Today, Explained

We ask Sen Elizabeth Warren why. President Donald Trump is reportedly mostly worried about the midterms. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A sign advertising a government shutdown relief loan in the Hart Senate Office Building. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Murdoch has built a media empire that leads all the way to the White House. But nothing lasts forever. And at age 94, he finally has an official successor. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Rupert Murdoch with his son Lachlan. Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Murdoch started his media empire in Australia, sharpened his playbook in the UK, and became one of the most powerful people in the world once he came to the United States. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Rupert Murdoch with some of his newspapers and magazines, at the offices of the New York Post in 1985. Photo by Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Young men are more interested in becoming parents than young women are, and there's a growing number of single dads by choice. A look at modern fatherhood. This episode was produced by Devan Schwartz, edited by Megan Cunnane, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  Thanks to Jonquilyn Hill for sharing a family photo for our episode image today. Image of dad John and baby Jonquilyn courtesy of the Hill family. 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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How TikTok reshaped the trend cycle. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A young woman holding an iced matcha latte. Photo by Jens Kalaene/picture alliance via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With its announcement that an H-1B visa will now cost $100,000, the Trump administration is proving it's willing to wreak havoc on American industry in exchange for a flashy headline. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick delivering remarks as President Donald Trump signs an executive order introducing a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Israel continues pushing into Gaza, a growing number of world leaders are saying they now recognize statehood for Palestine. This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Denise Guerra with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Avishay Artsy, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. Pro-Palestine demonstrators rally in New York, where the United Nations is meeting Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US and China have a plan for American TikTok. It involves a Trump-aligned billionaire whose family is building a new media empire. 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. Photo by Mike Campbell/NurPhoto via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Noted vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. replaced a key board of vaccine advisers at the CDC. After a chaotic meeting, they just handed down their first set of new recommendations. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. A "Vaccines Work" sign at a news conference on vaccine safety and efficacy with Sen. Bernie Sanders. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Americans seem to be getting ruder. Are our attempts at making ourselves better actually making us worse? This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch and Isabelle Lichtenstein, engineered by Matthew Billy and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image: Francesco Carta Fotografo/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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ABC’s “indefinite” suspension of Jimmy Kimmel’s late night show has people worried about the First Amendment under President Trump. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram and Noel King. Donald Trump appearing on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" when he was running for president in 2016. Photo by Randy Holmes/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The FBI director's handling of the Kirk assassination proves knowing the ropes isn't as important as being the president's bestie. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. FBI Director Kash Patel preparing to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices