Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

more info

Today's Headlines

Trump weighs more Cabinet changes, but wants to avoid ‘massive shake-up’

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer are vulnerable, officials said. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard appears more secure.

A Meat Plant Closed in Nebraska. Then Politics Became a Focus for These Latinos

Politically disconnected young men, especially Latinos, helped fuel President Trump’s victory, but in this economy, they could move to unconventional candidates like Dan Osborn in Nebraska.

AI Is Not About To Become Sentient

Most of today’s “artificial intelligence” is better described as artificial autocomplete than artificial mind.

Someday in Tehran

The heartbreak of hoping for a democratic Iran

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.

Judge Pauses Trump Demand for Student Race Data in 17 States

The Trump administration had said it would collect data from colleges to ensure compliance with a Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action in admissions.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Not So Fast, Bill Maher

The comedian was set to receive the Twain Prize before a sudden reversal of course.

DHS slams Democrat Sen Chris Van Hollen claim, says illegal alien caused crash while fleeing ICE

DHS pushes back on Sen. Van Hollen's claims about an asylum seeker, saying the man allegedly evaded ICE officers and caused a crash in Baltimore.

Searching for Structure

An autistic writer tries to make sense of his passion for trains, maps, and timetables.

F-15 WSO Recovered After Special Forces Battle IRGC, Says Al Jazeera

Trump threatens Iran with ‘Hell’ over Strait of Hormuz in profane post

Trump escalated threats against Iran’s power plants, bridges and other infrastructure in an expletive-laden post on Truth Social on Easter morning.

Todd Blanche takes on DOJ’s top job and the burden of Trump’s expectations

After Trump ousted Pam Bondi, her deputy is set to lead the department — and take on many of the same challenges.

Love and Theft

Luc Besson’s romantic adaptation of the Dracula story owes an unacknowledged debt to Eiko Ishioka, the visionary designer of Francis Cord Coppola’s 1992 classic.

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.

El Al Halts Flights as Israel Limits Airport Traffic

El Al, Israel's flagship airline, on Sunday canceled all regularly scheduled flights through April 18 as the Transportation Ministry extended restrictions on passenger and flight departures from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv amid the conflict wit…

What Exactly Is the Purpose of NATO in the Year 2026?

A de facto pro forma: Why Washington fixated on these sessions as the DHS shutdown dragged on through a recess

Why pro forma sessions dominated Washington this week as the House and Senate struggled to align on a DHS funding bill during the shutdown drama.

America Is Used to Hiding Its Wars. Trump Is Doing the Opposite.

The administration’s videos are possible only in a country that asks little from its people beyond their YouTube clicks.

Federal judge blocks Trump push to collect race-based admissions data

A federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked the Trump administration from forcing public colleges in 17 Democrat-led states to submit race data.

CONFIRMED!!! F-15 Weapons Systems Officer Rescued After Massive Firefight; UPDATED WITH DETAILS

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Pope Leo Pushes Back vs. Trump, Hegseth's Jesus

When Pete Hegseth asks Jesus for

The Manosphere Turns on Trump

How many times can a coalition crack before it shatters?

Doomscrolling into Adulthood

Reflections on the crisis of meaning afflicting not only Gen Z but all of us who are too online.

Eddy to Newsmax: Iran Can Claim Victory by Simply Surviving

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Chris Eddy on Saturday cast doubt on the feasibility of a rapid end to the current conflict involving Iran, cautioning that predicting a firm timeline for military objectives is inherently uncertain.

Trump issues order attempting to change rules for mail-in voting

The order calls for limiting mail ballots and using federal data to compile lists of eligible voters – moves experts say exceed his constitutional authority.

Report: More Americans Are Climbing Income Ladder

The share of Americans in the middle class has declined over the past four decades, but not because families are falling behind.

The Tragicomic Death Throes of Canada’s (Former) Workers’ Party

The New Democratic Party, which once championed the country’s unions, is now in the hands of a radicalised anti-Israel activist who wants to nationalise grocery sales and shut down oil production.

TEVI TROY: Trump faces the burdens of a wartime presidency

How war reshapes the presidency: Trump's conflict with Tehran mirrors the experiences of Wilson, FDR, Johnson and Bush as wartime leaders, experts say.

Trump admin urges restoring ballroom construction in emergency motion: 'Time is of the essence'

Trump administration files emergency motion to overturn a judge's ruling halting White House ballroom construction, citing security and safety concerns.

Maybe Trump Should Not Have Given This Speech

His address raised more questions than it answered about the war in Iran.

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.

In Hungarian election, Trump and Putin are backing Viktor Orban

Viktor Orban, who has built strong ties to the MAGA movement and the Kremlin, faces a tough electoral challenge from center-right candidate Peter Magyar on April 12.

Inside the daring rescue of airman behind enemy lines: How CIA assisted with 'deception campaign'

U.S. military rescued a seriously wounded F-15 crew member from deep inside Iran's mountains in what Trump called an amazing show of bravery and talent.

Friday's Final Word

What Australia Can Learn from Israel’s Assimilation Success

The Bondi massacre is a warning that Australia’s failure to demand integration from recent immigrants may be leading it down a dark path. Israel shows that multiculturalism can work, but only in a nation with a strong sense of identity.

He Is Risen: A Happy and Blessed Easter to All Our Hot Air Readers!

Easter Proves God Still Overcomes the Impossible for Us

From Noah building an ark before rain ever fell to Peter's restoration, this Easter reflection explores how God works through impossible circumstances.

Here's What America Will Look Like if Dems Retake Power

Four seats. That's all Democrats need. Here's what a full sweep looks like - and why Republicans may not recover.

Trump proposes $10B fund for D.C. construction, beautification projects

The planned Presidential Capital Stewardship Program would help renovate parks and infrastructure, as Trump works to remake a city he has derided as “dirty.”

Public Anger Is Rising

Even TMZ is channeling the national discontent.

New Attorney General, Same Albatross: Trump’s Quest for Retribution

The name atop the Justice Department’s organizational chart matters less than the presence of a president whose demands for revenge have become so extreme that even his most obsequious appointees have fallen short.

Buffett Unsure If He Will Donate to Gates Foundation After Epstein Revelations

Chairman and former CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett said he has not spoken to Bill Gates since his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were revealed.

A War That Went Awry

Seen from a long-term angle, all three protagonists in this war risk emerging as losers. Without a clear regime change in Tehran, neither Trump nor Netanyahu could justify the huge cost in treasure and prestige of this war. A fishtail outcome would

How the Corrupt Beltway Media Machine Works

The interests of politicians and journalists used to look like a Venn diagram: divergent with small overlap. Now that picture is a circle.

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.

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…

Two U.S. warplanes shot down; search ongoing in Iran for 1 missing crew member

An F-15 fighter jet and an A-10 attack plane were lost to hostile fire. Two search-and-rescue helicopters also were hit, injuring the crews, before safely returning to their base, officials said.

Podcast #331: The Ayatollahs’ Assassins

Iona Italia talks to Roya Hakakian about her book ‘Assassins of the Turquoise Palace’ and the past and present crimes of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Trump Contemplates Other Cabinet Changes as He Faces Political Clock

With the midterms approaching, the president may be running out of time to get new cabinet members confirmed without bipartisan support.

The Intellectual Right Is Mad at the Mess It’s Made

Conservatives are criticizing influencers for going too far.

Donald Trump Is Nothing Like Robert Mueller

The absurdity of a man who avoided Vietnam due to “bone spurs” dancing on the grave of a decorated combat veteran

NYPD: 55% of All Hate Crimes in 2026 Were Antisemitic

New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said over half of all confirmed hate crimes committed in the city in the first quarter of this year were antisemitic.

You Don't Own Me

Trump again orders changes to ‘save’ college sports

The order would create new regulations around athlete compensation, transfers and other hot-button issues. It is expected to face legal challenges.

FBI's Patel delivers blunt warning to law enforcement attackers: 'We're going to put you down'

FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to "put down" anyone who touches a cop, warning criminals will face the full force of law enforcement nationwide.

Francesca Albanese and the Perversion of Academia

Three Flemish universities are about to convey the sanction of university-recognised expertise to a deeply dishonest and fraudulent individual.

Why Trump Fired Bondi and Chose Now for a Reset

President Trump has a long history of firing Cabinet members, and Attorney General Pam Bondi is only the latest in a pattern of shakeups and swaps.

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…

U.S. Rescues Missing Air Force Officer Whose Fighter Jet Was Downed by Iran

An Air Force officer of a F-15E Strike Eagle shot down on Friday by Iran spent a day in hostile territory with little more than a pistol for protection.

The Disgrace of Tariq Ramadan

The Islamist grandson of Hasan al-Banna convinced many Western liberals that he was a moderate because he promised to bridge a divide many feared could not be crossed.

ICE arrests relatives of slain Iranian general Soleimani living in US after Rubio revokes their green cards

Relatives of slain Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani were arrested by ICE after Secretary of State Rubio revoked their U.S. legal status, officials said.

Trump Administration Celebrates Good Friday in Official Messages

President Trump and administration officials have extended more pronounced overtures to Christians in public statements and executive orders.

Trump Directs Officials to Pay All D.H.S. Employees

The memorandum calls for paying employees at the Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency who have gone without pay during a record-long shutdown.

Justice Alito ‘felt ill’ at March event, was examined by doctor, court says

Alito’s security detail recommended examination “out of an abundance of caution” before his three-hour drive home from Philadelphia, the Supreme Court said.

On Easter, Pope Leo delivers commanding message of peace to a world at war

“Let those who have weapons lay them down!” the first American pope declared. The White House’s war in Iran and nativist agenda at home are testing the Vatican.

No Good Way Out

Trump has options to end the war with Iran, but they all come with serious liabilities.

Tax day is next week: Avoid these 5 common mistakes that can cost you money

Tax experts revealed five expensive filing errors that could cost you money this season, from choosing the wrong filing status to missing the April 15 payment deadline.

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.

Concerns Rise That Stockpile of Interceptor Missiles Dwindling

Interceptor missiles have helped spare the Middle East from further destruction, shooting down Iranian attacks on its neighbors.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Germany Restricts Travel for Men 17-45, Requires Permission From Army to Leave Germany

Kamala Harris' travels and comments clearly point to 2028

Former Vice President Kamala Harris heads to a major Democratic cattle call event, fueling growing speculation about a potential 2028 White House run.

Blaine Holt to Newsmax: 'We Will Leave No One Behind' in Iran

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt, Sunday on Newsmax, praised the high-risk rescue of a downed airman in Iran, noting that U.S. forces showed "our people matter to us" and reinforcing the military's commitment to bring service members home.

Hegseth’s War on America’s Military

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

Apocalypse ’92

A new account of the 1992 siege at Ruby Ridge attempts to straighten out the record and place the story in a broader political and theological context.

Baker to Newsmax: CIA Played Key Role in Rescue of Airman in Iran

The rescue of a second American serviceman in Iran underscores close coordination between U.S. forces and intelligence agencies, with former CIA officer Mike Baker telling Newsmax the mission reflects deep intelligence involvement and joint operat…

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…

Saturday's Final Word

Rubio Expelling Children of Iran's Leadership Who Have Been Living Here While Supporting Iran

Sen. McCormick: Airman's Rescue an 'Easter Miracle'

The rescue of a downed American airman in hostile Iranian territory was an "Easter miracle" and a powerful demonstration of U.S. military capability, Sen. Dave McCormick said Sunday.

Strange Bedfellows

The hard Left has once again allied itself with Islamists in the belief that they will help achieve its goals, hence repeating the mistake the communists made in 1979, in revolutionary Iran.

Trump vows US will strike Iran’s power plants, bridges if Strait of Hormuz is not reopened

President Donald Trump issues a profanity-laced deadline to Iran, threatening to strike power plants and bridges Tuesday if the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened.

Trump files emergency appeal to keep building White House ballroom

“Time is of the essence!” Justice Department lawyers wrote, saying a ruling to pause construction puts the president at risk.

Trump unveils $1.5T defense surge, deep domestic cuts — what’s on the budget chopping block

The White House proposes a fiscal year 2027 budget with roughly $1.5 trillion in defense spending and sweeping cuts to key domestic programs.

Let's Kill Cancer

BREAKING: Trump Posts Video, Claims Iran's Military Leadership Just Went Up In Smoke

California's Think-Alike Dems Cancel Debate Over 'Lack of Diversity'

Trump’s Purge May Be Just Beginning

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

Oil Markets Doubt Trump’s Peace Signals as Tensions With Iran Grow

After seesawing between diplomacy and threats, the president may find it harder to knock down prices by suggesting pauses in attacks or progress in talks.

Dershowitz to Newsmax: Bondi Got 'Bum Rap' Over Epstein

Ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi was unfairly criticized over the handling of materials related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, as the controversy is "way, way, way overstated," Harvard Law School professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz said.

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.

Arizona Fights to Save Its Water Supply

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs wants President Donald Trump to ensure her state continues to receive its fair share of Colorado River water.

Trump Revels in Threats to Commit War Crimes in Iran

The president said he would bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” Until this administration, American leaders had insisted they were trying to follow international law in war.

Trump’s Cozy Transportation Secretary

Sean Duffy is partnering with the industries he regulates in new ways.

Pete King to Newsmax: Airmen Rescues Underscore US Military Strength

The rescues of U.S. airmen behind enemy lines in Iran were "incredible" moments that underscored the strength and resolve of the American military, former Rep. Pete King told Newsmax on Sunday.

Stephen Miller Is Still Pursuing His Immigration Agenda, but More Quietly

The architect of President Trump’s mass deportation campaign wants “a moratorium on immigration from third world countries until we can heal ourselves as a nation.” The chaos in Minneapolis has not pushed him off that course.

Trump Pledged a Quick End to the Iran War, but He Hasn’t Explained How

President Trump bet that American firepower could cow Iran into compliance. So far, Iran’s leaders have been unwilling to quit.

The Axis of Renewal

Israel and the United States have already done much to dismantle the Axis of Resistance, but the broader network supported by Iran remains most active in Western Europe.

Kristi Noem Is Gone. Now Mass Deportations Can Really Begin.

DHS has a new leader and a big pot of money to deliver on Trump’s campaign promise.