'Historic debacle': Trump sets new standard for poor presidential performance; Americans displeased

Rachel Maddow reviews the cast of characters that staff important national security roles in the Trump administration, and whose lack of qualifications for their jobs matters even more now that Donald Trump's bombing of Iran has raised the threat level for Americans everywhere in the world.

Rachel Maddow shows that despite Donald Trump's admonitions against protesting, and despite physical threats from local law enforcement, and despite genuine public safety concerns, Americans would not be denied their right to protest against Donald Trump and came out by the millions on Saturday for "No Kings" marches and rallies.

Rachel Maddow points out that the most important story of our era is not what Donald Trump is trying to do, but what the American people will allow him to do. Maddow notes that pushback works against Trump's authoritarian overreach, and the fact that Trump skipped ahead to the last resort of calling in the military against protesters in Los Angeles is a sign of his weakness, his lack of ideas, and his lack of political skills to turn his plummeting popularity around.

Rachel Maddow looks at fresh examples of communities across the United States rallying in defense of local immigrants being hunted by ICE agents, and notes that while Trump was open during the campaign about his policy of cruelty to immigrants, his expectation that Americans would support him in that cruelty was clearly misplaced.

Who are The Best People? They’re the people who are the best at what they do and know how to bring out the best in others. On her new podcast, Nicolle Wallace speaks to the people who inspire her. As a mom. As an American. Or sometimes just as a super fan. In the first episode, she sits down with actor Jason Bateman. His show “Smartless,” which he co-hosts with Will Arnett and Sean Hayes, is the podcast that inspired her to do her own. On this special preview, Bateman shares his journey into podcasting and reflects on the political climate that gives him endless fodder for conversation. Search “The Best People with Nicolle Wallace” to listen to the full episode and to catch new episodes every Monday. Or sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to get early access on Fridays. Signing up for Premium also includes ad-free listening and bonus content.

On her new podcast, “The Best People,” Nicolle Wallace sits down with the smartest, funniest, wisest people she knows. These are the people who are the best at what they do and use their success to help others.  Hear from some of the biggest names in politics, sports, and entertainment; people such as Jason Bateman, Rachel Maddow, Sarah Jessica Parker, Doc Rivers, and Kara Swisher.  New episodes drop on Mondays, beginning June 2nd. And you can sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts to get early access, ad-free listening, and bonus content.

Rachel Maddow considers how the history of the Trump era will be written and how the defense of democracy and resistance to Trump authoritarianism will be seen as having a wide range of motivations, reflecting the breadth of Trump's catastrophe but also the consistency of America's defenders across demographics and interests.  

Dr. David Kessler had previously described for Rachel Maddow how Donald Trump benefitted from the federal medical establishment in surviving a sever case of Covid, only to make drastic cuts to that institution, including firing the doctor responsible for Trump being able to receive his Covid treatment. Now Dr. Kessler returns to point out that Trump's medical records show another benefit of the federal medical system, and again he is cutting the very thing that has helped improve his health.

Donald Trump is eager to fill out his autocratic profile with a display of military might in the form of a military parade. Anti-Trump activists are planning mass protests across the United States to make sure Trump  Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, talks with Rachel Maddow about the effects protests are having on the Trump administration and the importance of local activism.

Rachel Maddow reviews the many ways in which Donald Trump has made history with the first 100 days of his second term, though none of these achievements are anything to be proud of, and Americans are growing increasingly vocal about their displeasure.