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PoliticsNation

MSNBC

Rev. Al Sharpton highlights political stories and issues requiring a national platform.

Location:

New York, NY

Genres:

US News

Networks:

MSNBC

Description:

Rev. Al Sharpton highlights political stories and issues requiring a national platform.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Break Quorum

8/3/2025
On tonight's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses breaking news: Texas House Democrats are announcing plans to break quorum tomorrow. Their goal is to block a Trump-backed Republican redistricting plan that could cost them as many as five congressional seats in the upcoming midterm elections. The chairs of the Democratic Caucus will hold a press conference later tonight in Chicago, hosted by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. We have an all-star lineup to break it all down, including former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder.

Duration:00:46:29

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Rigging The Game

8/2/2025
On today's episode of Politics Nation, host Reverend Al Sharpton discusses how Donald Trump has treated his presidency like a golf game, bending the rules for advantage. This week, Trump fired a top economist after a disappointing jobs report and is pressuring Republican lawmakers to gerrymander voting maps ahead of the midterms to mitigate political backlash. Additionally, just days before the sixtieth anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, the John Roberts Supreme Court seems ready to undermine the Act in a case affecting two Black-majority congressional districts in Louisiana.

Duration:00:42:40

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Tee Times And Trade Wars

7/28/2025
On today's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses the breaking news: President Trump announced a deal after EU talks, amid his trip to Scotland for golf. The big question is how this impacts U.S. states and cities, which are facing economic uncertainty and social upheaval due to shifting trade policies and deportations. I'll ask Colorado Governor Jared Polis soon. Later, we explore challenges for America's mayors with the Mayor's Association President and a promising candidate for Minneapolis' next mayor. I'll also critique Trump's new executive order on homelessness, which I believe will worsen the problem.

Duration:00:41:05

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Lead in the Rough

7/26/2025
On today's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton addresses the challenges facing the country, largely due to President Trump's actions. Currently in Scotland, Trump is on a trip that promotes his golf courses, adding millions to the $52 million taxpayers have already spent during his second term. As he tees off overseas, troubling details about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein are emerging. Despite this, the administration is attempting to divert attention. Todd Blanch, Trump's personal lawyer turned Deputy Attorney General, recently met with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's convicted accomplice, without the prosecutors who brought Epstein to justice. Trump hasn't ruled out a potential pardon for Maxwell. To distract from the scandal, Trump is targeting Black leaders, including former President Obama, while releasing outdated files on Martin Luther King Jr. His tariffs are in effect, his mass deportation plan is underway, another government shutdown is approaching, and the midterm elections are just a year away.

Duration:00:43:43

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Six Months In

7/20/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton highlights President Trump’s reminder on his Truth Social platform that we’ve reached the halfway mark of his second term, which he calls one of the "most consequential" periods in American history. While many Americans may agree, opinions vary on whether the outcomes are positive or negative. Recent polling indicates a significant decline in support for his policies, especially regarding immigration and the economy. Adding to the turmoil are escalating mass deportations, a trade war of Trump's own making, and a growing scandal related to the Epstein files. The pressing question is what the next three and a half years will bring, especially if the past six months are any indication.

Duration:00:39:40

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A Scandalous Summer.

7/19/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton addresses the outrage from President Trump regarding ongoing questions about his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, despite years of conspiracy theories from Trump and his supporters. This controversy has engaged top Justice Department officials and divided the MAGA base. Additionally, America is facing the consequences of the "big, beautiful spending bill," which includes significant tax cuts for the wealthy and cuts to social safety programs. Economic inflation is rising due to Trump’s mass deportations and an escalating trade war. It appears that the summer will be a long and challenging one for both the president and the nation.

Duration:00:40:00

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Damage Control

7/14/2025
On tonight’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton addresses the growing divisions within MAGA-world in light of the release of the so-called "Epstein files." Many supporters are calling for resignations after the Justice Department announced there was no longer a rumored "client list." To calm his followers, Trump shared a heartfelt message on Truth Social, shifting focus from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who faces calls to resign. He labeled the Epstein files as the work of "radical left lunatics," and his allies blamed the controversy on the "deep state." We’ll cover the fallout from the Epstein files and look ahead to Trump's anticipated "major announcement" on Russia as he meets with NATO’s secretary general to discuss military aid to Ukraine,

Duration:00:41:25

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Tariffs And Trepidation

7/12/2025
On tonight's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton criticizes the president for escalating his trade war with new tariffs on Mexico and the European Union, imposing a 30 percent import tariff allegedly starting August 1st. E.U. leaders are preparing countermeasures while continuing negotiations. This situation feels repetitive for many in the U.S., as the president habitually issues tariff threats and sets deadlines. However, some of his vocal supporters are distancing themselves due to the Justice Department's refusal to release the "Epstein files," which Trump had promised. The DOJ claims the files never existed, causing a significant rift among MAGA supporters. Even some administration members are reportedly ready to expose the truth if the files are not released.

Duration:00:41:07

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Latest on TX Flooding/Political Fallout from the Big Beautiful Bill

7/7/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton shares the important updates on the latest of the Texas flooding that left nearly 80 people dead including 43 adults and 28 children. California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear join to discuss the Big Beautiful Bill that President Trump recently signed that will affect millions of Americans and the impact of their respective states. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott will join to discuss the bill having an impact on Maryland as well as the investigation on Correctional Department employee who invited ICE to a local courthouse to detain someone during a pre-trial meeting.

Duration:00:45:41

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Aftermath

7/6/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses President Trump and other Congressional Republicans celebration of the passage of the Tax and Spending Bill this Fourth of July weekend. While it may be a win for the GOP, the Americans will be affected with more than four trillion dollars in net tax cuts over the next decade. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries will join to discuss more about the spending cuts. Twelve million Americans are likely to see their health insurance go away. Three million will watch as their SNAP benefits disappear. Many Economists warn that it could be a formula for disaster, adding more than three trillion dollars to the national debt over the next decade, which only leaves future generations to face the consequences of the political decisions leaders are making today. In the meanwhile, the administration’s mass deportation efforts will witness a historic windfall with 45 billion dollars in new funding for ICE alone.

Duration:00:39:18

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Bill In Motion

6/29/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses the imminent Senate vote on President Trump’s tax bill. Senate clerks have spent over half a day reading a lengthy bill at the request of Democrats. Senate GOP leaders have made compromises to win the support of holdouts after lengthy negotiations on cuts to Medicaid and other social programs. They plan to obscure the bill’s true cost, making it appear significantly cheaper than many economists predict. Now, both Republican leaders and some of the president's allies are warning that this budget could lead to a disaster, favoring the wealthiest Americans, worsening inflation, and jeopardizing the social safety net for years to come.

Duration:00:41:03

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Who's winning?

6/28/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton starts with the Senate in session as Republicans rush to pass the President's tax bill before July Fourth. Senate GOP leaders have negotiated with holdouts on several issues to secure the votes they need, but it remains uncertain whether these agreements will be enough to clear procedural hurdles. We know that economists have warned the bill could be a disaster for America, increasing the debt while the benefits mainly go to the country's wealthiest. This potential economic outlook looks even darker next to another major win for the President this week—a series of Supreme Court decisions that have overall granted Trump even more power, mainly by reducing the one and only check we've seen on his administration: our federal courts.

Duration:00:40:14

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The Decider

6/21/2025
On today’s episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses President Trump’s tough decision regarding the Iran and Israel Conflict. President Trump says he will decide whether the United States should attack Iran’s nuclear sites within the next two weeks despite our spy agencies saying Iran doesn’t have a bomb. The White House is expected to give an Intelligence briefing in the next hour. In the meanwhile, Democrats on the hill are already preparing to stop the President from starting a war without Congress, while their Republican colleagues are distracted by internal squabbles over the President’s “Big Beautiful” Budget Bill. South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn will join us to discuss the latest. Meanwhile, the country continues to watch ICE agents in Los Angeles snatching migrants off the streets, flanked by National Guard Troops that the President has deployed. A federal appeals court gave Trump a win on that matter this week. However, his ability to detain immigrants indefinitely may be in jeopardy, after a key court decision yesterday.

Duration:00:40:37

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Ongoing Manhunt

6/16/2025
On today's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton reports breaking news from Minnesota, where a search is underway for Vance Belter, the suspect in the shooting of two Democratic state lawmakers, one of whom was killed along with her husband. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison will join us to discuss the investigation. In Washington, President Trump is set to leave for the G7 Summit in Canada after a weekend of protests against him. He is also facing a pending court decision regarding his deployment of the National Guard in California amid his crackdown on migrants. We will hear from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass tonight as well. Stay tuned.

Duration:00:42:25

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LAX Protest

6/9/2025
On today's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton begins with breaking news out of Los Angeles. President Trump has deployed the California National Guard following three days of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement regarding the administration's mass deportation efforts in and around Los Angeles.

Duration:00:41:24

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In Plain Sight

5/24/2025
On tonight's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses how Donald Trump is spending the holiday weekend playing golf at one of his private clubs, celebrating the passage of his "big, beautiful" tax and spending bill by House Republicans, just in time for Memorial Day. While the bill may seem beneficial for the wealthy with its massive tax breaks, it proposes significant cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and environmental protections, creating serious problems for many Americans as it moves to the Senate. In addition, Trump capped off the week with a $400 million luxury jet gift from a foreign government and an exclusive dinner tied to a Bitcoin scheme that has greatly enriched him and his family. Amid all this, Trump's Justice Department dropped accountability agreements with police departments this week—the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder—blatantly disregarding his legacy and impact on justice in America. So, my big question tonight is: Is criminal justice in the U.S. anymore "just" than it was five years ago? The answer will come later on "Politics Nation."

Duration:00:43:23

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Reality Check

5/18/2025
On tonight's episode of Politics Nation, The Reverend Al Sharpton discusses how, after being treated like royalty by Arab leaders during his trip to the Middle East this week, Donald Trump is returning to Washington, where the checks and balances of democracy conflict with his aspirations of ruling like a strongman. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has thrown a major obstacle in Trump's mass deportation plans, ruling that Venezuelan detainees must be given more time to present their cases in court. The Court emphasized that the constitutional right to due process must be upheld, even as this administration seeks to target Democratic lawmakers who advocate for the same rights.

Duration:00:41:01

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Under Pressure

5/14/2025
On tonight's episode of Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton discusses President Trump's upcoming historic trip to the Middle East, but his second-term priorities are at risk. Resistance to his mass deportations is increasing, evidenced by the arrest of a democratically elected mayor. His budget bill is stuck in Congress, with members of his own party in dispute. Additionally, Trump's reputation as a dealmaker is being tested as agreements on tariffs and ceasefires remain elusive. Time is running out for him to advance his agenda before the upcoming midterm elections that could reshape his presidency.

Duration:00:40:10

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An outrageous arrest

5/11/2025
In today's episode of Politics Nation Newark, masked federal agents arrested Newark, New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka yesterday outside a migrant detention center. He was participating in a demonstration alongside several New Jersey House Democrats, calling for a tour of the facility. Tensions rose when Baraka was denied entry, resulting in clashes between ICE agents and protesters. The Trump administration defended the arrest, with border czar Tom Homan warning of further arrests for public officials who interfere with their immigration enforcement efforts. This has prompted outrage in the civil rights community, as they view it as a troubling escalation aimed at suppressing political opposition to mass deportation policies.

Duration:00:43:17

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The Next 100 Days

5/4/2025
In this episode of Politics Nation, The Reverend Al Sharpton addresses President Trump's return to Washington this week, where he encounters major challenges. Congressional Republicans are pushing a major spending bill that aligns with Trump’s priorities, including border security, energy, and tax cuts for the wealthy. This plan, which cuts funding for clean water projects and heating assistance for low-income individuals while increasing defense spending to a trillion dollars, is meeting some resistance due to its perceived disregard for pressing social needs. As Congress debates these issues, the American public and Wall Street are bracing for the economic impact of upcoming tariffs, particularly in the farming sector, which warns of a potential crisis. Meanwhile, Trump’s deportation policies are sparking conflict with the courts, as the administration threatens judges and defies court orders related to migrants' rights. All of this is taking place as we anticipate the next phases of Trump’s second term.

Duration:00:40:12