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

Democrats Should Admire Obama Not Emulate Him

The opening of Barack Obama's presidential library in Chicago this Friday has inspired a new round of conversations around his remarkable rise and presidency.

Giorgia Meloni Unleashes Epic Fury on Trump’s G-7 Antics

The Italian prime minister will not be openly disrespected by the president of the United States.

Democrats Hate America?

The poll also revealed only 27 percent of Democrats plan to fly an American flag this Fourth of July.

Flashback: Democrats Bet on the Wrong Horse in 2008

Let's take a look at the hard data

Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire becomes first test of Trump Iran framework after talks delay

A U.S.-backed ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was set to take effect Friday as talks with Iran scheduled for Switzerland were abruptly postponed.

Philadelphia's D.A. Krasner Keeps Getting Bad News

Trump’s Intelligence Pick Renews Debate: Is the Director of National Intelligence Needed?

The director of national intelligence’s office was created in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. Now some lawmakers want to shrink it.

‘The Illusion of Thinking,’ One Year Later

The fact that there is a mathematical limitation on what computers can do seems intuitive.

Inside Hegseth’s War on Diversity and Blocked Promotions of Women and Black Officers

A Black admiral fixed one of the Navy’s worst messes. Mr. Hegseth blocked his promotion anyway.

Trump defends his Iran deal, criticizes longtime ally Israel as G-7 ends

In a sprawling news conference at the G-7 summit in France, the president touted the economic benefits of the ceasefire and threatened force if it fails.

Maine Democrats reject Platner-backed candidate in blow to scandal-plagued Senate hopeful

Hannah Pingree, the former speaker of the Maine House of Representatives, wins Maine's 2026 Democratic gubernatorial primary, defeating Troy Jackson and a crowded field of challengers.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Spirals of Silence

When a Cease-Fire Is Really a Stalemate

Equilibrium with Iran is the best America can do.

Four Inconvenient Truths About the Conflict in Lebanon

Western political will and good intentions are no match for a complex reality rife with conflicting interests and ideologies.

Minor League Baseball Team Refuses to Wear the Pride Sleeves

SEE IT: Dem senator downplays security threat of illegal immigration after alleged White House terror plot

Sen. Maria Cantwell declined to directly condemn illegal immigration as a national security threat after an alleged terror plot targeting the White House.

The Last Canadian Politician I’d Trust to Police the Internet

Marc Miller spread misinformation about unmarked graves and supports the criminal prosecution of residential-school ‘denialists.’ Why would Mark Carney use him to front his new plan for regulating online content?

The Costs of the Iran War: Thousands of Lives and Billions of Dollars

The human toll and economic costs mounted rapidly after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

Vance Delays Trip to Switzerland for Direct Talks on Iran Deal

Mr. Vance said earlier at a press briefing that he did not know if he would travel to Switzerland on Friday for the talks, where he was initially expected for a signing ceremony.

Iran Cancels Switzerland Talks

Hannah Pingree and Bobby Charles Will Face Off in Maine Governor’s Race

Mr. Charles, a conservative Republican, had led the field ahead of a ranked-choice runoff. But Ms. Pingree, a former Maine House speaker, had been in a tight race with other Democrats.

Nazi-Tatted Creep Has Surprising Take on Law Enforcement: 'Opportunistic Cowards'

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.

Gabbard: Here's How Fauci Helped Cause the COVID Pandemic - And Perjured Himself

Focus on Platner's Policies? He Fails Maine There, Too

Graham Platner's Democratic Senate campaign against Susan Collins faces scrutiny over policies that mirror Augusta's progressive agenda.

Matt Dunlap Wins Democratic House Primary in Maine’s Swing District

Matt Dunlap defeated a candidate backed by the House Democratic campaign arm and is set to face former Gov. Paul LePage, a Republican, in a competitive general election.

Iran Deal Puts Vance in the Hot Seat

Thursday on the RealClearPolitics podcast, Andrew Walworth, Tom Bevan, Carl Cannon, and Phil Wegmann discuss the political fallout from Trump's 14-point MOU to end the war with Iran: does it represent a diplomatic opening or a capitulation? They a…

Abortion Pills Help Men Behave Gravely  

Some updates on men who allegedly attack their unborn children with abortion chemicals.

Italy Doesn’t ‘Beg,’ Giorgia Meloni Tells Trump

President Trump said the Italian leader had “begged” him to take a photo together at the Group of 7 summit in France. The remarks come as their once-friendly relationship has frayed.

Another ‘Elephants Are Persons’ Lawsuit Goes to a State Supreme Court

It only takes one court wanting to make history to shatter the important moral principle of human exceptionalism.

Unions Put Target on My Back for Helping Members Escape

AG Letitia James will soon have sweeping new powers to go after groups like mine for communications she decides falsely impersonate a union.

Vance reveals he has been in touch with Pope Leo amid war disagreements

The vice president described his relationship with Leo as “positive” in a podcast interview.

Trump leaves Netanyahu endorsement hanging with pointed warning ahead of crucial election

Trump dangles endorsement in front of Netanyahu in Israel's upcoming elections, saying he likes Bibi but urging the Israeli leader to be "more rational."

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.

The Top Story at the Washington Post is About Algae

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.

The Destructivists

When the appetite for moral reform becomes an appetite for destruction.

Trump-Meloni spat grows over claim Italian PM 'begged' for photo: 'astonished'

Giorgia Meloni fires back at Trump after he claimed she "begged" for a photo, calling his statements "completely made up" following the G7 summit.

The Miseducation of American Journalists

Understanding what has gone wrong with journalism in the US requires an understanding of what has gone wrong with the country’s journalism schools.

Psych! Mangione's Lawyers Withdraw Psychiatric Defense

Government can’t restrict gun ownership over marijuana use, Supreme Court rules

In a unanimous decision, the justices ruled in favor of a Texas man who was prosecuted under a federal law prohibiting habitual drug users from owning guns.

Our Allies Are Wondering Whether Supporting the American War Machine Is Worth It

Is the Iran war an early sign of “superpower suicide"?

Why Iran and U.S. Could Both Struggle To Keep Deal

More than 100 days after US and Israeli bombs began falling on Iran, both sides are claiming victory - a sign of how much each needed a way out.

NEW: Israel, Hezbollah Agree on Ceasefire, US Says

The Curious Case of the Georgia Primary

It’s worth noting that, in Georgia, the voters remain restive — and unwilling to simply follow the commands of the Establishment.

An Electoral Reckoning at Last?

Benjamin Netanyahu’s unprecedented tenure as Israeli prime minister may be about to end.

Georgia GOP drops redistricting plan that would hurt Black representation

Gov. Brian Kemp had called a special session so Republicans could secure one or more additional House seats in the 2028 elections. But lawmakers pulled the plug.

The Party of the Worker Is Now the Party of the Bureaucrat

The old fight was labour versus capital. The real fight now is between those who create value and those who administer it, and Australia's new budget has picked the wrong side.

Can US Engagement Rescue the United Nations From Irrelevance?

The next UN leader will take office at a time when the international body is experiencing an unprecedented crisis of purpose.

Trump Throws Vance and Rubio Under the Bus

Whoever Trump’s Republican successor is, he’ll be lugging the baggage of Trump’s surrender with him into the next presidential election cycle.

Thursday's Final Word

In California, the Damage of the ‘Billionaire Tax’ Has Already Been Done

There a few possible options for where it goes from here. None of them are good.

My Astonishing Oregon Trail

Along the Oregon coast, the lookout points just keep one-upping each other.

Trump's Kinda Ticked Off as War Rages in Lebanon; Strait Closed for Now

Firm Tied to Trump Donor Got No-Bid Contract to Clean Reflecting Pool

A White House spokeswoman said the president was not involved in selecting Greenwater Services, the business owned by a trust led by John J. Cafaro.

Republican congressman will end monthslong absence from DC after missing 135 roll call votes

Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is set to return to Capitol Hill on June 30 after more than 100 days away due to an undisclosed health issue, his spokesperson confirmed.

The Enemy Within

Iran is not Saudi Arabia’s biggest problem.

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 Platner Has Revealed a Winning Playbook

Voters want someone they trust to change the economic deal

The Data a Flemish TV Network Didn't Want You to See

How I read a confidential memo on live television—and what it reveals about ideological bias.

A Tale of Two Settlements

In the 29th instalment of ‘Nations of Canada,’ Greg Koabel describes the birth of Montreal in 1642; and the Indigenous town of Sillery, where a new kind of native-born Christianity took root.

Dem justices slap Soros-backed Philly DA with power strip in stunning decision: 'Not reliable'

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court, including two Democrat justices, ordered outside scrutiny of Soros-backed DA Larry Krasner's office over unreliable post-conviction concessions in murder cases.

Refunding Planned Parenthood in America?

For Republicans, apparently, it was just to try to get pro-lifers off their backs for a year.

Trump’s Military Budget Hits Snags Amid Questions on Iran War Costs

Republicans and Democrats alike are casting doubt on a push for the largest military budget in history as the administration declines to disclose the cost of the war with Iran.

The Supreme Court’s major cases during the 2025-26 term

The Supreme Court has taken up Trump-related cases in its new term, as well as cases dealing with gay and transgender issues and campaigns.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Vance slams Israeli reaction to Iran deal as U.S. military lifts blockade

The president defended the agreement, but it has been criticized as a return to the prewar status quo.

Trump’s Iran MOU Piles the Illegal atop the Unconstitutional

The INARA statute that presidents use to flout the Constitution’s treaty clause prohibits the Iran sanctions waivers called for by Trump’s MOU.

Kevin O'Leary warns China is winning the AI race because U.S. states are slowing data center production

Kevin O'Leary says building data centers is critical to beating China in the AI race, citing advanced cooling technology and national security concerns.

Vance’s Defense of Iran Deal Rests on Vague and Misleading Claims

The vice president said the United States had leverage to dictate the outcome of the next round of negotiations. But he claimed incorrectly that Iran got no new benefit from the lifting of oil sanctions.

The American Bar Association Drops Its Diversity Decree

The ABA is retreating from its diversity standards in law school accreditation.

Reporter's Notebook: How Trump's surprise move on DNI confirmation upended key Senate deal on FISA

Trump blindsided senators by forcing cancelation of Jay Clayton's DNI hearing and linking FISA renewal to the president's SAVE America Act.

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.

Trump says intelligence chief pick’s hearing is off and Pulte will remain for now

The Senate postponed the hearing after Trump derailed the process. Sen. Tom Cotton said the president directed Jay Clayton, the DNI nominee, not to appear.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

UK Being Swallowed by Its Own Imported Crocodiles

How (and Why) Trump, Thune Relationship Got Even Worse

As important as the Republicans' intraparty fissures are, what's especially important is grappling with why the rupture is growing.

The Man Who Could Keep Colombia's Left in Power

The Pink Tide that first pulled politics leftward throughout much of Latin America in the 2000s took a bit longer to reach Colombia. Dominated for decades by a right-wing ruling class that accepted massive US military aid to carry out bloody campa…

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.

Senate targets Hegseth’s travel in standoff over apparent Iran school attack, boat strikes

Frustrated lawmakers are increasing pressure on the defense secretary to get answers they’ve sought for months.

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…

The Biggest Scandal That Legacy Media Won't Touch

On April 29, 2026, as Chairman of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, I held a hearing and released a report titled "Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals." There …

Walz approval rating craters to lowest level ever and trails Trump amid massive fraud scandal: 'Tired of it'

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's approval rating drops to 39%, falling below President Trump's 42% in the state amid a massive fraud scandal under his watch.

Demining the Strait of Hormuz

Our reporter John Ismay, who served as a Navy explosive ordnance disposal officer and deep-sea diver for eight years, explains why mines in the Strait of Hormuz may outlast the war.

Benedict Beckeld on Oikophobia, Islam, and the Crisis of Western Identity | Quillette Cetera Episode 66

Philosopher Benedict Beckeld speaks with Zoe Sankey about oikophobia, the decline of the West, Islam's incompatibility with Western values, and why civilisations at the height of their power sow the seeds of their own undoing.

Iran Announces Persian Gulf Strait Authority, Sets Stage for Tolls

WATCH: Would-be second-term President Biden left searching for family on stage after Obama Center opening

Biden sparked an awkward moment at Obama's presidential library dedication, drifting back toward the stage and shouting for his granddaughter.

How the stock market became Trump’s most favored adviser

Trump has increasingly treated the stock market as a real-time referendum on his presidency, citing market gains as justification for many consequential decisions.

Gabbard spotlights Fauci, COVID-origin questions in final act as intelligence chief amid succession fight

Tulsi Gabbard released documents claiming Anthony Fauci exerted undue influence over the intelligence community's COVID-19 origins investigation.

Turning Military Victory Into Strategic Leverage

Trump's Iran deal turns military victory into strategic leverage-ending the war on American terms while keeping maximum pressure on Tehran to comply.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day