The Beat with Ari Melber

August 15, 2025; 6pm: President Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin are meeting in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. MSNBC’s Ari Melber is joined by NBC Chief Washington and Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, former Biden White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki and others to discuss what’s at stake.

August 14, 2025; 6pm: Disturbing new reports emerge in the Epstein scandal, protests erupt over Trump’s so-called DC takeover and California Governor Gavin Newsom launches a fiery attack electrifying Democrats. MSNBC's Ari Melber is joined by longtime journalist Don Lemon for a conversation on politics and culture, and Chance the Rapper discusses his new album.

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/ari To 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/ari To 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.