Meet the Press Season 2019 Episode 30 August 18, 2019

On the 30th episode of Meet the Press season 2019, which aired on August 18, 2019, the show welcomed a variety of guests to discuss pressing political issues of the day.

Chuck Todd, the show's host and moderator, began the episode by conducting an in-depth interview with Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. The two discussed recent incidents of hate crimes in the United States, including the mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, and the rise of white supremacist ideology. Greenblatt condemned the rhetoric of President Donald Trump and other politicians who have used anti-immigrant language and expressed support for nationalist policies, stating that such rhetoric can embolden extremists and contribute to a culture of violence.

Next, Todd welcomed a panel of political analysts to the show to discuss the upcoming 2020 presidential election. The panel included Amy Walter, the national editor of the Cook Political Report; Yamiche Alcindor, a Washington correspondent for PBS NewsHour; David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for The New York Times; and Helene Cooper, the Pentagon correspondent for The New York Times. The panelists discussed the current state of the Democratic primary race and the strategies that candidates will need to employ in order to win the nomination. They also analyzed the political strengths and weaknesses of incumbent President Trump and assessed his chances of being reelected.

Later in the episode, Todd interviewed Republican Congressman Steve Stivers, who is the chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee. Stivers discussed the GOP's strategy for maintaining control of the House of Representatives in the 2020 election, including focusing on districts where Democrats won in 2018 by narrow margins. He also responded to criticism that the Republican Party has not done enough to take action on gun control in the wake of recent mass shootings.

Finally, the show featured a special segment titled "Meet the Press Film Festival," which showcased short films that focused on important political and social issues. The films included "Escape from Room 18," which tells the story of a former white supremacist who now works to help others leave extremist organizations; "The Sanctuary and the Wall," which looks at the battle over immigration policy in a small Arizona town; and "The Basket Woman," which profiles a Native American basket weaver who is fighting to preserve traditional cultural practices.

Overall, the 30th episode of Meet the Press season 2019 offered a comprehensive look at the major political issues of the day, including hate crimes, the 2020 election, and gun control. Through interviews with expert guests and thoughtful commentary from political analysts, the show provided valuable insights into the current state of American politics. The inclusion of the "Meet the Press Film Festival" segment added an engaging and thought-provoking element to the episode, highlighting the power of visual storytelling to shed light on important issues and spark meaningful conversations.