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

Trump's grip on GOP faces fresh challenge in South Carolina governor battle

Trump's endorsement of Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette faces a key test in South Carolina's GOP gubernatorial primary after his Iowa-backed candidate lost.

Democrats' Next Challenge: Fix California

It's a quiet Tuesday morning in Sacramento. On any given weekday this past year, the City of Trees is normally bustling with state workers heading to their offices, construction workers hammering away at the new Capitol Annex, or City Parking Enfo…

Violent Crime in New York City Isn’t Trump’s Fault

With or without Trump in attendance, the security threat to Madison Square Garden would persist.

Infantino’s Yearslong Effort to Woo Trump for the World Cup

Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, has unabashedly courted the president’s favor. Soccer officials privately ask, who really benefits?

Here’s the latest.

Trump Asserting Blunt Power Over Israel

The Israeli leader has long exploited divisions in Washington. But Trump's dominance over his party gives him unusual leverage over Israel's next moves.

Open Hiding

Jewish testimonies before Australia's Royal Commission paint a portrait of a culture already transformed—one in which Jewishness has become a professional and social liability

Gordon Wood on What the Declaration Meant for America

‘All men are created equal.’ As the late great historian wrote in NR, ‘No phrase could have been more radical, more momentous.’

Karmelo Anthony's Defense Rests

Claire's Weekly Letter: Antifragility in Ukraine

The Ex-Mayor of Arcadia, Her Boyfriend and the Chinese Government

Eileen Wang pleaded guilty to acting as a foreign agent. But what could Beijing want from the mayor of a small California city known as the “Chinese Beverly Hills”?

What Andy Rooney Might Say About 60 Minutes' Downfall

The turmoil engulfing CBS News and "60 Minutes" has left me wondering what my grandfather Andy Rooney would make of it all.

As Pratt Gets Bad News, CA Vote-Counting Fuels Distrust

For Spencer Pratt's supporters, the last four days of the Los Angeles mayoral primary vote-counting and conclusion were like a gut punch delivered in slow motion.

Trump on Israel and Iran: ‘I Call All the Shots’

Trump declared of Israel and Iran, ‘I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.’

San Francisco Voters Appear to Reject Tax Hike on Highly Paid C.E.O.s

The proposal was seen as a possible measure of how residents felt about the recent flood of money into the city as a result of the A.I. boom.

Trump Previews Fall Strategy With Baseless Claims of California Vote Fraud

The president is using the slow count of mail ballots in California to renew his effort to cast doubt on election outcomes he doesn’t like, despite a lack of evidence of any widespread fraud.

Can America Escape Race? The Paradox of Colorblindness

Ever since he attained the age of majority some four decades ago, Terence Hamilton, now 57, has voted in Mississippi's Second Congressional District, covering 30 counties across the western part of the state. First drawn in 1986 to comply with the…

US Army helicopter goes down, but President Donald Trump says 'pilots are fine'

After a U.S. Army helicopter went down, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the "pilots are fine" and CENTCOM later issued a statement about the episode.

Can the Senate Save College Sports?

For the sake of the traditions America loves most — no more punting on this issue.

Don't Give Up on Global Order

America depends on global order-and can restore it.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Knicks fans warn Trump to expect hostile reception at NBA Finals game

Some Knicks fans say the president is not welcome at Madison Square Garden.

Some of the Kids Are All Right

You might expect that new high school graduates would be depressed and dejected. They are inheriting a shaky economy, a world at risk of becoming uninhabitable, and a country whose president makes a mockery of what they learned in social studies a…

No Room for Helping Kids Stay Out of Foster Care in the Big Apple Socialist Inn?  

The NYC chief seems more concerned with race politics than kids’ needs.  

And Now What?: Northern Ireland Edition

‘There is no place for this kind of horrific violence in our community.’ Okay, so now what?

"They Hate Australia": The Activists Behind the Gaza Flotilla and the Radical Left's Antizionist Turn | Quillette Cetera Ep. 65

Hava Mendelle — army veteran, nurse, and co-founder of Minority Impact — speaks with Zoe Sankey about antisemitism in Australia, the red-green alliance, October 7th, and why she left the activist left behind.

Ukraine Wants to Help Us with Drones, but We Won’t Take It

Ukraine wants the U.S. to sign a major drone production agreement, but there’s some unexplained foot-dragging.

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.

Colbert and Cancellation

The #CancelColbert saga in 2014 established the paradigm for countless hashtag controversies that followed.

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.

Lindsey Graham’s Allies Spend Big to Ward Off a Republican Challenger

The Republican senator from South Carolina has a well-funded primary challenger who has a chance of forcing him into a runoff election.

Sen Collins slams Bernie-backed Graham Platner as too far-left for Maine voters

Sen. Susan Collins calls Democratic challenger Graham Platner too extreme for Maine voters, while Platner charges Collins is the "radical" candidate.

Trump walks out of ‘Meet the Press’ interview when challenged over false claims

When pressed by host Kristen Welker, the president cited no evidence for claims about Jan. 6 and elections he said were “rigged.”

Trump’s grip on the GOP leaves Netanyahu with few places to turn

As Trump clamps down on Netanyahu, the Israeli leader is finding he has few avenues of appeal among American politicians.

Florida GOP gubernatorial primary candidate says as governor, he'd 'shut down' every abortion clinic in state

Florida GOP gubernatorial primary candidate James Fishback wants to close every abortion clinic in the Sunshine State and replace them with crisis pregnancy centers.

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…

At 10,000 consecutive votes and counting, Collins holds a Senate record.

The Maine Republican, who is in the middle of a tumultuous re-election race, became the first senator in history to reach the threshold without missing a vote.

Trump keeps forecasting an Iran deal — why the White House still thinks it can happen

Trump projects confidence in Iran nuclear deal despite unresolved uranium enrichment disputes and a fragile ceasefire that nearly unraveled.

Vance and GOP's Golden Issue: Federal Fraud

"Border Czar" was among Vice President Kamala Harris' greatest liabilities; "Fraud Czar" could be VP JD Vance's biggest asset.

'Protesters' Face Felony Convictions for Blocking the Golden Gate

Most Bizarre 'Flex' in the World?

CNN Political Briefing

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

Talarico's Genius Strategy: Lie

Maine Democrats decide fate of Senate candidate dogged by explosive allegations

Graham Platner faces controversies in Maine's Democratic Senate primary as Trump's endorsement power is tested in South Carolina's GOP gubernatorial race.

Crew Is Rescued After U.S. Helicopter Goes Down Near Strait of Hormuz

It was not immediately clear what led to the incident, which came at a time when the cease-fire in the war has grown tenuous.

Once on the Brink, U.S. Steel's Oldest Plant Gets a Big Renovation

Two years ago, U.S. Steel said it couldn't afford to keep operating its oldest mill near Pittsburgh. Now, new owner Nippon Steel 5401 0.37%

Chief of indicted SPLC faces House grilling over alleged secret payments to KKK members

SPLC interim CEO Bryan Fair will testify before the House Judiciary Committee as the nonprofit faces an 11-count indictment for alleged fraud.

Li-Ion Battery Booms in Boston and NIST Has News on 'EVs Are Safer Than ICE Vehicles'

Trump's DOJ pick in trouble as GOP concerns threaten confirmation

Todd Blanche faces tough Senate confirmation as Trump's AG pick, with Republicans divided over anti-weaponization fund and Jan. 6 rioter concerns.

Preventing Canada’s Next Unmarked-Graves-Style Social Panic

Journalists should resolve to treat their Indigenous sources as real-life human beings—as opposed to mystic savants who channel sacred and unfalsifiable ‘knowings’

GOP senators rally around new DHS proposal targeting sanctuary cities: 'Should pay a price'

Republican senators signal support for pulling CBP officers from sanctuary city airports as Mullin says the proposal is still actively being considered.

The Murder of Henry Nowak and the Politics of Certainty

This case shows how quickly tragedy becomes raw material for those who seek to exploit it.

Is Lebanon Headed For Civil War ... Or Liberation?

It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To

The most consequential weakness of philosopher and journalist Kathleen Stock’s new polemic against assisted dying is its failure to engage with the empirical record.

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.

FISA Negotiations Confirm Madison’s Fears

It’s a shame representatives today don’t share Mr. Madison’s political sensitivity.

The Case Against State-Sanctioned Euthanasia

Podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Kathleen Stock about her new book, ‘Do Not Go Gentle’—in which she argues that governments should be denied any institutional role in facilitating the death of their citizens.

Antifragility in Ukraine

Four years into the full-scale invasion, Ukraine bears little resemblance to the country Russia expected to defeat in a matter of days.

Former Platner Campaign Manager: Don't Let Him In the Senate!

The Emperor Protects . . .

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 promises to be a bloody good time.

You'll Never Guess the Nationality of the Belfast Attempted Beheading 'Suspect'

Hilton, Becerra lead in California’s governor primary. See live results here.

Latest California governor primary results as Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra and Republicans Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton vie for nominations to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Monday's Final Word

A Baseless Attack on Friedrich Hayek’s Intellectual Legacy

Author Quinn Slobodian has won acclaim for his attempt to link the famed Austrian economist to right-wing extremists. But his arguments collapse under scrutiny.

Charlie Kirk’s killing convinced Vances to try for a fourth child, JD Vance says

The vice president writes that he had urged his wife, Usha Vance, to have another child for years, but she had said she was “done.”

Graham Platner's Oyster Farming Is Not a Real Job

Maine Elections Test Democrats’ Support for Platner: What to Watch in Today’s Primaries

Any indication of tepid support for Graham Platner, a Democratic candidate for Senate in Maine, will be seen as a warning sign about his chances against Senator Susan Collins, the Republican incumbent.

Trump? Not Pro-Life? Surely You Jest!  

One wonders if there were actually pro-life advocates who fully believed Donald Trump was ever a convert to their cause.

R.I.P. Gordon Wood

It’s a loss for his country, a month before its 250th birthday, to be deprived of one of the most eminent historians of the American Revolution.

A Challenge in the U.S.-Iran Talks: Both Sides Demand Victory

Washington and Tehran would need to defend any potential deal as a win for their side. And each has a leader whose approach to talks is vexing mediators.

Reflecting on Politics in 2026

Politico: Maine Dems Suddenly Have Second Thoughts About Nazi-Tatted Creep

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…

Democratic Group Kicks Off $50 Million Midterm Blitz in Conservative Strongholds

American Bridge is hoping that Republicans are vulnerable in parts of the country that had been exceedingly tough terrain for Democrats in recent elections.

ICE funding bill is up for House vote after weeks of Republican delays

The legislation, which the Senate passed Friday, has been held up by disputes over President Donald Trump’s ballroom and the $1.8B payout fund.

Israel launches strikes on Iran after Tehran fires barrage of missiles

The exchange, after Tehran’s first such strike on Israel in two months, threatened to further complicate efforts to broker a peace deal aimed at ending the war.

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.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

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 'Dishonest' Press

Trump has long viewed legacy media as adversarial, and his 'Meet the Press' interview helps illustrate why, whether one agrees with him or not.

Bombshell claims by former campaign director rock Platner’s campaign hours before polls open

Former campaign director says Graham Platner shouldn't be a senator, citing scandals ahead of Maine's Democratic primary against Susan Collins.

Jungle Primaries Are Still Stupid and Corrosive

It creates all manner of perverse incentives in the primary process.

GOP lawmaker warns voters that Platner's 'extreme' policies just as concerning as his baggage: 'Stay away'

Maine Republican Rep. Laurel Libby says Graham Platner's Green New Deal support and extreme policies pose a greater danger than his personal scandals.

Richard Dawkins and the Claude Delusion

What is consciousness for?

Former Biden official Deb Haaland wins New Mexico primary for governor

Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.

Jefferson's Greatest Sentence

The first thing to note about Walter Isaacson's new book is its remarkable title: The Greatest Sentence Ever Written. If you've forgotten that we're approaching the 250th anniversary of America's founding, you might assume that this is a book by a…

Liberals Without Teeth

British liberals exclude reactionary cranks like Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur because they don’t have the stomach for a fight.

Trump's SAVE America Act shows signs of life in the Senate despite Republican revolt

Senate Republicans hit 50 votes on the SAVE America Act during a vote-a-rama, but the filibuster blocked the voter ID bill from advancing further.

Bill Gates Said to Have Hired Ex-House Oversight Chief to Advise on Epstein Testimony

Bill Gates, the Microsoft co-founder, has retained Jake Greenberg, the former top investigative counsel to the House Oversight Committee.

The 'Battle Hymn' Can't Be Ignored

We tend to think we have one national anthem, but to me, we have always seemed to have two. The first is the official one, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The second is "Battle Hymn of the Republic." The two are different on every level. Only one of t…