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Today, Explained is Vox's daily news explainer podcast. Hosts Sean Rameswaram and Noel King will guide you through the most important stories of the day.

Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Today, Explained

You know those annoying scam texts offering an easy remote job? We find out how they work, why they're so ubiquitous, and the dark world behind them.

This episode was produced by Peter Balonon-Rosen and Ariana Aspuru, edited by Jenny Lawton with help from Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance 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

That text is a scam

Should they be? Let’s see.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly with help from Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. 

Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto 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

Everyone is on testosterone

Millions of Americans are about to lose their SNAP benefits. The fight over who deserves them has been juiced by online videos that claim to show recipients behaving badly.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. 

There's always a fight when food aid is involved. Photo by Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times 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

Food stamp rage bait

President Trump is sending warships to Venezuela and bombing so-called drug boats off the coast. His aggression toward Venezuela smells a lot like the beginnings of a war. But it may just be a way to expand presidential power.

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Astead Herndon. 

Boats off the coast of Venezuela are being targeted by the US. (Photo by Federico PARRA / AFP) 

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

Are we going to invade Venezuela?

And what happens when it pops.

This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noel King. 

Enormous valuations across the AI industry are raising questions of a bubble. Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket 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

The AI bubble

President Trump demolished part of the White House to make room for a lavish new ballroom. The gold and glitz is part of a broader rebranding project for an America in Trump's image.

This episode was produced by Denise Guerra and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. 

Trump has been rolling out plans to renovate the White House and beyond. 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

Extreme Makeover: White House Edition

Patients and doctors both are turning to AI for help with diagnosing ailments and managing chronic issues. Should we trust it?

This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh, edited by Jenny Lawton, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by Adriene Lily and Brandon McFarland, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. Image credit Vithun Khamsong/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

Paging Dr. ChatBot

Taylor Swift reaches new heights with her latest album, which is both divisive and record-breaking.

This episode was produced by Ariana Aspuru, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King. 

Fans posing with Taylor Swift's latest album 'The Life of a Showgirl." Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/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

Capitalism (Taylor’s Version)

You can. And ICE's aggressive tactics are inviting legal challenges from protesters. But some recent court rulings will make it hard for them to win.

This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt and Kelli Wessinger, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Noel King.

A federal immigration enforcement agent sprays Rev. David Black as he and other protesters demonstrate outside the ICE facility in Broadview, Ill. Photo by Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP. 

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

Can you sue ICE?

We visit New Jersey, where there are cracks emerging in Trump's gains with Latinos.

This episode was produced by Miles Bryan and Peter Balonon-Rosen, edited by Miranda Kennedy, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Adriene Lilly, and hosted by Miles Bryan.

Democratic candidate for governor Representative Mikie Sherrill posing with local Latino supporters of her campaign in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Photo by Christian Paz for 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.⁠ 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A test of Trump's coalition

Imagine a world where a Band-Aid costs $629. Bad news: you live in that world. Vox’s Sarah Kliff explains how American hospitals tack on “facility fees” to cover their expansive costs. Then, a Kentucky doctor gives us his perspective on those costs from inside the ER. To find out more about Sarah Kliff’s reporting on ER bills (or how to submit your own bill), head to erbills.vox.com. You can check out her podcast The Impact here. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The $5,751 ice pack

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