On Balance with Leland Vittert

Trump in Trouble? Approval Rating Slides as Cabinet Chaos Grows | On Balance Full Show

On this episode of "On Balance," Leland Vittert questions how President Trump can win the Memorial Day conversation. With approval continuing to drop, Trump needs a comeback. To do that, among other things, he will need to tackle a divided administration, a crumbling Cabinet, get through the midterms and secure the Supreme Court. Steve Cortes, a former senior adviser for Trump's presidential campaign, and Lauren Wright, a Princeton University political scientist and NewsNation political contributor, give their take on how Trump can rebound. Meanwhile, NATO and the U.S. are at odds. Secretary of State Rubio is in Sweden to try to salvage the relationship, attempting to find common ground and restore the values once shared. Retired Gen. Philip Breedlove, a former NATO supreme allied commander, explains the condition of the strained partnership. Later, the affordability crisis plaguing Americans. President Trump’s policies are failing to lessen the burden of the war, with gas prices continuing to rise. Groceries are unaffordable even as the stock market soars. Former Biden Council of Economic Advisers and Stanford Institute for Economic Policymaking Chief of Staff Ryan Cummings and economist and Committee to Unleash Prosperity co-founder Stephen Moore discuss the economic outlook. Also, Spencer Pratt is becoming a bigger threat to incumbent L.A. Mayor Karen Bass. The Los Angeles mayoral race is tightening, as Pratt promises to address many of the problems ignored by Bass. Jennifer Horn, host of “The Morning Answer” on Salem Radio in L.A. joins former Democratic California U.S. Senate candidate and political strategist Christina Pascucci to dissect California’s challenges. Plus, is Cuba going to be any different from Iran? Trump may be starting another conflict with one already underway. Host of “The Manny Munoz Show” Manny Munoz analyzes. This show was originally recorded May 22, 2026. "On Balance with Leland Vittert" takes a critical look at some of the day's hottest subjects. Weekdays at 9p/8C. #OnBalance NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

All the President’s Problems | On Balance Full Show 5/21

On this episode of "On Balance," Leland Vittert asks if the source of the problems in the White House is President Trump himself or everyone around him. Trump is getting bad advice from someone, focusing on things Americans don’t care about and ignoring everything they do. Whether it’s the ballroom or the Anti-Weaponization Fund, the administration needs to learn how to read the room, and fast. The economy is suffering, and so are Trump’s approval ratings. Mark McKinnon, the creator and executive producer of “The Circus” on Showtime, and Semafor's White House correspondent Shelby Talcott discuss the issues at stake. Meanwhile, could Cuba be the 51st state? It seems like déjà vu from Venezuela in January, with an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro, military assets moved near the island, and similar sentiment from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. John Bolton, former Trump administration national security adviser and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, tells us whether Cuba’s fate will be the same as Venezuela's. Later, the release of the DNC’s 2024 election autopsy reveals a party in disarray, with no plans to address the issues that matter. Democrats need to face the music and admit why they lost. Mike Nellis, former senior adviser to the Kamala Harris campaign and author of "Endless Urgency" on Substack, analyzes the report. Also, Harvard University is capping the number of "A" grades given to students. Harvard faculty overwhelmingly voted for the new practice, but reactions from students and the public range from supportive to deeply concerned. Liberty Vittert Capito, host of the “Amended!” podcast, feature editor of The Harvard Data Science Review and Washington University professor, explains it all. Plus, a new Ebola scare has reached North America, with a Detroit-bound plane diverted to Canada carrying a passenger with possible exposure. Nerves are at an all-time high, with fears of COVID still fresh and the recent hantavirus outbreak, especially on the eve of the World Cup coming to the continent. Dr. Ashish K. Jha, senior fellow at Harvard Kennedy School and former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, discusses the disease. #Trump #Harvard #DNC "On Balance with Leland Vittert" takes a critical look at some of the day's hottest subjects. Weekdays at 9p/8C. #OnBalanceNewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYppFind us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyGHow to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

Trump, Xi and Putin's power struggle | On Balance Full Show 5/20

On this episode of "On Balance," Leland Vittert analyzes the meeting between Chinese President Xi and Russian President Putin, days after China hosted President Trump and gave him a grand welcome. This comes as all three countries struggle with their own issues, including their economies and the wars in Ukraine and Iran. Silverado Policy Accelerator Co-Founder & Executive Chairman and author of “World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century,” Dmitri Alperovitch, and U.S.-China relations analyst and author of “Plan Red: China’s Project to Destroy America,” Gordon Chang, compare the two visits.   Meanwhile, is Cuba the next Venezuela? Federal prosecutors have indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro and others from the Cuban regime for the 1996 shootdown of the two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft. Amid rising tensions, Trump may feel Cuba could be his next success story after Venezuela, but he is claiming there will be no escalation. Former federal prosecutor Shan Wu and American University Professor of Government William M. LeoGrande discuss the indictment and what could happen next. Later, Trump has proven his hold on the Republican Party is stronger than ever, primarying dissenters in Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky. All eyes now head to the Lone Star State, as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) faces a surprisingly tough general election against Texas State Representative James Talarico (D).   Also, is a red wave hitting California? Democrats may be in trouble in the gubernatorial race. This comes as Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt (R) gains traction by the day. Former Democratic California U.S. Senate candidate and political strategist Christina Pascucci, Senior Advisor for Our Republican Legacy and former Pennsylvania Representative Charlie Dent, and Endeavor PAC Founder and Republican strategist Tiffany Smiley discuss the fate of California.   Plus, the future of the Supreme Court could be at stake. Calls are growing for Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito to step aside while President Trump can still replace them, this time fighting both Democrats and Republicans. Former law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia, Ian Samuel, and NewsNation’s Chris Cillizza weigh the options. "On Balance with Leland Vittert" airs weeknights at 9p/8C. "On Balance with Leland Vittert" takes a critical look at some of the day's hottest subjects. Weekdays at 9p/8C. #OnBalance NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

The High Cost of War | On Balance Full Show 5/19

On this episode of “On Balance,” Batya Ungar-Sargon fills in for Leland Vittert. Primary election results are coming in tonight. NewsNation’s Connell McShane provides live updates as we keep our eyes on Kentucky and other states, including Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon and Pennsylvania. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., has already paid the price for going against President Trump, losing his primary. Now, all eyes are on Kentucky, where Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., is fighting for his seat after also being targeted by Trump. Batya takes a closer look at the political fallout facing Massie and the price of breaking with Trump. Can conservatives still be Republicans while also disagreeing with the president? Meanwhile, looking ahead to 2028: Is the heir apparent Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio? 2WAY’s “The Morning Meeting” co-host Larry O’Connor, National Review columnist Caroline Downey, and Democratic strategist and civil and criminal defense attorney Donte Mills predict what comes next. Later, Gov. Gavin Newsom, D-Calif., is almost certainly running for president. As 2028 approaches, Californians are struggling more than the average American, grappling with higher gas, grocery, electricity and housing costs. Is President Newsom what the U.S. needs right now? Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Va., and Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., discuss. Plus, how the war in Iran is impacting the U.S. economy. Farmers and truckers are especially struggling with high fertilizer and gas prices. National Black Farmers Association founder John Boyd joins truck driver and author Gord Magill, author of “End of the Road,” to discuss how the rising costs are affecting their work. "On Balance with Leland Vittert" takes a critical look at some of the day's hottest subjects. Weekdays at 9p/8C. #OnBalance NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij

AI's rapid expansion fuels economic concerns | On Balance with Leland Vittert Full Show

On this episode of “On Balance,” Batya Ungar-Sargon fills in for Leland Vittert. What had been going well for President Donald Trump is now unraveling. Struggling with the economy and foreign policy, Trump’s approval rating continues to fall, weighed down by high gas prices and rising inflation. “No Spin News” anchor and “We’ll Do It LIVE!” podcast host Bill O’Reilly breaks it down.   Meanwhile, artificial intelligence is weaving itself into nearly every aspect of society. Its rapid expansion has fueled concern about its implications, with growing calls for guardrails. Still, AI’s ties to stock market growth are undeniable. American Compass chief economist Oren Cass explains.   Later, breaking news out of San Diego: a deadly shooting at an Islamic center, where two suspected shooters were also found dead. NewsNation’s Jessica Kartalija reports.   Also, the Democratic Party and Kamala Harris may need to reconcile. Harris could reenter the spotlight with a potential 2028 presidential run. But do the party — and voters — want to give another chance? Former senior adviser to the Kamala Harris campaign and Substack author of “Endless Urgency,” Mike Nellis, joins Democratic strategist Madeline Summerville to discuss.   Tensions are also rising with Cuba. Reports of planned drone attacks against U.S. forces have been denied by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, even as Cuba is believed to have a stockpile of hundreds of drones. The developments follow a meeting between CIA Director John Ratcliffe and officials in Havana, as a possible indictment is considered against former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Axios White House correspondent and “MAGAville” newsletter author Marc Caputo analyzes.   Plus, Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District race. Incumbent Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., faces a tough primary fueled by Trump’s disapproval. Manhattan Institute vice president and pollster Jesse Arm discusses. #### "On Balance with Leland Vittert" takes a critical look at some of the day's hottest subjects. Weekdays at 9p/8C. #OnBalance NewsNation is your source for fact-based, unbiased news for all Americans. More from NewsNation: https://www.newsnationnow.com/ Get our app: https://trib.al/TBXgYpp Find us on cable: https://trib.al/YDOpGyG How to watch on TV or streaming: https://trib.al/Vu0Ikij