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

New York lawmakers nearing passage of $237B budget plan

New York's Democrat-controlled Legislature is on the verge of passing a $237 billion budget after nearly three weeks of continued delay.

Texas court says Ken Paxton can be disciplined over 2020 election lawsuit

Iran Appears To Play Down Down Significance of Israeli Strike

The Israeli strike on a military base near the Iranian city of Isfahan was part of a cycle of retaliation

Double Standards in the Gender Debate

Butler’s latest book is leftist political propaganda masquerading as the dispassionate work of an academic.

CNN's Abby Phillip fact-checks false and misleading claims President Biden has made on the campaign trail.

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.

Pollster and communication strategist Frank Luntz discussed the state of democracy with younger voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The Market Will Make Sure Caitlin Clark Gets Paid a Lot

Don’t let the WNBA’s union pay scale get you down.

Did Mike Johnson Just Get Religion on Ukraine?

The Speaker's sudden willingness to bring foreign-aid bills to the House floor risks his Speakership-and Trump's wrath.

Equitable Grading?

Dickey Betts, 1943–2024: The Ramblin’ Man at Rest

Farewell, Dickey. I’ll never forget all the joyful noise you brought into my life with your band.

House Republicans Move to Defund NPR

Several House Republicans are introducing legislation to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) following the suspension and resignation of an editor who revealed overt levels of partisanship in the company's newsroom.

Questioning the Campus Mental Health Crisis

Our college campuses are, it seems, awash in crises that call for costly programs to treat them. But are these crises real?

Biden seeks to bolster labor support with speech at union conference

Live updates from the 2024 campaign trail with the latest news on presidential candidates, polls, primaries and more.

A Hallucinogenic and Unrepentant Rant

Christine Blasey Ford, the accuser in the infamous 2018 confirmation hearings for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, has written an unrepentant and incoherent book while showing no remorse for the ordeal she caused others and the nation.

White House defends Biden's claim his uncle was eaten by cannibals: 'We should not make jokes'

During Friday's White House press briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre defended President Biden's cannibalism comment about his Uncle Bosie and called out Donald Trump in the process.

NY AG Letitia James asks judge to void Trump's $175M bond in civil fraud case

The New York Attorney General’s office asked a judge to void a $175 million bond posted by former President Donald Trump claiming the fraud bond isn't properly backed.

Nostalgia for Confinement

Why are some in Russia and Eastern Europe pining for the communist system that once oppressed them?

Obama Joins Biden to Solicit Small Donors

President Joe Biden has brought in his old boss, former President Barack Obama, to help raise money from small-dollar donors, Axios reported. Although Biden is far outpacing Trump when it comes to fundraising, Biden has seen his poll numbers slip …

Graham Linehan Was Right About Gender Ideology: Quillette Cetera Episode 33

The cancelled comedy writer joins Zoe in the studio to talk about his new memoir.

This G.O.P. Senate Candidate Says He Grew Up on a Family Farm. Not Exactly.

David McCormick has often spoken about his modest upbringing on a farm in Pennsylvania. A close look at his past tells a different story.

N.Y. AG Requests Judge Void Trump's $175M Civil Fraud Bond

New York Attorney General Letitia James requested on Friday that a judge invalidate the bond posted by former President Donald Trump in his civil fraud case on the grounds the company that issued it does not have the necessary collateral to back i…

FAA Will Require More Rest for Air Traffic Controllers

The agency announced new rules to address the dangers of exhaustion for controllers, who often work grueling round-the-clock schedules.

Do Tanks Have a Place in 21st-Century Warfare?

As explosive drones gain battlefield prominence, even the mighty U.S. Abrams tank is increasingly vulnerable.

Biden team greets limited scope of Israeli strike with cautious relief

White House had scrambled to avert a harsher Israeli attack on Iran that might have sparked a wider regional confrontation.

As TikTok BIll Gets Fast-Tracked, China Orders Apple to Remove US Apps from Store

CNN Political Briefing

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

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Kimmel May Host 2025 Oscars Because... Trump

Trump: Ukraine’s Survival Is ‘Important to Us’

The former president didn’t endorse the funding package making its way through Congress, but neither did he attack it.

Johnson Betrays Border Security for More Foreign Aid

Funny how the pressure works up so often for wars abroad and so rarely for deaths at home. But in Washington that pressure is relentless a€” and one-sided.

Don't Tease: Glimmer of San Fran Sanity - Bridge Protestors Might Catch 'False Imprisonment' Charges?

Trump lawyers plead for some notice on first witness

Chinese hackers preparing to ‘physically wreak havoc’ on US critical infrastructure: FBI director

Chinese hackers who have gained access to critical American infrastructure systems plan to "wreak havoc" on them with the intention of inducing "panic," the FBI director said this week.

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.

US to Build First Nuclear Warhead in 40 Years

Two top Biden administration officials told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that the U.S. will be building its first nuclear warhead in 40 years and will do so without any nuclear testing.

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…

NYPD Patrol Chief to Newsmax: More Concerned With Students 'Taunting Police'

New York Police Department Chief of Patrol John Chell told Newsmax he's more concerned about the 500 Columbia University students who left class Thursday to taunt police than the 108 peaceful protesters arrested for setting up an encampment on the…

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.

Israel’s Strike on Iran: A Limited Attack but a Potentially Big Signal

Israel hit a strategic city with carefully measured force, but made the point that it could strike at a center of Iran’s nuclear program.

That’s a wrap for Week 1 of the Trump trial

Ex-Bernie Sanders Pollster Worried About RFK Jr.’s Appeal Among Crucial Voters

A Democrat warns that the independent could siphon crucial support from Biden.

They're Baaaack... Columbia Students Retake the Campus

Trump returned to address reporters and repeated his denial that he knew E. Jean Carroll, the...

Seeking 'Right Side of History,' Speaker Johnson Risks Job to Deliver Ukraine Aid

Staring down a decision so consequential it could alter the course of history but also end his own career House Speaker Mike Johnson prayed for guidance.A conservative Christian, the speaker wrestled over whether to lead the House in approving $…

A Struggle to Survive

Notes on Ukraine and Russia.

Speaker Johnson: Embrace the Bipartisan Way Forward

Combining support for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with LNG exports and permitting reform is the type of compromise that generations of legislators will admire.

In Scranton, Joe Biden Made a Lot of False Claims

Iran Contra Israel

The Iranian missile strike against Israel marks a watershed moment in the Middle East conflict, even though it was unsuccessful.

Praise for the Speaker

On today’s Editors episode, Charlie takes a moment to applaud Speaker Johnson for the stand he’s taking on the Ukraine aid issue.

Gavin Newsom Can’t Help Himself

The California governor has made clear that he’s not running for president in 2024. But he’s getting antsy.

Why Did U.S. Planes Defend Israel but Not Ukraine?

There are lessons for other nations in the events of the past few days.

Ben Carson to Newsmax: Trump Acts Younger, Biden Much Older

Dr. Ben Carson, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Trump administration, told Newsmax on Friday the contrast between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump on the campaign trail is striking.

A Biden Victory in November Turns On This State

Let's talk about why President Biden is spending three days in Pennsylvania this week - a lot of time by

'We do not have a comment': White House refuses to address Middle East unrest, defers to State Dept.

White House Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to comment on the overnight limited air strike Israel fired at Iran and what the U.S. response would be.

Senate Passes Two-Year Extension of Surveillance Law Just After It Expired

The law lapsed only briefly after a late-night deal that allowed votes on privacy advocates’ proposed changes, all of which were defeated.

New ad attacks Trump-endorsed candidate over Jan. 6 prosecutions

Opening statements set for Monday in Trump’s New York hush money trial

Some prospective jurors grew emotional during questioning Friday; the 12 jurors and six alternates picked said they can be impartial in judging Donald Trump.

Arkansas senators say Clinton airport exec. killed by ATF with no bodycam: 'Violation of its own policy'

Two U.S. senators are pushing for answers in the death of an Arkansas airport executive who was shot and killed during a shootout with federal agents.

Google CEO to Staffers: Office No Place for Politics

Google CEO Sundar Pichai reminded his employees on Thursday that the tech giant will be "mission first" and not a place to "debate politics."

A Test of Strength

Biden stands with America’s allies. Trump doesn’t.

U.S. agrees to withdraw American troops from Niger

A top State Department official accepted Niger’s demand that U.S. forces leave the West African country, a move the Biden administration has long resisted.

Now He's Done It - New Guinea Natives Pretty Mad at the King of Cooked Up Cannibal Crap

Where Jurors in Trump Hush-Money Trial Say They Get Their News

Prosecutors and defense lawyers tried to divine the political leanings of prospective jurors in the former president’s Manhattan criminal trial from their answers to questions about what media they consume.

Democrats’ Unproven Plan to Close Biden’s Enthusiasm Gap

Progressive organizers are betting they can flip the conventional wisdom on voting.

Senate passes FISA surveillance tool renewal minutes after midnight deadline

The Senate passed FISA Section 702 renewal on Friday night with just minutes until the critical national security provision's deadline.

Speaker Johnson Stares Down Potential Ouster amid Foreign-Aid Push

Johnson is operating under the growing possibility that his biggest detractors will trigger a snap vote on his speakership just six months into his tenure.

Atlanta Mayor: 'Cop City' Will Be Built Despite the Actions of Vandals and Arsonists

You asked: Does a vote for RFK Jr. hurt Trump?

This is an open question. It remains to be seen how both the polls and the Kennedy campaign play out.

Joe Biden Holds Event Celebrating That Most Kennedys Are Still Supporting Him

Good for you, Joe Biden. We all know how hard it is for a Democratic incumbent president to win support among the Kennedy family.

Has No One Noticed 1st Amendment Foe Katherine Maher Chairs the Board of 'Free Speech' Signal Foundation?

The RFK Jr. Strategy Clicks Into Focus

As the race between Trump and Biden gets uglier, Kennedy is focusing on ballot access.

Feel-Good Friday: Senator Fetterman's Passover Message Edition

Inclusive Authoritarianism

We can laugh at the fragile progressives on campus and call them ‘snowflakes.’ But do not dismiss them as impotent.

R.F.K. Jr. Raises New Uncertainty for Biden in Michigan

Mr. Kennedy’s success in landing on the battleground state’s ballot guarantees that he will shape the race this November. Both parties are racing to define him.

Blaine Holt to Newsmax: Israel Had Massive Strategic Win Over Iran

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt told Newsmax on Friday that Israel’s retaliatory airstrike against Iran was a complete victory on several fronts.

American Carnage

Alex Garland’s spectacular new film ‘Civil War’ is a warning of what can happen to democracies when civil society collapses.

Desire and Ambition

Today, most of John Braine’s work is out of print and forgotten. But he was an underrated writer, unafraid to confront the complexities of masculine sexuality with terse precision, self-deprecation, and emotional candour.

Christina Bobb to Newsmax: Election Integrity Is Needed 'More Than Ever'

Donald Trump's presidential campaign and the Republican National Committee massive "election integrity" operation campaign are promising to deploy 100,000 volunteers and attorneys to battleground states to "protect the vote and ensure a big win" i…

From Banana Slugs to Human Beings, There Are Just Two Sexes

An examination of 18 supposedly ‘trans animals’ disproves activist claims that we all live on a non-binary gender ‘spectrum.’

Judge Merchan Bars Use of Cohen’s Guilty Plea to Prove Trump Committed Campaign-Law Crimes

As Manhattan’s progressive elected Democratic DA Alvin Bragg had to know, Cohen’s guilty plea was never admissible evidence of anything relevant to Trump.

Anti-Catholic FBI memo's origin revealed as bureau absolved of 'malicious intent'

The FBI has been exonerated by a DOJ review that found no wrongdoing by the agency after a leaked memo from one of its Virginia field offices purportedly targeted traditional Catholics.

Ukraine Aid Bill Clears Critical Hurdle in the House as Democrats Supply the Votes

Democrats stepped in to support bringing the aid package to the floor, in a remarkable breach of custom on a key vote that paved the way for its passage.

Atlantic: Abolish DEI Statements

When Politics and Physics Collide

Mandates and massive subsidies cannot summon into being a world without fossil fuels.

Gaza Is Dividing Democrats

No recent Democratic president has faced such fierce internal conflict over a foreign-policy issue.

An Interview with Jonathan Conricus

Pamela Paresky interviews the former IDF spokesman about the current war and the recent accidental killing of aid workers.

Pelosi, Clyburn Endorse Jan. 6 Officer for Congress

A former U.S. Capitol Police officer has received high level endorsements from former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., in his run for Congress.

Day 4 of Trump New York hush money trial

Jury selection for the remaining alternates continues Friday in former President Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial. Follow here for the latest live news updates, analysis and more.

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…

Right-Wing Media Are in Trouble

The flow of traffic to Donald Trump’s most loyal digital-media boosters isn’t just slowing; it’s utterly collapsing.

Did the U.S. Solicitor General Mislead SCOTUS?

Elizabeth Prelogar, Joe Biden's appointed solicitor general, attempted to downplay prison sentences associated with J6ers convicted of 1512(c)(2) during oral arguments. But did she tell the truth?

Is Texas About to Turn Latinos Into Single-Issue Voters?

Its new immigration law resembles other “show me your papers” measures that cost the GOP Latino voters.

Peter Higgs (1929–2024): A Gentle Giant of Science

We have lost an important scientist; we have also lost a wonderful man.

Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai Toast Their New Broadway Show ‘Suffs’

Dozens of theater, film and media stars turned out on Thursday night for the opening of “Suffs,” a new musical about women’s suffrage.

A Little Child Shall Lead Them... or Some Middle School Athletes

Jean-Luc Godard in Retrospect Part II: Fanaticism and Failure (1966–2022)

After half a decade of critical adulation, Godard’s career slumped into doctrinaire Maoism, bitterness, incomprehensibility, and irrelevance. It never recovered.

Rep. Ilhan Omar 'proud' of daughter after NYC arrest at anti-Israel protest

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said she was proud of her daughter, Isra Hirsi, after the college student was arrested while talking part in an anti-Israel protest.

How BLM and Covid Are Wrecking the Theater

In this clip from this week's episode, John McWhorter fills in for Glenn and talks with actor Clifton Duncan. Clifton tells John how opting out of COVID vaccination, protesting what he sees as COVID protocol overreach, and speaking out about race …

Trump’s Willing Accomplice

Chris Sununu just showed how deep into the Republican Party the rot has gone.

Boeing's Problems Were as Bad as You Thought

Experts and whistleblowers testified before Congress today. The upshot?

Prosecutor won't bring charges against Wisconsin lawmaker over fundraising scheme

A Wisconsin prosecutor has said she will not bring charges against a lawmaker accused of trying to 'evade state campaign finance laws' in an effort to unseat Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos.

Obama-Biden Foreign Policy Emboldened Iran

The terrorist Iranian regime's unprecedented recent attack on Israel, which included 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles and 110 surface-to-surface missiles, is an unambiguous casus belli -- an act of war -- under international law.

Embattled NPR Chief Maher Donated to Abrams' PAC in 2020

Embattled NPR chief Katherine Maher prior to taking the helm at the public network donated $500 to Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight PAC and other Democrats, according to Federal Elections Commissions records.

First week of Trump hush money trial ends with full jury selected

Jury selection concluded Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York, with 12 jurors and six alternates selected.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton can be disciplined for suit to overturn 2020 election, court says

Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton can be disciplined by the state bar association over his failed attempt at overturning the 2020 presidential election, according to a Texas appeals court ruling.

Trump’s Presidential-Immunity Theory Is a Threat to the Chain of Command

Subordinates need to know that the commander in chief is bound by the same laws as everyone else.

U.S. Military to Withdraw Troops From Niger

The status of a $110 million air base in the desert remains unclear as the West African country deepens its ties with Russia.

Investigating the Academy

In a recent speech to University of Toronto scholars, a Quillette editor explained why many of his fellow journalists are reluctant to report on administrative scandals at Canadian universities.

Liberal Democrats Urge ‘No’ Vote on Israel Aid to Pressure Biden on Gaza

Progressives in the House who oppose unfettered military aid to Israel are pressing their colleagues to vote against the $26 billion bill, which is likely to pass, to send a message to President Biden.

Bipartisan House coalition advances Ukraine aid

The vote now puts the legislation to fund Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on a likely track of passing the House Saturday and comes after Israel carried out a strike on Iran early Friday in retaliation for a barrage of missiles and drones launched last…

Biden’s Safe, Polite Campaign Stop in Scranton

The president’s kitchen-table issues approach seems to lack true vision.

White House hosted meeting with climate activist group that sparked chaos at recent DC gala

The climate protest group Climate Defiance, which disrupted an event with Sen. Lisa Murkowski in Washington, D.C., this week was recently invited for a private meeting at the White House.

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.

More Madness in Scotland

Elementary schools are being asked to appoint children as ‘LGBT champions’ and ask children as young as four if they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender.

Are Iran's Nine Lives Nearing an End?

The theocracy of Iran has been the world's arch-embassy attacker over the last half century.

Rehearsal for Revolution

People who don’t have strong convictions will begin joining the anti-Israel protests just because it’s a highly adrenalized ‘scene.’

How Women Can Become Worthy Opponents

It may be unpalatable to consider that part of what holds women back is our own nature. But if part of the problem is within us, then we have the power to fix it.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

The Trump Trial’s Extraordinary Opening

The first days of the criminal case against the former president have been mundane, even boring—and that’s remarkable.