
The Circus (2016)
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Jennifer Palmieri as Self - Co-Host
Episodes 44
Raining Chaos
In an extended season premiere, The Circus attempts to make sense of a country reeling from the grave implications of a Capitol siege.
Read MoreClear and Present Danger
At the brink of an historic second impeachment, The Circus delves into the last week in office of a furious, de-platformed President Trump. With last week’s Capitol violence ever relevant, the question remains: will this be a decisive moment for our nation?
Read MorePresident Biden
As a new administration takes center stage committed to national unity, The Circus captures the magnitude of an era that has until recently been engulfed in divisiveness. With Joe Biden officially sworn in as 46th President of the United States, the hosts break down the most prominent moments as the country undergoes a transition of power.
Read MoreRubber Meets Road
In the first full week of a new administration, The Circus offers a window into President Biden’s approach towards tackling the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. As the vaccine moves transnationally from shipment to inoculation, the hosts focus on the response at a federal, state & local level. In Los Angeles, John Heilemann speaks with Mayor Eric Garcetti about the status of vaccinations at Dodger Stadium. And from a United Airlines cargo area, Alex Wagner examines exactly what it takes to securely transport the vaccines.
Read MoreDysfunction Junction
In a chaotic week, The Circus takes the pulse of a Republican Party at war with itself. Still dominated by the postures of its predecessor, the hosts speak with both ends of the GOP spectrum, zeroing in on a party in the post-Trump era facing incessantly erratic claims from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green. John Heilemann sits down with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of few Republicans backing the impeachment of Donald Trump, while Jenn Palmieri addresses growing fears for personal safety on the Hill with Green's fellow Georgia Rep. Nikema Williams.
Read MorePersona Non Grata
The Circus focuses on the historic second impeachment trial of Donald Trump as the Senate faces a decisive moment and questions the former President’s culpability in the January 6th Capitol siege. Still outraged by the violence, Sen. Michael Bennett joins John Heilemann for a look at preparation for the trial and Alex Wagner speaks with an attorney planning to use Trump’s incitement in defense of his insurrectionist client. Elsewhere, the hosts take a glimpse at Mar-a-Lago, where locals are at odds about Trump’s presence in their community.
Read MoreBeing Green
The Circus shifts its focus onto an administration fresh off implementing a series of ambitious climate motions. With several early executive actions in place, how is President Biden filtering jobs into his climate agenda moving forward? In Minnesota, where construction of the Enbridge Pipeline is sparking controversy, Alex Wagner speaks with indigenous protesters along with Rep. Ihan Omar. And Mark McKinnon takes a spin in a new electric car from Ford, a company that has pledged fully electric emissions by 2030.
Read MorePoints On the Board
The Circus keys in on the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. As Republicans scrutinize, the question remains: can centrists come together to pass the bill as the US surpasses 500,000 COVID-19 deaths? From the White House perspective, Jenn Palmieri sits with Communications Director Kate Bedingfield and John Heilemann interviews bill author Brian Deese and Domestic Policy Director Susan Rice. And exploring how the package is viewed among conservatives, Mark McKinnon speaks with Rep. Dan Crenshaw. Mid-season finale.
Read MoreCalling the Shots
The Circus returns and while the weather may be cooling down, the temperature around the country is still overheated. As Gavin Newsom fights off an anti-vax motivated recall election in California, Asa Hutchinson tries to thread a needle by fighting the pandemic in Arkansas without resorting to a mandate. Meanwhile, Washington fears another incursion from January 6th insurrectionists galvanized by recent vaccine mandates. With the culture war still very much alive, will President Biden be able to heal the country’s political divisions?
Read MoreThe Biden Doctrine
Against the backdrop of President Biden’s powerful speech to the UN, The Circus focuses on his administration’s approach to foreign policy. With a new defense arrangement announced between the US, UK and Australia, Jenn Palmieri speaks with former Aussie PM Julia Gillard in London. In the wake of ongoing turbulence in Afghanistan, John Heilemann examines the refugee crisis with IRC head David Miliband and Alex Wagner speaks with families in Richmond, Virginia, home to a significant refugee community.
Read MoreIt’s All Happening
The Circus heads to Capitol Hill for the fierce battle over President Biden's legacy-defining agenda. With Democrats at odds over massive infrastructure and social spending bills, John Heilemann goes behind the scenes with the leader of the House moderates, Rep. Josh Gottheimer, while Alex Wagner speaks with the chair of the House Progressive Caucus, Rep. Pramila Jayapal. Neither side is backing down in the fight over how to achieve President Biden's transformative agenda.
Read MoreLone Star Blues
The Circus heads to Texas, home to the nation's most restrictive abortion law, a controversial new voting law and a red-hot immigration battle. Alex Wagner speaks with Planned Parenthood about the new law’s impact on women across the state. Jennifer Palmieri talks with Bryan Hughes, author of both the abortion and voting laws. John Heilemann sits down with former Bush aide Matthew Dowd, who’s running for Lt. Governor as a Democrat. And Mark McKinnon heads to the border where Governor Abbott is announcing a new plan to address the crisis.
Read MoreCoup Part Two
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Virginia Is For…
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Big F***ing Deal
A report from Capitol Hill as the deadline looms to pass President Biden's legacy-defining agenda, as moderate and progressive Democrats in both chambers race to strike a deal before the week's end.
Read MoreThe Broken Place
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On the Brink
The Circus returns with the world on edge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. John Heilemann reports from on the ground in neighboring Poland with U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski. Jennifer Palmieri is at the White House with Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately following President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Plus, Alex Wagner examines the escalating standoff between Presidents Biden and Putin and Mark McKinnon looks at the political tensions on Capitol Hill amidst the evolving crisis.
Read MoreThe Escalation Ladder
With the situation on the ground in Ukraine growing increasingly dire, The Circus explores what more the U.S. and its allies can do. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Estonia, John Heilemann speaks with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about fears Putin could strike a NATO nation next. Plus, Mark McKinnon explores President Biden’s response with Senator Mitt Romney; Alex Wagner interviews Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandra Ustinova; and Jennifer Palmieri speaks with officials about the threat Putin now poses to the world.
Read MoreThe Information War
As Russia escalates its assault, Ukraine’s President delivers an impassioned address to Congress. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on Capitol Hill speaking with lawmakers immediately after Zelinsky’s emotional plea to “close the sky” over Ukraine. Plus, Alex Wagner and John Heilemann examine the information war, including the sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign infiltrating American media and Putin’s draconian crackdown on dissent and free speech inside Russia.
Read MoreThe Nuclear Option
As President Biden travels to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit, The Circus examines Russia's threats of using nuclear weapons. Jennifer Palmieri speaks to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby about the U.S. response to Putin's nuclear saber-rattling; John Heilemann games out war simulations with one of the world's foremost experts on nuclear weapons, Zia Mian; and Alex Wagner assesses Putin's motives with former Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev.
Read MoreThe Home Front
The Circus tracks the dramatic developments out of the House committee investigating the forces behind the violent January 6 insurrection. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon speak with members of the committee after voting to hold two of former President Donald Trump's aides in contempt; Alex Wagner talks with Bob Woodward and Robert Costa on their bombshell reporting about the White House call log from the day of the Capitol attack; and John Heilemann examines the growing pressure on the Justice Department to investigate Trump's activities.
Read MoreThere Will Be Blood
As the President’s historic nominee for the Supreme Court is confirmed, The Circus examines Biden’s successes, failures and plunging poll numbers. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri dig into the dissatisfaction within the Democratic base and the party’s prospects for the midterms; Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Ted Lieu share their differing strategies for Democrats to keep control of Congress; and The Circus speaks with the White House team behind Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s momentous confirmation.
Read MoreKeystone Chaos
he Circus is on the ground in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania to cover one of the most consequential Senate races in the nation. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri report on the heated competition as former president Donald Trump weighs in with a surprise endorsement. Republican and Democratic candidates speak with The Circus about the final, frantic weeks of the primary.
Read MoreTip of the Spear
The Circus travels to Florida as Governor Ron DeSantis signs controversial laws on education, gender, and abortion. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri explore how the Sunshine State has become the central battlefield of an American culture war that includes a conservative effort to strike math textbooks due to “prohibited topics,” the fallout from the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, and a rapidly escalating feud between Disney and state Republicans.
Read MoreNot in Kansas Anymore
The Circus returns amid the critical midterm election season with voters across the nation energized in unprecedented ways by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. John Heilemann goes behind the scenes with Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for reproductive rights in a swing state that could determine control of the Senate. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on the ground in Michigan to report on how the end of Roe is impacting one the nation's marquee gubernatorial races.
Read MoreRule of Law
The Circus examines the myriad legal threats facing former President Donald Trump. Mark McKinnon speaks with journalists Susan Glasser and Peter Baker, authors of a new book detailing the Trump administration. Jennifer Palmieri sits down with Sarah Matthews, the former White House Deputy Press Secretary who testified before the January 6th Committee. John Heilemann speaks with legal experts Andrew Weissman and Neal Katyal to discuss the implications of the wide range of investigations into Trump.
Read MoreState of Denial
The Circus travels to Arizona, a key battleground in the upcoming midterm elections and the epicenter of election denial. Jennifer Palmieri, John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and guest host Tim Miller travel the state, where every top Republican candidate has echoed former President Donald Trump's false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent, exploring what's at stake if election-denying candidates win office and control of the state's election system.
Read MoreBuckeyes and Bulldogs
Buckeyes and Bulldogs
Read MoreThis Land is Greene-Land
The Circus is on the ground in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia district, examining her meteoric rise within the Republican party. The team also catches up with her Democratic opponent to discuss his longshot strategy to head off her re-election.
Read MoreThe Main Event
The Circus is on the ground in Pennsylvania analyzing the impact of the highly anticipated Senate debate. Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz looks to gain ground while questions swirl about Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's health.
Read MoreHere Comes the Flood
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Riptides
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The Year of Living Dangerously
The Circus is in Poland tracking President Biden as he stuns the world with a visit to the embattled capital of Ukraine to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion. Host John Heilemann talks with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan about the covert trip to Kyiv and the monumental challenges of confronting a nuclear armed Russia. Back in the U.S., Mark McKinnon speaks with Bush White House veteran Nicole Wallace, while Jennifer Palmieri sits down with former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Admiral James Stavridis.
Read MoreOff to the Races
The Circus is on the ground in Florida, South Carolina, Maryland and New Hampshire to mark the unofficial kick-off of the Republican Party's presidential nominating contest. The week begins as a leading potential candidate, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, launches his book tour and ends with CPAC, the annual conservative gathering that’s friendly territory for former President Donald Trump, who’s already in the race. John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri, Mark McKinnon and guest host Tim Miller examine the fault lines already emerging in the party.
Read MoreKevin's House
The Circus heads to Capitol Hill to cover the new Republican-controlled House of Representatives. John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon, and Jennifer Palmieri follow two freshman members of Congress, Republican Mike Lawler of New York and Democrat Maxwell Frost of Florida, as they navigate a week dominated by Tucker Carlson's coverage of January 6th, hearings on the Biden Administration, and a fight that threatens to tip America over a fiscal cliff.
Read MoreFake News?
The Circus examines the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News. John Heilemann speaks with legendary First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams, Mark McKinnon with prominent journalists, and Jennifer Palmieri with Trump voters about the case.
Read MoreWheels of Justice
This week The Circus examines the multiple investigations facing Donald Trump that could lead to the first indictment of a U.S. president. Jennifer Palmieri speaks with former Justice Department prosecutor Andrew Weissmann about the hush-money probe. Mark McKinnon charts Michael Cohen’s journey from Trump fixer to star witness with Vanity Fair reporter Emily Jane Fox. John Heilemann talks with New York Times reporters Michael Bender and Katie Benner about the myriad investigations and their political fallout.
Read MoreNothing but the Truth
This week The Circus examines the historic indictment of Donald Trump, the nation's first former president to face criminal charges, and tracks the legal and political fallout from the bombshell development. In addition, John Heilemann and guest host Andrew Weissmann discuss the two special counsel probes focused on Trump, Mark McKinnon speaks with Mike Pence after the former VP was ordered to testify in one of those inquiries, and Jennifer Palmieri looks at the investigation into Trump’s election interference in Georgia.
Read MoreExhaustion, Depression and Dread... Oy Vey
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
Read MorePiercing The Bubble
In the wake of the shocking terrorist attack in Israel, The Circus tracks the political fallout as Republican presidential hopefuls respond to the ongoing crisis.
Read MoreThe Crucible
The Circus examines President Biden's high profile wartime trip to Israel, a nation reeling in the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas. Meanwhile, House Republicans struggle to elect a new speaker, two weeks after ousting Kevin McCarthy.
Read MoreThe Thing of His
The Circus explores the legal threats facing former president Donald Trump as he seeks a return to the White House. Former Mueller team prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins as guest host.
Read MoreThe A.I. Election
The Circus examines the impact of AI on the 2024 election, as world leaders convene an AI Safety Summit. The Circus team, along with guest host Jordan Klepper, explore the myriad concerns, including AI-enabled disinformation and deep fakes.
Read MoreLife During Wartime
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
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