The Beat with Ari Melber

August 13, 2025; 6pm: President Trump has federalized the DC police, deploying the National Guard along with other federal agencies under the false pretense of fighting crime in the city. MSNBC's Jason Johnson reports on what "The Atlantic" is calling "the President's police state." Plus, BBC News Special Correspondent Katy Kay joins to discuss what to expect from Trump's upcoming meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

August 12, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC's Jason Johnson reports on a stunning new report from The Washington Post about Pentagon plans to create a "domestic civil disturbance quick reaction force" in cities facing protests and other unrest. Plus, critics are warning President Trump is crossing a red line as he taps a MAGA loyalist for the top job at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Justin Wolfers, Rick Wilson, Joyce Vance and others join "The Beat" to break it all down. 

August 11, 2025; 6pm: A judge is accusing President Trump's DOJ of trying to mislead the public with an “illusion” of transparency regarding the Epstein files. Meanwhile, residents of the nation's capital are pushing back against President Trump's attempted power grab as he announces federal takeover of the DC police and deployment of National Guard troops. MSNBC's Jason Johnson is joined by Molly Jong-Fast, Asha Rangappa and others to discuss how this will play out.

August 8, 2025; 6pm: The Trump White House is skewered on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. In a new filing this afternoon, the DOJ is pushing forward on requests to unseal grand jury material. MSNBC's Jason Johnson reports on new details on Trump's desperate attempt to quell political blowback over Epstein. Plus, some former FBI agents are warning that Trump's retribution tour is escalating and damaging the agency.

August 7, 2025; 6pm: NBC News has confirmed top Trump officials huddled to strategize about Jeffrey Epstein, directly contradicting Vice President JD Vance's vehement claims that no such meeting was in the works. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports it's a clear sign of how rattled Trump officials are. Plus, rapper Gashi and economist Justin Wolfers join for the latest Fallback installment. 

August 6, 2025; 6pm: The Trump White House is scrambling to quell the Epstein uproar, and is reportedly holding a high-level meeting tonight at the vice president's residence in the U.S. Naval Observatory. JD Vance denies there is a meeting to strategize on Epstein. MSNBC's Ari Melber also reports on the largest MAGA revolt of Trump's second term. Plus, Oscar-winning director James Cameron makes his Beat debut to discuss his new film, Ghosts of Hiroshima. For more, watch our latest special reports on YouTube at msnbc.com/ariTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. 

August 8, 2025; 6pm: President Trump and Republicans are facing new heat as voters demand answers at a raucous Nebraska town hall with Republican Congressman Mike Flood, and Democrats accuse Trump of distracting from Epstein by targeting perceived enemies. On "The Beat with Ari Melber," Bob Woodward joins to discuss press freedom and censorship. Plus, Oscar-winning director James Cameron makes his Beat debut to discuss his new film, “Ghosts of Hiroshima.”For more, watch our latest special reports on YouTube at msnbc.com/ariTo listen to this show and other MSNBC podcasts without ads, sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts.  

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Monday, August 4, and reports on brand new letters from Epstein victims, federal officials confirming they've launched an investigation into Jack Smith, over 50 Texas Democrats leaving their home state to derail a MAGA power grab and new fallout over Trump's abuse of government power. Michelle Goldberg, Ken Casey and Andrew Weissmann join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Friday, August 1, and reports on President Trump's trade war entering a new phase and his firing of the Commissioner of Labor Statistics after the latest report fell far short of expectations. Melber also covers Kamala Harris' first major interview since the election and renewed scrutiny over Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, hip hop duo Clipse join the show, along with Bill Kristol, Margaret Carlson and Paul Krugman.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Thursday, July 31, and reports on the escalating Epstein uproar and mounting pressure on President Trump as the families of victims demand answers. Melber also reports on Trump's self-imposed trade deadline that hits at midnight on the East Coast. Jason Johnson, Joan Walsh, Andrew Ross Sorkin and Jacob Soboroff join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, July 30, and reports on the Epstein scandal spiraling out of President Trump's control, increasing backlash to Trump's power grabs and Trump's escalating attacks on free speech. Gary Shteyngart, Geraldo Rivera and Asha Rangappa join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, July 29, and reports on President Trump's agenda being smothered by the torrent of Epstein developments, a bombshell out of Trump's Justice Department and Trump's battle with the free press. Andrew Bakaj, James Carville, Molly Jong-Fast and Julie K. Brown join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Monday, July 28, with reporting on the all-consuming Jeffrey Epstein scandal engulfing the Trump administration, a New York Times report on Hegseth clashing with top generals, growing turmoil inside Trump's Justice Department and a major media merger raising alarms among free speech experts. Anna Gomez, Ankush Khardori, Mark Leibovich and Michelle Goldberg join.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts "The Beat" on Friday, July 25, and reports on the Jeffrey Epstein whirlwind around Donald Trump, major developments in Trump's power grab, and campus outrage nationwide as the Trump administration revs up its deportation agenda targeting student activists. Mahmoud Khalil, Frank Kendall, David Litt, Asha Rangappa and Tara Setmayer join.

In this podcast extra, Rappers Pusha T and Malice join MSNBC's Ari Melber for an extended interview, and open about reuniting as Clipse after 15 years, losing their parents, stepping inside the Obama White House, and how working with Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar shaped their ever-sharpening lyrical edge. Plus, listen to Melber's 2022 interview with Pharrell.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton joins "The Beat" on Thursday, July 24, and reports on the political crisis surrounding Jeffrey Epstein and its impact on President Trump and the administration. Hylton also covers protestors taking to the streets in Texas over state efforts for redistricting, and the unlikely source speaking out against those bending the knee to Donald Trump. Texas State Representative James Talarico, Michelle Norris, Barry Levine, Congresswoman Summer Lee, Joyce Vance and Norm Eisen join.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, July 23, and reports on The Wall Street Journal's bombshell report that the “Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is" in the Epstein files. Hylton also covers Stephen Colbert calling out Trump and Trump's budget that allocates over $37 billion per year to ICE. Michael Cohen joins the show, along with Brad Onishi, Rev. Al Sharpton, Emily Bazelon, and Catherine Christian.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts "The Beat" on Friday, July 18, and reports on multiple breaking news developments on Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, including Donald Trump filing a libel suit against the Wall Street Journal over its new Epstein reporting, and Trump's DOJ filing a motion to unseal grand jury testimony about Epstein. Kristy Greenberg, Lisa Rubin, Jelani Cobb, Will Sommer, Steve Inskeep and Pastor Darrell Scott join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, July 15, and reports on the MAGA meltdown and crisis of confidence among Donald Trump's base over the Epstein files and the economy. Plus, U-God and Jason Johnson join for the latest "Fallback" installment. Justin Wolfers, Maya Wiley and Molly Jong-Fast also join.

MSNBC's Melissa Murray hosts "The Beat" on Thursday, July 17, and reports on the Epstein scandal that is consuming the Trump administration, federal budget cuts and how President Trump's budget could impact women's healthcare. Rachel Leidig, Alexis McGill Johnson, Rep. Madeline Dean, Margaret Carlson, Aisha Mills and Berit Berger join.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts The Beat on Wednesday, July 16, and reports on the growing MAGA reckoning over the Epstein files, President Trump's public scolding of his base, his abuse of power and major shakeups at the Department of Health and Human Services. Sen. Ed Markey, Rep. LaMonica McIver, Brandy Zadrozny, Christina Greer and Sen. Markey join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Monday, July 16, and reports on the MAGA reckoning over the Epstein files, shakeups in the Department of Health of Human Services and President Trump's abuse of power. Rep. LaMonica McIver, Sen. Ed Markey, Brandy Zadrozny and Christina Greer.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, June 15, and reports on the escalating MAGA meltdown and internal crisis sparked by President Trump's DOJ and its handling of the Epstein files and the economy. Plus, Melber is joined by Jason Johnson and U-God for the latest "Fallback" installment. Justin Wolfers, Maya Wiley and Molly Jong-Fast join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Monday, July 14, and reports on the MAGA revolt over President Trump's handling of the Epstein files and the impact of ICE raids on American citizens. Melber also reports on the devastating floods in Texas. Stacey Abrams, N.O.R.E., Emily Bazelon and Michael Grynbaum join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Friday, July 11, and reports on the MAGA civil war over the Epstein files that is igniting a clash inside Trump's DOJ, NYC's Zohran Mamdani and the latest on President Trump's controversial deportation policies. Paul Krugman, Richard Farley, Faiz Shakir, Michelle Goldberg and Alencia Johnson join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Thursday, July 10, and reports on new whistleblower evidence against President Trump's DOJ and growing concerns over checks and balances in government. Plus, Melber presents a special report on how Trump's potential second term is different from his first. Melissa Murray, Jason Johnson and Nick Offerman join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, July 9 and reports on the DOJ's new criminal investigation into John Brennan and James Comey, as well as President Trump's ongoing trade war. Dylan Ratigan and Andrew Weissmann join the program, and John Murrow and Chai Komanduri return for the latest “Fallback” segment.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, July 8, and reports on President Trump's budget, growing backlash over Paramount yielding to Trump and renewed scrutiny of the Trump administration's controversial deportation policies. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Will Sommer and Marty Baron join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Monday, July 7, reporting on President Trump's abuse of power, his escalating feud with Elon Musk, and new developments on his proposed tariffs. Melber also shares an update on the devastating floods in Central Texas. Guests include Jared Bernstein, Mark Leibovich, Juanita Tolliver, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Thursday, July 3, and reports on the House passing Trump's budget and new reporting from The New York Times about how the Trump administration is plotting fresh ways to distort vote counting. Melissa Murray, Douglas Brinkley and Eugene Robinson join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Wednesday, July 2, and reports on the House GOP's stalled vote on Trump's budget, the Diddy verdict, and California's rollback of its landmark environmental law. Scott Wiener, James Carville, Nancy Erika Smith and Kim Osorio join the show.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Tuesday, July 1, and reports on on the Senate's passage of President Trump's budget and Trump's latest grift: launching a fragrance line. Evan Handler, Alex Wagner, Chai Komanduri and Maya Wiley join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Monday, June 30, and reports on the Senate showdown as Republicans push to advance President Trump's mega-bill and the Supreme Court's decision limiting judges on how and when they can pause presidential policies. Juanita Tolliver, Jason Johnson, Adrian Clouatre, and Melissa Murray join.

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts “The Beat” on Friday, June 27, and reports on the Supreme Court's consequential ruling in the birthright citizenship case. Hylton also covers the growing backlash to Donald Trump's sputtering mega-bill and examines the future of the Democratic Party. Jason Johnson, Jamaal Bowman, Evan Osnos, Jon Meacham, Leah Litman, and Ankush Khardori join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Thursday, June 26, and reports on the mayor blow to President Trump's agenda in the Senate and the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the press over its coverage of the U.S. strikes in Iran. Plus, filmmaker Wes Anderson joins. Robert Reich, Molly Jong-Fast and Karim Sadjadpour also join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, May 25, and reports on on top DOJ officials facing tough questions on Capitol Hill after a whistleblower alleged one DOJ leader wanted to tell the courts “f* you.” The claim was denied under oath. Melber also covers the Democratic primary for NYC mayor. Emily Bazelon, John Flannery and Jumaane Williams join the show.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, March 24, and reports on the bombshell allegation that a Trump DOJ official plotted to tell courts “f* you,” according to a DOJ insider. Melber also reports on the Israel-Iran ceasefire and Trump's budget troubles. Andrew Weissmann, Gen. Wesley Clark and Don Lemon join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Monday, June 23, and reports breaking news: President Donald Trump claims on social media that Iran and Israel have agreed to a full ceasefire. Maya Wiley, Yamiche Alcindor, Ambassador Dennis Ross and General Barry McCaffrey join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Friday, June 20, and reports on major setbacks for President Trump's immigration agenda, presidential abuse of power and growing backlash against the nation's top health official, RFK Jr. Brad Lander, Dr. Fiona Havers, Sec. Louis Caldera, Juanita Tolliver, and Emily Bazelon join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts “The Beat” on Thursday, June 19, and reports on President Trump's Iran policy and the growing resistance against his administration. Plus, rapper Warren G and MSNBC's Alex Wagner join Melber for the latest “Fallback” installment. Chai Komanduri and David Rothkopf also join the program.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, June 18, and reports on President Trump's abuse of power, the future of The Democratic party and the conflict in The Middle East. Amb. Dennis Ross, Michael Hirschorn, Maya Wiley and Molly Jong-Fast join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Tuesday, June 17th, and reports on the court cases weighing Trump's military powers after national protests, Sen. Mike Lee backing down after vitriolic posts mocking an assassination, and the Trump family facing tariff hypocrisy as they launch a new "gold phone" business. Jason Johnson, Joyce Vance and Francis Fukuyama join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Monday, June 16 and reports on more than five million attending anti-Trump demonstrations over the weekend, Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband killed in their home Saturday in an apparent act of political violence, and new fallout over Donald Trump's unprecedented move to deploy active duty troops in L.A. Rep. Kelly Morrison, Eugene Robinson, Paul Rieckhoff and Lena Waithe join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Friday, June 13th, and reports on Trump's mobilization of the military in the United States, California's court case against Trump's use of the National Guard within the state, Rep. McIver's charges over a clash with law enforcement at a New Jersey ICE facility, and the latest in the Middle East. Rep. LaMonica McIver, Barry McCaffrey, and Tyler Perry join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Thursday, June 12th, and reports on California Senator Alex Padilla's forcible removal and cuffing from a DHS briefing, California's court case against Trump over Trump's use of the National Guard, and immigration raids and protests under Trump. Senator Alex Padilla, Jacob Soboroff, former Senator Barbara Boxer, Alex Wagner, and John Flannery join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, June 11, and reports on the Trump administration deploying Marines to U.S. streets amidst protests. Plus, Elon Musk apologizing for some of the attacks he lobbed at Trump during their public blowout. Sen. Jack Reed, Douglas Brinkley, and Ta-Nehisi Coates join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Tuesday, June 10th, and reports on the Los Angeles protests and resistance to Trump's related actions, Trump's deployment of additional troops to Los Angeles, RFK Jr. and vaccines, and Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial. David Noriega, Senator Cory Booker, and Representative Seth Moulton join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Monday, June 9th, and reports on the immigration raid protests in Los Angeles and Trump's actions in response. Jacob Soboroff, Maya Wiley, Jose Luis Solache Jr., Ankush Khardori, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Tom Nichols join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts The Beat on Friday, June 6th, and reports on Trump and Musk's split, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and Harvard and Columbia University. Mark Leibovich, Melissa Murray, and RZA join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Thursday, June 5, and reports on President Trump and Elon Musk's escalating feud, the real-word repercussions of Trump's immigration crackdown and Trump's latest attack on Harvard University. Chai Komanduri, Molly Jong-Fast and Libby Casey join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, June 4, and reports on Elon Musk slamming President Trump's signature policy as a “disgusting abomination” and the impact of Trump's tariffs on American businesses. Plus, rapper Logic joins to talk about his music and new movie. Guests include Jacob Soboroff, Rep. Glenn Ivey, and Melanie Zanona.