The Excerpt

A brewing battle involving Netflix, Paramount and Warner Bros. has escalated from deal rumors into lawsuits, political pressure and a broader fight over who controls the future of entertainment. The outcome of this fight could determine what audiences watch, how much they pay and how much power a single company holds over some of Hollywood’s most valuable libraries. CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter joins The Excerpt to break down what’s really at stake for audiences.

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The Supreme Court heard arguments for two landmark transgender athlete cases on Tuesday – one based in West Virginia and one in Idaho - both of which were brought by transgender women contesting the legality of their state’s ban on transgender female athletes. USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe joins The Excerpt to share her analysis.

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The reach of American might is rapidly spreading in real time. In the aftermath of recent US military action in Venezuela, the Trump administration is considering military interventions in even more countries. Has the president’s “America First” promise faded, giving rise to what some have called the “Don-roe Doctrine”? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Francesca Chambers joins The Excerpt to talk about Trump's increasing bluster with regards to Iran, Greenland, Colombia, Cuba and beyond.

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On January 3, 2026, US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him to New York to face drug charges. While his arrest has led to questions regarding who will control Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, Venezuelan immigrants are now left wondering how long they will be allowed to remain in the U.S. USA TODAY National News Reporter Lauren Villagran joins The Excerpt to discuss how the fall of Maduro is playing out in Venezuelan immigrant communities in America.

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In an attempt to rewrite history, the White House published a new web page on January 6th, calling the people who charged the Capitol and assaulted Capitol Police "unfairly targeted, overcharged and used as political examples." Is this revisionist history or are there two legitimate sides to this story? USA Today White House correspondent Bart Jansen and National Correspondent Sarah Wire join The Excerpt to share their reporting.

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Regardless of where you sit on the political spectrum, 2025 was a year of economic uncertainty for many Americans. Shifting tariff policies, stubbornly high inflation and skyrocketing healthcare costs left many consumers reeling. Will 2026 see a better economy? USA TODAY Finance Reporter Andrea Riquier joins The Excerpt to discuss the buzzword of the year: affordability. 

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It’s the worst-cast scenario no one wants to talk about: what happens if America's nuclear missile silos are attacked? The Minuteman III is a powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking targets on the other side of the world, and it could be our best bet. But it’s aging, and land-based ICBMs have an Achilles heel. USA TODAY Defense Reporter Davis Winkie joins The Excerpt to discuss “The Nuclear Sponge” – a five-part project by USA TODAY that dives into the strategic debate and costs of modernizing the land leg of America’s nuclear arsenal. 

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Early in the hours of Saturday morning, US forces descended on the Venezuelan capital of Caracas. Hours later, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were in US custody. While President Donald Trump had been threatening to capture Maduro for weeks, many questions are swirling about the move, first among them, was this even legal? And, what happens now? USA TODAY White House Correspondent Bart Jansen joins The Excerpt to discuss.

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President Donald Trump enters 2026 facing mounting pressure on multiple fronts — rising health care costs for millions of Americans, a Supreme Court decision that could upend his tariff agenda, fragile peace efforts in Ukraine and Gaza and political distractions that refuse to fade. USA TODAY White House Correspondent, Joey Garrison, breaks down what’s at stake for the president as midterm elections loom.

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From “follow the science” during COVID to universities accused of activism, the gap between experts and the public is widening. Roger Pielke Jr. explains why expertise doesn’t just mean a PhD, how media silos deepen divides, and why experts must serve all Americans — not just those who share their politics. (This episode originally aired on September 18, 2025.)

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