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.
276
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
277
Trump’s Gift to Militias
For a brief moment, militias were pariahs to both parties. Then the GOP called J6ers “patriots.”
24 min
278
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
279
TBD Bonus: The Discourse | The Bro-ligarchs Tak...
Slate’s Nitish Pahwa joins us for a Slate Plus exclusive.
16 min
280
TBD | Department of Government Elon
To trim government, first you must add to government, apparently.
19 min
281
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
282
Can Trump Actually Do All That?
Sorting through how much of that was legal—and how little was legally binding.
25 min
283
Did Democracy Die in Darkness?
Is the media ready for Trump 2.0—especially with billionaires like Bezos at the helm?
21 min
284
Hello Trumpworld
New faces, names you remember—and those you tried to forget.
23 min
285
TBD | As Fires Approached LA, Angelenos Turned ...
A conversation with the app’s cofounder.
19 min
286
Bonus | When Pete Hegseth Came To Washington
A Slate Plus exclusive on the dawn of the combative new MAGA era.
17 min
287
TBD | Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta-Morphosis
Is this a pivot? Or was the Meta CEO always this way?
23 min
288
What the Ceasefire Is and Isn’t
An end to the war? A win for Biden? For Trump? A map to peace?
22 min
289
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
290
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
291
Who’s to Blame for the LA Fires?
How a global problem looks on a regional scale.
24 min
292
TBD | Why Tech Is Bending the Knee
Meet the man running Trump's FCC.
22 min
293
TBD | Will the Supreme Court Save TikTok?
The ban has now reached the highest court in the land.
25 min
294
Greenland’s a Distraction
Sen. Chris Murphy rewrites the opposition party playbook.
22 min
295
Blake Lively Vs. Hollywood
Sorting through the grievances and counter-suits.
25 min
296
Justin Trudeau Steps Down
The incumbent curse comes to Canada.
25 min
297
Is ISIS Back? Or Did It Never Leave?
The caliphate is gone – but the propaganda remains.
25 min
298
TBD | Bitcoin Takes the White House
Cryptocurrency folks see the future, and with Trump returning to office, it looks like a giant pool of money.
20 min
299
TBD | Musk vs. MAGA
Elon Musk and the base discovered their opinions on immigration are actually pretty far apart.
22 min
300
The Struggle to Get Aid to Gaza
In 2025, it’s about to get a lot more difficult to distribute humanitarian assistance.
27 min