Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition: Can Dems Retake Congress – or Will the Trump Effect Help the GOP Defy History?

Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition: Can Dems Retake Congress – or Will the Trump Effect Help the GOP Defy History?

Author: NBC News September 12, 2026 Duration: 38:46
Midterm elections usually shake up power in Washington – and Democrats are hoping that will hold true in November. But will the "Trump effect" change that calculus? Welcome to Here’s the Scoop, Election Edition. Every Saturday until Election Day, NBC News Chief White House Correspondent Garrett Haake will bring on newsmakers to discuss the themes, issues and key players shaping the 2026 midterms. This week, Garrett’s looking at how Republicans and Democrats are positioning themselves to keep or take control of Congress next year, respectively, and he's speaking with two people at the crux of those decisions: former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair and California Democratic congressman Pete Aguilar. Blair left the West Wing to run President Donald Trump’s super PAC, MAGA Inc. He’s got $400 million to spend, a president itching to hit the campaign trail and a plan to keep Republican majorities in Washington for two more years. Meanwhile, Aguilar’s role as chair of the House Democratic Caucus means he’s in charge of crafting the party's message as it faces tough polling, deeper GOP coffers and new congressional maps.

For decades, the Sunday morning conversation that defines the week in Washington has been Meet the Press. This audio edition, from NBC News, brings that essential dialogue directly to you, extending its legacy beyond the screen. Anchored by Kristen Welker, the Sunday program sets the standard with in-depth interviews and rigorous roundtable discussions featuring the nation's most influential lawmakers, journalists, and thinkers. But the conversation doesn't wait for the weekend. The Meet the Press podcast also incorporates "Meet the Press NOW," the daily analysis that breaks down the latest developments from Capitol Hill, the campaign trail, and the White House as they happen. It’s where the headlines meet context and political strategy gets unpacked. Tuning in means hearing the questions that hold power to account and the analysis that cuts through the noise. This is more than a recording of a broadcast; it's a curated audio experience for anyone who wants to understand the forces shaping American life. You'll find a mix of the Sunday show's comprehensive depth and the weekday program's timely urgency, all designed for listening on the go. In a crowded media landscape, this podcast remains a cornerstone for authoritative news, sharp commentary, and the politics that matter.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Meet the Press
Podcast Episodes
Meet the Press NOW — August 31 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:16
President Trump says the U.S. strikes on Iran are part of a “very limited” campaign. Oil industry expert John Kilduff explains new U.S. oil deal with Venezuela. The Supreme Court allows the White House ballroom construct…
Aug. 30 — Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Jim Clyburn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:19
Kristen Welker has exclusive interviews with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.). Lanhee Chen, Adrienne Elrod, Sahil Kapur and Amna Nawaz join the roundtable.
Meet the Press NOW — August 28 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:52
The war with Iran hits the six-month mark. Democratic House candidate Chris Backemeyer discusses his campaign to unseat Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.). The Trump administration appeals an order blocking postal service regulati…
Meet the Press NOW — August 27 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:50
President Trump heads to Texas with less than 10 weeks until the midterms as his administration faces economic headwinds tied to his escalating trade war with Canada and his prolonged war with Iran. The death toll from t…
Meet the Press NOW — August 26 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:24
NBC News’ Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki analyzes how Trump-endorsed candidates performed in South Carolina and Oklahoma primary races. Meta agrees to settle a multi-state lawsuit over social media addiction. South Ca…
Meet the Press NOW — August 25 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:54
Iconic country music legend Dolly Parton dies at the age of 80. Canada’s Minister for U.S.-Canada Trade Dominic LeBlanc joins Meet the Press NOW after Ottawa announced retaliatory tariffs. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Ste…
Meet the Press NOW — August 24 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:43
President Trump launches a multi-front economic war threatening secondary sanctions on countries that do business with Iran while also escalating the tariff war with Canada. The debate over data centers becomes a key iss…
Aug. 23 — Sens. Tim Scott and Chris Van Hollen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:29
Kristen Welker has exclusive interviews with Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). Leigh Ann Caldwell, Ashley Etienne, Matt Gorman and Ryan Nobles join the roundtable.
Meet the Press NOW — August 21 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:57
Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the Trump administration’s handling of the economy. President Trump travels to campaign with Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) as she faces qu…
Meet the Press NOW — August 20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:52
Angie Nixon joins Meet the Press NOW after winning an upset in the Florida Senate Democratic primary. Attorney General Todd Blanche talks about 2028 with NBC News' Jon Allen at the Iowa State Fair. A focus group shares t…