The Beat with Ari Melber - Season 10 / Year 2026

Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife pleaded not guilty to charges that include narco-terrorism and drug trafficking in a federal courtroom in Manhattan. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the deepening confusion about the Trump administration's motives, goals, and plans in Venezuela. Plus, Ambassador James Story and General Barry McCaffrey join.

President Trump is openly vowing to seize Venezuela's oil, following the ousting of Nicholas Maduro. Plus, MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the five year anniversary of the January 6 riot that came to define President Biden's transition. Legendary Democratic Strategist James Carville joins.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the breaking news out of Minneapolis, where a U.S. citizen was shot and killed by an ICE agent. This follows the Trump administration saying just yesterday it was deploying two thousand agents to the city. Retired NYPD Detective Mark Claxton and Congressman Jim Himes join. Plus, more on Trump's vow to control Venezuelan oil profits.

The Trump administration is blocking state officials from investigating the deadly ICE shooting of an American citizen in Minneapolis. Plus, pressure is mounting on Trump's Justice Department over Jeffrey Epstein. Rep. Robert Garcia, Melissa Murray, and more join MS NOW's Ari Melber.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new evidence in the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis. Plus, Melber covers Jon Stewart taking on President Trump and MAGA, and delivers a special report on music's redeeming power in politics. Andrew Weismann and Michael Feinberg join. 

The Trump administration has launched an unusual criminal probe into an official who has clashed with Trump for years, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Plus, a special report on the rift among a core group of bro-type podcasters that helped Trump win back the White House. Melber continues to follow the anti-ICE protests erupting in cities all over the country after the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Renee Good. Emily Bazelon and Molly Jong-Fast join.

The Trump administration is probing Fed Chair Jerome Powell. MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers a special report on the "blatant abuse of power," coming after Powell upheld his oath to keep the Federal Reserve independent. Plus, Melber reports on how the biggest headlines made their way into the Golden Globes. Melissa Murray and John Slattery join.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the FBI executing a search warrant at a Washington Post reporter's home in Virginia. This alarming escalation comes as the Trump administration targets other lawmakers, with Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin confirming federal prosecutors are investigating her for a video she posted urging members of the military to resist illegal orders. Plus, Melber reports on the expected Senate vote on a resolution aimed at curbing the president's use of the military force in Venezuela. David Rothkopf joins to discuss.

Trump has sent three thousand federal agents to Minneapolis and is threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act to quell ICE protests in the city. Plus, the Trump administration is under fire after Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suggested Americans could consume a three-dollar meal as grocery prices continue to soar. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Chris Hayes.

In a newly released text message, President Trump cites being snubbed for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of his unprecedented push to take Greenland. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Plus, former Washington Post editor Marty Baron joins for a closer look at Trump's escalating attacks on free speech.

MS NOW's Ari Melber breaks down the international chaos shaping President Trump's first month of 2026, with new insights from his interview with former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb. Ambassador Michael McFaul joins the discussion. Plus, the Supreme Court appears skeptical of President Trump's bid to take control of the independent Federal Reserve, with analysis from NYU law professor Melissa Murray.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on takeaways from Jack Smith's historic testimony.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the fallout from another killing of an American by federal agents amid the Trump administration's deployment in Minnesota, as new scrutiny grows over the tactics being used. Retired NYPD Detective Marq Claxton joins to discuss.

The FBI is now taking the lead in the criminal investigation into the spray attack on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Plus, a special report on new updates from the government's delayed efforts to release the Epstein files. Grammy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. also joins to preview this year's ceremony. 

The Department of Justice has indicted Don Lemon over his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a church in Minnesota. Hear Lemon speak out following his release. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

The Department of Justice has released their final tranche of three-million files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Included in the files are about two hours of never before seen interview footage of Epstein, conducted by Steve Bannon. Melissa Murray reports.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's escalating abuse of power, including attacks on constitutional guardrails that protect elections, free speech, and the right to protest. Plus, Melber delivers the latest details from the Justice Department's final release of the Epstein files. Former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann joins.

President Trump is pulling ICE and federal agents from Minneapolis. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by political strategist Chai Komanduri and Aru Shiney-Ajay, director of the Sunrise Movement in Minneapolis. Plus, Melber reports on how the DOJ's final release of Epstein files reveals his close ties to powerful business elites. 

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the DOJ's final batch of Epstein files and what they reveal about government failures. Former federal prosecutor John Flannery joins the discussion. Plus, Melber reports on the new fallout after Jeff Bezos slashed a third of The Washington Post's staff.

Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb joins MS NOW's Ari Melber on "The Beat" to discuss his concerns about Trump's cognitive fitness. The White House has defended Trump's health, and Trump has recently dismissed Cobb as a disgruntled former staffer whom he says he fired. Plus, Fox vet Gretchen Carlson joins MS NOW's Ari Melber to discuss the newest Epstein files. 

The Epstein scandal is rocking the Trump White House again, and this time featuring the notorious Epstein Island, where Trump's commerce chief visited, a confession he made today after years of lying. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann joins. 

Trump Attorney General Pam Bondi was grilled, under oath, about the Epstein files. Plus, new signs of pushback against Trump's attempted power grabs as a federal grand jury in DC refuses to indict six Democrats on charges of seditious conspiracy. Senior Advisor for President Trump's 2024 campaign, Bryan Lanza, joins MS NOW's Ari Melber. 

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new evidence from the Epstein files, including what appears to be a hidden camera from inside his Palm Beach office. Plus, Melber reports on President Trump's broader efforts to crack down on dissent and is joined by acclaimed novelist Gary Shteyngart.

MSNOW's Ari Melber reports on President Trump's unlawful targeting of his critics and the deepening fallout from the Epstein files. Former Trump White House attorney Ty Cobb joins. Plus, Melber reports on on a new Wall Street Journal story detailing the "constant chaos" inside Donald Trump's Homeland Security Department under Chief Kristi Noem. 

MSNOW's Ari Melber reports on the Trump DOJ's handling of the Epstein files, as lawmakers criticize the department over a lack of transparency. Former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann and The New York Times' Michelle Goldberg join. Plus, Melber is joined by progressive host Brian Tyler Cohen to discuss his recent interview with former President Barack Obama.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new accountability surrounding the Epstein files, as billionaire Les Wexner is set to testify before Congress about his decades-long ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Plus, The Trump administration allegedly tried to block Texas Dem James Talarico from appearing on Stephen Colbert's show. CBS, now owned by the MAGA-allied Ellison family, is facing scrutiny over efforts to censor the interview from airing. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new testimony from billionaire Les Wexner in the House Epstein investigation. Plus, Ty Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer during Trump's first term, joins "The Beat" for a wide-ranging discussion.

British authorities have arrested former Prince Andrew and are investigating him on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He has faced public accusations of sexual misconduct from Epstein survivors. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Plus, economist Paul Krugman joins to discuss billionaire influence in America.

In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump cannot unilaterally impose tariffs. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by former Acting Solicitor General Neal Katyal.

MS NOW's Ari Melber examines President Trump's plummeting approval rating in a special "Beat" report. The latest Washington Post–ABC–Ipsos poll shows 60% of Americans disapprove of the president ahead of the State of the Union address. Another poll from Economist/YouGov finds Trump's support among independent voters has dropped to a new low across both terms in office. Political strategist Chai Komanduri joins.

NPR reports that the DOJ "withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump." MS NOW's Ari Melber reports. Plus, Senator Amy Klobuchar and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear join ahead of President Trump's State of the Union.

President Trump is facing heat over an Epstein cover-up, as NPR reports that the DOJ "withheld and removed some Epstein files related to Trump." MS NOW reports that three of those files involve accusations against Trump, who has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. Emily Bazelon, legal writer with The New York Times Magazine, and Nancy Erika Smith, renowned civil rights attorney join MS NOW's Ari Melber.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's closed-door deposition on Jeffrey Epstein before the House Oversight Committee. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson and veteran journalist Gretchen Carlson join. Plus, the Trump-allied billionaire owners of Paramount have won the bid for Warner Brothers Discovery, beating out Netflix.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on escalating attacks in the Mideast and more U.S. forces heading to the region. Plus, Donald Trump's war with Iran now creating a rift with his base and to his own campaign promises.

The 2026 midterms kick off tonight with primaries in three states, unfolding at a critical moment in the Trump presidency. MS NOW's Ari Melber breaks down the political stakes, from the president's controversial war with Iran and widespread frustration over the economy to the Epstein scandal looming over the administration. MS NOW Senior Contributing Editor Michele Norris and Reverend Al Sharpton join.

Former DNC Chair Howard Dean joins MS NOW's Ari Melber on "The Beat" to discuss the latest political developments, including the Iran war, President Trump's approval rating and the start of the 2026 midterm elections. Plus, the House Oversight Committee has voted to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi, with five Republicans voting yes. Melber reports on the escalating pressure on President Trump's DOJ over its handling of the Epstein files.

Kristi Noem has been ousted as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Ty Cobb, who served as a White House lawyer during Trump's first term.

MS NOW's Jason Johnson sits down with economist Justin Wolfers and award-winning author Juanita Tolliver to break down President Trump's sputtering economy. Plus, Congressman Seth Moulton to discuss the latest on the Iran war.

MS NOW's Ari Melber is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the latest developments in President Trump's war with Iran. Guests include former Under Secretary of State Rick Stengel, CNBC senior economics reporter Steve Liesman, and legendary Democratic strategist James Carville.

One company backed by MAGA billionaire Larry Ellison is on track to own Paramount, Warner Bros., CNN, HBO, and CBS, along with a vast array of media properties, if its massive new $100 billion merger goes through. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by founding partner of Puck News, Matt Belloni. Plus, Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war.

MS NOW's Ari Melber delivers an in-depth special report, presenting a new timeline of Jeffrey Epstein's death. Julie K. Brown, investigative journalist with the Miami Herald and leading expert on Epstein, joins Melber.

The FBI and local law enforcement agencies give briefings on attacks on Temple Israel in West Boomfield, Michigan and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. Plus, the latest on the Iran war, with mideast strikes threatening economic upheaval. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Marc Santia, Marq Claxton, Brian Katulis, and Dylan Ratigan.

A Federal judge quashes grand jury subpoenas in the DOJ's probe into the Federal Reserve chair. Plus, the latest on the Iran war, with the Pentagon confirming six additional American deaths. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Jelani Cobb and Isiah Thomas.

The war with Iran enters its third week as oil prices spike and the U.S. endgame remains unclear. MS  NOW's Ari Melber reports on the latest and delivers a special report on President Trump escalating attacks on the First Amendment, with former FBI General Counsel Andrew Weissmann weighing in.

The Trump administration's top counterterrorism official, Joe Kent, has resigned. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the highest-level defection from Trump's administration over Iran. Plus, Melber reports on how iconic artist Banksy is shaking up politics and art. Rev. Al Sharpton and The New York Times' Molly Jong-Fast join.

President Trump's DOJ is being pressed for hiding more Epstein documents. Top House Oversight lawmakers met with embattled Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy AG Todd Blanche over hiding files and alleged abuse of redactions. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports, joined by New York Times Magazine writer Emily Bazelon. Plus, Melber reports on the latest in Iran.

MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new testimony from Jeffrey Epstein's longtime lawyer before the House Oversight Committee. Nancy Erika Smith, renowned civil rights attorney, joins to discuss. Plus, Melber reports on the drawbacks and benefits of the music streaming era. Melber also covers Bad Bunny topping both global and U.S. charts, his Super Bowl performance as a ratings hit and why MAGA backlash and online meltdowns failed to resonate with viewers. Neil Shah, longtime music and culture reporter, joins.