The Beat with Ari Melber

April 17, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and its impact on the economy. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. Plus, music executive Kevin Liles joins to discuss justice reform, creative freedom & rap lyrics in court. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump's escalating influence at the Department of Justice, the latest developments in the Iran war, and growing questions surrounding Trump’s mental acuity. Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb joins the discussion. Plus, author Jay McInerney joins to discuss his new book, "See You on the Other Side." To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 15, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on mounting challenges facing President Trump, from the Iran war to growing backlash within his MAGA base. Reverend Al Sharpton and The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg join. Plus, New York Attorney General Letitia James joins to discuss the verdict against Ticketmaster and Live Nation. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 14, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the fallout over President Trump's feud with the Pope, and his post depicting himself as Jesus. Plus, Trump's behavior is alarming allies and critics who say it's hitting a turning point. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson joins. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 13, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new fractures in President Trump's MAGA base as he feuds with the Pope. Semafor's Margaret Carlson joins. Plus, MS NOW’s Jason Johnson and Middle East Institute senior fellow Brian Katulis break down the latest developments in the Iran war. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

BONUS: Top Republicans are attacking what they call “woke” politics, and even passing laws designed to “stop” a supposed woke agenda. The singer who first brought that concept to the culture, in “Master Teacher,” Erykah Badu, reflects on social justice, culture and “woke politics” today – one of several topics the four-time Grammy winner tackles in this extended discussion with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber. Badu discusses her singing, deep links to hip hop, personal evolution, spirituality and approach to the music industry and business in general, including her new cannabis line with “Cookies.” She also reacts to earlier moments and videos from her career, and engages with an “assessment” of her work that an artificial intelligence chat bot generated by drawing on public writings about her music and its message. This in-depth discussion is the newest installment of “Mavericks with Ari Melber,” a series of interviews with artists, musicians and cultural icons (Aired in 2023) To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 10, 2026; 6pm; The U.S. is preparing for a new round of peace talks in Pakistan. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by Max Boot, a senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on AI, labor, and humanity, and is joined by The Atlantic’s Thomas Chatterton Williams and Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia University’s School of Journalism. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 9, 2026; 6pm; President Trump lashes out, issuing new threats toward Iran despite the current ceasefire. Plus, Melania Trump makes a rare public statement, denying any association with Jeffrey Epstein or knowledge of his crimes. And, hear MS NOW's Ari Melber's special report on Jay-Z’s legendary career. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast extra, news anchor and music journalist Ari Melber delivers a special report on Jay-Z’s life & career, drawing on the rapper’s dense lyrics, his classic albums “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint,” and original reporting on the history, culture and politics informing how those albums resonate today — amid their anniversaries and the Yankee Stadium shows. From New York’s poverty and crime in the 1990s to today’s promises of a better future by tech and business elites, the report probes the rigged stakes and double standards facing working people and hip hop. Melber has reported extensively on hip hop on his program, “The Beat,” including a 2022 breakdown of a Jay Z verse that the rapper released as “Hov Did.” To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 8, 2026; 6pm; Ambassador Dennis Ross, a leading expert on Middle East affairs, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber to break down the latest developments in the Iran war. Plus, new warning signs for Republicans as Democrats gain momentum heading into the midterms. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 7, 2026; 6pm; President Trump posted on his social media site that he will suspend his threatened attacks on Iran for two weeks. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 6, 2026; 6pm; President Trump attempts to make his case for an unpopular war in Iran amid a global energy crisis and ongoing economic strain. MS NOW’s Ari Melber is joined by Democratic strategist James Carville to break down the political implications. Plus, the Artemis II crew sets a new record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast extra, listen to MS NOW’s Ari Melber’s extended interview with Snoop Dogg, who reflects on his career, life, goals, music, and politics. Snoop discusses his creative ventures with Def Jam, which grew out of his discussions with Lucian Grainge; advising newer artists like Benny the Butcher; music projects including “The Algorithm” and collaborating with Ice Cube, E40 and Too $hort in Mount Westmore; and his reflections on his history and relationships, including Snoop’s live reactions to classic videos from the archive dating back to the early 1990s. (Originally aired 2022) To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 3, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by retired four-star Army General Barry McCaffrey and Ambassador Dennis Ross. Melber also reports on the firing of Pam Bondi as attorney general after a 14-month tenure leading the Department of Justice. Bondi is the second member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet to be forced out this term. Melber is joined by New York Times Magazine writer Emily Bazelon and Pulitzer Prize–winning columnist Eugene Robinson. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 2, 2026; 6pm; President Trump has fired Attorney General Pam Bondi after just 14 months leading the DOJ. MS NOW’s Melissa Murray reports, joined by The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast and former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Plus, Trump is facing new heat as the endgame in Iran remains unclear. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 1, 2026; 6pm; House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins MS NOW’s Melissa Murray on "The Beat" to discuss President Trump’s war in Iran, escalating clashes over ICE and more. Plus, NASA’s Artemis II sends astronauts on a historic mission around the moon. Retired NASA astronaut John “Danny” Olivas joins for analysis. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 31, 2026; 6pm; The Supreme Court will hear arguments on President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Plus, Melber reports on the latest in the Iran war and is joined by Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman for analysis. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 30, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ayman Mohyeldin reports on the impact of the massive "No Kings" protests. The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast and Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of "Indivisible" join. Plus, Mohyeldin reports on the war in Iran and growing questions about President Trump's lack of strategy and growing risk of escalation. Paul Rieckhoff, national security and political analyst, joins. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this podcast extra, Ari Melber and Dylan Ratigan break down the Iran war and “rigged” Wall Street, while Molly Jong-Fast fact-checks Donald Trump’s biggest campaign promises. These new interviews are a Beat bonus from our podcast series “The B-Side.” Real talk and Ari’s extended conversations off air. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 27, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the eve of the nationwide “No Kings” protests, with more than 3,000 demonstrators expected across the country. Plus, Melber is joined by Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during the first Trump administration, for an extended conversation on the latest developments To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.