Intelligencer – New York Magazine

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2026 midterms

Ken Paxton Could Be the GOP’s Graham Platner

The scandal-plagued Texas MAGA extremist could very well lose a Senate race that the GOP should handily win in a year when they can’t afford it. By Ed Kilgore

family business

Everyone Hates FIFA’s Plan to Let Jared Kushner’s Brother Run the World Cup

By Bess Levin “Football does not belong to investors,” said U.K. prime minister Andy Burnham as the UEFA also expressed strong opposition.

the intelligencer profile

What Is It Like to Be a Cucumber?

By Elizabeth Weil Biologist Michael Levin is working to prove that minds are hiding everywhere, from a plant to a scrap of skin to a single cell.

THE FEED

Feast Your Eyes on a Brand-New Photo of Mitch McConnell

The ailing senator offered an update on his health, but it was about as cryptic as the last one.

Ken Paxton Could Be the GOP’s Graham Platner

The scandal-plagued Texas MAGA extremist could very well lose a Senate race that the GOP should handily win in a year when they can’t afford it.

family business

family business

Everyone Hates FIFA’s Plan to Let Jared Kushner’s Brother Run the World Cup

“Football does not belong to investors,” said U.K. prime minister Andy Burnham as the UEFA also expressed strong opposition.

Most Popular

Anthony Fauci Finally Turns Down an Interview Request

The doctor, not known to shy from a spotlight, invoked his Fifth Amendment rights rather than answer conspiracy-laden questions from Republicans.

early and often

early and often

Here’s Who Might Actually Win Lindsey Graham’s Seat

Some big names stayed out, but it looks like Darline Graham, Ralph Norman, and Russell Fry are the best bets to go to a late-August runoff.

Trump’s Payback Against Jack Smith Is Off to a Bad Start

House Republicans make it sound like they have a perjury case against the former special counsel. Here’s why they don’t.

the intelligencer profile

the intelligencer profile

What Is It Like to Be a Cucumber?

By Elizabeth Weil

Biologist Michael Levin is working to prove that minds are hiding everywhere, from a plant to a scrap of skin to a single cell.

Case Against Olympian Looks As Murky As Reflecting Pool

David Hearn’s lawyers are suggesting their client’s prosecution was flawed and said a witness testified that the reflecting pool was already damaged.

early and often

early and often

Democrats Poised to Overreact to Michigan and Wisconsin Primaries

Left-versus-center fights for the Michigan Senate nomination and the Wisconsin governorship have Republicans excited and Democrats anxious.

JPMorgan ‘Sex Slave’ Accuser Files New Suit Alleging Civil Rights Violations

“We don’t believe there’s any merit to these claims,“ says JPMorgan as former banker Chirayu Rana makes new allegations in federal court.

just asking questions

just asking questions

Trump Has Only Humiliating Options Left in Iran

By Benjamin Hart

As analyst Danny Citrinowicz explains, a new mini cease-fire is a sign of the president’s weakness.

The OpenAI Hack Scrambles the AI Race

By John Herrman

On risks, cybersecurity, and China, the biggest firms are losing the argument against open models.

Mamdani Is Making Those City-Owned Grocery Stores Sound Pretty Good

The mayor revealed that the five planned municipal stores will sell staples like produce, meat, and cheese at 30 percent below retail prices.

early and often

early and often

Will Trump Make January 3 Another January 6?

Reversing a 2026 midterms defeat wouldn’t be easy, but the president is laying the groundwork.

Former Trillionaire Elon Musk Brushes Off SpaceX Stock Falling Off a Cliff

Musk vows never to forget Mars, regardless of whether SpaceX meets its quarterly earnings.

The Trump Administration Is Still Playing Games With Iran War Casualties

The Pentagon now says recent casualties, including four soldiers’ deaths, happened during “overseas operations,” not the unpopular war.

Mamdani and Netanyahu Are in a Vicious War of Words

Mamdani has accused Netanyahu of committing genocide while the prime minister claims the mayor is “fomenting hate.”

The Billionaire Blowing the Whistle on Donald Trump’s Crypto Shop

By Jen Wieczner

World Liberty Financial has put $800 million in the president’s pocket. Justin Sun made a huge investment — and was shocked by what he saw.

Democrats Need to Postpone Their Civil War

There will be time enough for fighting each other after the midterms. Doing so now helps the GOP make this election a choice rather than a referendum.

the city politic

the city politic

It’s Time to End the Test That’s Grotesquely Segregating NYC Schools

The SHSAT is a wildly unfair method of evaluating students disguised as a merit-based system.

early and often

early and often

South Carolina Will Go First in 2028 Democratic Presidential Primaries

Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, New Mexico, and Virginia also earned early-state status. Iowa is out in the cold.

the approval matrix

the approval matrix

The Approval Matrix: Jimothy: The Jellicle Ball

Our guide to what’s highbrow, lowbrow, brilliant, and despicable.

Is Penn Station Really Going to Become Trump Station?

The Trump administration is calling for Penn Station to be renamed but hasn’t yet said which current president it should be named after.

early and often

early and often

Also-rans Abound in the Race for Lindsey Graham’s Seat

Blasts from the past like Mark Sanford and Trey Gowdy could be in the field, along with some 2026 losers. Then there’s the late incumbent’s sister.

early and often

early and often

New Jersey Shows Democrats Need a Better Voter-Fraud Strategy

Thousands of noncitizens in New Jersey registered to vote. Governor Sherrill’s reaction proved Democrats can do more than dismiss the issue.