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

History Is Running Backwards

Why reactionaries are taking over the world

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.

Iran disputes claims of new agreements with Trump

Tehran put limits on the Strait of Hormuz’s opening, as the United States issued a new sanctions exemption on the sale of Russian oil.

Harry Keyishian, Lead Plaintiff in Academic Freedom Case, Dies at 93

He was one of 5 University of Buffalo faculty members fired for not signing loyalty oaths. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court ruled in their favor.

Viktor Orbán Could Actually Lose

The Hungarian leader faces an energized opposition—and questions about whether he would accept defeat.

Trump signs executive order directing FDA to review psychedelics designated as breakthrough therapy drugs

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the FDA to accelerate their review of "psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs."

Trump officials push Theodore Roosevelt for Pro Football Hall of Fame

“I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at an event on Thursday.

Little Kids, Big Government

In the wake of the Republican National Convention earlier this month, Fareed speaks with historian Niall Ferguson about how and why the modern-day GOP has changed since the Reagan era of the 1980s.

‘All the President’s Men’ at 50: Times Journalists Look Back

New York Times staff members shared why they regard the 1976 film as one of the best movies about their profession.

Why China is taking a behind-the-scenes role in the Iran war

As Trump pursued an unpopular war, Beijing positioned itself as a peacemaker, with little incentive to pressure Iran or annoy the U.S.

The Anti-Communist Film Festival: Mickey Spillane and 'Kiss Me Deadly'

The Battle for the Strait

After the failure of ceasefire talks in Islamabad, the United States remains at war with Iran and Trump’s priority is to liberate the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

Democrats Eye a Broader Battlefield to Capture Congress in November

Weighed down by President Trump’s approval ratings, some Republican incumbents are struggling to raise money while Democrats look for targets like a Tennessee seat south of Nashville.

Hasan Piker Is the Enemy

If liberals wish to forge an alliance of convenience with a socialist and apologist for jihadist violence, they will be betraying the very values they profess to uphold.

Syrian Billionaires Needed a Favor in Washington. They Invoked the Trump Name.

The attempt by the Khayyats to influence foreign policy while discussions are underway about potential Trump family deals is an increasingly common feature of the president’s second term.

UK Ambassador to Newsmax: Britain Has Had USA's Back in Iran Conflict

British Ambassador to the United States Christian Turner pushed back Friday on criticism that the United Kingdom was a reluctant partner in the U.S. conflict with Iran.

As sexual misconduct allegations rock Congress, some push for new rules

The resignations of two lawmakers facing ethics investigations have drawn comparisons to the #MeToo movement. Some House members say it’s time to revisit their rules and culture.

Ideas of 1776 a Way of Life, Not Abstract Theory

They are not an abstract theory that you only learn in college or law school, but the basic premises of our Constitution and government that you can learn from the people all around you.

Sunday Smiles

Saturday's Final Word (Update)

Obama, Mamdani sing ‘Wheels on the Bus’ with Bronx kids during first joint appearance: video

Barack Obama and Mayor Zohran Mamdani sang and read with children at a Bronx childcare center during their first in-person meeting on Saturday.

DOJ demands Detroit-area 2024 ballots, escalating election scrutiny

DOJ official Harmeet K. Dhillon wrote that she is seeking ballots to investigate election law compliance. Democratic state officials call the request baseless.

Fmr Axios Reporter: Outlet Ignored Her Story About Swalwell

For an outlet committed to facts and truth, claims that, if true, should disturb people who rely on the site for news.

CNN Political Briefing

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

How Clarence Thomas Misunderstands Democracy

Paul Waldman: The Supreme Court justice's insistence that rights come from God, not government, couldn't be more wrong.

Report: NSA Taps Anthropic AI Amid War Dept Risk Warning

The National Security Agency is using Anthropic's artificial intelligence tool despite a formal War Department supply-chain risk warning against the company, Axios reported Sunday.

The UN’s Historically Selective Denunciation of Human Bondage

The transatlantic slave trade was a monstrous crime against humanity. Yet it represented just one example of an ancient evil that spanned many civilisations.

Vance says he's 'grateful' for Pope Leo's statement on not wanting public debate with Trump

Vice President JD Vance welcomes Pope Leo XIV's effort to de-escalate tensions with Trump after days of public clash between the White House and Vatican.

The Conciliator

Why did Gretchen Whitmer go soft on Trump?

Potential 2028 Democrats Audition in Michigan,With a Focus on Trump

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey and Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky spoke at a gathering of party insiders in Detroit, fueling presidential speculation.

Postliberalism After Hungary

Orbán’s defeat should scare the hell out of populist authoritarians.

California regulators kill charity fireworks for America’s 250th, sparking outrage

A Long Beach businessman claims the California Coastal Commission denied his fireworks permit despite years of spotless environmental studies and reports.

Trump came to Arizona to rally young voters. An older crowd greeted him.

Despite some empty seats, Trump projected confidence in his party’s ability to win the midterm elections. Some in the crowd focused on GOP divisions.

IRGC Closes Strait Again, Calls Iran's Foreign Minister an 'Idiot,' Fires on Oil Tankers

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…

With Trump Novices, Can the U.S. Win the ‘Art Olympics’?

After the State Department overhauled the process for choosing an artist for the Venice Biennale, it gave control to a woman who previously owned a pet food store.

It’s Not Just Iran. Trump Is Flailing on Multiple Fronts.

The president is on a losing streak, and even some of his aides are dismayed by his choices.

Why Democrats Are Rooting for America To Fail in Iran War

Democrats in uniform, rageful opposition to Donald Trump's war with Iran, as they seem to believe that what is good for our national security is bad for the Democratic Party.

For Iran, Flexing Control Over Waterway Is New Deterrent

Iran’s government could emerge from the conflict with a blueprint to keep adversaries at bay, regardless of any restrictions on its nuclear program.

Hey Tucker: Christianity and Islam Have a Long and Very Bitter History

Democrats Eye Deep-Red Turf as Trump Popularity Falls

A major Democratic group will start digging up dirt on 17 Republicans representing solidly conservative seats.

The Geopolitics of Epic Fury

Trump's campaign to secure the world's chokepoints reshapes power-and leaves Iran and its allies with little leverage left.

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.

Connecting On the Journey of Faith: Sunday Reflection

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.

Tariff Refund System to Launch After Supreme Court Ruling

A refund system for businesses that paid tariffs which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Donald Trump imposed without the constitutional authority to do so is scheduled to launch Monday.

Ilhan Omar's office says she's ‘not a millionaire’ after $30M filing revised down to under $100K: report

Rep. Ilhan Omar says she is not a millionaire, blaming accountants after her financial disclosure was amended from up to $30 million in assets.

Trump’s fixation on White House ballroom is increasing, Post analysis finds

The president has publicly highlighted his ballroom project on roughly a third of the days this year.

U.S. Installs a Trump Loyalist to Lead ‘Grand Conspiracy’ Case Into Trump Foes

A former lawyer for President Trump’s campaign, Joseph diGenova, is said to be planning to split time between Miami and Fort Pierce, where a grand jury overseen by a Trump-favored judge sits.

California’s Blue Armageddon

One of the most liberal states in the country can’t find a Democrat to lead it.

‘Turning Point Was Charlie Kirk’: Why This Student Group Moved On

Students at the University of Arkansas disagreed with Turning Point’s direction, pointing to challenges ahead for the conservative group.

The State That Could Decide Trump’s Gerrymandering War

Democrats want Virginians to aggressively gerrymander the state.

Trump Voters Are Over It

A shocking number of the president’s supporters have turned against him.

Appeals Court Again Allows Ballroom Construction to Go On, for Now

In the latest ruling, an appeals court in Washington allowed construction to continue until at least June while it considered the case.

In Angola, love for an American pope but not for an American president

In Luanda, Catholics expressed love and admiration for Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, but not so much for President Trump because of the war in Iran.

Kagan screamed so loudly at liberal ally after Dobbs leak the ‘wall was shaking,' book claims

Justice Kagan allegedly yelled at Justice Breyer so loudly the "wall was shaking" during the 2022 Dobbs leak crisis, a new book by Hemingway says.

Fareed explains why AI's massive energy demands are straining the power grid, but also why AI could enable big breakthroughs in sustainability and clean energy.

Regime Change in Iran as Necessary as Ever

As long as the current regime remains in power, Iran will continue its same policies and remain a threat to the United States.

Energy Chief: Gas Prices Could Stay Above $3 per Gallon Until Next Year

Energy Secretary Chris Wright said on Sunday ‌he believes gas prices have peaked but predicted that they may stay above $3 per gallon until next year.

Kash Patel and Sen. David McCormick Team Up to Fight Fentanyl in Pennsylvania

Agencies in talks with Trump, family to resolve $10B lawsuit over tax leaks

President Trump and his family are suing federal agencies over leaks of their tax information. Court filings say they’re in talks to find a solution instead of heading to trial.

Dems' Socialist Turn a GOP Electoral College Dream

If Democrats prevail and more socialists get elected than ever before, it may hurt them badly in the long term

Billionaire Steyer's Spending Binge Dwarfs Rival Campaigns in Calif. Governor's Race

In the wide-open race for California governor, billionaire Democrat Tom Steyer is on a spending binge.

Muslim Southerners Face a Fresh Wave of Hateful Political Rhetoric

Some Muslim voters were once drawn to Republican positions on family values and individual liberty, but as Southern politicians stoke anti-Islamic sentiment, many feel threatened.

Rubio targets Nicaraguan official over alleged torture tied to 'brutal' Ortega regime

Marco Rubio says the U.S. is sanctioning a senior Nicaraguan official over alleged human rights violations tied to the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship.

Newsom administration allegedly knew of $2B California budget error for months: report

California's $2 billion budget accounting error tied to CalPERS went undisclosed for months, even as the state projected a $3 billion fiscal deficit.

Mamdani Vows to Oppose ICE at N.Y. Polling Places

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he would do everything in his power to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from being deployed at polling places in his city, in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

US Navy releases photos of 'fresh meals,' pushes back on reports of food shortages on Middle East warships

The U.S. Navy released photos of meals aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, pushing back against claims of food shortages during operations against Iran.

Eric Swalwell Flew Too Close to the Sun

A hard lesson and a ruthless political machine.

Blaine Holt to Newsmax: Scientist Deaths Not Coincidence

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Blaine Holt told Newsmax on Sunday that a federal probe into deaths and disappearances of high-level scientists could reveal deeper divisions within the intelligence community.

Holy Wars: The Don vs. Leo

The Pope and the President are beefing: but it's not really about religion, or Iran

Trump renews bridge, power plant threat against Iran in push for deal, mocks 'tough guy' IRGC

President Donald Trump mocks Iran for claiming a Strait of Hormuz blockade already in place and warns of devastating strikes if Tehran rejects a deal with the U.S.

The Iran War: An Explainer

A selection of essays and interviews in Quillette examining how and why Iran and the West are at war, and what is likely to happen next.

Russian Beauty Influencer Warns Putin: 'People Will Get Tired of Being Afraid'

The Problem With Hasan Piker’s Einstein Story

People scrutinizing influencers for their views should also hold them to account for their facts.

AI and the Wiki Wars

The Wikipedia knowledge monopoly is not ready for the Grokipedia threat.

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 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…

The Implosion of Eric Swalwell: What Was He Thinking?

The FBI Director Is MIA

Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

Trump orders more access to psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and ibogaine

The president is directing federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Infinite Ingenuity: Andy Weir’s Optimistic Vision in ‘Project Hail Mary’

The new film 'Project Hail Mary' based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel, celebrates scientific problem-solving on a cosmic scale. There are striking parallels with David Deutsch's radical optimism.

Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable

Viktor Orbán had support from Moscow and Washington, but not from his own people.

The Tragedy of Murdered Indigenous Women is Real. So How Did Activists Turn It Into a Punch Line?

Leah Gazan’s use of the absurd term ‘MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+’ to describe female Indigenous homicide victims is a case study in progressive linguistic self-sabotage.

Mamdani Calls Mayor's Job 'Tough' but 'Fulfilling'

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said that advice from former Mayor Michael Bloomberg on building and trusting a team has shaped his management style during his first 100 days in office, citing pothole repairs and landlord settlements as early proof.

Move 37 and the Coming Mindhack

What happens when human manipulation arrives at its Claude Mythos moment?

An Oligarchy of Old People

How elderly Americans amassed disproportionate wealth and power

The Wrong Man

In Iran, Donald Trump is showing us what a populist war looks like.

Robert Pape to Newsmax: US Attacks on Iran Energy Won't Prevent Retaliation

Military expert Robert Pape warned Sunday on Newsmax that U.S. forces in the Middle East could face significant retaliation from Iran even if President Donald Trump follows through on threats to cripple the country's energy infrastructure.

Catholic Charities 'Scandal' Is Object Lesson on How Coordinated Propaganda Campaigns Work

Walz rips Trump and Vance in Europe, says 'feeble-minded, trigger-happy president' has no exit plan for Iran

Tim Walz slammed Donald Trump at a progressive conference in Spain, calling him a "feeble-minded, trigger-happy president" with "no exit plan" for the conflict with Iran.

Rep. Mark Harris to Newsmax: Trump Pushes 'Commonsense' Policies

The Trump administration should be commended for focusing on "common sense issues" such as gender-changing surgery for minors, Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told Newsmax on Sunday.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration

Is the president’s son-in-law carrying out the public’s business or pursuing his own private interests?

Republicans Want To Ban Drag. It Could Land Women in Jail

Under the act, women in Ohio would be at risk for arrest any time they wear a bikini swimsuit, halter top or T-shirt without a bra.

Trump ally diGenova tapped to lead DOJ probe into Brennan over Russia probe origins

The DOJ reportedly taps former Trump attorney Joe diGenova to oversee a probe into ex-CIA Director John Brennan and Trump-Russia investigation origins.

Mayor Mamdani Proves You Really Can Tax the Rich

New York City is once again showing the rest of the country that it is, in fact, possible to tax the wealthiest people in America.

Reopening Strait of Hormuz Would Ease Oil Crisis but Only So Much

Analysts said energy and shipping companies would be reluctant to fully restore operations until they were confident that hostilities were over.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a former US senator from California who previously served as the state's attorney general, could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket after receiving President Joe Biden's support t…

Lt. Gov. Patrick to Newsmax: Infighting Threatens Texas GOP

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick warned Sunday on Newsmax that a bitter U.S. Senate primary between Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and state AG Ken Paxton could jeopardize Republican majorities in the Texas Legislature if the loser's voters stay home in Nov…

Germany’s Cozy Catastrophe

The German state has been generous to its beneficiaries—but that largesse is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

The Final Frontier

Like the old Wild West, the Moon offers the prospect of resources to exploit and land to settle. Artemis II's successful mission is just the beginning.

George Santos to Newsmax: Protection Needed on Hill for Young Staffers

Former New York Rep. George Santos said on Newsmax Sunday that the sexual misconduct allegations that forced Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., from Congress last week are likely not an isolated case.

Prices Controls Will Deny Millions of Americans Credit Cards