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

Dangerous Liaisons and the #MeToo Wars

Nearly 250 years on, Laclos’s novel of seduction and treachery continues to scandalise.

WATCH: AOC lashes out at Trump for 'betrayal' of voters after key SCOTUS immigration rulings

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez accuses Trump of 'betrayal' after Supreme Court allows his administration to end TPS protections for Haitian and Syrian migrants.

'The COVID Made Me Do It'

Grim Report: Euthanasia of a Child in the Netherlands

Is this where the West is headed?

Rubio’s new job? Selling Trump’s Iran deal to a worried Gulf.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Arab Gulf leaders to reassure them that U.S. isn’t cutting them out of negotiations with Tehran.

Twelve-Year-Old Euthanized in the Netherlands: Not a First

If lethal jabs or prescribed poison become forms of ‘medical treatment,’ for how long will children and babies be excluded from eligibility?

SEE IT: SNAP advocate defends taxpayer-funded Coca-Cola in fiery exchange with GOP lawmaker on waste

Rep. Brandon Gill sparred with a SNAP policy advocate over whether taxpayer-funded food benefits should pay for sugary sodas like Coca-Cola.

How Trump Wants to Upend Voting in America

President Trump is demanding that Congress pass the SAVE America Act to change American elections. Our national politics reporter Nick Corasaniti looks at what’s in it.

John Bolton, Former Trump Adviser, Pleads Guilty in Classified Information Case

Mr. Bolton admitted to mishandling classified information and could face time in prison, in an inquiry that spanned the Trump and Biden administrations.

Agency and Adaptation

Humans have not merely been shaped by evolution—we have shaped it too, through the environments we chose to inhabit and the lives we chose to lead.

Pro-MAGA Groups Spur Trump Push For Cultural Change In Schools

One nonprofit, Defending Education, initiated nearly a dozen civil rights investigations targeting diversity programs and transgender policies.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Obama Says He Occupies a ‘Suite’ in Trump’s Head

Former President Barack Obama says President Trump has an obsession with him and that Mr. Trump “knows better” than to say “crazy stuff” to his face.

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.

Dr. Biden and Summer Reading

I think I’m moving her book out of my to-read pile.

Migrants not entitled to apply for asylum while standing on Mexico side of border, Supreme Court rules

The 6-3 decision clears the way for the Trump administration to resume allowing federal agents at the border to turn back asylum seekers before they enter.

The Mike DeWine Story: RINOs Don't Read No Stinkin' Rooms

Socialist election wins spawn wider identity questions for Democrats

Tuesday’s primary victories for a slate of leftist candidates endorsed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani foretell bigger battles for a Democratic Party trying to win back power nationally.

Don't Let Trump Empower Blanche, His Modern-Day Roy Cohn

"Where's my Roy Cohn?" President Trump famously asked in his first term, angrily despairing at not having an attorney general who'd serve his interests, no holds barred, just as Trump's reptilian mentor and fixer Cohn had done for clients from the…

Iran Didn't Win

Much of Washington has greeted the Iran cease-fire deal with scorn. After more than three months of war, the United States and Israel failed to achieve many of their objectives, which included overthrowing the regime in Tehran and ending a potenti…

'It's a mess': GOP turns on House conservatives as voter ID blockade stalls Trump's agenda

House conservatives' push to force Senate action on the SAVE America Act has stalled the chamber, drawing sharp backlash from fellow Republicans.

DSA Stands for Free Stuff, Less Work and No Cops

'Damning silence': Swing-seat Democrat stays quiet after AOC voices support

Rep. Mike Lawler demanded Democrat Cait Conley answer for AOC's support amid her silence on socialist candidates who want to abolish ICE.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Vance Downplays Watergate and Compares Himself to Nixon

The vice president said that the scandal that ended Richard Nixon’s presidency would be “like a 12-hour news story” if it happened today and that the “deep state” had taken down Nixon.

Supreme Court’s TPS Ruling Capped a Long Campaign by Immigration Hard-Liners

“This is a victory 10 years in the making,” a White House official said after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could end deportation protections for some migrants.

Mainstream Media Ignores COVID Vaccine Cover-Up

A Senate report on COVID-19 vaccine safety alleges federal officials ignored warning signs, fueling renewed debate over transparency and informed consent.

Democratic socialists cemented power in New York. Next, the rest of the country?

The Democratic Socialists of America won with support outside their usual base. Winning outside New York may be a different challenge.

Mobilizing to Help Venezuela

Inside Trump’s plans for retribution and other lesser-known allegations in ‘Regime Change’

A new book from two Washington reporters reveals what took place inside the White House after President Donald Trump’s return to power.

Clinton judge orders DOJ to unseal the Epstein files it has been keeping hidden

A federal judge ordered the Justice Department to release more un-redacted Jeffrey Epstein records or justify redactions by July 2 deadline.

Freedom Con: Thousands of Men Gather for Christianity and Feats of Strength

Thousands of men and boys gathered in central Washington for masculinity, Christianity and right-wing politics.

Say, I’m Starting to Think These Iranian Mullahs Might Not Be Trustworthy

I know this is going to shock you, but the Iranian mullahs are breaking their promises.

Perceptions of Weakness

In his panic-stricken effort to disentangle America from the Middle Eastern mess, Trump now appears to be falling into line with Tehran’s wishes.

Get Us to $50,000 by Midnight

We are asking for your help to get to $50,000 by midnight so we can keep up the momentum in our webathon as we head toward the holiday week.

Johnson Says He Will Send Housing Bill to Trump

After meeting with the president, the speaker said he would send him a housing bill that Mr. Trump declined to sign this week. There was no word on whether he would sign it.

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 abruptly cancels signing of bipartisan bill on affordable housing

The president posted on social media that the signing was off until the Senate passes his election integrity bill. It is unclear whether he intends to kill the housing bill.

Supreme Court Drama Between Justice Alito and Justice Sotomayor

After 250 Years, America's Republic Is Coming Apart

The crisis we face today is existential. Too many Americans, both native-born and naturalized, have been taught to despise their country.

Ex-Trump official John Bolton pleads guilty to 1 of 18 counts in classified docs indictment

As expected, former National Security Advisor John Bolton pleaded guilty to retaining classified documents and his sentencing is set for October.

WATCH: McCarthy says Trump will use 'everything he can' to force Senate action on SAVE America Act

Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he supports the SAVE America Act and backs Trump's push to pressure the Senate to pass the election bill.

Dems in Panic Mode, GOP 'in Revolt'

Thursday, June 25th on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Contributor Richard Porter

New York AG Letitia James, of All People, Attacked Zohran Mamdani's Radicals

Collusion and Hypocrisy in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado

Dissecting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s lone dissent.

Trump: Erdogan Wanted to Help Iran, Now He Gets His Reward

The Great Canadian Unmarked-Graves Social Panic (2021–2026)

Mia Hughes and Stella O’Malley of the ‘Beyond Gender’ podcast interview Quillette’s Jonathan Kay about the progressive ideological manias spawned during the Justin Trudeau years.

Hegseth thwarted internal efforts to extend key Army general’s career

Gen. Christopher Donahue, seen as a top warfighter, is the latest apparent casualty in a purge of senior military leaders by the Trump administration.

White House seeks additional $88 billion from Congress for Iran war, other priorities

The request mostly includes money for the Pentagon, with $67 billion going toward replenishing the military’s stocks of munitions and the cost of sending so many forces to the Middle East.

Spider-Noir: A Surprise from the Shadows of Depression-Era New York

I don’t know if we’ll be getting a second season of Spider-Noir, but I’m grateful for the existence of this one.

In Europe, Tesla Sales Are Rising Despite Views on Elon Musk

Price cuts and low-interest-rate loans are luring buyers, including people offended by the company’s chief executive.

Sean Penn and the Anti-Communist Christian Martyrs

Socialism vs capitalism: House Dems clash over what NY election results mean for party

House Democrats are divided after far-left socialist candidates swept key New York primary races, sparking debate over the party's ideological future.

How Evil Are They? Student Group Celebrates Terrorist Who Burned Woman Alive in Colorado

NY Times Fashion Critic: MAGA is Pro-Pregnancy

Let Students Benefit from the Study of Literature

Academic leaders who want to revive flagging English departments ought to remember why we read literature at all.

Military Leaders Sought Flu Vaccination Program Weeks Before Outbreak Hit Base

Officials anticipated a problem soon after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lifted the vaccine requirement in April.

Supreme Court Backs White House on Asylum Claims, TPS

In two ideologically split rulings that could affect millions, justices say the administration can deport some migrants and turn others away at the border.

Muslim Mamdani-backed socialist primary winner suggested America deserved 9/11 in unearthed video

Aber Kawas, NYC Democratic nominee backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, faces backlash over resurfaced clip appearing to suggest America deserved 9/11.

State of Failure

Trump ignored Clausewitz, and disaster ensued.

The Black Codes Are a Cautionary Tale, Not a Useful Precedent

The Black Codes were such a prominent part of Hawaii’s argument because there were so few other straws to grasp.

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…

How Trump’s Political Agenda Is Shaped by His Own Obsessions

President Trump’s priorities seem increasingly detached from the concerns of voters and his party.

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…

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.

The Democratic Civil War Is On, and the DSA Is Winning Big at the Moment

Fraud Crackdown an Easy Win for Trump

Donald Trump's full-scale war on fraud is the kind of low-hanging fruit that populists know how to pick. Yesterday, the Trump Justice Department charged 455 people, including 90 doctors, involved in fraud schemes totalling an alleged $6.5 billion.…

How Brexit Made Britain European

Keir Starmer is just the latest victim of a political reality created by Brexit—one that has, counterintuitively, turned Britain into a European country.

China’s Last Moonshot

China’s ghost cities are like a mocking glimpse of the Chinese century we were told to expect, and for which we are still waiting.

Pregnant Women in the Spotlight

Usha Vance didn’t miss a beat in responding to a strange story in the New York Times focusing on maternity fashions in the Trump White House.

Breaking Down the SAVE America Act: Photo ID

With the midterm elections rapidly approaching and polls showing Republicans in serious trouble with voters, they have become frantic to pass the SAVE America Act. Twenty-five House members are now promising to vote no on everything until the act …

Small Plane Strikes Beijing Skyscraper

How Europe Became the World Champion of Heat Deaths

The continent with the lowest number of hot days leads the world in heat mortality. Europe’s self-inflicted aversion to air conditioning betrays a deeper hostility to energy and to progress itself.

How About We Just Play Baseball?

Athletes have every right to reject Pride symbols that—as activists themselves loudly insist—signify an increasingly radicalised set of ‘queer’ political demands.

Confirm Todd Blanche at Justice

He is well-qualified and will run the department as well as anyone could under President Trump.

Democratic socialist won N.Y. primary despite scrutiny over inflammatory posts

Darializa Avila Chevalier, a first-time candidate who unseated a House Democrat, has spent years advocating for Palestinians.

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.

Iran’s Tests of Trump Will Keep Coming, and They’re Going to Get Worse

Since April 8, Iran’s bayonets have encountered only mush. As the axiom dictates, we can expect that the Islamic Republic will keep pushing.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Perceptions of Weakness

Trump nominates Chris Klomp for HHS deputy secretary, calls him 'a potential STAR'

President Donald Trump announces that he is nominating Chris Klomp to for the role of deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Trump Issues Order to Reduce Pesticides in Food as Kennedy Allies Fume

The order, which calls for studying the health risks of pesticides in the food supply, does not involve new federal funding, and does not call for regulations or legislation.

White House condemns 'targeted sabotage' of reflecting pool as repairs pushed past July 4 celebration

The National Park Service plans to drain the reflecting pool after Independence Day to repair damage from alleged vandalism, including cut sealant.

It’s Just Another Isolated Incident

Melat Kiros enjoys the endorsement of both the Denver-area DSA and the national DSA.

The Crisis in the Humanities Is Not About Money

Critical theory did not merely politicise scholarship. It made scholarship easier to produce.

WATCH: Kellyanne Conway insists socialist primary victories don't reflect American values nationwide

Kellyanne Conway says Democratic primary wins reflect only a handful of specific districts and do not signal a broader political shift nationwide.

Clarence Thomas's Constitutional Firepower

The restoration of the Second Amendment began with a lone concurrence in 1997.

The Art of Looking

A tribute to David Hockney (1937–2026).

Trump Turns Congress' Housing Boom Bill Into a Bust

The president can't fathom the point of Congress passing a law that doesn't provide instant results and gratification.

Socialism Is Thriving in New York. This Is a Good Thing

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's candidates won because they were good candidates with the backing of a popular mayor.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day