First Of All with Victor Blackwell

President Trump is commenting on “Black jobs” again. Victor plays the comments and gets reaction from Darrick Hamilton, an economic expert who has advised members of congress and presidential candidates.

Karmelo Anthony is on trial for fatally stabbing Austin Metcalf at a high school track meet. It'll be decided by a jury with no Black jurors. Judge Glenda Hatchett joins Victor to talk about how it may impact the final verdict.

Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell is one of four Black candidates that met up this week, trying to ensure the lawmaker who represents a minority district in Florida is Black, and not congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Victor asks what their plan is now to challenge her.

Plus, he's alive and in prison convicted of murder yet Derek Chauvin was found to be worthy of a “moment of silent prayer” by attendees of a Republican convention in Minnesota. Victor shares the excuses from GOP leaders about what happened, and the emotional response from George Floyd's girlfriend.

And families who have lived in South Florida's historically Black neighborhoods are being pushed out of their homes. Capital B reporter Adam Mahoney and Miami resident Nicole Crooks join Victor to explain why climate change is to blame.

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Victor speaks with Gabriela Soto and attorneys representing ICE detainees who allege solitary confinement, poor conditions, and medical neglect at New Jersey detention facilities.

He also examines a dispute over Black representation in Congress with Daniel Henry and Rep. Yvette Clarke, discusses René Marsh’s interview with Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III, talks with Michael Harriot about artists leaving the “Freedom 250” concerts, and highlights a project reimagining demolished Confederate monuments.
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A nationwide “Day of Action for Voting Rights” is protesting redrawn voter maps across the South. Victor speaks with Georgia Republican election board member Janelle King and Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones II about the redistricting battle.

In Kansas, former Coldwater mayor Joe Ceballos faces deportation after voting in U.S. elections despite not being a citizen. His wife, Jayne, and interim mayor Britt Lenertz react.

After President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing, families of Americans jailed in China for over a decade say their loved ones were ignored during talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Victor also examines concerns that a loophole in the First Step Act may benefit convicted former police officers, speaking with former federal prosecutor Jared Fishman.

Later, he interviews seven trailblazing graduates from Spelman College’s Class of 2026.

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Republicans in states across the South are moving fast to redraw voting maps after a Supreme Court ruling impacting redistricting and voting rights for millions. Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson's district has the largest percentage of Black voters in the country. Is his seat now at risk? He joins Victor to react to what this means for majority-minority districts like his.

Victor also covers several major stories, starting with Israel and Max Makoka, two brothers detained by ICE on their way to school who were later released after support from their conservative community in Diamondhead, Mississippi, along with their host mom Gail Baptiste. He also speaks with Kevin McCarthy about the shrinking number of Black Republicans in the House, as none of the current four members are running for re election, raising the possibility that there could be none by 2027. Later, Victor discusses the social media debate sparked by a teaser for “The Devil Wears Prada 2” involving an Asian character, and interviews journalist Lidia Terrazas about her reporting on Wilfredo, a 10 year old forced to represent himself in court to avoid deportation to a country he has never known. In the Art is Life segment, Victor highlights a trio of mariachi brothers who gained national attention after nearly two weeks in ICE custody and are now preparing to perform with Kacey Musgraves, sharing what the opportunity means to them.

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Who all gon’ be there? President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are expected to head to Pakistan. But it’s still not clear if they’ll actually meet with Iranian negotiators. Victor gets analysis from Tia Mitchell and Charles Carithers on the war with Iran and talks to end it.

What does the U.S. government owe Lebanese Americans whose homes are being destroyed by Israeli airstrikes? Victor asks the chairman of the Arab American Civil Rights League in Dearborn, Michigan, Nasser Beydoun, about his own personal loss and his plans to take the issue to court.

For the first time as President, Trump says he is going to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Victor speaks to a vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists, Eva D. Coleman, after the group signed on to a letter calling on journalists to take a stand … and not just stand by as he attacks the press.

Plus, Victor speaks to Andrew Quinio, the attorney of a white mother who says California's Black Infant Health Program denied her and her newborn baby help, because she's not Black.

The movie “Michael” just came out and is already dividing social media. Victor shares the strongest reactions online, and perspective from Michael Jackson collaborator and friend, Travis Payne.

And later, you'll meet the 2026 National Teacher of the Year, Leon Smith. Why he says teaching high school kids U.S. History and African American Studies matters in this moment.

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