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.
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Episodes

Trump Approval Crashes Amid Mistakes

June 23, 2026; 6pm: President Trump is threatening to sue ABC News again over its coverage of his multi-million dollar renovation of the Reflecting Pool. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by esteemed veteran journalist Marty Baron, former executive editor for The Washington Post. Plus, comedian and actor Danny McBride 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....

Jun 23, 202641 minEp. 2606236

Trump WH on Defense Over Iran Concessions

June 22, 2026; 6pm: President Trump eyes a deal with Iran that appears to echo aspects of the Obama-era agreement he once scrapped. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments. Plus, Melber remembers legendary music executive Clive Davis, who passed away today at the age of 94. 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...

Jun 23, 202641 minEp. 2606226

BONUS: From the Knicks to NYC Culture: Ari Melber with Bill Bradley & Lexa Gates

In this podcast extra, hear Ari Melber's conversations with New York rapper Lexa Gates and Knicks legend Bill Bradley. Melber talks with Gates about what it really means to be a New Yorker and sits down with Bradley to discuss the Knicks' historic championship run and what the victory means for New York. 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 co...

Jun 22, 202616 minEp. 2606226

Trump's New False Claim: 'No Limits' To My Power

June 19, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Melissa Murray reports on renewed fears that the president is asserting an expansive vision of presidential power. Semafor's Margaret Carlson and longtime journalist Tara Palmeri join. Plus, new heat on Trump's DOJ over its controversial fund that could pay Jan. 6 rioters. 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 colle...

Jun 19, 202640 minEp. 202606196

"Horrific Surrender": Allies and Critics Blast Trump Iran Deal

June 18, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports on growing bipartisan outrage over President Trump’s Iran deal. Richard Stengel, former Obama State Department official, and political analyst Basil Smikle join. Plus, Trump’s vanity projects spark chaos in Washington. Norm Eisen, former White House ethics czar, 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 informat...

Jun 18, 202641 minEp. 202606186

MAGA & Fox News Voices Pummel Trump's Iran Deal

June 17, 2026; 6pm; President Trump is facing heat from Democrats and Republicans over his deal with Iran to end the war. MS NOW's Melissa Murray reports and is joined by The New York Times' Molly Jong Fast and Political Analyst Jason Johnson. Plus, Trump under fire for forcing the delay of a critical hearing for his nominee to be director of national intelligence. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an Ads...

Jun 17, 202641 minEp. 2606176

BONUS: Ari x Fabolous, Maino, Jim Jones & Dave East

In this podcast extra, New York hip hop legends Fabolous, Maino, Jim Jones, Dave East join Ari Melber for a wide-ranging discussion about their new podcast "Let's Rap About It," the historic New York Knicks run, and the generational impact of hip hop. 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....

Jun 17, 202631 minEp. 2606176

Cost of Trump Projects Hit Voters as Midterms Loom

June 16, 2026; 6pm; President Trump's ballroom, which he claimed would be paid for by private donations, has already cost taxpayers roughly $300 million. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the bombshell report from The Washington Post and is joined by political analyst Michelle Goldberg and Dean of the Columbia Journalism School Jelani Cobb. Plus, Melber is joined by Fat Joe to discuss the New York Knicks' historic championship win. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up f...

Jun 16, 202642 minEp. 2606166

Scrutiny on Trump's Iran Deal as Details Remain Secret

June 15, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s tentative agreement with Iran to end the war, with many details still not public. Foreign policy expert David Rothkopf and retired four-star Army General Barry McCaffrey join the conversation. Plus, new bombshell reporting from The New York Times says President Trump was considering suspending the constitutional right of habeas corpus. Melber reports further and is joined by New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie. To listen to ...

Jun 16, 202642 minEp. 2606156

DOJ Approves Paramount Deal to Buy Warner Bros.

June 12, 2026; 6pm: Antitrust regulators at the Department of Justice have approved Paramount’s $110 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. after an eight-month investigation. Plus, Melber reports on President Trump's bruising week. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Juanita Tolliver 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 pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and...

Jun 12, 202641 minEp. 2606126

Trump Rocked as Epstein Scandal Roars Back

June 11, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW’s Ari Melber breaks down reports of “chaos” engulfing the Trump White House, from the war in Iran and the Epstein scandal to spiking inflation. Plus, Tony Schwartz, co-author of "Art of the Deal," joins Melber to discuss the latest from the Trump administration. As a special fallback, MS NOW’s Ayman Mohyeldin and rapper Lexa Gates also join The Beat. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simple...

Jun 11, 202641 minEp. 2606116

NYT: Epstein Turmoil Drove WH "Freakout"

June 10, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on a bombshell report from The New York Times detailing how the Epstein scandal caused an internal "freakout" at the White House. The New York Times' Michelle Goldberg and Veteran Journalist Vicky Ward join. Plus, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins to discuss inflation, the midterms and Game 4 of the NBA finals. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, a...

Jun 10, 202641 minEp. 2606106

Turmoil Engulfs Trump DOJ

June 9, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on tough news for the Trump DOJ as a top Jeffrey Epstein employee testifies. Renowned civil rights attorney Nancy Erika Smith and veteran journalist Tara Palmeri join. Plus, Melber also reports on Jon Stewart roasting Trump. 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 ...

Jun 09, 202641 minEp. 2606096

BONUS: Ari talks NY power & realness with The LOX in Beat Intv

In this podcast extra, hip-hop icons The LOX join music enthusiast Ari Melber to discuss New York rap, their famous Versuz battle, music podcasts, culture and the new mayor quoting Jadakiss in this extended interview. (Portions of the interview aired on "The Beat with Ari Melber.") 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 per...

Jun 09, 202628 minEp. 2606096

Trump Approval Crashes Amid Econ & Intel Stumbles

June 8, 2026; 6pm: President Trump formally nominates his former personal lawyer, Todd Blanche, to serve as attorney general. Plus, new lies from Trump about the war in Iran. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest developments and is joined by Howard Dean, former Vermont governor and former DNC chair and Andrew Weissmann, former Mueller prosecutor. 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. ...

Jun 08, 202641 minEp. 2606086

Knicks Icon Bill Bradley on Finals Fever

June 5, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the Trump DOJ's bizarre "Statue of Liberty" scandal. The New York Times' Emily Bazelon and MS NOW's Juanita Tolliver join. Plus, former Knicks player Bill Bradley joins ahead of Game 2 of the NBA finals. 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....

Jun 06, 202641 minEp. 2606056

Trump Eyes Personal lawyer to Run DOJ

June 4, 2026; 6pm: MS NOW has confirmed President Trump plans to nominate Acting AG Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Jason Johnson, politics professor at Morgan State University. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on big tech seizing human creations. 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 coll...

Jun 05, 202641 minEp. 2606046

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
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