The Beat with Ari Melber

Artists have canceled their upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center after its board voted to rename the performing arts venue to include President Donald Trump’s name. Melissa Murray reports.

Transcribed - Published: 31 December 2025

Thousands of new pages from the Epstein files have been released. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Vanity Fair's Molly Jong-Fast and Semafor's Margaret Carlson.

Transcribed - Published: 24 December 2025

The Trump administration facing backlash over the heavily-redacted release of a small portion of the Epstein files, a violation of the legally mandated deadline for all documents. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Emily Bazelon, Rep. Yassamin Ansari, Andrew Weissmann and Maya Wiley.

Transcribed - Published: 23 December 2025

The Department of Justice has released some of the Epstein files. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former federal prosecutor John Flannery.

Transcribed - Published: 20 December 2025

FCC chairman Brendan Carr testified to a congressional committee for the first time since ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel's show. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Dylan Ratigan.

Transcribed - Published: 18 December 2025

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the comments from Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles who is on-the-record critiquing everything from tariffs, to immigration, to prosecuting rivals. Former Trump White House veteran Sarah Matthews and Gretchen Carlson join to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2025

December 12, 2025; 6pm; A manhunt is underway after a shooting at Brown University left two students dead and multiple injured. An antisemitic mass shooting in Sydney Australia over the weekend also left 16 dead, including one of the two suspected gunmen. Plus, fractures showing among Donald Trump's support with MAGA Republicans. And, remembering Rob and Michele Reiner, who were found dead Sunday. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Rob D'Amico, Mark Leibovich, and Margaret Carlson.

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2025

December 12, 2025; 6pm; House Democrats releasing numerous photos of Jeffrey Epstein with prominent individuals including Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Steve Bannon and Bill Clinton, ahead of the December 19 deadline for DOJ to release its Epstein files. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Molly Jong-Fast, Michelle Goldberg, and 50 Cent.

Transcribed - Published: 15 December 2025

President Trump is facing backlash over ICE, the ongoing Epstein scandal and the economy. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Jen Psaki.

Transcribed - Published: 12 December 2025

Americans are facing high prices. MS NOW’s Ari Melber fact-checks President Trump’s comments on prices and reports on how these prices are shaping voters’ economic priorities.

Transcribed - Published: 11 December 2025

MS Now's Ari Melber reports on how high prices and economic pain are shaping voters' priorities. President Trump noticed and is responding at a rally in Pennsylvania tonight.

Transcribed - Published: 10 December 2025

MS Now's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's appearance at the Kennedy Center Honors, and his latest attempt to use power to promote himself.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2025

Trump Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing war crime allegations. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new details and video from the September strikes on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean.

Transcribed - Published: 6 December 2025

Trump defense secretary Pete Hegseth is under fire and facing allegations of having committed or overseen a war crime. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments.

Transcribed - Published: 5 December 2025

Trump defense secretary Pete Hegseth is facing allegations of having committed or overseen a war crime. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

Transcribed - Published: 4 December 2025

Trump faces a political tipping point as hundreds of DC Republicans voted to release the Epstein files and demand answers on whether his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, committed a war crime with a boat strike in the Caribbean, MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. James Carville, Democratic Congressman Adam Smith, and Ankush Khardori join.

Transcribed - Published: 3 December 2025

MS NOW’s Melissa Murray reports on an alleged war crime that is engulfing the Trump administration.

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2025

Rachel Maddow’s new podcast “Burn Order” is out now! Listen to a special preview.

Transcribed - Published: 1 December 2025

Two members of the West Virginia National Guard are in critical condition after being shot near the White House. MS NOW's Michele Norris reports on the latest developments.

Transcribed - Published: 27 November 2025

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on Trump's approval ratings sinking to record second-term lows after suffering a humiliating defeat on the Epstein files. Alicia Menendez, Bill Kristol, former Watergate prosecutor Nick Akerman, and acclaimed author Walter Isaacson join.

Transcribed - Published: 26 November 2025

A federal judge has dismissed the cases against James Comey and Letitia James after the judge determined the interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by John Flannery.

Transcribed - Published: 25 November 2025

November 21, 2025; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber breaks down the Epstein emails, including newly-surfaced messages from lawyers who went on to represent Trump. Margaret Carlson, Cornell Belcher, and former Justice Department attorney Mike Romano join.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2025

November 20, 2025; 6pm: Trump signs the Epstein files release bill, meaning the DOJ has 30 days to release the files. New reports show Trump secretly lobbied GOP senators to slow-walk the bill, MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Joan Walsh, Chai Komanduri, Gary Shteyngart, and Patton Oswalt join.

Transcribed - Published: 21 November 2025

November 19, 2025; 6pm: MS NOW’s Ari Melber hosts The Beat and reports on Congress passing legislation to force the DOJ to release its Epstein files. The legislation now awaits Trump's signature. Plus, new reporting on ties between former Trump advisor Steve Bannon and Epstein. Michelle Goldberg, Michael Hirschorn, and Andrew Weissmann join.

Transcribed - Published: 20 November 2025

November 18, 2025; 6pm: A major loss for Donald Trump today, MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on how Republicans went from opposing any vote to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act to joining Democrats to back it almost unanimously, and how that weakens Trump's legislative strategy. Rick Wilson, Ayanna Pressley, Alex Wagner, and Molly Jong-Fast join.

Transcribed - Published: 19 November 2025

November 17, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC’s Ari Melber hosts The Beat and reports on Trump's apparent reversal of stance on the release of the Epstein files. Maya Wiley, Gretchen Carlson, and Bill Kristol join. 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 https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Transcribed - Published: 18 November 2025

MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on Trump now trying to deflect the Epstein emails, calling on his Justice Department to investigate Epstein's relationship with Bill Clinton and other figures and institutions. Jason Johnson, Emily Bazelon, and Margaret Carlson join. Plus, political podcast host David Pakman.

Transcribed - Published: 17 November 2025

MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the damning Epstein emails rocking the Trump White House. Andrew Weissmann and Rep. Melanie Stansbury join.

Transcribed - Published: 14 November 2025

Damning emails allege President Trump knew of Jeffrey Epstein’s conduct. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports.

Transcribed - Published: 13 November 2025

MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the affordability crisis in the US, with recent polling showing that 66% of Americans say Trump has fallen short on his campaign promise to tackle inflation and cost of living. Vanity Fair's Molly Jong-Fast and Democratic Strategist & Pollster Cornell Belcher join.

Transcribed - Published: 12 November 2025

Legendary Democratic Strategist James Carville joins MSNBC’s Ari Melber on “The Beat” to discuss the Democratic surge and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s campaign.

Transcribed - Published: 11 November 2025

Polling shows that affordability and economic anxiety drove the GOP losses as millions of Americans are going to food banks unable to access their SNAP benefits, MSNBC's Ari Melber reports. New York Times' Michelle Goldberg, Emily Bazelon, and MSNBC's Jason Johnson join.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2025

MSNBC’s Ari Melber analyzes Democrats’ 2025 election sweep and the growing ripple effects across U.S. politics.

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2025

MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the string of Democratic wins upending politics.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2025

New York City's Democratic nominee for mayor joins The Beat ahead of November 4th's election. Donald Trump held a "Great Gatsby" themed Halloween party, drawing backlash amid government shutdown. Barack Obama campaigns for Democratic candidates in New Jersey, Virginia. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Zoran Mamdani and Eugene Robinson.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2025

Food assistance is on the brink of expiration as the government shutdown hits one month. A federal judge in Rhode Island Ruling ordered the Trump administration to fund the SNAP program for November, despite their vows to let that funding expire. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Juanita Tolliver.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025

The Pentagon orders the National Guard to establish "quick reaction" forces in every state for civil unrest, meaning as many as 500 soldiers will receive non-lethal crowd control training, MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Reverend Al Sharpton and Staff Sergeant Demi Palecek.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2025

Trump is planning to replace some regional ICE leaders with Border Patrol officials for a more "aggressive" crackdown, MSNBC Ari Melber reports. John Flannery and Chai Komanduri join to discuss Trump's expanding presidential power.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

President Trump won’t rule out seeking a third term in 2028. MSNBC's Jason Johnson reports.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2025

Trump ally Steve Bannon says President Trump will serve a third term, despite the 22nd amendment. MSNBC’s Jason Johnson reports and is joined by Ankush Khardori and Molly Jong-Fast.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2025

MSNBC’s Jason Johnson breaks down President Trump’s East Wing demolition, Trump’s $230 million demand from the DOJ, and Trump’s pardon of crypto billionaire Changpeng Zhao. Maya Wiley and Douglas Brinkley join.

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2025

President Trump is demanding that his own DOJ pay him $230 million, citing his own conduct that led to past federal investigations, according to The New York Times. Plus, MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the White House's plan to demolish the East Wing.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2025

President Trump is demanding that his own DOJ pay him $230 million, citing his own conduct that led to past federal investigations, according to The New York Times. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

Organizers for the nationwide "No Kings" protests estimate that over 7 million people attended over the weekend. Molly Jong-Fast and David Litt join to discus.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2025

Another court has stopped President Trump’s bid to seize powers and put troops in the streets. Legendary Political Strategist James Carville joins to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2025

Trump's former National Security Adviser John Bolton has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly mishandling classified documents. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann and former federal prosecutor John Flannery to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

President Trump is doubling down on his weaponization of the Justice Department. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Leslie Caldwell, former head of the DOJ’s criminal division and NYU’s Melissa Murray.

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2025

MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on former DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor who brought two criminal indictments against Donald Trump. Smith made a rare public appearance alongside former FBI general counsel Andrew Weissmann, who joins to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 15 October 2025

MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on how President Trump is wielding government power to prosecute rivals, while cracking down on dissent with federal agents on U.S. streets. Vanity Fair’s Molly Jong-Fast and Maya Wiley join to discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2025

Donald Trump's retribution campaign escalates as he bears down on yet another perceived enemy, Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton. The news comes one day after Trump's DOJ indicted NY Attorney General Letitia James. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2025