If you've got a high schooler who's politically curious or heading to college, Patriot Act is genuinely enriching—it's one of the better "edutainment" shows that actually teaches something substantive. Minhaj is a compelling host, the research is solid, and the format keeps things moving.

That said, it's very much a product of 2018-2020. Episodes about Trump, pre-pandemic streaming wars, or tech platforms feel like ancient history now. The show got cancelled in 2020, so there's no recent content. If your teen is interested in current events, they might find it more useful as a case study in how quickly political discourse ages than as breaking news.

The progressive lean is real—this isn't "both sides" journalism. That's fine if it matches your family's values or if you want to expose your teen to well-argued progressive perspectives. If not, it'll feel preachy.

Bottom line: solid choice for mature teens who want to understand how the world works, but don't expect it to feel urgent or fresh in 2025.