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

As Iran war drags on, midterm forecasts for Republicans get even worse

The GOP was already bracing for a tough election, but with the ceasefire in doubt, gas prices are likely to stay high, and voters’ economic outlook is dismal.

The MAGA Intellectual Who Prophesied a Queen Melania

An ally of J. D. Vance who has dabbled in monarchism is now working for Viktor Orbán.

New WH Report Outlines Fix to US Housing Shortage

White House economists estimate the United States has a shortage of 10 million houses, according to a new report out Monday — and say regulatory cuts could lead to more construction to stabilize prices, increase homeownership, and fuel faster econ…

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.

Hungary's Election Sends a Jolting Message - To Dems

The defeat of Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, should deliver a sharp jolt to one of America's two major political parties.

Judge Dismisses Trump's Lawsuit Against WSJ Over Reporting on Epstein Ties

A federal judge dismissed President Donald Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch on Monday over a story on his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Viktor Orban Has Fallen

Viktor Orban, the European Union's only autocrat, has fallen.

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…

Is There Really a GOP Civil War Going On?

Ginned up by social-media influencers, the so-called right-wing civil war has little connection to MAGA voters' concerns.

CNN Political Briefing

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

The California Governor's Race is a Train Wreck (and Trump Should Make It Worse)

1979 Is the Year That Explains Donald Trump

And pretty much all of the 1980s do too.

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…

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.'

After Swalwell Craters, CA GOP Jubilant but Divided

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign implosion on Friday couldn't have been better timing for California Republicans.

The State That Could Decide Trump’s Gerrymandering War

Democrats want Virginians to aggressively gerrymander the state.

Dems Hurt All Women By Covering for Swalwell for Years

What happened to Eric Swalwell, who suspended his campaign for California on Sunday, was not a reckoning over gross behavior.

Lawmakers put expulsion threats atop House agenda as return sets up high-stakes week

Multiple members of Congress are expected to face potential expulsion votes this week amid allegations of sexual assault, ethics violations and financial misconduct.

Trump’s Purge May Be Just Beginning

After Pam Bondi’s ouster, other top administration officials could be in jeopardy.

Artemis II Mission Offers Inspiring Unity for a Deeply Divided Nation

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.

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.

Why Trump Will Win the War With Iran

Unless he suddenly loses practically all of the instincts and tactical astuteness that got him where he is, President Trump will win the Iran war. It may be that it will have proved a mistake to go to negotiations, but as the president has made cl…

Addressing the Academic Skew

Higher education needs intellectual—not political—conservatives.

After Charlie Kirk’s Death, a Fight for the Youth Vote

A fledgling Democratic group and the far-right white nationalist Nick Fuentes seek to make gains on college campuses that have recently been dominated by Turning Point USA.

AOC Weighs White House Run in 2028

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is quietly laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid while working to shore up support among skeptical progressives who have increasingly questioned her ideological commitment and political …

The simple tax habit that could save you thousands over your lifetime

Filing your taxes early can mean faster refunds, fewer errors and better fraud protection, according to Jackson Hewitt's chief tax officer Mark Steber.

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.

To Open the Strait of Hormuz, Trump Wants to Blockade Iran. Experts Are Skeptical.

President Trump’s announcement of a U.S. blockade was his latest effort to pressure Iran to negotiate after direct talks over the weekend did not yield an agreement.

Pope responds to president’s insults: ‘I have no fear of the Trump administration’

The president wrote that the first U.S.-born pope, who has criticized the Iran war, was “weak” and “terrible” on crime and foreign policy.

New disclosures reveal how DOGE actually worked

Depositions offer insight into what Elon Musk’s group was up to. Members describe a club-like atmosphere in which they slashed agencies with little oversight.

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.

Declassified Docs Raise Questions on Trump Whistleblower

Newly declassified documents are raising fresh questions about the whistleblower complaint that triggered President Donald Trump's first impeachment in 2019.

Intel Officials Scramble to Renew Surveillance Law Amid Iran War

With days remaining before a key U.S. surveillance authority expires, national security officials are warning of potential intelligence gaps that could emerge at a critical moment as the Trump Administration navigates a fragile ceasefire with Iran…

The 2026 Races Giving Dems New Hope in the South

When you're on the crest of an electoral "wave," all sorts of wonderful things seem possible. That's increasingly true for Democrats as they prepare for the 2026 midterms.

The AI you use every day is biased — and it’s quietly shaping your worldview, new report says

AI models show a center-left ideological bias across the spectrum, according to an America First Policy Institute report on AI transparency and safety.

Pope Leo says he's unafraid of the Trump admin after president calls him 'terrible' on foreign policy

Pope Leo XIV fires back at President Trump, saying his calls for peace are rooted in the Gospel and should not be treated as a political argument.

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.

Swalwell Out; Democrats Admit Everybody Knew for Years

How Did California Dems Let Swalwell Get This Far, Anyway?

I started hearing the swirling Eric Swalwell rumors a couple of weeks ago. There were stories coming, and they were going to be bad. Well they came, all right-and they were very bad indeed. The excellent San Francisco Chronicle article detailing S…

Jeffries: Dems Will Finish Gerrymander Fight GOP Started

The Virginia redistricting battle could be the difference between Democrats controlling the House of Representatives next year.

The IOC Is Protecting Female Athletics. Canada’s Secretary of State for Sport Isn’t Happy About It

On his Facebook page, Adam van Koeverden accused the IOC’s defenders of channelling ‘stupid conservative pseudo fantasies.’

Iran: A Blockade? That's An Act of War!

J. D. Vance Is Definitely Against Foreign Election Interference

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

Letters to the Editor

27 March – 3 April 2026

Elevating Evil People to Own Trump Is SOP

Hegseth’s War on America’s Military

Someone needs to explain the Pentagon purges to the American people.

GBAO Poll Shows Narrow Margins in Iowa Races

A new poll from a Democratic-aligned group shows narrow margins across Iowa's major races, with Republicans holding leads in federal contests and a Democrat ahead in the governor's race.

Senate Republicans race to fund ICE, CBP without Democrats as shutdown drags on

Senate Republicans are pushing to fund immigration enforcement through reconciliation by June, bypassing Democrats amid an ongoing DHS shutdown battle.

Oil Surge Sparks Recession Fears Amid Iran Crisis

The rise in oil prices has economists worried about a potential recession.A sharp surge in crude prices tied to the conflict with Iran is flashing warning signs for the U.S. economy, with experts cautioning that prolonged disruptions could trigger…

AI and the Wiki Wars

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

The EU Was Popping the Corks in Brussels Over Hungary Last Night

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.

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.

US military conducts more deadly strikes against vessels of alleged 'narco-terrorists'

SOUTHCOM says two deadly strikes targeted vessels on known narcotrafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific, killing five alleged narcoterrorists.

Hormuz Blockade a Throwdown U.S. Can't Win

A commentary argues that US President Donald Trump may be underestimating Irans leverage in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that a blockade is more likely to deepen conflict than force concessions. It says energy blockades are acts of war, slow to t…

Rohmer at Camelot

Éric Rohmer’s Perceval le Gallois (1978) vividly recreates the imaginative world in which the people of the Middle Ages lived inside their heads.

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 Conciliator

Why did Gretchen Whitmer go soft on Trump?

Hungary’s Viktor Orban, ally of Trump and Putin, concedes election defeat

WIth record turnout, Hungarians chose to end the 16-year rule of the prime minister who was a self-proclaimed champion of illiberal Christian democracy.

Melania Trump’s Epstein remarks turn up the heat on DOJ, Acting AG Todd Blanche to do more

Melania Trump's appeal for Congress to hear from Jeffrey Epstein survivors is adding pressure on the DOJ and its new acting director as lawmakers and alleged victims demand more action.

Trump Attacks Pope Leo as Too Liberal and ‘Weak on Crime’

President Trump’s lengthy post on social media showed there were really no boundaries when it comes to people he might target, including the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

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.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Trump Is Denounced -- Even by Some Republicans -- Over the 'War of Choice'

Podcast #332: The Historical Case for Israel

In a new book, US District Court Judge Roy Altman traces Jews’ indigenous presence in the holy land over the last 3,231 years.

Sunday Smiles

Swalwell suspends campaign for Calif. governor amid sexual misconduct claims

Several Democratic and Republican lawmakers said they would be in favor of voting to expel Swalwell, as well as Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), who both face misconduct allegations.

Catholic Leaders Defend Pope and Criticize Trump After Harsh Attacks

A prominent conservative bishop who serves on President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission was among those who called on the president to apologize.

Democrats build midterm momentum, but Republicans still in driver's seat in Senate majority battle

The nonpartisan Cook Political Report predicts Democrats could gain one to three Senate seats but says reclaiming the majority is still a tall order for the party.

Trump Betting Economic Pressure Can Do What Bombs Couldn't

"There you have it, the meeting went well," declared the Great Narrator a few hours after Saturday's marathon, 21-hour negotiation with Iran ended. "Most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not."

Under attack by their own congressman

Muslims in Rep. Chip Roy’s Texas district react to their Republican congressman’s campaign against Islam with concern — and eye-rolls.

Lambasting Pope Leo, Trump risks alienating conservative Catholics

Veteran church observers say an open war of words between a pope and a U.S. president is unprecedented.

Voters grill Republican lawmaker in crucial swing district on Iran war

The conflict has animated voters in the suburban swing district of Republican Rep. Mike Lawler ahead of the midterm elections.

Trump: IRGC Fast Attack Ships That Approach Blockade Will Be 'Eliminated'

President Donald Trump on Monday warned Iran that its "fast attack ships" will be "immediately eliminated" if they approach the Strait of Hormuz blockade. Trump used Truth Social to say Iran's naval capabilities have already been largely destroyed.

Donald Trump Pulls The Wabbit Season Trick On the Iranian Regime

Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable

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

Trump Takes Down Post Depicting Himself as a Jesus-Like Figure

The image, which President Trump shared on Truth Social shortly after criticizing Pope Leo, depicted him as a divine leader healing the sick.

An Oligarchy of Old People

How elderly Americans amassed disproportionate wealth and power

Trump Admin Agrees to Keep Flying Rainbow Pride Flag at New York's Stonewall Monument

The Trump administration agreed Monday to keep flying a rainbow Pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, reversing course after removing the banner in February. The government revealed the decision as it seeks to settle a lawsuit...

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

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

She Testified About Being Raped. Then ICE Showed Up.

Immigration officers are making arrests in sensitive locations, including family court.

How JD Vance Tried and Failed to End the War in Iran That He Opposed

Vice President JD Vance led the highest-level talks between the United States and Iran in nearly 50 years.

Trump post appearing to depict him as Jesus removed amid backlash

Before the post was deleted, evangelical and Catholic allies called the image blasphemous in a rare public break from a base that has largely stood by Trump.

Viktor Orbán Could Actually Lose

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

Judge dismisses Trump’s lawsuit against Wall Street Journal over Epstein drawing

A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump that claimed that the Wall Street Journal defamed him by publishing a drawing of a naked woman it said Trump contributed to a birthday gift for Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump’s Erratic Behavior and Extreme Comments Revive Mental Health Debate

As the president threatens to wipe out Iran and attacks the pope, even some former allies and advisers are questioning whether he has grown increasingly unbalanced, describing him as “lunatic” and “clearly insane.”

Snubbed by Trump, GOP candidates fighting for re-election act like they have his backing anyway

Republican incumbents facing primary challenges are leaning into Trump imagery in campaign ads, even when the president has endorsed their rivals.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Soros-backed prosecutor set for Capitol Hill grilling as sanctuary policies face reckoning

Steve Descano agrees to testify before Congress as House Republicans probe Fairfax County sanctuary policies following a murder linked to immigration.

Trump announces naval blockade of Iran after Islamabad talks yield no deal

The blockade could derail a tenuous ceasefire after just five days. Vice President JD Vance said the U.S. remains open to diplomacy if Iran takes “our final and best offer.”

Report: US Sets 6 Red Lines as Iran Nuclear Talks Stall

The United States' six "red line" demands in talks with Iran largely centered on the regime's nuclear ambitions, according to the Washington Examiner.

Trump Says Gas Prices Might Not Drop By Midterms, Highlighting G.O.P. Peril

The president has sent mixed messages on how long he expects costs to be high. Some in his party voiced fresh concern after his comments on Sunday.

For Months, Pope Avoided Clash With Trump. Now He’s Clapping Back.

President Trump lashed out on Sunday night at Pope Leo XIV, who responded hours later by saying he would continue to oppose war.

White House says it’s boosting affordability through physician reforms

A new report distills the Trump administration’s strategy as officials jockey to shape health care messages ahead of this year’s midterm elections.

Why the U.S. Blockade Will Force Iran To Fold

The U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would cost Iran approximately $276M/day in lost exports and disrupt $159M/day in imports, a combined economic damage of ~$435M/day, or $13B/month.

Obama CIA chief under DOJ scrutiny pushes fringe Trump ouster plan

Ex-CIA Director John Brennan calls for Trump's removal via the 25th Amendment, citing concerns over his Truth Social threats toward Iran as unlawful.

How Al Sharpton Sized Up the Potential 2028 Democrats at His Convention

In an interview with The New York Times, the Rev. Al Sharpton reflected on the performances of 10 Democrats who spoke and explained why two did not.

Rep. Alford to Newsmax: Congress Should Leave Swalwell's Fate to Ethics Panel

Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., told Newsmax he would support expelling Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., if the House Committee on Ethics recommends that step, arguing Congress should follow the regular-order process as sexual misconduct allegations against…

Tom Friedman: Iran Is Awful But...I Want Orange Man and Bibi to Lose

Iran Blockade Sets Up a Test of Which Side Can Endure More Pain

President Trump is trying to choke off the country’s lifeline with a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. But the Iranians are betting that his tolerance for political pain is limited.

CBS Poll: Few Americans See Clear US Goals or Progress in Iran

A majority of Americans don't believe U.S. goals in Iran have been clearly defined or achieved, according to a new CBS News poll, underscoring skepticism about the direction of the conflict.

What Viktor Orbán's Concession Reveals

NEW: Begun, the Battle Of Hormuz Has

Trump warns China of ‘big problems’ over Iran weapons as Xi summit nears

President Trump warns China of "big problems" if it supplies air defense systems to Iran amid reports of potential MANPADS transfers to Tehran.

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.

Germany’s Cozy Catastrophe

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

Swalwell’s Fall Punctuates Woes of Democrats in California, of All Places

Democrats have struggled to find a candidate for governor who can capture the imagination of voters in one of their most important strongholds.