Slate News

Shane Harris, a national security expert from The Atlantic, and Ana Vanessa Herrero, a journalist reporting on South America for the Washington Post, dive into the controversial military action led by Trump that resulted in the explosion of a boat. They analyze the legality of targeting alleged drug traffickers in international waters and the implications for U.S. drug policy. The discussion also highlights complex U.S.-Venezuela relations, the resilience of Venezuelans amid political turmoil, and the potential ethical dilemmas of military intervention.

Dive into the fascinating world of comedy as creators discuss the recent shake-up at Saturday Night Live with the entry of TikTok stars. They explore whether SNL needs internet comedians or vice versa. Listeners will enjoy humorous tales of online scams and the evolution of comedy in the digital age. From the charm of TikTok influencers to the shifting dynamics of comedy platforms, this engaging conversation addresses how social media is reshaping viewer engagement and the future of traditional comedy.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, a U.S. representative from Maryland's 8th Congressional District, discusses the precarious position of Democrats amidst a Republican-controlled Congress. He explores the potential of using a government shutdown as leverage against Donald Trump's agenda. Raskin highlights the moral dilemmas in budget negotiations, particularly regarding healthcare subsidies and authoritarianism. He calls for grassroots activism to combat rising political tensions, emphasizing the need for unity against threats to democracy.

Ben Rothenberg, an acclaimed tennis writer known for his insights in the sport, joins the conversation to dissect the dramatic U.S. Open finals. He highlights the unexpected political controversy surrounding Trump’s attendance and the electrifying showdown between Alcaraz and Sinner. The discussion also touches on the latest NFL kickoff thrills, including the Bills' stunning comeback. Plus, Rothenberg reflects on sports ownership dynamics and the implications of recent controversies in the NBA, making for an engaging sports roundtable.

Apoorva Mandavilli, a science and global health reporter for the New York Times, dives into the turmoil caused by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at the CDC, revealing major leadership failures and employee unrest. She discusses the ongoing struggles many face in accessing COVID vaccines amid public confusion and skepticism fueled by misinformation. The podcast also highlights the erosion of trust in public health agencies and how local dynamics influence vaccination policies, underscoring the critical need for clarity in this chaotic landscape.

An Inflation Reduction Act subsidy for electric vehicles is being shut down by the Trump administration at the end of September, and automakers are preparing for sales of EVs to slow. Can this nascent industry survive?  Guest: ⁠Ryan Felton⁠, reporter covering the automotive industry for the Wall Street Journal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week: Tesla offered Elon Musk an incentive package worth a trillion dollars.   Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Tesla's motivation and why Musk, already the richest man in the world, would be tempted by the outrageous number. Then, the big antitrust case against Google went out with a whimper, with the Judge ruling that they are a monopoly but they don’t need to break up the company if they follow a few new rules. The hosts discuss the logic behind the decision and what the ruling might signal to other companies. And finally, with the prospect of Trump’s tariffs being ruled illegal by the Supreme Court, traders are buying up tariff refund rights. So, Felix gets to nerd out about litigation finance.  In the Slate Plus episode: Tilting at Wind Turbines  Want to hear that discussion and hear more Slate Money? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Slate Money show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/moneyplus to get access wherever you listen. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli and Cheyna Roth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Spitfire News writer Kat Tenbarge, who came to the defense of the Gaylor fandom (people who believe Taylor Swift is secretly queer) after they were accused of “crashing out” in light of her engagement to Travis Kelce. But who are the Gaylors, really? And why are they always the butt of the joke? Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a “stuckness” to American political life right now, which has become a seemingly inexorable centrifuge of polarization, victimization and power grabbing. The constitution is brandished as sword and shield, and also as though it is the word of God. Americans, it seems, have lost the ability to think creatively and expansively about the constitution, and our ability to amend it. On this week’s Amicus, Dahlia Lithwick is in conversation with Jill Lepore, whose new book “We The People: A History of The U.S. The Constitution is a thorough and bold excavation of a central, but utterly neglected part of America’s constitutional scheme: the amendment process. In her book, and in this interview, Lepore challenges Americans to rekindle their constitutional imaginations and really think about what the act of mending, repairing, or amending has meant through the nation’s history, and could mean for a country on the brink.  Want more Amicus? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes with exclusive legal analysis. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Amicus show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/amicusplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve been told that artificial intelligence can write, code, generate images—it can do everything…except feasibly turn a profit. But investing in A.I. has nevertheless become a pillar of the U.S. economy. Where is this leading us? Guest: Ed Zitron, author of the newsletter Where’s Your Ed At and host of the podcast Better Offline. Want more What Next TBD? Subscribe to Slate Plus to access ad-free listening to the whole What Next family and all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts by clicking “Try Free” at the top of our show page. Sign up now at slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices