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

Maduro raid questions trigger Pentagon review of top AI firm as potential ‘supply chain risk’

Pentagon reviews Anthropic partnership over alleged AI use concerns in Venezuela operation, citing potential "supply chain risk" from company practices and policies.

Upon Further Reflection: NY State Canceling 5th Phase Offshore Wind Acquisition

Podcast #324: Guests of the Nation

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to writer Lionel Shriver about her new novel, A Better Life, which tackles the theme of immigration.

Stop Pretending the Tumbler Ridge Killer Was Female

The sight of Canadian police and journalists extending fraudulent courtesies to a trans-identified mass-murderer may prove to be a clarifying moment.

Marco's Moment, Morons, and Mendacity in Munich

Mitch McConnell is taking a beating in the race to replace him

Three GOP candidates, all former McConnell interns, are keeping their distance as they seek to align with President Donald Trump.

Is Free Speech Really the Highest Value?

Homan: You Better Believe We'll 'Flood the Zone' in 'Sanctuaries' Again (Updated)

Does George Washington Still Matter?

Washington's legacy reminds us that American democracy isn't inevitable. It's a choice, renewed by each generation.

ICE After Minneapolis

Trump’s team wants a reset on its mass-deportation goals, not a retreat.

Billionaires Make Plans to Avoid the California Wealth Tax

Conservative Women Find a New Way to Talk About ICE

When can an influencer opt out of the news cycle?

The Disappointment of Young Trump Voters

Americans under 30 swung to the right in 2024, but they’re not getting what they voted for.

Rubio's Call for European Renewal Falls on Deaf Ears

In his address to the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 14, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that after the end of the Cold War, the West had embarked upon a "dangerous delusion," thereby weakening its economic, cultural, and political foundat…

How the H-1B Visa Debate Is Driving a Wave of Racism Against South Asians

A dispute over the impact of H-1B visas on U.S. workers has been overshadowed by racist rhetoric, with troubling echoes of the great replacement conspiracy theory.

Newsom Goes Global. U.S. Voters Should Beware

Gavin Newsom's global travel itinerary looks more like that of a foreign minister than the governor of a state in crisis.

Vaccine Makers Curtail Research and Cut Jobs

Federal policies under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that are hostile to vaccines have “sent a chill through the entire industry,” one scientist said.

In the wake of the Republican National Convention earlier this month, Fareed speaks with historian Niall Ferguson about how and why the modern-day GOP has changed since the Reagan era of the 1980s.

In First Months as Governor, Abigail Spanberger Kicks Up Heat From the Right

The new governor of Virginia, who ran as a centrist Democrat and a former intelligence officer, says the attacks are a sign of her success.

The Housing Crisis Is Destroying Homeownership—and Undermining Democracy

Escalating house prices and density rules trap young people in renting, eroding homeownership—a key to democracy.

Mitch McConnell Taking a Beating in Race To Replace Him

One Republican candidate to succeed Sen. Mitch McConnell introduced himself with an ad that shows a cardboard cutout of the longtime Senate majority leader in the trash.

What Mamdani Doesn’t Know About Tenants

Fixing New York’s affordable housing isn’t as simple as going after bad landlords.

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…

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…

GOP states move to make church service disruptions a felony after Minnesota storming

GOP leaders are mulling efforts to increase penalties on protesters disrupting church services, in direct response to the Minnesota unrest.

Utah GOP Secures Signatures for Redistricting Ballot Proposal

Utah Republicans have secured enough signatures to place a ballot initiative before voters in November that would repeal the state's independent redistricting commission, party officials have confirmed. The result could have the GOP grasping all f…

GOP lawmaker joins Democrat-led effort to limit Trump's pardon power

GOP Rep. Don Bacon supports a Democrat-led constitutional amendment to create congressional oversight of presidential pardons following President Trump’s recent NFL pardons.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

What to Know About the Homeland Security Shutdown

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security lapsed on Saturday amid a standoff over restrictions that Democrats have demanded for federal immigration agents. But much of its work continues.

Robert Duvall, Star of 'The Godfather,' Dies at 95

Robert Duvall, who won an Oscar for "Tender Mercies" and was nominated for his roles in films including "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now," and "The Great Santini," has died. He was 95.

Obama calls Los Angeles homelessness an ‘atrocity,’ criticizes 'losing' political strategy

Obama called Los Angeles homelessness an "atrocity" despite billions spent, warns current approach is "losing political strategy" for addressing crisis.

You Won't Believe The New York Times' Take on Rubio's Munich Speech

Six congressional primaries that explain where the country is headed

A 21st-century-record number of seats are opening, and races will be raucous and crowded, reflecting both parties’ ideological, stylistic and generational tensions.

Rep. Greg Murphy to Newsmax: Dems Using DHS Funding as Political Leverage

Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., told Newsmax on Monday that a potential government shutdown is being driven by partisan politics rather than public safety, arguing that Democrats are using immigration agencies as leverage while essential operations woul…

Fareed explains why AI's massive energy demands are straining the power grid, but also why AI could enable big breakthroughs in sustainability and clean energy.

Europe Not Interested in Joining New Trump Era

Talk of a stronger, independent Europe was the dominant mood in Munich amid bitter disagreement on Ukraine

Capitalism’s Paradox

Why prosperity breeds guilt, how status incentives reward critique, and what happens when function is replaced by moral performance.

How Much Will Trump’s Approval Rating Matter in the Midterms?

It’s not too early to consider the connection, and readers also have questions about the economy.

Despite Epstein’s Toxicity, Steve Bannon Stood by Him, Texts Indicate

Mr. Bannon, a MAGA podcaster, developed a seemingly chummy relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, who was accused of sex trafficking. He said it was in the name of getting Mr. Epstein to open up.

Newsmax's Rosen: Young Male Voters Say They Struggle to Pay Bills

Despite various signs the economy is improving, young male voters continue to say they're struggling to pay bills, Newsmax's James Rosen reported Monday.

Kansas Town Supports Mayor Charged With Voting Illegally

The Mexican-born mayor of Coldwater was accused of voting illegally as a noncitizen. Many of his neighbors want state and federal officials to back off.

How Well Do You Know Your Presidents? Take the RCP Quiz

A slew of utterances by U.S. presidents have entered American's collective consciousness, but the 45 men who have served as commander in chief formulated many felicitous expressions - before, during, and after they assumed office.

The Democrats Aren’t Built for This

They say they want to save democracy. First they’ll need to get out of their own way.

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.

Why We Still Love the Bomb

Stanley Kubrick’s comic masterpiece ‘Dr Strangelove’ remains a potent allegory for our times.   

Shutdown flips ICE oversight fight as DHS moves to block surprise lawmaker visits

DHS claims government shutdown allows ban on surprise congressional visits to immigration detention facilities, sparking ongoing legal battle with lawmakers.

Presidents' Day: A Reminder How Legacies Change

This Feb. 16, the nation will mark Presidents' Day, a federal holiday Americans have celebrated every third Monday of February since 1971, when Congress, rarely the source of bright ideas, merged the birthdays of the two most legendary American pr…

2018 Olympian Watson to Newsmax: Stop Turning Games Into a Political Sideshow

2018 Winter Olympian and Turning Point USA contributor Anthony Watson blasted sports podcaster Sarah Spain's remarks about Vice President JD Vance, telling Newsmax on Monday that the Olympics should remain a refuge from the vitriol of politics.

The Price of the Epstein Frenzy

Press-led hysteria and institutional cowardice are inflicting needless damage on higher education.

Report: Long Island Chef's Epstein Link Detailed in DOJ Files

A Long Island chef worked as Jeffrey Epstein's personal cook and traveled to his private island, according to newly released Department of Justice records and reported by the New York Post.

The Second Death of Charlie Kirk

The activist’s assassination unleashed anti-Semitism that is pulling the Trump coalition apart.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

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.

Trump: US Won't Fund N.Y./N.J. Rail Tunnel Cost Overruns

President Donald Trump on Monday said the federal government will cover "not one dollar" in cost overruns for the Gateway rail tunnel between New York and New Jersey. In a Truth Social post, Trump blasted the $16 billion Hudson River tunnel projec…

England’s Founding Father

How a 10th-century warrior-statesman forged a unified England and why his legacy still matters in our identity-obsessed day.   

The Moral Collapse of Empire

Southeast Asia in World War II, Part One: Japanese Conquests and British Disgrace

RNC mocks 'Forget someone again??' after Dems’ Presidents Day post leaves out big name

Republicans mock Democrats over President's Day social media post that omitted Bill Clinton from composite image featuring other Democratic presidents.

Vice President Kamala Harris, a former US senator from California who previously served as the state's attorney general, could be the first Black woman and Asian American to lead a major party ticket after receiving President Joe Biden's support t…

We Haz Always Loveses Deportations: Hillary Signals Dem Directional Change

Rubio shines on global stage while AOC, Whitmer, and Newsom take heat

Democratic 2028 hopefuls face criticism after Munich Security Conference appearances, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drawing scrutiny for foreign policy stumbles.

Rep. Biggs to Newsmax: Dems Used Munich Forum to Bash Trump

Rep. Sheri Biggs, R-S.C., told Newsmax on Monday that Democratic leaders who attended the Munich Security Conference embarrassed the U.S. by using the international forum to criticize President Donald Trump rather than focus on global security cha…

Teddy Roosevelt’s Family Urges G.O.P. to Protect Public Lands

In a rare letter to Republican senators, four descendants of the former president oppose mining near a wilderness area in Minnesota.

American Liberalism and Illiberalism

Americans who may have ferocious disagreements about the size of government, foreign policy, and a wide range of other issues must find a way to unite around their shared commitment to the liberal idea.

California Woman Stands Up to Anti-MAGA Bullies at Her Gym

A California woman who was told by the owner of a gym where she's a member not to wear her Trump hat tells of fighting liberal bullies in an opinion piece in the New York Post.

EPA's Fotouhi to Newsmax: Environmental Rollback Will Save $2,400 Per Car

The Trump administration's move to eliminate the Obama-era "endangerment finding" could lower the cost of new vehicles by about $2,400, EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi said Monday on Newsmax.Fotouhi told "Wake Up America" that the action wo…

The 2026 Samizdat Prize: Charlie Kirk, Graham Linehan, Alan Dershowitz

There is a shared idea behind all prize programs, and here it is: We get the world we praise.The arc of the future is bent by what we praise in the present.

CNN Political Briefing

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

‘Not American Enough’

Trump’s immigration crackdown has Latinos wondering if they belong in his America.

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the Editor: Friday 6 February – Friday 13 February

Jeffries And Schumer Denounce Trump's 'Racist' Video -- But Who Are They to Complain?

Indonesia Says It’s Preparing Thousands of Peacekeeping Troops for Trump’s Gaza Plan

President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia will be among those meeting with President Trump in Washington this week to discuss his Board of Peace initiative to oversee a cease-fire in Gaza.

Who’s Pulling the Strings on the World Stage? Ask the Puppets.

Eurasia Group, the geopolitical risk consultancy run by Ian Bremmer, gets into the political satire game with its Instagram show “Puppet Regime.”

The Murder of The Washington Post

Today’s layoffs are the latest attempt to kill what makes the paper special.

Sharia law victim who fled Somalia issues endorsement in critical Senate race

Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who fled Sharia law, has endorsed Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, for re-election in a critical Senate race that could determine whether the GOP retains its majority.

Shakespeare in Love and Grief

It appears that people now find comfort in the idea that the life of even the greatest of writers is no more satisfying than their own.

ICE-Local Police Deals Up 950% Under Trump

Agreements between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local law enforcement that allow officers to make federal immigration arrests have surged by 950% in the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, according to a new analysis of …

Nobody Trusts Elections -- That's the Crisis

Trust must be earned through transparency, consistent rules, and procedures that make fraud difficult and detection easy.

Aliens are ‘real,’ Obama says, as Washington shrugs

The former president appeared to confirm decades-old conspiracy theories. Lawmakers say Barack Obama is simply saying what many Americans already believe.

Trump claims victory on affordability as public anxieties persist

Advisers had been encouraging the president to sound more empathetic toward struggling Americans. But as some bright spots emerge, the messaging has shifted.

Montana governor launches sanctuary crackdown, probes capital city over ICE limits

Montana governor launches investigation into Helena for allegedly violating statewide sanctuary city ban, promising penalties for violations of state law.

The Ground Troops of the Revolution Are Being Trained Before Our Eyes

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.

Sunday Smiles

Democrat lawmakers rush to bash Trump even as jobs, inflation reports beat projections

Democrats blast Trump's economy, despite strong January data showing 2.5% inflation and 130,000 jobs added, citing "unaffordability crisis" concerns.

Richard Ottinger, 97, Dies; Fought for the Environment in Congress

A New York Democrat, he spent 16 years in the House over two stretches, beginning in 1965, championing the health of the Hudson River and opposing the Vietnam War.

‘War on Drugs’ crusader Bill Bennett breaks with Trump as White House moves to ease federal marijuana rules

Reagan administration official William Bennett breaks with Trump on cannabis policy, citing concerns about youth marijuana use, school absenteeism and academic performance decline.

‘The Trust Has Been Absolutely Destroyed’

Some state election officials say they no longer trust their federal partners.

In Hungary, Marco Rubio Stresses Trump’s Support for Viktor Orban

The U.S. secretary of state said in Budapest that the president was “deeply committed” to the success of Viktor Orban, who has boasted of creating an “illiberal state.”

How Jeff Bezos Broke The Washington Post

The paper of record for the nation’s capital cut a third of its staff this week. It didn’t have to be like this.

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.

Trump Voter ID Threat His Gravest Attack on Democracy Yet

The president says he'll do it "whether approved by Congress or not!" He can't legally do that-but that hasn't stopped him before.

The Epstein Emails Show How the Powerful Talk About Race

The files reveal the disgraced financier’s interest in “race science.”

Trump: 'Loser' Newsom's UK Energy Deal 'Inappropriate'

President Donald Trump on Monday blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom over his newly announced clean energy agreement with the United Kingdom, calling the deal "inappropriate" and criticizing the Democrat's environmental record.

Presidents' Day Lessons for America's 250th Bday

When we give honor to those who are genuinely excellent, we are better able to discharge our own duties as citizens.

Fetterman: What's Wrong With Requiring ID to Vote?

Kristi Noem’s Audience of One

The DHS secretary is suddenly talking about more than just mass deportations.

Strange Delight

Radley Metzger’s 1975 hardcore adaptation of a celebrated literary hoax is a vast improvement on the cynical source material.

Republican Joins Effort to Block Trump Pardons

A proposed constitutional amendment that would give Congress the authority to block presidential pardons picked up its first Republican co-sponsor Monday, as Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska signed onto the measure.

Democrats Audition for Nomination in Munich

NAACP asks judge to limit how feds use Georgia voter data seized by FBI

The NAACP asked a federal judge to limit the FBI's use of allegedly sensitive voter information seized from an Atlanta election warehouse on Sunday.