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 Wields Government Power to Target Foes, Pressure Dissent

October 13, 2025; 6pm: 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. Plus, The Wall Street Journal reports on Ghislaine Maxwell’s time at a Texas minimum-security prison, noting she “appeared to receive unusually favorable treatment at times, sparking resentment from other inmates.” Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna joins. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without a...

Oct 14, 202542 minEp. 2510136

Trump DOJ preps John Bolton case after indicting two Trump foes

October 10, 2025; 6pm: 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. Plus, Justice Department Reporter for the Wall Street Journal, Sadie Gurman 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 Ads...

Oct 10, 202542 minEp. 251010

Trump Legal Vet Cobb on Trump DOJ Charges

October 9, 2025; 6pm: The Trump Justice Department has indicted New York Attorney General Leticia James, the top law enforcement official in New York. It follows the DOJ’s controversial indictment of Trump critic James Comey. Plus, Ty Cobb, former White House attorney during President Trump’s first term, joins MSNBC’s Ari Melber on 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.ad...

Oct 10, 202541 minEp. 2510096

FBI Vet Comey in Court For Charges Trump Demanded

October 8, 2025; 6pm: Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to Congress in 2020. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann. Plus, former federal prosecutor John Flannery joins to discuss President Trump's use of federal troops. 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 c...

Oct 08, 202541 minEp. 2510086

Attorney General Bondi Testifies Before Senate in First Hearing Since Comey Indictment

October 7, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on Pam Bondi's first testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee as Attorney General and is joined by Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and the New Yorker Magazine's Jelani Cobb. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on political violence. 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...

Oct 07, 202541 minEp. 2510076

Blue States Check Trump Amid Legal Firestorm Over Troop Deployments

October 6, 2025, 6pm: President Trump is escalating the use of the military in cities across the country. Plus, MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on how Taylor Swifts album "The Life of a Showgirl" is rippling through politics and culture. Reverend Al Sharpton and Vanity Fair's Molly Jong-Fast 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...

Oct 06, 202542 minEp. 2510066

Taylor Swift Returns After Dunking on Trump's 'Hate'

October 3, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump’s escalating power grabs and is joined by former SDNY prosecutor Maya Wiley and NYU's Ruth Ben Ghiat. Plus, Melber delivers an analysis of Taylor Swift's new album "The Life of a Showgirl." 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 advertisin...

Oct 04, 202541 minEp. 2510036

Leader Jeffries on Government Shutdown

October 2, 2025; 6pm: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joins MSNBC's Melissa Murray to discuss the ongoing government shutdown. Plus, new revelations are undercutting the Trump administration's claims about the Epstein files. 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....

Oct 02, 202541 minEp. 2510026

Troops Enter More Cities As Trump Suggests Some Citizens Are ‘Enemies’

October 1 2025; 6pm: On day one of the government shutdown, President Donald Trump is exerting presidential pressure, targeting blue states in what Democrats claim is an abuse of power. MSNBC’s Melissa Murray reports, and is joined by The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg, Vanity Fair’s Molly Jong-Fast and Congressman Brendan Boyle. 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...

Oct 02, 202541 minEp. 2510016

Trump Tells Military The U.S. Is "Under Invasion From Within"

September 30, 2025; 6pm: President Trump delivered an unprecedented and disturbing call to arms in front of the nation’s top military leaders, urging them to attack “the enemy within” and use America’s cities as “training grounds for the armed forces.” MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Paul Rieckhoff, founder and CEO of Independent Veterans of America. Plus, veteran news anchor Don Lemon joins Melber for an extended conversation on President Trump’s free speech crackdown and big tech’s...

Sep 30, 202542 minEp. 2509306

Oregon Sues Trump Admin. Over Deployment of National Guard

September 29, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump using his executive authority to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, amid escalating ICE clashes in Democratic-led cities. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on the playbook and peril for multinational companies balancing free expression and autocratic pressure around the world. The New York Times’ Emily Bazelon and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts witho...

Sep 30, 202542 minEp. 2509296

Fmr FBI Director James Comey Indicted on Two Counts

September 26, 2025; 6pm: Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted by a federal grand jury, just days after President Trump publicly called for it. MSNBC’s Ari Melber breaks down the legal implications with expert guests, including former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann and Leslie Caldwell, former head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. 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 pc...

Sep 27, 202542 minEp. 2509266

James Comey Indicted by Trump DOJ

September 25, 2025; 6pm: The Trump justice department has indicted former FBI Director James Comey. MSNBC’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.

Sep 26, 202545 minEp. 2509247

Kimmel Returns to Late Night After Trump's Failed Crackdown

September 24, 2025; 6pm: Jimmy Kimmel triumphantly returned to his show after staring down a government effort to censor him. His opening monologue racked up over 15 million views on YouTube in less than a day. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports that President Trump's DOJ will seek to indict former FBI Director James Comey. MSNBC'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 S...

Sep 24, 202540 minEp. 2509246

Kimmel Returns to TV

September 23, 2025; 6pm: Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the airwaves. Meanwhile, President Trump has appointed one of his personal lawyers, Lindsey Halligan, to a top DOJ post, where she is now leading investigations into his political opponents. MSNBC’s Jason Johnson reports and is joined by a panel of experts, including David Litt, former speechwriter for President Obama, and Tara Setmayer, co-founder and CEO of The Seneca Project. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts wit...

Sep 23, 202542 minEp. 2509236

Disney Picks Free Speech Over Caving to Trump, Reversing After Revolt

September 22, 2025; 6pm: In a major reversal, Disney is bringing back Jimmy Kimmel after a massive backlash. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on the corporate shift, and ongoing First Amendment issues, as the Trump administration admits its likely unlawful efforts to use government power to censor criticism. Plus, President Donald Trump is directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to go after his political opponents. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and former DNC Chair Howard Dean join. To listen to th...

Sep 22, 202541 minEp. 2509226

Late Night Hosts Skewer Trump over Free Speech Attacks

September 19, 2025; 6pm: President Trump is using his government power against comics, critics and reporters. MSNBC’s Ari Melber, a First Amendment attorney, breaks down Trump’s censorship. Plus, music producer Timbaland joins Melber for an extended interview about his iconic collaborations with Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Missy Elliott, his experimentation with AI in music, and lessons he has learned across his wide ranging career. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign...

Sep 19, 202541 minEp. 2509196

Jimmy Kimmel Pulled Off Air Over Charlie Kirk Comments

September 18, 2025; 6pm: ABC indefinitely pulled "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" off the air after pressure from the Federal Communications Commission over his comments about the death of Charlie Kirk. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by comedian D.L. Hughley, Julia Ioffe and Jameel Jaffer to discuss. 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 collecti...

Sep 19, 202538 minEp. 2509186

ABC pauses ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ over Charlie Kirk comments

September 17, 2025; 6pm: ABC announced it will be pulling “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” off air "indefinitely" over comments made by its host about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on the latest. Plus, the Trump administration is on defense over its attacks on free speech. Former Mueller probe prosecutor Andrew Weissmann and Columbia University’s Katie Fallow join to discuss. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcas...

Sep 18, 202541 minEp. 2509176

BONUS: Extended Conversation with Bob Woodward on Trump's Epstein 'mess'

BONUS: Pulitzer Prize–winner Bob Woodward joins MSNBC’s Ari Melber for an extended interview, discussing President Trump’s Epstein scandal, the independence of the Supreme Court in the MAGA era, Trump’s ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, and the influence of billionaires on the news media. 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 an...

Sep 17, 202552 minEp. 2509176

Trump AG Bondi Fails Free Speech Test

President Trump has filed a lawsuit against The New York Times for articles and a book that he says was unfairly negative. Trump claims there were "deliberate falsehoods” against him. Plus, the federal government is waging an unusual, aggressive, and possibly illegal effort to crack down on free speech and its perceived opponents. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by veteran editor of The Washington Post Marty Baron. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS...

Sep 16, 202541 minEp. 2509166

Trump WH Aide Peter Navarro joins The Beat

September 15, 2025; 6pm: New details emerge in the Charlie Kirk murder investigation. Plus, Trump White House aide Peter Navarro joins MSNBC's Ari Melber on "The Beat" for an extended conversation. 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....

Sep 16, 202542 minEp. 2509156

Suspect Arrested in Charlie Kirk’s Murder

September 12, 2025; 6pm: Officials have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Plus, MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on new Epstein revelations and President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Bob Woodward also joins for an extended conversation. 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...

Sep 12, 202541 minEp. 2509126

Manhunt Underway For Charlie Kirk Shooter

September 11, 2025; 6pm: MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the ongoing manhunt for the person who shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Plus, new revelations on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal are rattling President Trump. Former ATF Director Steven Dettelbach and Bloomberg's Jason Leopold 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 colle...

Sep 11, 202542 minEp. 2509116

Trump’s Epstein card leaks: Damning card shows 47 knew Epstein’s "secrets"

September 9, 2025; 6pm: New Epstein revelations are sending shockwaves through the Trump administration as protesters gather outside the White House. The developments follow the House Oversight Committee’s release of a letter allegedly sent from Trump to Epstein in 2003. The letter concludes with Trump allegedly writing to Epstein: "A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports, and is joined by former SDNY civil prosecuto...

Sep 10, 202541 minEp. 2509096

Exposed: Trump’s Alleged Bday Card for Jeffrey Epstein

September 8, 2025; 6pm: House Democrats posted an image of a birthday image President Trump allegedly sent to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Plus, a New York Times investigation exposes how a major bank “enabled” Epstein. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports on both bombshell developments and is joined by Emily Bazelon, Julie Brown and Jason Johnson to discuss. 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 pc...

Sep 08, 202541 minEp. 2509086

U.S. Hiring Slows Dramatically in Trump Economy

September 5, 2025; 6pm: A brutal new jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows hiring nearly stalling out, with only 22,000 jobs added in August. Plus, Trump is facing a string of legal defeats, including rulings on his sweeping tariffs, the deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles and his use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants. MSNBC's Ari Melber breaks it all down with Maya Wiley and Jelani Cobb. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads,...

Sep 06, 202542 minEp. 2509056

Trump DOJ on Defense Again for Coddling Sex Traffickers

September 4, 2025; 6pm: Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers are demanding accountability, and are backed by a bipartisan group of lawmakers as Congress returns. Republicans are joining the chorus of those demanding to release the files, including Marjorie Taylor Greene. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports and is joined by MSNBC's Alex Wagner to discuss the latest. Plus, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin and Wu-Tang's Ghostface Killah join for the latest Fallback. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, ...

Sep 04, 202541 minEp. 2509046

Epstein Victims Demand Transparency at Capitol

September 3, 2025; 6pm: The survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse hosted a briefing on Capitol Hill, demanding transparency in the Justice Department's Epstein investigation. MSNBC's Ari Melber reports and is joined by civil rights attorney and victims’ advocate Nancy Erika Smith. Plus, Melber is joined by DNC Chair Ken Martin to discuss the future of the Democratic party. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast,...

Sep 03, 202542 minEp. 2509036

Judge Rejects Trump's "Illegal" Troop Deployment

September 2, 2025; 6pm: President Trump suffers a major setback in his autocratic agenda after a federal judge rules his deployment of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles illegal. Meanwhile, voters at town halls lash out at GOP lawmakers over Trump’s tariffs. Plus, as Congress returns, they confront the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. MSNBC’s Ari Melber reports with analysis from former Mueller probe prosecutor Andrew Weissmann and former SDNY civil prosecutor Maya Wiley. To lis...

Sep 02, 202541 minEp. 2509026
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