The Excerpt

What happened to feminism in the twenty-first century? This is the foundational question at the heart of cultural critic Sophie Gilbert’s new book, “Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves.” In it, she argues that porn’s long cultural shadow has resulted in the hyper-objectification of women, presenting them as spectacles. What can a critical look at the postfeminist era teach us about how women can view themselves in a more empowered and healthy way? Sophie Gilbert is a staff writer at The Atlantic.

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The U.S. and Ukraine have signed a mineral deal after weeks of tense negotiations.

USA TODAY Personal Finance Reporter Daniel de Visé takes a look at some rough news for the country's GDP.

The Supreme Court's conservative majority in oral arguments seemed open to allowing the Catholic Church in Oklahoma to run the nation's first religious charter school.

House Republicans propose new immigration fees.

USA TODAY Domestic Security Correspondent Josh Meyer takes a closer look at President Donald Trump's personal wealth and conflicts of interest created by his crypto deals.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is pushing curbs on fluoride.

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As of today, President Donald Trump has been in office for 100 days. In that short span of time, he has transformed American government. From public health to the economy, immigration to education, the second Trump Administration has affected changes that are singular in their scope and the speed at which they were made. While some Americans are pleased with Trump’s policies and executive orders, they’ve also thrust many Americans into uncertainty, anxiety and in some cases, detention. Listeners and viewers of The Excerpt should be very familiar with what Trump’s done in the past 100 days because The Excerpt has been breathlessly covering every executive order, every firing, every cut. But what’s been the impact to ordinary Americans? How are they feeling at Day 100? USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes joins The Excerpt to share reporting from across the network on how Americans are feeling.

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USA TODAY Senior Congress Reporter Riley Beggin breaks down what to know as the GOP starts work on a sweeping Trump priorities bill.

Trump provides automakers some relief from 25% tariffs.

Republicans propose a massive overhaul of student loans and Pell Grants.

Congress passes a bill to outlaw deepfake pornography.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Chris Kenning explains how President Trump’s coal push stirs hopes and worries in Appalachia.

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What does Canada's election mean for relations between the two countries?

It's been 100 days in office for President Donald Trump. Plus, he gets some rough polling news.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Trevor Hughes talks about civil liberties concerns as plainclothed ICE agents make detentions.

President Trump signs an executive order highlighting sanctuary cities fighting immigration enforcement.

Russian President Vladimir Putin declares a 3-day ceasefire with Ukraine in May. Trump says that's not good enough.

USA TODAY Supreme Court Correspondent Maureen Groppe says the high court appears likely to side with a student in a disability discrimination case.

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We asked: Do you support President Trump's actions so far? What concerns you about what he and his administration have executed on? Readers across the country shared their opinions with us. Forum is a series from USA TODAY's Opinion team, dedicated to showcasing views from across the political spectrum on issues that Americans are starkly divided on. If you'd like to weigh in on a different topic, you can find more questions at usatoday.com/forum. And if your submission is selected for print, we might invite you to add your voice to a future special bonus episode like this one. Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to [email protected].

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Congress will take up the fiscal 2026 budget proposal when lawmakers return to session Monday.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was pressed Sunday by NBC News over child U.S. citizens removed from the country.

USA TODAY Reporter Andrea Riquier explains how home renovation costs will climb amid new tariffs.

President Donald Trump said his meeting in Rome with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "went well."

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise talks about a brood of cicadas first recorded by the pilgrims.

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A quick Google search reveals many articles, commentaries, social media posts, and scholarly debates on whether or not America is sliding into an authoritarian state. But is that really what’s going on here? Or is calling the current political climate “authoritarian” simply a case of liberals being melodramatic? Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history and expert on fascism, authoritarianism, propaganda, and democracy protection at New York University, joins The Excerpt to share her expertise.

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USA TODAY White House Reporter Zac Anderson discusses some of President Donald Trump's recent comments to Time Magazine.

A Milwaukee judge has been charged with federal felonies in an ICE case.

Former Rep. George Santos has been sentenced to more than seven years after pleading guilty in 2024 to felony wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges.

Pope Francis will be laid to rest Saturday.

USA TODAY Wellness Reporter Charles Trepany breaks down why some people live separately from their spouses.

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There's been another shake-up at the Pentagon.

President Donald Trump approaches 100 days in office. Here are 100 things that have changed.

USA TODAY Education Reporter Zachary Schermele takes a look at a busy week for the Trump administration on education.

A judge partly blocks a Trump order seeking to overhaul U.S. elections.

USA TODAY National Correspondent Elizabeth Weise tells us about carnivorous 'bone collector' caterpillars.

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