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

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.

So Much For Islamabad II: Taqiyya Boogaloo? UPDATE: Trump Cancels Witkoff, Kushner Trip

GOP Dilemma: Pass ICE Funding Now or Make Bill Worse

We've hit a new milestone in the fight between House and Senate Republicans over how exactly to stuff ICE and the Border Patrol full of new funding for years to come and whether to keep holding the Department of Homeland Security hostage.

CVS disputes Planned Parenthood's ‘strategic partnership’ claim as report language changes; critics push back

CVS disputes Planned Parenthood's claim of a "strategic partnership" on abortion pill access after the organization quietly changed its report language online.

Trump: Secret Service Thwarts Armed Attack at WH Dinner

President Donald Trump on Saturday praised the "incredible" response of Secret Service and law enforcement after a gunman tried to breach security at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Confusion and Fright at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner After Shots Were Fired

A sense of danger spread like a wave among high-profile politicians and journalists as an emergency unfolded at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

They left Congress in disgrace. Taxpayers could still pay their pensions.

To toughen how Congress polices itself, a bill would prohibit members from receiving pensions if they are convicted of crimes including rape and sexual assault.

Here’s the latest.

Canada’s 215 Imaginary Martyrs

How will Canadian journalists cover the five-year anniversary of the 2021 ‘unmarked-graves’ social panic without admitting their complicity in promoting a fake story?

Lawyers Sue for Higher Prices

Dirk Kempthorne, Fmr Idaho Governor and Interior Secretary, Dies at 74

Former Idaho Gov. and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has died at age 74, his family said in a written statement Saturday.

Trump Fires Board Members of Group That Oversees U.S. Science Funding

The dismissals from an independent board that oversees the National Science Foundation marked the president’s latest assault on scientific research organizations.

What We Know About WHCD Shooting So Far; Shooter Identified? UPDATE: Video of His Charge

California Man in Custody After Shooting at Dinner Attended by Trump

Shots were fired at the hotel hosting the White House correspondents’ dinner. Authorities said the attack was carried out by a lone gunman who was brought down by the Secret Service.

Trump’s Enormous Gerrymandering Blunder

The Republican redistricting effort backfires.

Time Is on Trump's Side Versus Iran, but Not Forever

President Trump says, I don't want to rush it. I want to take my time, while Pete Hegseth said, we have all the time in the world, and we're not anxious for a deal when it comes to ending the w...

Saturday's Final Word (UPDATE)

Statecraft and Seduction

In an excellent new biography of Rasputin, British military historian Antony Beevor argues that perception can be a more powerful shaper of world events than reality.

Trump says he sees shootings as a reflection of his impact

“I hate to say I’m honored,” the president says of his repeated brushes with violence, including two assassination attempts during his 2024 campaign.

Letters to the Editor

10 April – 17 April 2026

King Charles to meet Mamdani in New York during US state visit next week

King Charles III will meet NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani at a 9/11 memorial wreath laying during his U.S. state visit that includes a White House meeting.

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…

In the Air Tonight

How Phil Collins created the pop sound that defined the 1980s.

California DOGE leader slams Newsom, Bonta over state’s massive fraud issues: “Every day is opposite day"

CAL DOGE director Jenny Rae Le Roux slams Gov. Newsom and AG Bonta, alleging they failed to crack down on widespread fraud across California programs.

Big Sky Crack-Up

Montana Democrats thought they found a novel way to win control of the U.S. Senate—until the party faithful started fighting back.

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…

Shaffer to Newsmax: Iran-Pakistan Talks Similar to Kissinger Shuttle Diplomacy

Ret. Army Lt. Col. Tony Shaffer said Saturday on Newsmax that Pakistan is playing a key role in facilitating indirect talks between Iran and the United States, with many travel-related meetings taking place, likening the effort to Henry Kissinger'…

Trump, allies use dinner shooting to press case for White House ballroom

A White House ballroom would be far more secure than any hotel facility, Trump says, as he and his allies argue that Saturday’s shooting bolsters their case.

The FBI Director Is MIA

Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

A Washington Post reporter describes hearing possible shots

Dems ‘White Supremacy' Tactics All About Political Power

When facts are stranger than fiction, pundits will say, You can't make this stuff up. But actually, you can make this stuff up - that turns out to be

Winery belonging to Ilhan Omar's husband shut down amid financial spotlight

A California winery co-owned by Rep. Ilhan Omar's husband abruptly closed as House Republicans investigate the couple's surging financial disclosures.

What Abdul El-Sayed Doesn’t Get About Trump

How Democrats can lose Michigan, again

PNC Steps Up for Pittsburgh's NFL Draft

Why I'm Boycotting the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Donald Trump is set to attend, but no dinner speech can redeem his abusive treatment of reporters

One attendee, Gavin Quinton, a reporting fellow for the Los Angeles Times, said he had to...

Documenting a Decade of Academic Meltdowns

Podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with filmmaker Ric Esther Bienstock about her new CBC/BBC documentary, ‘Speechless’—which explores the rise of censorship and mobbings on campus.

Trump, allies use dinner shooting to press case for White House ballroom

Morris to Newsmax: Trump Not Hurt Politically by Iran Stance

Political commentator Dick Morris said Saturday that President Donald Trump's decision not to pursue further negotiations with Iran reflects a broader shift in strategy, arguing the administration is focused on confronting Tehran rather than seeki…

The Republican Who Outsmarted Trump

Thomas Massie is one of the few Republicans who is unafraid of President Trump.

Shooting suspect identified as 31-year-old man from California, three officials say

Trump vows to 'get to the bottom' of Fed's multibillion-dollar building renovation after probe shift

President Donald Trump says the Federal Reserve investigation is "not dropped" and vows to find out why costs went above budget for the project.

Trump Describes His Mind-Set After Shooting at White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Very little was clear about what had happened at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night. But the president wanted to talk about it.

The Professor and the Pariah

How a brilliant mind fell for bad history and worse people.

Appeals Court: Trump's Suspension of Asylum System is Unlawful

The Posting Will Continue Until Morale Improves

Trump’s Iran messaging seems desperate.

Here’s the latest.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

California’s Blue Armageddon

One of the most liberal states in the country can’t find a Democrat to lead it.

'Discriminatory' National Park fee plan slammed by Democrats turns into conservation win, Burgum says

Secretary Doug Burgum's national park pricing plan for foreign visitors has raised over $2 million in new revenue despite Democratic opposition, DOI says.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Can Mayor Mamdani Get Democrats Back on Track?

After a historic victory last fall, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani marked 100 days in office earlier this month.

FLASHBACK: Obama tried to make Trump a punchline at 2011 dinner before rise stunned Washington

President Trump attends the White House Correspondents' Dinner for the first time as commander in chief after being roasted by Obama in 2011.

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.

The Problem With Hasan Piker’s Einstein Story

People scrutinizing influencers for their views should also hold them to account for their facts.

Mamdani's New Tax on 2nd Homes Could Backfire on Everyone

Trump Cancels Iran Talks Trip; Hostilities on Hold

President Donald Trump said he canceled a planned trip by U.S. envoys to Pakistan after Iran's top diplomat departed the country without agreeing to direct talks, effectively shutting down the opportunity for face-to-face negotiations.

Gabe Evans to Newsmax: Dems Jeopardizing National Security by Delaying DHS Funding

Democrats are jeopardizing national security by delaying funding for key Homeland Security operations, Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colo., said Saturday.

Correspondents’ dinner chaos hits high-profile guests already marked by political violence

Trump spoke about repeated assassination attempts after chaos broke out Saturday, with RFK Jr. and Steve Scalise among those escorted from the room.

Zampoli Denies Ungaro Allegations, Epstein Ties

Paoli Zampoli is pushing back against allegations made by Amanda Ungaro about their past relationship, disputing her claims and denying any connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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.

What We Know About the Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

A gunman carrying multiple weapons attempted to break into the dinner that President Trump was attending. Police have taken a suspect into custody.

Federal authorities swarm the suspect’s home in an L.A. suburb.

It was not clear if the authorities had entered the home in Torrance, Calif., a white-collar city of about 150,000 people close to popular beaches.

Live updates: Officials identify suspect in White House correspondents’ dinner shooting

The suspect will be charged with three counts and will be arraigned Monday, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said.

Trump Has Made It Difficult for Peace With Iran

The U.S. and Israel killed off the people who would've made this process work more effectively.

Gunman Was Tackled by Law Enforcement Near Correspondents’ Dinner Security Checkpoint

The gunman did not make it inside the hotel ballroom where President Trump, top officials and hundreds of journalists had gathered for dinner.

Man With Shotgun Fired at Secret Service, Officer OK

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed from the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday night after a gunman opened fire near a security checkpoint, in what authorities described as a serious but contained …

A Gunman Got Close to Trump Again, Raising More Questions About Political Violence

After two previous assassination attempts, the effort by an armed man to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is sure to raise questions about security and political violence.

We're Getting Closer to a Deal with Cuba But Will It Matter?

Americans Hate Taxes: The 250 Year Battle for Your Wallet

From the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s to Henry David Thoreau's refusal to pay taxes to the 1,400 elected officials who signed an antitax pledge.

SHOOTER AT WHCD Alive? Trump: Let the Show Go On; SECRET SERVICE: Not on Our Watch

Jeanine Pirro: WH Dinner Suspect Sought 'Maximum Harm'

The suspect arrested in the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner shooting "was intent on doing as much harm and as much damage as he could," U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Saturday night.

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.

Friday's Final Word

What I Learned About Billionaires at Jeff Bezos’s Private Retreat

For the richest men on Earth, everything is free and nothing matters.

Chernobyl Forty Years On

How fear, misinformation, and myth came to define the world’s worst nuclear accident. 

U.S. Secret Service Director Sean Curran defended the security setup at the event, and said the...

DNC Chair Warns of Trump Bid to 'Suppress the Vote'

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said the party is "planning for everything" ahead of the November midterms, warning that President Donald Trump may try to "suppress the vote" even as polling seems to tilt toward Democrats.

What Did You Think Decolonisation Meant?

Decolonisation theory operates as a rigid, Manichaean ideology that neatly divides the world into evil perpetrators and innocent victims.

How the War in Iran Is Draining the U.S. of Critical Weapons

The United States has blown through weapons as the cost of the war in Iran has hit nearly $1 billion a day. Our national security correspondent Eric Schmitt explains how American costs may go beyond the financial.

Trump shares details on 'very sick person' who fired shots at White House Correspondents' Dinner

President Donald Trump was rushed out of the White House Correspondents' Dinner after a sudden disturbance sent attendees ducking for cover as Secret Service intervened. The cause of the incident remains unclear.

Time To Stop Lionizing Powell

The Fed chair has been an enabler of the economy's hyper-financialization and speculative excess. Resistance to Trump is too low a bar.

Inside the chaotic correspondents’ dinner shooting: ‘Get down, get down!’

For the third time in three years, President Donald Trump found himself under the threat of gunfire. This time the Washington press corps was in the room. 

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.

Losing Latino Support a Bad Sign for GOP in Midterms

New data deals a blow to the theory that Trump fundamentally realigned Latino voting patterns.

Can Blackface Be Anti-Racist?

In her early comedy career, Sarah Silverman mocked bigots by impersonating them. What could possibly go wrong?

House Ethics Panel Faces Criticism Over Slow Probes

The bipartisan House Ethics Committee is facing scrutiny over its pace on investigations as misconduct scandals have rocked Congress, reports the Wall Street Journal. Critics say the panel, which leads probes into lawmakers, works too slowly and o…

Secret Service in line of fire at WHCA shooting still unpaid due to Dem-led shutdown

A shooting outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner where Trump and Cabinet members gathered spotlights Secret Service funding shortfalls.

D.C. media parties go on, despite news of gunfire.

Trump: 'Won't Be Deterred' After WH Dinner Shooting

President Donald Trump said Saturday night he will not be deterred by violence after a gunman attempted to breach security at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

An Extra-Embarrassing White House Correspondents’ Dinner

Why is Donald Trump breaking bread with the “enemy of the people”?

Trump Voters Like Marco Rubio More and More

And J. D. Vance less and less

Girls in an Online World

Iona Italia talks to writer Freya India about her book 'Girls: Gen Z and the Commodification of Everything.'

Is DEI Really in Decline?

This week, advocacy group Heterodox Academy reported that DEI statements required by academic job-seekers are in sharp decline, based on a comparison of faculty job ads in 2025 and 2024. That sounds like a resounding victory for those seeking to p…

A Shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner

The president is safe after chaos at the Washington Hilton, and a suspect is reportedly in custody.

The Roots of Recession

As an energy shock looms, a new book reframes recession as the product of historical circumstance, not cyclical inevitability.

Trump rushed from same hotel where Reagan assassination attempt unfolded in 1981

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were rushed out of the Washington Hilton as shots rang out at the White House Correspondents Dinner.

The Anti-Communist Film Festival Invite List: Adam Driver and George Pelecanos

Turns Out Charlottesville Was Underwritten by the Left

The Southern Poverty Law Center has been indicted for fraud and is accused of having funded organizers, supervised racist posts, and coordinated transportation to the Unite the Right rally in 2017.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Trump cancels Witkoff, Kushner's Pakistan trip for Iran talks, says regime is suffering from 'infighting'

Trump reveals he canceled a U.S. delegation's trip to Pakistan for Iran negotiations, saying Iran can call anytime and that the U.S. holds all the cards.

Trump says he sees shootings as a reflection of his impact

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.

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…

Suspect to appear in court Monday with ‘many’ charges expected, Pirro says

Apocalypse Soon?

Earth Day once helped focus public attention on real environmental problems. Today it is a festival of alarmism, misanthropy, technophobia, and moral theatrics.

Reza Pahlavi Went to Berlin

GOP Must Expose Democrats as Affordability Frauds

Affordability political debate heats up before midterms, focusing on taxes, inflation, and cost-of-living issues shaping voter concerns.