Meet the Press NOW — July 18

President Trump orders the release of some Jeffrey Epstein grand jury records following backlash from the MAGA base and threatens to sue The Wall Street Journal over its reporting. Three deputies were killed in an explosion at a sheriff’s training facility in Los Angeles. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan discusses his independent bid to be the next governor of Michigan.

The White House looks to move past the growing calls for the Department of Justice to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. NPR’s CEO Katherine Maher joins Meet the Press NOW to describe the likely impacts of the spending cuts to public broadcasting as the House prepares to vote on the rescissions package. Senate and Governors Editor for The Cook Political Report Jessica Taylor explains the state of play in the 2026 Senate matchups.

President Trump lashes out at his “past supporters” as both Democratic and Republican lawmakers join his MAGA base in its demand for the release of the Jeffery Epstein files. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) explains how Republicans will sell the president’s domestic policy legislation. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) addresses her confrontation with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his decision to replace all the members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel.

President Trump travels to battleground Pennsylvania to tout new investments in artificial intelligence while also trying to drum up support for his sweeping domestic agenda. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss the Dignity Act, a new bipartisan legislation she co-sponsored with Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) that would allow some undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status. NBC News Correspondent Vaughn Hillyard is on the ground in Tucson, Arizona ahead of a special election primary to fill the seat of late Congressman Raúl Grijalva.

President Trump announces a new weapons deal to arm Ukraine. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor discusses President Trump's growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Union delays retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after the White House unveils 30% tariff rate against the E.U. and Mexico.   

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joins Meet the Press following deadly flooding in Texas. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) reacts to President Trump’s tax and spending bill becoming law. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) discusses how Democrats may campaign on the law’s impact in the midterms. Adrienne Elrod, Sahil Kapur, Tyler Pager and Marc Short join the roundtable.

Listen to Friday’s episode of Here’s the Scoop, the new daily news podcast from NBC News. In this episode, we have an interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker on her recent phone call with President Trump.Click below to follow the podcast on your favorite platform and add it to your evening routine:Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon Music

President Trump visits Texas to survey the damage from deadly floods. President Trump doubles down on his tariff threat in an exclusive interview with Kristen Welker. NBC News National Security Reporter Gordon Lubold discusses President Trump teasing an announcement on Russia and a new weapons deal with NATO.

President Trump is struggling to make good on several key promises including ending the war in Ukraine and fulfilling his trade agenda. Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) discusses how his state is recovering from the catastrophic flooding. A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking President Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.

The death toll rises in Texas as local officials face intensifying questions about their response to the floods. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) speaks with NBC News following his vote to pass President Trump’s tax and spending plan despite opposing its cuts to Medicaid. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) shares his thoughts on the state of the Republican Party and his decision to not to seek re-election in the House.