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

What Graham Platner’s rise and unraveling reveal about the politics of 2026

In their rush to find a strong candidate to run against Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Democrats should have more thoroughly vetted their party's nominee.

Leftist California group pushes to add 'Black English' to schools' multilingual education program

BlackECE wants AAVE added to a California dual language learners program, arguing Black English is a legitimate language deserving school resources.

Lessons From the Graham Platner Disaster

Hopefully, by the time you read this, Graham Platner will have dropped out of the Senate race in Maine. If he hasn't, he needs to, immediately.

Democrats Have Less Leverage Over Graham Platner Than They Think

In reality, he holds all the cards.

Anatomy of a Hype Job: How the NY Times Boosted Graham Platner

A New York Times columnist who has repeatedly risen to the defense of U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner is now publicly accepting

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…

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.

Tuesday's Final Word

Goldberg: Sorry I Promoted Maine Kampf (But The Bulwark Denies Responsibility)

Platner Was No Good from the Start

‘Why him? He’s not impressive.’

Platner ripped cheaters as ‘garbage’ in unearthed posts before his own early-marriage sexting scandal

Graham Platner repeatedly slammed a lawmaker for infidelity in Reddit posts years before his own campaign confirmed he sent sexual messages to women.

Planned Parenthood Regains Access to Federal Funds

A one-year defund still represents an important achievement for pro-lifers.

John Leguizamo, Shut Up

Claire's Weekly Letter: Celebrating 250 Years of America

Trump says US will let Ukraine make Patriot missiles in major policy shift

Trump told Volodymyr Zelenskyy the U.S. would license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, adding the companies had not yet been informed.

Barrett, Kagan to make rare Capitol Hill appearance as Supreme Court seeks more security amid threats

Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan will testify on a $20.5 million budget increase request, with most of the funding aimed at boosting security.

Well, Huh: MSM Suddenly Interested in Playing 'Where's Mitch-O?'

Democratic factions vie to pick Platner replacement before he leaves Maine race

Potential candidates and their backers moved quickly to gain an edge in the contest over who would replace Graham Platner if he exits the key Senate race.

The Intifada’s Nasty Tactics Against Our Colleges and Universities

Leaders of many American colleges have long shown they have no backbone when it comes to opposing radical elements who want to subvert our institutions.

A Conservative Role Model for Ending the Fertility Crisis

Emma Waters, pregnant with her third child, is crafting policy to encourage early parenthood. Some think she is pushing an ideology that does not meet reality.

Judge Orders D.H.S. to Restore 4 States’ Access to Citizenship Data

The ruling, based on an agreement the Trump administration signed with Florida last year, contradicted an earlier order by a judge in Washington that required the access be suspended.

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.

WATCH: Surfaced videos of Dem Senate candidate backing 'defund the police' contradict recent denials

Unearthed video shows Abdul El-Sayed questioning whether police need guns and their funding despite repeated claims he never backed defunding.

Trump admin uncovers 7,100% surge in Medicare transplant claims, says anti-fraud crackdown blocked millions

Medicare claims for tissue and organ transplants surged 7,100% from $200 million to $14.4 billion between 2019 and 2025, sparking fraud probes.

CNN Political Briefing

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

In shift, Trump praises Zelensky, will let Ukraine build Patriot missiles

It was a dramatic departure from Trump’s more acerbic tone toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he once derided as ungrateful.

If Platner Exits Senate Race, the Maine Democratic Party Chair Could Help Pick the Nominee

Charles Dingman, chair of the Maine Democratic Party and a progressive, would play a key role in choosing the state’s Democratic Senate candidate if Graham Platner leaves the race.

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.

Democratic Socialists Have Big Plans for 2028

The Democratic Socialists of America have notched some impressive primary wins over the past couple of weeks. In New York, two DSA members beat Democratic establishment candidates - including the sitting chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus …

Navy Identifies Crew Member Lost in Arabian Sea Helicopter Crash

Cmdr. Gabriel Edwards was declared missing after what the Navy said was an emergency water landing during a routine patrol.

U.S. and Iran launch fresh strikes following attacks on commercial ships

Iran said it had targeted more than 80 U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait, after the U.S. launched strikes in response to attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Ex-girlfriend of Graham Platner says he removed condoms without consent during sex

The campaign for the Democratic Senate candidate in Maine called the allegation “categorically false and politically motivated.”

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.’

Promises Made and (Eventually) Kept

The Declaration of Independence at 250.

WATCH: Americans rip 'disgusting' Dems forced to split with Platner amid rape allegation

State Fair attendees question why Democrats ignored Graham Platner's string of scandals and only demanded he drop out after a rape allegation surfaced.

Top Democrats pull Graham Platner endorsements, call on him to end Maine Senate campaign

The Democrat, who has withstood other scandals since launching his challenge to Sen. Susan Collins (R), is accused of sexual assault by a woman he previously dated.

U.S. Strikes Iran and Reimposes Sanctions After Tanker Attacks

The military operation came hours after the U.S. Treasury revoked a waiver allowing global sales of Iranian oil.

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.

Establishment Democrats Can Thank The New York Times for Their Platner Fiasco

6 potential replacements for Graham Platner if he drops out of Senate race

The Maine Democrat has faced an escalating string of scandals as he competes for a critical Senate seat that could determine control of the chamber.

The Mask That Made Me

Thirty years as a high-functioning neurodivergent project manager.

When Does Lyndsey Fifield Get Her Post-Platner-Campaign Apology?

Can we all pray that America does better with recruiting to Congress — a “no creeper” rule, as a modest start?

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

After Greenland bluster, Trump surprises NATO allies with praise

The president embraced the alliance in a meeting Wednesday, extolling nations’ defense spending and saying nothing about the Danish territory, officials said.

Maine voters, once loyal to Platner, abandon him after sexual assault allegation

Some voters said they stuck with the progressive candidate through several controversies, but drew the line after a new allegation of sex assault.

Maine Democrat Party: How Dare Platner Try to Force Himself on Our Candidate Selection Process!

Fierce Trump critic makes stunning admission on defense spending: ‘He has won the argument’

Mark Carney says Trump has "won the argument" on NATO defense spending, crediting years of U.S. pressure for shifting the security burden to allies.

Interesting Updates to the Newport Beach July 4th 'Youth' Riots

Iran Tests Trump’s Appetite for Humiliation

Iran has demonstrated that it will not give Trump the placid midterm election cycle he wants.

A Year Later, Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Looks Really Ugly

Polling shows the economy, Trump's strongest issue during his 2024 campaign, is now his greatest weakness.

How Zohran Mamdani Saved the Fourth of July

In normal times, there's nothing more tedious than a Fourth of July speech. It's an occasion for self-congratulatory nationalist backslapping, pompous mythmaking, and oily celebrations of unity that always evade the reality of political divisions.…

Why Democrats Would Probably Come Out Ahead if Platner Dropped Out

Already near the breaking point, he held no special advantage among some key Maine voting groups he was expected to win over.

MSM Narrative Shift Inbound! Axios Suddenly Discovers Silver Spoon in Der Oysterführer's Face

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.

In Israel, Rahm Emanuel Calls for End of Unconditional U.S. Support

The former Chicago mayor, a Democrat exploring a 2028 presidential run, delivered a speech in Tel Aviv that was sharply critical of Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mamdani Reveals a Remarkable Ignorance

Americans are understandably astonished when recent immigrants from failed states-plagued by caste prejudice, dictatorship, endemic racism, religious intolerance, Marxist-induced poverty, antisemitism, systemic violence, misogyny, and homophobia-b…

Nuns in Court, Again: The Ongoing — Unnecessary — Little Sisters Ordeal

The Little Sisters are living the Gospel, but the government — federal and state — is fixated on sex. 

JD Vance: 'America First' Warrior

Critics have been howling at Vice President JD Vance lately. The wailing and aspersions flow from predictable quarters, especially the legacy media and the establishment GOP neocons.

U.S. gave Tehran details on Iranian asylum seekers, lawsuit alleges

The claim, outlined in court papers, contends information shared with Iran could jeopardize the lives of pro-democracy protesters, religious minorities and LGTBQ people.

Trump asks Supreme Court for rehearing over $5M E Jean Carroll civil judgment

Lawyers for Trump filed a rehearing petition after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal of the $5 million E. Jean Carroll civil judgment last week.

You Know, Platner Doesn't HAVE to Pull Out

Top Maine Democrat Says Platner Will Have ‘No Role’ in Picking Next Nominee

A top state party official said that Graham Platner’s team had “repeatedly” tried to “put their thumb on the scale,” but he would not influence how the party chose a new Senate candidate.

Haley Stevens Goes on Attack Against Abdul El-Sayed at Michigan Senate Debate

At their first one-on-one debate in a top Senate race, Representative Haley Stevens accused her progressive rival, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, of being too focused on publicity as he called her a tool of corporate interests.

Why Does JD Vance Keep Saying Loony Things?

Scratch their surface and you see exactly what he's trying to do: stand up strong for intolerance and corruption

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

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?

Democrats Vetted Platner, Signed Off on All His Baggage

CNN's Scott Jennings wonders why the latest accusation against Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner seems to have broken the camel's back.

Oil Market Calm Shattered by Fresh Hostilities Between US and Iran

Oil prices are likely to remain volatile as long as the United States and Iran are unable to resolve the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

There Are No Christians Without Jews

Resist antisemitism. Know history. We can’t go down these roads again.

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.

Deadly illegal immigrant truck crash exposed failures on the road and at the border: key senator

State Sen. Doug Mastriano says the crash that killed a Pennsylvania state trooper on Interstate 81 exposed highway safety and immigration failures.

GOP senator accuses NYT of sitting on bombshell allegation to protect Schumer, Dems

Sen. Tim Scott accuses Chuck Schumer and The New York Times of coordinating to delay damaging allegations against Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner.

'Dead Man Walking' in Maine?

If he says the accusation is false, why is he "taking time to reflect on the best path forward"? What are the chances he'll try to ride this out to the end?

A Look Back at Trump’s Broadsides Against NATO Allies

President Trump has rarely missed an opportunity to castigate the Western military alliance, whose leaders he’s meeting this week, as weak and ineffective.

J.K. Rowling's Rebuttal Here Makes a Key Point

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.

Supreme Court justices to make rare appearance before Congress

Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, a liberal and a conservative, are set to testify before a House subcommittee next Tuesday.

Lawmakers Target the Power of Health Insurance Giants

UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health and Cigna are battling efforts to break up their control over prescription drugs.

The Long Road to Medical ‘Miracles’

How decades of invisible science produced two cancer breakthroughs.

How a Hidden Songbook Survived the Holocaust

The extraordinary story of how a fragile Holocaust songbook, hidden for decades in a Sydney cupboard, came back to the world.

The GOP's Self-Inflicted Midterm Crisis

The midterm election is less than four months away, and Republicans hold majorities in both houses of Congress, yet their track record has been abysmal.

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…

U.S. Resumes Strikes Against Iran

Questions remain about defense strategy for man accused of killing Charlie Kirk

A preliminary hearing to establish whether there is enough evidence against Tyler James Robinson for the case to proceed to trial enters Day 3 in Utah.

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.

Dorothy Day and Her Abortion

This daughter of the church can minister, even from heaven, in a most intimate way.

Shameful Days in America: Funding Planned Parenthood Again

Pro-life groups have been insisting that Congress and the White House act to keep Planned Parenthood defunded. Crickets. We hear crickets.  

Trump: Ceasefire Is 'Over,' Talks With Iran a 'Waste of Time'; UPDATE: More Strikes Coming

Why Platner's Supporters Ignored Glaring Warning Signs

There are painful but necessary lessons to be learned from the Maine Democratic Senate candidate's rise and fall.

Home in Iowa

Can’t I have just one place that stays the same?

Go to Work — Physically

The message that younger workers need to hear is not nuanced.

Top Dem admits Trump ‘wisely’ made critical demand to NATO allies: ‘Love and hate relationship’

Dick Durbin said Trump "wisely" pushed NATO allies to spend more on defense, calling it "not an unreasonable ask" during the summit in Turkey.