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

Republicans stare down epic voter enthusiasm gap ahead of 2026 midterms

The 14-percentage-point advantage is the Democrats’ largest in decades and reflects Republicans’ slippery grasp on power in Washington.

Trump administration to withhold $259M in Minnesota Medicaid funds, citing fraud

The move, announced by Vice President JD Vance, targets alleged health care fraud and signals a broader crackdown that could extend to other states.

At the State of the Union, the White Pantsuit Protest That Didn’t Work

Democratic congresswomen put out a call to wear white at the State of the Union. It didn’t work.

TSA PreCheck Is Back, but Global Entry Is Paused. What’s Going On?

Blaming a partial government shutdown, officials suspended the expedited arrival program this week, but some travelers are seeing inconsistencies at airports.

Ezra Klein’s Feeble Liberalism

Liberals must act aggressively to uphold the values of free society.

Dhillon to Newsmax: DOJ Tired of Harvard 'Playing Games'

Harmeet Dhillon, asst. attorney general at the DOJ, told Newsmax Wed. that she has had enough of Harvard dragging its feet. Dhillon appeared on "Ed Henry: The Big Take" after the DOJ announced it was suing the Harvard for withholding race-related …

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…

The Democrats Who Got Weird During the State of the Union

They found a bizarre, crass way to push back against Trump.

Liberals STILL Blasting Men's Hockey Team for Being...American Men

Judge Finds Trump Administration’s Third-Country Deportations Unlawful

The ruling repudiates a key Homeland Security Department policy of sending immigrants to countries where they have no ties. The judge paused his ruling to allow for an appeal.

Ilhan Omar Condemns Arrest of State of the Union Guest

Aliya Rahman, a U.S. citizen who was dragged from her vehicle after an ICE agent shattered its window, was charged with unlawful conduct after standing up during President Trump’s speech.

House Likely to Sink Iran War Powers Measure

A bipartisan effort in the House of Representatives to constrain President Donald Trump's authority to escalate hostilities against Iran is likely to fall short when members vote later this week, reports The Hill.

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.

Kristi Noem’s Audience of One

The DHS secretary is suddenly talking about more than just mass deportations.

The Epstein Emails Show How the Powerful Talk About Race

The files reveal the disgraced financier’s interest in “race science.”

You Think You Hate the Media Enough, But You Don't

What the coverage surrounding the Olympics revealed about our broken media

As More Products and Places Bear His Name, Trump Plays Coy

In his State of the Union address, President Trump promoted two programs that just so happened to be named after him.

FBI Raids Home of LA School Superintendent

How Social Media Framed Trump’s State of the Union Speech

Here’s how social media may have shaped your impressions of the State of the Union.

Ken Paxton believes he'll crush 'Fake John Cornyn' even without a Trump endorsement

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is targeting "Fake John Cornyn" in the heated Republican Senate primary, calling the longtime incumbent senator ineffective.

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…

A Medal of Honor for Royce Williams

Trump's recognition of his Korean War gallantry is long overdue, and a morale boost for the U.S. naval aviators idling near Iran.

Bertrand Russell’s Cancellation and the Ongoing Battle Over Campus Speech

How religious conservatives cancelled philosopher Bertrand Russell in 1940, sparking academic freedom debates that echo today.

Trump reframes America, in two acts

The president delivered a speech that tried to reshape the dark reality many Americans say they are feeling, according to polls.

Trump’s Suddenly High-Stakes State of the Union

The president is visiting Congress in a dramatically different place from where he was a year ago.

The Cost of Indifference

The sad and curious case of the chronic fatigue syndrome. 

Fixing Immigration Enforcement Before Trust Collapses

Federal immigration operations in Minneapolis this January left two U.S. citizens dead. On Jan. 7, Renee Good, 37, was shot in her car by an ICE officer. Officials say she tried to run him over; video appears to show her steering away. On Jan. 24,…

When Democrats Make Donald Trump The Normie In The Room, They're Losing

Crooks and Communists Misusing AI Tools

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…

Silence on Sudan

In Sudan, a civil war involving Arab supremacists backed by the UAE has left as many as 400,000 dead and displaced twelve million. The silence on campus is deafening.

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.

Thanks for sticking with us for (more than) 148 minutes tonight. The president is back at...

CNN Poll: By Golly, Trump Moved the Needle Last Night

Ukraine Supporter Gonzales Likely To Lose Primary

It is the sensational and late-breaking news of Rep. Tony Gonzales’ relationship with a former staffer who subsequently killed herself by self-immolation that will almost certainly doom the Texas Republican in the primary on March 3.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Newsmax: Russia Chooses to Continue the War

Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, told Newsmax on Wednesday that Russia is deliberately prolonging its war against Ukraine, even as Kyiv signals willingness to make difficult concessions to stop the fighting.

Spanberger told stories of children impacted by Trump’s hard-line immigration strategy and discussed the Americans killed...

The moment Trump’s State of the Union speech changed

At first, President Donald Trump stuck to a largely positive message. But his big speech took a turn about an hour in.

Rep. Mace to Force Vote to Release Misconduct Reports

Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said Wednesday that she plans to force a House vote next week on a resolution requiring the release of sexual misconduct and harassment reports involving members of Congress and their staff.

Clinton accuses GOP voter bill of targeting married women — Republicans call it ‘nonsense’

Hillary Clinton is claiming that Republican voter legislation will make it harder for married women to vote — an assertion GOP lawmakers and officials have already debunked.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Fetterman: No, Seriously – How Do You Not Stand?

Mamdani, Bragg Should Prosecute NYers Pelting Police

A video of New Yorkers pelting police with snowballs on Monday was not all in good fun. Several NYPD officers were injured responding to a large, organized snowball fight in Washington Square Park.

Casey Means, Surgeon General Nominee, Sidesteps Questions on Vaccines at Senate Hearing

Dr. Casey Means, a wellness influencer, author and supporter of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said that “anti-vaccine rhetoric has never been part” of her message.

Spanberger also criticized Trump for “cozying up to … billionaires for ballrooms, putting his name and...

Florida launches probe after Cuba kills 4 aboard US-flagged speedboat near Keys

Florida launches investigation after Cuban government claimed it killed several people aboard U.S.-flagged speedboat near Communist island Tuesday.

State of the Trick: Trump's Mysterious Misdirection

Well, that-as the New York Times reported-was what this speech was all about: attempting to reframe Trump's disastrous ICE policy into a version of the most effective ad of the 2024 campaign. Democrats are for they/them. Trump is for real Americans.

Newsom's Struggle for Everyman Cred

If you've ever enjoyed the lark of visiting a museum dedicated to a single company-say, the Spam Museum (Austin, MN; five stars), the Dr. Pepper Museum and Free Enterprise Institute (Waco, TX; not recommended), or World of Coca-Cola (Atlanta)-you …

Rubio Defends Maduro Ouster to Caribbean Leaders Unsettled by US Policies

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday defended the Trump administration's military operation to capture Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, telling Caribbean leaders, many of whom objected to that move, that the country and the region were better of…

Spanberger Frames Affordability as Democrats' Path Back

The Virginia governor accused the President of deepening an affordability crisis and sowing chaos

Mamdani and AOC Announce Free Child Care for Illegal Aliens

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Friday 13 February — Friday 20 February

CNN Political Briefing

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

'These People Are Crazy' Is Campaign Dems Should Fear

President Donald Trump's State of the Union address included sharp contrasts between his policies and those of the Democratic Party.

Conservative Women Find a New Way to Talk About ICE

When can an influencer opt out of the news cycle?

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.

Trump's 'war on fraud' draws range of reactions during SOTU speech

As President Donald Trump vowed to wage a "war on fraud" during his State of the Union address Tuesday, a panel of voters across the political spectrum had mixed reactions.

Republican AGs Urge DOJ to Scrutinize Netflix-Warner Deal

A coalition of 11 Republican state attorneys general has asked the Justice Department to scrutinize the proposed merger between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery, warning it could result in undue market concentration "to the detriment of American…

The Unfathomable Depths of Blue-State Fraud

What stands out is a new, aggressive willingness to defend, deny or ignore epidemic levels of fraud for reasons of political economy

Vance: WH Pausing Some Medicaid Funds to Minn. Over Concerns About Rampant Fraud

Vice President JD Vance announced Wednesday that the Trump administration would "temporarily halt" some Medicaid funding to Minnesota over fraud concerns, as part of what he described as an aggressive crackdown on misuse of public funds.Vance, wh…

Podcast #325: Why We Need to Talk About Transgender School Shooters

Jonathan Kay speaks with journalist Adam Zivo about the 10 February school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia—a mass murder perpetrated by a trans-identified male gunman who was initially identified by police and journalists as a woman.

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.

Minnesota remains front line in Vance's 'war on fraud'; Walz given 60 days 'to clean up the systems'

Vice President JD Vance announced a temporary halt of Minnesota Medicaid payments after an alleged billion-dollar fraud scandal. Mehmet Oz says it's the largest fraud enforcement ever.

Senate Votes to Fill Seat of Air Safety Official Ousted by Trump

John DeLeeuw, an American Airlines executive, was confirmed to the seat vacated by Alvin Brown, who is suing over his ouster.

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.

Trump’s Iranian Dilemma

President Donald Trump must choose between a military strike on Iran, whose consequences no one can predict, and a deal that would leave the Islamic Republic still able to attack its own citizens, menace Israel, and export terrorism worldwide.

The Artemis Project

The race is on to build a base for permanent human habitation on the Moon.

The Democrats Aren’t Built for This

They say they want to save democracy. First they’ll need to get out of their own way.

The City of Charlotte Continues on Its Proggy Virtue-Signaling Path

Sen. Fetterman to Newsmax: Rare Opportunity to Change Iran

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., told Newsmax on Wednesday that the U.S. has a rare opening to reshape the future of Iran, arguing the regime is at one of its weakest points in decades and that the president must retain flexibility to act.

Terror and Transformation

Southeast Asia in World War II, Part Two: The Japanese Occupation and Its Repercussions

The Disappointment of Young Trump Voters

Americans under 30 swung to the right in 2024, but they’re not getting what they voted for.

A Trucking Drama in Three Parts Played Out on a Missouri Highway Today

San Francisco Liberal Can't Understand Why His City Can't Be Safe and Clean Like Taipei

Biden's FBI subpoenaed Kash Patel's and Susie Wiles' phone records during federal Trump investigation

Special counsel Jack Smith's investigation into Donald Trump included FBI subpoenas of Kash Patel and Susie Wiles' phone records when both were private citizens.

Fact-checkers challenge Trump’s ‘eight wars’ claim, back him on crime

Fact-checkers delivered a mixed verdict on Trump's State of the Union address, confirming immigration claims while disputing voter fraud and Medicaid statements.

Sen. Cotton: Trump Backs FISA Section 702 Extension

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Wednesday that President Donald Trump supports a "simple, clean extension" of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, Politico reports.

Al Green kicked out of State of the Union after holding sign protesting Trump

The Texas Democrat held a sign that read “BLACK PEOPLE ARE NOT APES!” It’s a reference to a video Trump shared on social media this month that depicted Barack and Michelle Obama as apes.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Trump moves to remake Dulles Airport, weighing redesign proposals

The administration is considering plans that include building a new terminal and doing away with the people movers.

In Longest SOTU Ever, Trump Makes His Pitch

Breaking a record he set previously, President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union address in history at a moment when Americans increasingly disapprove of his handling of the economy, have soured on his immigration crackdown, and have …

Legal experts react to Trump’s SCOTUS clash and tariff pivot in fiery SOTU

Trump's State of the Union highlighted his policy priorities such as tariffs and cracking down on violent crime.

Trump Officials Seek to Break Editorial ‘Firewall’ at U.S.-Funded News Agencies

Two federally funded newsrooms received a draft funding agreement that could give President Trump’s appointees the power to veto their new hires for editors in chief and chief executives.

The Republican Party Has a Nazi Problem

How did the GOP become a haven for slogans and ideas straight out of the Third Reich?

Trump’s speech gets a mixed reaction around the world.

For America’s 250th, Should the Coin of Trump’s Realm Be Gold?

A federally appointed committee is pushing back on plans to mint gold currency depicting President Trump.

Elon Musk Cut Russia's Access to Starlink and the Results Were Dramatic

MAGA voter crashes 'scumbag' Dem senator's SOTU boycott speech: 'Go Trump!'

A MAGA supporter crashed Democrats' People's State of the Union counter-event on Tuesday, calling Sen. Murphy a "scumbag" before being escorted out by security staff.

The Buzz in Kristi Noem’s Home State

South Dakota Republicans worry that she might return.

The White House Urges Republicans to Ignore Trump’s Diversions

They will let Trump be Trump, but everyone else needs to stay focused on the economy.

Rep. Ilhan Omar demands investigation after State of the Union guest arrested

Omar said her guest, Aliya Rahman, was “aggressively handled.”

Don't Miss Our MASSIVE State of the Union VIP Sale

Border Is Secure, Crime Is Down, Economy Is Reviving

Trump needed to use his State of the Union address to build confidence in what he's done so far. He succeeded.

Voters react as Trump touts signature tariff plan at State of the Union

Republicans were pleased as Trump spoke during the State of the Union about his plan to continue imposing global tariffs after the Supreme Court dealt his plan a blow.

Trump touts economy, immigration policies in State of the Union address

President Donald Trump delivered the State of the Union address tonight — his first since returning to office for a second term.

Sherrod Brown Is Grinding It Out

The aggressively rumpled former senator from Ohio is back. Will working-class voters follow?

Democrats’ big misfire at State of the Union has GOP strategists salivating: ‘Huge moment’

Republican strategists are salivating over what they perceive as a misfire by the Democratic Party during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

What Mamdani Doesn’t Know About Tenants

Fixing New York’s affordable housing isn’t as simple as going after bad landlords.

Nine Intellectual Virtues

Either universities appoint and promote professors who display and disseminate intellectual virtues, or they reward those who exemplify and cultivate intellectual vices.

David Schoen to Newsmax: Big Names in Epstein Emails Unequal to Guilt

Criminal defense attorney David Schoen, who represented deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, told Newsmax on Wednesday that "many prominent people appear in these emails" tied to Epstein and that "it doesn't mean they did…

Oikophobia and the Crisis of Western Democracy with Shany Mor | Quillette Cetera Ep. 62

An Israeli former National Security Council official examines Australia’s anti-Israel protests, the rise of antizionism in Western academia, and the growing crisis of democratic confidence across the West.

Former top Harris adviser ignites backlash over 'political props' comment targeting USA men's hockey team

Former Harris adviser, Symone Sanders, said the gold medal-winning Olympic USA men's hockey team "allowed themselves to be used as political props" after Trump introduced them

The End of the Middlebrow Movie

Middlebrow movies weren’t just two-hour escape pods, they functioned as a civic glue, a source of shared language, cross-generational references, and indeed, contemporary American myth.

Sen. Marshall to Newsmax: Trump SOTU All About 'Winning'

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., told Newsmax on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's State of the Union address was all about "winning."

4 takeaways from Trump’s State of the Union address

In the face of headwinds, the president defended many of his unpopular policies.

Trump’s Push for Election Power Raises Fears He Will ‘Subvert’ Midterms

The president appears to be undermining Americans’ faith in the outcome, at a moment when Republicans face an uphill climb to keep control of Congress.

Democrats Navigate Their SOTU Response on Live TV

Top Democrats pushed for a strategy of silent defiance. Most followed suit. The ones who didn't largely defined the Democratic response - at least for Republicans.

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.