The Beat with Ari Melber

2026 Midterms Begin Amid Iran War, Economic Woes, Epstein Scandal

March 3, 2026; 6pm; 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. 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.

Strikes Escalate Across Mideast

March 2, 2026; 6pm; 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. 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.

BONUS B-Side Pod: Epstein a Mystery, Not a Conspiracy; Trump FASTER than Putin: Ari x Bazelon, Shteyngart in Pod Chat

The legal and journalistic scrutiny of Jeffrey Epstein's horrific crimes was slow and late - Ari & NYT's Emily Bazelon discuss that problem, dynamics behind the scenes, and how the main story was never a "conspiracy theory." Then Russian-American novelist Gary Shteyngart tackles parallels between Putin and Trump. These NEW interviews are a Beat bonus from our new podcast series "The B-Side": Real talk and Ari's extended conversations off air. 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.

Hillary Clinton Testifies Before House Committee on Epstein

February 26, 2026; 6pm; 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. 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.

Epstein Bombshells Rock Elites from White House to England

February 25, 2026; 6pm; 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. 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.