The Issue Is

Sen. Alex Padilla (D – Calif.) discusses President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. In a panel discussion, Areva Martin and Jennifer Horn also weighs in on Trump's second term, in addition to discussing Kamala Harris' return to the national spotlight.

 This week, Elex is joined by Steve Hilton, who announced is running for the Governor of California, and Brian Goldsmith, who is running for State Senate. Journalist Amie Parnes also joins the show. 

This week, California became the first state in the country to sue the Trump administration over tariffs.

We sit down with Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the USC campus to discuss his environmental efforts, California's wildfires, his son Patrick's appearances on "The White Lotus," and Schwarzenegger's recent role as Santa Claus.

Xavier Becerra is running for California Governor. He gave the first TV interview of his campaign to FOX 11's statewide political show "The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson."

This week, POLITICO's Melanie Mason and political strategist Mike Murphy join "The Issue Is:" panel to discuss a big week in politics.

Actresses Jane Fonda and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are fighting to stop more oil production in California.. and have some strong words for Gov. Newsom in the process. 

This week, Elex is joined by Katie Porter, who announced is running for California Governor. He is also joined by political strategist Mike Madrid and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his first podcast in the "This is Gavin Newsom" series. It features an interview with Charlie Kirk. In it, the Governor agrees with Kirk that it is unfair for those born male to compete in female sports. Then, we travel to South Los Angeles to sit down with President Trump's new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner.

This week, Elex is joined by Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, Congressman Robert Garcia and TMZ's Harvey Levin.

This week, Elex speaks one-on-one with LA Mayor Karen Bass. Following the exclusive interview with the LA Mayor, Elex is also joined by political journalist Jon Regardie and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.

On this episode of 'The Issue Is', California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, addresses Trump's immigration crackdown and discusses the joint effort by all Democratic Attorneys General in the country to push back on the administration. 

We join former Vice President Kamala Harris on her first trip to the Pacific Palisades since the Palisades Fire, as speculation intensifies whether she'll run for California Governor. Businessman Rick Caruso is also considering a run for Governor. And "Extra" host Billy Bush joins us to talk about his new show "Hot Mics with Billy Bush."

As President Trump expands presidential power at an extraordinary pace, we discuss how he pulled that off, where Democrats go from here, and how it all impacts California's wildfire recovery.

On the first week of Donald Trump's second presidency, we report from Washington D.C. and the frontlines of fire damage in California. 

This week, we look back on an unprecedented and unforgettable political year: 2024. From a presidential nominee being shot, to another dropping out of the race and all the twists and turns in between.

This week, Elex is joined by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who shares his frustration with California's Democratic leadership. Michael Knowles of The Daily Wire talks about how Trump won.

How the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers and Rams use their platforms to lift up others. Plus, one-on-one with Arnold Schwarzenegger to dive deep on his nearly seven decades of giving back.
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The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show. For showtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com.

This week, former California Governor Jerry Brown joins The Issue Is to discuss Donald Trump's election win and how Democrats may be to blame. Dr. Drew Pinsky weighs in on Trump's push to "Make America Healthy Again" and Dr. Oz being appointed a member of the cabinet.

How did Donald Trump win the presidency? What happened to Latino voters? Where do Democrats go from here?

This week, Donald Trump won every swing state and is on track to be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. Joining us to discuss is Rep. Katie Porter, Peter Hamby of PUCK News, and KFI AM 640's John Kobylt. 

Next on "The Issue Is," the final episode before Election Day with Puck News' Peter Hamby and Politico's Melanie Mason.

This week, we revisit our interview from June with "Pod Save America" co-host & former Obama chief speechwriter Jon Favreau.  

This week, "The Issue Is" talks to leading candidates in the final days of the 2024 race. 

This week's "The Issue Is:" covers the tied 41st congressional race between Rep. Ken Calvert and Democrat Will Rollins, includes a panel discussion on key political topics, and reports on the L.A. Rams' cancer awareness event at SoFi Stadium.

This week, Elex hosts a debate on Trump vs. Harris, an exclusive interview with Sheryl Sandberg on a documentary about Hamas' sexual violence, and a meeting with Sen. Laphonza Butler to discuss volunteerism while preparing meals for those in need.

This week, we are joined by Orange County Congressional candidates Dave Min (D) and Scott Baugh (R). Then we go to Sacrament to participate in a special political panel for the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

LA County GA George Gascón talks about his efforts to reform the criminal justice system. Doug Emhoff discusses his support for women in sports and Rams' Quentin Lake speaks with Elex between working out with the kids.

This week, Donald Trump visits California and slams the state's leadership. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg makes a case against Prop. 36.

This week, Elex is joined by RNC Chairman Mike Whatley and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

This week, we travel to Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles for a special documentary focused on Father Greg Boyle.

This week, we travel to Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles for a special documentary focused on Father Greg Boyle.

An historic week in American politics, as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for President. "The Issue Is" was in Chicago for it all.

Nancy Pelosi, one of the most powerful legislators in U.S. political history, joins Elex Michaelson on "The Issue Is" for an exclusive interview.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom takes the homeless encampment matter into his own hands – literally. A Democrat defects and progressive podcast host discusses "shameless" Republicans.

This week, longtime pollster and political consultant Frank Luntz takes us on a LA-area replica of the Oval Office.

As the 2024 election is now just over 100 days away, it was another unprecedented week in American politics. Now, Kamala Harris is looking to take the torch passed on by Joe Biden.

An unprecedented week in American politics, as "The Issue Is" hits the road for the Republican National Convention.

This week, following his shaky debate performance, the chorus of Democratic lawmakers calling for President Biden to step aside continued to grow. Biden, defiant, saying he's staying.

This week, Elex is joined by Kara Swisher as the legendary tech journalist discusses motherhood and her bestseller "Burn Book."