State of Play with Peter Alexander
Based in Washington, D.C., this podcast delivers authoritative reporting and thoughtful conversations about the biggest political and national stories of the day. Peter Alexander draws on his trusted experience covering the White House and Washington to provide in-depth analysis. The program aims to help listeners understand not just what is happening, but why it matters. It features interviews and conversations with key figures in government and beyond.
Episodes
Trump UNGA address & Don Jr. inquiry
September 22, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander gets fresh reaction to President Trump's speech before the United Nations General Assembly from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton. Plus, a Republican senator wants to know how deep Donald Trump Jr's ties are to the Russian oligarch who bankrolled his wedding weekend. Also, the free press fight sparked by the
Freedom of the Press
Sept. 19, 2026: The White House denied entry to reporters from MS NOW, CNN and Politico on Saturday, stripping their press credentials amid President Trump’s media ban. Peter Alexander is joined by Rachel Maddow for a special edition of State of Play examining the First Amendment implications and what this unprecedented moment means for the press and the public’s access to information.For more, fo
Free press debate & Arch defense
September 21, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Luke Russert speaks with MS Now Senior Washington reporter and former White House Correspondents Association President Eugene Daniels about President Trump's latest clash with news organizations. Plus, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) weighs in on the President's defense of his proposed arch that will have a major impact on the surrounding area. Also, Editor at
President Trump's plans & Midterm moves
Sept. 18, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews Kerry Kennedy, the daughter of Robert Kennedy, about the President's push to rename the Kennedy Center and her brother's impact on America's health. Plus, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) discusses early voting in his state and what's at stake for the country at the ballot box. Also, Elise Jordan shares what she learned from Maine
House GOP priorities & House Democrats' plans
September 17, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander tackles the latest drama for House Republicans and the Pentagon with MS Now's Ali Vitali and Mark Hertling. Plus, California Congressman Jared Huffman reacts to more confusion and concerns surrounding the Kennedy Center. Also, Professor Justin Wolfers breaks down the cash crunch families are facing due to persistent inflation and an ongoing w
White House concerns & Ashley Judd on AI
September 16, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander speaks with acclaimed actress and activist Ashley Judd on the backlash over the surge in Artificial Intelligence and how a unique bipartisan coalition is forming to spark change. Plus, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal discusses growing bipartisan pessimism over the Iran war in Congress as the price tag reaches $38B. Also, former Congressman Cedr
AI Anxiety & Don Jr. controversy
September 14, 2026; 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews author Stephen Witt and Senator Angela Alsobrooks on growing national concerns over AI's accelerating growth. Plus, a new report links Donald Trump Junior and a Russian oligarch through a lavish wedding. Also, a racist social media post sparks fiery reaction among Texas lawmakers. For more, follow us on Instagram @stateofplaymsnow
Remembering 9/11 25 Years Later
September 11th, 2026 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander looks back on September 11th 2001 and the impact it had on the nation after 25 years with former CIA Director John Brennan, "The Briefing" host Jen Psaki, presidential historian Julian Zelizer and Jude Coke, a video producer with stunning footage from the Pentagon after the attacks.
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Sen. Fetterman and the RNC midterm convention
September 10th, 2026 11 a.m. ET: The RNC midterm convention in Dallas made headlines as President Trump reveals his latest promise: $5000 checks for every American adult if Republicans win the midterms. But the President wasn’t the only one making waves at the convention. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman appeared in a prerecorded video in which he promised to work with President Trump. Rep. Brendan
Previewing Tonight’s Trumpapalooza
9/09 11 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander previews the GOP’s midterm convention in Texas this week. An event that’s supposed to rally support for the base has many Republicans privately wishing it wasn’t happening at all. Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (D-PA) talks about her plans to protest the Trump event. Also, Democratic Congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen joins Peter fresh off her primary win in New
Midterms and the Pentagon’s secret purge
9/08 11 a.m. ET: President Trump speaks this morning during a 9/11 event honoring first responders. As gas prices climb and the president’s approval ratings hit a historic low, Republican candidates face a difficult choice this November. Do they lean into Trump’s messaging or keep their distance? MS NOW cohost of “The Weeknight” Michael Steele joins Peter to discuss Trump’s social media frenzies a
Midterm voting & Pentagon perspectives
Peter Alexander interviews state Attorneys General from Colorado and Minnesota during their fight to preserve voting-by-mail for their constituents. Plus, John Bolton discusses the drama at the Defense Department and what comes next for the President. Also, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver reacts to his state supreme court tossing gerrymandered Missouri election maps.
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Kamala Harris & Nancy Pelosi remember Gloria Steinem
9/03 11 a.m. ET: “State of Play” pays tribute to women’s rights pioneer Gloria Steinem following her death at age 92. Former Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi join Peter to discuss Steinem's lasting legacy and her immeasurable impact on generations of women; With the 2026 midterm elections around the corner, a federal judge is deciding the future of Trump's restri
Escalating Strikes on Iran & USS Lincoln One Step Closer to Home
9/02 11 a.m. ET: President Trump is escalating strikes on Iran, igniting a trade war with Canada, and defending data centers – all while members of his party are trying to bolster support for Republicans on the ballot. Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York speaks out against recent actions by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and shares his concerns for national security. Plus, the USS Linco
Pentagon discord & Massachusetts primary
Peter Alexander gets analysis from a retired Army Major General and a veteran Pentagon correspondent to Army Secretary Dan Driscoll’s resignation. Plus, a check on the Massachusetts primary where the debate over generational change is in focus for Democratic voters. Also, a former U.S. Ambassador to Russia reacts to Vladimir Putin's diplomats attending the G20 finance meeting despit
Iran conflict & Primary preview
Peter Alexander interviews former White House National Security Communications Director John Kirby about new and concerning military escalation on both sides of the U.S.-Iran war. Plus, Massachusetts Democratic Congressional candidate Patrick Roath joins to preview his primary matchup against Congressman Stephen Lynch. Also, a deep dive into the Trump administration's new program to secure the U.S
Six Months of War With Iran
8/28 11 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander unpacks six months of the war with Iran with Democratic Congressman and veteran Jason Crow and former CIA Director John Brennan. Plus, 63 years after Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington, thousands of people took to Washington today for a rally to defend voting rights. NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clark reflects on the erosion of the progress made in the l
The USS Lincoln latest and flash floods
8/25 11 a.m. ET: President Trump confronts his party and legacy as the midterms approach. He reposted a list of grievances on Truth Social as he travels to Texas to boost Ken Paxton in the race for the Texas Senate seat. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) join Peter to discuss Trump and the upcoming midterms. Plus, the Navy sailor who jumped off the USS Lincoln
U.S. Troops’ Concerns and Remembering Dolly Parton
8/26 11 a.m. ET: A growing number of U.S. service members in Iran are looking to leave the military, citing moral conflicts. MS Now’s Priya Sridhar has that reporting. Peter Alexander remembers the music legend Dolly Parton with American documentarian Ken Burns, who interviewed Dolly in his 2019 documentary “Country Music.” Plus, Senator Darline Graham won the Republican senate runoff in South Car
Mail-in voting and a trade war
8/25 11 a.m. ET: The Supreme Court released a ruling saying President Trump can restrict mail-in ballots through an executive order he signed earlier this year. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold (D) joins Peter to discuss the ruling and mail-in voting in her own state. Plus, Canada announces retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. after Trump's sweeping new tariffs on Canadian goods. Former U
Iran sanctions and a private meeting
8/24 11 a.m. ET: Iran’s currency falls to a record low after the U.S. announced its latest threat against Iran: an “economic D-Day.” Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Peter to talk about the latest on the Iran war and more. The New York Times reports Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and the President’s son-in-law Jared Kushner met privately in NYC to discuss common ground as the midterm election
National Security and Trump’s vanity projects
8/21 11 a.m. ET: President Trump heads to South Carolina today while Vice President Vance is in Ohio, both campaigning for the upcoming midterms. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Hegseth focuses on campaigning in Iowa as the U.S. approaches six months of war. New reports coming out of the USS Lincoln reveal just how the conditions got so bad onboard as they head home. Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) joins P
North Korean missiles and U.S. crosses $40T debt
8/20 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander speaks to two women veterans who have been outspoken about the conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and national security threats in their bid for congressional office. MS Now has exclusive reporting on President Trump’s closest aide, who was working from inside the Oval Office without a security clearance. Michael Cohen is trying to get back into President Trump’s
Primary fallout & Julia Curlee
8/19 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews David Jolly after his primary victory to hear his plan to win the Florida statehouse after more than a decade of republican superiority. Plus, an in-depth discussion with Julia Curlee, a longtime CIA officer who transitioned during her time working the highest levels of national security for multiple administrations, on how being transgender factored
Primary day + Trump allies & adversaries
8/18 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews progressive congressional candidate Elijah Manley, who makes his pitch to Florida voters and takes on an incumbent lawmaker in his state's primary. Plus, John Bolton, former White House National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, joins as tensions spike along the Korean Peninsula and the stalemate with Iran continues. Also, th
Trump foreign policy & Primary preview
8/17 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander interviews Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee, about President Trump's threat to "bomb" Oman if the nation "gets in the way" of Iran negotiations. Senator Reed also discussed the conditions aboard the USS Lincoln and the U.S. relationship with South Korea. Plus, Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds
The Mangione case and a look into the Blanche era of the DOJ
8/14 11 a.m. ET Luigi Mangione pleads guilty to federal stalking charges in the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. MS NOW reporter Fallon Gallagher is outside the courthouse bringing live updates. Peter is joined by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to talk about the state of the democratic party, data centers and his own potential 2028 run. Plus, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Commi
Inside the Briefing Room, conditions aboard USS Lincoln, and Trump’s Truth Social
8/13 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander and MS Now host of “The Briefing” Jen Psaki talk about how communication between the President and the press has changed in Donald Trump’s second term. Plus, exclusive MS Now reporting reveals the shocking conditions aboard the USS Lincoln that are prompting sailors and their families to speak out. Retired U.S. Army Lt. General Mark Hertling weighs in, sharing h
Primary Takeaways & Trump’s Plane Controversy
8/12 11:00 a.m. ET: Peter Alexander breaks down the latest results from Tuesday’s Primary races with Connecticut’s new Democratic congressional nominee. They discuss what his win means for the Democratic establishment and November’s key midterm races. And former Defense Secretary Mark Esper joins Peter to discuss the Iranian threat that led to President Trump secretly switching planes via a cateri
Air Force One, the DOJ’s New Memo and the Primary Races to Watch
August 11, 2026; 11am: Shuttled off in a catering truck, President Trump secretly switched planes amid Iranian threats after the NATO summit in Turkey. Peter shares his own experience on Air Force One while Washington Post reporter John Hudson and former CIA Director John Brennan discuss the details of the swap. The DOJ releases a new memo that expands the president’s executive privilege on Todd
Todd Blanche’s DOJ, the Iran latest, and a look-ahead to Wisconsin primary day
Ahead of Todd Blanche’s swearing in as Attorney General today, former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales addresses concerns about how Blanche will run the Justice Department and shares what he would like to see from his leadership.
Iran maintains the Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until the U.S. meets certain demands, as President Trump appears to be shifting his tone. In an interview with
Introducing State of Play with Peter Alexander
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