Groundbreaking weekly docu-series that pulls back the curtain on American politics. Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
Genre: Documentary
Cast:John Heilemann , Mark McKinnon , Alex Wagner , Jennifer Palmieri , Mark Halperin , Donald Trump , Ted Cruz , Bernie Sanders , Hillary Clinton , Marco Rubio , Donald Trump Jr. , John Kasich , Roger Stone , Kate Bedingfield , Mike Pence , Tim Miller , Chris Christie , Neal Katyal
The campaigns of three "outsiders" - Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump - are given behind-the-scenes attention on the road to the Iowa caucus.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie, former Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. John Kasich prepare for the all-important, first-in-the-nation primary in New Hampshire.
Follows the angst and drama leading up to the Iowa caucuses, with a showdown brewing between Democrats Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and the GOP's first real test of outsider candidates versus the establishment.
The fourth episode goes inside the Iowa fallout and the momentum leading into New Hampshire's primary. Who's got it? Who doesn't? And how can the Clinton and Trump campaigns pick up the pace to beat back the surge of Sanders and Cruz?
From the electric jolt of New Hampshire to the hard truths coming up in South Carolina and Nevada. Trump tastes victory, Kasich picks up momentum - and Bush faces the prospect of an impending do-or-die reality.
Anxiety grows about how high the stakes are in Nevada and South Carolina.
Down to The Big Five, all eyes are on the upcoming prize: Super Tuesday.
With big wins for the front-runners on Super Tuesday the rest of candidates are reckoning with the results. But the biggest story of all might be one both Democratic and Republican establishments can agree on: how do they stop Trump?
It's make or break time for Rubio, Kasich and Sanders. As the candidates pin their hopes on Florida and Ohio, can they gather enough momentum to force a brokered convention - or will their campaigns finally run out of steam?
While Rubio gets trumped in Florida, the rest of the candidates remain cautiously optimistic. But are high hopes what they need to pull off a win and secure the nomination - or are they just delusional?
As foreign policy comes to the fore can Trump and Clinton handle the heat?
Before a showdown in Wisconsin, candidates travel the state to pursue competing agendas; Kasich, Cruz and Sanders seek to secure their positions as spoilers.
From the early primary battles to the Super Tuesday showdown and beyond, pull back the curtain on the 2016 presidential race with Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon - and catch-up on the electrifying first twelve weeks.
While the nation celebrates July 4, Trump and Clinton engage in their own fireworks. With the reemergence of Clinton's email scandal and Trump's latest faux pas, the titans go on the attack to take each other down.
No president is complete without a veep. As Trump auditions Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Newt Gingrich and Clinton considers Tim Kaine, can the candidates find the right-hand man for the job who will make, not break, their campaign?
The political circus goes into overdrive as Trump is crowned the Republican nominee - and Melania, controversially, speaks! Capitalizing on his children to help humanize his image, can Trump plus Pence finally rally a unified party?
The jeers and boos of Sanders diehards ring out in Philadelphia, before the Democrats at last make Hillary a historic nominee. But is shattering a glass ceiling enough for Clinton and Kaine to unite the party into a winning coalition?
Examines the race, which has tightened significantly in the weeks, as it enters the final stage of the election with less than 60 days to go. It also examines third party candidate Governor Gary Johnson and the "Allepo" gaffe.
As Clinton's pneumonia and scrutiny about Trump's medical records comes to the forefront, their fitness to lead is questioned.
As Clinton and Trump prepare for their first debate, their campaigns target the swing states with an eye on Florida.
Preparations for the debate; the candidates cede the spotlight to those who cover the political news.
The fallout from the second debate and the current scandal surrounding a recently publicized audio tape.
Amid claims of foreign intervention, international espionage and widespread hacking, Clinton faces what might turn out to be her toughest opponent to date: WikiLeaks, and the trove of highly sensitive, private emails it's made public.
The final two-week push going into the election sees the full weight of the White House come out in force for Clinton's campaign, including one man who has the potential to swing those states still up for grabs: Joe Biden.
Clinton in Arizona? Trump in Washington? As different polls predict differing outcomes both campaigns make a case in far-fetched battlegrounds. In a race that's either up for grabs or already decided, hope, it seems, springs eternal.
In a special hour-long episode of the real-time documentary series, Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon go behind the scenes of both campaigns in the lead up to Election Day - and the fallout that followed. Season Finale.
Mark Halperin takes a ride on Airforce One with President Donald Trump. We look at the debate surrounding the health-care bill and hear from both sides, including Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Rand Paul and the White House.
Mark Halperin talks with Senator Patrick Leahy about Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination, Congressman Adam Schiff weighs in on Trump's alleged ties to Russia and Joe Biden enters the fray surrounding the healthcare bill.
What do people outside the Beltway really think about President Trump? Mark Halperin takes a trip through America to find the answers. Then he heads to New Orleans to discuss his surprising findings with Mary Matalin.
What in the world is going on? This week is all about foreign policy: President Trump's military response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria and its impact on his ongoing delicate dance with Russia.
Congress may be in recess but Mark Halperin is on the job, covering the White House and the Syria fallout. John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon hit the road to see what Americans think about how President Trump is handling the situation.
How are the Democrats resisting Trump? Mark Halperin talks to Elizabeth Warren about standing strong. Bernie Sanders tells John Heilemann about taking his message to the people. Americans talk about what resistance means to them.
What has President Trump learned from his first 100 days in office? As Congress reconvenes, Mark McKinnon and John Heilemann head to Capitol Hill to find out. Mark Halperin is in New York City to get Wall Street's perspective.
Washington insiders join John Heilemann, Mark Halperin and Mark McKinnon for a look at some of the thrilling, amazing and logic defying acts performed during President Trump's first 100 days.
Tensions between the United States and Russia are ratcheting up. John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and new host Alex Wagner explore the global politics of this dangerous new Cold War.
Growing legal entanglements surround President Trump -f rom the ongoing Mueller investigation to the Michael Cohen raid and subsequent hearing, and James Comey's inflammatory book, the Trump presidency is under siege.
Visits by the heads of France and Germany command the administration's attention. John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon talk with Wendy Sherman, architect of the Iran deal. Alex Wagner interviews the imam behind the travel-ban challenge.
The Circus takes the nation's temperature on the president's performance, the midterm elections, and gun control. Features interviews with Mitt Romney in Utah, Randy "Iron Stache" Bryce in Wisconsin, and Beto O'Rourke in Texas.
The gloves are off as Donald Trump fights a 360-degree battle to keep the presidency. He's taking shots at those who stand to threaten it, and is at war against the "deep state" of the FBI, CIA, and the Department of Justice.
A look at the Trump White House in constant crisis mode. Also Chris Christie on trying to govern during a scandal; Steve Brill on combating fake news; Steve Schmidt and Mark Fabiani on the Trump administration crisis management.
With the looming midterm elections, the Trump presidency under siege, and Hurricane Florence bearing down on the Carolina coast, Washington has a lot on its collective plate. John Heilemann interviews Steve Bannon.
As Republicans and Democrats play a game of chess in the wake of the assault allegations from Christine Blasey Ford, all eyes are on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
The focus remains tightly on the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. For much of the week John Heilemann is embedded with attorney Michael Avenatti, who may just have the most explosive revelations of all.
The emphasis remains squarely on the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation. But as the midterm elections draw nearer, the hosts delve into the ramifications of the confirmation's outcome on various Senate races around the country.
The Circus travels to California to gauge the resistance to the Trump administration. With almost a dozen Republican-held house seats in serious contention, any potential blue wave in the midterm elections will begin here.
As the battle for the Senate heats up with polls forecasting a Republican resurgence, The Circus travels the country charting the shifting dynamics in three of the closest races - Arizona, Nevada and North Dakota.
As undertones of racial politics make news, The Circus travels to Florida and Georgia, following two historic gubernatorial races with African-American candidates.
With the midterm elections only days away, The Circus travels to rallies and campaign stops around the country to find out how both sides are pulling out all the stops to win these all-important races.
A special one-hour season finale all about the midterms: before, during and after. The Circus is there for the run-up to election day, watching the returns come in, and Trump's reaction and the fallout from the historic election.
As a Democratic majority in the House puts a check on the Trump presidency, the second half of his term has begun with total gridlock, a government shutdown, and federal workers lining up for free hot meals. Is this the new normal?
President Trump's increasing vulnerability has led to a bumper crop of potential 2020 challengers, all of whom are hoping to be the one to unseat him.
President Trump weighs declaring a state of emergency at the border, and the House Intelligence Committee is ramping up investigations of Trump on multiple fronts, and collaborating with Robert Mueller's team.
2020 election is looming large in the capital. THE CIRCUS follows declared and potential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Beto O'Rourke, and tracks ongoing news of potential government shutdown, the border wall battle, and the Green New Deal.
What exactly constitutes a national emergency? THE CIRCUS compares and contrasts various perceived national emergencies-from the border wall to gun violence, opioids and climate change- and covers people on the front lines of each one.
It's an action-packed week for President Trump on two fronts, creating a split-screen effect. The President travels to Vietnam to meet Kim Jong Un of North Korea, and President's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, testifies before Congress.
THE CIRCUS takes a deep dive into the Democratic party. There is a movement to tack left towards more progressive policies. On the other hand, many feel that the best way to convert Trump voters in 2020 is to move towards the center.
Donald Trump is currently engaged in a three-front war over the future of his presidency: one with Congress over his border wall, another with his potential Democratic challengers in 2020, and a third on the legal front.
Leading Democratic presidential candidates are trying to get their message across, while the party debates what it will take to beat Trump. The President also has an unprecedented number of Republican primary challengers to contend with.
The Circus tackles the launch of an official impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump. The hosts track down Democratic congressional leaders and prominent Republicans in a momentous week for both sides of the political aisle.
The Circus fans out across the country to cover the rapidly-evolving impeachment story. In the capital, the hosts track breaking news developments as the White House and others react to the impeachment inquiry and findings thus far.
The Circus examines the President, the whistleblowers, the 2020 candidates and more. Jennifer Palmieri, a veteran of the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Bill Clinton White House, joins the hosts.
Everyone in the capital seems to be in fighting mode. Democrats are pursuing the impeachment inquiry at an aggressive pace, the President defends his actions, and the Democratic 2020 contenders participated in a heated debate.
The Circus does a deep dive into the longtime federal government agencies and bureaucrats involved in Congress' ongoing impeachment inquiry, otherwise dubbed by President Trump as the "deep state."
The Circus is in Iowa for the all-important Liberty and Justice Celebration, aka Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, where past Democratic Presidential winners like Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter have broken out from tight races.
The Circus analyzes potential outcomes of the impeachment inquiry by taking the pulse of Congress members, Presidential campaigns, and Trump loyalists who are all set to be impacted by public testimony. Season finale.
In the season premiere, The Circus lives up to its name as the impeachment trial of President Trump begins in earnest, and the all-important, too-close-to-predict Iowa caucuses are less than two weeks away.
The focus is on the Iowa caucuses and closing pitch all Democratic candidates are making to voters. Campaign leaders for the major candidates weigh in on final sprints, what they're excited about, and what is keeping them up at night.
In one of the wildest political weeks in memory, fumbled tallies at the Democratic Iowa caucus prevented the essential momentum builds for the victors. Meanwhile, President Trump was acquitted on both articles of impeachment by the Senate.
The Circus is on the ground for the New Hampshire primary: the lead up, the results, and the fallout. Electability arguments are solidifying now that votes are being cast and results are coming in.
All eyes have turned to Nevada and its Democratic caucus. Bernie Sanders has the chance to cement his frontrunner status, as the other candidates are looking to challenge him. DNC is on the ground in Nevada to make sure all runs smoothly.
In the week of the South Carolina Democratic primary, voters are deciding if there is a viable challenger to Bernie Sanders. African American voters could bolster Joe Biden's campaign - will the results affect the race going forward?
The run up to the Democratic primaries on Super Tuesday, and the aftermath of elections that turn the race upside down.
The results of the Big Tuesday Democratic primaries in 6 states cemented Joe Biden's front-runner status. Meanwhile, with cancelled rallies and limits on travel, the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the race in ways large and small.
The Circus returns, covering all the reaction to Joe Biden's monumental selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate. Elsewhere, the hosts get a behind-the-scenes look at planning a virtual Democratic National Convention.
An in-depth look at the Democratic party's efforts to hold the best unconventional convention as well as the Trump campaign's attempts at counter-programming. Hilary Clinton discusses Joe Biden's long road ahead as the party nominee.
The Circus is in the thick of the RNC in D.C., covering speakers, key speeches and the subsequent public reaction. Republicans offer their perspective on "law and order" in response to recent police brutality in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The Circus travels to Kenosha, Wisconsin, the site of a week of civil unrest after the shooting of Jacob Blake. As President Trump's visit adds to the discourse surrounding Black and Blue lives, Joe Biden hits the campaign trail.
The Circus looks at the controversy surrounding increased mail-in voting due to the pandemic and effect on the 2020 election. While Trump continues to denounce voting by mail, Biden's campaign tries to adapt to unprecedented circumstances.
The Circus investigates the politicization of COVID-19. While Trump prioritizes the economy, Biden has upheld health experts, begging the question: How will the discourse between Red and Blue affect the 2020 election in swing states?
The Circus profiles the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Eager to capitalize on her now vacant seat, key conservatives have pushed to confirm a nomination before a new president is sworn in, while progressives strongly object.
The Circus covers the fiery first debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden as the hosts react to the seismic news that Trump tested positive for COVID-19.
The Circus is covering the inquiry around Trump's health in the week following his COVID-19 diagnosis. As more people in Trump's circle test positive, functionality of the White House and outlook of the campaign has come under scrutiny.
The Circus dives into voting integrity, specifically issues concerning election day disputes, voter suppression by poll watchers, lawsuits against mail-in ballots and re-election rhetoric from President Trump himself.
In the week leading up to the last Presidential Debate between Biden and Trump, The Circus takes a data-driven look at the 2020 race. With COVID-19 again on the rise, the hosts get expert insight on where the virus might be heading.
As the moment draws closer to election night, The Circus pinpoints competitive red-state Senate races and the battle for the White House. Meanwhile, both Trump and Biden use Amy Coney Barrett's Supreme Court appointment to their advantage.
With results of the 2020 Presidential election permeating into the days following, The Circus is on the ground in every key battleground state offering a one-hour look at how the race between Biden and Trump has evolved. Season finale.
In an extended season premiere, The Circus makes sense of a country reeling from the grave implications of a Capitol siege. Hosts examine unfolding news, explore the fallout of a turbulent week and energy surging of the Georgia run-off.
At the brink of an historic second impeachment, The Circus delves into the final week in office of a furious, de-platformed President Trump. With last week's violence, the question remains: will this be a decisive moment for our nation?
The Circus captures the magnitude of a divisive era as it turns the page with a new administration. Biden officially sworn in as 46th POTUS, the hosts break down the most prominent moments as the country undergoes a transition of power.
In the first week of Joe Biden's presidency, The Circus offers a window into his approach towards tackling the COVID-19 crisis. As the vaccine moves from shipment to inoculation, hosts focus on administrative response at multiple levels.
The Circus takes the pulse of a Republican party at war with itself. Dominated by the postures of its predecessor, hosts speak with both ends of the spectrum, as Republicans continue to face erratic claims from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green.
The Circus focuses on the historic second impeachment trial of Donald Trump as the Senate faces a decisive moment and questions the former President's culpability leading up to the January 6th siege of the Capitol.
The Circus turns its focus towards a Biden administration fresh off implementing a series of ambitious climate motions and explores how the President is filtering job losses vs. gains into his environmental agenda moving forward.
The Circus keys in on the Biden administration's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and examines how Democrats and Republicans are either discussing or scrutinizing its enactment into law. Mid-season finale.
The Circus returns to find the culture war still very much alive. As Washington fears a new incursion from insurrectionists now rallying behind the anti-vax banner, will President Biden be able to heal the country's divisions?
After President Biden's powerful speech to the UN, The Circus focuses on his administration's approach to foreign policy. In the wake of ongoing turbulence in Afghanistan, how has the Biden Presidency navigated international partnerships?
The Circus heads to Capitol Hill for the fierce battle over President Biden's legacy-defining agenda. As Democrats face off over costs and priorities, moderates and progressives refuse to back down.
The Circus is on the ground in Texas, examining the impact of the state's highly controversial news laws on abortion and voting, as well as the red-hot immigration battle.
The Circus examines the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen and how the falsehood is being embraced by the Republican Party and threatens American democracy.
The Circus heads to Virginia, examining both sides of the neck and neck gubernatorial race considered by many to be a bellwether for the country.
The Circus heads to Capitol Hill as the deadline looms to pass President Biden's legacy-defining agenda, as moderate and progressive Democrats in both chambers race to strike a deal before the week's end.
The Circus examines Biden's presidency as two governor races set off alarm bells within Democratic ranks. Hosts delve into successes, setbacks and the dire political state of Biden's party as they race to pass a transformative agenda.
The Circus returns as Russia invades Ukraine and President Biden delivers his first State of the Union address. With the world on high alert, the hosts report on the escalating crisis from Washington DC and Eastern Europe. Season premiere.
With the situation on the ground in Ukraine growing increasingly dire, The Circus travels to Estonia and Washington, exploring America's response to Putin's invasion and what more the U.S. and its allies can do.
As Russia escalates its assault, Ukraine's President delivers an impassioned address to Congress. Jennifer and Mark are on Capitol Hill speaking with lawmakers immediately after Zelenskyy's emotional plea to "close the sky" over Ukraine.
As President Biden travels to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit, The Circus examines Russia's threats of using nuclear weapons in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine and what the West is doing to prevent that catastrophic escalation.
The Circus tracks dramatic developments of the House committee investigating the January 6 insurrection, including the vote to hold two of former President Trump's aides in contempt.
As the President's historic nominee for the Supreme Court is confirmed, The Circus examines Biden's successes, failures and plunging poll numbers.
The Circus travels to Pennsylvania to cover one of the nation's most closely watched Senate races, one that Democrats must win in order to maintain control of the Senate.
The Circus heads to Florida to explore the controversial new laws signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on gender, education and abortion - and how the Sunshine State is now the central battlefield of America's culture war.
The Circus covers the sprint to the midterm elections in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The hosts explore how the issue of abortion is upending critical races across the country.
The Circus examines the legal threats facing former President Donald Trump. The team speaks with journalists, legal experts, and a former Trump White House aide about the implications of the mounting investigations.
The Circus travels to Arizona ahead of the midterm elections, examining a slate of Republican candidates who have echoed Donald Trump's false claim that the 2020 Presidential election was fraudulent.
The Circus examines the battle for the Senate through the prism of two key states: Georgia and Ohio, where former President Trump's hand-picked candidates find themselves in tight races.
The Circus is on the ground in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia district, examining her meteoric rise within the Republican party.
With just two weeks until Election Day, The Circus is on the ground in Pennsylvania for the highly anticipated Senate debate between Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and Republican candidate Dr. Mehmet Oz.
The Circus travels the country as election day draws near, examining the warning signs flashing for a Democratic party attempting to hold onto the balance of power in Congress.
The Circus concludes yet another turbulent election season with an extended one-hour look at how an historic midterm election stunned the nation as Democrats averted an expected red wave. Season Finale.
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
The Circus is embedded on Capitol Hill following two freshman members of Congress as they navigate the new Republican-controlled House during a turbulent week.
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
Hosts John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Jenn Palmieri go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on earth for an unbiased, inside look at the stories beyond the headlines.
This week The Circus examines former President Donald Trump's legal threats, from the District Attorney investigations in Manhattan and Atlanta, to the Justice Department probes in Washington. Mid-season finale.
