What Next | Daily News and Analysis
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.
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251
Trump’s Animal-Spirit Economy
Trying to make sense of Trumponomics.
25 min
252
A "Made for TV" Deportation Policy
Over the weekend, the Trump administration invoked an arcane law which was last used to justify Japanese internment. A judge tried to stop him—but he didn’t listen.
27 min
253
Is this the End of Sesame Street?
How the struggles of a once universally beloved children’s show are emblematic of a larger cultural shift.
25 min
254
Democrats Had a Rare Opportunity. They Blinked.
Chuck Schumer’s decision to keep the government open enraged a wide swath of Democrats, from Pelosi to AOC.
24 min
255
TBD | How Trump Is Trying to Kill Press Freedom
Inside the movement targeting free speech.
26 min
256
Bonus Main Character: Meghan Markle Could Use a...
The hosts of Slate’s ICYMI join Mary for a Slate Plus exclusive.
3 min
257
TBD | Will Tesla Survive Elon Musk?
From “Eco-Friendly” to “Swastiscar”
23 min
258
Could DOGE Really Gut Social Security?
Elon takes on the biggest, most trusted, and most essential program yet.
25 min
259
Will Student Protesters Be Deported?
Mahmoud Khalil’s detainment is part of Trump’s larger war on American universities.
26 min
260
Andrew Cuomo Wanted To Be President. He’ll Sett...
In 2021, he resigned from the governorship under the shadow of multiple scandals. In 2025, he’s leading the polls in New York City’s mayoral race.
23 min
261
Til Trump Do Us Part
How husbands’ votes for Donald Trump threw whole relationships into question.
23 min
262
TBD | Zuckerberg and the Post-Factcheck Era
Does Meta know what they’ve done?
26 min
263
TBD | From 4Chan to Charlottesville to DOGE
How the far-right internet conquered American politics.
27 min
264
How Worried Are Ukrainians?
And where things stand after that meeting.
22 min
265
The True Cost of Slashing the Government
How drastic federal funding cuts are already being felt in America and beyond.
22 min
266
Why Trump Needs Congress
The president prepares to address the House and Senate with a government shutdown looming.
25 min
267
Why Women Kill
One commonality among women incarcerated for homicide raises the question, what is self-defense—and who’s entitled to it?
30 min
268
TBD | Cracking the Egg Crisis
An eggsplanation.
18 min
269
What Next TBD | The DOGE Resistance
Lawsuits, protests and Elon Musk's Achilles Heel
24 min
270
Will Gaza’s Ceasefire Last?
Is the next step a negotiation for Gaza’s future—or a return to war?
25 min
271
The DOGE Backlash Begins
Even in deep-red districts, constituents were letting politicians know how they felt about DOGE’s cuts—and they were not happy.
24 min
272
Barron Mania
Who is Trump’s youngest son? Turns out, he’s whatever you want him to be.
21 min
273
What If America Went on Strike?
It’s happened before. It's worked in other countries. And what else can we do?
22 min
274
TBD | $Trump
Crypto poured money into the campaign, now the first family is cashing in.
21 min
275
TBD | Elon's Endgame
He's slashing the federal workforce. He's gutting programs he doesn't like. But at the end of the day, what does he want?
30 min