State of the Union

Latest Episodes:

Interviews with White House Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka; Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar; Ambassador Cindy McCain Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, Brianna Keilar and White House Senior Director for Counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka spar over right-wing claims about the prevalence of mass shootings by transgender people. Next, Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar joins to respond and discuss how her community is dealing with the aftermath of the Minneapolis school shooting. Then, Democratic Congressman Wesley Bell, Republican Congressman Buddy Carter, CNN Political Commentator Kate Bedingfield, and CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings discuss the upheaval at the CDC and confusion over vaccine access. Finally, World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain joins Brianna to share what she saw on a recent trip to Gaza, as well as to reflect on the anniversary of her husband John McCain’s passing.

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Interviews with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

On CNN's State of the Union, Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses with Dana Bash New York's redistricting plans, the party's loss of voters, and the President reviewing exhibits within the Smithsonian museums. Former Chicago Mayor and U-S Ambassador Rahm Emanuel slams President Trump's new plans to send troops into Chicago and reacts to global experts officially declaring a man-made famine in Gaza city. Our Panelists Brad Todd, Xochitl Hinojosa, Jonah Goldberg and Karen Finney discuss new reporting on Trump's detailed plans to send troops into Chicago. Plus, California Governor Gavin Newsom's trolling of Trump on social media reaches level 10.

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Interviews with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff; Former Vice President Mike Pence Aug 17, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff joins Jake to discuss what he says was “substantial progress” in the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Then, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence joins Jake to react to Trump rolling out the red carpet for Putin. Next, CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Brad Todd, Kristen Soltis Anderson, and former State Department Senior Adviser Nayyera Haq join Jake to discuss Trump’s summit, as well as his escalating redistricting push. Finally, Jake reflects on Trump’s summit and wonders whether his willingness to accommodate Putin may have made peace less likely.

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CNN Goes on the Road with Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders; Interview with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker Aug 10, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash travels to Wheeling, West Virginia for an exclusive interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders. They discuss his push to bring his progressive message to red states, the Democratic Party’s struggles with working-class voters, the escalating showdown over redistricting in red and blue states, the situations in Ukraine and Gaza, and what the future holds for him and his movement.

Plus, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker joins Dana to discuss President Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin later this week in Alaska.

Finally, former Republican Gov. Scott Walker, Democratic Strategist Mo Elleithee, and CNN Political Commentators Kristen Soltis Anderson and Ashley Allison join Dana to break down this high-stakes moment for Trump’s economic and foreign policy agenda, as well as what the Texas redistricting fight means for the future of American democracy.

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin; Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Former BLS Commissioner William Beach Aug 03, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s ability to fight climate change by rolling back regulations on greenhouse gases. Next, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis joins Kasie to discuss tariffs and his party’s struggle to counter Trump across the board. Finally, Bernie Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir and CNN Political Commentators Kate Bedingfield, Brad Todd, and Jonah Goldberg join Kasie to break down Kamala Harris’ return to the spotlight as Democrats weigh who can win in 2028.

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Rep. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, WH Budget Director Russel Vought and Dem. Sen. Mark Kelly Jul 27, 2025

Show notes

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin discusses the Epstein controversy with Jake Tapper and what it will take for the Trump administration to move on from the crisis. White House Budget Director Russ Vought tells Jake Tapper about plans for another recissions package and the tools the administration might use to achieve spending cuts. Democratic Senator Mark Kelly discusses what he has been hearing from voters at townhalls about Democratic favorability problems and whether the US bears any blame for the starvation crisis in Gaza. And the panel weighs in.

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Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Senator Amy Klobuchar on why Democrats didn't release the Epstein files during the Biden Administration, Congressman Tim Burchett says Trump's call to release grand jury material in the Epstein case is a "good start." US hostage envoy Adam Boehler discusses the Trump administration’s prisoner exchange with Venezuela that freed ten detained US nationals. Former Democratic Congressman Beto O’Rourke weighs in on the GOP’s controversial push to redraw its congressional map to help Republicans. Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres, former Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler, former Trump campaign adviser Bryan Lanza, and CNN Political Commentator Karen Finney break down the state of both parties six months into President Trump’s second term.

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White House Border Czar Tom Homan, California Sen. Alex Padilla and Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses White House Border Czar Tom Homan over Trump’s immigration crackdown amid chaotic ICE raids in California. Next, California Sen. Alex Padilla sits down with Dana to respond. Then, Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales joins Dana amid growing calls for accountability after the deadly floods in his state. Finally, CNN Political Commentators David Urban and Kristen Soltis Anderson, Democratic Strategist Faiz Shakir, and Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell join Dana to break down MAGA’s revolt over Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash speaks with Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro about the deadly floods ravaging his state. Then, Dana sits down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss President Trump’s sweeping domestic policy legislation. They also discuss what will happen when Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs ends later this week. Next, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear joins Dana to respond to Sec. Bessent and lay out the impact Trump’s law will have on his state. Finally, CNN Senior Political Commentator Scott Jennings and CNN Political Commentators Jamal Simmons, Kate Bedingfield, and Shermichael Singleton join Dana to react to Elon Musk announcing plans to launch a new political party.

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Rep. Sen. Katie Britt and Dem. Sen. Mark Warner Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

On CNN's State of the Union, Jake Tapper speaks to Republican Senator Katie Britt about the President's domestic policy agenda as it nears its final vote in the Senate. Democratic Senator Mark Warner slams Republicans for supporting this bill while also what he knows about the state of Iran's nuclear program. Finally Republican Rep. Riley Moore, Democratic Rep. Chris Deluzio, Ashley Allison and Alyssa Farah Griffin discuss.

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