Smash The Bubble

News and opinion from both the left and the right, mixed together so you can break out of your filter bubble.

more info

Today's Headlines

How Democrats Game the Census

At the 68th Grammy Awards, a day before Groundhog Day, singer Billie Eilish spied her shadow in a spotlight beam and predicted endless Hollywood posturing on illegal immigration.

NATO Is an Alliance, Not a Protection Racket

Even if unsuccessful, Donald Trump’s aggressive campaign to acquire Greenland threatens to undermine America’s reputation as a champion of western security, freedom, and co-operation.

Native Tribe Trolls(?) Billie Eilish Over Her 'No One Is Illegal on Stolen Land' Rant

Merchant of the Revolution

There are two kinds of people in the world: people who break things, and people who put the pieces back together.

Clintons finalize deal to appear for House Epstein investigation depositions

Bill and Hillary Clinton are expected to sit for depositions on Feb. 27 and Feb. 26, respectively.

Greg Bovino Loses His Job

The Border Patrol chief has been ousted from his role as “commander at large,” and will return to El Centro.

No Deal: Trump to Sue Harvard For One Billion Dollars

Woman Euthanized and Her Face Transplanted in Spain

Euthanasia conjoined with organ harvesting just took a particularly disturbing turn.

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.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

House Cancels Contempt Vote As Clintons Agree to Testify on Epstein

Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to be deposed this month by an investigative panel but requested that it be in public, a request that the Republican chairman ignored.

Trump family crypto firm sold major stake to UAE investment firm

The investment, worth a reported $500 million, gave Emirati-backed investors a 49 percent stake in World Liberty Financial, a Trump crypto company.

Investigation Finds Credit Suisse Had Wider Nazi Ties Than Previously Known

But a lawyer who has been scrutinizing archives and UBS are in a dispute over access to about 150 documents.

Trump unveils new rendering of sprawling White House ballroom project

New White House ballroom rendering shows sprawling 90,000-square-foot space for about 650 guests, funded by Trump and private donors at $200 million cost.

Marjorie Taylor Greene Stumbles into Populism’s Blind Alley

Anyone who tries to meet the aggrieved populists in the middle will be outflanked by a genuine kook.

Start Spreading the Nukes, Part 2

A credible nuclear deterrent is the best way to avoid nuclear war, but can European nations devise systems with credibility?

Netanyahu Urges US Envoy: Be Skeptical of Iran in Revived Nuclear Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Tuesday amid efforts to revive diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program that Tehran was unlikely to honor any potential agreement.In a meeting with the U.S. envoy, Net…

The Iranians Aren’t Acting as Though They Want to Negotiate

Why is President Trump so eager to negotiate with a regime that has broken almost every treaty it has ever signed?

Mamdani May Be About To Pick the Wrong Fight

Zohran Mamdani, a quick learner, has joined a long list of New York mayors who took the oath of office and promptly began slamming their predecessor for leaving the city's finances in shambles.

House Passes Bill to Reopen Government, Sending It to Trump

Approval of the measure kicked off what promises to be a difficult negotiation between Democrats and President Trump over their demands to rein in immigration agents.

Sebastian Gorka to Newsmax: Trump Pushing to Crack Down on Cartels

President Donald Trump is delivering a message to the Western Hemisphere: Cooperate in dismantling cartel networks and limiting hostile foreign influence or face a tougher U.S. response, Sebastian Gorka, a deputy assistant to the president and sen…

Lawsuit Argues Trump Gold Card Visa Program Prioritizes Wealth Over Ability

The suit asks that a judge find the pay-for-play visa program unlawful, casting it as another example of the Trump administration’s seeking to bypass Congress.

Commie Mamdani: I, Like, See Dead People, Yo

Moms org backs Trump's efforts with 'aggressive' campaign against illicit Chinese vape: 'This is personal'

Conservative moms group launches aggressive 2026 campaign against illegal Chinese vapes targeting kids, inspired by Trump administration crackdown efforts.

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…

House votes to end government shutdown, buy time for ICE talks

The bills, later signed by President Donald Trump, fund most of the government through September. But Congress now has 10 days to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Democrats Call on ICE Watchdog to Speed Up Use of Force Inquiry

The inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security is scrutinizing use of force by ICE, according to Democrats in Congress who requested the report.

GOP senator jabs Jeffries as 'butt hurt' over Trump-Schumer deal

The government funding deal between President Donald Trump and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., passed despite heavy opposition from House Democrats.

Despite 3 million files, Epstein release leaves big questions unanswered

The members of Congress who wrote the law requiring disclosure of the files are still looking for explanations.

Tim Walz Fears a Fort Sumter Moment in Minneapolis

The Minnesota governor warns of a national unraveling.

NEW: 21 House Dems Vote to Fund ICE, Shutdown Ends – For Now

Ruptures in China’s Leadership Could Be Due to Paranoia and Power Plays

U.S. intelligence analysts say that Xi Jinping, China’s leader, has a remarkable level of fear. He has carried out mass purges, and surprised many by removing his top general.

The Fall of Zhang Youxia

A septuagenarian loyalist may be facing execution for the crimes of caution and professionalism.

Europe Needs a New Alliance

Trump’s threat to annex Greenland has revealed the shakiness of America’s commitment to NATO. Europe urgently needs to create its own alternative.  

House sends bill ending government shutdown to Trump's desk after 21 Dems break with Jeffries

The House of Representatives passed a federal funding bill along bipartisan lines, with the partial government shutdown nearing its end.

Leavitt scorches ‘elitist’ celebrities slamming ICE from 'gated' mansions

Grammy Awards celebrities including Billie Eilish wore "ICE out" pins and criticized Trump immigration enforcement, prompting White House response about Hollywood hypocrisy.

Colombians Rally During Their President’s Meeting with Trump

President Gustavo Petro had asked Colombians to gather around the country during his meeting with President Trump on Tuesday.

Telling 'the Full Story' of George Washington

The Independence National Historical Park exhibit didn't tell the full story of George Washington.

Meet the New Proud Boys

The far-right group’s views and tactics are now emulated by federal agents.

NY Times Defends Activist Behind Church Disruption

House GOP searches for votes to reopen government with razor-thin majority

House Democrats have indicated privately that they do not plan to support the plan, leaving Republicans to go it alone.

BREAKING: Getting Hairy in Hormuz: US Shoots Down Iranian Drone, Iran Confronts US Tanker

The Russo-Ukrainian Cease-Fire Trump Sought Is Already Over

After about 96 hours, Moscow ‘broke the truce’ with renewed strikes on civilian targets.

Sen. Warner Wants Gabbard to Testify About Her Presence at FBI Raid

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., said he wants Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee about why she was at an FBI raid last week on an election office near Atlanta.

Rep. Steube to Newsmax: Do Away With the Filibuster

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., told Newsmax on Tuesday that the frustration associated with passing legislation through Congress has hit a high point.

‘Trust Has Been Breached’

The broken relationship between Minnesota and the federal government

Mobbed on Campus, Vindicated in Court

Four years after the University of Washington began investigating Stuart Reges for authoring a satirical ‘land acknowledgement,’ his First Amendment rights have been upheld by the Ninth Circuit.

Trump's Call to 'Nationalize' Elections Rattles, Riles Democrats

President Donald Trump's call for Republicans to "nationalize" elections drew pushback on Tuesday from lawmakers, including from a few Republicans, as Democrats voiced fresh concern that he intends to interfere with the November midterms that will…

How Minneapolis Looks From the Police Chief’s Squad Car

In the city where George Floyd was killed, Trump hastens a new social breakdown.

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.

When Vogue Becomes Vomit

CNN Political Briefing

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

Chinese Bioweapons Labs Keep Popping Up in America

Anti-ICE Agitators Ironically and Illegally Blockade Minnesota Streets

Protesters are stopping cars that have out-of-state license plates and asking drivers for ID.

The SAVE Act Is Popular, and Democrats Are Terrified of It

Former Farming Leaders Warn U.S. Agriculture Could Face ‘Widespread Collapse’

A group of past government officials and the former heads of farming associations issued a dire warning to members of Congress.

The Case Against Don Lemon Is Junk, and Dangerous

If the Cities Church case falls apart, it will not be the first such embarrassment for Trump’s Justice Department.

It Wasn’t Democrats Who Persuaded Trump to Change Course

A flood of GOP statements sent an unmistakable message to Trump: Enough.

One of San Francisco's Least Respected Judges Gets an Election Challenge

Podcast #322: The Demise of Private Life

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Tiffany Jenkins about her fascinating and provocative new history, 'Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life.'

Whitaker to Newsmax: Take Iran Talks One Day at a Time

President Donald Trump has a unique feel for complex negotiations, so the situation with Iran will have to be taken a day at a time, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker told Newsmax on Tuesday.

U.S. Fighter Jet Shoots Down Iranian Drone Amid Heightened Tensions

A U.S. fighter jet shot down the Iranian drone after it “unnecessarily maneuvered” toward the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier.

Is Don Lemon a Threat to Religious Liberty?

The arrest of former CNN anchor Don Lemon by federal authorities in Los Angeles today for his alleged participation in an anti-ICE protest in a St. Paul, Minnesota, church on January 18 is startling on multiple grounds. First of all, it's not like…

Why Is Substack Caught Up in Australia’s Social Media Ban?

Australia’s under-16s social media ban has proven wildly popular among parents, but nevertheless it was ill conceived and comes with worrying trade-offs.  

Federal officers in Minneapolis to start wearing body cams, DHS says

The decision to equip federal agents in Minneapolis with body cameras comes after federal agents in the metropolitan area shot and killed two people.

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.

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.

Illinois Gov Pritzker donates $5M to super PAC backing lieutenant governor's Senate campaign

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker reportedly donated $5 million to support Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton's Senate campaign as she faces a competitive Democratic primary.

DHS Secretary Noem stands by body camera requirement for federal agents following Trump comments

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defends body camera decision for federal agents after Trump says "it wasn't my decision." Move aims to ensure truth in conflicts.

'You Are Great': Trump, Colombia's Petro in Barb-Free Meeting

President Donald Trump appeared to bury the hatchet with his Colombian counterpart Tuesday after months of tensions, praising the leftist leader as he hosted him behind closed doors at the White House."You are great," Trump wrote to Gustavo Petro …

The Supreme Leader’s Reckoning

The brutality the security forces are unleashing in Iran is not an improvisation. It is doctrine.

Why Did Democrats Release Gerardo Miguel Mora?

You really can't make it up.

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.

CMS Takes Aim at Medicare Advantage Fraud

CMS's proposed crackdown on Medicare Advantage upcoding could save billions and mark a turning point in the fight against insurer fraud.

Red Card: World Cup Ticket Prices Are Not Fair Play

World Cup ticket prices are not fair play.

We Are What We Pretend to Be

Robert Peel created modern police forces and wanted them to be seen as an arm of the public itself.

A History of Morality Clauses

The century-old moral panics and persecutions by Anthony Comstock and the Society for the Suppression of Vice are echoed today by cancellation campaigns from the moralistic Left and Right.

How every House member voted on the shutdown and ICE funding

See how your representative voted to end the partial shutdown and fund most of the government through September. Congress only has ten days to reach an agreement on ICE funding

Battles Are Raging Inside the Department of Homeland Security

Officials overseeing Trump’s mass-deportation campaign are fighting one another for power.

Trump Signs Bill Ending Partial Government Shutdown

President Donald Trump signed a spending bill on Tuesday ending the four-day partial government shutdown sparked by Democratic opposition to funding for the federal agency carrying out his sweeping immigration crackdown.The legislation landed on T…

God of the Yawning Gaps

It’s hard to believe in God when even very bright, thoughtful people can’t come up with good reasons why you should.

Harvard-Harris Poll: Modest Uptick in Economic Optimism

A January survey by the Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll found a modest rise in the share of voters who say the U.S. economy is on the right track and a clearer uptick in reports of improving household finances.

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

‘It’s a Five-Alarm Fire’

The FBI’s search and seizure of material from Fulton County election offices marks a major escalation.

Trump team has $400 million, and 5 other campaign money takeaways

The Democratic Party on the national level has a mere fraction of what Republicans have heading into the 2026 midterms. Big donors like Elon Musk are back, too.

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…

Is Xi Jinping Just Really Paranoid?

Schumer faces backlash after calling SAVE Act 'Jim Crow' despite previous allegation falling flat

Sen. Chuck Schumer claims the SAVE Act represents "Jim Crow 2.0," sparking criticism over his identical claim about Georgia voting laws that proved inaccurate.

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…

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.

That Other Greenland Standoff

In April 1940, Danes, Germans, Brits, Americans, and Canadians had designs on the world’s largest island. Eighty-five years later, many of their arguments sound eerily familiar.

U.S. shoots down Iranian drone that approached aircraft carrier

Officials said the aircraft was “acting aggressively” when it approached the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is in the Middle East amid tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Welcome to the American Winter

In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, something profound is happening.

Epstein emails reveal behind-the-scenes talk of firing Fed chair Powell

Justice Department documents expose 2018 emails between Jeffrey Epstein and Trump advisor Steve Bannon discussing removal of Federal Reserve Chair Powell.

Pentagon warns Scouts to make ‘core value reforms’ or lose military support

The relationship dates back decades, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has criticized the organization for allowing girls to join and changing its name from Boy Scouts.

Video: Bearded, Snaggle-Toothed Terrorizer of Small Church Children Foaming at the Mouth

Justice Dept. demotes Ed Martin, stripping Trump ally of most authority

Top Justice Department officials have stripped Ed Martin of the bulk of his expansive responsibilities.

Census Shifts

Democrats and Republicans alike should take note of the recent census data.

Donald Trump Throttles His Own Passion Project

The president made it plain to all that he wanted to leave an indelible mark on the Kennedy Center, and he has.

Republican 'wake-up call': Special election shocker highlights GOP turnout and midterm risks

Democrats score stunning upset in deep red Texas district Trump won by 17 points, delivering a major "wake-up call" to Republicans ahead of midterms.

Polls Show Strong G.O.P. Support for Trump on Immigration

A small, but growing, share of Republicans say that enforcement has gone too far, after the killing of two Minneapolis protesters.

Downtowns Are Dying, But We Know How To Save Them

For decades, Los Angeles business and political figures have focused their attention on creating a sleek, vibrant downtown. The common thought, as the late Eli Broad suggested, has been, "a great city needs a great downtown."

Trump Is Doubling Down on All the Wrong Things

Republicans are worried about the midterm elections, but the president doesn’t seem to be.

What Is Border Patrol Doing in American Cities?

Securing the southern border through policy changes provided an ample reserve of CBP agents that could be redirected to interior enforcement.

Everyone Is Missing the Point About the ‘Melania’ Movie

It’s not really a movie at all. It’s a marketing deck.

The Gentle Wildness of Tasmania

Tasmania looks like wilderness from afar. Up close, it is lush, intimate, and unexpectedly generous—a place that feels familiar, yet entirely its own.

Trump’s New Method of Humiliation

The president doesn’t seem to fire people anymore, but he marginalizes them in other ways.

The Martin Center Announces a New Feature

The first issue of the quarterly “From the Academy” newsletter focuses on the liberal arts on campus.

The Network Behind Minneapolis Chaos

One of the city's protest organizations stoked a raging fire.

'Melania' Has Already Out-Grossed Five 2025 Oscar Nominees

In just one weekend, Melania's $7 million, three-day weekend haul has already out-grossed the entire domestic run of five 2025 movies nominated for this year's Academy Awards. Entertainment

Michael Parenti, Unapologetic Marxist Theorist and Author, Dies at 92

A prolific writer and lecturer, he viewed U.S. history through the lens of class struggle. But some accused him of defending brutal regimes in the Soviet Union and Serbia.

House Members Sue to Block New Utah Districts Boosting Dems' Chances

With the deadline to file for reelection a little over a month away, two of Utah's Republican members of Congress are asking a federal court to block the use of new U.S. House districts that could boost Democrats' chances of winning a Salt Lake Ci…

RFK Jr unveils $100M effort to tackle addiction, homelessness and mental illness

RFK Jr. announces $100 million federal investment to combat addiction and homelessness through recovery programs, drawing on his 43-year journey.

Moltbook, the AI Social Network Freaking Out Silicon Valley

Did you notice something... weird on your social media network of choice this past weekend? (I mean weirder than normal.) Something like various people posting about swarms of AI agents achieving a kind of collective consciousness and/or plotting …

Sen. Thune Breaks With Trump on Federalizing Elections

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Tuesday that he disagrees with President Donald Trump's call for Republicans to nationalize elections, noting that the Constitution gives that power to the states.

The Death of the Debasement Trade?

The fundamentals underlying the debasement trade have not changed.

Trump wants to ‘nationalize the voting,’ seeking to grab states’ power

Trump, who continues to falsely claim that he won the 2020 election, has baselessly alleged widespread fraud. The Senate’s Republican leader says he does not favor federalizing elections.

Government shutdown ends as Trump signs bill, but DHS funding deadline looms

President Donald Trump signed legislation ending the partial government shutdown that began Friday, funding most agencies through September.

The Alaa Abd El-Fattah Case and the Limits of Human Rights Law

How did Britain end up granting citizenship to radical activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah?

Democrats Vow to Subpoena Trump Over Epstein Files

Congressional Democrats said Tuesday they plan to subpoena President Donald Trump to testify under oath about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein if they regain control of the House, citing what they describe as a new precedent set by Republicans' aggress…