The Beat with Ari Melber - podcast cover

The Beat with Ari Melber

Ari Melber, MS NOWwww.ms.now
Ari Melber delivers the biggest political and news stories of the day, with interviews and original reporting from around the nation. An Emmy-winning journalist, attorney and former Senate staffer, Melber cuts through the spin and the noise to tell you what's really happening. Real news, every night.
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Trump Undercuts AG on Ending Convict Fund

June 3, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on escalating confusion surrounding the status of President Trump’s $1.8 billion “slush fund.” Former SDNY Chief David Kelley joins the discussion. Plus, Melber breaks down CBS News’ firing of anchor Scott Pelley as the future of “60 Minutes” comes into question. 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 o...

Jun 03, 202641 minEp. 2606036

CBS's Top Anchor: MAGA Owners Helping Kill “60 Minutes”

June 2, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on growing fears within the GOP that President Trump is damaging the party with scandals and blunders. Legendary Democratic Strategist James Carville joins. Plus, CBS’s top anchor Scott Pelley says MAGA ownership is killing "60 Minutes.” Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel and former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Host...

Jun 02, 202642 minEp. 2606026

Trump Admin to Abandon “Slush Fund” Amid Backlash

June 1, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW reports that the Trump administration is planning to abandon its highly controversial $1.8 billion “slush fund.” MS NOW’s Melissa Murray reports and is joined by former SDNY civil prosecutor Maya Wiley and The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast. Plus, Murray reports on growing questions about Donald Trump's Wall Street trades. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Trump biographer David Cay Johnston joins. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up f...

Jun 01, 202642 minEp. 2606016

BONUS: Trump slush fund and Democracy talk with Andrew Weissmann and Maya Wiley

BONUS: In this podcast extra, Ari Melber reports on President Trump's slush fund and speaks with Andrew Weissmann about legal ways to stop the unprecedented plot, plus some lighter conversation on law, vocabulary, and his new book. Maya Wiley joins for a separate conversation on Democracy and the significance of “No Kings” protests 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 po...

Jun 01, 202623 minEp. 2606016

NYT: DOJ Probes Victorious Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll

May 28, 2026; 6pm; The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation related to writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual abuse and won her civil case. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by civil rights attorney Nancy Erika Smith and former Trump administration official Sarah Matthews. Melber also reports on new revelations involving potential corruption tied to the Trump family and the federal government. ProPublica’s Robert Faturechi joins. To listen to this show a...

May 28, 202641 minEp. 2605286

Texas Primary Leaves GOP Wary

May 27, 2026; 6pm; Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on how his victory is fueling GOP fears within the party. Rev. Al Sharpton and longtime Texas-based political strategist Mark McKinnon join. Plus, acclaimed astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson joins to discuss aliens, the universe, and his new book, “Take Me to Your Reader: Perspectives on Your First Alien Encounter.” To listen to this show and other MS podcasts with...

May 27, 202642 minEp. 2605276

GOP Rebuffs WH on 'Crazy' Fund for Criminals

May 26, 2026; 6pm; President Trump faces rising prices and plummeting approval ratings. The New York Times’ Molly Jong-Fast and Michelle Goldberg join MS NOW’s Ari Melber to break down the political and cultural fallout, including Stephen Colbert’s final show. Plus, media mogul Tom Freston joins to reflect on launching MTV, the evolution of media consolidation and free speech, and Colbert’s legacy as his late-night era comes to a close. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, s...

May 26, 202641 minEp. 2605266

Dems 2028 darkhorse? Gov. Andy Beshear talks to Ari about red state wins & life after MAGA

Buzz is growing around Andy Beshear as a potential 2028 dark-horse candidate. MS NOW’s Ari Melber sat down with Beshear at an event hosted by Common Good for a wide-ranging conversation on how Democrats can take on MAGA, the future of the party, and the road to 2028. 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 ...

May 25, 202642 minEp. 2605256

Tulsi Gabbard resigns as chief intelligence official

Tonight on The Beat: GOP lawmakers speak out against Donald Trump’s “slush fund.” Also, the Trump Justice Department indicts former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Plus, Trump uses billions of taxpayer money for projects. Plus, data centers are linked to environmental issues. And the Ebola response in Africa is hindered by USAID cuts. Rep. Madeleine Dean, Barbara McQuade, Lisandro Perez, Tim O’Brien, Maily Kocinski, and Dr. Vin Gupta join Antonia Hylton. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts...

May 22, 202642 minEp. 20260522

Trump Tests Law by Claiming $1B+ for Convicts

May 21, 2026; 6pm; Ty Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer during Trump’s first term, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber on “The Beat” for a wide-ranging discussion. Plus, Capitol Police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6 are suing the Trump administration. Ari Melber is joined by former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn. 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 in...

May 21, 202642 minEp. 2605216

Trump “Thug Fund” Rivals Watergate

May 20, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers a special report and breaks down President Trump's "thug fund." 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.

May 21, 202642 minEp. 2605206

Outrage as Trump Tests Ploy to Loot Taxpayer Funds

May 19, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber is joined by political strategist Chai Komanduri to discuss the one GOP House primary that is expected to be a litmus test for President Trump’s power over the Republican Party. Plus, a federal jury rejects Elon Musk’s $150 billion lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman. 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 ou...

May 19, 202641 minEp. 2605196

Trump Tries to Take $1.7B from Taxpayers for Allies

May 18, 2026; 6pm; President Trump's DOJ announced a nearly $1.8 billion compensation fund to pay off people who claim they were victimized by the Biden DOJ. It comes as Trump withdrew his unprecedented $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, an agency he oversees. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Michael Steele and Joyce Vance. Plus, The House Oversight Committee escalates its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, hearing from a former corrections officer who was on duty the night of Eps...

May 18, 202641 minEp. 2506186

BONUS: Ari & Rick Ross on BLM, hustle, book & if Drake is "the past"'

In this podcast extra, rapper and entrepreneur Rick Ross shares his business mindset, timeless hustling, and outlook of his new book, "Renaissance of a Boss: Notes from a Creative Reawakening," in this extended interview with Ari Melber. Ross weighs in on Drake's new project and several figures in hip hop. Melber also asks Ross about his "Marathon" lyrics regarding modern protests and BLM video activism -- including critiques about chasing "trends" in the movement. To listen to this show and oth...

May 18, 202619 minEp. 2605186

Trump Approval Crashes as Prices Surge

May 15, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new ethics filings that reveal President Trump's stock trades. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during the first Trump administration. Plus, political strategist Chai Komanduri joins to discuss voters turning on Trump amid concerns over the economy, gas prices and 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 Simpleca...

May 16, 202641 minEp. 2605156

Inflation Nears Punishing 4% Under Trump

May 13, 2026; 6pm; Reverend Al Sharpton joins MS NOW's Ari Melber to discuss President Trump's economy, inflation, and rising gas prices. Plus, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat running for California Governor, joins "The Beat." 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....

May 13, 202641 minEp. 2605135

DOJ Subpoenas WSJ Reporters over Iran Coverage

May 12, 2026; 6pm; The Department of Justice has subpoenaed Wall Street Journal reporters over Iran coverage. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Marty Baron, former executive editor for The Washington Post. Plus, House Democrats ramp up their investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi 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...

May 12, 202642 minEp. 2605126

Nicolle Wallace Discusses Interview with James Comey

May 11, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the clash over President Donald Trump’s DOJ making a second bid to build a case against former FBI Director James Comey. Plus, Nicolle Wallace joins to discuss her recent interview with Comey, marking his first interview since being indicted for a second time. 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 o...

May 12, 202640 minEp. 2605116

BONUS: Actor Jeff Goldblum on Film, Music, “Insect Politics” and Being Weird in Ari Melber Intv

Award-winning actor Jeff Goldblum talks to MS NOW’s Ari Melber in this candid, sprawling and sometimes goofy conversation, as the two discuss Goldblum’s work with directors such as Steven Spielberg and Wes Anderson, his many iconic roles, what he loves about jazz, and having his “weirdness” affirmed. This interview aired in 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 fo...

May 11, 202656 minEp. 2605116

Amid War and Gas Crunch, Trump Pushes Vanity Projects

May 7, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump was confronted about whether he is dangerously pre-occupied with vanity projects and self-glorification at a time of war. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Chai Komanduri, Michelle Goldberg, Joyce Vance and 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 ad...

May 11, 202641 minEp. 2605086

Alleged Epstein Suicide Note Released After Seven Years

May 7, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump is calling for the prosecution of Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. Also, a handwritten note purportedly written by Jeffrey Epstein in jail shortly before his death has been unsealed by court order after nearly 7 years, raising new questions about his death. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Rev. Al Sharpton, Maya Wiley, Benjamin Weiser and Paul Mecurio. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcas...

May 08, 202641 minEp. 2605076

Epstein Scandal Roars Back on Capitol Hill

May 6, 2026; 6pm; Congress grilled Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on the Epstein files, in which he is named over 200 times. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Nancy Erika Smith, Emily Bazelon, Ruth Ben-Ghiat and Jason Johnson. 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....

May 07, 202641 minEp. 2605066

Trump Echoes Bush's Mideast Blunders

May 5, 2026; 6pm; Donald Trump is struggling to contain the fallout from the war he started in Iran, with reports undercutting his claims about Iran's nuclear timeline. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by Mike Barnicle, Molly Jong-Fast, Andrew Weissmann and Fab Five Freddy. 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 pe...

May 06, 202641 minEp. 2605056

New Polls Show More Voters Rejecting Trump Policies

May 4, 2026; 6pm; Six months from the midterms, the sputtering economy and an unpopular war are dragging down Donald Trump. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports and is joined by Jelani Cobb, E.J. Dionne, Maya Wiley, Kristen Clarke and Jenn Budd. 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....

May 05, 202642 minEp. 2605046

Trump's Iran War Now as Unpopular as Height of Iraq, Vietnam Wars

May 1, 2026; 6pm; President Trump’s war in Iran is facing historic disapproval. MS NOW’s Ayman Mohyeldin reports and is joined by Molly Jong-Fast and Jared Bernstein. Plus, Mohyeldin covers ongoing turmoil inside President Trump’s Justice Department. 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....

May 01, 202641 minEp. 2605016

New Report: Trump Compares Himself to Past Emperors

April 30, 2026; 6pm; The Atlantic reports that Trump allies say he's "begun thinking about himself less as a peer of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln," and more as an addition to the trifecta of "great men," Alexander the Great, Julius Cesar and Napoleon Bonaparte. MS NOW's Ayman Mohyeldin reports and is joined by The Atlantic's Ashley Parker. 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...

Apr 30, 202641 minEp. 2604306

Dems Grill Hegseth Over Iran War

April 29, 2026; 6pm; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the House Armed Services Committee, marking his first hearing since the Iran war began. MS NOW's Melissa Murray reports and is joined by Admiral John Kirby. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority struck down a Louisiana voting map as unconstitutional, finding that lawmakers “illegally used race when drawing a new majority-Black district.” To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for M...

Apr 29, 202642 minEp. 2604296

Trump DOJ Indicts Former FBI Director Comey

April 28, 2026; 6pm; The Trump Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey again, following the dismissal of his first indictment. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports, and is joined by Hofstra University’s James Sample and former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance. Plus, the Trump administration is once again targeting Jimmy Kimmel. 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.adswi...

Apr 28, 202642 minEp. 2604286

Alleged WHCD Shooter Charged with Three Federal Counts

April 27, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Antonia Hylton reports on President Trump's attacks on the media following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Molly Jong-Fast and Robert D'Amico join. Plus, Hylton breaks down new reports of chaos at President Trump's DOJ. 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 persona...

Apr 27, 202641 minEp. 2604276

BONUS: Melber & Fukuyama on billionaires, U.S. decline & if public trust is ‘cooked’

BONUS: Acclaimed author and professor Francis Fukuyama discusses his seminal works “Trust” and “The End of History” and how they apply today, and to an era of mounting distrust and conspiracy theories in the new Trump era, in this extended conversation with MS NOW's Ari Melber. Fukuyama also analyzes Elon Musk’s “oligarch” politics, and shares his passions beyond academia - woodworking and drone building. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on App...

Apr 27, 202645 minEp. 2604276
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android