Meet the Press NOW — September 23

President Trump’s upcoming state visit with Chinese President Xi Jinping highlights growing political friction as Republicans increasingly distance themselves from the administration ahead of the midterms. Concerns over the war in Iran and rising fuel costs are driving candidates to prioritize political survival, with some even removing references to the president from their campaign platforms. Simultaneously, a federal court is reviewing a lawsuit filed by MSNBC, CNN, and Politico challenging their exclusion from White House press access, with legal experts noting significant due process violations. Legislative efforts are also underway to establish federal guardrails for artificial intelligence, balancing technological innovation with the need to mitigate catastrophic risks. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Cuba remains a focal point, alongside urgent international advocacy for the release of imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai.