Slate News

Dan Adler, a staff writer for Vanity Fair and an expert on Barron Trump, dives into the mystery surrounding the president's youngest son. With no social media and little public speech, Barron has become an icon of Trump masculinity for Gen Z. Adler discusses the transformation of Barron's image during his father's presidency, the cultural impact of memes, and his college experience at NYU amidst a political spotlight. The conversation delves into the narratives shaping Barron’s role in the evolving political landscape and celebrity culture.

Reflecting on the 2011 Wisconsin protests, the discussion highlights the ongoing challenges for public sector workers facing threats to their rights. As government shutdowns loom, thoughts turn to the possibility of a major strike, drawing parallels with successful protests worldwide. The importance of solidarity among U.S. workers is emphasized, alongside innovative resistance strategies against rising authoritarianism. Personal stories from the Watergate era underscore the significance of the First Amendment in the fight for democracy.

David Yaffe-Bellany, a cryptocurrency reporter for The New York Times, dives into the intriguing world of crypto's ties to Donald Trump. He discusses how the crypto industry rallied behind Trump, hoping for legitimacy but instead facing chaos. The launch of meme coins like $Trump reveals a speculative frenzy, showcasing both financial gains and losses. Yaffe-Bellany also explores the controversies surrounding Trump's crypto ventures and how they intertwine with political interests, shedding light on scams and the sector's struggle for credibility.

This discussion dives into the economic ramifications of the U.S. shifting its alliances from Europe to Russia. The hosts assess Intel’s potential restructuring and its implications for the tech world. They also spotlight Quince, a brand redefining affordable luxury, and the cultural significance of fashion dupes. Light-hearted segments include a humorous exploration of soaring egg prices and quirky anecdotes from the world of chickens and airline mishaps.

Deepak Gupta, the founding principal of Gupta-Wessler LLP and former senior counsel at the CFPB, dives into the implications of a new conservative legal theory invoked by Trump's administration. Gupta analyzes the potential for an 'imperial presidency' through the unitary executive theory and its challenges at the Supreme Court. He discusses the crucial role of the CFPB in consumer protection and highlights ongoing legal battles concerning agency independence. The conversation raises urgent questions about the balance of power in governance as political dynamics shift.

Max Chafkin, features editor and tech reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek, dives deep into the complexities of Elon Musk's relationship with federal funding. They discuss Musk's contradictory stance on government while his companies benefit from taxpayer dollars. Chafkin highlights the anxieties of organizations reliant on federal funds amidst Musk's growing influence. The conversation also touches on the implications of Musk's layoffs for national security and examines the techno-libertarian ideals shaping his vision for America's governance.

This week features Marc Dunkelman, a Fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute and author of "Why Nothing Works." He dives into the troubling interplay between political corruption and ethics, particularly regarding NYC Mayor Eric Adams and his controversial dealings. The conversation covers how authoritarian tactics shape governance and the dire need for accountability. Dunkelman also discusses systemic reforms necessary to tackle the evolving challenges facing our government, especially in light of modern data privacy issues.

Trump's pick for labor secretary, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, is an outlier: She has experience in federal government, where she was one of three House Republicans to support the “Protecting the Right to Organize Act” to expand employees’ rights to organize and collectively bargain and she was accompanied by the head of the Teamsters when she went to visit Mar A Lago after the election.What did her hearing tell us about how she would approach being labor secretary—while working in an administration that’s firing huge chunks of its workforce? Guest: Tammy Kim, contributing writer at the New Yorker.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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When enough people opt out of routine vaccinations for their children, diseases that have been all but eliminated can come roaring back, as is the case with a growing measles outbreak in West Texas. Guest: Dr. Adam Ratner, pediatrician of infectious disease in New York City and author of Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children’s Health.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, Rob Gunther, and Ethan Oberman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Willis, Editor-in-Chief of Balls & Strikes, dives into the controversial decision by the Justice Department to drop charges against NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The conversation reveals a web of political maneuvering, suggesting potential quid pro quo implications. Willis discusses the mass resignations of federal prosecutors and the ethical dilemmas faced in the Justice Department. He explores how political loyalties and the integrity of legal processes are intertwined, raising questions about accountability and the future of justice in America.