podcast
CNN 5 Things
Monday through Friday get up to speed on the biggest headlines of the day with 5 Things. On Saturdays, get a break for your ears with good news from 5 Good Things. And at noon and Sundays, we take you beyond the headlines to help make sense of what everyone is talking about in politics and beyond with One Thing.

President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance share what they thought attributed to Republican midterm losses. House Speaker Mike Johnson says he’s stepping aside from a GOP leadership position in the next Congress. Wall Street votes "yes" on the midterm results. The nation’s largest drugstore retailer is breaking up its health care empire. And, how a woman’s first marathon came to a tragic end.
Nov 4, 2026
Democrats retook both the House and Senate after romping through multiple deep-red states in a historic midterm election. Is this a product of President Donald Trump’s historic unpopularity, or a more fundamental reshaping of our politics? We take stock of the map and how Democrats could approach being in the majority for the final two years of Trump’s term.
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Guest: David Chalian, CNN Washington Bureau Chief/Political Director
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Nov 4, 2026
Hear from Dems who flipped senate seats. Historic firsts in governor's races. Trump points the blame elsewhere after stunning rebuke from voters. And how voters weighed in on ballot measures for recreational marijuana and billionaire taxes.
Nov 4, 2026
Ballot issues are being reported in some areas with pivotal elections. President Donald Trump says he’s ending billions in US aid to Israel. A nine-day manhunt for a convicted murderer who escaped prison is over. Bomb threats disrupt travel across Europe. Plus, why “mogging” is officially having a moment.
Nov 3, 2026
Election Day voting is underway across the country, with control of the House and Senate on the line. We check in on a polling place in Michigan, where some voters are splitting their ticket amid Democratic drama in the key Senate race.
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Guest: Sunlen Serfaty, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Nicky Robertson
Nov 3, 2026
Balance of power on the line as polls open. Supreme Court rejects Trump administration effort to force CA to set aside 20,000 ballots. Storm moves east after deadly flooding in Southwest. Plane crash victims identified. English adventurer returns home after 28 years and 31,000 miles around the world.
Nov 3, 2026
President Donald Trump wrapped up his midterm campaign with closing remarks at the Reflecting Pool. Some House Republicans are privately pushing to boot Rep. Haley Stevens after her controversial endorsement switch. Rain could impact voter turnout in key races. Federal investigators are trying to determine the cause of a fiery crash in Florida that left behind a massive crater. And, a judge in the Lindsay Clancy triple-murder trial has proposed a timeline for a potential retrial.
Nov 2, 2026
Election officials across the country have been preparing for every possible disruption ahead of Election Day – including meddling from the Trump administration. With just hours to go before polls open, we examine the mood amongst officials and how they are training their workers to interact with federal poll monitors.
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Guest: Gabe Cohen, CNN Correspondent
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Editorial Support: Maddie Marshall, Marshall Cohen
Nov 2, 2026
Democrat Haley Stevens speaks to CNN about decision to endorse Republican Mike Rogers in MI Senate race. Trump to deliver final midterm speech at Reflecting Pool. Deadly plane crash in Florida. Ukrainian families reunite thanks to temporary truce brokered by Melania Trump. Paramedic reunites with preemie she saved.
Nov 2, 2026
Health issues like vaccines and pesticides have emerged as pressing midterm issues in some key battleground states, scrambling traditional political lines. But it comes as the broader 'Make America Healthy Again’ movement is dealing with fractures that could imperil the momentum that helped propel President Donald Trump back to the White House in 2024. We explore politicians from both sides of the aisle are trying to win over disaffected MAHA voters across the country.
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Guest: Sarah Owermohle, CNN Reporter
Host: David Rind
Producer: Paola Ortiz
Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin
Nov 1, 2026







