What Next | Daily News and Analysis

In this discussion, Alisa Solomon, Director of Arts and Culture at Columbia Journalism School, and Katy Waldman, New Yorker staff writer, dive into how Donald Trump is reshaping the arts scene. They explore Trump's controversial role at the Kennedy Center and the chaos surrounding grant cancellations at the National Endowment for the Arts. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by artists, particularly regarding diversity and funding under shifting political landscapes, and emphasizes the resilience of the artistic community amidst these pressures.

Justin Peters, a Slate correspondent and author, takes a deep dive into Marco Rubio's evolving political landscape. He discusses Rubio's swift rise to power, including his new roles like National Security Advisor and his dynamic relationship with Trump. The conversation highlights the challenges Rubio faces as he juggles multiple positions, the shifting loyalties in politics, and his nuanced stance on immigration in a polarized environment. Peters thoughtfully critiques the authenticity of politicians in today's political arena.

In this discussion, Jeremy Fogel, a retired federal judge and executive director for the Berkeley Judicial Institute, delves into the escalating tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. He explores potential political motives behind recent judicial arrests and Trump’s views of judges as obstacles. Fogel emphasizes the risks of politicizing judicial independence, discusses the historical context of judicial challenges, and highlights the importance of upholding the rule of law in a democracy facing increasing threats.

Faiz Siddiqui, Washington Post tech reporter and author of 'Hubris Maximus,' delves into the complexities of Elon Musk's power. He discusses the tragic implications of Tesla's autopilot technology following a fatal accident. The conversation highlights Musk's unconventional leadership during the pandemic, showcasing his detachment and controversial decisions. Siddiqui also examines Musk's surprising political alignment and how his actions influence public perception, raising questions about corporate responsibility and the weight of influence in tech.

Zoe Schiffer, Director of Business and Industry at Wired Magazine, dives into Marc Andreessen's transformation into a significant political influencer in Silicon Valley. She discusses how Andreessen's role in pivotal group chats reshapes mainstream tech discourse and highlights the changing power dynamics in venture capitalism amid government scrutiny. The conversation also touches on the industry's ideological shift, contrasting figures like Andreessen and Elon Musk, and examines the interplay between innovation, ambition, and historical accountability.

Many of the policy changes in Trump’s first 100 days have come from the White House—but now, it’s Congress’s turn. Republicans have roughly a month to pass a multi-trillion-dollar bill to advance the president’s domestic agenda. But will the bill’s combination of tax cuts and increases in spending on defense and border security render it unpassable for GOP budget hawks? Guest: Jim Newell, senior politics writer at Slate. Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your  other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Ethan Oberman, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was abducted off the streets of her district, Rep. Ayanna Pressley is not mincing words when it comes to the Trump administration: “These are the actions of a dictator.”  Last week, Rep. Pressley traveled to Louisiana with a Congressional delegation to visit Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil in the ICE detention facilities where they’re being held. Now, she’s speaking out about what she witnessed firsthand. Guest: Ayanna Pressley, US representative for Massachusetts’ 7th district and member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your  other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Ethan Oberman, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At his first press conference as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, RFK Jr. gave a glimpse of what the department will look like under his leadership: a smaller overall budget, relitigating settled scientific questions.   Guest: Kiera Butler, senior editor and reporter at Mother Jones and author of Raise: What 4-H Teaches Seven Million Kids and How Its Lessons Could Change Food and Farming Forever. Want more What Next? Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to What Next and all your  other favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, Ethan Oberman, Isabel Angell, and Rob Gunther. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Joseph Stern, a senior writer for Slate, dives into the complex intersection of religion and education. He discusses two critical Supreme Court cases—one challenging LGBTQ-themed books in public schools and the other involving a Catholic charter school seeking state funding. Stern highlights the legal dilemmas these cases present, particularly regarding parental rights and the implications for diversity in school curricula. He also examines how these rulings could reshape the educational landscape amidst rising censorship debates.

Daniel Swain, a weather and climate scientist from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, dives deep into the pressing issues facing weather forecasting. He discusses the alarming impact of budget cuts on NOAA and the National Weather Service, which threaten public safety amid increasingly severe storms. Swain highlights the essential role of federal agencies in storm prediction and warns of the dire consequences of diminished funding. He also emphasizes the need for public advocacy to safeguard crucial weather services against these challenges.