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

Kash Patel lashes out as lawmakers question ‘excessive drinking’

The FBI director offered a brash defense to questions centering on a recent news report alleging that his “excessive drinking” impaired his ability to do the job.

Silicon Valley’s A.I. Lobbying Blitz Reaches a Fever Pitch

OpenAI and Anthropic are opening offices in Washington, hiring lobbyists and spending more than ever to win over federal lawmakers.

Republican Ricketts wins GOP primary in Nebraska, advances to key Senate showdown

Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts wins Nebraska's GOP Senate primary, setting up an expected competitive general election against independent Dan Osborn.

Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Defense Plan Could Cost $1.2 Trillion

A report from the Congressional Budget Office said that space-based interceptors, which do not currently exist, would probably consume 60 percent of the total cost.

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.

Fetterman warns Democrats must confront ‘rising antisemitism problem’ after clashes outside NYC synagogues

Sen. John Fetterman calls out the Democratic Party's "antisemitism problem" after a Pennsylvania Supreme Court justice says he is leaving the party over it.

South Carolina Republicans defy Trump, tank redistricting, for now

Trump warned he was watching closely as South Carolina Republicans tried to redraw maps, but five GOP senators broke ranks to block the redistricting.

College Officials Shrug Off Incendiary Speech

For decades, vitriolic speech from leftists has been tolerated — just one of those things.

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.

Andreessen Horowitz Is Playing Politics Like No Other

“If you think there’s a lot of money in politics now,” Marc Andreessen said in 2000, “you haven’t seen anything yet.” His firm is now the biggest known spender on this campaign cycle.

Peggy Flanagan Running for Senate To 'Avenge Minnesota'

In 2013, Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan was the 34-year-old director of the state chapter of the Children's Defense Fund.

Trump Leaves Ukraine's Future to Europe

Can a fractious Europe unite to win the war against Russia while rooting out corrupt oligarchy and promoting democracy in Ukraine?

Sovereignty vs. Integration

The populist nationalist turn in global politics has been poorly understood, and many are declaring the end of a trend that could be just getting started.

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.

'Redefined Evil': Hamas' Sexual Terror Detailed in New Report NYT Doesn't Want Anyone to Read

Intifadas Bring Neither Justice Nor Peace

Calls to “globalise the intifada” have produced a wave of antisemitic terror and encourage an unending cycle of violence.

Trump heads to Beijing for high-stakes Xi talks as Taiwan tensions, trade disputes test US strength

President Donald Trump meets with Xi Jinping in Beijing for talks on Taiwan, trade, Iran and China's support for Russia amid rising U.S.–China tensions.

U.S. and Mexican Officials Deny C.I.A. Had Lethal Role in Mexico Operation

The denials came after a CNN report claimed the C.I.A. had been involved in the assassination of a cartel member inside Mexico earlier this year.

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.

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…

Marco Rubio spotted in Nike tracksuit aboard Air Force One during trip to China, igniting memes online

Marco Rubio ditched his suit for a Nike Tech fleece tracksuit on Air Force One, sparking viral reactions and Venezuela's Maduro meme comparisons.

The Spencer Pratt Earthquake Hitting California

With three weeks until Election Day, the sudden ascendancy of Pratt's candidacy for mayor of Los Angeles has Democrats in panic mode in the Golden State.

Democrats Seem to Want a New Civil War

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Trump’s Shrinking Ambitions on China

The president came into office planning harsher trade moves on China than on the rest of the world. Here’s why he’s had to scale them back.

New Charges for Zelensky's Corrupt Regime

The potentate of plunder steals from his people...and America

Nebraska's Pillen wins Republican renomination in bid for second term as governor

Republican Gov. Jim Pillen tops five challengers in Nebraska's GOP gubernatorial primary to win his party's 2026 nomination, the Associated Press reports.

New York Hospital Gets Criminal Subpoena Over Gender Affirming Care

This Washington Post Story on Deportations is Really Something

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.

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.

Trump’s approach on China has changed, now appears focused on getting along

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

Gas Prices Between Republicans and a Strong Economy

In surveys, 80 percent of Americans report changing their spending habits to accommodate rising gas prices.

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.

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…

Mayorkas: Man, Somebody Shoulda Done Sumpthin' About That Border

Justice Dept. charges shipping company in deadly Key Bridge collapse

Prosecutors accused the Singapore-based company and subsidiaries of fostering unsafe conditions that caused the Dali cargo ship to crash into the Baltimore bridge in 2024.

Russian Ship Likely Carrying 2 Nuclear Reactors Was Sunk in Mediterranean

Kash Patel Denies Lying and Excessive Drinking in Heated Exchanges With Democrats

The remarks, at a hearing ostensibly about the coming budget for law enforcement agencies, veered from sedate exchanges about operational matters to ugly personal confrontations.

Inside the ‘digital lockdown’ for US officials as Trump arrives in China

Trump aides and executives leave personal phones behind for China trip, using clean devices and secure zones to guard against hacking and surveillance.

AOC Comes for the Billionaires

‘I can’t see anything other than ignorance about how the economy works in this assessment.’

Dominican Republic Agrees to Take Third-Country Migrants Deported by U.S.

The agreement, which reverses President Luis Abinader’s previous stance, is part of President Trump’s efforts to find governments willing to accept deportees.

House GOP launches new task force, probes alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio

House Republicans launched a new Oversight task force, beginning with an investigation into alleged Medicaid fraud by Ohio home health companies.

Unusual flood of money from a veterans group roils Iowa Senate primary

VoteVets is spending millions to boost a Paralympic gold medalist over a state Senator who's seen as more liberal in a race that Democrats say they have a shot to win.

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.'

Yowza: Salem Media Goes Private in Major Acquisition

VA's Redistricting Flop Leaves Dems Frustrated, Dangerous

Virginia's redistricting faceplant means a potential political apocalypse for Democrats - who will push even harder for radical changes in Washington before it's too late.

Democrats' Bizarre 'Gambit' in Nebraska

Tuesday, May 12th on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende and Rachel Campos-Duffy, author of All American Patriotism:00:00 ...

A Huge Win in Berenson v. Biden

The Trump Administration has admitted the Biden White House's constitutional violations and settled with me. Time to focus on Pfizer for its role in the 2021 conspiracy to silence the unvaccinated.

Democrats Reveal 'Rule or Ruin' Core on Virginia Redistricting

The Virginia redistricting ruling ignited a political fight over judicial authority, constitutional law, and separation of powers.

Tuesday's Final Word

A California billionaire is testing voters’ aversion to the ultrarich

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

Big city Democrat mayor arrested at ICE protest faces voters in re-election bid

Ras Baraka, the Newark mayor arrested at an anti-ICE protest, won re-election Tuesday with over 50% of the vote, avoiding a November runoff election.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

The Death of the Dating App

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

Trump shares post calling for Obama’s arrest

The repost on social media was among a flurry of late-night posts in which President Donald Trump railed against his political opponents.

There's a Laboured Stench of Desperation Hanging in the Air Around No. 10 This Morning

Why the Iran war is hurting the economy

There isn’t much Congress or Trump can do about it, experts warn

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.

This Trump-Xi Summit Will Actually Matter

Great-power summits can bring high drama. The encounter between President John F. Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna in 1961 previewed a terrifying showdown over West Berlin. The meeting between two of their successors, Ronald R…

Nvidia C.E.O. Jensen Huang Hitches Ride With Trump to China After Last-Minute Invite

Jensen Huang boarded Air Force One in Alaska, joining a delegation of more than a dozen business leaders accompanying President Trump on his trip to Beijing.

Europe Tries a Trumpian Tactic With Trump: No Apologies

Stuck with the fallout from America’s war in Iran, European leaders have criticized the president publicly. When he’s been angered, they haven’t backed down.

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.

The Science Misinformation Gap

The transatlantic battle over social media and censorship.

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.

Beef Tariffs Are Doing What They’re Supposed to Do

They are designed to raise prices, enriching producers at consumers’ expense.

Shelley Moore Capito wins West Virginia GOP Senate primary with Trump's endorsement backing her bid

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito secures the GOP Senate nomination in West Virginia's primary, backed by President Trump's complete and total endorsement.

What You Need to Know About the Federal Gas Tax

President Trump said he would like to suspend the 18.4-cent-a-gallon tax, but it’s a move that may save drivers only a few dollars a month.

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.

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.

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.

Mamdani Balances City Budget With a Big Handout from Gov. Hochul

International Courts of Injustice

The politics of corruption at the ICC and ICJ.

On ‘Gender-Affirming Care,’ Canada’s Medical Establishment Refuses to Follow the Evidence

While the British Medical Association now acknowledges that the Cass Review has been ‘vindicated,’ its Canadian counterparts still remain beholden to debunked activist slogans.

White House aims to link U.S. history and Christianity in 9-hour prayer festival

Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio and Mike Johnson will speak at the event, arguing that the founders wanted the U.S. to be explicitly Christian.

Cruise Control

Uncertainty over the relationship between the U.S. and Europe’s NATO members is already triggering a revival in European arms production.

'Anaconda' Tactics Put the Squeeze on Iran and China

Trump is a businessman who sees matters of policy from a business perspective. So it's no surprise that his attacks on his enemies, and America's, operate along economic lines.

Takeaways from the nation’s oddest Senate primary

Nebraska Democrats knew they couldn’t unseat a GOP senator, so they backed an independent and fielded a candidate who promised to drop out if she won. Then it got complicated.

The Vance-Rubio 2028 Question Pops Up Again

Rubio and Vance both showed how each is handling the most complex and difficult issue today, which is the war in Iran.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Claire's Weekly Letter: No Place for Children

Hegseth, Caine encounter intense bipartisan frustration with Iran war

As a ceasefire with Tehran falters, Republicans joined Democrats in pressing for details on the conflict’s costs and the administration’s plan to end it.

Cindy Burbank Wins Senate Primary in Nebraska, but Plans to Drop Out to Help Dan Osborn

Democrats in Nebraska appear headed toward the Senate matchup they want, while their primary for a key House district was too close to call.

Secret Service Makes Case for Security Funding Amid G.O.P. Unease on Ballroom

The presidential protection agency detailed how it would use a proposed $1 billion as Republicans asked for more detail and Democrats went on the attack.

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?

Xavier Becerra Takes a One-Two Punch

Lawmaker pushes for more ICE oversight after indictment for visit

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.

Trump arrives in China with lowered ambitions, hoping for deals

Under pressure from Beijing, the president has indicated an openness to rethinking U.S. support for Taiwan, alarming its backers.

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.

What Happened in the Streets of New York City Last Night Was a Disgrace

Patel, Van Hollen trade barbs over 'slinging margaritas' in heated Senate clash

Kash Patel and Sen. Chris Van Hollen clashed in a Senate hearing, trading allegations of misconduct and accusations about an El Salvador visit.

Warner calls Virginia court ruling ‘outrageous’ as Kaine urges Democrats to ‘go win’

Sen. Mark Warner calls Virginia Supreme Court ruling blocking the new congressional map "outrageous" as Democrats regroup for midterm elections.

The Heresy of Formlessness, 20 Years Later

I was struck by Mosebach nodding to the generative power of the traditional liturgy in culture.