

The Weeknight
MS NOW, Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, Symone Sanders Townsend
Alicia Menendez, Michael Steele, and Symone Sanders-Townsend's one-on-one conversations with politicians and newsmakers, and the breaking issues of the day.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 19, 2025 • 42min
The Weeknight June 18 7p: “Self-Coup”
Former Republican Communications Director Tara Setmayer and Corey Brettschneider, co-host of “The Oath and the Office” podcast join The Weeknight to discuss the Democratic Leadership’s response to Trump’s authoritarian tactics. Plus, Rep. Eric Swalwell weighs in on defense Secretary Pete Hegseth being grilled by Senate Democrats today.
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.

Jun 18, 2025 • 42min
The Weeknight June 17 7p: “How Do We Move Forward?”
Following his own clash with federal officers last week, Sen. Alex Padilla joins The Weeknight to discuss the arrest of NYC Mayoral candidate Brad Lander, and the dangerous pattern of Trump’s use of force against public officials. Plus, as Trump refuses to call Gov. Tim Walz in the wake of the deadly attack on Minnesota Democrats, the hosts break down the escalation of political violence in America, and how the Republican habit of fanning the flames of culture wars is putting real people in danger.
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.

Jun 17, 2025 • 41min
The Weeknight June 16 8p: “Something Is Broken”
After deadly political violence over the weekend, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan joins to remember her friend, State Rep. Melissa Hortman. And as the Trump Administration flip-flops on its policy of when and where to carry out mass deportations, former DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano joins The Weeknight to explain the real-life capabilities and limits of ICE.
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.

Jun 17, 2025 • 43min
The Weeknight June 16 7p: “Testing the American Public”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joins The Weeknight to describe her city’s ongoing fight against Trump’s troop deployment – and the new deportation threats the president is making. Plus, after millions rallied against authoritarianism amid a military parade and deadly political violence in Minnesota, Sen. Chris Coons joins to discuss the backlash to Trump.
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.

Jun 14, 2025 • 43min
The Weeknight June 13 7p: “Stalinesque”
Rep. Eugene Vindman, member of the House Armed Services Committee, joins The Weeknight to break down Trump’s increasing authoritarian tendencies ahead of his military parade this weekend, and the expected protests around the country. Plus, Iran retaliated for Israeli strikes with ballistic missiles in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes joins The Weeknight to discuss what the escalating violence means for the region – as well as the U.S.
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.

Jun 13, 2025 • 40min
The Weeknight June 12 7p: “Sad Day for America”
Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy joins The Weeknight to react to his colleague, Sen. Alex Padilla, being forcibly removed from and handcuffed at a press conference held by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Plus, Rep. LaMonica McIver is facing three counts of “forcibly impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers” after a grand jury indicted her for an altercation outside of an ICE facility in New Jersey last month. She joins for her first primetime appearance since the charges were announced.
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.

Jun 12, 2025 • 42min
The Weeknight June 11 7p: “Morally Rotten”
Sen. Tammy Baldwin, one of the Senate Democrats who grilled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the Trump administration’s rationale for sending National Guard members and active-duty Marines into Los Angeles. joins The Weeknight. Plus, we are just days away from Trump getting his cherished military parade. Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins to contextualize Trump’s show of military power. And Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove sits at the table to break down the President’s escalating use of force on protesters – and the real reason behind his tactics.
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.

Jun 11, 2025 • 42min
The Weeknight June 10 7p: “Long, Terrible Chapter”
California officials have asked a federal judge to limit Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles. Marc Elias, founder of Democracy Docket, joins The Weeknight to break down what’s at stake. Plus, Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California joins to respond to breaking news.
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.

Jun 10, 2025 • 43min
The Weeknight June 9 8p: Trump vs. California
Today, the state of California sued the Trump administration for deploying the state’s National Guard to quell protests in Los Angeles. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the state, joins The Weeknight to discuss the state’s fight against Trump. Plus, New reporting suggests Elon Musk's DOGE installed Starlink at the White House – despite warnings about potential security breaches. Rep. Melanie Stansbury – who has called DOGE a “scam on the American people” – joins The Weeknight table to react to the news and the Trump-Musk feud.
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.

Jun 10, 2025 • 42min
The Weeknight June 9 7p: "Existential Moment"
Today, the state of California sued the Trump administration for deploying the state’s National Guard to quell protests in Los Angeles. MSNBC Political Analyst Cornell Belcher and Patrick Gaspard of the Center for American Progress join The Weeknight to discuss Trump's military response to the L.A. protests. Plus, advisors for The Cost Coalition discuss a potential crisis for the U.S. economy.
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.


