Meet the Press NOW — October 2

Katie Zacharia is out as White House Press Secretary after five days on the job. New Jersey congressional candidate Rebecca Bennett (D) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss her campaign incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-N.J.). California's Secretary of State accuses the Department of Justice of fueling public distrust in elections with early voting is underway.

President Trump hits the campaign trail as economic headwinds intensify for Republicans just 19 days to the midterms. Trump cancels Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter. Democratic Pennsylvania U.S. House candidate Bob Harvie discusses his campaign to unseat five-term incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).

Republicans face headwinds from the rising cost of living in the final stretch ahead of the midterms. Outgoing Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) shares his predictions for control of the House. Montana House candidate Sam Forstag (D) discusses his longshot bid to flip a seat in a district won by President Trump.

President Trump and Vice President JD Vance barnstorm key battleground states, hoping to boost their party despite significant political headwinds. The Vatican announces Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer and had a had a lower lobe of his right lung removed. Democratic candidate Johnny Garcia of Texas joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss his bid for the redrawn 35th congressional district.

President Trump kicks off a busy week of campaigning with a visit to Ohio as he defends a diesel deal with Russia that is drawing bipartisan criticism. Iran-backed Houthi militants attack Saudi Arabia’s airport in Riyadh in the deadliest attack on a Gulf ally since the start of the Iran War. NBC 5's Phil Prazan joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss his interview with U.S Senate candidate James Talarico (D-Texas) who is dismissing rumors about his health after a multi-day absence from the campaign trail.