Daily Skimm

Brick by Brick

Congress Builds, Trump Bulldozes

What’s going on: In a twist, Washington lawmakers finally agreed on something: a package designed to create more housing. But the kumbaya moment didn’t last long. Just as House Republicans celebrated the bill with a news conference and only hours before a planned ceremony yesterday, President Donald Trump announced he wouldn’t sign it. At least not until Congress passes his SAVE America Act (sound familiar?). This blindsided lawmakers and even his own close advisors, who’d touted the legislation all morning. It took legislators over a year to craft the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest federal housing affordability bill in more than 30 years. However, Trump said the bill was of “minor importance” compared to his election-related legislation (cue the shouting match).

No overnight renovation: Analysts say Trump’s move is a slap in the face to both voters and politicians in his own party. Ahead of midterms, lawmakers finally had something tangible to point to on affordability — one of voters’ biggest concerns. The bill could eventually help solve a major problem: the fact that there just aren’t enough homes. The package’s philosophy is three-pronged: 1. Cut red tape. 2. Build more houses. 3. Hope the rule of supply and demand holds and brings down costs. The bill’s future remains uncertain — even insiders don’t know if this is a strategic delay or, worse, a veto. Quick, someone get Trump a copy of Abundance. 

Related: A Judge Blocked Trump’s Order Requiring Proof of Citizenship To Vote (The Associated Press)

The News in 5

🗞️ Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela yesterday, killing at least 32 people, injuring 700, and collapsing entire buildings, the nation’s acting president said. The death toll is expected to rise.

🗞️ Camp Mystic filed for bankruptcy a year after devastating Texas floods killed 25 campers and two teen counselors. 

🗞️ President Donald Trump complained that “Big Oil” companies are purposefully keeping gas prices high. Sounds a lot like someone else we know.

🗞️ Los Angeles just passed one of the strictest classroom screen time bans in the US. Guess they’ll have to entertain themselves with scented markers like we did in the good ol' days. 

🗞️ First Lady Melania Trump tried to ban this unwanted houseguest from sleeping over at the White House, but was overruled, according to a new book.

Midterms

To the Left, to the Left

What's going on: Live from Zohran’s New York, it’s leftist candidates winning their primaries. On Tuesday, voters chose three House candidates endorsed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier, and Claire Valdez. All three ran on a progressive economic platform, want to stop American military aid to Israel, and are expected to win their solidly blue districts’ general elections in November. Multiple publications dubbed Mamdani a “kingmaker,” asserting that these primaries show the power of his endorsement. (He certainly got the president's attention, as the flurry of social media posts shows.)

What it means for Democrats: Many establishment Dems have been resistant to the rise of Mamdani and other progressive candidates. Analysts say Tuesday’s elections make it harder for them to ignore the party’s growing left wing. Some, though, are still trying. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) told reporters that “a handful of primaries” will not “reshape who we are as House Democrats.” (Jeffries endorsed two House candidates who lost.) For his part, Mamdani sees this primary as part of a larger embrace of the left: “A year ago was not the end of a political movement,” he told a crowd at a watch party, referring to his own election. “It was the beginning.”

Related: And About Jack Schlossberg’s Primary… (The Associated Press)

Miracles

A New Kind of Habit

What's going on: What's the opposite of the manosphere? Sisters with podcasting equipment. At least, that's the vibe on the Dominican Sisters Open Mic, a podcast by a group of sisters based out of Ann Arbor, MI. The aim of the pod (produced by the same company that makes videos like these) is to reach a large Catholic-curious audience by talking about lighter topics, like what they gave up for Lent, the sisters’ PhDs, and yes, even ultimate frisbee. (Bet you didn’t see that coming.) Their wholesome and very meme-able phrases — "Sister, yes!" or "Sister, and you are so good at that!" — feel like lines straight from Sister Act. And they’re clearly resonating.

Mass appeal: The pope, well before his appointment, swiftly became a beloved internet figure. The "Spurs Nuns" were said to be a winning force on the sidelines at the NBA finals. Videos of younger people attending mass in droves are all over TikTok. And it turns out all this Catholic content may be doing more than driving clicks. The church has seen a recent surge of parishioners, and religious leaders believe outreach to young people has helped them find the faith. Gen Z may be the least religious generation in history, with 34% saying in 2022 they are unaffiliated, but the Catholic church says it has actually seen an increase from that generation. Leaders are still trying to make sense of it, but one cardinal says he gives props to “the Holy Spirit.”  

Related: Does the Pope Even Know How Popular He Is on the Internet? (The New York Times Gift Link)

Quick Hits

👫 Your “filler friends” and “floater friends” are struggling, so show up to their birthday party, OK?

💍 According to one lucky guest, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have a surprising wedding rule — but we bet plenty of people will ignore it.

🍔 Cookout season is here, and registered dietitians agree on the healthiest veggie burger to throw on the grill.

📅 Five-minute breaks during the workday for this activity had tons of health benefits, according to new research. Finally, a calendar event we’re happy to schedule.

👖 The hot, new first day of work outfit is both controversial and great. You may just get some boomer eye rolls.

🏠 Everything comes back around in today’s trend cycle, and this dated furniture style is now chic again. 

On Our Calendar

Thursday, June 25

👨‍🍳 The Bear’s final season airs

Yes, chef, FX’s kitchen drama heads into its final season on Hulu. Prep with the season 4 recap.

🍿 S2 Avatar: The Last Airbender premieres

Netflix’s live-action series goes into the Earth Kingdom, with Aang searching for an earthbending teacher and the gang getting one new, blunt member. 

🍴 Bourdain Day

On Anthony Bourdain’s birthday, order the thing you’d normally overthink — or make one of his flavor-rich recipes.

Psst…this is just the preview: Subscribe to theSkimm app and never miss a moment.

Sales to Shop

Amazon Prime Day ends tomorrow, and there are some final sales we don’t want you to leave behind. These are the products we’re buying before the event is over:

• A new prebiotic soda that’s gut-friendly and low on sugar

• A lightweight serum packed with hyaluronic acid

• The number one sunscreen we recommend for your face

• A nighttime moisturizer so you don’t wake up crusty

• A dentist-created toothbrush for next-level clean

PS: Check out our favorite beauty deals, home deals, and fashion deals too.

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Molly Longman, Erika W. Smith, Jessica Prois, Marina Carver, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.