Whose Debt Is This?

We Can’t Spray-Paint This Gold 

What’s going on: Unfortunately, President Donald Trump's plan to wipe out the long-standing national debt didn't exactly come to pass. Instead, the National Treasury recently announced it's nearly doubled. That's way more than going a little over budget. Problems started in 2007, when the Great Recession put us in the hole, and the 2020 pandemic only deepened it. If you've wondered how we didn't see this coming, economists did: They predicted 10 years ago that then-candidate Trump's proposed policies, like big tax breaks, wouldn't eliminate the debt — they'd add to it. Things have snowballed ever since. The introduction of the One Big Beautiful Bill's tax cuts in 2026 will add another estimated $4.2 trillion to the national debt by 2034. And tariffs — the president's latest economic fix — haven't exactly panned out. Instead, the US owes businesses $160 billion in refunds. The US is currently paying more on interest for the debt than it spends on Medicare or defense. One watchdog group estimates that if we don’t add taxes or reduce spending, it could be $50 trillion in six years. So much for Elon Musk’s DOGE chainsaw. 

Am I paying for this?: Not directly, but yes, University of Wyoming economics professor Scott Beaulier tells theSkimm. The national debt is growing faster than the economy, and if it struggles to support government spending and borrowing, that can add to inflation. Not again. And then there’s interest rates. As debt grows, investors demand higher interest rates for loaning money to the government. This typically gets passed on to us in the form of higher rates for mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. Not the news we wanted to hear. Beaulier warns there’s a “long-run cost,” too: Greater federal debt could discourage private investment, which leads to a sluggish economy and smaller wage growth. And this is why "treatonomics” is all we have. 

Related: Instead of Tackling National Debt, Congress Keeps Pointing Fingers (The Hill)

Climate Crisis

Trump Vs. California 

What's going on: In the ongoing feud between President Donald Trump and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), there’s one major casualty: environmental regulations. The state has been a leader in climate policy because its weather and coastline make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as increases in wildfires and droughts. But The New York Times found that the Trump admin has used at least six different federal agencies to undermine CA’s state-specific regulations. In less than two years, Trump and Republicans in Congress blocked the Golden State from setting its own limits on car pollution, paid energy companies to cancel wind farms, restarted an oil pipeline, and most recently, moved to limit the power of the California Coastal Commission. In statements to NYT, Newsom’s spokesman said the White House is “run for Big Oil, by Big Oil.” A White House spokesperson said, “Governor Newscum has continued carrying out the left’s costly and unpopular green new scam.” 

It’s happening in other states, too: The Trump admin’s rollback of clean energy incentives has led to weaker regulations in New York, Maryland, and Rhode Island, to name a few. And the president and his allies aren’t exactly hiding their reasoning. Announcements like: “Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being canceled,” followed by a list of 16 states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024, don’t leave a lot of room for ambiguity. Critics say that Trump is bucking traditional Republican doctrine by attempting to limit state rights. Yet some are striking back. A coalition of 15 states, including CA, filed a lawsuit saying the White House bypassed environmental protections in order to fast-track oil and gas projects. Another lawsuit, filed by UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco faculty and researchers, says their grants were cut based on their state’s political identity. As it all plays out, wildfires continue to burn. 

Related: The UK Is Changing Plane Routes To Try To Lessen Flying’s Climate Impact (The New York Times gift link)

Batter Up…

The Diamond Is a Girl’s Best Friend

What’s going on: When Rosie O’Donnell wished Madonna a happy birthday this week, it threw us right back on the Rockford Peaches bus with Doris and Mae — trading gossip and sizing up the competition. Lucky for us, there’s a whole new league of their own to talk about. Nearly three weeks into the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season, its first four teams face a sprint through mid-September before all four make the playoffs. The season hasn’t been without its hiccups, but the early box score looks promising: More than 600 women tried out for 120 draft spots, Opening Day sold out despite the weather, merch ran low, and former Little League phenom Mo’ne Davis had fans lining up for her bobblehead. In the ultimate passing-of-the-bat moment, Maybelle Blair, who played in the league that inspired the movie, threw the ceremonial first pitch. She called it “the happiest moment of my life.”

Someone get Dottie Hinson: Each team carries 15 players, compared to MLB’s 26-man active rosters — and without anything close to their sprawling developmental league as backup. So these women have to cover more ground: They pitch, hit, and move between positions rather than specialize. New York’s Keira Izumi proved the point in one game: She played shortstop, pitched 1.5 innings in relief, and hit. Oh, and she studies mechanical engineering at USC, plays club softball, and founded the school’s women’s club baseball team. Casual. Izumi isn't the only one pulling a third shift. Boston captain Alli Schroder fights wildfires in British Columbia. San Francisco’s Kelsie Whitmore, the No. 1 overall pick, spent years as a barrier-breaker in men’s pro baseball and hit a league-record three homers in one game. And New York’s Denae Benites has made sure some crossover fashion gets its turn at the plate (Exhibit A: She scored a home run wearing these custom A’ja Wilson’s signature basketball shoes as cleats). All the Way Mae would approve.

Related: This Lacrosse Star’s Teammate Changed How She Thinks About Motherhood (Well Played Instagram)

Quick Hits

✈️ American Airlines is bringing screens back to its seatbacks as it tries to compete with Delta and United. But will they have Crazy Rich Asians in the queue? 

🏀 Michelle Obama shared the best story about former President Barack Obama becoming coach of their daughter Sasha’s fourth grade basketball team. We need to know: Did he prep post-game snacks, too?

🐛 Tick season has literally never been this bad, and it’s about to get worse. Our skin is already crawling.

💍 If we’re going by carats, Post Malone may have won engagement season with the rock he gave celebrity stylist Christy Lee. He definitely shot his shot. 

💗 A WNBA romance we're here for: Fans think the Toronto Tempo’s new mascots might be a couple, but the team says they’re “besties.” The greatest relationships do start that way.

🛒 A Costco executive member of 11 years shared the seven snacks she buys on repeat, including $1.99 bananas and the treat she hides from her toddler. Sharing is caring. Sometimes. 

Skimm'd by: Marisa Iallonardo, Aryanna Prasad Bhullar, Erika W. Smith, Mallory Simon, Samantha Darby, Jessica Prois, and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Sara Tardiff.