Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

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Today's Headlines

Hillary Clinton Explains AI Dangers, and I Am Persuaded Now

A past FBI inquiry complicates Susan Collins’s campaign message in Maine

News of a probe involving political contributions and federal contracts has some in a shipyard town raising questions about her influence.

Meet the woman steering Biden's bipartisan winning streak on Capitol Hill

The Biden administration managed to rack up a long list of major legislative wins in its first two years despite facing one of the most closely-divided Congresses in history. From bipartisan action on infrastructure, gun safety and same-sex marria…

I, Victim

Pascal Bruckner’s book about victimhood culture invites us to choose liberation, and to move from resentment to a secular kind of grace.

Jury in Trayon White Sr. bribery trial says it can’t reach verdict

White was charged with accepting $35,000 from a D.C. government contractor in exchange for agreeing to pressure D.C. officials to renew contracts that his companies had obtained for violence-interruption services.

From Atmosphere to Empire

U2 reconsidered at fifty.

Bobby Pulido, a Texan Singer, Puts Republicans on Defense

Bobby Pulido, a Tejano musician running as a Democrat for the House, has left his Republican opponent struggling to match his star power in a district that President Trump won easily in 2024.

Supreme Court Once Again Blocks Republican-Backed Voting Map in Missouri

A federal appeals court had sided with Republicans seeking to use redrawn congressional district boundaries to give their party an advantage in the midterms elections.

Wave of overlooked 'left-wing' lawsuits could come with an unexpected price tag for Americans

A report from Power The Future and the Heritage Foundation warns climate lawsuits could cost American households nearly $1,465 more per year.

Margins of Error

Look closely at almost anything and you'll find data—lots of it. But what are those numbers really saying about who we are and what we believe? Harry Enten is on a mission to find out.

Today in Democrats Behaving Badly

If only someone had told them that this sort of thing was frowned upon.

ICE Raids in Beef Country Raise Fears of Higher Prices

Cattle industry groups in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas and two Republican senators said the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions were hurting operations.

Un-Gifted and Talented

Bear Hug

There are two kinds of people in the world: people who love The Bear and people who hate The Bear.

Hiroshima: A Hinge Point for Humanity

Kiyoshi Tanimoto’s extraordinary testimony about the Hiroshima attack and its aftermath has been published by his daughter some forty years after his death.

Sacrificing Human Thriving on the Altar of Environmentalist Earth Religion

An op-ed in the New York Times proselytizes for nature animism.

Trump embraces Xi as a peer, testing a new approach to China

The presidents praised their relationship over tea and viewed America’s founding documents, with few apparent breakthroughs on the issues dividing their countries.

Everything you need to know about Biden's student loan forgiveness program

President Joe Biden's federal student loan forgiveness program, which promises to deliver up to $20,000 of debt relief for millions of borrowers, is on hold indefinitely as legal challenges work their way through the courts.

Two More Russian Refineries Shut Down Operations After Drone Strikes

Claire's Weekly Letter: A Dish in the Sink

A man leaves a dish in the sink. By the end of the night he has been accused of gaslighting, told he lacks emotional intelligence, and sent to sleep on the sofa. Our first feature this week comes from Steve Salerno asks a hard question: has a prof…

My Father and the Anti-Communist Film Festival

A 7-Day Standoff That Said So Much About Trump and the Media

An abrupt decree, a network boycott, a legal intervention and an uneasy détente: This was no typical battle between a president and his press corps.

‘Zombified’ C.D.C., Hobbled by Cuts, Struggles to Fulfill Scientific Mission

The agency has lost its independence and nearly a third of its staff, as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and associates have tightened control.

The Naivety of Well-Meaning Christian Leaders

The Church of England and the failures of interfaith politics.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

This Is Who the Protesters Are

Celebrities, activists, and politicians blocking roads outside the U.N. made it obvious: they’re on the side of Iran’s brutal theocrats.

Two powerful federal courts face push to break free from DC bubble as unlikely duo steps in

Senators Chris Coons and Ashley Moody introduced the Better Bench Act to drop the D.C. residency requirement for Court of Federal Claims judges.

What the White House Got Out of Xi's Visit

President Trump played host and tour guide to Chinese President Xi Jinping with a final stop at the National Archives Friday afternoon. The two leaders walked a red carpet into the building, pausing briefly on the steps while Trump pointed towards…

Barney Frank's Final Warn­ing

Dur­ing Barney Frank's funeral in June, Marty Mee­han, pres­id­ent of the Uni­versity of Mas­sachu­setts sys­tem and a former con­gress­man, asked how many people in attend­ance had ever been yelled at b…

Myths and Illusions of the Digital Age

The digital revolution is not remaking the world as the industrial one did.

Why the Lindsay Clancy Case Scares Me

I have spent my career as a statistician telling people not to get emotional about numbers. This week, I'm breaking my own rule.

History Uprooted

A new exhibition at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg peddles PLO myths about Israel’s war for independence in 1948.

Who’s Responsible for Texas?

We still have over a month to see how it plays out, and ‘Vote for the crook: It’s important’ has been a winning message before.

Supreme Court Allows Trump DHS to Share Social Security Data with Elections Officials

Today’s 6–3 decision involved an especially tortured effort at reading federal law in a way that would restrain Donald Trump, and the Court’s conservative majority rejected it.

Supreme Court blocks Missouri congressional map favoring GOP for third time

The ruling ends a complicated legal fight that has injected uncertainty into November’s midterm elections in the state.

VoteVets Spends Millions to Elect Democrats, Shaping Midterms

The organization, founded in 2006 to back Democratic veterans opposing the Iraq war, is pouring huge sums into this year’s elections amid intense voter antipathy for another conflict in the Middle East.

The notable legal clouds that continue to hang over Donald Trump

All eyes are on former President Donald Trump, who has launched another White House bid.

White House has not acted on RFK Jr.’s push for proof ultra-processed foods are safe

A draft letter obtained by The Post shows Kennedy’s favorable response to a petition that food experts said could lead to significant changes for the industry.

British Tories Promising a Benefits Crackdown, Outraged Wails (Not Wales) to Follow

Supreme Court Ruling Could Have Limited Impact on Voter Screening in Midterms

Federal law requires a 90-day “quiet period” before elections, likely restricting the immediate scope of a decision that allows the use of a citizenship database to examine voter rolls.

Australia Is Sick: Misha Saul on What Went Wrong

Investor Misha Saul joins Claire Lehmann to discuss Australia’s declining productivity, immigration policy, and the political choices shaping the country’s future.

Trump Proposes $810 Million in Education and Health Cuts, Defying Congress

The attempted clawback represents the second time in as many years that the White House has sought to cancel funding approved by lawmakers.

Trump revives rare budget maneuver to rescind $810M in congressionally approved funds

Trump used a pocket rescission to cancel $810 million in approved spending on refugee programs, diversity initiatives and migrant education.

U.S. Rejects U.N. Declaration on Preparing for Future Pandemics

Most member nations spoke in support of the declaration, but some rich countries had strong objections.

One Thing GOP's Massive Midterms Cash Pile Can't Buy

The GOP holds a major cash advantage over Democrats, but there's likely no amount they can spend to persuade voters to ignore their own economic pain.

She grew up under Soviet rule; now the EU's top diplomat, she warns Europe against giving Russia what it wants

Kaja Kallas says Russia's sabotage and intimidation campaign aims to weaken European support for Ukraine, warning the strategy will escalate if it works.

Swipe Fees and the Visa-Mastercard Duopoly

A proposed settlement would give Visa and Mastercard's duopoly a free pass, and deliver no relief on swipe fees.

Free Trade Is Ancient Wisdom

Even Plato knew that economic specialization makes everyone better off.

Trump Rejects Iran’s Cease-Fire Proposal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz

The president said the deal was not “acceptable” and demurred on whether he would restart military strikes after the midterm elections.

Trump claims stunning casualty numbers in Russia-Ukraine war

Trump claims 25,000 people died last month in the Ukraine-Russia war and reveals he pushed Volodomyr Zelenskyy to settle with Vladimir Putin.

Rahm Emanuel, Eyeing 2028, Makes His 2026 Play

The longtime Democratic insider has emerged as a behind-the-scenes force in his party’s push to win back Congress. After that, he’ll think about the next presidential race.

Some Good News in the Midst of All the Wave Election Talk

Mikie Sherrill Finds One Jersey Man She Wanted Gone - Her Lt Gov Resigns

Men who allegedly targeted Trump’s UFC fight converged online. Most never met.

Prosecutors say the plan was coordinated between men in at least six states, taking shape in mere weeks ahead of the June 14 event at the White House.

On the NYT’s Top 100 TV Shows of the 21st Century

It’s still, of course, a mostly bad list. In addition to harvesting clicks, the ranking does lots of other predictable ideological work.

Every Major Institutional Threat to U.S. and the Church Is on Left

I've never been a hardline defender of no enemies to/on the Right. But what do I know is that every major *institutional* threat to both our country and the church is on the Left, period. And it's not even close. Don't hear what I am not saying. I…

Banning the Horseless Carriage

Bernie Sanders wants to outlaw artificial superintelligence. The risks he points to are real—but the answer to a powerful new technology is regulation, not prohibition, and China has no intention of pausing.

Trump heads to Texas-Tennessee football game as midterm rallies slide

Trump will attend the Tennessee-Texas college football game on Saturday and the President’s Cup golf tournament on Sunday.

US, China strike deal to lower tariffs on $30B in goods after Trump-Xi Washington summit

The United States and China agreed to slash tariffs on $30 billion in goods after Trump and Xi Jinping's three-day Washington summit this week.

The Left's Blind Spot When It Comes to Schools

Parents like me were on to something when we championed meritocracy and selective schools.

New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after report finds harassment, ethics violations

An investigation found that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell sexually harassed a woman and violated state ethics rules. He denied allegations of misconduct, and Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Caldwell had stepped down on Friday.

WATCH: Black bishop calls voter ID argument 'deeply insulting' after explosive noncitizen registration report

Earl Walker Jackson calls claims that Black Americans can't get voter ID "deeply insulting" and slams noncitizen voting as disenfranchisement.

Pentagon quietly adds dozens to tally of troops wounded amid Iran war

With the addition of 29 U.S. sailors and eight Marines, the total number of personnel wounded since the start of hostilities has risen to 861, a Pentagon database shows.

Another Reason Austin Is Booming? Abundant Housing

The city lets builders build.

Trump’s Greenland deal shadows Xi visit after years of Beijing eyeing Arctic influence

Trump's Greenland security deal blocked China's Arctic ambitions days before Xi Jinping arrived for a state dinner with America's top AI executives.

Genocide and Its Jurors

In 1967, left-wing intellectuals accused America of genocide in Vietnam—they were wrong then, and they’re wrong again now.

How a six-pack of beer and the Magna Carta could finally fix a problem plaguing Americans for decades

Kenneth Jouppi's $95,000 Cessna was seized over a misdemeanor beer conviction, and the Supreme Court will now weigh Eighth Amendment limits.

Democrats now have easier paths to flipping the Senate. Here are races to watch.

The goal of keeping Democratic Senate seats and flipping four GOP seats once felt like a long shot. Now it's feasible.

Government can use Social Security data to identify noncitizen voters, Supreme Court rules

President Donald Trump wants to let states use a federal database that includes voters’ personal information to check for noncitizens on voter rolls.

Let’s Stop Obsessing Over ‘Prestige’ Colleges and Universities

They’re not as special as we’re made to think.

Trump's home county hits pause on data centers over environment and electric bill concerns

Palm Beach County passed a one-year moratorium on data centers amid concerns over environmental impact, noise pollution, and rising electric bills.

Dem House hopeful endorsed by activist who said 'evil Jews run the world'

Adina Flores, who endorsed Eric Jones for Congress, has posted content about Zionists, Freemasons and LGBTQ ideology across her social media pages.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Lawmakers slam Trump’s move to cancel $810M in funding approved by Congress

The White House announced plans to cancel funding for refugee services and other domestic programs. Lawmakers say it infringes on their spending authority.

The Trouble with Chinamaxxers

Gen Z calls it Chinamaxxing. But the West's new infatuation with China is less a triumph of Communist Party soft power than a symptom of our own decline.

Why the Republicans Started Panicking This Week

When the national average price of gas is nearly $4.50 a gallon, the president’s party should expect to get crushed in midterm elections.

Ground Broken on a Rust Belt Powerhouse: Shippingport's Data Hub Rises in the Age of AI Anxiety

Mamdani Can Play Nice, Not Schumer and Jeffries?

Congressional Democrats keep choosing lawfare over dialogue.

College Isn't for Everyone. We're Building Something New

My college education gave me lifelong friends and a broad education. What it didn't give me was enough connection to the world beyond campus. Andreessen Horowitz is launching a school that does.

Saudi Arabia Open to Possibly Developing Nuclear Weapons

An intelligence assessment examined Saudi Arabia’s military ambitions as Congress reviews a new civilian nuclear deal between the U.S. and the kingdom.

Trump's Press Ban? I've Seen This Show

Before this week, only Jim Acosta and I knew what this felt like. It's nice to see some solidarity at last

Trump’s Foreign Relations Faux Pas

‘On a long enough timeline, the results of these individual faux pas can really add up to a substantive difference in the U.S.’s strategic position in the world.’

DA Krasner Is in Deep Trouble

What Does El-Sayed Believe?

The Michigan Senate race has emerged as perhaps the most important proving ground for some of the key fights in the Democratic Party right now.

The fine print of the Respect for Marriage Act

Let's start with the positive: Republicans and Democrats are coming together to protect same-sex marriage from the Supreme Court.

The Award-Givers Are Still Woke

Walz's Fall From VP Nominee to Democrat Liability

It shows the power of exposing the truth.

AI Doom Is Not Cybersecurity

An OpenAI agent’s breach of a Medicare portal shows that the real danger from AI is a mundane one—and the labs’ fixation on a coming machine god is making it worse.

How Kyrsten Sinema's decision makes Democrats' 2024 Senate map tighter

Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema decided to shake up the political world on Friday by becoming an independent. The former Democrat is still caucusing with the party in the Senate, so the Democratic caucus still has 51 members. Now, instead of 49 Democr…

CNN Political Briefing

The political news you need to know, in 10 minutes or less. Hosted by David Chalian.

Al Gore's Inconvenient Lies

Cruz says winning AI race against China is 'single most important economic question' for America

Ted Cruz claims China and "effective altruism" backers are waging a deliberate influence campaign to shape AI policy and data center debates.

How Scared Are Students to Speak on College Campuses?