250 Years Later, Why We’re Still Fighting About Our Founding

250 Years Later, Why We’re Still Fighting About Our Founding

Two hundred and fifty years ago, the founding fathers gave rise to a new nation. They also gave rise to an enduring myth about their virtue and what that meant about America’s virtue as a country. Jia Lynn Yang, a New York Times journalist, discusses how the founding myth has evolved, why we are still fighting about it and why it may hold the key to America’s future. Guest: Jia Lynn Yang [https://www.nytimes.com/by/jia-lynn-yang], a New York Times journalist writing explanatory pieces about the ideas underlying the news. Background reading:  * Is there a founding story that can unify left and right [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/magazine/a-founding-story-to-unify-left-and-right.html]? Photo: Michelle Gustafson for 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Fallout of Massive Earthquakes for Venezuela — and the U.S.

The rare doublet earthquake in Venezuela was one of the most powerful tectonic events to strike the country in the past century, and the death toll was virtually certain to rise as rescuers began to reach hard-hit areas and remote hillside towns. Carlos Prieto, a producer on “The Daily,” speaks to Venezuelans about how they’ve united after the disaster. Then, Anatoly Kurmanaev, a New York Times correspondent in Venezuela, discusses how the aftermath of the tragedy has forced the Trump administration to shift its plans. Guest:  * Carlos Prieto [https://www.nytimes.com/by/carlos-prieto], an audio producer for “The Daily.” [https://www.nytimes.com/column/the-daily] * Anatoly Kurmanaev [https://www.nytimes.com/by/anatoly-kurmanaev], a reporter for The New York Times, currently covering Venezuela. Background reading:  * People are praying for rescues [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/world/americas/venezuela-earthquake.html] as hope fades after Venezuela’s double quake. * The United States undercut María Corina Machado [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/30/world/americas/trump-machado-venezuela-rift.html], an exiled opposition leader, as she tried to return to Venezuela. Photo: Adriana Loureiro Fernandez for 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Americans Will Get Less Help Paying for College

As the cost of higher education has soared in recent decades, universities have attracted more scrutiny about the value of a four-year degree. Now, the Trump administration is taking those questions to the next level with a set of policies that scales back the federal government’s student loan program. Ron Lieber, who writes about personal finance for The New York Times, explains what the new changes are, and how they might reshape higher education in America. Guest: Ron Lieber [https://www.nytimes.com/by/ron-lieber], the Your Money [https://www.nytimes.com/column/your-money] columnist for The New York Times, writes about everything from retirement savings and college tuition to credit reports and taxes. Background reading:  * Parents and graduate students have new loan limits [https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/12/your-money/student-loan-limits.html]. Who will fill the gap? * What the new loan caps will mean [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/15/upshot/student-debt-graduate-school.html] for grad students this fall. Photo: Rachel Woolf for 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Supreme Court Expands Presidential Power. Again.

The Supreme Court on Monday delivered one of the biggest changes in decades to how the federal government works when it ruled that President Trump could fire independent government regulators. Then, it announced an exception to its own ruling. Ann E. Marimow, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, explains what the court was up to. Guest: Ann E. Marimow [https://www.nytimes.com/by/ann-e-marimow], the Supreme Court for The New York Times from Washington. Background reading:  * The Supreme Court expanded Mr. Trump’s power to fire officials [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/supreme-court-independent-regulator-firings.html] but prevented the removal of Lisa Cook, a Federal Reserve governor. Photo: Tierney L. Cross for 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why Everyone Cares About This World Cup

Two weeks into the World Cup soccer tournament, it has already broken records. It has had its highest attendance ever, and generated the most goals scored in history. But one of the biggest stories of the tournament is happening off the field as a wave of international visitors encounter America, and Americans encounter them. Tariq Panja, a global sports correspondent at The New York Times, explains the magic and the complexity of this moment. Then, Anna Foley, a producer for “The Daily,” talks to two lifelong fans of the Iranian team who discuss the complexity of national pride in the middle of war. Guest: Tariq Panja [https://www.nytimes.com/by/tariq-panja], a global sports correspondent at The New York Times. Background reading:  * Iran’s team was eliminated over the weekend, ending a politically charged odyssey [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/28/us/iran-eliminated-world-cup.html]. * Scottish fans in Boston [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/19/us/boston-scotland-soccer-tartan-army.html] charmed the locals. Photo: Kirby Lee/Imagn Images, 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.