State of Play with Peter Alexander

Iran conflict & Primary preview

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:21:39 +0000

Peter Alexander interviews former White House National Security Communications Director John Kirby about new and concerning military escalation on both sides of the U.S.-Iran war. Plus, Massachusetts Democratic Congressional candidate Patrick Roath joins to preview his primary matchup against Congressman Stephen Lynch. Also, a deep dive into the Trump administration's new program to secure the U.S. government as an investor in the Venezuelan oil trade.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Six Months of War With Iran

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:49:29 +0000

8/28 11 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander unpacks six months of the war with Iran with Democratic Congressman and veteran Jason Crow and former CIA Director John Brennan. Plus, 63 years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, thousands of people took to Washington today for a rally to defend voting rights. NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clark reflects on the erosion of the progress made in the last six decades. Peter speaks with the Premier of Nova Scotia about President Trump renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America” and the underlying trade war. And: according to a grand jury report, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration misappropriated $10 million that was set aside for children’s health care in Florida – using it to advance his political priorities instead.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The USS Lincoln latest and flash floods

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:30:12 +0000

8/25 11 a.m. ET: President Trump confronts his party and legacy as the midterms approach. He reposted a list of grievances on Truth Social as he travels to Texas to boost Ken Paxton in the race for the Texas Senate seat. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) join Peter to discuss Trump and the upcoming midterms. Plus, the Navy sailor who jumped off the USS Lincoln is facing disciplinary charges. While Air Force Major Jason Watson, who called for Trump’s impeachment, is facing criminal charges. Chris Mutimer, the lawyer representing Watson, sits down with Peter to discuss the charges. More than 1,000 people are still missing after a collapsed glacier caused flash flooding along the Nepal-Tibet border. Plus, the FDA approves a new pancreatic cancer drug that has been shown to nearly double survival rates among patients.

For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

U.S. Troops’ Concerns and Remembering Dolly Parton

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 16:50:53 +0000

8/26 11 a.m. ET: A growing number of U.S. service members in Iran are looking to leave the military, citing moral conflicts. MS Now’s Priya Sridhar has that reporting. Peter Alexander remembers the music legend Dolly Parton with American documentarian Ken Burns, who interviewed Dolly in his 2019 documentary “Country Music.” Plus, Senator Darline Graham won the Republican senate runoff in South Carolina – after President Trump went all in — but it wasn’t a landslide. Peter breaks down the power of the President’s endorsement this midterm cycle with former White House Legislative Affairs Director Marc Short. Canadians speak out against President Trump’s escalating trade war. And Meta just settled a landmark social media addiction case. Massachusetts Democratic Senator Ed Markey weighs-in and discusses his upcoming Senate primary race.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mail-in voting and a trade war

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 16:17:46 +0000

8/25 11 a.m. ET: The Supreme Court released a ruling saying President Trump can restrict mail-in ballots through an executive order he signed earlier this year. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) joins Peter to discuss the ruling and mail-in voting in her own state. Plus, Canada announces retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. after Trump's sweeping new tariffs on Canadian goods. Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen talks about the trickle down effects of tariffs on the American economy. Plus, voters head to the polls in South Carolina where Sen. Darline Graham and Rep. Ralph Norman face off in the GOP Senate primary runoff. American ranchers criticize Trump over his plan to import ground beef tariff free over the next three months. President Trump keeps making money in office. Peter looks at a June financial disclosure showing the president’s stock portfolio.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Iran sanctions and a private meeting

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 17:17:19 +0000

8/24 11 a.m. ET: Iran’s currency falls to a record low after the U.S. announced its latest threat against Iran: an “economic D-Day.” Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Peter to talk about the latest on the Iran war and more. The New York Times reports Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met privately in NYC to discuss common ground as the midterm elections approach. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) weighs in on that meeting and the U.S.-Canada trade war. Plus, the Pentagon fired three journalists from a military news outlet over allegations of “insubordination.” One of those journalists joins Peter to discuss her experience. Thousands of people in Indiana have now gone two weeks without power after a storm hit the region.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

National Security and Trump’s vanity projects

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 16:21:37 +0000

8/21 11 a.m. ET: President Trump heads to South Carolina today while Vice President Vance is in Ohio, both campaigning for the upcoming midterms. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Hegseth focuses on campaigning in Iowa as the U.S. approaches six months of war. New reports coming out of the USS Lincoln reveal just how the conditions got so bad onboard as they head home. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) joins Peter to talk about his own Senate race and the war with Iran. Plus, President Trump continues his bid to leave his mark on D.C. with his latest vanity projects, even as affordability concerns persist. Democrats have a new found hope after reports show the Senate races in Texas and Iowa as toss ups. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA) discusses that and more on the 2026 midterms with Peter. ICE is back in the headlines as a Virginia man says he suffered a brain injury after an encounter with agents.

For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

North Korean missiles and U.S. crosses $40T debt

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 16:51:38 +0000

8/20 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander speaks to two women veterans who have been outspoken about the conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and national security threats in their bid for congressional office. MS Now has exclusive reporting on President Trump’s closest aide, who was working from inside the Oval Office without a security clearance. Michael Cohen is trying to get back into President Trump’s good graces. The journalist who gave Cohen Trump’s number joins Peter on the show today. Plus: the U.S. surpasses $40 trillion dollars of debt. Jared Bernstein, former Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, discusses what this means for future generations.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Primary fallout & Julia Curlee

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:24:41 +0000

8/19 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews David Jolly after his primary victory to hear his plan to win the Florida statehouse after more than a decade of republican superiority. Plus, an in-depth discussion with Julia Curlee, a longtime CIA officer who transitioned during her time working the highest levels of national security for multiple administrations, on how being transgender factored into her firing within the Trump administration. Also, a rough night on the debate stage for Senator Darline Graham raises questions about her political future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Primary day + Trump allies & adversaries

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 16:18:36 +0000

8/18 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews progressive congressional candidate Elijah Manley, who makes his pitch to Florida voters and takes on an incumbent lawmaker in his state's primary. Plus, John Bolton, former White House National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, joins as tensions spike along the Korean Peninsula and the stalemate with Iran continues. Also, the legal battle between Disney-ABC and the Trump administration's FCC enters a critical new phase.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Trump foreign policy & Primary preview

Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:25:40 +0000

8/17 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, about President Trump's threat to "bomb" Oman if the nation "gets in the way" of Iran negotiations. Senator Reed also discussed the conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and the U.S. relationship with South Korea. Plus, Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds enters Tuesday's Florida primary with a key endorsement from the President while facing political headwinds in the form of weakening poll numbers on affordability for his party. Also, a former Justice Department pardon attorney discusses the impact within the agency of Attorney General Todd Blanche's refusal to pledge that the DOJ will act independently of the White House.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Mangione case and a look into the Blanche era of the DOJ

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:34:37 +0000

8/14 11 a.m. ET Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. MS NOW reporter Fallon Gallagher is outside the courthouse bringing live updates. Peter is joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to talk about the state of the democratic party, data centers and his own potential 2028 run. Plus, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee put AG Todd Blanche on notice this morning over DOJ payouts for Trump allies. Senator Adam Schiff weighs in on DOJ oversight in the new Todd Blanche era and Trump’s slush fund.

For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inside the Briefing Room, conditions aboard USS Lincoln, and Trump’s Truth Social

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:08:57 +0000

8/13 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander and MS Now host of “The Briefing” Jen Psaki talk about how communication between the President and the press has changed in Donald Trump’s second term. Plus, exclusive MS Now reporting reveals the shocking conditions aboard the USS Lincoln that are prompting sailors and their families to speak out. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Mark Hertling weighs in, sharing his own experience aboard military ships. Also, President Donald Trump is being sued for his new subscription service charging $100,000 for early access to his Truth Social posts. The plaintiffs in the suit call the President’s plan “blatantly corrupt” and “unconstitutional.” Peter also speaks with Kieran Ramsey, whose organization helped with the release of former American Marine Robert Gilman, who was held by Russia for more than four years.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Primary Takeaways & Trump’s Plane Controversy

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:36:07 +0000

8/12 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander breaks down the latest results from Tuesday’s Primary races with Connecticut’s new Democratic congressional nominee. They discuss what his win means for the Democratic establishment and November’s key midterm races. And former Defense Secretary Mark Esper joins Peter to discuss the Iranian threat that led to President Trump secretly switching planes via a catering truck. Plus, more primary takeaways: Peter is joined by South Carolina’s Democratic nominee Dr. Annie Andrew, who is set to face-off against the winner of the Republican runoff to fill the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s seat. Also, D.C.’s top prosecutor, Jeanine Pirro, is convening a special grand jury according to The Washington Post. The reporter with that exclusive reporting helps us break it all down, and what it could mean for President Trump's biggest targets.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Air Force One, the DOJ’s New Memo and the Primary Races to Watch

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:53:16 +0000

August 11, 2026; 11am: Shuttled off in a catering truck, President Trump secretly switched planes amid Iranian threats after the NATO summit in Turkey. Peter shares his own experience on Air Force One while Washington Post reporter John Hudson and former CIA Director John Brennan discuss the details of the swap. The DOJ releases a new memo that expands the president’s executive privilege on Todd Blanche’s first day as Attorney General. Plus, voters hit the polls today as primaries are happening across six states. Former Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party Ben Wikler and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison join to talk about the races in their states. Peter breaks down the newest executive order issued by President Trump to reshape childhood vaccine schedules.

For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Todd Blanche’s DOJ, the Iran latest, and a look-ahead to Wisconsin primary day

pods@versantmedia.com (PETER ALEXANDER) — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 20:30:43 +0000

Ahead of Todd Blanche’s swearing in as Attorney General today, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales addresses concerns about how Blanche will run the Justice Department and shares what he would like to see from his leadership.

Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the U.S. meets certain demands, as President Trump appears to be shifting his tone. In an interview with Axios, the president said quote "we are low-keying it" with Iran, while talking up economic pressure.
Former White House National Security Communications Advisor and MS NOW National Security Analyst retired Rear Admiral John Kirby, and Jamil Jaffer, former House Intelligence Committee, Senior Counsel and Executive Director of the National Security Institute, weigh in.

New York Times White House Correspondent and co-author of "Regime Change" Maggie Haberman discusses the latest updates coming out of the Trump administration, including Will Scharf being named the new White House Counsel, President Trump's relationship with the GOP, and the latest on the $400m White House ballroom project.

Tomorrow is another primary day. In Wisconsin, gubernatorial hopeful, Democratic socialist Francesca Hong, is the front runner in the primary there... up against three establishment Democrats who are mounting an all-out effort to stop her in the final hours. While in South Carolina - ten Republicans are competing in the special primary to replace late senator Lindsey Graham.

The primary elections in Michigan and Wisconsin are highlighting the divisions within the Democratic party ahead of November's midterms. Michigan's Democratic Attorney General, Dana Nessel, shares what she'd like to hear from Abdul El-Sayed after his victory in the Democratic Senate primary and explain why she won't be attending the party's nominating convention out of fear for her safety.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Introducing State of Play with Peter Alexander

pods@versantmedia.com (PETER ALEXANDER) — Mon, 3 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Catch every episode of your favorite MS NOW shows as podcasts, including "State of Play with Peter Alexander," starting August 10th.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.