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
TBD | We Made a Memecoin
Because—how hard could it be?
27 min
252
The Group Chat Heard ‘Round the World
Former GOP congressman and Air Force vet Adam Kinzinger shares just how bad this Signal leak was.
25 min
253
What Happens To My Student Loans Now?
If your debt outlasts the Department of Education, alas, you’re not out of the woods yet.
24 min
254
A Tea Party for the Democrats?
Bernie and AOC have crowds, but what’s their pitch?
23 min
255
How Colleges Can Fight Back
Taking it from the quads to courts.
25 min
256
TBD | Bezos 2.0
How the Amazon founder went from Trump critic to Trump donor.
25 min
257
TBD | Trump's War on Scientific Research
Cutting NIH grants–even temporarily–could have repercussions for years to come.
26 min
258
Trump’s Animal-Spirit Economy
Trying to make sense of Trumponomics.
25 min
259
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
260
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
261
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
262
TBD | How Trump Is Trying to Kill Press Freedom
Inside the movement targeting free speech.
26 min
263
Bonus Main Character: Meghan Markle Could Use a...
The hosts of Slate’s ICYMI join Mary for a Slate Plus exclusive.
3 min
264
TBD | Will Tesla Survive Elon Musk?
From “Eco-Friendly” to “Swastiscar”
23 min
265
Could DOGE Really Gut Social Security?
Elon takes on the biggest, most trusted, and most essential program yet.
25 min
266
Will Student Protesters Be Deported?
Mahmoud Khalil’s detainment is part of Trump’s larger war on American universities.
26 min
267
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
268
Til Trump Do Us Part
How husbands’ votes for Donald Trump threw whole relationships into question.
23 min
269
TBD | Zuckerberg and the Post-Factcheck Era
Does Meta know what they’ve done?
26 min
270
TBD | From 4Chan to Charlottesville to DOGE
How the far-right internet conquered American politics.
27 min
271
How Worried Are Ukrainians?
And where things stand after that meeting.
22 min
272
The True Cost of Slashing the Government
How drastic federal funding cuts are already being felt in America and beyond.
22 min
273
Why Trump Needs Congress
The president prepares to address the House and Senate with a government shutdown looming.
25 min
274
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
275
TBD | Cracking the Egg Crisis
An eggsplanation.
18 min