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

The Flotilla Farce

Honoring the Dead at Shiloh

Happy Memorial Day. May it be equal parts reflective and joyful.

Hasan Piker names pro-CCP tycoon Singham as financier of 'political movements' despite nonprofit veneer

Hasan Piker named Neville Roy Singham as a key financier behind pro-communist U.S. nonprofits engaged in political advocacy, a first from the network.

Dems Don't Need an Autopsy To Know What They Did Wrong

If you're looking for insights into why Democrats lost in 2024, you won't find many in the DNC's disavowed "autopsy," which was released after much pressure Thursday. The incomplete and error-ridden report, written by a friend of DNC chair Ken Mar…

Thomas blasts SCOTUS for decision on Florida lawsuit over illegal immigrant truckers with blue-state licenses

Thomas dissents after Supreme Court refuses to hear Florida's lawsuit over states allegedly issuing CDL licenses to illegal immigrants.

Court Rejects Alabama House Map, Calling It Unfair to Black Voters

Alabama is likely to appeal the ruling, which stops an effort to use a new congressional map that would likely cost Democrats a majority-Black district.

'Not Even the Dead Are Safe': 'Reds' and Communism’s Eradication of History

CNN Political Briefing

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

Inside Cuba’s foreign influence campaign: From the '60s Venceremos Brigade to a California union hall

Federal officials are probing Cuban Embassy diplomat David Ramírez Álvarez for allegedly coordinating a malign foreign influence campaign on U.S. soil.

MAID In Canada: Getting Offed At Tim Horton's Over Cramps

Claire's Weekly Letter: From the Medieval Road to the English Countryside

Ken Paxton has a history of winning primaries and make-or-break runoffs.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

A runoff in Texas primary will test Trump’s grip on GOP

The president's candidate, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has faced numerous scandals, while Sen. John Cornyn has failed to excite the base.

Long, Hot Summer Has Begun

Letters to the Editor

May 23 2026

The Midwestern Exodus Is Finally Ending

For many years, the abandoned B.F. Goodrich tire factory was a symbol of this city's manufacturing decline. Recently it was the magnet that drew Nate Albright back to town.

What to Watch in Texas Runoff Elections: Trump Endorsements, Democratic Incumbents and More

All eyes will be on the Republican Senate runoff between the incumbent John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton. But Tuesday’s runoffs in Texas will feature other key contests.

A Man for All Seasons

Susan Owens’s handsome new monograph reconsiders the life and career of the English landscape painter John Constable.

The G.O.P. Race for Texas Attorney General Grew Heated, and Expensive

In the last weeks of the contest, Representative Chip Roy reported raising more than $8 million, and he intensified his attacks on Mayes Middleton, a state senator.

The Case for JD Vance to Wait

It would be foolish to bet against Vance running in 2028. But there is a case for waiting. 

Illegal alien indicted on manslaughter charges in daughter's rollover crash death

Arizona prosecutors say an illegal immigrant was indicted after toxicology allegedly showed drugs in her system following a crash killing her daughter.

Where Does All That Homeless Money Go?

King Trump and the Looming MAGA Challenge

GOP-Controlled U.S. House Had a Remarkable Week

Strengthening worker power, curtailing Wall Street influence, and aligning profit maximization with the public interest have been American Compass priorities since Day One, representing obviously conservative imperatives we were told the Republica…

The Ballad of East and West

In a fascinating new book, historian Anthony Bale vividly reconstructs the brutal, fantastical, and sometimes deeply religious experiences of medieval travellers across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

How this age of extreme gerrymandering is transforming American politics

Politicians, no longer content to leave elections to chance, are working to choose their voters as often as every two years.

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.

Trump faces health questions ahead of another Walter Reed trip

The president trumpets claims that he is in excellent health, but independent physicians say the White House hasn't answered key questions ahead of his third visit in 13 months.

Never Neverland

The new Michael Jackson biopic and the campaign to whitewash the King of Pop’s reputation.

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…

Markwayne Mullin goes off on Dems’ 'garbage' Memorial Day ‘political stunt’ at ICE facility

Mullin rips Sen. Booker, Gov. Sherrill and NJ Democrats over Memorial Day ICE facility clash, calling their demands for access a political stunt.

Judge to Decide How Long Torture’s Taint Infected the Sept. 11 Case

Eight days of legal arguments at Guantánamo have brought the long-running terrorism case to a moment of truth in the long wait for justice.

‘Put us down for Ken Paxton’: Trump endorsement energizes Texas voters ahead of runoff

Trump's endorsement of Ken Paxton looms large as Texas Republicans choose between the attorney general and Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP runoff.

Shooter killed near the White House was previously charged with trespassing

Nasire Best, 21, had cut off contact with even his closest friends and began claiming that he was Jesus Christ.

Will Congress Pass the Housing Bill?

Trump has been trying to kill bipartisanship, but this is one bipartisan bill that Trump desperately needs.

UFC Unveils Plans for White House Fight on Trump’s Birthday

The Ultimate Fighting Championship bout is scheduled for June 14, President Trump’s 80th birthday.

The World Urgently Needs a U.S.-Iran Deal Now

Without a deal between Washington and Tehran, the fallout from Hormuz closure could deepen global energy, food and cost-of-living crises.

NPR Reports Democratic Candidates Are Downplaying Abortion

Indeed, plenty of survey data shows that late-term abortions and taxpayer funded abortions remain unpopular with voters.  

Leo Leads on Artificial Intelligence: Wisdom, Challenge, Women & Other Takeaways from Magnifica Humanitas

This is the Church at her best in engaging culture: Making Church teaching clear and guiding the faithful through the moment’s most confusing challenges.

From Babylon to Eurovision

My nephew's schoolmate sang at Eurovision last week. Here is what the people who booed him don't understand.

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…

Kingdom Come

A new book about Stephen King’s early novels will only appeal to hardcore fans, but its very existence is a reminder of its subject’s incalculable cultural impact.

What Is the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor?

Creating NGOs that misuse the language of human rights is an effective strategy for advancing terrorist goals.

Three Year College Degrees — Pro and Con

Exploring choice in educational programs.

Trump pushed NATO to spend big — now comes the harder question: Can Europe actually fight?

NATO defense spending hits Cold War highs after pressure from Trump and Russia's war in Ukraine, but experts say real military capability still lags.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Homeric Heresies

Outrage over a black Helen of Troy misunderstands the long Western tradition of radically reinventing classical myths.

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.

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.

An Ivy League University Looks Inward

Podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Yale Law School professor Sarath Sanga, co-author of a new ⁠report⁠ explaining why the American public is losing trust in the country’s colleges and universities.

Supreme Court Reverses Ruling in Immigration Judges’ Free Speech Lawsuit

A group of immigration judges in 2020 challenged work-related restrictions on their public speaking engagements, saying they violated their free speech rights.

GOP fears Trump's last-minute Texas endorsement could give Dems the upper hand

Trump's decision to back Texas AG Ken Paxton over Sen. John Cornyn rattled Senate Republicans, with some saying it puts a safe GOP seat in jeopardy.

Expanded Abraham Accords Should Be Part of Iran Deal

This will be the most important Deal that any of these Great, but always in Conflict Countries, will ever sign. Nothing in the past, or in the future, will surpass it.

U.S. Conducts 'Self-Defense Strikes' on Southern Iran

The US military says it has launched new strikes on southern Iran, targeting Iranian missile sites and boats attempting to place mines.

Australia's Broken Justice System: Andrew Bushnell | Quillette Cetera Ep. 64

From the murder of a five-year-old Aboriginal girl to Melbourne's tobacco wars, Andrew Bushnell joins Zoe Sankey to examine the human cost of Australia's broken justice system.

Why Colbert's Ratings and Career Spiraled Downward

Colbert's biting hostility to Trump and other right-leaning politicians showed an anger that couldn't be hidden by labeling his outbursts as comedy.

Seven Ways To Avoid Losing Your Job to AI

Go into the office, embrace 'messy jobs,' and other dos and don'ts for the future workplace in the age of AI, advises Tyler Cowen.

More Lighting, Less Crime. But . . .

Net-zero Britain might be more concerned with tackling climate change.

Trump's Deal: How To Analyze The Unknowable

Rahm Emanuel, a Possible 2028 Contender, Calls for Higher Education Reforms

Republicans have made gains with voters on education issues. A plan championed by Mr. Emanuel, a Democratic former mayor of Chicago, centers on college affordability.

China: We'd Be Happy to Facilitate Transfer of Iran's Uranium, Thanks For Asking

Massie positions himself for potential political future after primary defeat: 'I won't be going away silently'

After losing GOP primary to Trump-backed challenger Ed Gallrein in Kentucky's 4th Congressional District, Rep. Thomas Massie indicates he's open to potentially mounting a future run for office.

The Well-Funded Online Influence Network Pushing Graham Platner

It turns out Graham Platner was touted by Democratic social media influencers who were secretly being paid by his campaign.

Bioethicists: ‘Terminally Sedate’ People Committing Suicide by Self-Starvation

Article in Bioethics argues doctors should be allowed to ‘terminally sedate’ people to prevent intractable suffering.

Judgment Night Is upon Us in Texas

If Ken Paxton defeats John Cornyn, the Texas Senate race will become a money pit legendary among Senate races.

Unionized nursing homes in deep-blue state trail the pack as analysis reveals ratings gap

California nursing homes with union staff allegedly receive lower federal quality ratings than non-unionized facilities, according to a new CUF report.

Canada’s Newspaper of Record Asks: ‘What If They Ultimately Find Nothing?’

Five years after it helped promote a nationwide social panic over ‘unmarked graves,’ the Globe & Mail admits those graves might not actually exist—while also suggesting that it doesn’t really matter anyway.

Trump convenes rare Camp David Cabinet meeting as Iran deal pressure grows

Trump convenes a rare Cabinet meeting at Camp David as high-stakes negotiations with Iran enter a critical phase amid a fraying ceasefire.

As Trump Politicizes Justice Dept., Prosecutors Struggle With Grand Juries

Judges and grand juries have increasingly lost faith in the Justice Department as the president uses it to reward his friends and go after his opponents.

Students Who Protest Before They’ve Heard the Speaker

A pre-emptive condemnation of a speaker the authors had not heard is the attention economy doing what it was built to do.

Trump fumes at Congress and courts for holding up his ballroom

The president bulldozed the East Wing and remade federal panels that quickly approved his ballroom project. But he has faced barriers as he seeks to complete it.

An Autopsy on an Autopsy

The ruinous price increases that took place during the Biden-Harris administration do not get a mention.

Trump Undergoes a Physical Exam at Walter Reed

President Trump, whose health has been a subject of public scrutiny, will turn 80 next month.

Memorial Day 2026

In the Georgia Governor’s Race, an Election Denier is the G.O.P. Front-Runner

Burt Jones, the leading G.O.P. candidate for governor, worked with Trump allies to try to overturn the election, and even talked to the president himself.

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.

Sunday's Final Word

DNC's Memorial Day: Honored Only American Military Members Trump Got Killed

Peak Woke

Here’s the latest.

Federal judge blocks Alabama redistricting plan in blow to Trump

Court blocks Alabama congressional map tied to GOP redistricting push.

A Few Things About Magnifica Humanitas That Caught My Eye

Some links to early commentary and summations on Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical.

Yale Admits to Med School Discrimination

By its own admissions, Yale Medical School has seemingly been caught engaging in racial discrimination, not holistic admission decisions.

Democrats' Patron Saint of Human Traffick

Trump Justice Department must immediately appeal the ruling to the Sixth Circuit

You All Have AI...Actual Intelligence

Unlike other commencement speakers who have recently seen backlash for hyping AI, Steve Wozniak got applause by reminding graduates at Grand Valley State University: "You all have AI... Actual Intelligence."