CNN Politics

Colleges and universities are still dealing with the political fallout of last spring’s campus protests and encampments. It’s a political fight that’s led to the ouster of high-profile university presidents and generated national debate and even Congressional hearings. Audie talks with Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University, about how campus protests over Gaza offer a lens on wider arguments about academic freedom. And we hear the perspective of Sam Hilton, a Wesleyan student and executive editor of the student newspaper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are back on the trail after 67 million people watched Tuesday's debate. They're aiming to mobilize voters in crucial battleground states as polls show this is a race that will be won by incredibly narrow margins. Plus: Dana talks to a top Harris campaign adviser about their plans to reach those still-undecided voters. And: The attorney general issues a stark warning about threats against the DOJ. While he didn't name names, it's pretty clear where he thinks those threats are coming from.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: The Harris campaign is pushing to get back on the debate stage while Donald Trump claims he won and doesn't need a round two. His advisors may disagree. We have the highlights, the fallout, and the fact checks from what may be voters' last chance to see the candidates faceoff before heading to the polls. Plus: The biggest star on the planet says she's a "childless cat lady" who won't "leave a blank space on her ballot." But will Swifties follow her lead and vote for Kamala Harris? And: 23 years ago today our country changed forever. On this 9/11 we bring you live tributes as we remember the thousands of Americans killed in the deadliest terror attack on US soil.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: Just hours from now, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump will face off in a debate that could define the final weeks of this deadlocked presidential race. We have new reporting on both candidates' tactics on this crucial night. Plus: Nikki Haley is offering some blunt advice for the Republican ticket that needs to narrow the gender gap, but will Donald Trump fall into too-familiar habits tonight? And: CNN is asking undecided voters in must-win Pennsylvania what they want to hear on the debate stage. One person's tip: Tell us what you're going to do, not what the other person has done wrong.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: As Kamala Harris and Donald Trump get ready for their first - and perhaps only - face-to-face meeting before votes are cast, we break down how the candidates are preparing for tomorrow's debate. Plus: The Harris campaign is clearly trying to get into Donald Trump's head, releasing a new ad featuring his former vice president, defense secretary, and national security adviser all explaining why they think their old boss is unfit for a second term. And: A video promoting former First Lady Melania Trump's new memoir claims there are "efforts to silence" her husband. Could this be a sign of more campaign comments or even appearances to come, or just a clever marketing tool?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Face to face. With Harris and Trump set to square off, two pollsters break down brand new numbers this morning. Our panel dives into the preparations and how they could go on the offense. Who will come out on top? Plus, on the trail. Manu goes one on one with both candidates in a key race that could decide control of the Senate. And upping the ante. Who the betting markets think will have the upper hand Tuesday? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On CNN’s State of the Union, Former 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg joins Dana to discuss how he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris should handle Republican attacks over the Afghanistan withdrawal. Then, Dana presses Sen. Tom Cotton on the Georgia school shooting and DOJ allegations of Russian support for right-wing media. Next, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman joins Dana to provide insight into what rural Pennsylvania voters want in the 2024 presidential race. After that, the panel digs into how Donald Trump and Kamala Harris should prepare for their first face-to-face debate. Finally, Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock asks, "Why does this keep happening here?" after the tragic shooting at a Georgia high school and the politics of guns in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 2024 presidential race has reached a key turning point. Labor Day has passed, Election Day is just over eight weeks away, and the presidential nominees are set to face off on the debate stage in just a few days. New battleground state polls by CNN this week showed a very tight race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Stuart Stevens is a former Republican consultant who worked on George W. Bush and Mitt Romney’s presidential campaigns. He’s now an author and an advisor to the Lincoln Project — a group opposed to Donald Trump’s candidacy. He joins CNN Political Director David Chalian to discuss the state of the race. They talk potential strategies for next week’s debate, the sprint to Election Day and why Stevens thinks this race won’t be as close as many people predict.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump was back in a New York City courtroom today where his lawyers pushed a federal appeals panel to throw out the jury verdict that found him liable of sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. Following his appearance, Trump launched a verbal attack on Carroll and several other women who have accused him of sexual assault or sexual misconduct over the past several decades.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

First: In a surprise, Hunter Biden offers to change his plea to avoid a trial in his federal tax evasion case, moments before jury selection was scheduled to begin. Plus: A crucial hearing wraps up in the federal case against Donald Trump for trying to overturn the last election. And: The former president unveils a new economic policy.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices