Meet the Press NOW — March 26, 2026

Host: Kristen Welker
Podcast: NBC News’ Meet the Press NOW

Overview

This episode centers on President Trump’s management of the ongoing war with Iran as the conflict nears its one-month mark. Major topics include the administration’s strategic posture, the politics and logistics of military engagement with Iran, negotiations for peace, new polling on public approval, the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding crisis, and the judicial proceedings against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. The show features in-depth analysis from journalists, a sobering firsthand account from Iranian activist Masi Alinejad, political panel commentary, and on-the-ground reporting about the impact of the federal shutdown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. One Month into the Iran War: Mixed Messaging and Negotiations

• President Trump’s Triumph & Uncertainty

  • Trump continues to claim that Iran is “begging to make a deal” and that U.S. military operations are “obliterating” Iranian forces. However, no clear end to hostilities is in sight ([01:10]–[02:41]).

    “They are begging to make a deal. Not me. ... They now have the chance, that is Iran, to permanently abandon their nuclear ambitions and to join a new path forward. ... If they don't, we're their worst nightmare. In the meantime, we'll just keep blowing them away unimpeded, unstopped.”
    — President Donald Trump ([01:51])

  • Special envoy Steve Witkoff describes active indirect negotiations and presents a 15-point action framework but signals uncertainty on achieving peace ([03:07]).
  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintains a hard line, emphasizing negotiation “with bombs” ([03:35]).

    “We pray for a deal and we welcome a deal. And we have the ultimate dealmaker to make it happen. But in the meantime, as I said yesterday, the Department of War will continue negotiating with bombs.”
    — Pete Hegseth ([03:35])

• Strait of Hormuz Standoff

  • The U.S. had threatened to strike Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t reopened; Iran allowed the passage of oil tankers, which Trump hails as a “present,” but NBC reporters could not verify the full extent ([04:43]–[08:25]).

    “They said to show you the fact that we're real and solid ... we're going to let you have eight boats of oil. ... I guess we're dealing with the right people.”
    — President Trump ([06:17])

• Domestic Pressure and Polling

  • Public support for the war is declining; majority now oppose military action, up 8% since conflict began ([03:47]).

• Analysis by NBC's Monica Alba

  • Highlights mixed messages from the administration: war described both as “winding down” and as being of indefinite duration. Adds that increased military assets suggest more escalation, not less ([04:43], [07:21]).

    “So I'm still seeing a lot of different things that are a little bit all over the map.”
    — Monica Alba ([04:43])

2. Military Logistics and Congressional Tension

• Munitions Shortages & Ukraine

  • Reports that munitions intended for Ukraine may be diverted to the Middle East. NBC’s Courtney Kuby underscores the practical implications and potential delays to Ukraine amid massive U.S. munitions usage in the Iran war ([08:25]–[09:52]).

• Congressional Frustration

  • Lawmakers express bipartisan dissatisfaction after briefings, citing a lack of clarity about possible U.S. troop deployments on the ground in Iran, and limited information about strategic objectives ([10:12]–[10:54]).

    “There seemed to be a tremendous amount of frustration ... they got zero information.”
    — Courtney Kuby ([10:12])

• Implications of Degraded Iranian Command

  • Israel’s targeted killing of Iran’s top Navy commander increases chaos and risk in Iran’s military, potentially enabling rogue junior officers to carry out destabilizing attacks ([11:12]).

3. Iranian Civilian Impact: Voices from Inside

• Interview with Masi Alinejad, Iranian Political Activist

  • Praises the removal of regime leaders, but strongly opposes attacks on civilian infrastructure, arguing it empowers the regime and endangers innocents ([12:27]–[14:38]).

    “Not targeting civilians and power plants ... will give a gift to the Islamic Republic because they are always looking for the foreign government to blame.”
    — Masi Alinejad ([13:05])

  • Shares harrowing stories of regime executions and the “total blackout” faced by ordinary Iranians under government internet shutdowns ([14:59]).

    “My people inside Iran are living in a total blackout ... hundreds of them are on death row in an absolute digital blackout.”
    — Masi Alinejad ([14:59])

  • Issues a bipartisan plea to U.S. lawmakers, calling for unity against the regime and warning against appeasement ([17:24]–[19:19]).

    “It's not about you. It's about freedom, democracy, dignity and safety and security of Americans. For the first time, get united when it comes to end terrorism.”
    — Masi Alinejad ([17:24])

  • Responds to Trump’s extension of a reprieve on attacking Iran’s power plants, expresses skepticism about the effectiveness of negotiations, and insists the regime cannot be reformed ([19:19]–[22:25]).

    “Negotiating with the Islamic Republic, getting a deal is not helping the people of Iran ... please listen to the voice of Iranians and finish the job.”
    — Masi Alinejad ([20:14])

4. Department of Homeland Security Shutdown Crisis

• Capitol Hill Gridlock

  • DHS funding remains at an impasse, with disputes mainly over ICE enforcement funding, and the government shutdown causing chaos, especially at airports as TSA agents quit or call out ([24:49]–[26:38]).
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune blames Democrats, who in turn argue they’re being reasonable. Both sides remain locked, but some “improved vibes” hint at possible compromise ([25:11], [27:15]–[28:47]).

• Possible Measures and National Emergency

  • The White House reportedly considers bypassing Congress to fund TSA; ideas for standalone TSA funding bills gain bipartisan support amid growing disruption at airports ([28:47]–[29:43]).

• Industry Perspective

  • Chris Sununu (Airlines for America, former NH Governor) voices cautious optimism about a deal, warns against using executive emergency authority as a precedent, and urges travelers to directly pressure Congress ([30:01]–[38:27]).

    “The clock is really ticking ... if whatever's on the table now doesn't get done in the next 12 hours or so or by Friday morning, we could be back at square zero.”
    — Chris Sununu ([30:27]) “You should be picking up the phone and weighing in with your representatives, because every one of them has effectively done nothing up until this point to fix the problem.”
    — Chris Sununu ([37:18])

5. Venezuelan President Maduro’s U.S. Trial

• Legal Dilemmas
  • Federal court hears arguments about whether Maduro and his wife can use frozen Venezuelan government assets to pay defense lawyers. The judge expresses constitutional concerns but refuses to dismiss charges, balancing sanctions against rights to counsel ([40:38]–[43:13]).

    “The judge feels like he's in legal no man's land ... but he did seem inclined to say you can't share the actual evidence with people that might destroy it ...”
    — Sam Brock ([41:35], [43:28])

6. President Trump’s Approval Ratings & Political Panel

• Polls Signal Weakness

  • Trump’s approval hits new lows (41% approve, 59% disapprove), even among Republicans (84%). Latinos' approval drops sharply, potentially threatening midterm prospects for Republicans in demographically shifting districts ([45:50]–[49:11]).

    “If that vote isn't there, we got a problem.”
    — Michael Dubke, fmr. Trump White House comms director ([49:40])

• Democratic Opportunity?

  • Panel identifies the need for Democrats to present proactive economic solutions, rather than simply criticizing Trump. Both parties face internal popularity challenges ([47:35]–[51:34]).

    “You can't just say everything Trump is doing is wrong and then not have solutions.”
    — Meghan Hayes, fmr. Biden aide ([47:35])

• Social Media Lawsuits

  • Recent rulings against tech giants could propel federal action on internet safety for minors; both parties have reason to get involved ([51:48]–[53:21]).

    “This could certainly give some more momentum ... but ... there's a big split between the House and Senate on them.”
    — Nicholas Wu ([52:10])

7. Human Interest: Savannah Guthrie’s Family Crisis

• Personal Story
  • Savannah Guthrie shares emotional reflections on her mother’s disappearance, her family’s suffering, and fears of being the cause of her mother’s abduction ([53:51]–[56:29]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“We pray for a deal and we welcome a deal. And we have the ultimate dealmaker to make it happen. But in the meantime, as I said yesterday, the Department of War will continue negotiating with bombs.”

— Pete Hegseth ([03:35])

“My people inside Iran are living in a total blackout ... hundreds of them are on death row in an absolute digital blackout.”

— Masi Alinejad ([14:59])

“It's not about you. It's about freedom, democracy, dignity and safety and security of Americans. For the first time, get united when it comes to end terrorism.”

— Masi Alinejad ([17:24])

“You should be picking up the phone and weighing in with your representatives, because every one of them has effectively done nothing up until this point to fix the problem.”

— Chris Sununu ([37:18])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:10] War with Iran: President Trump’s mixed messaging and negotiations
• [03:07] Special envoy & cabinet reactions
• [04:43] Monica Alba analyses White House strategy
• [08:25] Munitions diversion, congressional briefings, and Israeli operations
• [12:27] Masi Alinejad on the Iranian civilian plight
• [19:19] Trump’s extended reprieve and Alinejad’s plea on negotiations
• [24:49] DHS shutdown and political standoff
• [30:01] Chris Sununu on airport chaos & negotiation pressure
• [40:38] Venezuela’s Maduro in court: legal and sanctions dilemmas
• [45:50] Panel analysis of Trump’s approval ratings and political implications
• [51:48] Social media lawsuits and potential congressional action
• [53:51] Savannah Guthrie’s emotional family update

Tone & Style

• Direct, sometimes blunt exchanges especially around the White House and military approach
• Deeply emotional and personal first-person accounts (Alinejad, Guthrie)
• Analytical and brisk discussions on polling and legislative gridlock
• Pressing, urgent, sometimes somber—reflecting crisis moments in governance and global affairs

This episode captured pivotal moments in the Iran conflict, critical domestic governance challenges, and the human toll in both international and personal contexts, providing viewers and listeners with clarity, context, and calls for unity and action.