The Daily

'The Interview': George Saunders Says Ditching These Three Delusions Can Save You

The celebrated author on the challenges of being kind, the benefits of meditation and the reality check of death. * Thoughts? Email us at theinterview@nytimes.com * Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@theinterviewpodcast] * For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview [https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-interview]   Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

An Interview With the President

Four White House reporters from The New York Times sat down with President Trump on Wednesday for an extended interview in the Oval Office. David E. Sanger, one of the reporters, walks us through their conversation. Guest: David E. Sanger, [https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-e-sanger] a White House and National Security Correspondent for The New York Times Background reading:  * The many faces of Mr. Trump: what we saw when we interviewed the president [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-oval-office-interview-scene.html]. * On topic after topic, President Trump made clear that he would be the arbiter of any limits to his authorities [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/us/politics/trump-interview-power-morality.html], not international law or treaties. Photo: Doug Mills/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The R.F.K. Jr. Era of Childhood Vaccines

Warning: This episode contains strong language. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday released new guidelines that dramaticaly cut down the number of childhood vaccines recommended by the federal government. Apoorva Mandavilli and Benjamin Mueller, who cover health, explain what is being cut and how it fits into Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader agenda. Guest: * Apoorva Mandavilli [https://www.nytimes.com/by/apoorva-mandavilli], a science and global health reporter at The New York Times. * Benjamin Mueller [https://www.nytimes.com/by/benjamin-mueller], a reporter covering health and medicine for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Mr. Kennedy on Monday scaled back the number of vaccines recommended for children [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/health/children-vaccines-cdc-kennedy.html]. * Here’s what to know [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/well/childhood-vaccine-schedule-cdc-changes.html] about the new childhood vaccine schedule. Photo: Annie Rice/EPA, via Shutterstock For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

The 2026 Battle for Control of Congress

This year, the 2026 midterm elections will decide which party controls Congress, and whether Republicans can hold on to every lever of influence in Washington. Annie Karni and Shane Goldmacher, who cover politics, discuss the opportunities and perils for both parties. Guest: * Annie Karni [https://www.nytimes.com/by/annie-karni], a congressional correspondent at The New York Times. * Shane Goldmacher [https://www.nytimes.com/by/shane-goldmacher], a national political correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading:  * Both President Trump and the Democrats are floating unusual midterm conventions [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/us/politics/trump-democrats-midterm-conventions.html]. * Here are six big political questions [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/trump-democrats-gop-midterms-venezuela-economy.html] for the new year. * And here are the latest polls for the 2026 elections [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/polls/congressional-vote-2026.html]. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

Venezuela, After Maduro

On Monday, President Trump picked Vice President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela, now the interim leader, to continue to preside over the country instead of María Corina Machado, the opposition leader. Anatoly Kurmanaev, who reports on Venezuela, explains why Mr. Trump chose a Maduro loyalist to run the country. And Venezuelan citizens reflect on the realities of a post-Maduro era. Guest: Anatoly Kurmanaev [http://nytimes.com/by/anatoly-kurmanaev], a reporter for The New York Times who covers Venezuela. Background reading:  * How Mr. Trump fixed on a Maduro loyalist [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/04/world/americas/trump-venezuela-leader-rodriguez-machado.html] as Venezuela’s new leader. * Why he refused to back [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/us/politics/trump-venezuela-machado.html] Ms. Machado. Photo: From left, Gaby Oraa/Reuters; Leonhard Foeger, via Reuters For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily [http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily]. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.  Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts [http://nytimes.com/podcasts] or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher [https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher]. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.