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.
251
TBD | How Elon Wields Power
You can’t run the country like a company. Musk is learning that the hard way.
30 min
252
TBD | The Discourse: Here Come the Tariffs
Retail CEOs and consumers are starting to feel Trump's tariffs. How will they react?
12 min
253
TBD | Marc Andreessen’s New Deal
How the Silicon Valley kingmaker became a Washington mover and shaker.
22 min
254
Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Trumpism comes to Congress.
24 min
255
Inside the ICE Prison Holding Student Detainees
After visiting Rümeysa Öztürk in Louisiana, Rep. Ayanna Pressley has some recommendations for the Democrats.
25 min
256
Will HHS Survive RFK Jr?
100 days into this second Trump administration, RFK Jr.’s already spreading misinformation about autism—and failing to confront a deadly measles outbreak.
22 min
257
Are Public Schools the Supreme Court's Next Tar...
Two cases regarding religion in the classroom could upend public education as we have known it.
27 min
258
TBD | Death of the Weather Forecast?
Climate and weather aren’t the same thing, but the Trump administration would have you understand neither one.
23 min
259
Bonus: Behind the “Sinners” Smear Campaign
The ICYMI team stops by to answer the question: “When is $60 million not enough?”
18 min
260
TBD | The Immigration Data Dragnet
How DOGE is helping create a more “efficient” surveillance state.
25 min
261
The Flight Attendant Who Wants You to Go on Strike
Is organized labor the sleeping giant that could stop Trump’s agenda?
23 min
262
Fed Up!
Why the White House has turned on its own Federal Reserve appointee.
24 min
263
Ciao Papa
Remembering what made Pope Francis special.
23 min
264
Why Did Big Law Fold So Easily?
What kind of high-powered law firm just gives in like that?
23 min
265
TBD | The Baby Monitor Trap
How a device designed to give parents some space demands that they pay more attention than ever.
25 min
266
TBD | The Discourse: Slate Decrypts Cryptocurrency
A snippet of our Zoom event on Slate's crypto package.
13 min
267
TBD | The U.S. vs Meta
The U.S. alleges Meta has a social media monopoly. Meta claims that in 2025, that's simply not true.
20 min
268
Should Hospitals Drug Test New Moms?
False positives are common. The legal consequences can be devastating.
24 min
269
When a State Tells Trump 'No'
Maine’s governor said she’d follow her state’s laws—then the federal government launched more than a half dozen investigations.
24 min
270
Trump’s Weaponized IRS
It’s likely counter to the law and almost definitely going to cost us tax revenue.
25 min
271
Project 2025’s Plan for Your Family
This administration’s first two months were pulled directly from this 922 page tome—but Project 2025’s number one goal is still unrealized.
24 min
272
TBD | TikTok: Somehow Also Affected by the Tariffs
Like everything else, TikTok finds itself subject to changing winds of one President Trump.
18 min
273
Bonus: Katy Perry is an Astronaut Now?
Astro-not-quite.
15 min
274
TBD | Trump Tariffs Hit Mushroom Kingdom
How Nintendo tried to save their console princess.
20 min
275
Impeachment From the Bottom Up
"Hands Off" isn't specific enough. Tell them what you want.
23 min