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The Excerpt: Daily Summaries Delivered
by USA TODAY
Every weekday The Excerpt brings USA TODAY's award-winning journalists from across the nation together to unpack America's most pressing stories — from politics and culture to sports and entertainment — with host Dana Taylor.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Today14 min
Democrats face a test: Turning midterms power into progress
With Congress set for a major shift in power, Democrats face a critical test: turning their newfound leverage into meaningful results. USA TODAY's Chief Political Correspondent Phillip M. Bailey breaks down the road ahead, the biggest challenges and what Democrats and Republicans must accomplish to prove they can deliver for voters in 2028.Read more of our 2026 midterm coverage.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Yesterday1 min
Podcast Preview | Is Love Actually?
Introducing “Is Love Actually?”, a five-part series from USA TODAY’s HUMANKIND, where hosts Madeline Gunderson and Ronnie Li put love under a microscope. Binge all five episodes beginning Monday, November 9, wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- Yesterday17 min
Democrats hoped for a blue wave in the midterms. It was a tsunami.
The Democratic Party has retaken control of Congress after big wins in House and Senate elections. USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers breaks down some of the biggest surprised from the Midterm elections and what it could mean for 2028.Read more of USA TODAY's coverage of the 2026 midterm elections.Share your thoughts with us at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 2 days ago16 min
These Senate races weren’t supposed to be this close
Senate control could come down to races that barely looked competitive a year ago. Arit John, a USA TODAY senior politics correspondent, explains why Republicans are spending heavily in Texas, why Iowa has become a true toss-up and how tariffs, gas prices and affordability have transformed the map.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 3 days ago8 min
Can influencers actually swing the midterms?
Republicans built an early advantage with podcasts and online creators. Now Democrats are trying to catch up. USA TODAY Politics Trending Reporter Emily Condon breaks down the growing influencer battle and how today's experiments could reshape political campaigning by 2028.Share your thoughts with us at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Midterm election polls: Why a Democratic wave isn't guaranteed
A blue wave could be on the horizon. But how accurate are the polls? USA TODAY chief political correspondent Phillip Bailey breaks down what's at stake in the 2026 midterms, hurdles that pollsters face and the races that could change everything.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago15 min
The Ohio governor race gets personal after a controversial attack ad
Republican Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy faces criticism after releasing an attack ad that featured the estranged mother of his opponent, Democrat candidate Amy Acton. Senior correspondent Arit John joins The Excerpt to discuss the ad and why the race for governor is so close. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
- 1 weeks ago16 min
Trump’s $1 million voter fraud offer: How would it work?
President Trump is offering $1 million for reports of voter fraud that lead to an arrest and conviction. But how would the reward actually work, and how widespread is voter fraud? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen breaks down the offer, the voter fraud evidence and what voters could encounter at the polls.Share your thoughts with us at podcasts@usatoday.com. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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About The Excerpt
Every weekday The Excerpt brings USA TODAY's award-winning journalists from across the nation together to unpack America's most pressing stories — from politics and culture to sports and entertainment — with host Dana Taylor.
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