Meet the Press NOW — August 31

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

The Republican midterm convention wraps up in Dallas as President Trump tries to rally his base with a promise of a $5,000 dividend if the GOP keeps control of Congress. Meanwhile, the GOP loses a major redistricting battle in Missouri after the Supreme Court blocked the use of a new map. Former White House chiefs of staff Andy Card and Leon Panetta join Meet the Press NOW to discuss their mission to “not let America forget” the terror attacks of Sept. 11 after 25 years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amid record fuel prices, President Donald Trump travels to Dallas to headline the first-ever Republican midterm convention. Following New Hampshire’s primary elections, NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki previews where the Senate race is headed. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) discusses the competitive Senate race in his state. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Republicans are set to gather in Dallas for their midterm convention even as President Trump is facing political headwinds ahead of November. NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki previews the key primaries in New Hampshire. Karishma Manzur (D-N.H.) and Scott Brown (R-N.H.) join Meet the Press NOW to discuss their bid to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kristen Welker has exclusive interviews with Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.). Steve Kornacki breaks down a new NBC News Decision Desk Poll on artificial intelligence and data centers. Matt Gorman, Steve Ricchetti, Julie Tsirkin and Amy Walter join the roundtable.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The judge in the Lindsay Clancy case formally declares a mistrial. The Missouri Supreme Court overturns the state's redrawn congressional map that was used during the primary election earlier this year. South Dakota Senate candidate Brian Bengs (I) joins Meet the Press NOW as he seeks to become the first independent senator in his state’s history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Vice President Vance briefs the press and defends the administration’s handling of the war with Iran. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) joins Meet the Press NOW to react to President Trump saying he will hit the campaign trail for Republicans ahead of the midterms. The lead defense attorney in the trial of Lindsay Clancy calls for one of the jurors to be removed as the judge orders the jury to continue deliberations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Massachusetts judge in Lindsay Clancy’s murder trial instructs the deadlocked jury to return for a fifth day of deliberations. Outgoing Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss Republicans’ odds heading into the midterm elections. NBC News’ Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki explains how some longtime Democratic lawmakers in Massachusetts bucked national trends by defeating younger opponents. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss rising oil and gas prices as the U.S. launches new strikes on Iran. An anonymous whistleblower warns technical system the U.S. Postal Service built for mail in voting in flawed and untested. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Patrick Roath (D-Mass.) discuss their bid to unseat longtime incumbents and their calls for generational change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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 construction to continue. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian woman and members of an NBC News team reporting in the West Bank amid a rise in settler violence in the occupied territory. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.