What Next Plus
The problem with the news right now? It’s everywhere. And each day, it can feel like we’re all just mindlessly scrolling. It’s why we created What Next. This short daily show is here to help you make sense of things. When the news feels overwhelming, we’re here to help you answer: What next? Look for new episodes every weekday morning.
226
Bonus | Main Character Syndrome: Deepseek
What Next and What Next TBD meet for a Slate Plus exclusive to ask: “Who disrupts the disrupters?”
17 min
227
TBD | RFK Jr. Is a Feature, Not a Bug
The vaccine skeptic’s nomination reveals the Trump 2.0 approach to public health.
23 min
228
Was Tulsi Gabbard Always Like This?
Of all of Trump’s cabinet nominees, the betting lines say she has the worst odds of being confirmed.
25 min
229
Trump’s DIY Government Shutdown
How Donald Trump’s freeze on federal funding flies in the face of the constitutional separation of powers.
23 min
230
Who Will Mourn DEI?
An imperfect system for creating a fairer society became a boogeyman—and Trump’s attacks on it are turning government employees against each other.
26 min
231
Trump’s Gift to Militias
For a brief moment, militias were pariahs to both parties. Then the GOP called J6ers “patriots.”
24 min
232
TBD | The A.I. Will See You Now
Doctors are increasingly using artificial intelligence to help with appointments. But do the risks outweigh the benefits?
20 min
233
TBD Bonus: The Discourse | The Bro-ligarchs Tak...
Slate’s Nitish Pahwa joins us for a Slate Plus exclusive.
16 min
234
TBD | Department of Government Elon
To trim government, first you must add to government, apparently.
19 min
235
How Closed Is the Border?
Trump’s executive orders will narrow the legal paths to America. So does that mean more illegal immigration?
23 min
236
Can Trump Actually Do All That?
Sorting through how much of that was legal—and how little was legally binding.
25 min
237
Did Democracy Die in Darkness?
Is the media ready for Trump 2.0—especially with billionaires like Bezos at the helm?
21 min
238
Hello Trumpworld
New faces, names you remember—and those you tried to forget.
23 min
239
TBD | As Fires Approached LA, Angelenos Turned ...
A conversation with the app’s cofounder.
19 min
240
Bonus | When Pete Hegseth Came To Washington
A Slate Plus exclusive on the dawn of the combative new MAGA era.
17 min
241
TBD | Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta-Morphosis
Is this a pivot? Or was the Meta CEO always this way?
23 min
242
What the Ceasefire Is and Isn’t
An end to the war? A win for Biden? For Trump? A map to peace?
22 min
243
Does Jack Smith’s Jan. 6 Report Matter?
The Special Counsel says Trump would have been convicted if he wasn’t elected President.
26 min
244
Can Trump End Birthright Citizenship?
As far as laws go, this one seems pretty settled. But it’s Trump we’re talking about here.
24 min
245
Who’s to Blame for the LA Fires?
How a global problem looks on a regional scale.
24 min
246
TBD | Why Tech Is Bending the Knee
Meet the man running Trump's FCC.
22 min
247
TBD | Will the Supreme Court Save TikTok?
The ban has now reached the highest court in the land.
25 min
248
Greenland’s a Distraction
Sen. Chris Murphy rewrites the opposition party playbook.
22 min
249
Blake Lively Vs. Hollywood
Sorting through the grievances and counter-suits.
25 min
250
Justin Trudeau Steps Down
The incumbent curse comes to Canada.
25 min