The Daily Debate
Is the Sun Setting on America?
Top Stories
The growing number of U.S. households struggling to afford enough food could pose a problem for Biden at the November election.
3 MIN READ
Welcome to the Bulletin,
- Trump's support among independents drops: According to a new poll, Donald Trump's polling among independent voters is tumbling ahead of the presidential election. Find out more.
- Malaysian military helicopters collide: Two Malaysian navy helicopters crashed midair during a rehearsal on Tuesday for a naval parade, killing all 10 crew members on board. Learn more.
- GOP congressman's office vandalized: U.S. Representative John Carter's Washington, D.C., office was vandalized on Monday with a "Free Gaza" message and red liquid splattered at the entrance, the Texas Republican's office told Newsweek. Find out why.
- Frost warnings: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued frost weather warnings in 15 states across the country. See which states are affected.
- In the ongoing war in Ukraine, Ukraine will receive coveted long-range missiles from the U.S. after the House of Representatives gave Kyiv more than $60 billion in aid.
If you like this newsletter, please share it. If you've been forwarded this email, you can sign up here. If you have any story tips, feedback or ideas for what we should do next, please email Emeri B. Montgomery. We appreciate your feedback and you starting your day with us.
TL/DR: Former Trump attorney Tim Parlatore says that Trump "should not" testify in his hush money trial as the jury could be "much more likely to convict" him.
Donald Trump testifying in his hush-money trial would "significantly increase" the chance that he is convicted, according to one of his former attorneys.
Why it matters: Tim Parlatore, who worked for Trump on several cases until May 2023, made the comment during an appearance on Kaitlan Collins' CNN show. Watch the clip. Joyce Vance, a former U.S. attorney, said, "If he testifies, he will be subject to relentless and free-ranging cross-examination by a highly skilled prosecution team in Manhattan."
Read more in-depth coverage:
Donald Trump Trial Update: Key Players From Opening Arguments
Michael Cohen's Latest Move Blasted By Legal Analysts
Donald Trump Will Be Forced to Listen to Secret Recording
What happens now? While he is not obligated to testify, Trump told reporters on April 12 "I'm testifying." Trump’s hush money trial resumes today with more testimony. Also, Judge Juan Merchan will consider whether Trump violated his gag order in a hearing today.
TL/DR: GOP tensions over foreign spending and Speaker Mike Johnson have ramped up recently.
Infighting in the Republican Party has increased in recent months due to divisions over foreign aid and Mike Johnson's speakership—and passing the $95 billion package providing military assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan on Saturday did nothing to quell dissent.
Why it matters: 101 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 112 Republicans voted against it. Some hard-right Republicans argued that Congress should focus on increased U.S.-Mexico border security. Texas Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales described some of his colleagues who voted against the bills as "scumbags." Many Republicans, including outspoken Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, have been vocal in their opposition to sending further aid to Ukraine, leaving Greene to introduce a motion to vacate GOP Speaker Mike Johnson.
Read more in-depth coverage:
The Grim Implication of Speaker Mike Johnson's Ukraine Pivot
MAGA Tears Into Mike Johnson: 'False Prophets'
Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Taking Down Mike Johnson
What happens now? Political science professor Todd Landman told Newsweek that "division" in the party is "getting worse, not better" because of the aid bill, which allocates $61 billion for Ukraine’s war efforts.
TL/DR: Kyiv's forces are eagerly awaiting an injection of aid passed by the U.S. House of Representatives before they lose more territory.
Ukraine's advocates had been long warning about the urgency of further Washington aid to fight Vladimir Putin's aggression. Time is equally of the essence as to whether the $61 billion package agreed by the House of Representatives on Saturday can be deployed quickly enough to stem Russian momentum on the battlefield.
Why it matters: Given Russia's recent territorial gains, including the capture of Avdiivka and pressure on Chasiv Yar, the aid's timely deployment is crucial. The U.S. aid package is expected to boost morale and provide much-needed artillery shells, combat aircraft and air defense systems. However, experts note that this package alone may not ensure Ukraine's victory, emphasizing the need for additional manpower and strategic mobilization to recover lost territory.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Ukraine Buoyed by Double Aid Boost
Here's What Israel, Taiwan, and Ukraine Are Getting Under the Aid Package
Ukraine War Map Shows Stalled Russian Advances
What happens now? "The artillery shells will help solidify the front, and the air defense systems and munitions will help slow Russia's effective campaign of destroying key infrastructure," said Faintuch. "But Ukraine will still need additional funding bills to resume significant offensive operations and retake lost territory in the future."
TL/DR: Kim Jong Un reportedly lauded the precision of the weapons system, likening it to "the firing of a sniper's rifle."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un led a tactical drill on Monday to simulate a nuclear counterattack, the country's state media said on Tuesday, a day after neighboring militaries reported the launch of multiple ballistic missiles off the Korean Peninsula's eastern waters.
Why it matters: The official Korean Central News Agency blamed sky-high tensions on the peninsula on the "extreme war fever" of the United States and its ally South Korea, which are in the middle of their own combined air drill. The show of force was "a clear warning signal to the enemies as it was conducted at a time when the enemies' military confrontation racket against the DPRK is being committed with extremely provocative and aggressive nature."
Read more in-depth coverage:
Map Tracks North Korean Ballistic Missiles in the Sea of Japan
The Missiles That Could Give US Ally the Edge Over China
Kim's North Korea Test New 'Super-Large Warhead' for Nuclear Missile
What happens now? North Korea watchers believe Kim intends to ramp up the frequency of military drills in the coming months to extract sanctions concessions from the U.S. in a significant presidential election year.
TL/DR: "Gen Z is so embarrassed about being American that a large swath of them have become terrorist sympathizers," said Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries.
A recent poll reveals a generational divide on Israel's actions against Hamas, with many in Gen Z viewing Israel as the oppressor due to its greater power. The poll's release —commissioned by Summit Ministries and conducted by Scott Rasmussen's RMG Research—coincides with anti-Israel protests nationwide, most notably at Columbia University.
Why it matters: The poll found that only 42 percent of those aged 18-24 don't believe Israel's wealth and power make their campaign unjust. The poll also indicated that 61 percent of Gen Z voters believe that Hamas is a terrorist group. This shift in perspective among young Americans could reshape discussions on foreign policy and education's role in shaping political views, emphasizing the impact of academic narratives on student beliefs.
Read more in-depth coverage:
Jewish Student Says Pro-Palestinian Protesters Have Joined 'Nazi Party'
Columbia Protest and Antisemitism Allegations—What We Know, What We Don't
Jewish Students Told to Leave Columbia After Passover Warning
What happens now? The poll results dovetail with complaints among conservatives that elite universities focus too much on the oppressed-oppressor narrative, whereby the latter is boiled down to the group that has more wealth and might. As university protests continue, administrations face challenges in managing campus safety and free speech. The debate over educational influence on political views will likely intensify.
Roman Emperor's Death Site May Have Finally Been Discovered
Archaeologists say they may have discovered the death site of the Roman Empire's founder in southern Italy.
Excavations carried out by researchers from the University of Tokyo at the northern foot of Mount Vesuvius have uncovered part of a building that they believe was used by Augustus, Rome's first emperor, who ruled from 27 B.C. until his death A.D. 14 at the age of 75.
Historical sources indicate that Augustus died in a villa on the north side of Vesuvius—and that this building subsequently served as a memorial site in his honor. But the location of the villa has yet to be conclusively identified.
The Full STORYTrending
Prince Louis' Cheekiest Moments As He Turns 6
2 MIN READ
Roman Emperor's Death Site May Have Finally Been Discovered
2 MIN READ
Frost Weather Warning Issued for 15 States as Temperatures Plummet
2 MIN READ
Stock Market Today: Tesla Shares Tumble Ahead of Earnings Report
2 MIN READ
Major Texas Lake Hits Lowest Water Level in Decades
2 MIN READ
Taylor Swift Private Jet Map Sparks Debate
5 MIN READ
Donald Trump's Winning Over Some LGBTQ+ Voters
2 MIN READ
Opinion
The Debate
Russia-Ukraine War
Ukraine Buoyed by Double Aid Boost
2 MIN READ
Russia Targeting Kharkiv With Psyop to Foment 'Outsized Panic': ISW
2 MIN READ
Russia Drops X-59 Missile on Belgorod in Latest Self-Bombing
2 MIN READ
US, Russia on 'Dangerous Edge' of War, Putin Ally Warns
2 MIN READ
Ukraine on Brink of Losing Key Strongholds Before Western Aid Arrives
Kyiv's forces are eagerly awaiting an injection of aid passed by the U.S. House of Representatives before they lose more territory.
4 MIN READ
Entertainment
Jon Stewart Compares Donald Trump Trial Coverage to O.J
The comedian slammed press coverage of Trump's New York "hush money" trial, accusing the media of "trying to make this [like] O.J."
2 MIN READ
My Turn
I learned poker and applied it to dating—I found love
5 MIN READ
O.J. Simpson's verdict fell on the same day as mine
3 MIN READ
I'm a psychologist. Here's why sensitive parenting is best for children
8 MIN READ
Her murder shook the world. I realized it wasn't the whole story
8 MIN READ
My talented son has autism. As a mother, I feel like a dual citizen
I hid for a long time under the cover of having what I considered one of "the least disabled children" on the spectrum.
7 MIN READ
Life & Trends
Sisters Start Each Day the Same Way After Carrying on Late Dad's Tradition
Erin Bruce told Newsweek that she can "see him in their faces and moves" whenever they continue his dancing tradition.
3 MIN READ
Tattoo Artist Reveals the Most-Common Design Trends Among Millennials
2 MIN READ
Man Picks Up Grocery Order From Walmart—Soon Realizes Something Isn't Right
2 MIN READ
Boyfriend Goes to Hardware Store, Comes Back With Best Movie Snack Hack
2 MIN READ
Dad Mortified at Toddler Shouting 'Very Inappropriate' Word at Disneyland
3 MIN READ
A Newsweek conference. June 3rd, San Diego. The new era of life sciences.
News & insights delivered daily
See why nearly half million subscribers begin their day with our newsletter.
Sign UpBanking in Climate Chaos
Habit Changing Strategies for 2024
İstanbul is the New Cool
Michigan Beckons: The State Open To High-Tech Businesses As Well As Savvy Guests
Japan leads the way in construction innovation
Japanese Firms Ready to Seize the Moment
From Firebrand to Statesman: A Conversation With Sen. Ted Cruz
Josh is joined by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) for a conversation about his senatorial evolution from conservative firebrand to bipartisanship-minded statesman, the 2020 book they wrote together on the U.S. Supreme Court and which current Court cases are worth tracking, and the Democratic Party's total abandonment of the state of Israel.
- Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
- Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
- Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
- Comment on articles
- Newsweek app updates on-the-go
- Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
- Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
- Comment on articles
- Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Editor's Picks
Donald Trump Stung as New York Poll Shows Massive Drop in Jewish Support
Trump's poll numbers among Jews fell more than 10 points in a two-month span, though his election outlook is promising.
3 MIN READ
The Hunger Stat That Shames America
Despite its dominant voice on the global stage, the U.S. is the G7 country with the highest number of people struggling to afford food.
4 MIN READ
U.S.
Democrat would be "very concerned" sending his kids to Columbia
Over the past few days, pro-Palestinian protests have occurred across the Columbia University campus in New York City.
2 MIN READ
Animal that disappeared 200 years ago spotted on side of the road
2 MIN READ
What is Project Aqua? UFO "leak" touted on Joe Rogan Podcast
4 MIN READ
Donald Trump attacks judge hours before gag order hearing
2 MIN READ
Trump testifying would "significantly increase" chance of conviction—lawyer
1 MIN READ
World
US speaks out about "mass grave" found in Gaza
3 MIN READ
North Korea activates 'nuclear trigger' system in counterattack drill
3 MIN READ
Russia ramping up its attacks on Kharkiv
2 MIN READ
"Free Gaza" message, red liquid splattered at GOP congressman's office
2 MIN READ
Ex-pizza shop owner pleads guilty in selling of fentanyl out of restaurant
A former co-owner of Day and Night Pizza in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, was charged in 2021 after a months-long investigation.
2 MIN READ
Business
Stock market today: Broad rally kicks off busy earnings week
Stocks closed higher on Monday ahead of a slew of corporate earnings that investors hope will ignite a market rally.
2 MIN READ
Tech & Science
UAE floods shown in incredible before-and-after satellite photos
2 MIN READ
Neuroscientists reveal link between your brain and what you eat
2 MIN READ
Centuries-old human remains found that reveal violent past of border region
3 MIN READ
NASA discovers glassy lava lake on Jupiter's moon
2 MIN READ
Remarkably well-preserved ancient glass vessels discovered in Roman burials
The glassware was unearthed in a city that was once a significant regional capital during the Roman period.
2 MIN READ
Sports
Caitlin Clark Labeled 'Women's Steph Curry' by Another NBA Superstar
Before ever playing her first pro game, the superstar Indiana Fever rookie point guard has already drawn epic comps.
2 MIN READ
Expert Forum
Building Resilient Marketing Teams To Minimize and Avoid Crisis
4 MIN READ
The Implications of a Space Democracy
3 MIN READ
How Health Care Leaders Can Ease Patient Frustration Around Billing
3 MIN READ
10 essential steps for business sustainability in 2024
3 MIN READ
Why Do We Repeatedly Press The Elevator Button?
Martin Lindstrom looks into the psychology behind elevators, and why we can't resist pushing the button repeatedly, even though we know it's not going to go any faster.
2 MIN READ