Elon takes the L

From blowing half a billion dollars on the midterms to killing the Cybertruck, Elon Musk’s ideas for how we should live and move in the world were just rejected in a big way. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk stands in front of the shattered windows of the newly unveiled Tesla's Cybertruck on Nov. 21, 2019. Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP via 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

Newly elected Democrats are promising to hold big tech accountable, and some AI companies are taking note. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A protester holds a sign reading "AI Rots Your Brain" during the Nationwide Walkouts To Freeze AI - NYC on Oct. 20, 2026 in New York City. Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Irreplaceable Action Fund. 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

The midterms blame game has begun and Trump's war in Iran is getting a lot of it. And Congress is coming for one of the officials who pushed the war. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on October 14, 2026 in Washington, DC. 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

We all think we’re smart. But are we really that intelligent, and why does it even matter? This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. A man taking an intelligence test. Photo by BSIP/UIG via Getty Images. If you have a question, give us a call at 1-800-618-8545 or email [email protected]. 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

Don’t call it a blue wave. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore outlines what a winning Democratic playbook actually looks like. This show was edited by Kasia Broussalian, fact checked by Esther Gim, mixed by Shannon Mahoney, video edited by Christopher Snyder, and hosted by Astead Herndon. Photo credit: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore in New York City. Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images. You can also watch this episode on youtube.com/vox. Listen to Today, Explained ad-free by becoming a Vox Member: vox.com/members. New Vox members get $20 off their membership right now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US hasn’t delivered democracy, but it is extracting oil and inking shady business deals in Venezuela. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. A man walks past a mural depicting an oil pumpjack on a Venezuelan flag in Caracas. Photo by Pedro Mattey/AFP via 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

Trump's chokehold on the Republican Party is over, according to many within the party. Among them: Rod Dreher, a conservative author and friend of JD Vance. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Noel King. President Donald Trump watches as the last piece of steel is hoisted for construction of the White House ballroom during an event on Nov. 4, 2026 in Washington, DC. Photo by Andrew Harnik/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

The blue wave turned into a blunami. Rahm Emanuel was in Congress the last time this happened. This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Kelli Wessinger with help from Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed smiles onstage after declaring victory in Michigan's US Senate race during an election night party in Detroit, Michigan, early on November 4, 2026. Photo by Jeff Kowalsky / AFP via 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

A new era of American populism kicked off with Donald Trump in 2016. Ten years later, Americans don't have much to show for it. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. People cheer as President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Macomb Community College on April 29, 2025 at Warren, Michigan. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images. Correction: In this episode we referred to Josh Turek as a Democrat running for Congress in Ohio. He is in Iowa. 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

Is it even possible? Voters going to the polls this week hope so, but solutions will require some out-of-the-box thinking. This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King. A woman shopping for groceries in the supermarket. Photo by chabybucko via 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