The Arena with Kasie Hunt

President Trump's decision to fire Katie Zacharia after just five days as his Press Secretary. Fmr. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins to discuss the Democrats' midterm prospects and how he is thinking about the party ahead of 2028. Senate candidates get personal in a series of heated midterm debates. Former Sen. Joe Manchin joins alongside Rep. Kevin Kiley to explain why he is endorsing the Independent congressman in his reelection bid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New polls show James Talarico and Ken Paxton deadlocked in the Texas Senate race.  Anthony Scaramucci, who served a famously brief tenure as Trump's WH communications director, reacts to Katie Zacharia's first podium appearance as press secretary. Senate candidates in Georgia, Iowa, and Maine face off in a trio of heated debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump heads to Ohio as the GOP scrambles to stop steep midterm losses. Federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar's home as part of a criminal probe. James Talarico returns to the campaign trail and addresses conspiracy theories about his health. House Speaker Mike Johnson becomes the latest Republican lawmaker to express concerns about broadcasting the military's first firing squad execution in decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new WSJ report alleges that Ambassador Kimberly Guilfoyle pushed a donor to wire her $100k to her Amex account. New CNN polls show that Democrats are in play in two deep-red states as the party eyes the Senate majority. The DOJ is seeking a federal indictment of Cassidy Hutchinson, the former WH aide who became a star witness in the congressional investigation into January 6th, according to a new report. The Democratic candidate for Texas Governor, Gina Hinojosa, talks about her race and shares her stance on capital punishment in light of Christa Pike’s failed lethal injection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump faces backlash for suggesting that Iran could "take out" Los Angeles or San Diego. Former President Barack Obama ramps up his campaign presence in the final stretch of the election cycle. The Cook Political Report shifts three Senate ratings toward Democrats. Trump won't say if he'll reimburse taxpayers after backtracking on those campaign-style, government-funded ads. Democrats blast Maine Sen. Susan Collins on the anniversary of her vote to confirm Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, as she prepares to debate her Democratic opponent tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN obtained new campaign-style ads funded by the American taxpayer, including one titled 'God Made Trump.' Rep. Jake Auchincloss reacts. Victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred and criminal defense attorney Bill Brennan discuss the special counsel appointment in the alleged Cornell rape case and where it goes from here. TIME's Eric Cortellessa shares what he's gleaned from his lengthy interviews with the president over the last year and a half. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a speech to service members in which he slammed the military culture under past leaders and announced a 20% cut to senior officer ranks. Ken Paxton is expected at a Trump event tomorrow after the New York Times obtained audio of him bashing Trump's midterm convention. Israel says the stabbing on a Flydubai flight this morning was an “attempted terrorist attack” against Israelis and the UAE. Independent Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar joins to discuss where his race stands. Plus, Trump's "damn good" AI chatbot debunks many of his false claims about election fraud and inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The White House releases another taxpayer-funded ad weeks before the midterm elections. Rep. Ro Khanna discusses. CNN, Politico, and MS Now are expected to request an extension of a judge's block on the Trump White House's media ban. Speaker Johnson says a "Chinese psyop" is behind AI data center concerns, as the Anthropic CEO is expected to attend the White House meeting tomorrow following his private dinner with Trump.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN was allowed back into the White House following a judge's order. The top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia, weighs in on the administration's media ban. President Trump welcomes Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the White House for a state dinner. With Xi and Trump set to discuss AI at their summit, technology journalist Jacob Ward explains where the AI race stands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump spoke before the United Nations General Assembly about the Iran war. New CNN polling shows just 36% approve of the president's handling of the war. The top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, discusses the latest foreign policy news, including Trump's upcoming meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump defends the White House press ban and claims coverage of the Iran war is "very dangerous for our country." Plus, Kamala Harris joins Michigan Sen. candidate Abdul El-Sayed on the campaign trail. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez comments on her political future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says he’s "banning" CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from the White House. Trump answers questions from the White House about the decision. Presidential historian Tim Naftali reflects on how past presidents have interacted with the press. Rep. Jake Auchincloss reacts to the news and calls for all other outlets to "boycott in solidarity." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates, despite pressure from President Trump. House Speaker Johnson sends lawmakers home until after the November elections, preventing the House from acting on AI regulation and other matters. Rep. Pramila Jayapal reacts. President Trump heads down to North Carolina to campaign for the GOP Senate candidate. VP Vance urges voters to "give us another chance" ahead of the midterms. Plus, the Kennedy Center closes after a board vote, despite a judge's order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New industry warnings about AI cause Washington to scramble. Sen. Chris Coons weighs in. The Pentagon is denying a CNN report that Secretary Hegseth and political appointees pushed for the airmen shot down over Iran to participate in a '60 Minutes' report. Amy McGrath discusses. Plus, the Kennedy Center warns of bankruptcy unless Trump’s name returns.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices