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

Trump's Game Plan To Win Back the Working Class

To experts, the president's affordability agenda reads as a clear attempt to stem the bleeding within this crucial voting base.

The Virginia Supreme Court Rescues Republicans from Outer Darkness

The nightmarish Virginia gerrymander is officially and somewhat unexpectedly dead.

DOJ sees fallout after push to prosecute former FBI director James Comey

Several prosecutors have left the Justice Department, others are considering doing so, and at least one major case has been disrupted.

Claire's Weekly Letter: No Place for Children

Abraham Foxman, influential leader of Anti-Defamation League, dies at 86

As the ADL’s national director for nearly 30 years, he battled antisemitism and other forms of prejudice, building the group into a powerful watchdog.

Saturday's Final Word

Trump Says Iran’s Response to Latest U.S. Proposal ‘Totally Unacceptable’

The United States and Iran have been discussing a 30-day extension to their cease-fire and a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Origins of Mother's Day Should Inspire New Questions

The founder of Mother's Day feared that the holiday had become too commercialized. Here's how you can honor the holiday's true history.

Trump and Netanyahu Say Iran War Is Not Over

The Trump administration said last week that the war had run its course, but the U.S. president and Israel’s prime minister in interviews on Sunday did not rule out renewed combat.

After Virginia Redistricting Map Is Tossed, Democrats Search Desperately for a Response

A conversation involving House members from Virginia and the top House Democrat reflected the fury and desperation that has gripped the party after Friday’s ruling in the state.

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.

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…

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.

Dems' Virginia Gerrymander Goes Down in Flames

Friday, May 8th on RealClearPolitics - Joined by RCP Senior Elections Analyst Sean Trende and Greg Swenson, Chair of Republicans Overseas UK: 00:00 VA Won't ...

When All Else Fails, Follow Instructions: Sunday Reflection

GOP Doesn't Care About Spending, If It's To Please Trump

Republicans are making it clear that government spending was never a problem - the problem was spending money on people they deemed undeserving.

Biden seeks to block DOJ release of 2017 audio, court filing says

Joe Biden's lawyers are expected to intervene against the DOJ's release of redacted transcripts and audio from his ghostwriter conversations.

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.'

Scientists Press Congress on Dismissal of National Science Foundation Board and Research Funding

The slowed pace of grants by the National Science Foundation, under attack from the White House, could put the United States at a disadvantage with China, the scientists warned.

The Sheep Detectives: Out of the Clouds

I went in skeptical. I walked out delighted.

Data Center Freak-Out

The Science Misinformation Gap

The transatlantic battle over social media and censorship.

The Death of the Dating App

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

Regime Change Has Its Perks

Even though Syria is no liberal democracy, it is now a far more pliant partner for the West than Bashar al-Assad ever was.

Playing Gad

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

The Race-Obsessed Left Complains When the Supreme Court Issues a Colorblind Ruling

RFK Criticized for Disrespecting Roadkill

These days, it seems that everything is about bioethics.

Trump calls Iran’s response to peace plan ‘unacceptable’ as ceasefire is tested

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

There Is No End to the War With Iran

In today's edition, we discuss how the haphazard ending to the war won't divert from the terrible path Donald Trump has led the world down.

What to Do About the White House Correspondents Dinner After an Attack?

A gunman’s attack at the April dinner has spurred more debate than usual about one of Washington’s most dissected rituals.

How Imperfect People Form a More Perfect Union

Think of the Declaration of Independence as the nation's report card. How well do we live up to it?

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…

Vance or Rubio? Trump Muses on Successor as the ‘Kids’ Fill Bigger Roles.

Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are boosting their profiles, generating speculation about who’s lining up for the 2028 presidential nomination.

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.

Accusations of Shenanigans Fly in Nebraska’s Senate Race

One Democrat is accused of being a Republican in disguise. Another plans to drop out to boost an independent. It’s primary eve in one of the country’s most unusual midterm contests.

Trump says US helped secure release of 5 prisoners in Belarus deal, thanks Lukashenko

President Trump says five Polish and Moldovan prisoners have been released from detention in Belarus and Russia through U.S. diplomatic efforts.

Why Won't Barack Obama Go Away?

Trump Administration Is Considering Pausing the Federal Gas Tax to Lower Prices, Energy Secretary Says

The tax is a little over 18 cents a gallon for gasoline. With the average national price above $4.50, the measure will provide little relief.

Democrat Meltdown Over Virginia Decision Is Hilarious, and Worrying

Confident in China’s power, Xi is ready to host an unpredictable Trump

Holding no illusions about making lasting deals at this week’s summit, China’s leader looks to project Beijing as an alternative to U.S. volatility on the world stage.

BREAKING: National Democrats Want to Remove and Replace Entire Virginia Supreme Court

CNN Political Briefing

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

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.

Intel Is the Beneficiary of More Trump Capitalism

The government intervenes on behalf of its investment.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

Some Further Thoughts on the End of the Virginia Gerrymander

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

Can Spencer Pratt Actually Win in LA?

It isn't unheard of for celebrity candidates to come out of nowhere and shock the political world. Spencer Pratt can win.

North Sea Views

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

How Nebraska’s ‘Blue Dot’ Roiled a Democratic House Primary

A speck of blue on an otherwise red area in some presidential elections, the dot is now dividing candidates in a key midterm contest.

Lawyers for the global elite aren’t buying Trump’s gold card visa

Even Melania’s former lawyer is warning people away from Trump’s program designed to make immigration easier for the wealthy.

Harris accuses Trump allies of trying to ‘rig’ 2026 midterms after Virginia court tosses redistricting measure

Kamala Harris claims Virginia Supreme Court ruling on redistricting maps boosts Trump's alleged effort to rig the 2026 midterm elections for Republicans.

Rand Paul vows to keep pressure on Fauci as statute of limitations on criminal referral expires Monday

Sen. Rand Paul urges the DOJ to indict Dr. Fauci before the statute of limitations expires on his criminal referral for lying about gain-of-function.

As Visa Policies Tighten, International Students Find Tougher Job Market

Students say they have been passed over for jobs and interviews because of visa restrictions. Some have a Plan B: leaving the United States.

Sunday Smiles

Trump-backed Board of Peace, Israel 'will take action' if Hamas remains out of compliance: Netanyahu advisor

Netanyahu advisor Michael Eisenberg says Israel will act against Hamas for noncompliance with peace terms, crediting Trump's team for the deal.

Time for Jerome Powell to Go Home

Friday's Final Word

Lawmakers Urge Trump to Move Ahead on Delayed Arms Sale to Taiwan

The Trump administration has held up the sale for months ahead of President Trump’s meeting this week with President Xi Jinping of China.

Democratic Candidates Scramble in Virginia After Court Tosses Map

A court ruling that struck down an election map swiftly ended some Democratic House candidacies and pushed others into much tougher races.

Supreme Court’s junior justice goes on solo tear as Trump fights put her at odds with the bench

Justice Jackson's solo dissents have drawn sharp rebukes from colleagues who say her positions defy precedent and embrace an imperial judiciary.

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.

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.

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?

The Left Has Normalized Assassination Talk

Virginia Democrats’ $70M redistricting gamble backfires after court defeat, ignites blame game

Virginia Democrats' redistricting strategy backfired after a court struck down new maps, triggering infighting and costing roughly $70 million in losses.

DeSantis’s new House map sparks bipartisan anger in Puerto Rican hub in Florida

The governor said his state needed to redistrict to account for population growth. But in a majority-Hispanic area, that growth could work against him.

Labour’s Choice

Which way will Labour jump?

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.

The Quiet Man

Union-funded anti-Spencer Pratt ad sparks backlash as critics say it could help him

LA unions spent $221,000 on a political ad attacking Republican Spencer Pratt's mayoral campaign, but critics say the messaging could backfire.

Imagine If It Were Trump

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

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?

Republicans who denied 2020 election results could be governors next year

Winners will have oversight of 2028 elections in swing states like Arizona, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

Reform’s Big Day

Whether under Starmer’s leadership or someone else’s, Labour is likely to move even further to the left.

AOC, asked about running for president, says her ambition is 'way bigger than that'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., says her ambition goes beyond a 2028 presidential run, declaring she wants to change the country for the working class.

Hegseth says Pentagon will review Mark Kelly's public statements about classified briefing amid ongoing feud

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth suggested Sen. Mark Kelly may have violated his oath by discussing a classified Pentagon briefing on weapons stockpiles.

The Mother's Day We'll Never Forget

By John Kass May 10th, 2026 I think you know the gruff old guy on the right. He might talk tough but he's really a big baby. You may also know his brothers: Nick, the senior retired American intelligence official, and Peter, the Chicago businessma…

Mamdani's 'Tax the Rich' War Cry Will Only Hurt New York

The public rage building against Mayor Mamdani over his attacks on Gotham's wealthy business leaders is welcome - and well deserved.

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.

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.

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.

The Left Has Normalized Assassination Talk

The left normalizes assassination talk against Trump with viral TikTok trends and threats.

Where Trump, GOP vs Democrats redistricting battle heads next in wake of key court rulings

Trump hails Virginia Supreme Court ruling that strikes down redistricting ballot measure as a huge win for Republicans defending their House majority.

'Free beer' for Trump death Dem activist running for Wisconsin gov: 'I will win' if they silence me

Democrat Kirk Bangstad, who posted about "free beer day" tied to Trump's death, now seeks Wisconsin governor's race signatures and warns his party.

Federal Trade Court Invalidates Trump’s Section 122 Tariffs

The 2–1 ruling rejected the president’s attempt to equate a balance-of-payments deficit with a trade deficit.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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