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

Honeypot Traps Real for Members of Congress

Tennessee GOP Rep. Tim Burchett said during an interview this week with Joe Rogan that he stands by his previous comments about "honeypots" being used to blackmail members of Congress.

From Nebraska to West Virginia to New Jersey: Primary clashes set stage for fierce midterm fight

Tuesday's primaries in Nebraska, West Virginia and New Jersey set the stage for 2026 midterm battles over control of Congress and key state offices.

He’s a billionaire running as a class traitor. Will Democrats buy it?

Tom Steyer is running for California governor on an affordability agenda, testing voters’ willingness to set aside their aversion to billionaires.

Trump Admin Appealing Trade Court’s Invalidation of Section 122 Tariffs

The appeal will be uphill, but it’s fine. Suggesting that the judges are in the tank for China is not.

Virginia Dems Appeal House Maps to the Supreme Court

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.

David French: This Platner Guy Reminds Me of Someone

Matt Damon Is a Coward, and SNL Is Boring

Supreme Court Extends Stay on Telehealth Abortion

The Court will make a decision by Thursday on whether to hear oral arguments in Louisiana v. FDA.

Alabama AG makes Supreme Court play that could deal decisive blow in redistricting war

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says he is thrilled to challenge a prior Supreme Court redistricting ruling in light of Louisiana's Callais case.

Trump and the CEOs Go to China

In Washington, a carefully constructed decade of political consensus on China policy lies in ruins.

Trump: Ceasefire Now On 'Life Support'

As he prepares to meet Xi, Trump no longer pushes for change in China’s system

In his first term, the president demanded fundamental shifts in China’s economic model. Now, he has copied parts of how Beijing does business.

Reform Surging, UK Establishment Parties Receding

Local elections show Reform surging and the establishment parties receding.

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.

The Sheep Detectives: Out of the Clouds

I went in skeptical. I walked out delighted.

Trump says Iran ceasefire is on ‘life support,’ calls latest proposal ‘garbage’

Iran defended the proposal as “reasonable and generous,” as oil prices rose Monday morning in response to the continued stalemate.

CNN Political Briefing

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

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…

Justice Dept. Subpoenas Wall Street Journal in Leak Investigation

Critics raised concerns over press freedom after The Journal disclosed receiving subpoenas related to an article on deliberations on the risks of military action in Iran.

North Sea Views

The U.K. continues its pointless and self-destructive pursuit of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Danish PM Rides Her Big, Bad Greenland Election Bet Off Into the Sunset

Britain's Two-Tier System Laid Bare

Virginia Democrats appeal to U.S. Supreme Court to save new House maps

Some top Virginia Democrats express little hope that the appeal will affect this November’s congressional elections and instead will focus on running in existing districts.

How Democratic Divisions Are Playing Out in NYC’s Primary Races

Establishment and left-wing leaders are clashing over House seats scattered across the city.

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…

Trump to confront Xi at high-stakes summit over China backing for Iran, Russia

Trump is expected to press Xi on China's economic and material support for Iran at their upcoming summit, senior administration officials say.

The Science Misinformation Gap

The transatlantic battle over social media and censorship.

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.

This Is What It Looks Like When a Great Power Is Losing a War

Wars are not won or lost in the comments section, and victors are not determined by vibes alone.

Reflections on Going Off Into the Deep End of the Pool

Claire's Weekly Letter: No Place for Children

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.

RFK Criticized for Disrespecting Roadkill

These days, it seems that everything is about bioethics.

BREAKING: Virginia Dems Retreat, Balk at 'Schizo Hopium'

Members of Congress using online prediction markets? Don't bet on it

The Senate voted unanimously to ban prediction markets for senators and aides, while a broader congressional stock trading ban remains seemingly out of reach.

The complicated history of American presidents visiting China

From Nixon visiting during the Cold War to Clinton navigating the optics of being welcomed in Tiananmen Square, presidential trips to China have always been fraught.

Supreme Court hands Alabama major boost in redistricting fight 

Alabama legislators are hoping to boost the GOP in November’s midterm elections in the wake of last month’s Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act.

TrumpIRAs Are the Right Move, Sorely Needed

As a progressive economist, I wrote a paper in 2021 with a generally conservative colleague, Kevin Hassett, who now directs the National Economic Council in the Trump White House.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Democrats Have a Biden Problem. Again

When was the last time you thought about Joe Biden? If the answer is "recently," that's probably a sign that you should consider taking up a hobby or joining a club-anything, really, that doesn't involve politics.

Trump seeks to pause federal gas tax as prices soar amid Iran conflict

Congress would have to approve the proposal, and passing the savings on to drivers, rather than oil companies, would be difficult to enforce.

Senate G.O.P. Stands by Security Money for Trump’s Ballroom

Democrats are trying to stoke public opposition to the project as they take aim at legislation to provide nearly $72 billion for the administration’s immigration crackdown.

House ethics panel pledges ‘full and thorough’ investigation of Rep. Cory Mills

The Republican, whom President Donald Trump has endorsed for another term, has denied domestic violence and other allegations and sought to portray them as politically motivated.

Trump and Mamdani Are Smart To Make Nice

Political opposites President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani continue to have a surprisingly friendly relationship.

Judge Again Delays Guantánamo’s First Death-Penalty Terror Trial

The 2000 terrorism case has been going on for so long that the parents of fallen sailors and shipmates who survived the attack have died.

AOC-backed $30 minimum wage plan could backfire in unexpected ways, experts warn

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's push for a $30 minimum wage draws opposition from economists who warn it could cost jobs and increase prices.

Neal Katyal Blows Up His Career as a Supreme Court Advocate

Flush with the seemingly unexpected success of his case before the Supreme Court, he decided to convert his life of public advocacy into a TED Talk.

China Sought Access to Anthropic’s Newest A.I. The Answer Was No.

The latest artificial intelligence models from Anthropic and OpenAI are extending the United States’ lead over China and intensifying the rivalry between the countries.

What Straight Women Want

A new book by Phoebe Maltz Bovy argues that most accounts of female heterosexuality minimise and even theorise away its central feature: women’s sexual desire for men.

Everything Wrong With Criminal Justice Is Wrapped Up in This One Case

As Battlefield Progress Slows, Putin Signals Interest in Ending the War

Monday's Final Word

The Last Straight Woman

Senior Writer and Podcast Producer Iona Italia talks to writer Phoebe Maltz Bovy about her latest book: 'The Last Straight Woman: On Desiring Men.'

What to Watch in Tuesday’s Primaries in Nebraska and West Virginia

Democrats will choose a candidate in a House battleground in Nebraska, and an unusual Senate primary could decide the fate of Omaha’s “blue dot” vote.

Some Further Thoughts on the End of the Virginia Gerrymander

This is going to put the Florida Supreme Court in a fascinating position.

Lawmaker indicted over migrant facility visit pushes to expand oversight

Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-New Jersey) plans to introduce a bill to strengthen scrutiny by members of Congress as her own legal battle is about to escalate.

Playing Gad

Gad Saad’s new book tackles an interesting topic. Unfortunately, the author’s narcissistic ramblings make it almost impossible to read.

Trump's Midterm Strategy Is a Disaster in the Making

The president is once again prioritizing feeding his base over the general electorate.

SF Congressional Battle Has Three Different Visions

A working-class voice, a policy wonk, and a champion of political revolution face off for Nancy Pelosi's seat.

Imagine If It Were Trump

If you’re struggling to understand why the Democrats are behaving badly, imagine it’s not the Democrats.

Trump 'seriously considering' plan to make Venezuela and its $40 trillion in oil permanent part of USA

President Trump eyes oil-rich Venezuela as a potential 51st state, citing the country's estimated $40 trillion in oil reserves as key motivation.

Stacey Abrams hit with subpoena in alleged campaign finance violations saga: 'No one is above the law'

The Georgia Senate ramps up its investigation into alleged campaign finance violations linked to Stacey Abrams' New Georgia Project voter outreach group.

Supreme Court Clears Path for Alabama to Use New Voting Map

A majority of the justices sided with Alabama in a move that could speed up efforts to put in place a congressional district map that would eliminate a majority-Black district.

Supreme Court Continues Access to Abortion Pill by Mail, for a Few Days

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. has paused until at least Thursday a federal appeals court ruling against the Food and Drug Administration that would restrict access by mail to mifepristone.

Can Republicans Survive the Midterms of Rage?

With less than six months until election day, let's welcome you to what I'll call the "Midterms of Rage."

Creators and Destroyers of Worlds

Despite the dangers, we must seize the gifts bequeathed by world-altering technologies, since these amount to life in unprecedented abundance.

When Suicidal Empathy Leads to Irrational Policies

There is such a thing as too much empathy. In his new book, Dr. Gad Saad writes just how dangerous that can be to our institutions and culture.

Israel’s Creation: The Ultimate ‘Decolonisation’ Project

Jews have had a continuous indigenous presence in the Levant for more than 3,000 years—despite enduring settler-colonial occupations by Romans, Arabs, Crusaders, and Turks.

Kari Lake, Who Led Effort to Shutter Voice of America, Is Named Ambassador to Jamaica

Ms. Lake tried and failed to fire hundreds of Voice of America journalists and to cut funding for other federally funded news groups like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Starmer Confronts His Most Difficult Day as Party Revolts

A dam appears to have broken, with Labour MPs posting their public loss of confidence in the PM, our political editor writes.

Federal Student Loans Can Cause Pain for Generations

The gusher of government money has driven up the cost of college while driving down its worth.

Staring at the Sea

It would be very difficult to make a great film from a source as flawed as Camus’s novel, but Ozon has managed to make a very good one.

In turf battle over AI, U.S. spy agencies vie for more sway than Commerce

As the White House grapples with cybersecurity threats from advanced artificial intelligence models, national security officials want more sway in AI regulation.

I Watched the Infamous Sarah Silverman Blackface Sitcom Episode. It Was Hilarious

What you realise by the times the credits roll is that it isn’t just Sarah’s clueless character who’s the butt of the joke, but self-satisfied white progressives more generally.

No Place for Children

The murder of five-year-old Kumanjayi Little Baby by repeat offender Jefferson Lewis has exposed the failures of Australia’s criminal justice system and Indigenous child protection policy. What will it take to make change?

Gun Background Checks Are Failing the Wrong People

The background check system for gun purchases is a mess. Republicans have criticized Democratic presidents for failing to prosecute people denied gun purchases through background checks. Democrats have leveled the same criticism at Republican pres…

SoCal Mayor Admits to Being Chinese Foreign Agent

Why Republicans Are Still Drawing House Maps, While Democrats Are Stuck

The G.O.P. has seized an edge on redistricting thanks to two court rulings, and it has more room to maneuver for extra seats before the midterms.

The Death of the Dating App

Evolutionary psychology suggests an explanation for why so many people have found dating apps a frustrating experience.

Does Western Civilisation Exist? James Kierstead on Ancient Greece, Christianity, and the West | Quillette Cetera Ep. 63

Does “the West” actually exist — or is it merely a modern political myth?

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Virginia Officials Ask Supreme Court to Restore Voting Map Drawn by Democrats

State officials asked the justices to overturn a Virginia Supreme Court decision that struck down a congressional map, a major defeat for Democrats.

Left-wing governor ripped for ‘insane’ answer on whether he’d support minor son’s gender transition

Social media users blast Maryland Gov. Wes Moore after he said he would support his minor son's decision to transition in a podcast interview.

Michigan Democrats propose package seeking to legalize assisted suicide

Michigan House Democrats introduced bills to create a new Death with Dignity Act and legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill adults.

Nonprofit sues to stop Trump’s changes to Reflecting Pool, a historic site

President Donald Trump’s order to apply a blue-tinted surface to the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool needed federal review, a D.C.-area foundation says.

Alito extends temporary order allowing mail distribution of abortion pill

The justices are weighing whether to uphold an appeals court decision that means patients would need to pick up the pill in person.

Maine progressive says he won’t back Schumer even after Democrats unite behind Collins challenger

Democrat Graham Platner says he won't back Schumer as Senate leader despite a cordial call, as he gears up to challenge Sen. Collins in Maine.

The Latest Lethal U.S. Caribbean Strikes Fit a Troubling Pattern

Drug trafficking is not an act of war, and the administration has not proved that the operators of the boats were transporting narcotics.

Minnesota Senate votes to ban ICE from wearing masks, allow residents to sue for constitutional violations

The Minnesota Senate passed a bill to bar federal agents from shielding their faces and to allow people to sue over alleged constitutional rights violations.

ActBlue scrutiny fuels new GOP bills to tighten election donation rules

House Administration Chairman Bryan Steil unveils campaign finance bills aimed at boosting transparency and curbing foreign election influence.

Oil Prices Rise on U.S.-Iran Standoff

President Trump has declared the American cease-fire with Iran is on “life support,” and investors are taking a cautious approach as the lack of progress in peace talks weighs on the markets.

Labour’s Choice

Which way will Labour jump?