Charlie Kirk's America

Democrats are debating whether a government shutdown is a way to push back on Trump’s authoritarian impulses or a bad idea made worse by the killing of Charlie Kirk. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Danielle Hewitt with help from Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. Young men carrying a cardboard that says ''The Democrats Killed Charlie Kirk'' in Orem, Utah, near where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed. Photo by Tayfun Coskun/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

Hollywood has always made money from vampires and brain-eating zombies. But this year's a record-breaker thanks to sequels, hilariously unlikely creators, and pure thrills. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.  A detail from The Conjuring Museum Of The Occult based on "The Conjuring" films. Photo by David Benito/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

Many far-right conservatives think The Lord of the Rings is about them. They may love Tolkien, but it's very possible Tolkien would not have loved them back. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. Ian McKellen as Gandalf with Elijah Wood as Frodo in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." Photo by New Line/WireImage. 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 fatal shooting of conservative firebrand Charlie Kirk has reignited a debate about political violence, even as authorities search for his killer. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Rebeca Ibarra with help from Jolie Myers, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard and Miles Bryan, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. The activist Charlie Kirk speaking at Utah Valley University before he was shot in the neck and killed. Photo by Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/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

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

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

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

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

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

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