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 19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
The latest set of primaries in Florida, Alaska and Wyoming bring mixed results for Democrats and for President Trump. Former Republican lawmaker David Jolly, now running as a Democrat, discusses his bid for Florida gover…
Meet the Press NOW — August 18 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:17
Voters are heading to the polls for primaries across Alaska, Wyoming, California and Florida. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki previews the key races. NBC News Senior National Politics Reporter Jon Allen hits t…
Meet the Press NOW — August 17 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
The 60-day window for talks between the U.S. and Iran expires with little progress towards ending the war. NBC News Senior National Politics Reporter Jon Allen hits the road as part of his Drive to Decision Day series to…
Aug. 16  — AG Todd Blanche, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Ro Khanna [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:24
Kristen Welker interviews newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). Sara Fagen, Jonathan Martin and former Sec. Jeh Johnson join the roun…
Meet the Press NOW — August 14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:49
President Trump says he will declare the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory as the war with Iran takes a growing toll on troops, weapons and wallets. Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) discusses his re-election campaign in a distri…
Meet the Press NOW — August 13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:54
Democratic primary winners David Crowley (D-Wis.) and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D-Minn.) join Meet the Press NOW to discuss the road ahead to November’s midterms. Former CDC official Dr. Demetre Daskalakis explains why so…
Meet the Press NOW — August 12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:59
Democrats continue to grapple with divisions inside their party after the latest round of primaries. Democratic nominee for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District Luke Bronin joins after unseating a longtime incumbent…
Meet the Press NOW — August 11 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:53
The fight between progressives and establishment Democrats is on full display as voters cast their ballots in primary races across six states. New details emerge about an elaborate plot to sneak President Trump off Air F…
Meet the Press NOW — August 10 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:52
Voters are getting ready to cast votes in primary races across six states where the fight between progressives and the establishment Democrats is once again on the ballot. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (D) discusses…
Aug. 9 — Abdul El-Sayed, Sen. Jim Banks and Sen. Chris Murphy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:25
Kristen Welker interviews the new Democratic Senate nominee in Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed, Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Former Rep. Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.), former Rep. Val Demings (D-Fla.) and…