Today, Explained

The 2026 midterms are in the rearview mirror, but the electoral map tells only half the story.

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 caption: President Donald Trump arrives at a midterm campaign rally in Dubuque, Iowa. Photo by Brendan Smialowski / AFP via 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. Transcript at ⁠vox.com/today-explained-podcast.⁠

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Establishment Dems had written off Mississippi. Then the state elected its first Black senator since Reconstruction.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Bridger Dunnagan, and hosted by Noel King.

Mississippi Sen.-elect Scott Colom (D-MS) gestures to the crowd after his victory speech at Tougaloo College on Nov. 11, 2026 in Tougaloo, Mississippi. Photo by Aron Smith/Jackson State University 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.
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Nvidia’s CEO has stepped down after an affair with an alleged Chinese spy, and there could be implications the world over.

This episode was produced by Kelli Wessinger and Avishay Artsy, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.

Jensen Huang, then-chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp., during a Bloomberg Television interview in London, UK, on Oct. 14, 2026. Photo by Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg 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.
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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.

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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.
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