Republicans Running Democrat Playbook | On Balance Full Show 5/26

On this episode of "On Balance," Leland Vittert examines the Senate runoff election in Texas. Trump-backed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and will now face Democratic Texas Rep. James Talarico. Republicans are hoping Talarico’s ideology will prove unpopular in Texas. However, liberal candidates in Maine and Michigan are favored to win. NewsNation’s Brooke Shafer joins us live from Texas, and Director of Data Science at Decision Desk HQ Scott Tranter breaks down the numbers. 2WAY editor-in-chief Mark Halperin and his co-hosts of “The Morning Meeting,” Kevin Walling and Larry O’Connor, make up our panel.Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are furious with President Trump. After primarying Senators Tillis and Cassidy, in addition to Cornyn, Trump may face an uphill battle securing votes in the Senate with an already slim majority. Focusing on issues such as the UFC White House event, the ballroom and the Anti-Weaponization Fund frustrates Americans and lawmakers alike. Halperin, Wailing and O'Connor join us again to discuss what this means for the Senate overall.Later, Trump needs a win with Iran, but what will that take? Fully eliminating Iran’s nuclear capabilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz are seen as essential for victory. Trump wants to move on, and each day he says a deal is getting closer. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, analyzes where the war stands at this hour.Also, military action could resume and intensify significantly if a deal is not reached with Iran. Without reopening the strait or nuclear disarmament, Trump may feel the only option left is to bomb, bomb and bomb. Former U.S. Fifth Fleet Commander Vice Adm. John W. “Fozzie” Miller and retired Brig. Gen John Teichert, former assistant deputy undersecretary of the Air Force, explain how this approach could work.Plus, teen takeovers are invading the United States. Disorder and destruction in Democratic-run cities have Americans exhausted. Former Biden White House Press Office chief of staff Yemisi Egbewole explains the recent chaos.This show was recorded on May 26, 2026."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