Part MAGA Rally, Part Democratic Roast, One Fiery Address to Congress

What's Happening

Politics

Part MAGA Rally, Part Democratic Roast, One Fiery Address to Congress

What’s going on: President Donald Trump delivered a raucous (and long) speech to a rowdy chamber yesterday, marking his first joint address to Congress since retaking office. Entering to chants of “America is back” and “USA” (reminiscent of a frat party), Trump pitched his first six weeks as “promises made, promises kept” (though some might add “promises controversial”). He touted record-low illegal border crossings, a freeze on foreign aid, and cuts to federal agency budgets. His predecessor was top of mind as he blamed former President Joe Biden for rising egg prices (eggs were the main character last night), though Trump’s “beautiful” tariffs also seem unlikely to lower costs. Trump noted the billions in US aid to Ukraine — the only line that drew more applause from Dems than the GOP — and claimed Ukraine was ready to negotiate a peace deal. He also outlined his tax plan, including no interest payments on US-made cars, and no taxes on tips, overtime, or Social Security (passing his agenda won’t be easy), and urged Congress to fund more deportation efforts.

What it means: Trump leaned heavily into culture wars. He declared DEI DOA, said “Our country will be woke no longer,” and criticized transgender participation in high school sports. DOGE got a mention (Elon swapped his “Dark MAGA” hat for a suit), as Trump slammed what he called wasteful spending — though the math wasn’t quite mathing on some of them — and sidestepped the widespread federal layoffs DOGE triggered. The president also tried to make an example out of Democrats in Congress and called on them to celebrate his wins while addressing them as “lunatics.” Some Dems, for their part, showed up in their pink suits (no hats this time) or protest T-shirts, and held signs that said “Musk Steals” and “This is not normal.” Some heckled so hard they got removed from the chamber. Other notable moments? Trump told farmers “I love you” and “have a lot of fun” (many are nervous about his tariffs), said the US would get Greenland “one way or another," pledged to plant a US flag on Mars and to get toxins out of the environment (despite rolling back several environmental regulations), and threw out multiple riffs on MAGA, including MARA, MAHA, and MAAA (unclear how to pronounce that last one).

Related: Dems Counter With a Very Different 'American Dream' and a Reagan Name-Drop (NBC News)

Legal

SCOTUS Weighs In on Dirty Water and Guns 

What's going on: Yesterday, the Supreme Court ruled that, actually, maybe the Clean Water Act doesn’t require water to be that clean. In a 5-4 decision, the court made it harder for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit water pollution. The case involved a dispute over how San Francisco disposes of human waste (aka, sometimes dumping it into the Bay), and whether the Clean Water Act of 1972 gave the EPA the right to stop that wastewater from flowing into the Pacific. The case was full of strange bedfellows — liberal San Francisco found itself siding with petroleum and mining trade groups against the EPA. Only conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett sided with the liberals. The ruling will likely have major ripple effects, impacting cities and businesses near water. It’ll also likely weaken the EPA’s ability to limit offshore pollution — the latest in a string of losses for the agency. 

Tell me more: Separately, the Supreme Court seems poised to reject a $10 billion lawsuit filed by Mexico against major US gun manufacturers — a case some critics called “cursed” before it even reached the docket. Mexico alleges gun giants like Smith & Wesson fueled cartel violence by selling weapons to sketchy “red-flag dealers,” the ones whose guns keep turning up at crime scenes (Mexico's government estimates about 70% of cartel weapons come from the US). Firearm companies argue they’re covered by a 2005 law that shields manufacturers from liability for firearm-related injuries — except in rare cases, like the one that led to a large settlement for Sandy Hook families against Remington. Their main defense? It’s like blaming Budweiser if a bar sells its cans to underage drinkers. The Justices, even liberal ones, seemed to find that argument persuasive.

Related: What It’s Like Inside Mexico’s Only Gun Store (AP)

Health

Swearing Might Be the Ultimate Painkiller

What's going on: It might be worth busting out your favorite swear words at your next IUD appointment or when you accidentally walk into your coffee table. Even though society says swearing is impolite, studies have found that letting out a string of curse words is linked to hypoalgesia — a reduced sensitivity to pain. Using more colorful language doesn’t change how pain feels, but it can help you tolerate it better. One study also found that it doesn’t matter what language you’re swearing in. But saying “fudge” or “sugar” instead of their R-rated counterparts? Not as effective. Well, sh*t.

What it means: As one expert told The Washington Post, swearing is “a drug-free, calorie-neutral, cost-free means of self-help.” Researchers are still figuring out exactly why explicit language helps boost pain tolerance, but they have found that saying your favorite four-letter word can come with other perks. Using profanity can help improve memory, strengthen relationships, manage emotional pain, and even give you a short-term strength boost — think “fight or flight” mode. Consider this your sign to say *whatever* is on your mind during your next gym session. A professor of physical therapy suggests swearing “at a steady pace once a second to once every three seconds.” Not into yelling in public? Good news: Scientists are studying whether silently swearing works, too. Fingers crossed — or maybe just middle finger up.

Related: Can Different Music Genres Help With Pain Tolerance? (Nature)

Highlight Reel

BY SKIMM SPORTS

The week's sports news and culture stories, ranked.

Hang it in the Louvre: Paige Bueckers received this rare honor at UConn's Senior Day (yes, again). Not bad for someone who hasn’t even made it to the WNBA yet.

Winning: It’s official. Serena Williams announced she’s part owner of one lucky WNBA team. Game, set, invested.

Call it superstition: You can probably thank lucky number 13 for why Travis Kelce isn’t hanging up his cleats yet. It’s giving invisible string.

Settle This

An AI startup just raised $83 million to bring robotic massage tables to gyms, hotels, and even physical therapy. Are you brave enough for a robot massage?

Extra Credit

Read

If your husband gave you permission to explore a crush, would you? That’s the dream — or nightmare — at the heart of Ada Calhoun’s debut novel, Crush. Described as “a polyamory tale for Generation X,” Crush is written from the perspective of a Brooklyn writer who seems to have it all: an ideal marriage, a child, a solid career, and meaningful friendships. But things take a turn when, at her husband’s suggestion, she embarks on an emotional affair with David, a crush from college who’s now a dangerously charming professor. Inspired by her own experience, Calhoun masterfully captures the intoxicating, sometimes perilous thrill of desire — and the complexities that come with it.

Game Time

Looking for a crossword that’s not impossible to solve? You’re in luck. This one even offers hints when you get stuck. The faster you finish, the better your score — and the more impressed the group chat will be. Go on.