Skip to content

Is the ‘War on Science’ Over?

November 12, 2026 · 35 min

Show notes

A whole bunch of scientists and doctors won in the U.S. midterm elections, which has got some nerds really excited. They’re wondering: Could this turn things around for U.S. science, which has been hit by cuts and restrictions from the Trump administration?? We talk to journalist Max Kozlov from Nature to find out whether it’s time for a nerd party in the U.S.A. — or if it might be too soon to pop the champagne.

 

Find our transcript here: https://tinyurl.com/ScienceVsWarOnScience

In this episode, we cover:

(00:00) A blue wave … and a nerd wave?

(02:33) What’s happened with science under Trump

(09:32) What science stuff did voters care about?

(11:54) Abdul El-Sayed adapted some MAHA language

(14:35) Data centers lost at the polls

(20:19) Are scientists celebrating too soon?

(28:17) Oddball questions with Max 


This episode was produced by Wendy Zukerman, with help from Michelle Dang, Ekedi Fausther-Keeys and Rose Rimler. We’re edited by Blythe Terrell. Wendy Zukerman is the executive producer. Video editing and sound by Bobby Lord. Music written by Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Emma Munger and Bobby Lord. Thanks to Humdinger Studios in Melbourne and Podville Media in Washington, DC.

Science Vs is a Spotify Studios Original. Listen for free on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us and tap the bell for episode notifications. 


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All episodes of Science Vs

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.