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

I Hate, Hate, Hate Filing Taxes. There Is a Better Way

I hate, hate, hate filing taxes. There is a better way.

Who’s Winning the Cash Race in 9 Top Senate Contests?

Money from Democratic donors has flowed into the coffers of the party’s top Senate candidates — especially its nominee in Texas.

Cultural Problems Behind Falling Fertility Rate

America's birth rate keeps falling. The real problem isn't housing costs or student debt - it's a culture that stopped valuing family.

BREAKING: US Brokers Ten-Day Ceasefire in Lebanon

You Are What You Consume

Personal identity should come from the things we get to choose for ourselves.

Harris stops in key presidential primary state after leaving door wide open to 2028 run

Former Vice President Kamala Harris fuels 2028 presidential speculation with visits to South Carolina, a crucial Democratic primary voting state.

Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration

Is the president’s son-in-law carrying out the public’s business or pursuing his own private interests?

House Again Thwarts Challenge to Trump’s Authority to Continue Iran War

Republicans narrowly blocked a Democratic war powers resolution that would have prevented President Trump from continuing to wage war in Iran until he won authorization from Congress to do so.

Iran War and the End of Left's Climate Targets Fantasy

The past six weeks have done what a decade of speeches could not: they have ended the fantasy that climate targets can sit atop the commanding heights of industrial policy.

Iran Doesn't Believe Trump. That's Becoming Dangerous

Neither the president's threats nor his promises nor his deals can be taken at face value.

The Men Who Bankrolled America

As America turns 250, two founding funders deserve a place alongside the statesmen and generals.

Minnesota Dems unite to block Walz, Ellison impeachment push, sparking online outrage: 'They're panicking'

Conservatives erupted after Minnesota Democrats voted to block a Republican-led impeachment investigation into Gov. Tim Walz over alleged fraud.

California high court orders disbarring of former Trump attorney over effort to dispute 2020 election results

John Eastman, who advised Trump on contesting the 2020 election, was disbarred by the California Supreme Court over findings of deceitful conduct.

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.

White House sidesteps vaccine skeptics in potential CDC leadership reset

A new team could mark a shift away from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unpopular vaccine agenda ahead of the midterms.

House Votes to Preserve Deportation Protections for Haitians, Rebuking Trump

The action was largely symbolic since the president would be all but certain to veto the bill, but the bipartisan vote reflected resistance within his own ranks on his signature issue.

The US Blockade is Working

Iran Redux: It Really IS the Economy, Stupid

Two Magicians Warn the Supreme Court About Junk Science

Penn & Teller filed a Supreme Court brief questioning the use of “investigative hypnosis” in a death-penalty case in Texas.

Trump: Israel, Lebanon Agree to Begin 10-Day Ceasefire

President Donald Trump said Israel and Lebanon have agreed to begin a 10-day ceasefire following what he described as productive discussions with both nations' leaders.

Caine: Iran Blockade Will Go Global; Iran Responds

'Annals of State Run Propaganda' File: BBC Waves Bye-Bye to 2000 Employees

Talarico Leads a Democratic Cash Surge: 7 Takeaways From 2026 Filings

Democrats in key Senate races out-raised their Republican rivals, but super PACs on the right are poised to play a powerful role in the midterms, new campaign finance filings showed.

AI and the Wiki Wars

The Wikipedia knowledge monopoly is not ready for the Grokipedia threat.

It’s Not Just Iran. Trump Is Flailing on Multiple Fronts.

The president is on a losing streak, and even some of his aides are dismayed by his choices.

Steve Hilton to Newsmax: GOP Must Unite Behind Me as California Front-Runner

In a Thursday interview on Newsmax's "National Report," Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton urged his party to unite behind him as the front-runner in California's governor's race, as the contest is reshaped...

Pope Leo slams those who 'manipulate religion' for military or political gain, Trump responds

Pope Leo denounced people who "manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic or political gain" during a Cameroon speech.

No Tax on Tips, Overtime Saves Workers Thousands

The Labor Secretary says President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts are driving historic savings with average refunds topping $3,400 this tax season.

The Conciliator

Why did Gretchen Whitmer go soft on Trump?

Reporter's Notebook: GOP clash over ‘skinny’ vs ‘obese’ DHS bill as Trump agenda looms

Congressional Republicans weigh a skinny reconciliation bill for DHS funding as senators clash over adding Iran war costs and other legislative items.

RFK Jr. to Testify Before Congress for First Time This Year

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to defend staff and funding cuts at the Health and Human Services Department he oversees.

Judge Again Halts Aboveground Construction on Trump Ballroom

A federal judge wrote that an exception he made for work on security features did not cover most of the construction on the larger ballroom project Trump has proposed.

Justice Sotomayor issues rare apology for remarks about conservative colleague

The extraordinary public apology highlights rifts on the court dominated by a 6-3 conservative majority.

Police: Fmr Va. Lt. Gov. Fairfax Dead in Murder-Suicide

Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a rising star in the Democratic Party before his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations several years ago, killed his wife before killing himself, police said Thursday. Fairfax, 47, and his wife,…

Trump’s top arts commissioner says D.C. needs three arches, not one

Rodney Mims Cook Jr. tried to build an arch in D.C. for years. Now his panel will review the president’s own proposal — and Cook says two more should be built, too.

Hegseth Again Threatens Attacks on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure

The U.S. blockade of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz would last “for as long as it takes,” the defense secretary said.

Swalwell's Fall Was by Design

Eric Swalwell was Nancy Pelosi's made man, the golden child of San Francisco's rotten machine politics.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Addressing the Academic Skew

Higher education needs intellectual—not political—conservatives.

House Rejects Measure to Curb Trump Iran War Powers

The ‌U.S. House of Representatives backed President Donald Trump's military campaign against Iran on Thursday, narrowly defeating a Democrat-led resolution aiming to stop the war until hostilities are authorized ‌by Congress.

European Airlines Face Fuel Shortages Within Weeks

If tankers do not soon begin crossing the Strait of Hormuz, airlines in Europe may not have enough jet fuel to operate all of their flights.

'Disturbing' allegations against unnamed senator under review in wake of scandals rocking Congress

Misconduct allegations against an unnamed senator were sent to the Senate Ethics Committee after Rep. Anna Paulina Luna raised concerns publicly on X.

Report Calls for More Scrutiny in FDA Drug Approvals

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should be more transparent when granting accelerated approval for certain drugs, the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review, an influential drug pricing body, said in a report Thursday.

Under Fragile Ceasefire, Iranians Wonder If Deal Can Be Done

On the plains of northwestern Iran, edged by snow-ribboned ridges, spring nudges almond trees into frothy bloom and a fragile ceasefire brings more traffic onto highways, and more Iranians back to their homeland.

Without Warning, We Are This Much Closer to a Nightmare Wind Farm 'What If?'

Trump Voters Have Had Enough

A shocking number of the president’s supporters have turned against him.

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…

Rep. Gabe Evans to Newsmax: 'Robust Scrutiny' Key After Trump Impeachment

Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., told Newsmax on Thursday that while the statute of limitations may have run out on potential criminal referrals tied to President Donald Trump's first impeachment, the need to examine what went wrong remains critical.

Postliberalism After Hungary

Orbán’s defeat should scare the hell out of populist authoritarians.

Viktor Orbán Could Actually Lose

The Hungarian leader faces an energized opposition—and questions about whether he would accept defeat.

Mamdani's Wife Apologizes (Sort of)

History Is Running Backwards

Why reactionaries are taking over the world

The $97 Million Utah Warehouse ICE Bought for $145 Million

Trump wants industrial-size immigration jails, and money is no obstacle.

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.

How every House member voted on blocking Trump from striking Iran

The House is voting on a measure to block President Trump from ordering more strikes on Iran. See how your lawmaker voted.

Federal judge sets new limits on Trump ballroom construction

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon clarified that some national security work can continue while the overall project is halted.

The Tragedy of Murdered Indigenous Women is Real. So How Did Activists Turn It Into a Punch Line?

Leah Gazan’s use of the absurd term ‘MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+’ to describe female Indigenous homicide victims is a case study in progressive linguistic self-sabotage.

Germany’s Cozy Catastrophe

The German state has been generous to its beneficiaries—but that largesse is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Senate Narrowly Overturns Minnesota Mining Ban, Sending Bill to Trump

The U.S. Senate on Thursday narrowly voted to overturn former President Joe Biden's mining ban in northern Minnesota, agreeing with the House of Representatives and sending the bill to President Donald Trump, who is expected to sign it.

House narrowly rejects resolution directing Trump to end ‘hostilities’ in Iran

The Senate turned back a similar measure Wednesday seeking to rein in the president as the unpopular war approaches the two-month mark.

Justice Dept. Appealing Surveillance Court Ruling Amid Congressional Impasse

The court had barred national security agencies from using certain tools to process Americans’ data gathered under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires on Monday.

Sex crimes could cost lawmakers taxpayer-funded pensions under Hawley’s new proposal

A bill from Sen. Josh Hawley would bar members of Congress convicted of sex crimes from collecting taxpayer-funded pensions after leaving office.

The Final Frontier

Like the old Wild West, the Moon offers the prospect of resources to exploit and land to settle. Artemis II's successful mission is just the beginning.

Meadows to Newsmax: Dem Vote Against Israel 'Clarion Call' to Pro-Palestinian Base

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows told Newsmax on Thursday that Senate Democrats who backed resolutions to block arms sales to Israel delivered a "clear, clarion call" to a base that he said is increasingly aligned against the longtim…

House Republicans defy Trump to shield Haitians from deportation

A group of House Republicans broke with President Donald Trump to vote for extending temporary protected status for over 350,000 Haitians.

Largely secret donors pour millions into election that could tip Congress

The vast majority of the nearly $100 million raised to sway Virginia’s redistricting battle, mostly on the Democratic side, consists of untraceable dark money.

In the wake of the Republican National Convention earlier this month, Fareed speaks with historian Niall Ferguson about how and why the modern-day GOP has changed since the Reagan era of the 1980s.

Trump’s 250-foot arch receives early design approval as public pans it

The Commission of Fine Arts asked the architect for revisions, with one member suggesting the project could be downsized by leaving out gold-plated statues.

Foreign Power, Local Politics

Where local collaboration is absent, foreign intervention imposes enormous costs or simply stalls. Where it exists, intervention can succeed with surprising velocity.

Progressives vs. the Declaration

Woodrow Wilson's ideas are opposed to the basic American creed. They can't coexist forever.

Sens. Justice, Cantwell Push to Extend Overtime Tax Break

On Tax Day 2026, Sen. Jim Justice, R-W.Va.; and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., introduced bipartisan legislation to broaden a recently enacted tax break on overtime pay, aiming to extend relief to millions of workers who were previously excluded.

An Urgent Reason for Iran To Negotiate

Damage done by U.S. and Israeli attacks will take years to repair, putting pressure on Tehran to seek financial relief in talks.

Trump: Pope Needs Reality Check on Iran Threat

President Donald Trump said Thursday it's "very important" for Pope Leo to understand that Iran is a threat to the world, as tensions between the White House and the Vatican escalated over the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Two icebreakers headed to Alaska as US combats Russian, Chinese influence in Arctic

The Coast Guard announced two Arctic Security Cutters will be homeported in Alaska by 2028, bolstering U.S. maritime presence in the Arctic.

A Costly Misconception

Now that glyphosate has become a national-security issue, it’s time to revisit the source of misinformation about this controversial herbicide.

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.

Podcast #333: The Search for Truth

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Michael Shermer, the author of a number of works on critical thinking, epistemology, and ethics, about his new book, 'Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters.'

Rasmussen: 70&#37 of Republicans Say Deport All Illegal Immigrants

Seventy percent of Republican voters support a policy of deporting all illegal immigrants, underscoring a sharp partisan divide on immigration, according to a new Rasmussen Reports survey released Thursday.

US eyes Iran fast boats with ‘kill’ tactics tested in Venezuela drug-boat strikes

The U.S. prepares for high-risk naval encounters with Iran's fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz as the blockade of Iranian ports continues.

Trump tests loyalty of Christian supporters as erratic behavior escalates

The president maintains his hold on the Christian right, but his bluster, fight with the pope and portrayal of himself as a Jesus-like figure strain that bond.

The Tech High Ground

What it will take to gain the advantage over China.

Fareed explains why AI's massive energy demands are straining the power grid, but also why AI could enable big breakthroughs in sustainability and clean energy.

The State That Could Decide Trump’s Gerrymandering War

Democrats want Virginians to aggressively gerrymander the state.

An Oligarchy of Old People

How elderly Americans amassed disproportionate wealth and power

U.S. sends thousands more troops to Mideast as Trump seeks to squeeze Iran

The infusion of firepower coincides with the administration’s maritime blockade against the regime in Tehran and as mediators urge both sides to extend their ceasefire.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a former US senator from California who previously served as the state's attorney general, could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket after receiving President Joe Biden's support t…

J. D. Vance Is Definitely Against Foreign Election Interference

The vice president accused the European Union of meddling—as he stumped for Viktor Orbán.

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…

Move 37 and the Coming Mindhack

What happens when human manipulation arrives at its Claude Mythos moment?

Irony: Conservatives Won in Hungary

André Gide versus George Orwell: Two Paths to Truth

More than a century after it was first published, ‘If It Die’—Gide’s shockingly candid account of his childhood and sexual awakening—remains a gripping read.

Israel agrees to 10-day Lebanon ceasefire

President Donald Trump said the deal would go into force Thursday evening, as Pakistani mediators worked to extend a U.S.-Iran ceasefire and arrange new talks.

1979 Is the Year That Explains Donald Trump

And pretty much all of the 1980s do too.

Judge orders Trump to halt White House ballroom construction, escalating legal feud

A U.S. judge blocked Trump from proceeding with above-ground construction of his 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom, in a near-term blow to the administration's plans.

Trump and Bibi Building Lasting Coalition With Arab States

Washington Post Asks the Dumbest Question Ever

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.

Tracking who Trump is appointing to fill key administration roles

Follow President Trump’s progress filling over 800 positions, among about 1,300 that require Senate confirmation, in this tracker from The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service.

Panel Advances Trump’s Triumphal Arch, Even as Key Member Suggests Changes

The Commission of Fine Arts, a Trump-aligned advisory body, granted preliminary approval. But its vice chairman suggested losing statues atop the structure and other revisions before a final vote.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Wednesday’s Final Word

Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable

Viktor Orbán had support from Moscow and Washington, but not from his own people.

State Dept Expands Visa Restriction Policy in Western Hemisphere

The U.S. State Department said ‌on Thursday ​it was expanding its visa restriction ⁠policy in ​the Western Hemisphere region ⁠and imposed restrictions on 26 individuals.

Progressive frontrunner in crucial Senate race faces backlash over comments praising Hamas raid

Progressive Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner faces backlash over resurfaced Reddit comments praising Hamas tactics in a 2014 raid on Israelis.

NEW: Former VA Lt Gov Kills Wife, Self in Divorce Rage

The Battle for the Strait

After the failure of ceasefire talks in Islamabad, the United States remains at war with Iran and Trump’s priority is to liberate the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

White House Shrugs Off Shaky Economy as War Exceeds Trump’s Timeline

Stocks may be soaring again, but the war in Iran has started to pinch the finances of many Americans.