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

Promises Made and (Eventually) Kept

The Declaration of Independence at 250.

Bill Frist Wants to Take Politics Out of Climate Change

Bill Frist, a surgeon who also served as Senate majority leader, has emerged as an outspoken advocate for environmental health. “A healthier planet means healthier people,” he said.

Claire's Weekly Letter: Celebrating 250 Years of America

Trump's Election Subversion Plans?

Trump has floated ways to disrupt the 2026 midterms, from mail voting crackdowns to ICE at the polls. Here's why voters still have power.

In the Big Easy, Maybe It's the Humidity That Makes Keeping It Clean So Hard

The Web Was Flooded With Patriot Front Photos on July 4th, and It Was Ridiculous

New Iran TV Movie: Guess Who's Not Coming to Dinner?

Sunday Smiles

America owes Black women 'everything,' Rep Jasmine Crockett rants over July 4 weekend

Rep. Jasmine Crockett told the Essence Festival that America owes Black women "everything," sparking fierce online backlash over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Trump bets on former NATO troublemaker as Turkey's strategic value surges

Trump says he's attending the NATO summit in Ankara because of Erdoğan, signaling closer U.S.-Turkey defense cooperation amid unresolved S-400 tensions.

Socialist House hopeful under fire for pro-Palestinian July 4 message

Claire Valdez's Fourth of July post calling for "liberation from Palestine to Puerto Rico" drew sharp bipartisan backlash.

Far-left House candidate ripped for 'disgusting' vote on misgendering bill: 'Disqualifying'

Manny Rutinel helped pass the Kelly Loving Act, which deems deadnaming and misgendering as coercive control in child custody court decisions.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

The Socialist Democrat Party Is Obama's Legacy

During the 2012 Democrat National Convention, the narrative was that Barack Obama personally stepped in to resolve the issue of the party platform removing the recognition of Israel. I never believed the official story, but even if it isn't true, …

A Timeline of Trump’s Pressure Campaign Against the Smithsonian

Since returning to the White House in 2025, President Trump has repeatedly denounced the Smithsonian’s museums. The latest salvo came on the nation’s 250th birthday.

The Greatest Tradition of All

Apart from the Declaration and Constitution, there is perhaps no more essentially American document than Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlet ‘Common Sense.’

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Explosive House report reveals secret operation inside China at center of South Korea's fight with US company

House Judiciary Committee report alleges South Korea's far-left government has systematically discriminated against American companies like Coupang.

Trump Became a Legend This Weekend

The two Americas faced off over Independence Day Weekend, the nation's 250th birthday. To the Left and the ruling class, it was the worst-case scenario. How could they celebrate the administration they've called "fascist" for ten years? And worse,…

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…

Why Public Policy Schools Aren’t Working

Students with a right-of-center inclination aren’t interested in learning from climate alarmists or school-choice opponents.

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.

Inside White House's Effort To Overturn World Cup Red Card

The decision by FIFA to rescind U.S. striker Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension followed a rapid response from the Trump administration-and a personal call from the president.

President Rings Stock Market Opening Bell to Celebrate Trump Accounts

The government-funded savings accounts for children became available on Saturday.

Johnson: Once More Unto the Breach For SAVE Act?

Navy Ends Search for Missing Crew Member After Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash

The cause of the crash was still under investigation, but the military said it was not the result of hostile fire. A total of 14 U.S. service members have been killed in the war against Iran.

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.

Gloomy Optimist

Jefferson emerges as a man who doubted democracy's permanence yet placed his faith in future generations. Onuf and Cogliano rescue him from caricature—even if one dimension of his thought remains in shadow.

Jefferson and the Source of Human Rights

To understand the intent of the US Declaration of Independence, recall that its primary author was a deist rather than a Christian.

Trump says he 'immediately overturned' decision to cancel July 4 festivities in DC

President Donald Trump said in a Sunday Truth Social post that he "overturned" a decision to nix July 4th festivities in D.C. on Saturday

Did the Supreme Court Steal the Midterm Elections?

Restrictions on party committees violated the Constitution-and gave Democrats an advantage.

The Menace of a Respectable Hatred

What remains of a person, an institution, or a civilisation that dishonours itself when Jews and Israel become the targets of hatred and violence?

Kudos to the Trump Administration for Securing Ezra Jin’s Release

Credit President Trump for getting Chinese house church pastor Ezra Jin released from a Chinese prison.

The Gentle Yoke of Love: Sunday Reflection

On America’s 250th, Smithsonian Museums Offer Respite and Reflection

An institution under attack from the Trump administration provided relief from the weather on July 4 — and a chance to ponder what it means to be American.

Brown Jackson’s latest spotlight moment fuels accusations she’s forgetting her day job: 'Not celebrities'

Critics slam Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson after Essence magazine dubs her "the people's champion" on its cover, saying justices aren't celebrities.

The Roe v. Wade of Birthright Citizenship

The Supreme Court’s ruling means that changing the law will take longer and be more wrenching than it would otherwise have to.

After America’s 250th, Trump will test how far he can push NATO allies

As NATO leaders gather in Turkey, they are preparing for another summit shaped as much by managing President Donald Trump as by the alliance's security agenda.

The Truth Does Not Belong to Eight Billion People

Total disclosure, as Spielberg imagines it, is a beautiful thing to watch. It is also a fantasy.

Mallory McMorrow Suspends Senate Bid in Democrats’ Heated Michigan Primary

The state senator sought to carve a middle path between a left-wing candidate and one backed by the party establishment, but she gained little traction.

McCarthy Report Takes a Break

Check back in August for new episodes!

Too Fun to Check: Belgians Blue Over Red-Card Trump

What Capitol Hill Interns Are Posting on Social Media This Summer

Congressional interns, usually seen but not heard, are taking to social media with viral trends and pithy posts about their outfits, lifestyles and jobs.

World Cup's Integrity in Tatters After FIFA Intervention

If it were not extraordinary enough that Gianni Infantino has paid more visits to the Oval Office than Sir Keir Starmer, along comes a World Cup decision so heavy with political overtones that it takes the breath away. Folarin Balogun, the former …

Raul Castro's Grandson Wants To Make Deal With Trump

Raul Castro's right-hand man says he's ready to lead Cuba and negotiate its future with U.S. President Donald Trump, in exclusive USA Today interview.

Newsom-backed commission transfers popular coastline to indigenous tribes

Blues Beach and 136 acres of Mendocino County coastline now belong to Kai Poma after Caltrans approved the first tribal land transfer in state history.

America Is Exceptional Because Nothing Is Fixed in Place

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech marking America's 250th anniversary:

The Disgraceful Mamdanis

What makes America great, according to Zohran Mamdani, and the only thing that makes it great, is that it can be fundamentally changed by people like him.

Congress Can Still Ban Birthright Citizenship. Here's How.

Senate hopeful says Texas home to the 'best drag queens in the nation' in resurfaced comments

James Talarico praised Texas drag queens as "some of the best" while criticizing a drag show law, drawing sharp attacks from his Republican rival.

The NGO Industrial Complex: Gerald Steinberg on How Human Rights Became a Racket | Quillette Cetera Episode 67

NGO Monitor founder Gerald Steinberg on how Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and the UN's "civil society" experiment were hijacked — and why journalists still buy it.

Why Australia's New Capital Gains Tax Is the Best Tax Policy for Crushing the Economy

Fund manager Derek Francis tells Claire Lehmann that Treasury's modelling of Australia's new capital gains tax contains a basic error — one that could push tax rates on shares as high as 70 percent.

Smithsonian's National Museum of American History promotes 'extreme political activism,' WH report alleges

A 162-page White House report accuses the National Museum of American History of ideological capture and abandoning straightforward education.

CNN Political Briefing

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

The Myth of Unifying the Union

The Joy of Historical Reenactment

You can read as many history books as you’d like, but there’s nothing quite like stepping into the past and experiencing it for yourself.

Trump Asked FIFA to Review U.S. Player’s Suspension. Now He’s Eligible to Play.

The reversal of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension is highly unusual. It was the first time since 1962 that FIFA has nullified a suspension for a red card received during the World Cup.

Zyn’s Popularity Has Tobacco Companies Racing to Cash In

The makers of nicotine pouches are building new plants and expanding to meet demand. While influencers claim health benefits, experts warn the products can be highly addictive.

In Trump’s Second Midterm, Democrats Are Looking for Fighters

Attitudes in the party have shifted, Democrats say, with a growing appetite for outsider candidates vowing to overhaul the system. Some worry that the trend could be costly in November.

What an Eighth Grader Taught Me About Status

Comparing yourself to others locks you into a contest you can never win and makes other people’s wins feel like your defeats.

The Drone Race Speeds Up Again

Typical drones travel (relatively) slowly. These new ones from Russia do not.

America's Been Deeply Divided Before. Today Is Different

At 250 years, America's (fault) lines are showing.

Abolish Everything, Replace It With What?

Zohran Mamdani's allies want to abolish the police, prisons, borders, and capitalism. None of them have said what comes next.

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.

When Will Obama Say, 'What's Happened to My Party?'

Declaration of Independence vs. Communist Manifesto

We have a choice between two conflicting worldviews: one of freedom and dignity, the other of a regimented society based on submission to the ideology of a ruling elite.

Spencer Pratt lights social media on fire with viral takedown of ‘vile, commie mayor’ Mamdani

Spencer Pratt called New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a "vile, commie" after the mayor used July 4th to criticize ICE and American history.

Spain’s Opened Door

Needless to say, it is a mistake.

You Cannot Take the 'They Aren't Communists' Pravda Defenses Seriously

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…

Solutions That Actually Work

What comes next for the right?

OK, This Is Too Funny. The Left's New 'Hero' Has a Rap Sheet

America’s Naysayers Need to Get a Grip

The greatest country on earth deserves to be celebrated.

How Trump Put Himself in the Middle of America’s 250th

The president placed his image and initiatives front and center, blurring the line, critics said, between loyalty to nation and loyalty to him.

Happy Fifth of July!

America’s strength has always been twofold.

The Mask That Made Me

Thirty years as a high-functioning neurodivergent project manager.

Who Is Going to Be Next to Donate $1,776 to Our July 4 Fundraiser?

If you can chip in, it makes a big difference.

Sources corroborate whistleblower claims of corruption, quid pro quo culture inside powerful NYC union

A whistleblower letter alleges Richard Maroko and New York Hotel Trades Council leaders accepted gifts from hotel executives in quid pro quo dealings.

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.

Bill Archer, Influential Texas Congressman, Is Dead at 98

Serving for 30 years, he eventually wrote virtually all tax laws considered by the House and was a major influence on budget bills as Ways and Means chairman.

Bioethicists: Prepare People for Public Health Coercion

The technocratic class has not yet abandoned its dream of establishing international rule by experts.

Why Is He Using the Communist Trump Card?

Trump has run out of cards to play in the midterm elections, which is why he's now talking about the "communist menace."