MS Now draws nearly 5,000 fans to Texas event featuring Maddow and O’Donnell

MS Now held its Together In Texas: We the People 2026 fan event on 26 September at the University of Texas-Arlington. Nearly 5,000 supporters attended, including viewers who came to see Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell.

The event took place in Tarrant county, where Donald Trump and JD Vance won in 2024 by 42,125 votes. MS Now said it chose Texas as part of an effort to expand its live events and reach audiences beyond its traditional coastal strongholds.

Texas election context

The network’s interest in the state also reflects next month’s US Senate contest. Texas state representative James Talarico, 37, is set to face Republican nominee Ken Paxton, who defeated incumbent John Cornyn in the primary with Donald Trump’s backing. No Democrat has been elected to the Senate from Texas in 37 years.

MS Now senior vice-president of content strategy Marcus Mabry said the network wanted to speak to people as individuals rather than through a “red” and “blue” state divide. Host Stephanie Ruhle similarly told the Texas audience that Democratic voters should not see themselves as isolated voices.

Audience growth and membership plan

Host Chris Hayes said viewers appeared to be more engaged with the news again. MS Now’s primetime lineup is averaging 1.3 million viewers this year, up 11% from 2025; the network reported an even larger increase among viewers aged 25 to 54.

The event also showcased MS Now’s first major direct-to-consumer offering. Membership costs $7.99 a month or $79.99 a year and includes two daily Q&As, a moderated member community, exclusive content, a curated daily briefing and guided meditations.

Fan-focused event format

The programme included appearances and interviews with the network’s hosts and journalists. MS Now president Rebecca Kutler took photographs for attendees posing with White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López, while Ruhle acted as an informal cheerleader, energising the crowd and taking pictures with fans.

Attendees said they watched MS Now almost every day and valued it for information and optimism. Dallas residents Ronnie and Rachael Thomas were among them, as was former Republican Leslie Lesher, who said she “always feel[s] hope” when watching the network’s hosts.