September 30, 2025

What's Happening

Representative Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York, speaks to members of the media at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.

Politics

Will Dems or the GOP Blink First?

What's going on: Depending on how today goes on Capitol Hill, the government could shut down at 12:01 am. Ahead of the looming deadline, President Donald Trump met with top Democrats yesterday, but talks went nowhere — just ask Vice President JD Vance. Even though Republicans hold the majority in both chambers, they need at least seven Senate Democrats to support their spending package. It appears this time, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wants to prove he’s no pushover. Remember back in March when he sided with Republicans to avoid a shutdown and Dems fumed? (He took almost as much heat as when that grilling photo went viral.) This time, he’s demanding an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies and a rollback of cuts to programs like Medicaid. Republicans, meanwhile, want a seven-week funding patch and more money to boost security for lawmakers, judges, and government officials.

What it means: A government shutdown could rattle some financial markets, but history shows these events rarely move the needle on the broader economy, including GDP and unemployment numbers. There would still be hiccups: A shutdown would mean no monthly jobs report this Friday, according to the Labor Department. A bigger risk? Trump has suggested he might use a shutdown to cut the federal workforce even more. What happens next hinges on how the day unfolds, but for now, both sides are digging in and pointing fingers at each other.

Related: That $22M New White House Ballroom? YouTube Will Pay for It (CBS News)

US News

Bad Bunny Becomes the NFL's Wild Card

What's going on: Not long ago, the Super Bowl halftime show was a running joke for being boring (looking at you, Maroon 5). That sure isn’t the case anymore. The NFL and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation tapped Bad Bunny to headline Super Bowl LX (that’s 60, and yes we had to check). The reaction split fast. Some fans called it long overdue, while critics accused the league of “wokeness.” They highlighted that Bad Bunny avoided touring the US recently, citing his worries about ICE raids, and noted that most of his songs aren’t in English. The Puerto Rican rapper leaned into his identity during the announcement, perched on goalposts in a traditional pava hat, and declared: “This is for my people, my culture, and our history.”

What it means: The halftime show remains one of music’s biggest stages, with more than 100 million eyeballs tuning in. And for the second year in a row, the NFL picked a headliner some conservatives call “controversial.” Now, Bad Bunny steps into that spotlight amid DEI debates and heated immigration rhetoric. Halftime is big business and can boost sales, though he hardly needs it — Bad Bunny already has three Grammys and was Spotify’s most-streamed artist three years straight, even beating Taylor Swift in 2022. That’s part of the point: Halftime isn’t just a performance, it’s about impact. And while the set lasts only 13 minutes, that’s enough time to make headlines.

Related: Major Hollywood Comedians Face Backlash Over Controversial Saudi Festival (NBC News)

Tech

Now Starring... Artificial Talent?

What's going on: Breaking into Hollywood is brutal — unless you’re not even human. Meet Tilly Norwood, a rising actress with internet buzz and talent agents circling. The twist? She’s not real. Tilly is an AI creation from Eline Van der Velden, founder of Particle 6 Productions. She hasn’t landed a role yet, but she’s already sparked backlash. In the Heights’ Melissa Barrera said, “How gross, read the room.” Monster’s Nicholas Alexander Chavez also posted, “Not an actress actually nice try.” Van der Velden insists Tilly isn’t meant to replace actors, but to exist as “a piece of art.”

What it means: No one thought AI would show up on the red carpet this soon — but here it is. Digital “actors” don’t need rest, don’t rehearse, and follow directions to the pixel. It’s no wonder some people are clamoring to work with Tilly, but the big question is whether AI can ever deliver Oscar-level performances. The entertainment industry has been on edge about AI and how it could disrupt movie-making magic for some time. One study found that animators, editors, sound engineers, and voice actors are some of the most vulnerable jobs in Hollywood. In recent labor negotiations, unions have been trying to strike deals that limit the use of AI and provide their members with job security. Can someone yell “cut” before this turns into a bad Terminator reboot?

Related: Trump Shares (Then Deletes) an AI Video of Himself Promoting a Medical Conspiracy Theory (People)

Your Political Briefing

The week in political chaos.

Fourth time's the charm?: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump (again), and they discussed an agreement to end the war in Gaza

From inside the House: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is leading a revolt within the GOP over the Epstein files. Someone may have dropped the f-bomb. 

In beta: Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) just signed a first-of-its-kind bill on AI safety that could become the national standard.

Settle This

Two cans of Diet Coke

Which fan-favorite flavor is Diet Coke bringing back after seven years off the shelves?

Game Time

it's puzzling puzzmo typeshift game

Start your Tuesday off right with Typeshift, a fun new game that challenges you to create words from a set number of letters. Warning: It’s very addicting. Start playing.

Live Smarter

Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.