The Excerpt

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They rejected Biden’s 2020 win. Now they’re running for office. Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

Among the Republicans running for governor of politically competitive states in 2026 are people like Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and U.S. Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin. What they have in common is concerning to many: They all rejected President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Should they win in the fall midterms, they would subsequently have power over the administration of future elections which could ultimately decide the presidency, including in 2028. USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer joins The Excerpt to unpack this politically fraught issue.

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Episode transcript available here.

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Turmoil at ’60 Minutes’ after Pelley and two others are fired Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

For over 50 years, CBS’ legendary “60 Minutes” has been a stalwart of the investigative reporting tradition. But a recent shakeup to leadership and on-air talent may put that reputation and future at risk. Behind the changes is CBS News new Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss, a former New York Times opinion columnist who left the grey lady to found “The Free Press,” a digital publication that is broadly described as featuring contrarian and conservative viewpoints. Last fall, CBS News, under the leadership of newly minted CEO David Ellison, acquired the Free Press for a deal estimated at $150 million. And, after the deal closed, he put Bari Weiss, a successful entrepreneur with no broadcast experience, in charge of CBS News. Will Weiss’ radical approach usher in a new age of prosperity for the storied network or will it lead to its demise? CNN’s Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter joins The Excerpt to dig into the issues plaguing CBS News in this moment and what it means for the future of “60 Minutes.”

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Episode transcript available here.

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At Tribeca, music films are moving beyond the screen Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Music documentaries are a major part of the festival circuit, but this year at Tribeca, they’re becoming something bigger: live events, legacy projects and cinematic extensions of the artists themselves. The festival opened with Questlove’s new Earth, Wind & Fire documentary, followed by a performance from the legendary band and The Roots. Other music films and events this year center on Alicia Keys, Madonna, Peter Frampton, Katy Perry, Daft Punk and more. USA TODAY National Music Reporter Melissa Ruggieri joins The Excerpt to talk about why music films are having a moment, what separates a great one from a celebrity vanity project and how artists are using documentaries and concert films to reach audiences in new ways.

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Episode transcript available here.

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Melinda French Gates is making a $215 million bet on women's health Jun 04, 2026

Show notes

Melinda French Gates is one of the biggest donors to women’s health through Pivotal, her foundation. Now she’s investing another $215 million to improve women’s health. This money will help her longtime work on contraceptive access and maternal care while expanding to a new area: midlife and menopause. With 1 in 10 women leaving the workforce because of menopause, and another 1 in 5 considering retiring early, America faces a crisis of losing our women leaders? What can we do to stop the exodus? Philanthropist and author Melinda French Gates joins The Excerpt to talk about her latest initiative to educate healthcare practitioners and expand outreach in areas where access to menopause care is most limited.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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Can Hollywood help heal America's divides? Jun 03, 2026

Show notes

The United States is marking its 250th anniversary at a moment of deep division over politics, rights, power and who belongs in the nation’s story. Steven Olikara, founder and CEO of Bridge Entertainment Labs, says movies and television can do something politics often can’t: move people beyond caricature and contempt. He joins The Excerpt to discuss whether Hollywood can help Americans build more curiosity, complexity and connection across their differences.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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Trump admin retreats from Anti-Weaponization Fund after headwinds mount Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

In a surprise move, the Trump administration announced that it was retreating from a $1.776 billion-dollar Anti-Weaponization Fund that would have been established as part of a settlement President Donald Trump made with the IRS over leaked tax returns. The fund was intended to compensate people who believe they had been unjustly targeted by the Biden administration’s Justice department, including people involved in the Jan 6th attack on the capitol. The fund was already in legal limbo after one court put the fund on hold last week while a second re-opened the IRS case for further scrutiny. Meanwhile, pushback from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers had mushroomed. We spoke before this news broke with USA TODAY Justice Department Correspondent Aysha Bagchi about the dramatic legal and political headwinds the Trump administration was facing.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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Who gets to define what it means to be American? Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

In the prologue of “All We Say: The Battle for American Identity” author Ben Rhodes asks two questions that get right to the heart of this battle. What does it mean to be an American? And who gets to decide? As we approach our 250th anniversary, these are questions that many Americans are also deeply contemplating. How have 15 speeches shaped and reflected that debate over history? And can they help us understand our ongoing and evolving search for a national identity? Ben Rhodes, a former national security advisor and speech writer to President Barack Obama, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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Democrats eye 2028 race as states compete to go first May 29, 2026

Show notes

As Democrats turn the page on 2024, a new high-stakes fight is underway over which states will kick off the 2028 presidential primaries. Twelve states made their pitches to the Democratic National Committee, which ranged from racial diversity to electoral history. The coveted early spots can shape the entire race and bring a surge of campaign spending and national media attention. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers explains the political stakes and which states may have the edge.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

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Why the US won’t treat Ebola patients at home May 28, 2026

Show notes

On May 16, the World Health Organization called the Ebola outbreaks in eastern Congo and Uganda a global health emergency. So far, there have been more than 900 suspected cases and over 200 suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. There is no vaccine. No treatment. Behind it all is a global health funding system at its lowest level since 2009, with the largest single donor, the U.S., having walked away. A recent shift in U.S. health policy now has the U.S. keeping suspected American cases abroad – sending some to quarantine facilities in Europe and others to Kenya. Why can’t they be treated back home? And what does that say about U.S. preparedness for a deadly outbreak?

Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist, joins USA TODAY’s The Excerpt to discuss the policy shift and what it means for public health, travel restrictions, and preparedness in the United States. She is also editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News and an opinion contributor for USA TODAY.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Green card application process now forces immigrants to return home May 27, 2026

Show notes

A significant change to the green card application process announced last week could upend the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in America. The change, released by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which oversees the program, will require non-citizens to apply for a green card from their host countries. What might this change mean for applicants and their families who are already in the US, studying, working and living with their families? And what’s behind the change? Adriel Orozco, senior policy counsel at American Immigration Council, joins The Excerpt to share his insights.

Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.

Episode transcript available here.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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