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.
Get more of What Next with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of What Next and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or visit slate.com/whatnextplus for access wherever you listen.
301
Bonus | Main Character Syndrome: Deepseek
What Next and What Next TBD meet for a Slate Plus exclusive to ask: “Who disrupts the disrupters?”
3 min
302
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
303
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
304
Trump’s DIY Government Shutdown
How Donald Trump’s freeze on federal funding flies in the face of the constitutional separation of powers.
24 min
305
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
306
Trump’s Gift to Militias
For a brief moment, militias were pariahs to both parties. Then the GOP called J6ers “patriots.”
24 min
307
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
308
TBD Bonus: The Discourse | The Bro-ligarchs Tak...
Slate’s Nitish Pahwa joins us for a Slate Plus exclusive.
6 min
309
TBD | Department of Government Elon
To trim government, first you must add to government, apparently.
19 min
310
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
311
Can Trump Actually Do All That?
Sorting through how much of that was legal—and how little was legally binding.
25 min
312
Did Democracy Die in Darkness?
Is the media ready for Trump 2.0—especially with billionaires like Bezos at the helm?
21 min
313
Hello Trumpworld
New faces, names you remember—and those you tried to forget.
23 min
314
TBD | As Fires Approached LA, Angelenos Turned ...
A conversation with the app’s cofounder.
19 min
315
TBD | Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta-Morphosis
Is this a pivot? Or was the Meta CEO always this way?
23 min
316
What the Ceasefire Is and Isn’t
An end to the war? A win for Biden? For Trump? A map to peace?
22 min
317
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
318
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
319
Who’s to Blame for the LA Fires?
How a global problem looks on a regional scale.
24 min
320
TBD | Why Tech Is Bending the Knee
Meet the man running Trump's FCC.
22 min
321
TBD | Will the Supreme Court Save TikTok?
The ban has now reached the highest court in the land.
25 min
322
Greenland’s a Distraction
Sen. Chris Murphy rewrites the opposition party playbook.
22 min
323
Blake Lively Vs. Hollywood
Sorting through the grievances and counter-suits.
25 min
324
Justin Trudeau Steps Down
The incumbent curse comes to Canada.
25 min
325
Is ISIS Back? Or Did It Never Leave?
The caliphate is gone – but the propaganda remains.
25 min