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

Dem Senate Disaster Intensifies. No, The Other One.

Trump Expected to Tell Turkey He Is Ready to Restore Access to F-35 Jets

The president, who is headed to a NATO summit in Ankara this week, had imposed the ban himself amid concerns that giving Turkey the jets could allow Russia to learn about their stealth technology.

The Menace of a Respectable Hatred

What remains of a person, an institution, or a civilisation that dishonours itself when Jews and Israel become the targets of hatred and violence?

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…

After America’s 250th, Trump will test how far he can push NATO allies

As NATO leaders gather in Turkey, they are preparing for another summit shaped as much by managing President Donald Trump as by the alliance's security agenda.

In CNN Interview, Woman Details Alleged Sexual Assault by Graham Platner

“This is something that I tried for many years to forget,” the woman, Jenny Racicot, said on CNN.

Trump Rift With Senate GOP Hands Dems a Chance

One year ago, the alliance between President Trump and congressional Republicans looked airtight, just as it has for virtually the entirety of the last decade. Indeed, together they had just muscled through a sweeping tax package, and criticism of…

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.

Does Rent Control Really Backfire?

As America's housing crisis deepens, policymakers are increasingly turning to an old idea for improving affordability: making large rent increases illegal.

Hey, About That 'Death to America' Thing...

Don't Lock Young Americans Into Social Security

The Social Security trust fund is projected to run out of money by 2032. Without legislative reforms, retirement benefits for tens of millions of Americans could face significant cuts.

Iran Has Struck Three Ships in Strait of Hormuz in Last 24 Hours

Happy Birthday, W.!

I love George W. Bush. I think we were blessed to have him as president.

Abandoned by Allies, Graham Platner Faces Pressure to End Maine Senate Campaign

After Graham Platner, the Democratic nominee in Maine, was accused of rape, much of the party and several key supporters turned against him.

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.

My Former Colleagues Are Destroying Democratic Party

Working-class people don't want to abolish ICE. They want prisons to exist and for the police to be well funded. Obsession with identity politics is not at the forefront of their minds. They want candidates who focus on the economy, and who will s…

Open Border Caused 30% Spike in Housing Costs

The more than 10 million illegal immigrants who flooded into our nation under President Biden's open-border policies significantly increased housing demand and drove up homeownership costs.

Does Josh Shapiro Have a Fight in Him?

If Shapiro cannot take his own side in a fight, we shouldn’t expect anyone else to pick up his slack.

Extremist streamer sparks outrage after declaring NYC an ‘Islamic Republic’

Sneako declared Islam would take over New York City while livestreaming on Kick, prompting Elon Musk and Alex Jones to call for his deportation.

Nation’s 250th Celebration Fireworks Sent D.C. Air Pollution Spiking

Trump promised a record display of some 850,000 pyrotechnics for the country’s 250th birthday. The Park Service warned it could get dirty.

Trump taunts Meloni with fresh photo salvo as NATO summit puts allies face-to-face

Trump posted a photo of Giorgia Meloni with the caption "restraining order needed" days before the two leaders face each other at the NATO summit.

Who Could Have Guessed That Graham Platner Was a Bad Guy?

The Mask That Made Me

Thirty years as a high-functioning neurodivergent project manager.

Politico: The Biggest Loser in PlatnerGate Is ...

Sen. Murphy Has a Terrible New Idea

Claire's Weekly Letter: Celebrating 250 Years of America

Solutions That Actually Work

What comes next for the right?

My Fourth of July

I spent my Fourth of July in New York City - hanging out in Times Square during the celebration there, attending a Yankees game, and watching fireworks with 500 of my closest friends on a cruise boat on the Hudson River.

Europe Putting Real Money--and Industry--Behind Nato

The alliance that has leaned too heavily on U.S. muscle is building its own - and buying American, too.

The Intifada Sidelines the Resistance

Democratic primary voters are not casting safe ballots. They are voting with their hearts, and their hearts are with the socialists.

'The Trial': A Rare Documentary Reveals the Hell of a Communist Show Trial

Trump could hand prized stealth jets to NATO ally once seen as alliance headache

Trump said he plans to lift sanctions on Turkey and signaled openness to selling F-35 fighter jets despite concerns over Ankara's Russian S-400 system.

Iran’s Strikes on Ships in Strait of Hormuz Test Cease-Fire and Threaten Oil Flow

The latest attacks, just weeks after the United States and Iran agreed to try to negotiate a lasting end to their hostilities, highlight risks for shipping companies.

Shameful Days in America: Funding Planned Parenthood Again

Pro-life groups have been insisting that Congress and the White House act to keep Planned Parenthood defunded. Crickets. We hear crickets.  

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…

Who Might Replace Graham Platner if He Drops Out of the Maine Senate Race?

Graham Platner can be replaced on the ballot if he withdraws in the next week. If he does, Maine Democrats would face an uncertain two-week race to choose a replacement.

Trump Tries to Take Credit for Walmart Price Cuts of Beef and Other Products

The retailer said it will lower prices for beef, produce, drinks, pools, toys, grills and summer clothing.

A Coast to Coast Catch Up on Wasting Money on Wind

Jefferson and the Source of Human Rights

To understand the intent of the US Declaration of Independence, recall that its primary author was a deist rather than a Christian.

Why Australia's New Capital Gains Tax Is the Best Tax Policy for Crushing the Economy

Fund manager Derek Francis tells Claire Lehmann that Treasury's modelling of Australia's new capital gains tax contains a basic error — one that could push tax rates on shares as high as 70 percent.

Trump's Anti-Communist Manifesto

"As we approach this magnificent anniversary, we see our American identity under a renewed attack, a generation after we fought and won the Cold War against the menace of communism," Trump said. "There is now a resurgence of the communist menace i…

Politics of the Day

Politics of the Day

When Does Lyndsey Fifield Get Her Post-Platner-Campaign Apology?

Can we all pray that America does better with recruiting to Congress — a “no creeper” rule, as a modest start?

Progressive Dems' full-throated Platner endorsements come back to haunt them after rape allegations

Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and "Pod Save America" hosts face scrutiny as their endorsements of Graham Platner resurface amid rape allegations.

6 potential replacements for Graham Platner if he drops out of Senate race

The Maine Democrat has faced an escalating string of scandals as he competes for a critical Senate seat that could determine control of the chamber.

Graham Platner Watch: A New Sexual Assault Accuser

It’s worth remembering that July 13 is the last day for Maine Democrats to replace Platner.

Kudos to the Trump Administration for Securing Ezra Jin’s Release

Credit President Trump for getting Chinese house church pastor Ezra Jin released from a Chinese prison.

Dem senator accused of being 'nowhere to be found' on crucial issue impacting kids in swing state

Georgia’s top child welfare official accused Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., of overstating his role in foster care reforms while turning vulnerable children into a campaign talking point.

The Axe Files with David Axelrod

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

Gloomy Optimist

Jefferson emerges as a man who doubted democracy's permanence yet placed his faith in future generations. Onuf and Cogliano rescue him from caricature—even if one dimension of his thought remains in shadow.

Democrats Have Less Leverage Over Graham Platner Than They Think

In reality, he holds all the cards.

The Drone Race Speeds Up Again

Typical drones travel (relatively) slowly. These new ones from Russia do not.

Graham Platner's chances of dropping out skyrocket to 94% after party revolt: Kalshi

Prediction market Kalshi shows 94% probability that Graham Platner will drop out of the Maine Senate race as rape allegation rocks his campaign.

NYT Knew About the Platner Allegations and Decided to Downplay Them

Kingmaker Mamdani calls on Platner to 'drop out of the race' after rape allegation

Zohran Mamdani says Graham Platner should drop out of the Maine Senate race, joining a growing list of Democrats distancing from his campaign.

Zelensky Is in Denial About Ukraine's Hopes

There is little evidence to support Zelensky's version of events.

U.S. gave Tehran details on Iranian asylum seekers, lawsuit alleges

The claim, outlined in court papers, contends information shared with Iran could jeopardize the lives of pro-democracy protesters, religious minorities and LGTBQ people.

Democrats abandon embattled candidate Graham Platner after rape allegation implodes Senate bid

Graham Platner is facing calls to suspend his Maine Senate campaign amid endorsement withdrawals from Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer and dozens of Democrats.

CNN Political Briefing

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

The Smithsonian's Patriotism Problem

"Warning: The exhibits in this museum were prepared by people who don't want you to love your country."

After Courting Black Voters, Trump Downplays Black Unemployment

The president has glossed over persistently high unemployment among African Americans, a group he needed to secure a second term.

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.

McCarthy Report Takes a Break

Check back in August for new episodes!

The Left is Starting to Back Away from Graham Platner

Condemning Communism Shouldn’t Be This Hard

If Democratic Socialists really aren’t communist, then they should have no problem condemning communism. So why won’t they?

Promises Made and (Eventually) Kept

The Declaration of Independence at 250.

Sanders breaks silence on Platner, calls on scandal-plagued progressive to 'step aside'

Bernie Sanders withdrew support for Graham Platner after a rape allegation rocked the Maine Senate race.

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 History at the Smithsonian That the White House Finds Unpatriotic

The administration’s report criticizing the National Museum of American History echoes themes of President Trump’s push to reshape the American story.

Platner Faces Growing Democratic Calls to Drop Out

Even supporters like Representative Ro Khanna of California and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts called on the Democratic nominee to exit the Maine Senate race after a report that he had sexually assaulted a woman.

Top Democratic Senate hopefuls turn on Platner after bombshell rape allegation

Graham Platner faces rape allegation as James Talarico, Abdul El-Sayed and other Democratic Senate candidates demand he withdraw from the Maine race.

Trump Administration Guts Efforts to Prevent Gun Violence, Suppressing Reports

As the administration works to expand gun rights, hospitals and community groups have lost funding, and reports on preventing firearm injuries have vanished from government websites.

Platner on the Ledge, July 13 Deadline To Drop Out

He cannot be forced off the ticket. But if he withdraws, the state Democratic Party has an additional two weeks (until July 13), to name a replacement candidate.

What Graham Platner’s rise and unraveling reveal about the politics of 2026

In their rush to find a strong candidate to run again Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Democrats should have more thoroughly vetted their party's nominee.

Democrats Begin to Clash Over Who Replaces Platner Even Before He Exits

Progressives and moderates are gearing up for a fight over an as-yet-undecided process in Maine to name a Senate nominee to replace Graham Platner after a rape accusation. He still wants a say, too.

What an Eighth Grader Taught Me About Status

Comparing yourself to others locks you into a contest you can never win and makes other people’s wins feel like your defeats.

The Long Road to Medical ‘Miracles’

How decades of invisible science produced two cancer breakthroughs.

The Greatest Tradition of All

Apart from the Declaration and Constitution, there is perhaps no more essentially American document than Thomas Paine’s revolutionary pamphlet ‘Common Sense.’

Abolish Everything, Replace It With What?

Zohran Mamdani's allies want to abolish the police, prisons, borders, and capitalism. None of them have said what comes next.

The NGO Industrial Complex: Gerald Steinberg on How Human Rights Became a Racket | Quillette Cetera Episode 67

NGO Monitor founder Gerald Steinberg on how Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, and the UN's "civil society" experiment were hijacked — and why journalists still buy it.

Top Democrats pull Graham Platner endorsements, call on him to end Maine Senate campaign

The Democrat, who has withstood other scandals since launching his challenge to Sen. Susan Collins (R), is accused of sexual assault by a woman he previously dated.

Nigel Farage Resigning to Force By Election After Personal Finances Controversy

Four months to midterms: 12 races that will determine the Senate majority

From North Carolina to Nebraska, a dozen competitive Senate seats could flip the balance of power in this year's high-stakes midterm elections.

Legal war on Trump’s agenda gains firepower as federal lawyers defect to Democrats

Over 10,000 federal attorneys have left government since 2025, with over 100 identified as joining Democratic attorneys general offices fighting Trump.

Monday's Final Word

Charting the Good Change Since the Bicentennial

Fifty years after the Bicentennial, American democracy is imperiled-but the country's progress since 1976 offers real reasons for hope.

China test-fires long-range missile into Pacific, rattling U.S. allies

The unprecedented test of a nuclear-capable submarine-launched missile highlights Beijing’s growing force in the region.