logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
24m 44s

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Vox
About this episode

As House speaker, Kevin McCarthy worked with Democrats to keep the government open. Then Matt Gaetz worked with Democrats to get McCarthy fired. Semafor’s Jordan Weissmann returns to explain an unprecedented moment in American politics.

This episode was produced by Jon Ehrens and Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard with help from Hady Mawajdeh, engineered by David Herman, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

Support Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
The future of vaccines
Trump 1.0 got us safe COVID vaccines in record time. Trump 2.0 is trying to take the vaccines away. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Tatasciore and Andrea Kristinsdottir with ... Show More
25m 52s
Aug 25
AI took your job
Hundreds of job applications, but not one call. Young workers are frustrated, scared, and wondering where all the entry-level jobs went. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Rebeca Ibarra, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boy ... Show More
26m 14s
Aug 24
The golden age of exercise
Americans are flocking to gyms and fitness classes. It wasn't always that way. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy with help from Naureen Khan, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Andrea Kristinsdottir and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Phot ... Show More
30m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2022
“Kevin’s Gavel In A Vice.”
Marjorie Taylor Greene says she would’ve organized a more successful coup, Kevin McCarthy still cant find 218 votes for speaker, and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema leaves the Democratic Party. Then, Sen. Brian Schatz stops by to talk about democracy, the debt ceiling, Twitter, and Hanukkah. ... Show More
52m 18s
Nov 2022
Sir Gavin Williamsgone
A cabinet minister has resigned after bullying claims (which Gavin Williamson denies), so we get instant analysis from the BBC’s Alex Forsyth.And, as the US midterm elections start, Americast’s Sarah Smith and Justin Webb explain why the results could have big implications for th ... Show More
34m 41s
Jun 2024
Electioncast: Sunak and Labour's Final Sunday Pitch
On today’s episode, Laura talks with Paddy and Henry about her interview with Rishi Sunak this morning, in which the PM came out fighting once again.Labour’s campaign chief Pat McFadden was also on her show. They discuss why it was him, and not Keir Starmer.You can join our Newsc ... Show More
30m 21s
Jan 2023
Speaker’s Gavel in Sight for McCarthy
House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has flipped 15 previous holdouts, making the speaker’s gavel within reach. CNN's Political Director David Chalian explains why McCarthy is confident he’ll cross the finish line when the House reconvenes tonight. Plus, President Joe Biden commemorat ... Show More
10m 54s
Aug 2023
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer On Climate Law
The New York Democrats discussed the landmark climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, a year after he helped to pass the legislation. He said it will take time to for its provisions to be felt by the American public. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, congressio ... Show More
15m 55s
Nov 2022
Making an Autumn Statement
Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves reacts, after the government announces tax rises and a spending squeeze, as well as money for schools and the NHS.She’s also quizzed on what her party would do differently.Following her, host of Radio 4’s Money Box Live Adam Shaw, with mat ... Show More
32m 34s
May 2022
J.D. Vance's win in Ohio
Last week, Vance won the Republican primary for the hotly contested Senate seat that opened when Republican Sen. Rob Portman decided to retire. He is now set to face Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), who won his primary easily, in the general election. Plus, a listener question about the eco ... Show More
24m 26s
Jan 2023
Speaker McCarthy Faces His First Test
Now that House Republicans have elected Kevin McCarthy as speaker, the next order of business for them is to vote on a rules package. CNN Political Director David Chalian explains how some of the rules have changed since hard right conservatives got their way in the speaker fight ... Show More
8m 42s