Today Explained

Pope Leo XIV stated he has "no fear of the Trump administration" on April 13, 2026, while aboard the papal plane en route to Algeria. His remarks were a direct response to a series of attacks from President Trump, who had labeled the Chicago-born pontiff "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy" due to the Pope's vocal opposition to the war in Iran.  Become a supporter of this podcast: htt...

Vice President JD Vance warned Pope Leo XIV to "be careful" when discussing theology during a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia on April 14, 2026. The comments are part of an escalating public feud between the Trump administration and the Vatican over the U.S.-led war in Iran. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support ....

Iran’s armed forces have threatened to shut down all traffic in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Sea of Oman if the blockade continues. Military Buildup: The U.S. is deploying 10,000 additional troops to the Middle East, including the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike group, to enforce the blockade. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/suppo...

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has identified a threat for isolated strong to severe storms from the Mid-South through the Ohio Valley and into the Northeast, including New York and southern New England. The primary hazards are damaging wind gusts and hail. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! fol...

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, described the ongoing war with  Iran as a "complete disaster" in mid-April 2026.  His comments, made during an interview with ABC News on April 15, 2026, criticized the conflict for its "devastating impact" and lack of meaningful objectives. Smith’s critique is part of a broader push by House Democrats t...

Representative Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) officially resigned from Congress on April 14, 2026, following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault. His resignation occurred just one day after he suspended his frontrunner campaign for California governor. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes!...

On April 13, 2026, Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) both announced their resignations from Congress following separate, high-profile scandals involving allegations of sexual misconduct. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fres...

On April 12, 2026, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Navy to begin an "immediate" blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The move followed the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, where U.S. and Iranian negotiators failed to reach a deal to end the ongoing six-week war. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss ou...

In April 2026, Marjorie Taylor Greene (who resigned from Congress in January 2026) publicly accused President Donald Trump of "blasphemy" and having an "Antichrist spirit". Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh news everyday. Let’s keep the support our podcast to s...

President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could charge tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, framing it as a "joint venture" or a way for the U.S., as the "winner" of the conflict, to generate revenue. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh ne...

Representative Eric Swalwell announced on April 13, 2026, that he will resign from Congress. This decision follows his withdrawal from the California gubernatorial race just one day earlier. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh news everyday. Let’s keep the suppor...

On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Trump shared an image showing him in white robes, bathed in divine light, and placing a healing hand on a sick man’s forehead. The background included patriotic symbols like the Statue of Liberty, bald eagles, and fighter jets. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us...

On April 9, 2026, First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare and "blunt" televised address from the White House to definitively distance herself from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The statement was described by political analysts as "coming out of left field" because the First Lady typically avoids addressing long-standing rumors, and the timing reportedly caught even President Trump’s senior staff by...

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and several other Gulf states have formally requested urgent clarification on the terms of the U.S.–Iran ceasefire as of April 9, 2026. The request follows a series of post-ceasefire attacks and conflicting interpretations regarding the agreement's scope.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t mi...

You’re probably right—if you had a modern smartphone in the 80s, the sheer distraction would have been a career-killer. But if you mean an 80s-era mobile phone, you actually would have looked like the ultimate "go-getter." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh news...

The recent history of Iranian actions leading up to the April 8, 2026, ceasefire has been marked by significant regional escalation, military counter-strikes, and economic disruption. Critics of the current truce point to a pattern of behavior they believe is being overlooked in favor of a fragile diplomatic pause. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explaine...

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensified its military campaign in Lebanon on April 8–10, 2026, in an operation dubbed "Operation Eternal Darkness". The strikes have resulted in significant casualties and property damage, while Hezbollah has retaliated with rocket fire into northern and central Israel.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607...

Complete Denial of Ties: She explicitly stated, "I am not Epstein's victim" and "The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today". She denied ever visiting Epstein's private island or flying on his plane. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with f...

Iran's Position: Tehran maintains that the ceasefire includes all fronts, including Lebanon. Following the strikes, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the U.S. must choose between "ceasefire or continued war via Israel." Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates w...

Data from recent April 2026 elections and national polling indicate that Donald Trump is facing a significant political backlash, fueling what analysts call a potential "nationwide blue wave" ahead of the November 2026 midterms. Democratic candidates have consistently outperformed the 2024 presidential baseline in nearly every special election held since Trump's second term began, often by double-...

Fareed Zakaria describes the April 2026 ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran as a "very strange outcome". While the agreement pauses a month-long conflict that threatened to destabilize global energy markets, Zakaria argues the terms effectively hand Tehran a strategic victory despite the military destruction it suffered. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-ex...

Wisconsin Supreme Court: Liberal candidate Chris Taylor defeated conservative Maria Lazar 60% to 40%. This 20-point victory in a state Donald Trump won by less than one point in 2024 is the best performance for a liberal candidate in an open seat in at least 30 years. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episo...

In early April 2026, Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan of The New York Times revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu played a pivotal role in persuading President Donald Trump to launch Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates wi...

In April 2026, Anthropic made the unprecedented decision to withhold its newest and most powerful AI model, Claude Mythos, from public release due to extreme cybersecurity risks. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/today-explained--6659607/support . Don’t miss our latest episodes! follow us to stay updates with fresh news everyday. Let’s keep the support our podcas...

The two-week ceasefire announced in April 2026 has been framed as a "total and complete victory" by Donald Trump, while Iran simultaneously claims it has "broken the horn" of the U.S. and secured a historic win. Analysts suggest that while Trump achieved immediate gratification and a "way out" of the conflict, Iran may have secured significant long-term strategic leverage. Become a supporter of th...