Today, Explained

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Trump's chief culture warrior Sep 10, 2025

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Christopher Rufo is leading a ruthless — and successful — counterrevolution against American elite culture. What does the country look like if he wins?

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly and hosted by Noel King.

A sign for a Cracker Barrel restaurant, whose logo sparked a controversy on the right, led by Christopher Rufo. Photo by Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

Further reading: Rigoberto Gonzalez' painting Refugees Crossing the Border Wall into South Texas; America's Cultural Revolution by Christopher Rufo

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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The report RFK Jr. buried Sep 09, 2025

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A new report that links increased alcohol consumption to cancer was supposed to help inform the government's new dietary recommendations. Instead, it hasn't been published.

This episode was produced by Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. testifying before the Senate Finance Committee. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Trump’s new war on drugs Sep 08, 2025

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President Donald Trump promised to crack down on illicit drugs. Then, he blew up a Venezuelan vessel in international waters.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

A still from a video the White House released showing the U.S. military strike against what it called "Tren de Aragua Narcoterrorists."

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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The United States is Southern now Sep 07, 2025

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From #rushtok to country music, American culture is getting more and more southern.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Matthew Billy and Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Photo of a Beyonce fan waiting to see her perform in LA by Rashida Zagon/For The Washington Post via Getty Images.

If you have a question, give us a call on 1-800-618-8545 or send us a note here. Listen to Explain It to Me ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members.

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Hamilton and Obamacore cringe Sep 05, 2025

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The smash hit musical Hamilton is now in a movie theater near you. But in the decade since it came out, Hamilton — and much of Obama-era culture — is feeling a little dated.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Lin-Manuel Miranda unveils his Madame Tussauds Wax Figure in honor of the "Hamilton" 10th Anniversary on Broadway. Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Trump and Modi’s broken bromance Sep 04, 2025

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India’s prime minister was so tight with Donald Trump that they held hands during public appearances. But the two strongmen are on the outs, and Narendra Modi has found a new hand to hold.

This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatascriore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds the hand of Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in China. Photo by Suo Takekuma - Pool/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia (to Uganda) Sep 03, 2025

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The US government is trying to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia again. It's part of a larger war on immigrants that could lead to a smaller, poorer America.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife Jennifer Vasquez Sura after a prayer vigil before entering an ICE field office. Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

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Trump's "tough on crime" spree Sep 02, 2025

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President Donald Trump thinks he solved crime in the nation's capital. Let’s take a look at the data (which he says is dubious).

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

The National Guard on patrol carrying rifles near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images.

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The Made in the USA myth Sep 01, 2025

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This special feed drop of NPR's Planet Money examines the United States' dwindling domestic garment industry and whether it is ever likely to come back.

This episode was reported and hosted by Sarah Gonzalez, produced by Willa Rubin with help from Emma Peaslee, edited by Marianne McCune, fact-checked by Sierra Juarez, and engineered by Robert Rodriguez.

Find more about Planet Money here. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

"Made in USA" on the label on a pair of jeans. Photo by Brent Lewin/Bloomberg via Getty Images.

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$250 million to work for Meta Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Meta Mark is going all-out to put his superintelligence lab on superdrive. What is superintelligence, you ask?

This episode was produced by Gabrielle Berbey with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and Matthew Billy, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast.

Mark Zuckerberg, head of Meta, showing off a prototype of computer glasses. Photo by Andrej Sokolow/picture alliance via Getty Images.

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