The Issue Is

The Issue Is

Discussions and debates with top newsmakers about the most controversial and interesting issues impacting California, hosted by FOX 11’s Elex Michaelson and airing on several TV stations across the state.

Episodes

June 21, 2025 26 mins
We travel with former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to Austria for the Austria World Summit.
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In a bonus episode this week, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass discusses the anti-ICE protests in downtown LA and curfew, the confusion of federal agents at Dodger Stadium and more.
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During a week of anti-immigration protests in Los Angeles, we talk to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the LA Times' Gustavo Arellano.
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"Original Sin," the new book by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, is one of the best-selling books in the country. It talks about President Joe Biden cognitive decline. Thompson joins The Issue Is to discuss their work.
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Elex sits down with Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democratic candidate for California governor, as well as professor Dan Schnur and conservative commentator Matt Klink.
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Inside the Milken Global Conference with a panel on LA wildfire response and one-on-one with Dr. Mehmet Oz, California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
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May 10, 2025 31 mins
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon sat down for an exclusive interview with FOX 11's Elex Michaelson in Pacific Palisades. He spoke about rebuilding California, Trump's tariffs, the entertainment industry, and more.
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Sen. Alex Padilla (D – Calif.) discusses President Donald Trump's first 100 days in office. In a panel discussion, Areva Martin and Jennifer Horn also weighs in on Trump's second term, in addition to discussing Kamala Harris' return to the national spotlight.
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 This week, Elex is joined by Steve Hilton, who announced is running for the Governor of California, and Brian Goldsmith, who is running for State Senate. Journalist Amie Parnes also joins the show. 
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This week, California became the first state in the country to sue the Trump administration over tariffs.
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We sit down with Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at the USC campus to discuss his environmental efforts, California's wildfires, his son Patrick's appearances on "The White Lotus," and Schwarzenegger's recent role as Santa Claus.
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Xavier Becerra is running for California Governor. He gave the first TV interview of his campaign to FOX 11's statewide political show "The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson."
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March 29, 2025 27 mins
This week, POLITICO's Melanie Mason and political strategist Mike Murphy join "The Issue Is:" panel to discuss a big week in politics.
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March 22, 2025 23 mins
Actresses Jane Fonda and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are fighting to stop more oil production in California.. and have some strong words for Gov. Newsom in the process. 
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This week, Elex is joined by Katie Porter, who announced is running for California Governor. He is also joined by political strategist Mike Madrid and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.
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March 8, 2025 26 mins
This week, Gov. Gavin Newsom released his first podcast in the "This is Gavin Newsom" series. It features an interview with Charlie Kirk. In it, the Governor agrees with Kirk that it is unfair for those born male to compete in female sports. Then, we travel to South Los Angeles to sit down with President Trump's new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner.
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This week, Elex is joined by Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate Chad Bianco, Congressman Robert Garcia and TMZ's Harvey Levin.
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February 22, 2025 20 mins
This week, Elex speaks one-on-one with LA Mayor Karen Bass. Following the exclusive interview with the LA Mayor, Elex is also joined by political journalist Jon Regardie and U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
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February 15, 2025 28 mins
On this episode of 'The Issue Is', California's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, addresses Trump's immigration crackdown and discusses the joint effort by all Democratic Attorneys General in the country to push back on the administration. 
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We join former Vice President Kamala Harris on her first trip to the Pacific Palisades since the Palisades Fire, as speculation intensifies whether she'll run for California Governor. Businessman Rick Caruso is also considering a run for Governor. And "Extra" host Billy Bush joins us to talk about his new show "Hot Mics with Billy Bush."
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