The Circus: Inside the Wildest Political Show on Earth

Political insiders John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and Alex Wagner go behind the scenes of the wildest political show on Earth; the inside story from every angle, revealing the high-stakes impact throughout the divided states of America.
New World Disorder
S4 E1

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.

Circling Vultures
S4 E2

The list of former allies who are turning on Donald Trump grows daily and the Mueller investigation continues; the President's increasing vulnerability has led to a bumper crop of potential 2020 challengers, all hoping to be the one to unseat him.

The State of Our Union Is...
S4 E3

President Donald Trump weighs declaring a state of emergency at the border; the House Intelligence Committee ramps up investigations of Trump on multiple fronts and collaborates with Robert Mueller's team.

2020 Is Here
S4 E4

The 2020 election is looming large in the capital; following declared and potential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Beto O'Rourke; tracking ongoing news of the potential government shutdown, the border wall battle and the Green New Deal.

States of Emergency
S4 E5

Comparing and contrasting various perceived national emergencies, from the border wall to gun violence, opioids and climate change; covering people on the front lines of each one.

The Big Split
S4 E6

It's an action-packed week for President Trump on two fronts, creating a split-screen effect; the president travels to Vietnam to meet with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, and the president's personal attorney, Michael Cohen, testifies before Congress.

To the Left
S4 E7

Taking a deep dive into the Democratic party; there is a movement to tack left towards more progressive policies, but, on the other hand, many feel that the best way to convert Trump voters in 2020 is to move towards the center.

What the F... Happens Next?
S4 E8

President Trump wages a three-front war over the future of his presidency; he battles Congress over his national emergency declaration; he faces Democratic challengers; the president braces for the release of the Mueller report.

The People on That Stage
S4 E9

The leading Democratic presidential candidates try to get their message out, while the party debates what it will take to beat Trump; the President faces an unprecedented number of Republican primary challengers.

Across the Rubicon
S4 E10

Democratic congressional leaders and prominent Republicans discuss the official impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

Impeachmentland
S4 E11

Cross-country coverage of the rapidly-evolving impeachment story; the White House and others react to the impeachment inquiry and findings.

Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
S4 E12

A look at the president, the whistleblowers and the 2020 candidates; Jennifer Palmieri, a veteran of the Hillary Clinton campaign and the Bill Clinton White House, joins the hosts.

The Widening Gyre
S4 E13

Democrats pursue the impeachment inquiry at an aggressive pace; the President defends his actions; the Democratic 2020 contenders participate in a heated debate.

The Deep State
S4 E14

A deep dive into the longtime federal government agencies and bureaucrats involved in Congress' ongoing impeachment inquiry.

Here Be Dragons
S4 E16

Political analysts examine potential outcomes of the impeachment inquiry by taking the pulse of Congress members, Presidential campaigns, and Trump loyalists.

The Looking Glass War
S3 E1

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.

Too Many Lawyers
S3 E2

A swirl of legal entanglements continues to surround President Trump; from the ongoing Mueller investigation to the Michael Cohen raid and subsequent hearing to James Comey's inflammatory book, the Trump presidency is under siege.

Man of the World
S3 E3

State 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.

Trump Country
S3 E4

Taking the nation's temperature on the president's performance, midterm elections and gun control; featuring interviews with Mitt Romney, Randy "Iron Stache" Bryce and Beto O'Rourke.

War and Peace
S3 E5

The gloves come off as Donald Trump fights a 360-degree battle to keep the presidency; he takes shots at those who stand to threaten it and goes to war against the FBI, CIA and the Department of Justice.

Their Brand Is Crisis
S3 E6

The Trump administration copes with a high number of crises, and "spinning" them is a preoccupation; former Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) discusses trying to govern during a public relations crisis; political advisers Steve Schmidt and Mark Fabiani.

The Gathering Storm
S3 E7

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.

Burden of Proof
S3 E8

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.

Judgment Day
S3 E9

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 Verdict
S3 E10

The emphasis remains squarely on the Judge Brett Kavanaugh confirmation saga; as the midterm elections draw nearer, the hosts delve into the ramifications of the confirmation's outcome on various U.S. Senate races around the country.

California Dreaming
S3 E11

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.

Black and White
S3 E13

As undertones of racial politics make news, the series travels to Florida and Georgia to follow two historic gubernatorial races with African-American candidates.

A Place Called Fear
S3 E14

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.

Mother (F...) of All Midterms
S3 E15

A special one-hour season finale all about the midterms: before, during and after; the run-up to election day, watching the returns come in, Trump's reaction and the fallout from the historic election.