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

Newsom administration allegedly knew of $2B California budget error for months: report

California's $2 billion budget accounting error tied to CalPERS went undisclosed for months, even as the state projected a $3 billion fiscal deficit.

Trump administration deepens quest to stamp out the events of Jan. 6

In his second term, the president has doubled down on efforts to reframe public perception of the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, in court and beyond.

House Democrats push to grill Stephen Miller, Tom Homan

Democrats want to grill the top immigration officials in a hearing before the House Homeland Security Committee. But the White House did not say if they’ll participate.

Hungary Just Ousted the Unoustable

Viktor Orbán had support from Moscow and Washington, but not from his own people.

'Not Going Back': Redrawing the Energy Map

This week's gathering of financial heavyweights in Washington made one thing clear: The Iran war is setting the world on a new energy path.

As sexual misconduct allegations rock Congress, some push for new rules

The resignations of two lawmakers facing ethics investigations have drawn comparisons to the #MeToo movement. Some House members say it’s time to revisit their rules and culture.

Podcast #333: The Search for Truth

Managing Editor Iona Italia talks to Michael Shermer, the author of a number of works on critical thinking, epistemology, and ethics, about his new book, 'Truth: What It Is, How to Find It, and Why It Still Matters.'

Catholic Charities 'Scandal' Is Object Lesson on How Coordinated Propaganda Campaigns Work

Reopening Strait of Hormuz Would Ease Oil Crisis but Only So Much

Analysts said energy and shipping companies would be reluctant to fully restore operations until they were confident that hostilities were over.

An Elegy for the Foreign Correspondent

On February 4, 2026, The Washington Post's Ukraine correspondent, Lizzie Johnson, announced on X that she had been laid off, via email, "in the middle of a warzone"-left behind in Kyiv by a ruthless wave of layoffs at the Jeff Bezos-owned paper.

There's a Strategic Case for Tariffs

When the Supreme Court dealt President Trump's tariff strategy a blow in late February, he was undeterred. Now he is back at his old ways, imposing new duties on the importation of brand-name pharmaceuticals and certain metals. Those who wish that…

It’s Not Just Iran. Trump Is Flailing on Multiple Fronts.

The president is on a losing streak, and even some of his aides are dismayed by his choices.

Kash Patel and Sen. David McCormick Team Up to Fight Fentanyl in Pennsylvania

Iran Giving Mixed Signals, But Europeans Are Talking Tough, So US Must Have Won

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.

Trump came to Arizona to rally young voters. An older crowd greeted him.

Despite some empty seats, Trump projected confidence in his party’s ability to win the midterm elections. Some in the crowd focused on GOP divisions.

Rep. Omar Blames 'Discrepancy' for $30 Million Disclosure Error

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has filed an amended financial disclosure that cuts her previously reported household assets from as much as $30 million to no more than $95,000, with her office blaming an accounting error.

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.

Signs That Things Could Be Ramping Up in Cuba

IRGC Closes Strait Again, Calls Iran's Foreign Minister an 'Idiot,' Fires on Oil Tankers

‘Turning Point Was Charlie Kirk’: Why This Student Group Moved On

Students at the University of Arkansas disagreed with Turning Point’s direction, pointing to challenges ahead for the conservative group.

The Conciliator

Why did Gretchen Whitmer go soft on Trump?

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…

History Is Running Backwards

Why reactionaries are taking over the world

Boston mayor denies funding LGBTQ migrant ‘wellness’ perks after program touts up to $500 benefits

OUTnewcomers, a queer advocacy group, offers LGBTQ immigrants in Boston up to $500 in wellness allowances for yoga, haircuts and other services.

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.

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…

American Airlines Says It Won’t Merge With United

American issued the statement after news reports that United Airlines’ chief executive had discussed the idea with the Trump administration.

Jared Kushner’s Mysterious Role in the Trump Administration

Is the president’s son-in-law carrying out the public’s business or pursuing his own private interests?

The Battle for the Strait

After the failure of ceasefire talks in Islamabad, the United States remains at war with Iran and Trump’s priority is to liberate the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping.

Indiana Races Test Trump's Influence After Redistricting

The only thing standing between President Trump and his revenge on Indiana state senators are people like Julie Wise. She's 48 years old, works at a hospital, describes herself as a conservative, and voted for Trump in the last election.

Agencies in talks with Trump, family to resolve $10B lawsuit over tax leaks

President Trump and his family are suing federal agencies over leaks of their tax information. Court filings say they’re in talks to find a solution instead of heading to trial.

Hilton to Newsmax: Trump Endorsement Signals 'United Front'

California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton criticized the state’s political leadership and called for sweeping change during an appearance on Newsmax TV’s "Saturday Report," framing his campaign as a break from what he described as entrenched…

The Primary That Could End a State G.O.P.’s Independent Streak

For years, Republican state legislators in Montana have been willing to team up with Democrats, but in nearly two dozen races on June 2, a nationally attuned right has those lawmakers in its sights.

Judge Temporarily Stops Nexstar-Tegna TV Station Merger

A federal judge in Sacramento, California, has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved.

J. D. Vance Is Definitely Against Foreign Election Interference

The vice president accused the European Union of meddling—as he stumped for Viktor Orbán.

1979 Is the Year That Explains Donald Trump

And pretty much all of the 1980s do too.

'You and What Navy?' French Presidential Poof de Crème Plans to Cut Trump Out of Hormuz Patrols

Canada's Conservatives Target Carney on Tariffs

The Conservative Party of Canada is attacking Prime Minister Mark Carney for failing to negotiate a trade deal with President Donald Trump.

Iran could use detained Americans as ‘sweetener’ in nuclear talks, ex-hostage envoy warns

Roger Carstens, former lead hostage negotiator, warns Iran is untrustworthy as the Trump administration considers new round of peace talks in Pakistan.

Key Excerpts From the Supreme Court’s Secret Memos

The New York Times obtained a trove of documents illuminating the inner workings of the court as it embraced a secretive track for making major decisions.

Optimism and Confusion Over Push for Iran Deal

The president insisted that Iran had agreed to give up its enriched uranium, although the details of such a deal remained unclear

Trump’s Dispute With Pope Leo Deepens Divisions on the Right

Sean Hannity criticized the pope. Tucker Carlson attacked Mr. Hannity. And President Trump suggested ranking MAGA figures: “good, bad, and somewhere in the middle.”

Prices Controls Will Deny Millions of Americans Credit Cards

Span­ber­ger Ran as a Moderate, Governs as a Hack

Abi­gail Span­ber­ger's shtick has long been mod­er­a­tion. When she ran for gov­ernor of Vir­ginia last year, she emphas­ized her law enforce­ment back­ground…

Russian Beauty Influencer Warns Putin: 'People Will Get Tired of Being Afraid'

CNN Political Briefing

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

The Anti-Communist Film Festival: Mickey Spillane and 'Kiss Me Deadly'

BBQ lovers beware: Middle East conflict might disrupt your summer plans this year

Rising Middle East tensions are pushing up energy prices, driving beef and propane costs higher and making your summer barbecue more expensive this year.

Inside the Supreme Court’s Risky New Way of Doing Business

Secret memos obtained by The New York Times illuminate the origins of the court’s now-routine “shadow docket” rulings on presidential power.

For Iran, Flexing Control Over Waterway Is New Deterrent

Iran’s government could emerge from the conflict with a blueprint to keep adversaries at bay, regardless of any restrictions on its nuclear program.

Iran disputes claims of new agreements with Trump

Tehran put limits on the Strait of Hormuz’s opening, as the United States issued a new sanctions exemption on the sale of Russian oil.

Walz rips Trump and Vance in Europe, says 'feeble-minded, trigger-happy president' has no exit plan for Iran

Tim Walz slammed Donald Trump at a progressive conference in Spain, calling him a "feeble-minded, trigger-happy president" with "no exit plan" for the conflict with Iran.

Move 37 and the Coming Mindhack

What happens when human manipulation arrives at its Claude Mythos moment?

Supreme Court hands win to Chevron, Big Oil in environmental damage case

The decision puts into question a $745 million judgment against Chevron to help restore coastal wetlands in Louisiana that were damaged as long ago as World War II.

Dems sidestep past ‘refuse illegal orders’ demands as they challenge Trump’s Iran war authority

Democrats backed U.S. troops in the Iran conflict but say President Trump's use of military force lacks congressional approval under the War Powers Act.

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…

Why China is taking a behind-the-scenes role in the Iran war

As Trump pursued an unpopular war, Beijing positioned itself as a peacemaker, with little incentive to pressure Iran or annoy the U.S.

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.

The Tragedy of Murdered Indigenous Women is Real. So How Did Activists Turn It Into a Punch Line?

Leah Gazan’s use of the absurd term ‘MMIWG2SLGBTQQIA+’ to describe female Indigenous homicide victims is a case study in progressive linguistic self-sabotage.

Appeals Court Again Allows Ballroom Construction to Go On, for Now

In the latest ruling, an appeals court in Washington allowed construction to continue until at least June while it considered the case.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Germany’s Cozy Catastrophe

The German state has been generous to its beneficiaries—but that largesse is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

ICE's Lyons to Newsmax: Biden Vetting Failures Risk Natl Security

Todd Lyons warned Friday on Newsmax that national security is at risk after what he described as widespread vetting failures during the Biden administration, following the murder of two people in Atlanta.

Lead Prosecutor Removed From John Brennan Case

A lead prosecutor in the John Brennan investigation has been removed from the case after expressing concerns to Justice Department officials about the legal strength of a potential criminal prosecution of the former CIA director, a person familiar…

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.

Justices Thomas, Alito Have No Plans to Step Down

Justices Clarence Thomas, 77, and Samuel Alito, 76, the oldest members of the Supreme Court and two of its most conservative, are not planning to step down once the court's current term ends in late June or early July.

Viktor Orbán Could Actually Lose

The Hungarian leader faces an energized opposition—and questions about whether he would accept defeat.

Trump Voters Are Over It

A shocking number of the president’s supporters have turned against him.

Rubio targets Nicaraguan official over alleged torture tied to 'brutal' Ortega regime

Marco Rubio says the U.S. is sanctioning a senior Nicaraguan official over alleged human rights violations tied to the Ortega-Murillo dictatorship.

Trump: Iran Agreed to Let Us Go In and Get Their Uranium

Robinson's Defense: We Need Six Months to Read All the Evidence Against Our Client

The Basic Political Problem for Republicans

MAGA's detour is bad news for the GOP if it drags out.

Defying Decline

James Piereson on What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family, by Timothy S. Goeglein.

Congress approves 10-day extension for warrantless surveillance law

Trump officials say the program is vital to national security, but skeptics — including some Republicans — have stonewalled its reauthorization without changes to protect civil liberties.

The Iran War: An Explainer

A selection of essays and interviews in Quillette examining how and why Iran and the West are at war, and what is likely to happen next.

Trump orders more access to psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and ibogaine

The president is directing federal agencies to boost research into the drugs and support clinical trials, moves championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Zinke to Newsmax: Hezbollah Clouds Israel-Lebanon Talks

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., said ongoing instability in Lebanon and the influence of Iran-backed groups complicate efforts to secure lasting agreements with Israel, even as negotiations between Israel and Lebanon move forward.

Takeaways From the Supreme Court’s Shadow Papers

Confidential memos written by the justices shed light on how they came to issue emergency orders in cases about the scope of presidential power.

In Phoenix, Trump Eyes Lower Gas Prices and Frets About the Midterms

President Trump told a crowd of supporters that the price of oil and gas was coming down, part of an effort in recent days to present a rosier picture of the nearly two-month-long Iran war.

Postliberalism After Hungary

Orbán’s defeat should scare the hell out of populist authoritarians.

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.

Infinite Ingenuity: Andy Weir’s Optimistic Vision in ‘Project Hail Mary’

The new film 'Project Hail Mary' based on Andy Weir's bestselling novel, celebrates scientific problem-solving on a cosmic scale. There are striking parallels with David Deutsch's radical optimism.

NATO in 2026: Inertia Masquerading as Wisdom

NATO won the Cold War-but clinging to it now drains U.S. power from the Indo-Pacific, where the real contest for the future is unfolding.

New DHS Chief Draws Criticism From Both Parties

As of April 18, 2026, Homeland Security Sec. Markwayne Mullin, less than a month into the job, is facing criticism from congressional Democrats and from immigration restrictionists in President Trump's base as he tries to reshape a department unde…

Trump officials push Theodore Roosevelt for Pro Football Hall of Fame

“I think we’re going to see Theodore Roosevelt inducted,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said at an event on Thursday.

AI and the Wiki Wars

The Wikipedia knowledge monopoly is not ready for the Grokipedia threat.

Friday's Final Word

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

In Las Vegas, Trump’s economic pitch meets a skeptical audience

Trump touts “no tax on tips” in Las Vegas as voters grapple with high prices and economic unease.

Trump set to read Scripture from the Oval Office during 'America Reads the Bible' event starting Sunday

The president is set to read 2 Chronicles 7 during the 'America Reads the Bible' event, a passage organizers say was deliberately reserved for him.

The FBI Director Is MIA

Kash Patel has alarmed colleagues with episodes of excessive drinking and unexplained absences.

The Well-Educated Child: A New Path Toward Real Learning

I've been following the remarkable progress of Deborah Kenny's Harlem Village Academies-a network of charter schools-for about 20 years now. And I've watched her develop a theory of K-12 education that transcends Harlem, that is nothing less than …

US Navy releases photos of 'fresh meals,' pushes back on reports of food shortages on Middle East warships

U.S. Navy releases photos of meals aboard USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Tripoli, pushing back against claims of food shortages during operations against Iran.

The Doctor Will Seek Your Vote Now

Dozens of Democratic doctors are running for office in the midterms, including some spurred by opposition to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his anti-vaccine stance.

An Oligarchy of Old People

How elderly Americans amassed disproportionate wealth and power

The Final Frontier

Like the old Wild West, the Moon offers the prospect of resources to exploit and land to settle. Artemis II's successful mission is just the beginning.

Kagan screamed so loudly at liberal ally after Dobbs leak the ‘wall was shaking,' book claims

Justice Kagan allegedly yelled at Justice Breyer so loudly the "wall was shaking" during the 2022 Dobbs leak crisis, a new book by Hemingway says.

The Wrong Man

In Iran, Donald Trump is showing us what a populist war looks like.

Foreign Power, Local Politics

Where local collaboration is absent, foreign intervention imposes enormous costs or simply stalls. Where it exists, intervention can succeed with surprising velocity.

Fmr Senate Aide to Newsmax: Media Decide Which Accusers Matter

Former Senate aide Tara Reade, who accused Joe Biden of sexually assaulting her in 1993, told Newsmax on Friday that the national press worked to discredit and bury her allegations during the 2020 presidential campaign yet are aggressively elevati…

Trump signs executive order directing FDA to review psychedelics designated as breakthrough therapy drugs

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that directs the FDA to accelerate their review of "psychedelics already designated as breakthrough therapy drugs."

The State That Could Decide Trump’s Gerrymandering War

Democrats want Virginians to aggressively gerrymander the state.

Trump Messed With the Wrong Pope

The White House cannot stop fighting with the pope.

Can U.S., Iran Agree on a Lasting Deal To End the War?

President Donald Trump has expressed optimism that the two sides are getting closer to an agreement.

Democrats in Political Denial on Immigration?

As the Democrats attempt to supplant and replace Donald Trump and the Republicans in the 2026 and 2028 elections, lesson number one should be: Don't counter Trump's maximalist policies with maximalism of your own on the issues that got the party i…

Ilhan Omar's office says she's ‘not a millionaire’ after $30M filing revised down to under $100K: report

Rep. Ilhan Omar says she is not a millionaire, blaming accountants after her financial disclosure was amended from up to $30 million in assets.

King to Newsmax: Swalwell 'Couldn't Be Trusted'

Former Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., says he never trusted former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., and dismissed allegations circulating about members of Congress as largely unsubstantiated rumors. Speaking on Newsmax TV's "Saturday Agenda," King said his …