Today, Explained

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Trouble at TikTok Feb 04, 2026

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TikTok has new owners in the US. With claims of censorship, widespread outages, and possible algorithm changes on the way, the reboot has been rocky so far.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.

Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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What Melania reveals Feb 03, 2026

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As a first lady, Melania Trump has kept a low profile. Until now.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

First Lady Melania Trump at the world premiere of Melania at The Trump Kennedy Center. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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The healthiest president of all time Feb 02, 2026

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President Donald Trump will be 80 this year. He says worries about his age and health are unfounded. But the evidence is mixed, and Americans are suspicious after President Joe Biden said the same thing.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by Patrick Boyd and David Tatasciore, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Nicki Minaj and President Trump hold hands on stage, making visible the bruise on Trump's hand. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

Further reading: 'The Superhuman President'.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Surviving online cringe Feb 01, 2026

Show notes

The internet is forever. So how do we handle posts from our past selves?

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Sarah Schweppe, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Hady Mawajdeh.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here.

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Even Trump voters are mad Jan 31, 2026

Show notes

The polls all point to the new reality: Trump voters are disappointed in the president they helped elect, especially when it comes to ICE, affordability, and the Epstein files. We hear from them.

This episode was produced by Jesse Ash, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

President Trump after a rally in North Carolina. Photo by Cornell Watson/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Thanks to The Bulwark’s Focus Group podcast for their swing voter footage.

You can also watch this episode on video at youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Millennials are getting old Jan 30, 2026

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It's 2016 on the internet again. The nostalgia is a reminder that many Millennials are starting to hit their first "aging cliff."

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Astead Herndon.

Drake poses with his awards during the 2017 Billboard Music Awards. Photo by David Becker/Getty Images.

Further Reading: Falling off the aging cliff at 44

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Pardoner-in-chief Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

President Donald Trump has issued a flurry of pardons and commutations in his second term — but it's not entirely different from how his predecessors used that power.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers and Jenny Lawton, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King.

President Trump at the 2025 Thanksgiving turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House. Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Trump's model UN Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

The president's Board of Peace is kind of like the UN Security Council. But it costs a billion dollars to join for life. Israel, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and Argentina have already signed on.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact checked by Andrea López-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

President Trump at the "Board of Peace" meeting during the World Economic Forum in Davos. Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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They are Charlie Kirk Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

Young conservatives are struggling with where to turn after Kirk's assassination. Some of the options are frightening.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

A woman holding an American flag at Turning Point's annual AmericaFest conference, in remembrance of late right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. Photo by Olivier Touron / AFP via Getty Images.

Further Reading: Inside the Conservative Campus Revolution
Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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"Abolish ICE" Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Federal agents killed a second civilian observer in Minneapolis this weekend. Now, the Trump administration is feeling the political pressure.

This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto and Miles Bryan with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Andrea Lopez-Cruzado, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

A makeshift memorial for Alex Pretti after he was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Photo by Octavio JONES / AFP via Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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