS NOW Political Analyst, John Kasich join "The Weekend" to discuss. 

Episode 72Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump suggests all Republicans have to do ahead of the midterms is talk about his record but his actions from the Iran war to his trade war with Canada have become increasingly unpopular. MS NOW has confirmed President Trump will speak Wednesday and Thursday night at next week's convention in Dallas. However, some congressional Republicans are planning to skip the $25,000 ticket event. Andrew Desidario, senior congressional reporter for Punchbowl News, and MS NOW political contributor Mark Leibovich join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the U.S. added 162,000 jobs in August - far more than expected - while the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.1%. But with midterm elections less than two months away, Americans continue to sour on what President Donald Trump calls a "roaring" economy, as his tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran threaten to increase costs even more. Courtenay Brown and Dan Koh join The Weekend to discuss the latest on the U.S. economy.9am: The President is urging Republicans to run on his record and says he is going to hit the road for candidates despite his sagging popularity. If he can't win over skeptical Americans, he seems determined to block some of them from casting their ballots. But so far the courts are standing in his way. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) joins The Weekend to discuss the the final stretch of the midterms.

Episode 73Spoiler Hidden

7am: Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv for their first visit to Ukraine as part of a renewed push from the Trump Administration to end Russia's war. Just yesterday, Witkoff and Kushner met with Vladimir Putin in Moscow for more than three hours. Former DHS Chief of Staff Miles Taylor and Former Congresswoman Susan Wild, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The event dubbed "Trump-a-palooza" by some kicks off Wednesday in Dallas, with the President the star of the show he's called "a rally like none other!" With just days before the two day event starts, it's already plagued with concerns about turnout and Trump fatigue. Michael Scherer and Jake Traylor join The Weekend to discuss the convention.9am: As mail-in ballots are already being sent out to voters, the Trump administration is still trying to change the rules over those very ballots. A federal judge on Friday extended her temporary injunction barring the USPS from advancing Trump's new vote-by-mail restrictions. But, now the Justice Department is appealing that decision, while its earlier appeal of the judge's original temporary injunction remains at the Supreme Court. Ranking member of the House Administration Committee Rep. Joe Morelle joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 74Spoiler Hidden

7am: As Republicans attended the ‘Trumpapalooza' midterm convention in Dallas, Democrats provided a counter message to voters. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker was among those calling out President Trump's historic unpopularity and voters' growing dissatisfaction with the war in Iran and high prices. The Weekend's Eugene Daniels spoke exclusively with Governor Pritzker about what Democrats need to do to succeed in November and how he plans to protect the right to vote in his state.8am: The captured island is a key alternative shipping route for Saudi oil. It comes after Saudi Arabia said it shut down its crucial East-West oil pipeline on Friday as a "precaution" from being targeted by drones launched in Iraq. Despite having knowledge of the sobering information, Vice President J.D. Vance along with President Donald Trump and other top White House officials are still choosing to downplay the war. This week the President even said he expects the war will end after the midterms. Adm. John Kirby and Alex Ward join The Weekend to discuss the current state of affairs surrounding the war.9am: That was his message to Republicans in Dallas this week as he closed out a two day, so-called Trump-a-palooza convention that was ostenibly supposed to gin up enthusiasm for Republican candidates. One of the realities Republicans now have to live with is Trump's promise of a payment to Americans if Republicans hold Congress. Those government checks have not been authorized by Congress and Trump hasn't explained where the money would come from. Rep. Madeleine Dean and Gina Hinojosa join The Weekend to discuss the latest on the GOP's strategy and Democrats momentum for the midterms.

Episode 75Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump is wrapping up his two-day trip to Ireland with an appearance at the Irish Open at his golf course. Thousands of Irish citizens took to the streets in protest yesterday, making clear their opposition to Trump's agenda and anger at the Irish government for welcoming him to their country. MS Now's International Reporter Ines De La Cuetara joins "The Weekend" from Dublin with the latest.8am: In a 3,800-page essay released Saturday, Dario Amodei the chief executive at the AI research company Anthropic warned. "We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans! I personally think it is greater than 10% within the next decade." Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI, and Elon Musk even took to social media, agreeing that the pace of AI growth needs to slow down. Rep. Suhas Subramanyam joins The Weekend to discuss the recent warnings from tech leaders about AI.9am: New alarms are being raised about what could happen after all the results are counted on Election Night in November. Retired Judge J. Michael Luttig, who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, joins "The Weekend" to discuss what he is calling the final battle for America's democracy.

Episode 76Spoiler Hidden

7am: As early in-person voting for the November midterms gets underway, there are new signs that President Trump and his economy are dragging down his party's chances of keeping the majority in both chambers of Congress. Two new polls from The New York Times and Fox News show that voters trust Democrats more than Republicans on the economy. And this week, MS NOW added Kansas and South Carolina, two states that previously looked safely Republican, to its list of Senate races to watch. Mike Allen, co-founder of Axios, and Dana Milbank, columnist for The Washington Sun, join "The Weekend" to discuss. 8am: This week, Open-AI disclosed six new instances in which artificial intelligence systems hid mistakes, made up data and moved files onto the open internet without permission. In one case, during the development of a specific A.I. model, the system wrote hidden notes to remind itself to hide errors from users. Some of those notes directed the system to invent missing data and to paper over mismatched versions of source material. A new Politico poll finds that 63 % of Americans say the technology poses at least a moderate risk of *destroying humanity*. With the midterms quickly approaching, Democrats are calling for a more robust response to deal with the complicated task of A.I. regulation. Top candidates on the ballot this year such as Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia are pressing for sweeping action in Washington. New York State Assemblyman Alex Bores joins The Weekend to discuss A.I. regulations.9am: As the Wall Street Journal points out, mortgage rates are apprroaching 7%, gas prices are near their highest level since 2022, and the Federal Reserve just raised interest rates for the first time in three years. For millions of Americans, keeping up with everyday expenses is getting harder. While this is screaming trouble for Republicans in the polls, the Trump administration has done very little to address the issues voters care about. Rep. Melanie Stansbury joins The Weekend to discuss current state of the economy. 

Episode 77Spoiler Hidden

7am: Iranian-backed Houthi rebels say they fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities, landing the first strikes on the Saudi capital in months. This comes on the heels of President Trump telling Axios he faces a big decision on Iran, "Do I want to go in and annihilate them, or do I not?" Axios says the president was referring to the Iranian regime. This question comes just days before he meets with Gulf leaders, including Saudi Arabia, at the UN General ­Assembly. The State Department is reportedly granting Iran's leaders travel documents to attend UNGA, even as the U.S. and Iran remain officially at war. Richard Haass, President Emeritus at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: FBI Director Kash Patel is suggesting that federal agents could be sent to polling places. A top Justice Department official warned that prosecutors would be fired if they do not go after cases of alleged voter fraud. The DOJ has denied that. Election officials across the country say they are ready to combat the chaos and are taking steps to protect voting systems. Fulton County, Georgia Commissioner Dana Barrett and Jackson County, Oregon County Clerk Christine Walker join The Weekend to discuss how they are preparing to protect their voting systems.9am: "It's a very inexpensive price to pay for what we've done." That's what President Trump said about the rising cost of gas due to the war in Iran. The war has sent the national average up 50% since its start in February, and analysts warn huge jumps in the prices of gasoline and diesel are yet to come. New York congressman and combat veteran Pat Ryan, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 78Spoiler Hidden

7am: CNN announced last night that the White House is barring the network from flying on Air Force One today as part of the White House TV press pool. Instead, the White House has replaced the network with Lindell TV and Real America's Voice. This comes after a federal judge ordered the administration to restore White House press access, at least temporarily, to the three news outlets the president banned from the White House this week: MS NOW, CNN, and Politico. MS NOW White House reporter Akayla Gardner and former federal prosecutor Ankush Khardori join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The dismal picture for Republicans in the midterms has led to an increasing number of Republicans breaking from the president on a host of issues. most notably the Iran War. Despite claims they want an end to the conflict, this week Senate Republicans blocked a measure to direct Trump to end the war, but in the face of voter anger over high fuel prices a chorus of Republicans from competitive battleground states have joined calls to end the war. It all comes as more and more Republicans sound increasingly resigned about their party's chances this fall. MS NOW Congressional Reporter Mychael Schnell and Axios Congressional Reporter Kate Santaliz join The Weekend to discuss the latest on GOP candidates distancing themselves from President Trump.9am: ICE arrested 43K people in June, more than 50K in July, and nearly 51K in August, according to an analysis by The New York Times. Now, a shooting in Austin, Texas, is drawing renewed attention to the extremes of Trump's immigration crackdown. And a warning: some of the footage may be disturbing. Wilber Rafael Garcés Pérez, a Venezuelan immigrant, was working as a DoorDash driver on Sunday afternoon when he was shot in the back by an ICE officer during a traffic stop. The Department of Homeland Security says Gracés Pérez was the subject of a targeted vehicle stop and accused him of attempting to evade arrest. But Garcés Pérez disputes that. He says his car was sideswiped *twice* before he realized they were immigration agents. Rep. Joaquin Castro joins The Weekend to discuss the latest on the shooting.

Episode 79Spoiler Hidden

7am: On Saturday, President Trump said he had rejected Iran's latest proposal for a ceasefire and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Before rejecting the proposal, the president posted an image of the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social labeling it as the "Trump Strait." And as the war enters its 8th month of fighting, there are new reports about the human toll of the war on American service members. The Washington Post reports the Pentagon quietly added 37 Sailors and Marines to its tally of troops wounded during the Iran War this week without explanation, bringing the total number wounded during the war to 861. Spokespeople for the Pentagon did not return the Post's requests for comment. John Brennan, Former Director of the CIA and MS NOW Senior National Security Intelligence Analyst, and David Rohde, MS NOW Senior National Security Reporter, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: During his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee in January, he defended the investigations he led into Donald Trump's efforts to subvert the 2020 election as well as Trump taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago after he left the White House. Smith faced hostile questions from Republican lawmakers, who accused him of political bias and overzealous prosecution. They also accused him of spying on members of Congress after it was revealed that prosecutors obtained telephone toll records of certain Republican lawmakers surrounding the events of January 6th. We are likely to see more of the same accusations from Senate Republicans because the hearing is titled "Oversight of Jack Smith's Abuse of Authority and the Targeting of Republicans and Related Matters." Senator Cory Booker joins The Weekend to discuss the hearing.9am: President Trump's false claims of noncitizen voting collided hard with reality in Nevada after the state pressed DHS for evidence. DHS' initial claim of 16,000 noncitizen voters got downgraded to a list of just 185, but it appears to be zero cases. This comes as the Supreme Court handed the president a legal win this Friday, clearing the way for voter screening ahead of the midterms. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 80Spoiler Hidden

7am: In a new court filing last night, the administration argued against the motion MS NOW, CNN and Politico filed on Monday seeking a longer-term block on trump's media ban, again reiterating their belief that the move is lawful under the First Amendment and not retaliatory or viewpoint discrimination. The filing came just a day after the White House blocked CNN for a second time from traveling with the president on Air Force One. Next Thursday, the judge will hear arguments in the media companies' request for the longer-term injunction against the ban. That is the same day the temporary restraining order allowing the outlets access to the White House is set to expire.8am: When President Trump took office, he promised to fix the economy. Now, 65%, of Americans blame Trump's policies for persistently high costs. He promised no new wars and now 8 months into his war with Iran, 71% of Americans disapprove of the way Trump is handling the conflict. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins The Weekend to discuss the U.S. economy and how Trump's policies have impacted Americans.9am: In two federal civil lawsuits, Good's family asserts a wrongful-death claim against the U.S. government, and accuses the ICE officer who shot her and other federal officials of violating her civil rights. Antonio Romanucci, attorney for the Good family joins The Weekend to discuss the suit.

Episode 81Spoiler Hidden

7am: With the midterms just 30 days away, there's growing concern about election interference. In President Trump's TIME Magazine interview this week, he declined to rule out declaring a national emergency around the midterms. MS NOW has confirmed the Republican-led George state election board is asking the Justice Department to intervene in the state's voting systems. And this week, House Democrats held a hearing on election security. Democratic Congressman Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia, a member of the House Oversight Committee, and Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, join "The Weekend" to discuss. 8am:Vice President JD Vance this week urged voters to turn out for Republican candidates in the state where Trump won three times, as polling shows Florida's senate race could be tighter than expected. However, in stumping for Republican Ashley Moody, the vice president unleashed a shocking attack on Moody's Democratic challenger Angie Nixon, calling on her to leave the country. Nixon joins The Weekend to discuss her campaign and the latest attack by Vice President Vance.9am: This week, President Trump headed to what would be considered Republican "safe spaces" – Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama. Last night he took to a more competitive territory in Ohio, and tomorrow he will head to Nebraska. With just one month away from the midterms, the latest polls show Trump's overall job and economic approval ratings are at a new low, raising questions about the motive behind this latest campaign blitz. Democratic Nominee for Alabama Governor, former Senator Doug Jones, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 82Spoiler Hidden

7am: President Trump continues to rally for Republicans with just 24 days left until the midterms. But a new poll by Pew Research Center finds that just 30% of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing as president, which is among the lowest ratings of his second term so far. Plus, new reporting from Politico states that "Republican campaign groups are shifting money away from races they no longer believe to be winnable." Elena Schneider, national political reporter for The Washington Sun, and Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: This week, President Trump announced he is establishing a "committee of inquiry" to investigate allegations that Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook made false statements in connection with her mortgages. Plus, MS NOW has learned the Department of Justice is seeking a criminal indictment against Cassidy Hutchinson, the former White House aide who testified before the January Six committee, for charges that she lied to Congress. A source familiar with the story tells MS NOW that the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division brought evidence to a federal grand jury on Tuesday and is expected to present more evidence and witnesses later this month. Hutchinson has not been subpoenaed.  Former U.S. Attorney and MS NOW legal analyst, Joyce Vance, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.9am: The Trump administration is reportedly investigating over 150 voter registration groups over concerns that they may be recruiting non-citizens to vote. And in a first in over two decades, the administration is turning down international election monitors.  President Trump reportedly met with Tina Peters, the former Colorado elections clerk who was convicted of a scheme to tamper with the state's voting system in 2020. MS NOW has not confirmed the meeting took place but a White House spokesperson said: "We do not comment on private meetings that may or may not have happened." Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 83Spoiler Hidden

7am: A missile attack on Saudi Arabia's International airport in Riyadh left 12 people dead, including an American, and more than 300 injured. A Saudi-led coalition blamed Iran-backed Houthi rebels for the attack, and President Trump indicated that he is weighing whether the U.S. should join Saudi strikes against the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen. Two Saudi Arabian government officials have told MS NOW Contributor Inzamam Rashid that the Kingdom is requesting "urgent defense support" from the U.S. following multiple attacks on airports in the capital, Riyadh. MS NOW Senior National Security Reporter David Rohde joins "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: The New York Times is reporting that the Justice Department is investigating five television networks - FOX, CNN, ABC, CBS, and NBC - for potentially violating federal antitrust laws after the networks temporarily declined to provide pool coverage of President Trump. The networks' move came in response to Trump's attempts to bar CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House grounds last month.  When CNN was removed from its spot in the television press pool, the other networks acted. In a statement to the Times, Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Covington wrote, "The Antitrust Division is simply investigating to determine whether these news organizations have violated the antitrust laws." Representatives for the five networks did not comment.9am: With just 23 days until the midterms, organizers of the widely popular No Kings movement are preparing for its next big day of action next Saturday.  Organizers say they already have more than 2 thousand events planned across all 50 states, with a focus on "supporting nonpartisan voter participation by making sure people are ready to vote early to choose their leaders." Past days of action have seen millions of people take to the streets to protest President Trump and the actions of his administration. Antonia Hylton, host of 'The Assignment' on MS NOW and Adrienne Elrod, Former Senior Advisor and Senior Spokesperson for the Harris-Walz campaign, join "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 84Spoiler Hidden

7am: With just 17 days until the midterms, "The Weekend" host Eugene Daniels launches his three-part series, "The Deciding Vote," which focuses on the importance of Black voters, their frustrations, aspirations, and political power. The first installment begins in Ohio, where data shows more than 600,000 eligible Black voters didn't cast a ballot in the 2022 midterms. He spoke with voting rights activists and young Black men who are considering sitting this election out.8am; Organizers say nearly 3,000 events will take place in all 50 states across the country focused on early voting and turnout. It comes in this final stretch ahead of the midterm elections as Democrats are increasingly invoking corruption as part of their final pitch to voters. It follows a week of turmoil for the White House as Kimberly Guilfoyle, the now embattled former U.S. Ambassador, resigned following allegations of corruption including asking a Trump donor to pay her massive credit card bill in exchange for access to the Trump White House. Additionally, there was the reporting that a member of the administration ordered federal financial regulators to retract a referral that flagged possibly suspicious oil trades worth billions of dollars made just before Trump announced he was backing away from strikes on Iran back on March 23, according to people familiar with the matter. The agency declined to comment on the report. Rep. Greg Casar joined The Weekend to discuss the trend of corruption within the Trump Administration.9am; He gave a speech at a rally yesterday in Dalton where he went on several unhinged rants, including renewing false claims of voter fraud and spreading lies about the legitimacy of Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff's election in 2020. Trump was campaigning for Ossoff's opponent, Republican Congressman Mike Collins, as well as Republican Gubernatorial Nominee Rick Jackson. Over the last three months, Ossoff raised $33.1 million dollars, nearly 12 times the roughly 2-point-8 million dollars raised by Collins. 10 Steps Campaign founder Stacey Abrams joins The Weekend to discuss the latest.

Episode 85Spoiler Hidden

7am: The fourth round of nationwide "No Kings" demonstrations focused on getting people to the polls to vote early for this year's midterms. Events took place across all 50 states and Washington, DC and organizers hoped they would lead to the largest single day of early voting in American history while also building a network of volunteers to help defend elections. MS NOW political analyst Eugene Robinson and Matt K. Lewis, columnist for The Washington Sun, joined "The Weekend" to discuss.8am; Worries are mounting around A.I. with a new AP poll finding 8 in 10 Americans saying they want the U.S. government to ensure that A.I. stays under human control. And 64% of Americans in that poll also think A.I. is developing "too fast". Machine Gods host Kevin Roose joins The Weekend to discuss the growing concerns of A.I.9am:  As the country prepares for the midterm election in just 16 days, President Trump continues to rehash his claims of fraud in the 2020 election, and election officials are reportedly concerned about what could come in the weeks ahead. Vanita Gupta, former Associate U.S. Attorney General under President Biden, joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 86Spoiler Hidden

7am: In the next installment of MS NOW's three-part series, "The Deciding Vote," Eugene Daniels traveled to Michigan, where today marks the start of early voting. It's also a key battleground state where Democrats are concerned about the skepticism among some Black voters toward Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Eugene sat down with El-Sayed and pressed him directly on the warnings coming from the ground. He also met with grassroots organizer Tashawna Gill on the mood of Black voters in the state.8am: With 10 days left until the midterms, President Obama is hitting the campaign trail in two key battleground states, Ohio and Michigan. First, he will stump for Democrats in Ohio, where the closely watched Senate race between Sherrod Brown and incumbent senator Jon Husted is taking shape. He will also campaign for Democrats in the governor's race between Amy Acton and Vivek Ramaswamy, a race at the center of controversy this week. Then, Obama will head to Michigan to energize voters for Jocelyn Benson in the governor's race and Abdul El-Sayed in the Senate contest. MS NOW Chief Political Reporter, Chris Jansing, joins "The Weekend" from Detroit, and MS NOW Reporter Nnamdi Egwuonwu joins from Cleveland.9am: This week, the Justice Department, at Trump's direction, filed a lawsuit to block the certification of the Alaska Senate race if incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses, claiming a loss would be due to "voter confusion" since there is another candidate on the ballot with the same name. Plus, the DOJ has also started to notify states and counties where it plans to deploy federal election monitors for Election Day, including Minnesota, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, and Utah. Representative Joe Morelle joins "The Weekend" to discuss.

Episode 87Spoiler Hidden

7am: Candidates across the country are hitting the trail and bringing in their parties' heavy hitters. Former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump held rallies in battleground states to help candidates deliver their closing message. President Obama called out the "cruelty" and "indecency" from President Trump and the GOP. In Georgia, President Trump took aim at Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Abdul El-Sayed. Trump will take his closing message back on the road again later today with a rally in Michigan. Dana Milbank, columnist for The Washington Sun, and Scott Macfarlane, Chief Washington correspondent for Meidastouch, join "The Weekend" to discuss.8am: In order to achieve that win, both parties will need support from Latino voters. In 2024, Donald Trump made big gains among Latinos, winning 48%, according to a Pew Research analysis. In Texas, he did even better, winning 55% of the Latino vote, a record for a Republican presidential candidate in that state. However, there are signs that Latino voters are turning on Trump and Republicans due to his immigration crackdown and soaring prices on pretty much everything. Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones joins The Weekend to discuss how the Latino vote will effect next week's midterm elections in Texas.9am: The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits in California and Alaska, laying the foundation to challenge the counting of ballots and even contest the certification after Election Day. MS NOW reports, "The Justice Department sent threatening letters to California election officials on Friday demanding local registrars immediately sequester ballots from voters the Trump administration alleges are noncitizens." Those letters were sent to every county in the state and, in at least one letter obtained by MS NOW, it warned that if the official did not follow DOJ's demands, she could face prosecution. Eric Holder, the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, joins "The Weekend" to discuss. Then, California Senator Alex Padilla joins to weigh in on the DOJ's request for his state's voter data.

Episode 88Spoiler Hidden

7am; The White House said Trump is expected to make stops in Iowa and Kansas on Sunday. But just a day earlier, the Republican National Committee announced he was canceling scheduled rallies in those states and would opt instead for a series of tele-rallies. Now, it appears he will be doing both, though he's complaining about how much he's had to campaign. Meanwhile, Democrats have been focused on sharpening their closing message around the economy and calling out corruption in the Trump administration. Jeff Mason and Eugene Robinson join The Weekend to discuss the election.9am; In Alaska, we've seen the efforts by the Justice Department to potentially block the certification of the Senate race results if Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan narrowly loses to Democrat Mary Peltola, over allegations Peltola's campaign recruited another Dan Sullivan to run as a spoiler. The DOJ has expanded its investigation issuing dozens of new grand jury subpoenas. Meanwhile, in California, the Justice Department is escalating its investigation into alleged noncitizen voting, issuing subpoenas to state and local election officials. The administration has also been trying to force California to set aside more than 20K ballots — an effort rejected by a federal judge and, again, by an appeals court last night. Former Sen. Claire McCaskill and Ned Foley join The Weekend to discuss the intensifying, last-minute battles over vote security and what happens to your ballot after Tuesday's elections.

Episode 89Spoiler Hidden

7am: According to the Associated Press early voting is significantly outpacing the last midterm election with sharp increases in states hosting competitive Senate races. South Carolina has seen a massive 83 percent surge. Texas is up 50 percent. Maine is up by 44 percent. As candidates continue their sprint to the finish line, it is now in the voters' hands to decide who they want representing them starting in the new year. Former. Rep. Barbara Comstock and MS NOW Political Analyst Elise Jordan join The Weekend to discuss the latest.8am: It the issue that propelled Donald Trump to victory in 2024 was the economy and his promises to end inflation and bring prices down. But since the start of Trump's 2nd term, his tariffs and the war in Iran have caused inflation to spike to it's current level of 3.7%. Prices have also spiked across the board, with everything from groceries to electricity becoming less affordable. Trump's policies also ushered in a wave of economic uncertainty, making companies hesitant to hire new people, and created a low-hire, low-fire job market. But despite all of this, Trump still boasts about the so-called successes of his economy while voters continue to give his performance historically low ratings. Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan and the host of "Platypus Economics", Justin Wolfers joins The Weekend to discuss the economy and how it'll likely be the key issue to decide the midterm elections.9am: Polling averages from Fifty-plus-one show Democrats pulling ahead in Iowa and Ohio, states where the party hasn't won a governor's race since 2006. And tight races in Nevada and Georgia where Democrats would make history. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joins The Weekend to discuss how Democrats have been hammering home a unified message on the state of the economy and corruption surrounding the Trump administration.

Episode 90Spoiler Hidden

7am: Votes are still being counted, but MS NOW currently projects Democrats will send at least 256 members to the House of Representatives once every race is called. That's a net gain of at least 41 seats. In the Senate, Democrats have flipped 7 seats, currently giving them 54 seats, but that could change as they await the results of the Alaska and Mississippi races. President Trump has made his first big move since the massive Republican losses on election night. He announced Stephen Miller will take over as White House Chief of Staff. MS NOW Contributing Editor Michele Norris and MS NOW White House Reporter Laura Barrón-López join "The Weekend" to discuss. 8am: The massive wave of Democratic victories also came with historic firsts. Some of these wins include Michigan's Abdul El-Sayed, the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. New Mexico's Deb Haaland, the first Native American woman elected governor. Gina Hinojosa, the first Latina elected Governor of Texas, and Stacey Plaskett, who will become both the first female governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. territory. Governor-elect Plaskett joins "The Weekend" to discuss her historic win.9am: This year, the single largest issue voters said affected their vote was government corruption. According to the AP Voter Poll, which surveyed midterm voters in all 50 states, "More than half of voters nationally said government corruption was 'crucial' for their vote for Congress." And Democrats are already preparing to provide oversight of the Executive branch. Democratic member of Congress, Representative Robert Garcia of California, joins "The Weekend" to discuss. He is the Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee and is expected to become the committee chairman in the next Congress.

Episode 91Spoiler Hidden

Episode 92Spoiler Hidden

Episode 93Spoiler Hidden

Episode 94Spoiler Hidden

Episode 95Spoiler Hidden

Episode 96Spoiler Hidden

Episode 97Spoiler Hidden

Episode 98Spoiler Hidden

Episode 99Spoiler Hidden