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

Reporter's Notebook: Inside the Senate showdown over Trump's push to scrap August recess

Trump wants the Senate to skip August recess until it passes the SAVE America Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote, but John Thune says no.

Top media outlets fail to disclose who is bankrolling their AI reporters

Major outlets like Time and The Verge aren't disclosing that their AI reporters are funded by a nonprofit backed by an Anthropic investor.

Kay Granger, first GOP woman from Texas to win House seat, dies at 83

The trailblazing Republican served as the first female mayor of Fort Worth and spent 28 years in Congress, rising to lead the Appropriations Committee.

How To Lose $35 Billion

Almost overnight, Leopold Aschenbrenner went from lauded wunderkind to Wall Street punching bag. Will that be the end of his story? Joe Nocera weighs the case.

Climate Change Started Another Fire With Matches

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…

Too Dumb to Check: Pro-Trans WNBA Coach Draws Line Right Where You'd Expect

Monday's Final Word

A Beautiful Odyssey, Made Dreary By Remorse

Christopher Nolan’s creation is a big movie in every technical sense. But inside, it is diminished and faded: heroes who aren’t allowed to be heroes and gods who aren’t allowed to be gods.

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…

Max Miller Shrugs Off Trump’s Warning and Pushes Ahead in Ohio

Republicans hoped a shove from President Trump would persuade the embattled congressman to drop his re-election bid in the face of abuse allegations.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

Could Ukraine Please Give Back Some of the BoomBoom and PewPew Stuff POTATUS Sent Them?

Why Trump is lashing out at Chevron amid profit windfall

The president criticized Chevron for not giving the administration what he considers adequate credit for the oil major’s financial success.

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.

How Well Is the Progressive Left Actually Doing?

Its wins have been largely confined to highly educated and heavily Democratic parts of urban America. But two races could change that.

Here’s what to watch for in Tuesday’s primaries

After a few weeks of relative calm on the midterms calendar, we’ve got a slate of states with important primaries across the country today.

Bomb-thrower Dem makes shocking promise to kick Schumer to curb during Senate debate

Seth Moulton vowed not to support Chuck Schumer as Senate leader, intensifying a Democratic Party clash between younger candidates and establishment.

Trump's Economic 'Golden Age' Collides With Reality

It's not a recession, at least for now. But the president has delivered the Meh Economy.

The Common Good Should Be Explained in Terms Clear to the Common Man

Finding common ground on the common good continues to be elusive.

Sex Differences Above the Neck

The evidence for innate sex differences has been accumulating for decades. Steve Stewart-Williams's new book is a welcome inventory.

The GOP's GDP Majority

In addition to winning the presidency in 2024, Republicans also won America's economic majority. Becoming the economic majority happened quickly for Republicans, and the conditions driving it appear to be increasing. If continued, this trend will …

CNN Stumps DSA Candidate: Do You Still Want to Cancel Thanksgiving? UPDATE: Whiffs on Defund Police

Ariana Grande Is Obviously Not Well

Crucial Senate race could come down to Michigan’s Black voters

A disruptor or a pragmatist? In Tuesday's contest between Abdul El-Sayed and Haley Stevens, Democrats weigh whether to remake the political system or work within it.

The Quiet Redesign of the Bachelor's Degree

As millions hold some credit but no bachelor's, lines between community college, high schools, and four-year institutions are blurring.

Courage Answered When Evil Came to an Idaho In-N-Out

Jordan Salinas had trained for years for a moment like this. When gunman Chad Williams opened fire at a Twin Falls, Idaho, In-N-Out, he was ready.

Is this Trump’s last ‘last chance’? Ceaseless string of broken ceasefires fuels doubt over Iran deal

Trump calls diplomacy Iran's "last chance" after halting what he described as the biggest planned U.S. attack since World War II amid disputed talks.

Blood, Progress, and Amnesia

There is real value in Noah Rothman's century-spanning chronicle of left-wing terror, but it falls short in analysis.

Madison Autonomous Zone Finally Cleared, 10 Arrested

DOJ charges 19 defendants in alleged $4M Philadelphia Medicare and Medicaid fraud

The Department of Justice expanded its Northeast Health Care Fraud Strike Force to Philadelphia, charging 19 defendants in alleged Medicare and Medicaid schemes.

Trump keeps making threats. The world has stopped flinching.

The president’s bombast has ceased to rattle world leaders, who have seen him fenced in by courts, rebuffed by Congress and strung along by Iran.

Pravda Is Trying to Soften Ceuta Invasion

Men Without Meaning

Men are quietly leaving the workforce—not for lack of jobs, but for lack of purpose.

An Invasive Mosquito Is Spreading With Alarming Speed, Threatening Africa’s Cities

The malaria-carrying mosquito is resistant to all insecticides. Scientists are scrambling to find ways to blunt the risk.

DSA 'Comrades' Meet in Chicago

Monday, August 3rd on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP White House Correspondent Carolina Lumetta

When Is My State’s Primary? See 2026 Primary Election Calendar

No, Pro-Life Laws Are Not Increasing Suicides Among Teenage Girls

To the contrary, there is a body of research that shows that pro-life laws improve teens’ health outcomes.

Pete Buttigieg, Constitutional Arsonist

Don’t let the bland management-consultant affect fool you.

Two Things That Will Struggle to Coexist in the AI Era

The market is apt to notice what the midterms might lead to: a crackdown on the very engines of AI growth that are sustaining high stock prices.

Left’s latest socialist darling dragged over ‘whiteness’ comments pulling in her own family: ‘Weirdo racism’

Francesca Hong's past remarks about race and whiteness resurface as the Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate campaigns with Ilhan Omar and Hasan Piker.

Capturing the ‘Odyssey’

Homer’s epic provides a window on to a strange, paradoxical, fascinating, beautiful, and terrifying world that is at once familiar and unfamiliar. 

Things Can Get Hairy and Expensive When Your Grid Depends on the Neighbors

Bye-Bye, BP

The pioneer in offshore oil production has decided to sell its North Sea assets.

You Simply Cannot Give Power to Lunatics

I'm looking around the world right now, and what I see isn't all bad. In fact, there are lots of indications of positive things happening or about to happen. What strikes me, though, in seeing the hopeful signs, is the contrast between those and t…

Fighting the New Antisemitism Every Single Day

On speaking with Melissa Braunstein and listening to Boy George’s new song about October 7.

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.

Todd Blanche Clears Committee Vote, Paving Way for Attorney General Confirmation

Todd Blanche’s nomination now advances to the Senate floor, where he is expected to be confirmed, even though several Republicans have not yet committed to supporting him.

Hiking Taxes on Capital and Corporations Is the Wrong Response to AI

If more revenue is needed, policymakers should tax consumption, not capital or corporate income.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Truths About Men and Women

GOP Should Temper Expectations on Jack Smith Hearing

If GOP senators hope to get the better of the former special counsel, they should start tempering their expectations.

Progressives Set To Sweep Dem Primaries in MI and WI

Progressives are set to sweep a group of contested primaries in Michigan and Wisconsin.

GOP Screams 'Communism' To Distract From Its Failure

No matter who wins Michigan's Democratic primary election, the GOP will call the winner 'radical' to distract from the failure of its own policies.

Is 'Communist' No Longer a Slur?

The farther today's Democratic Socialists advance, the less they resemble reformers-and the more they embrace policies long associated with communism.

What to Watch in the Kansas Primaries: Can Republicans Flip a Governor’s Mansion?

Republicans see the marquee race to lead the state as perhaps their best chance this year to win a governorship held by Democrats.

NEW: Rubio, Bessent Claim Hormuz Deal Imminent

Battlefield robots open new front in innovation war with major US adversary

EdgeRunner AI's onboard neural network lets military robots continue missions after losing connectivity, eliminating reliance on Starlink or cloud.

Still Here?

I’m old enough to remember when Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s hard-left prime minister, was described by overexcited Gutmenschen as Europe’s ‘real’ leader.

Iran Owns the Strait of Hormuz

No new deal, no cease-fire, no umpteenth round of bombing will change this reality.

Embattled GOP rep takes dramatic step to 'clear my name' as abuse allegations engulf House race

Rep. Max Miller filed for an ethics investigation into himself to clear his name as Sen. Bernie Moreno calls him a "danger" to his own family.

Vance to host Congress at White House to discuss legislative action on fraud

Vice President JD Vance will host roughly 20 members of Congress at the White House to discuss legislative action targeting Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

Michigan Is Fight for the Democrats' Future

The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers, who is uncontested in his primary.

Is the Pro-Palestine Movement Israel’s Unlikely Ally?

By framing terrorism and armed struggle as legitimate resistance, the pro-Palestine movement has unwittingly strengthened Israel’s case that withdrawal and concessions carry unacceptable risks.

What to Watch in Washington State’s Primaries as Gluesenkamp Perez Faces a Challenge

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a moderate Democrat, is going head-to-head with candidates to her right and her left in a battleground district.

El-Sayed's Final Pitch: America Sucks, Hasan Piker Is My Guy

Trump's AG pick survives — for now — as Republicans question if White House deal will hold

Todd Blanche's committee vote hinged on a deal with Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, but Senate Republicans remain divided on his path to confirmation.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

An Angry Trump Struggles to Understand Iran’s Defiant Leaders

Iran’s leaders have perplexed several American presidents, perhaps none more than President Trump.

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.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Hormuz and Homer

The ‘Sex Recession’ is Real

Quillette podcast host Jonathan Kay talks to Debra Soh, author of ‘Sextinction: The Decline of Sex and the Future of Intimacy,’ about neuroscience, hypergamy, elephant seals, politicised sex research, the perils of polyamory, and the sex-repellent…

Democrats and Republicans Battle to Reshape Congress in 2026 Midterms

The ‘Autonomous Zones’ Are Back

Protesters in Madison, Wis., reprise CHAZ.

The Reflecting Pool Is Now a Serious Scandal

And good governance hangs in the balance.

How a centrist split boosted progressive hopes in a Democratic House primary in Michigan.

Biting the Hand

Artists increasingly insist that their work and their politics are indivisible. They should not be surprised when the institutions that fund them agree.

Leftist Mamdani Supporters Scream 'I Didn't Think You Would Do This to Me!'

The Rise of Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons

In the 30th instalment of ‘Nations of Canada,’ Greg Koabel describes the expanding Jesuit presence of the late 1630s—and the increasingly bitter opposition it provoked among France’s local Indigenous allies.

Trump admin trucking crackdown lands 51 immigration detentions, 36 English language proficiency violations

Operation Highway Shield resulted in 766 unsafe vehicles placed out of service and 51 immigration detentions as the Trump administration's trucking industry crackdown expands.

Parts of Trump’s New White House Helipad Disassembled, Photos Show

Last week, construction workers had begun to decorate the new South Lawn helipad with a giant presidential seal. By Tuesday, the design was gone.

Who’s winning in California v. Trump lawsuits so far?

The White House calls California’s suits ‘frivolous’ amid court battles.

Trump keeps calling Thune despite public fight over SAVE America Act

John Thune says Trump called him twice in one morning, pushing back on reports their working relationship over the SAVE America Act has collapsed.

CNN Political Briefing

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

The Grift at the Gate

The Grift Industrial Complex targeted Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey—and got buried.

What to Watch in Michigan’s High-Stakes Primary Elections

A high-stakes Senate contest and other races will offer fresh indicators of what Democratic voters are seeking.

On the Republican Deal to Save Blanche’s AG Nomination

Blanche’s eleventh-hour orders are illusory, but holdout senators have agreed to play along.