Straight Shooter with Stephen A.

Stephen A. discusses public reaction to his White House visit and appearance on ABC’s The View. Politico Global Anchor, Playbook co-author, and Playbook Podcast host Dasha Burns joins the show to break down her cross-country conversations with voters and candidates ahead of the midterms, the issues shaping the election, and the political shifts that could define 2028. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) discusses his decision not to seek reelection, tensions with Trump, the GOP's future, and his new book, How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.

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Stephen A. discusses the GOP’s continued decline and Democrats’ plans if they retake the House. Political strategist Chuck Rocha, a contributor to CBS News, CNN, and MS NOW, joins the show to break down voter sentiment, the Latino vote, immigration, and the high-stakes Texas Senate race. Former Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), former Governor John Kasich (R-OH), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), veteran strategists James Carville and Donna Brazile, Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly, and HBO’s Real Time host Bill Maher call in to celebrate Stephen A.’s birthday.

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Stephen A. discusses Donald Trump’s declining approval ratings, Texas Senate candidate Ken Paxton’s decision not to debate Democratic
opponent James Talarico, and the growing influence of independent voters. Fox News host Sean Hannity sits down with Stephen A. to
reflect on his 30 years at the network, the evolution of conservatism, the Iran War, and the Republican Party’s current state. Former NFL
kicker, sports broadcaster, and Republican candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Jay Feely joins the show to discuss his entry into
politics, Donald Trump and Turning Point USA’s political support, b...

Stephen A. weighs in on President Donald Trump’s 32-day campaign tour, his message to Black voters, and his involvement in the Protect
College Sports Act. Texas Democratic Rep. Gina Hinojosa is interviewed about her run in the hotly contested Texas gubernatorial race, as well
as redistricting, immigration, data centers, and education reform. Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman joins the show to
discuss his run for Governor of New York and his economic plan for the state.

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Guest host Laura Coates fills in for Stephen A. Smith to tackle a packed docket of constitutional controversies, technological threats, and public health debates.

The White House Press Ban: Coates breaks down the legal mechanics of what she dubs "White House ban gate," analyzing the First Amendment and Fifth Amendment due process implications of the administration revoking hard press passes for outlets like CNN, Politico, and MS Now. Constitutional attorney Ken Turkel joins the show to debate whether the ban constitutes illegal viewpoint discrimination or a legally justifiable national security measure.

The "Trump Arch" & AI...

Stephen A. sounds the alarm about warnings that A.I. could end civilization within the next decade and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s
calls to slow AI development. Republican gubernatorial candidate John James (R-MI) joins the show to discuss his run for Governor of Michigan, his economic plan for the state, and the war in Iran.

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Stephen A. discusses Trump’s declining approval rating, the ongoing war in Iran, and the GOP’s first-ever two-day national midterm convention in Dallas, Texas. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) joins the show to discuss the state of the Democratic Party, the Protect College Sports
Act, and his bestselling book, Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.

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Stephen A. discusses far-right internet personality Laura Loomer’s disparaging remarks about Black female politicians. Physician and Progressive Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is interviewed about his run for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, and former University of Montana
President Seth Bodnar joins the show to discuss his run as an Independent for the U.S. Senate in Montana.

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Guest host Laura Coates steps in for Stephen A. Smith to dissect Meta's massive legal settlement regarding teen mental health, bipartisan efforts to slash exorbitant US prescription drug prices, and updates on space exploration.

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Stephen A. talks with Senator Rand Paul about Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony before Congress on the federal government's COVID-19 response.

Encore: Emmy Award-winning media expert, veteran political strategist, and former DNC Chair Donna Brazile joins the show to discuss the future of the Democratic Party, the shifting political landscape, and the upcoming midterm elections. Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather Manchin, also join the program to discuss the launch of their new organization, the Independent Leadership Council, and its mission to recruit, support, and elect independent candidates to Congress.

Ho...

Stephen A. discusses the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) movement, its influence on the Democratic Party, and whether its policies will appeal to voters in the midterm election and beyond. Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donalds joins the program to discuss voter integrity, the state of both political parties, and his run for Florida Governor.

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Stephen A. discusses Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony before Congress on the federal government's COVID-19 response, progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s primary, and the growing calls from lawmakers for a Pentagon investigation into at least 15 Trump-supported companies that have collectively received more than $3.2 billion in federal contracts, investments, and loans. Emmy Award-winning media expert, veteran political strategist, and former DNC Chair Donna Brazile joins the show to discuss the future of the Democratic Party, the shifting political landscape, and the upcoming midterm elections. Former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin and his daughter, Heather Manchin, also join t...

In this special edition of Straight Shooter with Stephen A., CNN Chief Legal Analyst and anchor Laura Coates steps in as guest host to tackle a fiery week of political showdowns on Capitol Hill.

At the center of the episode is Dr. Anthony Fauci’s contentious appearance before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where he repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment rights—over 100 times—when questioned by Senators Rand Paul and Ron Johnson about his private 1,000-page "daily diary" from the COVID-19 pandemic, gain-of-function research, and his presidential pardon.

Coates breaks down the collis...

Stephen A. reacts to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s $67 billion request to restock arms for the Iran War and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s announcement that a review found that 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote in New Jersey due to a software error. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson joins the show to discuss his split from Donald Trump and the Republican Party, the Iran War, the state of race in the U.S., and the prospect of a third political party.

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Stephen A. explains why all factions of the Democratic Party must unite to win the midterm election and beyond. Republican Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna joins the show to discuss insider trading, working across party lines, the state of affairs within the GOP and her support for President Trump.

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CNN's Laura Coates guest hosts for Stephen A. Smith this week. In this jam packed episode, she interviews Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE), Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CNN International Reporter Josh Rogin, and Representative Gregory Meeks (D-NY).

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Stephen A. discusses President Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure forms, which revealed he earned over $1 billion since returning to office through his cryptocurrency ventures. CNN Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates joins the show to break down the landmark Supreme Court rulings on birthright citizenship, transgender athletes in women’s sports, and mail-in ballots.

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Stephen A. discusses the political deadlock in Washington and President Trump’s refusal to sign bipartisan housing legislation unless Congress approves the SAVE Act. He examines the financial dealings that have enriched the Trump family’s business empire, raising questions about who truly benefits. Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin joins the show to talk about the U.S.-Iran agreement, rising tensions in the Middle East, why she thinks the Democratic Party needs fresh leadership, and the growing influence of the progressive movement in American politics.

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Stephen A. discusses the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, the latest U.S.-Iran agreement, and growing signs that President Trump is losing support among male voters ages 18 to 29. Former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene joins the show for a wide-ranging conversation about her years in Washington, her opposition to U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict, calls for the release of the Epstein files, and her life after leaving politics.

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Stephen A. breaks down the buzz surrounding President Donald Trump’s appearance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden, including Trump’s reaction to his comments. In encore interviews, he talks with veteran Democratic strategist and ABC News contributor Donna Brazile and Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett about political headlines. He also previews an upcoming YouTube panel featuring progressive civil rights advocate Gary Chambers Jr. and conservative commentator Officer Brandon Tatum, who debate some of today’s most divisive issues.

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Stephen A. reacts to the surprising results of the California gubernatorial and Los Angeles mayoral race. YouTube host Dave Rubin joins to talk about why he abandoned the left and Senator Ted Cruz breaks down his co-sponsored bill, The Protect College Sports Act.

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Stephen A. reacts to Texas Senator John Cornyn’s loss of his seat after Trump’s endorsement of his opponent, Attorney General Ken Paxton, in the Texas runoff. He also discusses Trump’s targets heading into the midterms and comedian Kevin Hart’s comments about him on his Netflix roast. CBS News Chief Washington Analyst Robert Costa joins the show to talk about the Texas race, the midterm elections, and the candidates to watch in the upcoming presidential race.

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Stephen A. reacts to the NAACP’s call for Black athletes to boycott SEC programs over GOP gerrymandering and discusses the Justice Department’s announcement of a $1.776 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.” Former New Hampshire Governor and current President and CEO of the Washington D.C.-based trade and lobbying group Airlines for America, Chris Sununu, joins the show to talk about his efforts to improve airline safety.

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Stephen A. responds to a Guardian article about him, written by former NBA player Etan Thomas, and discusses the midterm elections, Trump’s visit to China, and the struggling economy. Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joins the show to talk about the redistricting fight, China’s dominance, Iran, education reform, and a possible run for president.

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Stephen A. sounds off on Trump’s shrinking poll numbers, rising gas prices, and the Republican redistricting push. Political social media influencer Nick Shirley joins the show to discuss his controversial online videos, and his efforts to expose fraud in Minnesota and California the future.

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Stephen A. discusses the political violence affecting the country and reacts to the Supreme Court’s decision striking down Louisiana’s voting map, a ruling seen as a major setback for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Democratic Congressman Cleo C. Fields from Louisiana’s 6th Congressional District joins the show to talk about how the decision could change representation in the state and impact his district. Former Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton, Robert Reich, joins to discuss voter suppression, the state of American democracy, the Iran war, and what citizens can do to push back against the chaos unfolding worldw...

Stephen A. discusses how aggressive gerrymandering on both sides of the aisle is shaping the landscape for the 2026 midterm elections. Former Homeland Security and Counterterrorism adviser Olivia Troye joins the show to share her decision to leave the Republican Party and launch a Democratic campaign in Virginia’s newly redrawn 7th Congressional District. Plus, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger talks about his stance against President Trump's false voter fraud claims in 2020, election integrity, and his bid for Georgia governor.

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Stephen A. dives into the political shockwaves surrounding the resignations of Reps. Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales amid sexual assault allegations. Former White House Press Secretary and MS NOW host of The Briefing, Jen Psaki, joins to reflect on her time inside the Biden White House, the stakes of the midterm election, and the ongoing battles over voting rights. Former Defense Secretary and CIA Director Leon Panetta offers insight into the Iran war, the complexities of the U.S.–Israel alliance, and a path to ending the conflict.

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Stephen A. discusses President Trump’s threats and actions on the Iran war. Tim Burchett (R-TN) joins the show to discuss Iran, the evidence of extraterrestrial life, and the problems with politicians on both sides of the aisle in Washington, D.C.

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Stephen A. breaks down President Trump’s unprecedented appearance at Supreme Court arguments as he challenges birthright citizenship. Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) joins to discuss the partial government shutdown, the President’s address focused on Iran, and bipartisan cooperation. Veteran Democratic strategist and ABC News contributor Donna Brazile is also interviewed about efforts to rebuild the party, lessons from the 2024 election, the upcoming midterms, and the significance of the Black vote.

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Stephen A. breaks down major headlines, from chaos at U.S. airports to the escalating war in Iran and rising oil prices impacting Americans nationwide. He’s joined by Michigan congressional candidate Donavan McKinney to discuss his campaign for the state’s 13th District, and progressive political strategist Corbin Trent, who shares insights from his work with Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats, as well as his time advising Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders.

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Stephen A. sounds off on Trump’s Iran War policies and their effects on Americans. Matthew Weil, Vice President of the Bipartisan Policy Center, is interviewed about the SAVE America Act and its potential influence on future elections. California Congressman Kevin Kiley joins the show to discuss changing his party affiliation from Republican to Independent, the current state of the GOP, and his campaign for Sacramento’s 6th Congressional District.

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Stephen A. shares his thoughts on the war in Iran and the constitutionality of the SAVE Act. CNN Host Fareed Zakaria joins the show to discuss the cost and consequences of the conflict and its long-term impact. Former 2 Live Crew frontman Luther Campbell is interviewed about his run for Florida’s 20th Congressional District.

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Stephen A. shares his insights on the Iran war and the Texas Senate race between James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett. Democratic strategist James Carville discusses how the Texas Senate race could influence the midterm elections. Former Defense Secretary under Donald Trump, Mark T. Esper, is interviewed about toppling the Khomeini regime and his time serving in the Trump Administration.

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Stephen A. offers his reaction to President Trump’s first State of the Union Address of his second term. Conservative Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) is interviewed about his run for the Republican nomination for the Texas Senate, his allegiance to President Trump, and his Republican Senate opponents. CBS News Chief Washington Analyst Robert Costa joins the show to discuss the address, the Democratic response, the midterm elections, and the state of today’s politics.

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Stephen A. discusses the Democrats’ planned boycott of Donald Trump’s upcoming State of the Union Address, Trump’s tribute to late Civil Rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the Democrats’ chances in the midterm elections. Liberal political influencer Dean Withers joins the show to talk about his popular TikTok political debates, the Epstein Files, and illegal immigration. Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore is interviewed about the President’s recent attacks on his administration, mid-decade redistricting, tariffs hurting Americans, and being disinvited to the National Governors’ Association meeting.

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Stephen A. discusses Attorney General Pam Bondi’s House Oversight Hearing, Trump’s Truth Social post depicting former President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, and a grand jury’s decision not to indict six lawmakers over a video urging troops to resist illegal orders. Former U.S. Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn joins the show to discuss defending the Capitol on January 6th and his run for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District. Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is interviewed about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement failures, Trump’s attempts to nationalize the midterm election, a potential...

Stephen A. discusses President Trump encouraging the GOP to nationalize elections, the Georgia election raids, and Democratic messaging. Texas Rep. Colin Allred joins the show to discuss disparaging comments made about him by Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, his run for Texas Congress, and the upcoming Texas midterm elections. Comedian and talk show host Bill Maher discusses trending political news.

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Stephen A. discusses the ongoing I.C.E. disruptions in Minneapolis and the response by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem following the death of Alex Pretti. Dr. Mehmet Oz joins the show to discuss his role in the Trump Administration as Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including the “Take Back Your Health” initiative, the high cost of healthcare, vaccine mandates, and government fraud. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is interviewed about I.C.E. clashes, meeting with federal officials, and the path forward.

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Stephen A. discusses Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Republican Senator Rand Paul joins the show to discuss I.C.E. enforcement in Minneapolis, the U.S. threat to invade Greenland, and his push for protection against misinformation on social media platforms. CNN Host and Legal Analyst Laura Coates is interviewed about covering the I.C.E. clashes in Minneapolis and the federal lawsuits and subpoenas.

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