The Excerpt

A quick Google search reveals many articles, commentaries, social media posts, and scholarly debates on whether or not America is sliding into an authoritarian state. But is that really what’s going on here? Or is calling the current political climate “authoritarian” simply a case of liberals being melodramatic? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert on fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection at New York University, joins The Excerpt to share her expertise. Also available at art19.com/shows/5-Things See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses some of President Donald Trump's recent comments to Time Magazine. A Milwaukee judge has been charged with federal felonies in an ICE case. Former Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years after pleading guilty in 2024 to felony wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday. USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany breaks down why some people live separately from their spouses. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There's been another shake-up at the Pentagon. President Donald Trump approaches 100 days in office. Here are 100 things that have changed. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele takes a look at a busy week for the Trump administration on education. A judge partly blocks a Trump order seeking to overhaul U.S. elections. USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about carnivorous 'bone collector' caterpillars. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Most of us can say that we’re fans of something – music, sports, art, books. But what does it mean to be part of a fandom? You’ve probably seen devoted super fans participating in cos play at Comic-Con, painted in their team’s color at a football game or dressed up as their favorite characters at a midnight screening of a film series. But is there something deeper than just fun at play here? Something that aligns more with religion or even sacredness? That’s the argument of sociologist Michael Elliott, a professor at Towson University who has studied the culture of Comic-Con for 7 years. Elliott joins The Excerpt to share the results of his deep research into fandoms. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Russia slammed Ukraine's capital overnight in the biggest attack on the city this year. USA TODAY Washington Bureau Chief Susan Page discusses some concerning polling news for President Donald Trump on the economy. President Trump signs an executive order boosting AI in K-12 schools. USA TODAY Health Reporter Karen Weintraub explains how budget cuts are impacting important Alzheimer's research. It's NFL Draft Night. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

One of the most talked about and controversial cabinet appointments made by President Donald Trump has been that of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic who has embraced several debunked health conspiracies. As secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, he now controls the Centers for Disease Control, which led the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, the Food & Drug Administration which looks after food safety, and many other consequential health subdepartments which safeguard the public's health. What changes has RFK Jr. enacted so far and what does the future of American health under his leadership look like? Dr. Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and former acting director of the CDC, joins The Excerpt to share his concerns. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Marco della Cava talks about his experience covering conclaves and what to expect from the process to select a new pope. The Trump administration proposes a major shake-up of the State Department. Health Secretary RFK Jr. says eight artificial dyes will be phased out of the U.S. food supply. USA TODAY Investigative Reporter Nick Penzenstadler discusses the latest on a pair of men deported to El Salvador. Tesla profits plummet. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world continues to react to the death of Pope Francis. His funeral is set for Saturday in Vatican City. Plus, what do American Catholics want from the next pope? USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise discusses a list of America's Climate Leaders when it comes to the corporate world. Harvard sues the Trump administration. Collection of defaulted student loans will restart May 5 for first time since the pandemic. USA TODAY Economy Reporter Rachel Barber breaks down what 2025 graduates want from their future employers. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We asked: Why did Democrats lose in November? Does the Democratic Party need to transition ideologically? Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. Today you’ll hear from a few folks about how they view the current state of the Democratic Party. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Tennessean Religion Reporter Liam Adams discusses the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth shared Yemen attack plans with his wife, brother and lawyer in a group chat, according to a source. USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses how President Donald Trump is leaning into the deportation fight as a battle he thinks he can win. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe breaks down the high court's decision to take on children's books and LGBTQ+ messages in school. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you haven’t heard of The Onion, a satirical news publication, you’ve no doubt come across the many memes and parodies inspired by its style. The Onion began with a group of scrappy Gen-Xer's who wanted to poke fun at mainstream news. It’s evolved into an at times biting, oftentimes comic, cultural critic. What role does humor play in making the world make sense? Author Christine Wenc, a member of The Onion’s original staff, joins Dana Taylor on the Excerpt to discuss her new book “Funny Because It’s True,” which is on bookshelves now. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia said he's been traumatized by his experience in Salvadoran custody. Plus, an ambiguous Supreme Court ruling may have invited the Trump administration to refuse to try to return him. The Supreme Court temporarily halts deportations of Venezuelan migrants under the Alien Enemies Act. USA TODAY Entertainment Reporter Patrick Ryan discusses the federal government's sex-crimes case against Sean "Diddy" Combs. New records show the suspected FSU shooter had a fascination with hate groups. USA TODAY National Correspondent Will Carless explains what experts say about military service remaining the 'single strongest predictor' of involvement in violent extremism, 30 years after the Oklahoma City bombing. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen met Thursday with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. But the wrongly deported Maryland man remains in custody. Police allege the son of a local sheriff's deputy opened fire at Florida State University. President Donald Trump lashes out at Fed chair Jerome Powell. Trump predicts trade deals with China and the EU. Plus, he floats a plan to nix the federal income tax and replace revenue with money from tariffs. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe puts in context the Supreme Court's move to weigh in on Trump plans to restrict birthright citizenship. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While President Donald Trump seems intent on doing everything he can to revive the coal industry, nuclear energy appears to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity, driven largely by power-hungry data centers. The problem with that? Well, we’ve never quite figured out how to safely store all of that spent fuel. And it’s a problem that’s about to get exponentially worse. What’s on the table to address this need? Allison Macfarlane, director of the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs at the University of British Columbia, joins The Excerpt to boil it all down. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The IRS may revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status, following Trump threats. Sen. Chris Van Hollen demanded Wednesday that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele release Kilmar Abrego Garcia. USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé takes a look at the data on how investors are responding amid stock market worries. A judge blocks the Energy Department from slashing federal research funding. USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes discusses how budget cuts are creating restroom and visitor center closures at national parks. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The recent bankruptcy of genetic testing firm 23andMe has raised alarm bells for privacy advocates and consumers worried about their personal information. The data managed by 23andMe could eventually be used in any number of negative or nefarious ways, from discrimination to executing a sophisticated scam. And to be clear, this isn’t just a 23andMe problem. Bankruptcy and data theft are just as much a risk with other DNA testing firms. So, what should people know about privacy and genetic data security? Kayte Spector Bagdady, a member of the health law and bioethics faculty at the University of Michigan, joins The Excerpt to share a legal and medical perspective. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A judge Tuesday reprimanded the government for failing to return a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers takes a look at President Donald Trump's approach to Russia's war in Ukraine, after he accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of starting the war. An aide to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been put on leave. USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele explains why Trump is threatening to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

El Salvador's president says a wrongly deported man is not leaving a Salvadoran prison. USA TODAY Money and Personal Finance Reporter Medora Lee discusses a positive day for the stock market, and what might be next for tariffs. The U.S. exceeds 700 measles cases. The Trump administration froze billions in funding to Harvard after the school rejected demands. USA TODAY National Correspondent Deborah Barfield Berry discusses how President Trump is targeting museums he said push divisive ideology. A new class of WNBA rookies has arrived. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We asked: What do you think of President Donald Trump's use of executive orders - and the use of them by presidents in general? Forum is new series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. Today you’ll hear from a few folks about how they view the more than 100 executive orders that Trump has pushed forward. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A suspect is in custody after a suspected arson attempt on the home of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson looks into the potential implications of tariffs on GOP political fortunes. USA TODAY Consumer Travel Reporter Zach Wichter talks about how sacred sites are helping travelers reconnect. Trump's approval rating falls. Rory McIlroy wins the Masters - and a career Grand Slam. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.