PBS News Hour - Politics

President Trump has long had a complicated relationship with the news media. He tends to seek out reporters he deems friendly, while butting heads with those he accuses of treating him unfairly. As ABC News' chief White House correspondent, Jonathan Karl has a close-up view of these dynamics, which he describes in his new book, "Front Row at the Trump Show." Karl joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

The Trump administration is expected to change its position soon on whether Americans who are not health care workers should wear face masks while out in public. Up until now, the CDC has not recommended they do so. Yamiche Alcindor joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the "major reversal" as well as the president's second COVID-19 test and the latest on when Americans will receive government aid.

President Trump was in the White House briefing room again Wednesday evening for what has become a regular discussion of his administration's response to COVID-19. He was joined by other political leaders and health officials -- and this time, by prominent national security figures, as well. Yamiche Alcindor was there, and she joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.

President Trump's Coronavirus Task Force held a briefing Monday evening on the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yamiche Alcindor was there, and she joins Judy Woodruff to discuss Trump's latest update on virus testing as well as an exchange she had with the president on Sunday regarding states' requests for more medical supplies.

NPR's Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including how President Trump's approval ratings have changed amid the coronavirus pandemic, the tendency of American voters to rally around leaders during a crisis and what these unprecedented circumstances mean for the 2020 presidential election.

More than 3 million Americans last week filed for unemployment benefits. Many who lost their jobs may now have to go without health insurance as well. And with a growing pandemic, the national conversation about universal health care is intensifying. Hari Sreenivasan spoke about with Sara Collins, vice president for health care coverage and access at the Commonwealth Fund, to learn more.

The federal stimulus package that will provide relief checks to some families impacted by the pandemic, has reignited the idea of universal basic income. One testing ground for UBI is in Stockton, California, where a pilot program is underway. Hari Sreenivasan spoke with Stockton's mayor, the program's director and several researchers studying UBI as part of our series, "Chasing the Dream."

The House of Representatives returned to D.C. Friday to approve the largest economic relief package in U.S. history. Bipartisan agreement over the bill reflected lawmakers' recognition of urgent need amid the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, governors continued to plead for more health care resources. John Yang reports and Lisa Desjardins and Yamiche Alcindor join Judy Woodruff to discuss.

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week in politics, including whether Americans are ready for the mounting coronavirus crisis, why the U.S. government wasn't better prepared for the pandemic, the significance of the $2.2 trillion economic relief package and the status of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.

Confirmed coronavirus infections have passed the half-million mark worldwide, with 23,000 deaths. In the U.S., a huge economic relief bill is nearing final approval amid an unprecedented wave of unemployment claims from people who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. And hospitals are strained to the point of collapse. Amna Nawaz reports and Lisa Desjardins joins Judy Woodruff to discuss.