The Beat with Ari Melber

April 28, 2026; 6pm; The Trump Justice Department has charged former FBI Director James Comey again, following the dismissal of his first indictment. MS NOW’s Antonia Hylton reports, and is joined by Hofstra University’s James Sample and former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance. Plus, the Trump administration is once again targeting Jimmy Kimmel. 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.

April 27, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Antonia Hylton reports on President Trump's attacks on the media following the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Molly Jong-Fast and Robert D'Amico join. Plus, Hylton breaks down new reports of chaos at President Trump's DOJ. 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: Acclaimed author and professor Francis Fukuyama discusses his seminal works “Trust” and “The End of History” and how they apply today, and to an era of mounting distrust and conspiracy theories in the new Trump era, in this extended conversation with MS NOW's Ari Melber. Fukuyama also analyzes Elon Musk’s “oligarch” politics, and shares his passions beyond academia - woodworking and drone building. 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.

April 24, 2026; 6pm; The DOJ has closed its probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, clearing the way for Trump's new pick, Kevin Warsh, to lead the bank. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Ty Cobb, former Trump former White House attorney during the first Trump administration. 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.

April 23, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on how the Iran war and economic fallout are under-cutting President Trump's support on the right. Plus, Warner Bros shareholders have voted to approve the controversial merger with Paramount. Matt Belloni, a founding partner of Puck News, joins 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 collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 22, 2026; 6pm; In a striking admission, longtime Trump loyalist Tucker Carlson is apologizing for helping elect Donald Trump. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Will Sommer, senior reporter at The Bulwark. Plus, President Trump’s approval rating plunges to 33%, marking a new low in his second term. 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.

April 21, 2026; 6pm; President Trump’s loss of support is becoming visible even on the far right, with Tucker Carlson going further than his past criticism and now apologizing for helping elect Trump. MS NOW's Ari Melber reports and is joined by Alex Wagner and political strategist Morris Katz. Plus, Trump comes under renewed scrutiny over his handling of the economy and the Iran war. 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.

April 20, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and its impact on the economy. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. Plus, music executive Kevin Liles joins to discuss justice reform, creative freedom & rap lyrics in court. 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.

In this podcast extra, listen to Jay McInerney on The Beat, plus a special digital conversation with Ari Melber in Times Square, where he discusses his new book and his social life in New York City. Plus, revisit McInerney’s past appearances 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.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 17, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and its impact on the economy. Political Strategist Chai Komanduri and Fordham University's Christina Greer join. Plus, music executive Kevin Liles joins to discuss justice reform, creative freedom & rap lyrics in court. 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.

MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on President Trump's escalating influence at the Department of Justice, the latest developments in the Iran war, and growing questions surrounding Trump’s mental acuity. Former Trump White House lawyer Ty Cobb joins the discussion. Plus, author Jay McInerney joins to discuss his new book, "See You on the Other Side." 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.

April 15, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on mounting challenges facing President Trump, from the Iran war to growing backlash within his MAGA base. Reverend Al Sharpton and The New York Times’ Michelle Goldberg join. Plus, New York Attorney General Letitia James joins to discuss the verdict against Ticketmaster and Live Nation. 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.

April 14, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on the fallout over President Trump's feud with the Pope, and his post depicting himself as Jesus. Plus, Trump's behavior is alarming allies and critics who say it's hitting a turning point. Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson 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 information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 13, 2026; 6pm; MS NOW's Ari Melber reports on new fractures in President Trump's MAGA base as he feuds with the Pope. Semafor's Margaret Carlson joins. Plus, MS NOW’s Jason Johnson and Middle East Institute senior fellow Brian Katulis break down the latest developments in the Iran war. 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: Top Republicans are attacking what they call “woke” politics, and even passing laws designed to “stop” a supposed woke agenda. The singer who first brought that concept to the culture, in “Master Teacher,” Erykah Badu, reflects on social justice, culture and “woke politics” today – one of several topics the four-time Grammy winner tackles in this extended discussion with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber. Badu discusses her singing, deep links to hip hop, personal evolution, spirituality and approach to the music industry and business in general, including her new cannabis line with “Cookies.” She also reacts to earlier moments and videos from her career, and engages with an “assessment” of her work that an artificial intelligence chat bot generated by drawing on public writings about her music and its message. This in-depth discussion is the newest installment of “Mavericks with Ari Melber,” a series of interviews with artists, musicians and cultural icons (Aired in 2023) 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.

April 10, 2026; 6pm; The U.S. is preparing for a new round of peace talks in Pakistan. MS NOW’s Ari Melber reports on the latest developments in the Iran war and is joined by Max Boot, a senior fellow for national security studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on AI, labor, and humanity, and is joined by The Atlantic’s Thomas Chatterton Williams and Jelani Cobb, dean of Columbia University’s School of Journalism. 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.

April 9, 2026; 6pm; President Trump lashes out, issuing new threats toward Iran despite the current ceasefire. Plus, Melania Trump makes a rare public statement, denying any association with Jeffrey Epstein or knowledge of his crimes. And, hear MS NOW's Ari Melber's special report on Jay-Z’s legendary career. 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.

In this podcast extra, news anchor and music journalist Ari Melber delivers a special report on Jay-Z’s life & career, drawing on the rapper’s dense lyrics, his classic albums “Reasonable Doubt” and “The Blueprint,” and original reporting on the history, culture and politics informing how those albums resonate today — amid their anniversaries and the Yankee Stadium shows. From New York’s poverty and crime in the 1990s to today’s promises of a better future by tech and business elites, the report probes the rigged stakes and double standards facing working people and hip hop. Melber has reported extensively on hip hop on his program, “The Beat,” including a 2022 breakdown of a Jay Z verse that the rapper released as “Hov Did.” 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.

April 8, 2026; 6pm; Ambassador Dennis Ross, a leading expert on Middle East affairs, joins MS NOW’s Ari Melber to break down the latest developments in the Iran war. Plus, new warning signs for Republicans as Democrats gain momentum heading into the midterms. 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.

April 7, 2026; 6pm; President Trump posted on his social media site that he will suspend his threatened attacks on Iran for two weeks. MS NOW'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.