The Beat with Ari Melber

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Thursday, February 20, and reports on Donald Trump's Supreme Court strategy, Mitch McConnell's retirement, and Kash Patel's Senate Confirmation. Plus, Chris Hayes joins for an extended interview on how lessons from his 2012 book “Twilight of the Elites” are relevant today. Ankush Khardori, and Michael Steele also join.

In this podcast extra, MSNBC anchor and attorney Ari Melber reports on the data on gender and racial diversity across U.S. institutions, providing a factual and historical lens for recent attacks on diversity programs and recruitment -- which are often heated and sometimes misleading. The report rigorously compares asserted claims about qualifications and merit by some critics of "DEI" programs with Trump's hiring approach in his second term. Melber also discusses legitimate, long running debates about affirmative action policy to misleading claims about the facts on diverse representation in Congress and top corporations, and efforts to misuse the policy debate for political ends or to stoke racial division. Plus, listen to Melber's 2017 conversation with Vanita Gupta and Ilya Shapiro, as well as his 2018 discussion with Alice Walker.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, February 19, and reports on Trump and Musk's new interview and plans for DOGE. Plus, Melber delivers a special report on the latest attacks on DEI. Juanita Tolliver and Michael Missal join.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Tuesday, February 18, and reports on the FDA, Donald Trump's DOJ crisis and immigration. Josh Marshall, April Ryan, Brendan Ballou and Amb. Michael McFaul join.

In this engaging discussion, comedian Chris Kattan, known for his iconic roles on Saturday Night Live, reflects on the show's immense cultural influence. He shares behind-the-scenes anecdotes, highlights defining sketches, and examines how SNL has shaped modern humor and political commentary. The conversation also touches on the ongoing controversies surrounding the DOJ and Eric Adams, showcasing the intersection of comedy and serious societal issues. Kattan's insights reveal the power of laughter in navigating challenging topics.

David Kelley, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, discusses the wave of high-profile resignations within the Justice Department and the pressures stemming from the Trump administration. He analyzes the implications of political influence on judicial integrity and raises ethical concerns over resignations tied to corruption allegations against New York officials. The conversation also touches on the cultural impact of hip-hop and fashion as forms of resistance against political turmoil, showcasing how art reflects societal challenges.

Ashley Hayek, a former Trump campaign director and current president of America First Works, and Bill de Blasio, the former mayor of NYC, dive into the contentious world of Trump's DOJ picks. They discuss the balance between personal loyalty and legal integrity in judicial appointments, as well as the fallout of dropped corruption charges involving political figures. The conversation highlights the growing tensions between local governance and federal power, emphasizing the need for accountability and the implications of political maneuvering on the rule of law.

MSNBC's Ari Melber hosts "The Beat" on Monday, February 10, and reports on a federal judge's ruling that the Trump administration failed to comply with a court order to release billions in federal grants. Melber also reports on Elon Musk and presents a special report on federalism. Juanita Tolliver and Eugene Robinson join.