An Expensive Republican Family Feud

Texas Hold'em

An Expensive Republican Family Feud

What’s going on: Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the political drama. The brutal Senate primary runoff-turned-mud-slinging-proxy-war over the future of the Republican Party ended last night after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated the incumbent Sen. John Cornyn. But the win didn’t come easy — or cheap. Days earlier, establishment Republicans were thrown when President Donald Trump endorsed Paxton at the eleventh hour. They’d already backed the wrong horse and poured nearly $100 million into Cornyn’s campaign. But what Trump says, goes, and Texans turned out for his pick. As for why voters in the other 49 states (and DC) should care… 

Cards on the table: This year’s primaries could be considered the latest litmus test for Trump’s grip on the GOP. So far, they’ve shown that the president’s sway with his base (exhibit A: Indiana) is still strong, even amid his dwindling approval ratings (exhibit B: Iran). Last week, Trump called Paxton a “MAGA warrior” and highlighted his support of the SAVE Act. Even so, Paxton is an undeniably flawed candidate. In 2023, he was impeached (and later acquitted) due to allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice, and abuse of public trust, partly to do with covering up an extramarital affair (his wife later divorced him on “biblical grounds”). He was also indicted over charges of felony securities fraud. Paxton’s win may deepen divisions in the GOP, but it may also determine the future of the US Senate. Trump’s endorsement once again tipped the scales in the Republican primary, but will it be enough to help the GOP keep control of Congress in November?

Related: South Carolina and Alabama Thwart Trump’s Redistricting Push (PBS)

The News in 5

🗞️ Following his latest physical exam, President Donald Trump summed up his results with just a few choice words. All caps included, of course.

🗞️ Scientists created a new wearable ultrasound, and while it requires more testing, it could help detect and prevent myriad pregnancy complications.

🗞️ Iran warned of retaliation after American strikes, with the US-Iran ceasefire on shaky ground amid ongoing negotiations.

🗞️ ProPublica investigated how Arkansas’ abortion restrictions threatened a woman’s life, and other women’s cases ended in preventable deaths.

🗞️ Delta has one of the highest domestic flight cancellation rates this year. Do they finally have a plan to fix it?

Scream time 

"iPad Rage" Nation 

What’s going on: Sure, kids throw fits over broccoli, bedtime, or sibling rivalries, but tell them to turn off the iPad and all hell breaks loose. The Cut spoke to parents who said their children have such bad tantrums when asked to turn off their screens that it reshapes the family’s entire day. One mother said she initially gave in to iPad rage for momentary calm — “at least no one was yelling” — then she realized she created a “monster” and there was no going back. Science is here to reaffirm what they are experiencing: A 2021 study found that 93% of parents of kids ages 2 to 3 said their toddlers sometimes throw tantrums when losing access to devices.

Sounds as bad as hanger: Worse, actually. Whether it’s Instagram, Roblox, or Cocomelon, our screens are intentionally designed to keep us scrolling. One psychologist told The Cut it’s “inevitable” that kids will fall into an addiction loop laced with cravings and withdrawals. Some psychologists think iPad rage is like losing access to any other toy, but early child development research shows overloading on screen time impacts learning, sleep, and social skills. Try agreed-upon limits, spending less time online, and having another activity queued up. The American Academy of Pediatrics also has resources like the family media plan to help parents and kids set limits that work for them. It might not hurt to think about your relationship with your favorite screens, either. The screens may be the end of us all (not just the Toy Story 5 cast).

Related: UK Doctors Warn Social Media Is as Bad as Smoking for Children (People)

Money

The Great Subscription Fatigue

What’s going on: From toilet paper to your car’s GPS to earthworms for your pet lizard, it feels like pretty much everything comes with recurring monthly charges. Consumers have had enough and are coming down with a severe case of “subscriptionitis.” One study shows that the average American has 5.2 subscriptions and spends $69 per month on them, though other studies put that number at over $300 per month. As for who benefits, it’s the corporations — they get a steady stream of money. We bet they’ve never tried to cancel a gym membership. 

To cancel or not to cancel?: It might be harder than you think. Some subscriptions, such as cloud storage, provide a necessity that’s hard to replace. But that doesn’t mean you need to keep all of your subscriptions (who really needs a new razor every month?). Yes, there are subscriptions for canceling your subscriptions, but you can also go through your credit card statement to see who is charging you for what. Then you can dedicate your day to yelling “human” at an AI agent on the phone or hunting for an expertly hidden (or maybe not even present) “cancel” button online or in an app. To appease customers, companies may begin offering more hybrid options with subscriptions and one-off payments both available. Maybe we’ll sign up for a free seven-day trial…

Related: You Can Now Stream Your Favorite Magazine Articles on Spotify (TechCrunch)

Quick Hits

💸 Misreading your food labels could be costing you $728 every year. Think about all the takeout that could buy.

🍿 These Veep writers will pen the next installment of this beloved children’s movie franchise. Does Selina Meyer like marmalade? 

🏖️ Megan Thee Stallion and Solange just set a new standard for the post-breakup girls’ trip. Hot girl summer starts now. 

🌹 Who would’ve thought this gardening staple would be the pantry upgrade your kitchen needs? 

🎾 Naomi Osaka’s French Open fashion is making us say j’adore. Or as they say in tennis, love-love. 

☕ Chobani brought back a limited-edition coffee creamer flavor after fans begged for it. If you have a sweet tooth, this one’s for you. 

We Needed This

On Our Calendar

Wednesday, May 27

⚖️ Sentencing for Matthew Perry’s assistant 

A judge will hand down the sentence for Kenneth Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty back in 2024 — and Perry’s family is sharing their thoughts.

☀️ National Sunscreen Day

Stock up on the ones our editors actually use, sensitive skin options included.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to the full Skimm+ calendar and never miss a moment.

Everything I Bought Over Memorial Day Weekend

Ali, Senior Commerce Director, here. In New York, the weather was trash but the sales were hot. Here’s everything I added to cart while I was on my couch, in sweats, with unwashed hair:

• An air-dry cream for beachy waves this summer 

• My second case of THC seltzer that is *chef’s kiss* 

• The best moisturizing duo to prevent post-tan peel (use code THESKIMM for 10% off)

• A sweat-controlling deodorant that can handle June heat waves

• A new vibrator because I’m obsessed with Off Campus (IYKYK)

Skimm’d by: Rashaan Ayesh, Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.