The Weekend

Who are The Best People? They're the people who are the best at what they do and know how to bring out the best in others. On her new podcast, Nicolle Wallace speaks to the people who inspire her. As a mom. As an American. Or sometimes just as a super fan. In the first episode, she sits down with actor Jason Bateman. His show “Smartless,” which he co-hosts with Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, is the podcast that inspired her to do her own. On this special preview, Bateman shares his journey into podcasting and reflects on the political climate that gives him endless fodder for conversation. Search “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace” to listen to the full episode and to catch new episodes every Monday. Or sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to get early access on Fridays. Signing up for Premium also includes ad-free listening and bonus content.

From Trump's promise of deporting millions falling short, to his sweeping tariffs not leading to economic prosperity, Trump's agenda is struggling. Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times, Peter Baker, joins The Weekend to share one area where Trump isn't struggling: cashing in on the presidency. Plus, all signs are pointing to a “blue wave.” The Democratic Party faces an uphill battle, but they are ready to push forward and win back Congress. Democratic strategist James Carville joins The Weekend to discuss Democrats' hope for the 2026 midterms.

The Trump agenda is facing pushback from all sides -- even from some Republican Senators -- on Trump's reconciliation bill and proposed budget. Rep. Brendan Boyle joins The Weekend to discuss the backlash and react to Sen. Joni Ernst's sarcastic apology for her comments on Medicaid cuts. Plus, deportation chaos. Rep. Yassamin Ansari joins The Weekend to share her recent surprise visit at an ICE detention center in Eloy, Arizona, where she described conditions as “sickening.” And the hosts showcase their spelling skills in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Scripps spelling bee

RFK Jr.'s recent “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report required tweaks from the Trump administration after experts pointed out it cited studies that did not exist. Many are wondering: Was artificial intelligence used to create the report?  Plus, a dive into the influence big tech companies have on the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace. A new report suggests that AI could slash half of entry-level white-collar jobs. Tech journalist Karen Hao joins The Weekend to discuss.

This week, Republican lawmakers held town halls where they faced jeers regarding the proposed budget cuts in the “big beautiful bill”. Representative Jasmine Crockett joins The Weekend to discuss. Plus, a look at Donald Trump's recent pardon and commutation recipients, which include popular reality TV stars, a former gang leader, and Republican politicians.

President Donald Trump continues to get a reality check from the judicial branch. Three major rulings this week halted tariffs, his attack on law firms, and the crackdown on Harvard University, but will he listen? Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joins The Weekend to discuss. Plus, Harvard's bold message to the administration during its commencement ceremony.

Elon Musk officially leaves the Trump administration, but President Trump claims Musk is not really leaving. Eugene Robinson and Sam Stein join The Weekend to look back on Musk's time and DOGE's cuts since Trump took office. Plus, economic chaos. TACO or Trump Always Chickens Out is the new mantra on Wall Street as investors navigate the economic whiplash of Trump's global tariff chaos

The city of Chicago is currently under investigation by the DOJ for its "diversity" hiring practice. Mayor Brandon Johnson joins The Weekend to discuss the investigation and how the city plans to stand up to Trump. Rep. Joe Neguse also joins the show to express concerns over President Donald Trump's dinner for investors of his Trump Meme Coin.

Federal judges have now ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of wrongfully deported migrants, but they're continuing to disregard due process. Plus, six months after the 2024 election, Democrats finally show signs of fighting back. And, our friend and colleague Jonathan Capehart's new book “Yet Here I Am: Lessons from a Black Man's Search for Home” is officially out! He recounts stories from his life and finding his voice.

On Memorial Day weekend, Donald Trump addressed graduates at West Point with a campaign-style speech that celebrated his rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and signaled plans to expand the military's involvement in immigration enforcement. Plus, an analysis of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which could add over $3 trillion to the deficit while slashing health care and food stamps. Then, Rev. Al Sharpton joins The Weekend to reflect on the fifth anniversary of George Floyd's murder.

Trump's ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill' passed in the House, but it's now facing an uphill battle in the Senate. Plus, Secretary of State and Acting National Security advisor Marco Rubio is facing backlash after he drastically scaled down the size of the National Security Council. Rep. Madeleine Dean of the House Foreign Affairs committee joins The Weekend to share her reaction.

President Donald Trump's ongoing battle with higher education is facing a dramatic escalation. Ankush Khardori joins The Weekend to discuss how a federal judge blocked the Trump administration's attempt to ban international students from enrolling at Harvard. Plus, no one is safe from Donald Trump weaponizing his Justice Department. The DOJ is opening investigations against Democrats and Trump's political rivals. And, Chasten Buttigieg, husband of former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, joins The Weekend to share his new children's book, “Papa's Coming Home”

President Donald Trump is under fire from critics who are accusing him of corruption after the president held a private dinner at his Golf club in Northern Virginia for crypto investors who bought into his meme coin. April Ryan and Daniel Koh join The Weekend to discuss how Trump is pushing the limits of the presidency like never seen before.

Donald Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” seeks to slash Medicaid and SNAP benefits, but it faces an uphill battle on Capitol Hill. Ultra-conservative House Republicans blocked it from seeing the House floor on Friday, and some Senate Republicans have already warned they won't accept the “megabill” without major changes. Former Governor John Kasich joins The Weekend to discuss. Plus, Trump accepts white South Africans into the U.S. despite mass deportation efforts.  

Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing criticism for what some see as her operating like President Donald Trump's personal attorney, despite pledging to be independent and vowing to never let politics factor into her decisions during her confirmation hearing. President Trump's tariffs and budget are causing alarm for many states,, forcing The House Budget Committee to try again to pass his "Big Beautiful Bill" after right wing Republicans helped sink it on Friday. Connecticut  Gov. Ned Lamont joins The Weekend to discuss the his concerns about the bill.

Trump hoped to return from his Middle East trip to good news, but instead he got major setbacks on his agenda. MSNBC contributor Sam Stein and MSNBC political analyst Molly Jong-Fast join The Weekend to discuss Trump's Middle East trip and the lavish gift he was offered. And, they look ahead as the House Budget Committee plans to reconvene tonight after blocking Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill” earlier this week. Plus, Trump declares a war on Walmart. He warns America's largest retailer to “eat the tariffs” instead of raising their prices.

The Supreme Court extended a pause on migrants in Northern Texas under the Alien Enemies Act. President Donald Trump returned from his trip to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar after reconfiguring U.S.-Middle East policy. Former CIA Director John Brennan joins The Weekend to discuss the President's latest approach to policy in the Middel-East.

After a four-day trip to the Middle East, Donald Trump is back in Washington, D.C., and plans to accept a used $400 million plane from Qatar. However, this proposed gift is drawing objections from House Democrats. Representative Jamie Raskin joins The Weekend to discuss how Congress intends to push back. Plus, the Supreme Court continues to block some deportations as Trump tries to undermine immigration law.

Donald Trump's agenda is in peril, and it's all because of Republican infighting. Ali Vitali and Kimberly Atkins Stohr react to how the House Budget Committee rejected the president's bill, which he officially named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Plus, a federal judge describes the Trump administration's refusal to provide info in the Abrego Garcia case as “an exercise in utter frustration.” And, New Orleans former mayor, Marc Morial, joins The Weekend to look ahead to next weekend as we mark five years since the horrific murder of George Floyd.

Democrats are sounding the alarm as Trump's tariffs are hurting Americans. Former senior adviser to President Biden, Mitch Landrieu, joins The Weekend to discuss how Democrats are ramping up their efforts to win back the working class. Plus, Trump's first major foreign trip. He plans on stopping in the Middle East to talk about a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war. MSNBC national security and intelligence analyst Marc Polymeropoulos and Ambassador Michael Carpenter join The Weekend to discuss that and the tariff war as trade talks continue between the U.S. and China.

Donald Trump's massive tariffs have targeted industries that rural states strongly depend on. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins The Weekend to sound the alarm about its impacts on his constituents. Plus, a look ahead to the potentially historic Supreme Court arguments on birthright citizenship.

Despite passing numerous executive orders, President Donald Trump continues to play the blame game and make his cabinet members the culprits responsible for policies. And Republican infighting continues to threaten President Trump's domestic agenda as House committee members are set to consider parts of their budget bill this week. Rep. Steve Horsford joins The Weekend to discuss the latest challenges of getting the new bill passed and the GOP policies he says will screw over Americans, including proposed cuts to Medicaid.

Democrats continue their town hall tour through Republican districts. Senator Chris Murphy and Rep. Maxwell Frost join The Weekend to discuss their own recent tours, how Democrats should counter Trump's extreme agenda. Plus, their thoughts on the looming budget cuts as House Republicans scramble to get their budget bill across the finish line. And, former director of the National Economic Council, Gene Sperling and former Congressman Charlie Dent share their thoughts on Trump's chaotic economic policies and the recent trade talks with China.

Donald Trump is intensifying his legal challenges with the courts by pushing for aggressive deportation policies and reducing the size of the federal government. Although federal judges have halted some of these efforts, the moves have unsettled many in the judiciary, leading Supreme Court justices to publicly defend judicial independence and call on attorneys to uphold the rule of law. Former Attorney General Eric Holder joins The Weekend to discuss.

ICE arrested Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka outside an ICE detention center as the White House continues to ramp up the intensity of its immigration policy. Also, a new directive in the Pentagon will see 1000 out transgender service members removed from the military. Col. Bree Fram of the  U.S. Space Force joins The Weekend to discuss the impact the new order will have on those members.

As the White House continues to move forward with its agenda, several court losses are forcing the Trump administration to rethink its  strategy. The losses come as its budget proposal for 2026 is drawing some major criticism, even from Republicans. Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse joins The Weekend to discuss his take on the administration's effort to cut $163 billion in federal spending.

Donald Trump's national security shakeup is causing new chaos in his administration. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton joins The Weekend to share his thoughts as Marco Rubio takes over as the interim NSA. Plus DNC Vice Chair David Hogg joins The Weekend to give insight into the big debate in the Democratic party over the best way forward ahead of midterms.

Donald Trump is intensifying his retribution campaign against his critics, but some of them are pushing back. Meanwhile, our hosts break down his controversial 2026 budget proposal, which threatens major cuts to health care, education, and clean energy programs. Molly Jong-Fast and Brendan Buck join The Weekend to preview what the next 100 days of his presidency could bring.

Democrats are holding rallies across the country urging Americans to resist the Trump agenda. Beto O'Rourke, Doug Jones and Rep. Greg Casar join the Weekend to discuss the role of progressives in the age of Trump. Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Republican Rep. Don Bacon hope their bipartisan bill will "return Congress' constitutionally authorized role in setting and approving U-S trade policy."

Since Trump took office over 100 days ago, DOGE has slashed thousands of federal workers' jobs. Everett Kelley and Michele Norris join The Weekend to discuss upcoming nationwide protests as people vent their frustration over the Trump agenda. Plus, Elon Musk is stepping away from his role in DOGE to shift back to his ailing companies.

We're just a few days removed from the 100-day mark of Donald Trump's second presidency, and it has been met with cabinet shakeups, legal challenges, rising costs, and many protests. Our hosts dive into these peculiar times with an expert panel of guests.

Trump's sweeping policy changes have left the country reeling from federal worker layoffs to a massive immigration overhaul. A former special counsel to President Barack Obama, Norm Eisen weighs in. Plus, states nationwide are fighting back against those policy changes. One of those state attorney generals, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, joins to discuss.

We're barely 100 days into Trump's second term in office and his approval rating is sinking as Americans criticize the White House's sweeping policy changes. MSNBC contributor Michele Norris and political analyst Brendan Buck discuss. Plus, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari talks about traveling to El Salvador with fellow Congressional Democrats. 

A Milwaukee County judge was arrest and charged by federal authorities after she allegedly misdirected federal agents away from an undocumented immigrant. This judge, Judge Hannah Dugan, says she's committed to the rule of law, but Attorney General Pam Bondi says some people think they're above the law. Congresswoman Maxine Dexter weighs in. Legal experts Joyce Vance and Lisa Rubin also discuss how the Trump administration is politicizing the legal fight over immigration. 

Trump might be beginning to realize that all of that business acumen he thinks he has, might not really exist. He's starting to soften his tariff stance as the markets quake. Former deputy director of the National Economic Council, Bharat Ramamurti, discusses. Plus, John McCarthy, President Biden's former senior adviser for political engagement who would meet with Pope Francis, discusses the Pope's legacy and how he influenced the political world. 

Aisha Braveboy, the State's Attorney for Prince George's County, Maryland, joins to discuss the tools at her disposal to hold people accountable for the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Plus, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein on the new lawsuits facing Trump for his economy-tanking tariff regime. 

Former ICE official Jason Houser joins to discuss exclusive new video showing just how close a group of Venezuelan detainees were to being deported amid a late-night legal battle. Plus, Symone and Michael discuss the exploding generational divide in the DNC after  Vice Chair David Hogg announced his plan to primary older incumbent Demcorats.

Trump has had an ongoing back-and-forth with the courts over his use of the Alien Enemies Act. In a late-night ruling, the Supreme Court halted deportations of Venezuelan nationals from Texas, just as at least one charter bus was set to leave a detention center there. This decision is temporary, while the litigation over Trump's use of this 18th century wartime law is underway. Maryland Congressman Glenn Ivey discusses. Plus, political analyst Anthony Coley and legal expert Ankush Khardori discuss what happens if Trump decides not to listen to judges' orders.

A late-night decision from the Supreme Court halts deportations of Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act while litigation is underway. Virginia Congressman Suhas Subramanyam joins to discuss. Plus, despite the famous Hamilton line, "everything is legal in New Jersey," Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill doesn't want Elon Musk to think he can come through and just get away with cutting jobs. She joins to discuss. 

United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain joins to discuss his stance on Trump's tariffs. Plus, Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on why Democrats fear Trump's economic policy is causing international damage and shaking the global financial order.

Tara Setmayer and Basil Smikle join to discuss Trump's tariff exemptions for tech titans after he said repeatedly that there would be no exemptions. Plus, ACLU Deputy Director Esha Bhandari on what's next for Columbia grad student Mahmoud Khalil after a judge ruled that he can be deported despite being charged with no crime.

George Conway makes the case that Trump and his allies are twisting the law to deport whoever they want for any reason. Plus, Eugene Daniels and Maria Teresa Kumar on the administration's plan to screen immigrants' social media accounts for “antisemitism.”