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

Here’s the latest.

In Praise of Crazy Visionaries

R.I.P., Ted Turner.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

Giuliani Belongs in NYC's Hall of Fame

The report that Rudy Giuliani has turned a corner in his battle with pneumonia and is breathing on his own in a Florida hospital is certainly worth cheering.

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Free State of Florida

How Florida transformed from a razor-thin swing state into one of the fastest-growing and most politically distinct states in the country.

Schumer’s ‘No. 1 target’ says voters will see her Democrat Senate challenger as too extreme

Sen. Susan Collins seeks re-election in Maine's high-profile 2026 Senate race against military veteran and oyster farmer Graham Platner in a key contest.

Medicare Fraud Uncovered in Ohio, Almost Entirely Somalis

Despite Nick Shirley's spotlight on Minnesota and the rampant waste fraud and abuse occurring there, we always knew that we would find more of the same in every blue state and red state across the country. And now, thanks to the conservative news …

'Not Worth It': An Epstein Suicide Note?

Simultaneous War and Peace in the Persian Gulf

If you don’t like the Trump administration’s stance on Iran, just wait a few minutes, it will change.

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.

WATCH: California Dems rally around healthcare for illegal immigrants during fiery debate

Every Democrat asked at this week's California gubernatorial debate said they support healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants despite the state's budget woes.

It's Going to Be a Long, Very Hot Summer in Blue Cities

Putin Is Losing His Grip

Rudy Giuliani out of ICU, continuing to recover in hospital: 'He's winning this fight'

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is out of the ICU but remains hospitalized stay after being placed on a ventilator for severe breathing issues.

Trump hosts UFC fighters in Oval Office, touts Iran progress

The unusual White House scene highlighted President Donald Trump’s diverse set of priorities as he juggles a war with event planning.

More on the EEOC Lawsuit Against the NY Times

How the Weak Prevail

From ISIS to the IRGC, how groups with sacred commitments outlast adversaries with far greater firepower.

Democrats see Senate control within reach — but some big hurdles remain

The political terrain remains forbidding, but the president’s crumbling approval ratings and the Iran war’s weight on the economy offer the party an opening.

Failing To Read the Room in Maine

As Gov. Janet Mills recovers from her anemic Senate bid, she'll have to decide how to handle Graham Platner, the all-but-voter-anointed Democratic nominee.

Judge Says F.B.I. Can Keep 2020 Election Records Seized From Georgia

The ruling is the latest in a saga driven by President Trump’s desire for redemption in the state, which he lost in 2020. The county is likely to appeal.

Lefty Logic

New Jersey Mikie, State Legislature Landing on FIFA World Cup Like Buzzards on Roadkill

DC Police Officers on the Way Out, Accused of Using Creative #Mathz on Crime Stats

'Board of Peace' to Hamas: Disarm and Comply – Or Else

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…

Court releases purported suicide note from Jeffrey Epstein

The note, which was discovered by Epstein’s former cellmate, had been under seal for years. No court or investigative agency has vouched for its authenticity.

The sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell rattled the race.

FBI raids business of state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a key Virginia Democrat

The offices of state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, a Democrat, as well as a cannabis dispensary she co-owns were raided. The exact nature and targets of the probe remain unclear.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

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.

Here’s what to know about the California governor race.

Justice Neil Gorsuch breaks silence on violent threats against judiciary, Supreme Court leaks

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch speaks out on how high-profile leaks and heated discourse threaten federal judicial independence in America.

The Emerging Female Wage Premium

Young women are now outearning young men; this structural shift has consequences that extend well beyond wages.

Claire's Weekly Letter: How the Weak Prevail

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.

Judge denies request to return 2020 ballots seized from Fulton County, Georgia

The FBI’s seizure of Fulton County’s voting materials has stoked alarm among election officials and democracy advocates.

BREAKING: FBI Raids Office of VA Legislative Leader Behind Redistricting; UPDATE: Began Under Biden?

Not a Headline for a Success

The Saudi position, and increasingly that of Qatar, is that they are no longer interested in following our lead regarding Iran.

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?

Ted Turner, American

We Could Use His Spirit Now

That Same Old Song

For Democrats, the Republicans who are dead and gone are always somehow better than whatever we have today.

Sen. Susan Collins discloses ‘essential tremor’ diagnosis to explain shaking

The Maine senator who is up for reelection this year described her condition as ‘extremely common’ with ‘absolutely no impact on my ability to do my job.’

Dem representative admits to working with Mexico to sneak oil into Cuba, despite blockade

Rep. Pramila Jayapal faces backlash after saying she spoke with foreign ambassadors about getting oil to Cuba despite U.S. sanctions on the island.

California immigration judge sues DOJ, alleging she was fired for being a registered Democrat, a woman over 40

A California immigration judge alleges in a lawsuit against the DOJ that she was terminated due to her political affiliation and advocacy ties.

Radical Lessons in Solidarity and Resistance

The son of Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers has written a perceptive, fascinating, and rather sad book about his lonely life as the child of violent revolutionaries.

Trump Can't Help Himself, Scolds Pope Leo Again

There was no reason for the president to start publicly scolding the pontiff again, but he apparently couldn't help himself.

Justice Jackson's Radical and Chilling Jurisprudence

Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Thomas and Gorsuch, calls Justice Jackson's dissent in Louisiana v. Callais baseless and lacking restraint.

Poetry Under a Climate of Censorship

It wasn't until 2025 that the trouble reached my door. But it began long before that, in June 2020, after the death of George Floyd.

Seattle council member touts ‘Black budget,’ calls for Black residents to form ‘most powerful political party’

Seattle City Council's president says she works with a "Black budget" to address economic disparities faced by the Black community in budget talks.

Justice Department launches civil rights probe into prosecutor in Virginia

Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano (D) has been under attack from Republicans over his handling of cases involving immigrant defendants.

Ford’s Hail Mary

If American consumer preference is anything to judge by, not many expect the current fuel prices to become entrenched.

Undeterred by polls and courts, Trump honors ballroom donors at White House

Amid the war with Iran, surging gas prices and backlash to his immigration policies, the president continues to dedicate extensive time to his signature project.

Wednesday's Final Word

Trump’s Gyrations on the War Leave Even Rubio Out of Sync

The administration’s latest shifts on the status of the conflict show how treacherous it is to speak for a president who cultivates an erratic style.

Is Fighting Antisemitism a Waste of Time?

Jonathan Kay speaks with New York Times columnist Bret Stephens, who encourages Jews to focus on bolstering their community instead of lecturing bigots who can’t be reasoned with.

Marco Rubio’s Hope for America

At a time when leading politicians in both parties have so strongly embraced pessimism and cynicism, Rubio’s recent remarks were a refreshing balm.

Louisiana bill expands first-degree murder charges and death penalty eligibility after mall shooting

Louisiana lawmakers cite the deadly Mall of Louisiana shooting as justification for expanding first-degree murder charges and death penalty eligibility.

Reading Orwell in the Age of AI

Prescient about the possibility of machine-generated writing, George Orwell’s life and work offer a deeper warning about the LLM era.

R.I.P. Ted Turner

Turner was one of those classic American characters.

Playing Gad

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

Lutnick testifies before congressional panel investigating Epstein

The commerce secretary participated in a voluntary interview with the House Oversight Committee to explain his ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender.

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.

Honesty at Last

I was waiting for something like this.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Studying Harvard’s Mistakes

Whether Harvard can be saved is an open question, but at least Mansfield has pointed to problems that leaders might be able to fix or avoid at their schools.

The Left Has a Marriage Problem

New data suggests America's political divide is increasingly shaping who marries, who has children and how young women view family.

Why Blackpilling on Trump Is Stupid

Despite disappointments, there are still many good reasons why America First patriots should not despair but continue to support Trump.

A Times reporter in L.A. explains an unusual race.

Polls in California Governor’s Race Reflect a Chaotic Field

Four candidates have emerged as leaders in the primary election to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

GOP Voters Don't Want Mike Pence's Republican Party

Framing the Indiana primary victories as 'retribution' from President Trump is all wrong. Voters side with Trump when he sides with us.

5 Takeaways From the Last Televised California Governor Debate

Candidates debated housing and insurance policy in the first half, then furiously attacked one another at the end.

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.

From Zionist to Hamas Apologist

The extraordinary career of Oxford historian Avi Shlaim.

RJK Jr's Anti-SSRI Campaign Is Long Overdue

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr's questions this week about the scale of antidepressant use in the United States should be welcomed, whatever your politics. Long-stated concerns about psychiatric medication are now being taken seriously, and…

Federal workers had their annual award show. Many were too afraid to show up.

A year after the U.S. DOGE Service dramatically slashed the civil service, government workers are still spooked about getting on the Trump administration’s bad side.

Get Ready for the AI Crash

Overinvestment and risky financial engineering have made an AI crash more likely. Congress should take steps now to soften the blow.

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…

Susan Collins Says She Has Long Had a Benign Tremor

The Republican senator from Maine, running for re-election at age 73 in one of this year’s top Senate races, made the disclosure after mounting online scrutiny on the left.

Rubio heads to Rome with Trump’s Iran clash looming over Pope, Meloni talks

Rubio led a White House briefing with pointed remarks on Iran before traveling to Italy for meetings with Pope Leo and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

A Scaled-Back Celebration for Public Servants ‘in Trauma’

The Trump administration has eliminated more than 350,000 federal jobs. But an annual effort to inspire talented people to serve the public continues.

Minnesota's eye-popping subsidy payments to nine daycare centers exposed after last week's fed raids

Nine Minnesota day care providers raided by federal authorities last week reportedly received more than $67 million in public childcare subsidies over eight years.

“Too Much Science in the Curriculum”

Tragicomic scenes from reparations-based medicine.

Trump lashes out at Pope Leo again ahead of Rubio trip to Rome

The criticism of the pontiff’s stance on Iran highlighted what Vatican officials have described as an unprecedented low in relations with the United States.

Hey, Mr. President, How’s That Texas Senate GOP Primary Runoff Endorsement Coming?

Over two months ago, President Trump pledged to make an endorsement in the runoff election between Senator John Cornyn and Attorney General Ken Paxton ‘soon.’

Trump to Host Brazil’s President Lula at White House After Months of Ups and Downs

President Trump and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who have had a rocky relationship, will meet on Thursday for talks on security, trade and critical minerals.

More Information About the Man Shot Near the White House (Update: Photos)

Eugenics and Self-Abomination

It has to be confronted in the arena of values, not of science.

DOJ dangles massive signing bonuses for lawyers ready to fight ‘lawless’ cities far beyond DC

The Department of Justice announces up to $25,000 in signing bonuses for lawyers willing to work outside D.C. to fight blue city legal challenges.

‘Muslim only’ event at Texas water park canceled after Abbott threatens to pull $530K in state grants

A "Muslim only" event at a taxpayer-funded Texas water park was canceled after Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to revoke state grants.

Andrew Tate's Civil Trial Delayed as Criminal Investigation Restarts

Trump’s Indiana Victory Shows His Enduring Grip on Core Republican Supporters

Low approval ratings? MAGA divisions? The president was able to turn out party loyalists in an Indiana primary to help him oust Republican state lawmakers who had crossed him.

Rubio visits Rome aiming to repair White House ties with Pope Leo

Relations between the United States and the Vatican are at a low point over President Trump’s attacks on Pope Leo, who is a leading critic of the war in Iran.