MS NOW’s Peter Alexander Makes Steinem Death About Republicans in Pelosi, Harris Interviews

Nicholas Spinnato
September 3rd, 2026 3:43 PM

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Following the news of the death of feminist Gloria Steinem, MS NOW pulled out the big guests for Thursday’s State of Play as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Kamala Harris joined for remembrance in live interviews. However, host Peter Alexander’s questions later turned to referendums on the current Trump presidency, especially in his interview with Pelosi.

After Pelosi showed her thankfulness for her relationship with Steinem, Alexander noted how there was a record number of women in Congress. But then, Alexander started to frame Steinem and Pelosi as fighters against Republicans:

You and Miss Steinem fought through three Republican presidencies to advance not just women's rights, but equal rights for everyone.

 

 

He then asked, “Do you remember some of the advice she gave you when the days seemed dark or more challenging for the movement?

Pelosi responded and called Steinem a “role model,” before asking about the “challenging” last few “several years” and the “impact” of “this president” on women, as he implied the Trump Administration had hurt women’s rights:

 

 

For all the progress that we have seen over the course of your and her lifetime, obviously the last several years have been so challenging. The overturning of Roe v. Wade. As you witness America, as we see it today, the impact that some of the new efforts under this president are having on women - not just women, but certainly women in America.

Alexander continued his framing and asked Pelosi, “Are you troubled? Do you remain optimistic?”

Pelosi said she agreed with what former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in interviews about Steinem’s death and said she was “both optimistic, hopeful, and concerned” about the future.

She added, “And I do think that young people, the more they know about what a difference Gloria Steinem made, it's time to refresh the memory of all of us - so many of us, about the challenge that was women were facing and what we have now."

 

 

At the end of the show, former Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris called into Alexander’s show to also give her thoughts. Alexander asked Harris about Steinem’s support for her presidential campaign

Alexander turned to current political topics and asked Harris if she would campaign for 2026 midterm candidates. 

Harris stated, “Listen, Peter, we need to win, okay. Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally. I've run for statewide office and obviously nationally. And these candidates know what they need to do to win, and I would expect nothing less. I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve: lower costs, affordable health care, affordable child care, you name it. So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win."

Alexander then asked Harris if she would run for president again in 2028. Her response seemed to fear for the 2026 midterms instead:

I'm focused on ‘26. You know what, Peter? And to be very serious about this: ‘28 doesn't matter if we don't win ‘26.

More classic fearmongering on MS NOW over women's rights and elections, even in the immediate face of Steinem's death.

The transcript is below. Click "expand":

MS NOW’s State of Play

September 3, 2026

11:15:14 AM Eastern

PETER ALEXANDER: We have talked about her impact from the boardroom to the bedroom to the halls of the Capitol. As you say, in 2024, a record 152 women lawmakers were elected. We had never seen ranks of women serving this country like we have seen in recent years. 

You and Miss Steinem fought through three Republican presidencies to advance not just women's rights, but equal rights for everyone. Do you remember some of the advice she gave you when the days seemed dark or more challenging for the movement?

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): Well, long before I was elected to public office, when I was party chair in California, she said, “We've got to get you doing more things than just politics. We want you to be more active in terms of the women's movement.” And I said, “Well, that's what I think I'm doing.” But then she was unhappy because Time magazine had not put me as the first woman speaker on the cover. And so she had me on the cover of Ms. Magazine. 

So, she was saying, I'm going to make sure that people understand the connection between what I'm doing and what you are doing. But she was - the advice she gave me is what she gave everyone else. Be confident, have courage. Get out there and do make sure you make your difference. And she was a model for that herself. To see the courage she had and the upbringing she had, she overcame it with pride. She was beautiful. She was graceful. She was eloquent. She was effective. And she was a model for the rest of us to be ourselves, know our power, and get the job done.

ALEXANDER: For all the progress that we have seen over the course of your and her lifetime, obviously the last several years have been so challenging. The overturning of Roe v. Wade. As you witness America, as we see it today, the impact that some of the new efforts under this president are having on women - not just women, but certainly women in America. 

Are you troubled? Do you remain optimistic?

PELOSI: Well, I saw the interview with Senator Clinton - I mean, senator - secretary, so many titles for Hillary Clinton this morning. Yes, both optimistic, hopeful, and concerned. 

And I do think that young people, the more they know about what a difference Gloria Steinem made, it's time to refresh the memory of all of us - so many of us, about the challenge that was women were facing and what we have now. 

But we need more. I'm relentless, as Gloria would want us all to be in our pursuit of many more rights for women, many more opportunities for women, and to teach men - Some men need to be taught, really, that respect for women is something that is a tradition in our country that must be honored as we go forward. And a little bit in doubt right now. But we don't agonize about them. We organize about the women.

(...)

11:55:46 AM Eastern

ALEXANDER: Gloria Steinem was a supporter of yours. She donated to your campaign in 2020. She participated in your campaign two years ago. When she was asked if a woman could win the presidency, she said, “I think Kamala Harris could win.” What was some of the best advice she gave you through the course of your public life?

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS: Well, she, you know, and remember, I wasn't the first. She has supported women in the run for the presidency as early as her incredible support for Shirley Chisholm, who is a role model for me, and of course, Hillary Clinton. And her point was always, listen, we have to understand our ability to be, even though people may not see it at the moment, that there is still work to be done to help people with their perception of who can do what. 

But, you know, here's my feeling about it is that, you know, breaking barriers involves breaking. And here's the thing about breaking things. Sometimes you get cut, sometimes you bleed, but it'll be worth it every time. And Gloria knew that. She understood that the process of breaking barriers will be important. It will be historic, but it will also involve pain, and there will be a lot of support for you through that process. Understanding it won't be easy, but it's important to get it done.

ALEXANDER: Madam Vice President, we appreciate all your reflections. I do want to ask you, or give you a chance to respond to one of the headlines that's in the news today. Politico reports that you are wading into some of the midterms and that red-state, not blue or purple state, but red-state Democrats in states that Donald Trump won are encouraging you to stay away for fear it could impact their races there. Your response to some of that reporting?

HARRIS: Listen, Peter, we need to win, okay. Bottom line, we need to win. I have run locally. I've run for statewide office and obviously nationally. And these candidates know what they need to do to win and I would expect nothing less. 

I look forward to being on the trail and helping folks where I can be helpful, but we have got to put a check on this lawless administration and deliver what Americans need and deserve: lower costs, affordable health care, affordable child care, you name it. So, I support them in doing whatever they need to do to win.

ALEXANDER: Are you going to be on the trail for yourself as a presidential candidate in 2028?

HARRIS: I'm focused on ‘26. You know what, Peter? And to be very serious about this: ‘28 doesn't matter if we don't win ‘26 

ALEXANDER: Got it. Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Madam Vice President, it's always a pleasure to have you here. Thanks for spending time with us and sharing your reflections about the life of a one-of-a-kind woman, Gloria Steinem. We appreciate you.

HARRIS: Good to be with you. Thank you. Bye.

(...)

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