The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth

A revealing look at the new era of presidential politics, revealing the intense, inspiring and infuriating stories behind the headlines; key characters and events are presented in real time as they are happening.
The Year of Living Dangerously
S8 E1

"The Circus" is on the ground in Europe as President Biden gives a surprise visit to war-torn Ukraine; on the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion, Biden seeks to galvanize support for Ukraine at home and abroad.

Off to the Races
S8 E2

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.

Kevin's House
S8 E3

The team is embedded on Capitol Hill to follow two freshman Congress members as they navigate the new Republican-controlled House during a turbulent week.

Fake News?
S8 E4

Examining the $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News; John Heilemann speaks with legendary First Amendment attorney Floyd Abrams about the case.

Wheels of Justice
S8 E5

"The Circus" tracks the legal threats facing former President Donald Trump.

Nothing But the Truth
S8 E6

Examining the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump; tracking the legal and political fallout as the nation processes the first indictment of a former president.

Piercing the Bubble
S8 E8

Tracking the fallout from the terrorist attack in Israel as Republican presidential hopefuls respond to the ongoing crisis; Tim Miller joins the team to hear from GOP candidates in Iowa, Washington, D.C. and New Hampshire.

The Crucible
S8 E9

Examining President Biden on the world stage as he travels to Israel, his second trip to an active war zone; House Republicans struggle to elect a new speaker; guest host Errin Haines.

This Thing of His
S8 E10

Exploring the legal threats facing former president Donald Trump as he seeks a return to the White House; former Mueller team prosecutor Andrew Weissmann joins as guest host.

The A.I. Election
S8 E11

Examining the impact of AI on the 2024 election, as world leaders convene an AI Safety Summit; the team, along with guest host Jordan Klepper, explore the myriad concerns, including AI-enabled disinformation and deep fakes.

Life During Wartime
S8 E12

Hosts John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon, joined by guest hosts Tim Miller and Errin Haines, explore Trump taking the witness stand in New York, a surprising election night, and a battleground poll.

On the Brink
S7 E1

Russia's invasion of Ukraine; Jennifer Palmieri is at the White House with Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately following President Biden's first State of the Union address; Alex Wagner examines the escalating standoff between Biden and Putin.

The Escalation Ladder
S7 E2

With the situation on the ground in Ukraine growing increasingly dire, "The Circus" travels to Estonia and Washington to explore America's response to Putin's invasion and what the U.S. and its allies can do.

The Information War
S7 E3

As the violence in Ukraine escalates, "The Circus" examines the pressure on the Biden administration to do more amid President Zelenskyy's dramatic pleas for help, while Putin tightens his grip over information and free speech in Russia.

The Nuclear Option
S7 E4

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 Home Front
S7 E5

Tracking dramatic developments out of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection, including the vote to hold two of former President Trump's aides in contempt and gaps in White House call logs from the day of the Capitol attack.

There Will Be Blood
S7 E6

Examining President Biden's successes, failures and poll numbers; digging into the dissatisfaction within the Democratic base and the party's prospects for the midterms; differing strategies for Democrats to keep control of Congress.

Tip of the Spear
S7 E8

The Circus travels to Florida as Gov. Ron DeSantis signs controversial laws on education, gender, and abortion; the Sunshine State becomes an American culture war zone, plus the rapidly escalating feud between Disney and state Republicans.

Not in Kansas Anymore
S7 E9

Covering the sprint to the midterm elections in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade; how the issue of abortion is upending critical races across the country.

Rule of Law
S7 E10

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.

State of Denial
S7 E11

"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.

Buckeyes and Bulldogs
S7 E12

Looking into the fight for the Senate through the lens of two key states: Georgia and Ohio, where former President Trump's hand-picked candidates are in tight races.

This Land Is Greene-Land
S7 E13

"The Circus" is on the ground in Georgia's 14th Congressional District, home of Marjorie Taylor Greene, examining her meteoric rise within the Republican Party.

The Main Event
S7 E14

The Circus is on the ground in Pennsylvania analyzing the impact of the highly anticipated Senate debate. Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz looks to gain ground while questions swirl about Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's health.

Here Comes the Flood
S7 E15

Travelling 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.

Riptides
S7 E16

Hosts John Heilemann, Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon, along with guest hosts Tim Miller and Errin Haines, track the stunning election results in the key battlegrounds as a predicted red wave fizzles.

Reigning Chaos
S6 E1

The country is reeling from the grave implications of a Capitol siege; President Trump continues to stoke the political fire as his supporters riot to halt the now certified electoral vote; the energy surging from the Georgia run-off.

Clear and Present Danger
S6 E2

A look into President Trump's last week in office, including efforts hindering the rhetoric of Trump and his supporters, the legal implications impeachment brings, and Texans who still believe the election was compromised.

President Biden
S6 E3

With Joe Biden sworn in as president of the United States, the hosts break down the most prominent moments as the country undergoes a transition of power; former press secretary Hogan Gidley examines how President Trump's legacy will be evaluated.

Rubber Meets Road
S6 E4

In the first week of Joe Biden's presidency, "The Circus" offers a window into his approach toward tackling the COVID-19 crisis; as the vaccine moves from shipment to inoculation, the hosts focus on the administrative response at multiple levels.

Dysfunction Junction
S6 E5

Taking 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.

Persona Non Grata
S6 E6

Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) looks at the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump; an attorney planning to use Trump's incitement in defense of his client; Palm Beach, Fla., locals who are at odds about Trump's presence at Mar-a-Lago.

Being Green
S6 E7

A look at how President Biden is weighing job losses versus gains into his ambitious climate agenda; in Minnesota, where the Enbridge Pipeline is sparking controversy, Alex Wagner speaks with indigenous protesters, as well as Rep. Ihan Omar (D).

Points on the Board
S6 E8

Honing in on the Biden administration's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill and and examining how Democrats and Republicans are either discussing or scrutinizing its enactment into law.

Calling the Shots
S6 E9

President Biden attempts to heal the country's divisions as Washington fears a new incursion from insurrectionists now rallying behind the anti-vaccine banner.

The Biden Doctrine
S6 E10

Examining the Biden administration's approach to foreign policy, including how the Biden presidency navigated international partnerships.

It's All Happening
S6 E11

Covering the battle over President Biden's agenda at Capitol Hill; Democrats at odds over infrastructure and social spending bills; John Heilemann goes behind the scenes with Rep. Josh Gottheimer; Alex Wagner speaks with Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

Lone Star Blues
S6 E12

The Circus heads to Texas, home to the nation's most restrictive abortion law, a controversial new voting law and a red-hot immigration battle; Alex Wagner speaks with Planned Parenthood about the new law's impact on women across the state.

Coup II
S6 E13

Examining the claim that the 2020 election was stolen and how the falsehood is being embraced by the Republican Party and threatening American democracy; interviews with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Fiona Hill, Jocelyn Benson and Al Schmidt.

Big F...ing Deal
S6 E15

A trip 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 Broken Place
S6 E16

The state of Joe Biden's presidency one year in; two critical races for governor send shock waves through the White House and Democratic Party; interviews with Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.), Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.) and Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-Ill.).

The Outsiders
S1 E1

The campaigns of the "outsider" candidates: Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, prepare for the Iowa caucuses.

Prisoner's Dilemma
S1 E2

Sen. Marco Rubio, Gov. Chris Christie, former Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. John Kashich prepare for the New Hampshire primary.

Tension City
S1 E3

Angst and drama leading up to Iowa caucuses; a showdown is brewing between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton; outsider candidates versus the establishment.

The Big Mo
S1 E4

Inside the Iowa fallout and the momentum leading into New Hampshire's primary; Clinton and Trump campaigns must pick up the pace to beat Sanders and Cruz.

The Winnowing
S1 E5

Following New Hampshire, candidates prepare for hard truths coming up in South Carolina and Nevada; Trump tastes victory; Kasich picks up momentum; Bush faces an impending do-or-die reality.

Fear and Loathing
S1 E6

The campaigns head toward the final stretch in Nevada and South Carolina, and anxiety grows about high stakes.

Confidence Game
S1 E7

Now that the field has been narrowed to the "Big Five," the campaigns focus on playing to their strengths across the country in preparation for Super Tuesday.

The Reckoning
S1 E8

Following big wins for the front runners on Super Tuesday, the other candidates come to terms with the results; both Democratic and Republican camps consider how to stop Donald Trump.

Dead or Alive
S1 E9

Rubio, Kasich and Sanders hope they can find success in Florida and Ohio, and gather enough momentum to force a brokered convention.

High Hopes
S1 E10

Rubio gets trumped in Florida and high hopes are needed to pull off a win.

Home and Abroad
S1 E11

Foreign policy becomes a hot topic following the attacks in Brussels; Trump and Clinton prepare to square off, but must still prove their presidential mettle.

Circus Recap
S1 E13

Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon reflect on the first twelve weeks of the 2016 presidential race.

Game On
S1 E14

While the nation celebrates Independence Day, Trump and Clinton engage in their own fireworks; Clinton's email scandal re-emerges; Trump has another faux-pas.

Veepstakes
S1 E15

Trump auditions Chris Christie, Mike Pence and Newt Gingrich for vice president; Clinton considers Tim Kaine.

Trump Show
S1 E16

Donald Trump is declared the Republican presidential nominee; Melania Trump delivers a controversial speech; Tiffany and Donald, Jr., help humanize Trump's image.

In the Arena
S1 E17

Sanders followers show their displeasure in Philadelphia; the Democrats make Hillary Clinton a historic nominee; Clinton and Kaine have work to do to unite the party.

Closing the Gap
S1 E18

The Trump campaign is running from behind, and members of the party publicly jump ship; Trump must find a way to close the gap with Clinton.

Fit to Serve
S1 E19

As Clinton's pneumonia and scrutiny about Trump's medical records comes to the forefront, their fitness to lead is questioned.

Battleground
S1 E20

As Clinton and Trump prepare for their first debate, their campaigns target the swing states with an eye on Florida.

The Newsrooms
S1 E21

Preparations for the debate; the candidates cede the spotlight to those who cover the political news.

Tale of the Tape
S1 E22

The fallout from the second debate and the current scandal surrounding a recently publicized audio tape.

From Russia With Love
S1 E23

Clinton faces the scandal of her highly sensitive, private emails being made public on WikiLeaks, amid claims of foreign hacking and intervention and international espionage of the 2016 election.

His Word as Biden
S1 E24

With only two weeks until election day, Clinton bets on the one man who has the potential to swing those states still up for grabs: Joe Biden.

Nobody F... Knows
S1 E25

Polls predict the differing outcomes; both campaigns make a case in "far-fetched battlegrounds"; to most, the race is either up for grabs or already decided.

President Trump
S1 E26

Mark Halperin, John Heilemann and Mark McKinnon examine the campaigns leading up to Election Day and the results that followed.