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

California Democrats play it safe with Becerra, defying national trends

In the complicated governor’s race, voters embraced the former health secretary’s centrist stance over the passionate promises of insurgent candidates.

Hormuz Squeeze Is Redrawing Oil Map for Good

Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and Iraq are pouring money into pipelines, rail and storage to keep oil flowing even when the strait isn't

Democrats in Washington So Excited About Talarico's Chances That They Expect Coattails!

Scott Pelley Was a Highly Paid Propagandist

CBS News fired Scott Pelley on Tuesday, and his reaction only confirmed what we already knew -- Pelley was a high paid propagandist masquerading as a journalist.

The New World Screwworm Has Crossed the Border

Platner’s anti-corporate crusade hits awkward snag as receipts tell another story

Maine Democrat Graham Platner built an anti-corporate brand while cashing checks from lobbyists tied to Big Pharma, defense and tech, documents show.

The four Republicans who broke with Trump on Iran and now face his wrath

There are still hurdles before Congress could force the president to end hostilities, but the House resolution reflects lawmakers' growing impatience, including within Trump's own party.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Dems face major defeat after party ‘missed the cue’ in top targeted district: candidate

Republican Eric Flores says Democrats have missed the cue with Hispanic voters in Texas District 34, citing faith, family values, and cost of living.

G.O.P. Toiling to Defeat Proposal Barring Trump From Creating Compensation Fund

The Senate floor ground to a standstill as Republicans struggled to cobble together the votes to defeat a proposal that would send their immigration bill back to committee and ban President Trump’s fund.

Trump Says He Plans to Nominate Blanche for Attorney General

Todd Blanche has been serving as the acting attorney general. A formal nomination to the post would be the president’s latest move to place loyalists in top government jobs.

CNN Political Briefing

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

Trump: You Know That War Powers Vote Was Meaningless, Right?

The Silliest Hungary Take You Are Likely to Read

New York Times columnist M. Gessen writes, ‘This Is the Formula That Defeated Orban. It Would Defeat Trump, Too.’

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton to plead guilty to retaining classified information: sources

Former White House national security adviser John Bolton will plead guilty to charges of retaining classified information, Fox News learned Thursday.

George Santos Bets Against Himself

A fresh Santos story of alleged fraud reaches sublime levels of absurdity.

Former Biden official Deb Haaland wins New Mexico primary for governor

Haaland could make history as the first female Native American governor if she’s elected.

The Murder of Henry Nowak and the Politics of Certainty

This case shows how quickly tragedy becomes raw material for those who seek to exploit it.

Supreme Court Backs F.C.C. Power to Levy Fines Against Cellphone Carriers

AT&T and Verizon said they were deprived of their right to a jury trial when the agency penalized the companies for failing to protect consumer information.

Tulsi Gabbard reveals husband's 'very rare sacral chordoma': 'In a lot of pain' after 7-hour surgery

Tulsi Gabbard reveals husband Abraham Williams is recovering at home after nearly seven hours of successful surgery for a very rare sacral chordoma.

A Good Election Night for Progressives

Let's begin with California. Though Republican Steve Hilton is currently leading in the jungle primary for the governor's race, with Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer running second and third, there are still millions of late ballots to be counted. It…

Centrist Democrats launch new pledge: ‘We are capitalist, not socialist’

A pair of Democratic House members who won Republican-held seats want others to sign a vow for moderate policies.

Voters Are Sending a Message to LA's Mayor Bass

No incumbent mayor of the country's second-largest city has faced a runoff in more than two decades.

Open Hiding

Jewish testimonies before Australia's Royal Commission paint a portrait of a culture already transformed—one in which Jewishness has become a professional and social liability

John Bolton Reaches Deal to Plead Guilty Over Classified Information

The former Trump national security adviser plans to plead guilty to a count of illegal retention of classified information, which could result in a fine and possibly prison time of up to five years.

Trump admin bypasses Tehran's isolation campaign to reach Iranians directly

The State Department bypasses Iran's leadership in a new video telling ordinary Iranians their government chooses confrontation over opportunity.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Amid War, Iran’s Soccer Leader Works to Get His Team to the World Cup

Mehdi Taj said his federation has been dealing with FIFA, not the United States, in trying to obtain visas for Iran to play in the tournament that begins next week.

When 'Public Health' Officials Jumped the Shark

Conservatives erupt after Al Green melts down during viral clash: 'Unhinged lunatic'

Rep. Al Green told DHS Secretary Mullin to shut up during a heated Budget hearing exchange over accusations of racism and peaceful protest signs.

Jill Biden tells memoir critic, 'Say it to my face, buddy'

Former first lady Jill Biden defended her memoir while discussing former President Joe Joe Biden's disastrous 2024 debate performance and his aging.

Hilton, Pratt Advancing in California?

Wednesday on the RealClearPolitics podcast, Sean Trende joins Carl Cannon, Tom Bevan, and Andrew Walworth to break down the early results from Tuesday night's primary elections in California, New Jersey, and Iowa, and where both parties are headed…

The Democrats’ Big Decision: Black Representation or More Blue Seats?

As Republicans break up majority-Black House districts, Democrats must decide whether to preserve seats concentrated in urban areas or push them into white suburbs to target G.O.P. seats.

Exposing Reid Hoffman and the Left's Ongoing Operation

It appears that Hoffman was funding Carroll's ridiculous sexual abuse and defamation lawsuits against President Trump. Hoffmann took to X to respond:

Colleges Need to Crack Down on AI Abuse

Many students are using AI to help get into college in the first place.

How We Are Illustrating Trump’s Plans to Remake Washington

With the East Wing turned to rubble, our Graphics staff set out to show what exactly the president planned to build there and elsewhere.

Scott Pelley Is Ridiculous in All the Usual Ways

There is simply no circumstance in which an employee can behave like this and expect to remain employed.

Lists, Damn Lists, and Critical Correctness

Love them or hate them, lists are now firmly established—along with cats and porn—among the apex predators of the modern internet.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

In Private, Dems Asked Platner If There Would Be More Allegations to Come (Update)

Claire's Weekly Letter: Secrets and Lies

Never Neverland, Andrew Hammel — The new Michael Jackson biopic and the campaign to whitewash the King of Pop’s reputation. Also New * What Is the Euro-Med...

Obscure Group With Trump Ties Plans to Route Funds to His Allies for Legal Fights

A nonprofit called the Lawfare Defense Fund has raised $36 million to support those who consider themselves unjust victims of the legal system with grants to pay for litigation.

Senate Dems Threaten To Punt FISA Over Pulte

President Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence is roiling an emerging bipartisan extension of warrantless spying.

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…

Boom: Senate Dem Tries Playing Stupid Epstein Games with Bessent, And ...

What to know about Trump’s immunity deal with the IRS

It’s “a legal absurdity,” said one expert.

The Urgent Need To Secure American Elections

If there is a single idea that President Donald Trump holds with conviction, it is that the 2020 election was stolen. Millions of Americans agree with him. How it was stolen, and by whom, is still being investigated six years later. That is a prob…

Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund Died Because Political Reality Still Exists

Republican senators are coming to grips with the fact that Trump is not the only threat to their political survival.

NYT Discovers Illegal-Immigrant Attrition Through Enforcement

Hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens have already left. But to scale that up to millions, the administration has to go after illegals’ ability to work.

California election results still undecided as Los Angeles begins counting ballots

California's primary results remain undecided days after voting, with Steve Hilton leading the gubernatorial race and Spencer Pratt holding second in LA.

Diplomacy With Iran: Another Middle Eastern Mirage?

President Donald Trump keeps telling Americans that diplomacy with Iran is going well, a deal is close and "it will all work out well in the end."

Louisiana ICE Facility Mistreated Immigrants, Federal Investigators Say

A report by the Department of Homeland Security’s internal watchdog described officers putting one man in a chokehold and stabbing another with a pen.

'60 Minutes' Must Still Be Saved

Bari Weiss may not understand what made 60 Minutes great. But CBS should not let bad management destroy a precious institution.

Preventing Canada’s Next Unmarked-Graves-Style Social Panic

Journalists should resolve to treat their Indigenous sources as real-life human beings—as opposed to mystic savants who channel sacred and unfalsifiable ‘knowings’

With His New Museum, Obama Offers a Trip to a Parallel America

The presidential center that opens this month seems out of step with the zeitgeist of the moment and produces emotional reactions among the discontented of the Trump era.

What Members Asked Me About Schools, Wokeness, and Journalism

Last week, I joined NR readers in our NRPLUS-only Facebook group for an Ask Me Anything. I had a great time answering questions about my reporting and big issues.

President Trump Endorses Cops Using the Punisher Logo

In a Truth Social post, the president shared images of police patches that meld the Marvel Comics vigilante character with Trump himself.

Spencer Pratt’s Humble Promise of Competence

The L.A. mayoral candidate wants safe neighborhoods, clean streets, and functional public services. He’s betting that even left-leaning Angelenos agree.

Not Shocking: Poll Shows AOC Voters Don't Like America, Prefer Foreign Countries

Letters to the Editor

Mark Entwistle replies to Shalom Lappin.

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 Case Against State-Sanctioned Euthanasia

Podcast host Jonathan Kay speaks with Kathleen Stock about her new book, ‘Do Not Go Gentle’—in which she argues that governments should be denied any institutional role in facilitating the death of their citizens.

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.

Massie, 3 Other House Republicans Broke From Trump on Iran War Powers Vote

Four Republicans from different ideological factions crossed party lines to vote with Democrats in favor of reining in the president’s power to wage war unilaterally.

The growing list of controversies threatening Democrat Graham Platner's Maine Senate bid

Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner draws national attention but faces mounting controversies over his personal conduct and social media posts.

America’s 250th birthday celebration increasingly centers on Trump

The White House has built a set of highly visible, centrally controlled events — many created by presidential directive — that emphasize spectacle, branding, and new traditions.

Voters are sending a message to L.A.’s Democratic mayor

No incumbent mayor of the country's second-largest city has faced a runoff in more than two decades.

Does California Want To Stop Deteriorating?

That Steve Hilton and Spencer Pratt have secured as many votes as they have at this point suggests many Californians are fed up with the status quo.

Tyler Robinson's Defense Fails to Keep Evidence Against Him Out of Sight

Both parties target Trump's $2B fund as ICE funding package enters danger zone

Trump's $70 billion immigration bill faces uncertain fate as Senate vote-a-rama tests GOP unity over the DOJ's anti-weaponization fund amendments.

The SPLC Turns Out to Have Been an Equal Opportunity KKKind of Place

Secret Signal chats reveal how anti-ICE agitators coordinated Newark riots

A network of about 100 groups with $825 million in combined annual revenues allegedly coordinates Newark's Delaney Hall ICE protests using encrypted chats.

SEE IT: House floor erupts after GOP lawmaker accuses Tlaib of Hezbollah ties

Rep. Max Miller accused Rep. Rashida Tlaib of ties to Hezbollah on the House floor, sparking chaos during a debate over U.S. forces in Lebanon.

Israel, Lebanon Extend Ceasefire – Hezbollah, Not So Much

The Enhanced Games: How to Take Drugs and Still Lose to High Schoolers

It's hard to convey to a non-track person how slow this meet was. Even for people past their prime.

Tracking who Trump is appointing to fill key administration roles

Follow President Trump’s progress filling over 800 positions, among about 1,300 that require Senate confirmation, in this tracker from The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service.

Richard Dawkins and the Claude Delusion

What is consciousness for?

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.

Why Epstein, But Not Jackson?

We judge sex crimes according to archetype, not evidence.

Congressional Opposition Mounts Against Pulte DNI Appointment

The Senate considers concrete, statutory ways to thwart the appointment.

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…

Nine takeaways from a big primary night in Iowa, California and more

In Iowa, Josh Turek won the Democratic nomination for Senate, defeating a rival who had criticized party leaders. Major races in California were not yet called.

Republicans Begin to Test the Limits of Trump’s Power by Flexing Their Own

The president’s unilateral and retributive style of governing is starting to hit a wall in both chambers of Congress.

Two Dumb Dems in Maine and Texas

There was a moment, a few weeks ago, when I thought the Dems might win the Senate in 2026. They still might-anything is possible-but the mood has changed in two of the more juicy races, in Maine and Texas. Both feature vulnerable Republicans, dowd…

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.

Is Iowa Readying to Reject the GOP?

Do not be surprised if two of Iowa’s other three (currently Republican) districts flip to the Democrats in November.

Wednesday's Final Word

The Democrats’ Contradictory Delaney Hall Narrative

Violent civil disruptions have intensified over the last two weeks, culminating in a violent melee over Memorial Day weekend in which mounted police were deployed to disperse rioters.

Manosfear

Theroux’s documentary on the Manosphere tells half the story—the loudly accessible, politically convenient half.

Rep. Ogles deletes homophobic tweet, blames staff amid rare GOP pushback

A post on Ogles’s official X account Tuesday stated: “Homosexuality has no place in America. Happy Nuclear Family Month.”

Karmelo Anthony Trial to Proceed with No Black Jurors

Antifragility in Ukraine

Four years into the full-scale invasion, Ukraine bears little resemblance to the country Russia expected to defeat in a matter of days.

Hilton, Becerra lead in California’s governor primary. See live results here.

Latest California governor primary results as Democrats Katie Porter, Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra and Republicans Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton vie for nominations to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Pentagon hires convicted Jan. 6 rioter for sensitive counterterrorism job

The Trump administration’s appointment of Elias Irizarry, who was 19 at the time of the Capitol attack, has alarmed some in the Defense Department.