Advertise on podcast: State of Play with Peter Alexander

October 1, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander previews a critical campaign trip for President Trump in Texas where his hand-picked candidate Ken Paxton has been unable to separate from Democrat James Talarico in the polls. Plus, Congressman James Walkinshaw highlights Democrats' concerns with the president's actions and priorities as fellow members of the Oversight Committee make a plan of action for potential investigations. Also, a retired U.S. Army Colonel who attended a protest against the Trump Arch details the growing frustration with the project among the military community.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 30, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander sits down with Senator Amy Klobuchar to talk through the moment at Tuesday's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that put her colleague Senator Eric Schmitt on defense. Plus, District Attorney  Matthew Van Houten delivers the latest details on the renewed investigation into a 2024 rape allegation on the Cornell University campus. Also, New York Congressman Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, reacts to the Mideast flight diversion after a stunning altercation inside the plane.   Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 29, 2026: Peter Alexander and the panel react as former Special Counsel Jack Smith faces questioning from the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning.For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 28, 2026: Ali Vitali fills in for Peter Alexander on this edition of State of Play. First, a panel of campaign strategists discuss the Republican Party’s complicated messaging after the Trump administration used taxpayer dollars to fund a six-figure campaign ad. The top Democrat on the Armed Services committee, Rep. Adam Smith, weighs-in on the President’s alleged offer to sell weapons to China and responds to the White House’s claims that Trump’s new campaign ad is a “PSA” message. Plus, new concerns this morning whether the FBI is prioritizing personal interests over protecting the American people. And the legal battle between the White House and MS NOW, CNN, and Politico is far from over.  Ali Vitali is joined by a former federal prosecutor and the co-host of “The Weekend”  to unpack Attorney General Todd Blanche’s comments this weekend. Also, record-high diesel prices could deliver Democrats their first Iowa Governor’s race in two decades.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 25, 2026: President Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House for a multi-day summit. Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu of California reacts to Trump rolling out the red carpet for the Chinese leader. MS NOW reporters share an inside look at trying to regain access to the White House and former White House Deputy Press Secretary in President Trump's first term, Sarah Matthews, weighs in on the president’s relationship with the press. Plus, breaking news out of the Supreme Court. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 24, 2026: President Trump welcomes Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House for his first visit to Washington in more than a decade. Former CIA Director John Brennan and former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul join Peter to discuss the summit and the state of U.S.-China relations. Plus, reporters from MS NOW, CNN and Politico were turned away from the White House this morning despite a federal judge ordering the administration to restore their access. After being denied access to the White House, Laura Barrón-López was among the first journalists to regain access and joins Peter on State of Play to discuss her experience.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 23, 2026: ‘State of Play’ takes a deep dive into the government’s arguments in the case over the ban on the free press. MS NOW legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins Peter Alexander to discuss today's court hearing. Meanwhile, the White House is planning a lavish summit to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper reacts. And with just 41 days until Election Day, some Republican candidates are breaking with the president. Democratic Kansas Senate candidate Adam Hamilton hopes to end a nearly 100-year losing streak. He discusses his race. Plus, a closer look at President Trump's projects in the nation's capital and how a group that assists crime victims is preparing to grapple with federal funding cuts. For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 22, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander gets fresh reaction to President Trump's speech before the United Nations General Assembly from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Plus, a Republican senator wants to know how deep Donald Trump Jr's ties are to the Russian oligarch who bankrolled his wedding weekend. Also, the free press fight sparked by the White House’s ban of journalists heads to court. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 21, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Luke Russert speaks with MS Now Senior Washington reporter and former White House Correspondents Association President Eugene Daniels about President Trump's latest clash with news organizations. Plus, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) weighs in on the President's defense of his proposed arch that will have a major impact on the surrounding area. Also, Editor at the Insider, Michael Weiss, previews this week’s U.N. General Assembly, where allies and adversaries are anxiously awaiting the President's remarks.    for more. follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 19, 2026: The White House denied entry to reporters from MS NOW, CNN and Politico on Saturday, stripping their press credentials amid President Trump’s media ban. Peter Alexander is joined by Rachel Maddow for a special edition of State of Play examining the First Amendment implications and what this unprecedented moment means for the press and the public’s access to information.For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow. Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sept. 18, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy, about the President's push to rename the Kennedy Center and her brother's impact on America's health. Plus, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) discusses early voting in his state and what's at stake for the country at the ballot box. Also, Elise Jordan shares what she learned from Maine voters in her new focus group.   Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 17, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander tackles the latest drama for House Republicans and the Pentagon with MS Now's Ali Vitali and Mark Hertling. Plus, California Congressman Jared Huffman reacts to more confusion and concerns surrounding the Kennedy Center. Also, Professor Justin Wolfers breaks down the cash crunch families are facing due to persistent inflation and an ongoing war with Iran.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 16, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander speaks with acclaimed actress and activist Ashley Judd on the backlash over the surge in Artificial Intelligence and how a unique bipartisan coalition is forming to spark change. Plus, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal discusses growing bipartisan pessimism over the Iran war in Congress as the price tag reaches $38B. Also, former Congressman Cedric Richmond looks ahead to the midterms as democrats plot a closing strategy.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 14, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews author Stephen Witt and Senator Angela Alsobrooks on growing national concerns over AI's accelerating growth. Plus, a new report links Donald Trump Junior and a Russian oligarch through a lavish wedding. Also, a racist social media post sparks fiery reaction among Texas lawmakers.  For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

September 11th, 2026 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander looks back on September 11th 2001 and the impact it had on the nation after 25 years with former CIA Director John Brennan, "The Briefing" host Jen Psaki, presidential historian Julian Zelizer and Jude Coke, a video producer with stunning footage from the Pentagon after the attacks.  Sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts to listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.