The Weekend

August 22, 2026; 9am: As Americans continue to grapple with the ongoing affordability crisis, Trump's policies are again threatening to drive the prices we pay even higher. Trump took to Truth Social to claim Canada wanted “the benefits of being a state, without being one.” It comes after Canada said Saturday it would match "dollar for dollar" Trump's new 50% tariffs that went into effect after trade talks fell apart on Friday. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said his country had been “attacked” by the new American tariffs. Congressman Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee, joins “The Weekend” to discuss.

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August 23, 2026, 8 AM; This week, the Cook Political Report shifted Senate races in Texas and Iowa to the left: from "lean Republican" to "toss-up." MS NOW still rates both of these races as Lean Republican. Meanwhile, MS NOW's Political Unit is characterizing Senate races in Alaska and Ohio as toss-ups, two seats that are currently held by Republicans. Terrance Woodbury and Rachel Bitecofer join The Weekend to discuss the Democrats’ prospects.

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August 23 2026; 7am: As U.S./Canada trade talks fall apart, President Trump is holding yet another spectacle in Washington, D.C. that taxpayers are contributing to -- a massive "Freedom 250 Grand Prix" IndyCar race throughout the streets of Washington, D.C. Later today, Trump will wave the green flag and will also reportedly take a “lap of honor” in The Beast. Taxpayers are footing the bill for security, which is expected to cost at least $10 million. Will Sommer, Senior Reporter for The Bulwark and Dana Millbank, Columnist for NOTUS, join “The Weekend” to discuss.

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August 22 2026; 9am: Last night at a campaign rally in Myrtle Beach, President Trump conceded that voters may not be very enthusiastic about this year's midterm elections, but encouraged them to "pretend" he's on the ballot. This comes as three more Trump-endorsed candidates lost this week in Republican primaries in Florida and Wyoming. According to MS NOW's "Races to Watch," one of the best pickup opportunities for Senate Democrats is in Maine. Troy Jackson joins “The Weekend” to discuss his bid against Senator Susan Collins.

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August 22, 2026, 8 AM; The Democratic National Committee sued the Trump administration this week for violating the Freedom of Information Act by failing to turn over “records about any plans to seize ballots, voting machines or other election materials before the 2026 midterms are certified.” The concerns over Trump potentially interfering in the midterm elections are shared by election officials across the country who are at this moment “war-gaming” every move they think President Trump might make come this November. Rep. Joe Morelle and Jacquelyn Lopez join The Weekend to discuss how the party is preparing for any such nightmare scenario.

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