CNN Town Hall - Season 5 / Year 2026

Amid tensions following the two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officials and weeks-long protests, officials and community leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, take questions and discuss possible pathways forward with local community members and impacted Minnesotans. Minnesotans from across the political spectrum comprise the live audience gathered in a community center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Filmed before a live audience of students at The University of Texas at Austin's Moody College of Communication, the event brings together two of Hollywood's most dynamic actors, Timothée Chalamet and Matthew McConaughey, for a candid discussion about their craft and creative process. In addition to reflecting on their approaches to performance and the roles that have most influenced their artistic journeys, Chalamet and McConaughey will also take questions from the student audience throughout the program. McConaughey has taught film courses at UT Austin since 2015.

As the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran stretches into its third week, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and a panel of subject matter experts answer questions from CNN's Dana Bash and a live studio audience about the Trump administration's strategy and what may come next. The panel hears directly from Americans about how the conflict is impacting them. 

A former Green Beret, Waltz previously served as the U.S. National Security Advisor during the start of President Trump's second term. In addition to Waltz, the Town Hall conversation includes CNN Global Affairs Analyst Brett McGurk, who previously served as U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa; CNN National Security Analyst Beth Sanner, who previously served as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration; and CNN Military Analyst Lt. General Mark Schwartz, U.S. Army (ret.), who previously served as U.S. Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority. 

CNN Anchor and Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash moderates the Town Hall. The live audience consists of questioners across the political spectrum from the New York tri-state area.