The Takeout with Major Garrett

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By: CBS News

The Takeout, hosted by CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett, is a never-take-yourself-too-seriously daily show that harnesses the best and latest reporting from CBS News. Its motto: relentlessly curious, steadfastly non-ideological. Featuring unique guest interviews, investigative journalism and the day’s biggest events, The Takeout will also simplify and explain the complexities and acronyms of official Washington. The show is driven by national politics but lives comfortably in deep discussions of economics, pop culture, sports and technology.

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The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/21/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/21/26 episode artwork
Yesterday at 10:59 PM

Intelligence and International Security Reporter Olivia Gazis joined Major on The Takeout to discuss released American prisoner in Russia, Stephen Hubbard. Another day, another rally that Nancy Cordes reports live from. In South Carolina, Cordes tells Major about early voting reports from that state as President Trump is speaking at the rally tonight. Later, Politics Reporter Aaron Navarro speaks from Michigan about candidates Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers as the final debate between the candidates happens tonight. New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez tells Major about the lawsuits he has filed against two Jeffrey Epstein advisors. Lastly, expert...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/20/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/20/26 episode artwork
Last Tuesday at 11:28 PM

CBS News Chief White House Correspondent Nancy Cordes begins our coverage with the latest on President Trump's battleground blitz. Plus, we'll break down the battle for Congress in our data central segment. Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal weighs in on the feud between President Trump and President Zelenskyy. Major also speaks with former NFL kicker turned Arizona Congressional Candidate Jay Feely. We also celebrate 50 years of a bookstore that's become a Washington institution.


Dana Bash on new book "The Elections that Changed the World"
Dana Bash on new book "The Elections that Changed the World" episode artwork
Last Tuesday at 7:01 AM

CNN's Dana Bash joins Major to discuss her new book “The Elections that Changed the World: Fifteen Pivotal Moments That Shaped How We Live". The two break down American races ranging from the election of President Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan's taking office as Governor of California. The book takes a look at contests from around the world up until Nelson Mandela's 1994 landslide victory as Prime Minister of South Africa. All that and more on The Takeout!


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/19/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/19/26 episode artwork
Last Monday at 10:18 PM

Nancy Cordes joins from Kansas where Trump is campaigning ahead of the midterms. They also discuss Trump's endorsement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as elections also approach in Israel. Anthony Salvanto speaks about Governor Greg Abbott maintaining a lead over Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa as he breaks down the latest polling. Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner gives her take on where Democrats stand. And Major speaks with CNN's Dana Bash about her new book “The Elections that Changed the World.” All that and more on The Takeout!


Brett McGurk, Former NSC Coordinator for the Middle East
Brett McGurk, Former NSC Coordinator for the Middle East episode artwork
Last Saturday at 4:00 AM

Major interviews Brett McGurk, former National Security Coordinator for the Middle East and Africa. McGurk discusses his new book titled “Brink,” which tackles the Biden administration’s response to the October 7th attacks in Israel. Additionally, he provides a behind-the-scenes look at the relationship between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and weighs in on the current state of America's war with Iran and more. Listen to the full conversation wherever you get your podcasts.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, Oct 16, 2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, Oct 16, 2026 episode artwork
Last Friday at 10:43 PM

The Takeout opens with Anna Schecter's reporting on the latest information in the Oregon school shooting, and then shows the first press conference from authorities, where they provide more information about the 16-year-old shooter and the four people he killed. Major switches gears to politics in Georgia. Nikole Killion joins live at a campaign rally where President Trump is hoping to push his Republican allies across the finish line for the midterm elections. Later, he speaks with California Democratic Representative John Garamendi about the diesel deal Trump made with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Join us for the full episode...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/15/2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/15/2026 episode artwork
10/15/2026

Caitlin Huey-Burns recaps the CNN town hall with Texas Senate Candidate James Talarico. Ed O’Keefe is in Michigan following the Senate campaign where he spoke with Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers. Major interviews Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) about her stance on the races in her state. And CBS News Senior Crime Producer Anna Schecter joins with breaking news on a school shooting in Bend, Oregon.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/14/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/14/26 episode artwork
10/14/2026

Major begins the show with Caitlin Huey-Burns, who recaps the Senate debates in Iowa, Maine and Georgia last night. Veteran pollster Frank Luntz joins the show to analyze the midterms, with only 20 days remaining until Election Day. Matt Kroenig, senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, reacts to the Houthis' new attack in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Plus, Major interviews Denver Mayor Mike Johnston about how he's decreased homelessness levels in the city, and how that success can model other places across the country. 


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/13/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/13/26 episode artwork
10/13/2026

Pope Leo was diagnosed with lung cancer after having the lower lobe of his right lung removed. Chris Livesay is in Rome with the latest, while Dr. Janette Neshiewat provides analysis. Weijia Jiang is in Alaska, where President Trump is campaigning for Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan in the midterms. Jack Fink is in Texas to break down Ken Paxton's alleged trip to Dubai and James Talarico's case with the flu. Plus, Major speaks with Aaron MacLean about the latest developments in the Iran War. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/12/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/12/26 episode artwork
10/12/2026

Major starts the show with Nikole Killion, who’s in Youngstown, Ohio following the President as he rallies with Sen. Jon Husted. Nikole spoke with his Democratic opponent, Sherrod Brown, about the state of the race. Robert Costa joins to discuss his interview with Speaker Mike Johnson and his confidence that Republicans will maintain the House. Major interviews Rep. John James (R-OH) about his gubernatorial run against Jocelyn Benson, the democrat who is leading in the polls. Plus, Nicole Sganga details the Department of Justice’s search into Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home and what they’re looking to find...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, Oct 09, 2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, Oct 09, 2026 episode artwork
10/09/2026

Nikole Killion is in for Major in tonight's episode. She talks with Camilo Montoya Galvez about the latest ICE shooting in New York City. Mayor Mamdani is now calling for ICE agents to leave New York. We have reporters in both Georgia and Michigan to give us the blow-by-blow on last night's fiery debates in both battleground states. Plus Representative Adam Smith joins The Takeout to discuss The Defense Department's desire to hold a public execution for the Fort Hood terrorist. You can listen to all that and much more on tonight's episode.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/8/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/8/26 episode artwork
10/08/2026

Nikole Killion is in for Major today. Aaron Navarro is in Michigan, where Abdul El-Sayed will face Mike Rogers in a debate tonight. Skyler Henry is in Atlanta, where he’s watching the debate between incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff makes his case against Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Nikole speaks with Axios’ Marc Caputo about his new reporting that the Republicans are putting $6M to the Senate race in South Carolina to boost Sen. Darline Graham. Plus, Amazon is rolling out “smart glasses” for delivery drivers. Bloomberg Technology Opinion Columnist Dave Lee shares his perspective on the new frames. All that...


Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Reflects on His Tenure
Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Reflects on His Tenure episode artwork
10/08/2026

Major interviews North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who’s not running for re-election. Tillis delivers a candid rebuke of the Trump Administration, including his biggest regret: voting in favor of Secretary Hegseth’s cabinet nomination. The timing of this commentary comes ahead of Tillis’ book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” which is out on bookshelves today. 


Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Reflects on His Tenure
Outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) Reflects on His Tenure episode artwork
10/08/2026

Major interviews North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who’s not running for re-election. Tillis delivers a candid rebuke of the Trump Administration, including his biggest regret: voting in favor of Secretary Hegseth’s cabinet nomination. The timing of this commentary comes as Tillis’ new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” is out today.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/7/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/7/26 episode artwork
10/07/2026

We’re taking a look at the Senate races that are driving the news: Texas, Iowa and Maine. President Trump is traveling to San Antonio to campaign for Ken Paxton, who is in a tough race against his Democratic opponent James Talarico. Ed O’Keefe is in Pella, Iowa, where he interviewed both candidates: State Rep. Josh Turek on the Democratic side, and Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson. Plus, Alex Seitz-Wald from the Midcoast Villager joins to recap the Maine Senate debate between incumbent Susan Collins and Troy Jackson. Major interviews outgoing Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) about his regret for voti...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/6/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/6/26 episode artwork
10/06/2026

President Trump suggests he would let Iran “takeout” San Diego and Los Angeles. Nikole Killion is at the White House with more. Caitlin Huey-Burns is in Kansas, where the Senate race has become a toss-up between incumbent Republican Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton. Caitlin speaks with Hamilton about his plan to convince constituents to cast their vote for him. Anthony Salvanto and Kyle Kondik join Major for another installation of Data Central, discussing the latest shifts in Senate and Governor races from Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Plus, Major is still reeling from the 2-0 lead the Brewers have over t...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/5/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/5/26 episode artwork
10/05/2026

Major starts the show with Ed O’Keefe, who’s in Grand Island, Nebraska: the fifth red state that the President is campaigning in. Anthony Salvanto is here with his new poll discussing on how the Hispanic vote is shifting towards the Democrats as we’re less than a month away from midterms. Aaron MacLean is with Major at the desk to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East. Plus, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall is one of several attorneys general involved in a Supreme Court case on whether local neighborhoods should penalize oil and gas companies for exacer...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/02/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/02/26 episode artwork
10/02/2026

Major is here to end the week strong! The Protect College Sports Act passed in the Senate, but has yet to be voted on in the House. Texas Tech Megadonor Cody Campbell explains why he favors the legislation. As the U.S. announces its troop withdrawal from Iraq, a movie discusses the fallout after a Marine mistakenly fired on an Iraqi family in 2003. Reed Van Dyk directed the film, Dexter Filkins is the journalist behind The New Yorker piece that started it all, and Boyd Holbrook is the main actor in the movie. They all join to discuss. With Ma...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/01/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 10/01/26 episode artwork
10/02/2026

President Trump is traveling to Republican strongholds Oklahoma, Texas, Alabama and Nebraska before the midterms. This comes as a new AP poll shows a majority of Republicans are dissatisfied with the President’s handling of the economy. Weijia Jiang is at the family table to discuss the president's recent interview with "Time", including his new comments on the Iran War. Joe Cirincione, a member of the Council of Foreign Relations, joins with analysis. We’re also learning more about the cockpit attack on a FlyDubai flight where the co-pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to take control of the...


Director Alex Gibney On His New Documentary "Musk"
Director Alex Gibney On His New Documentary "Musk" episode artwork
10/01/2026

Major has an extended conversation with director Alex Gibney on his new documentary on Elon Musk.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 30, 2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 30, 2026 episode artwork
09/30/2026

On tonight's show we start with the latest on the incident aboard the flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. We have a report from the airport after the co-pilot stabbed the pilot in the cockpit. We speak to passengers about the heroic actions taken aboard the airliner. Aaron MacLean tells us that tankers are finally moving through the Strait of Hormuz at nearly pre-war levels. When will oil prices drop? Kris Van Cleve talks to the CEO of Alaska Airlines about those high ticket costs and whether they will ever come down. You can listen to all that and...


Simon Sebag Montefiore on "The Cauldron: The Making of the Middle East"
Simon Sebag Montefiore on "The Cauldron: The Making of the Middle East" episode artwork
09/30/2026

Major has an extended conversation with historian Simon Sebag Montefiore about the Trump Administration's handling of the Iran War. His new book "The Cauldron" provides a thorough background of the political events that shaped the Middle East from the 1900's to the present day. 


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/26/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/26/26 episode artwork
09/29/2026

President Trump and Speaker Johnson meet with AI executives at the White House. Nancy Cordes has the latest. Lindsay Clancy is back in court, after the previous murder trial ended in a mistrial. CBS News Legal Contributor Caroline Polisi joins to discuss the status of the case. Jack Smith testifies in front of Congress, to defend his former prosecutions of the President. Lee Holmes, former counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee is on-set with Major to dive into the testimony. Plus, ProPublica reporter Jake Pearson has a new piece on how he bet like a problem gambler on DraftKings...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/28/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/28/26 episode artwork
09/28/2026

President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are set to meet with A.I. executives tomorrow. Ahead of that meeting, Nancy Cordes is at the North Lawn to preview what she’s expecting out of it. Ravi Agrawal, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy, joins Major to discuss the latest in the war in Iran. Kyle Kondik and Anthony Salvanto are providing analysis on the status of the midterms, just 36 days away from Election Day. Plus, Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running for Governor of Georgia against Republican Rick Jackson. She discusses what she’s learned from leading during COVI...


Stephen Knott's "Conspirator In Chief"
Stephen Knott's "Conspirator In Chief" episode artwork
09/26/2026

Major speaks with history professor Stephen Knott about his latest book, "Conspirator in Chief: The Long Tradition of Conspiracy Theories in the American Presidency." In it, he argues that many U.S. presidents before Trump promoted conspiracy theories they didn't believe were true to boost public opinion. Knott explains it all, covering figures from Jefferson and Jackson to Woodrow Wilson and Trump. It's a conversation you won't want to miss!


The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 25, 2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 25, 2026 episode artwork
09/25/2026

Weijia Jiang is at the White House to recap the three-day summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Former U.S. Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, provides his analysis of the state visit. Margaret Brennan joins Major on-set to preview her network exclusive interview with the Iranian President about the state of the war. Zachary Donnini, head of Data Science at VoteHub, is at the touchscreen discussing the races he has his eye on, with just 38 days before the midterm elections. Plus, Matt Calkins, CEO & Co-Founder of Appian, will break down the important developments in artificial intelligence...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/24/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/24/26 episode artwork
09/24/2026

President Trump welcomes Xi Jinping to the White House for a state dinner, providing the pomp and circumstance. Weijia Jiang is at the White House covering that, in addition to the reinstatement of badge access for fellow outlets POLITICO, MSNOW and CNN. Steve Yates, a Senior Fellow for China and National Security Policy at the Heritage Foundation, joins to discuss the Trump-Xi summit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, where some people walked out during his speech. Aaron David Miller from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace offers his perspective. Plus, former...


Allan Lichtman’s Ranking of “Great American Presidents”
Allan Lichtman’s Ranking of “Great American Presidents” episode artwork
09/24/2026

Major speaks with Allan Lichtman, History Professor at American University, who has accurately predicted nine of the last 11 presidential elections, about who he would rank as the best Presidents in U.S. history. Lichtman’s latest book, “Great American Presidents: The Twelve Who Transformed the Nation,” provides a 10-key system that determines his rating, one of which how effective they are acting in crisis. 


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/23/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/23/26 episode artwork
09/23/2026

President Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House today. Nancy Cordes is at the White House to preview the meeting and report on the latest WH press ban on CNN, MSNOW & POLITICO. Major speaks with Hoover Institution Fellow Lanhee Chen for analysis on the Trump-Xi meeting. Jessica Piper, POLITICO’s Senior Data Reporter, breaks down the Republican financial advantage in ad spending over the Democrats and what it means for the midterms, in our new segment: Money Machine. Plus, Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), the chair of the House Select Committee on the Communist Ch...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/22/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/22/26 episode artwork
09/22/2026

President Trump steps onto the world stage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, threatening to "annihilate Iran" and saying Cuba "will fall". Ed O'Keefe is outside the United Nations and Ravi Agrawal, Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy, reacts to the President's remarks. With the divide growing between progressive and moderate Democrats before the midterms, where does the party stand? Rep. Analilia Mejia, a progressive Democrat who won her special election earlier this year, discusses her position. Plus, the U.S. Mint has unveiled commemorative coins honoring veterans with service dogs. The proceeds go to America's VetDogs, an...


Axios’ Jim VandeHei on How to “Simplify” Your Life
Axios’ Jim VandeHei on How to “Simplify” Your Life episode artwork
09/22/2026

Major speaks with Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei about his new book, “Simplify". Jim discusses a system to ease your life: confront the tasks in your schedule, delete the unnecessary things and amplify what makes you happy. Jim notes how he uses Artificial Intelligence as his "Chief Simplicity Officer" and how the technology helps in his everyday life.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/21/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/21/26 episode artwork
09/21/2026

President Trump defends his administration's ban on CNN, MSNOW and POLITICO. Ed O'Keefe is in New York, where the President is meeting with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and is set to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Protesters in Austin are outraged after an ICE officer shot a Venezuelan immigrant while he was trying to deliver food. Camilo Montoya-Galvez reports on the latest developments. Matt Gutman interviews Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio about his attendance at the UN General Assembly and the issues he's focused on. Plus, Independent Senate Candidate Todd Achilles discusses his campaign bid a...


"Supermajority" Interview with Author Adam Jentleson
"Supermajority" Interview with Author Adam Jentleson episode artwork
09/19/2026

It's hard for either party on capitol hill to function with a narrow majority. Real change comes with a super majority. Democratic party insider Adam Jentleson argues in his new book titled "Supermajority: How Democrats Can Build Lasting Power" that the Democratic party needs to draw from the past to thrive in the present. Here's our conversation.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 18, 2026
The Takeout with Major Garrett, Sep 18, 2026 episode artwork
09/18/2026

President Trump posts on Truth Social that he's banning CNN, MSNOW and POLITICO from the White House. Weijia Jiang reports with the details. CBS News Contributor Matt Shumer reacts to Jo Ling Kent's exclusive interview with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Anthony Salvanto discusses his new poll about how Americans feel about AI, whether they're worried it will take their jobs and its effect on society. Margaret Brennan previews the meeting between President Trump and Xi Jinping, as well as her upcoming interview with Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar. Major interviews Adam Jentleson...


Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) on AI, Charlie Kirk and why Americans need an "Off Ramp"
Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) on AI, Charlie Kirk and why Americans need an "Off Ramp" episode artwork
09/18/2026

Major speaks with Utah Governor Spencer Cox on a variety of issues, including his concerns about artificial intelligence, his reflection on one year since the killing of Charlie Kirk, and his new book: "Off Ramp: How to Be a Peacemaker in an Age of Contempt." Cox's book discusses how people can lower the temperature during conversations with those of differing political parties and how to offer grace to people with whom they disagree.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/17/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/17/26 episode artwork
09/17/2026

From CEOs to members of Congress, there have been growing calls for artificial intelligence to be regulated. Major interviews California Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu about his legislation that would require the Department of Homeland Security to provide a "kill switch" for any malicious AI software. It's been more than two years since Paul Whelan was released to the states, after being wrongfully detained in Russia. He is partnering with Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens on a bill that would help those wrongfully detained in other countries re-adjust to their new lives. Plus, Utah Governor Spencer Cox is on to discuss...


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/16/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/16/26 episode artwork
09/16/2026

The Federal Reserve decided to raise interest rates for the first time in three years. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh announces the hike at the Fed headquarters today. Kelly O'Grady is in New York to detail what led to the decision. Nancy Cordes is in Gastonia, North Carolina where the President is campaigning for Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley. Major speaks with Katherine Robertson, Alabama's Chief Legal Counsel, about the state issuing a subpoena to OpenAI following its platform's breach of Hugging Face last month. Plus, Major interviews David Jolly, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate for Florida, about whether the...


Fmr. Gov. Mitch Daniels on why “Impatience Is a Virtue”
Fmr. Gov. Mitch Daniels on why “Impatience Is a Virtue” episode artwork
09/16/2026

Major interviews former Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels on his book, “Impatience Is a Virtue,” where he documents his life in both the Reagan and George W. Bush administrations. Daniels also details his tenure as the president of Purdue University during the COVID-19 pandemic and his return as the interim president of that same university now.


The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/15/26
The Takeout with Major Garrett, 9/15/26 episode artwork
09/15/2026

Two unlikely forces - Senator Bernie Sanders and Steve Bannon, Trump’s Former Chief Strategist - join forces to sound the alarm on artificial intelligence at a Pro-Human Assembly event. Caitlin Huey-Burns joins Major at the desk to discuss her interview with Sen. Sanders. He delves into where him and Bannon coalesce around this issue, despite their differing political views. FBI Director Kash Patel testifies on Capitol Hill about a variety of issues, including a Russian oligarch funding Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding and loosening of standards to include those who engage in bestiality. Jake Rosen is here to break...


Kai Bird & Susan Goldmark's "American Scoundrel" Examines Roy Cohn's Life
Kai Bird & Susan Goldmark's "American Scoundrel" Examines Roy Cohn's Life episode artwork
09/15/2026

From serving as Chief Legal Counsel for Congressman Joe McCarthy during McCarthyism in the '50s to being Trump's first "fixer", Roy Cohn used his connections and relentlessness to prosecute those he saw as his enemies. Bird and Goldmark explain why they use the term "American Scoundrel" to define him, and much more about the controversial figure.Â