Steve Kornacki returned to NBC News’ election coverage on Nov. 3 for the 2026 midterm elections, joining the network’s 13-hour broadcast. He described the event on X as “livestream history” and said the coverage would continue through the night.
For this year’s shift, Kornacki set aside his signature khakis in favor of dark trousers. He also added Dunkin’ coffee to his rider, though he said he did not expect to rely on it much. In an interview with Axios published Nov. 3, he said the steady arrival of results and new information keeps his energy up.
Diet Coke has been a more familiar part of his election-night routine. In a 2020 interview with GQ, Kornacki said he drinks plenty of it during broadcasts, keeping it close by as election results come in. He said the flow of new information gives him energy, and that the drink is available throughout the night.
Kornacki has also said he avoids eating during election-night coverage because food makes him feel slower and sleepy. He tries to eat something earlier in the day, perhaps a bagel, and said he has not eaten breakfast in 28 or 29 years.
Sources: E! News.