Phil Mattingly hosted CNN’s Inside Politics in Dana Bash’s absence on Friday, where he lauded the new TMZ Washington Bureau that launched this week.

“We made it to Friday, and that includes a new Capitol Hill team,” Mattingly began. “TMZ, who embarked on a new beat this week: the intersection of pop culture and politics. And well, here’s a short sampling of their chase this week.”

Mattingly rolled tape on a TMZ reporter asking Robert F. Kennedy Jr., “Secretary, what did you do with the raccoon’s dead penis? Where is it now?” and another reporter chasing Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), saying, “I’m from TMZ. Could I just ask you about the bubble wand, sir?”

“Mario, we’ve already talked,” Mattingly said to panelist Mario Parker. “I’m very ‘pro’ this. I’m all about it. What do you think?”

“The more the merrier,” Parker said. “Hey, I saw Ted Cruz walking down the hallways, as well. They were asking him, trying to get him to weigh in on the Pope versus President Trump. He wouldn’t budge at all.”

“Hey, the more the merrier in the hallways,” Parker added.

Alex Gangitano agreed.

“I think the stress level on Capitol Hill has gone up a little bit, and that’s good,” Gangitano said. “Why not like get some more people in there to ask questions? I think TMZ has a different pulse on what people are interested in versus other reporters have who have been doing this in DC, in our bubble here, for maybe longer. So ask some questions that maybe we’re not asking. Why not?”

Gangitano echoed Parker in adding, “The more the merrier for reporters.”

“I couldn’t agree more. I am all for it,” Mattingly said. “I think also them showing how we do our jobs better than we probably do will be really valuable for a lot of people. But hey, there’s no group of 435 people in America that deserve the TMZ treatment more than lawmakers,” Mattingly said.

He added, “Pass some stuff and maybe I’ll change my mind. That’s just my — sorry, it’s Friday. I can have an opinion, right?”

Watch the clip above via CNN

The post CNN Panel Weighs in On TMZ’s New Washington Bureau: No ‘Group of 435 people’ Deserve ‘The TMZ Treatment’ More first appeared on Mediaite.

Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) on Thursday got into it with Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought over his use of “Department of War” instead of Department of Defense.

In September 2025, President Donald Trump declared the Department of Defense would renamed to the War Department. The federal government had the War Department until 1947, when President Harry Truman split up the various branches of the armed forces and renamed the National Military Establishment as the Department of Defense. The change back to the War Department, Trump said, was meant to reflect his administration’s goal of rejecting a “wokey” or “politically correct” approach to foreign policy.

On Thursday, Vought was in Capitol Hill to testify on Trump’s 2027 budget request. After bickering about tariffs, Kaine pivoted to Trump’s proposed DOD budget. That’s when he decided to confirm with Vought that Department of Defense was the correct name. The exchange continued:

KAINE: I’ve heard you go back and forth between talking about the investment in the Department of Defense or the Department of War. Now, just for everybody here, legally the name of this department is the Department of Defense, correct?

VOUGHT: It’s the Department of War.

KAINE: And why do you say that?

VOUGHT: Because that’s what the president and his team has renamed it–

KAINE: And there’s a statute that calls it the Department of Defense. The president did an executive order saying the Department of War was a secondary title in September of 2025. Have you been instructed to use the phrase the Department of War?

VOUGHT: No, there’s an executive order that goes through–

KAINE: OK, you’re just voluntarily complying with this whimsical cosplay!

Although Trump signed an executive order to rename the department, the change has to be made official through congressional approval. At the time of writing, the chances of that happening were unlikely.

Watch above via C-SPAN

The post Tim Kaine Battles Trump Cabinet Member for Saying ‘Department of War’ Instead of DOD: ‘Whimsical Cosplay!’ first appeared on Mediaite.

If you've ever started a new workout routine with the best intentions only to find yourself skipping sessions by week two, you're not alone. I'm the type to get trapped in the same cycle of burnout, where I go hard for a couple of weeks, feel exhausted, feel guilty, and repeat. For me, what finally broke that cycle wasn't a new gym membership or a fancy fitness app, but a simple scheduling hack: the "3-3-3 rule." I'd seen this rule applied it to general productivity, and all the same principles can apply to your fitness habits, too. Here's how you can use the 3-3-3 rules to structure your workouts and create a habit that sticks.

What is the 3-3-3 rule?

The 3-3-3 "rule" (or "method," or "gentle suggestion") is essentially a weekly workout framework built around three types of movement, each done three times per week:

• Three strength training sessions. This includes lifting weights, bodyweight circuits, resistance bands, whatever builds muscle and challenges your body.

• Three cardio sessions. This includes running, cycling, swimming, jump rope, a dance class—what counts as "cardio" is up for debate, but here, I think of it as anything that gets your heart pumping.

• Three active recovery days. This includes light walking, yoga, stretching, foam rolling, and so on.

And yes, I realize this math adds up to nine intentional days of movement across a seven-day week. Here's the thing: You do double duty some days, or skip workouts here and there, or adjust to a nine-day cycle, because the point isn't rigid scheduling. The point is rhythm over a strict structure. For me, the 3-3-3 rule provides a sense of momentum that's flexible enough to fit into real life, but consistent enough to actually stick to.

Why the 3-3-3 rule works for me

Before I get into how the 3-3-3 rule helped me specifically, let's talk about why so many workout plans fall apart in the first place. I believe most of them make two classic mistakes. The first is doing too much, too soon. You go from zero to six days a week at the gym, you get burnt out, and the whole thing unravels. The second mistake is having no real structure at all—just vague intentions, like "I'll work out when I can," which never materializes into anything real for a lot of people.

For me, the 3-3-3 rule solves both of those problems. It gives me enough structure to build habit and momentum, but not so much intensity that my body and brain feel overwhelmed. I personally adore running, but I struggle to motivate myself to lift weights; the 3-3-3 rhythm here helped me find a middle ground between those two workouts. When I know I have three strength sessions to hit in a week (or nine-ish day cycle), I can look at my calendar and find three slots without too much drama or dread.

There's also plenty of breathing room built into the plan, which was the biggest game changer for me. I used to have the (toxic) thought that my rest days were wasted days, which is a mentality that led to either overtraining or complete inactivity with pretty much no middle ground.

Plus, there's something psychologically satisfying about the number three. I know and love the rule of threes in photography, comedy, survival tips, and all over the place.

How to make a 3-3-3 workout schedule work for you

The 3-3-3 rule has a ton of wiggle room for customization. Here are some ideas for how you can approach it:

For strength days, pick a format you actually enjoy. That might be a full-body circuit, a push/pull/legs split, or a class at your gym. (Boxing, anyone?) Your focus on these days should be a progressive challenge—push yourself, yes, but don't obliterate yourself.

For cardio days, variety helps. Mix a longer, easier effort with a shorter, more intense session (like a 20-minute interval run). I know I'm biased, but cardio really shouldn't feel like punishment.

For recovery days, resist the urge to "make them count" by sneaking in extra work. The whole point is to let your body consolidate the gains from your harder days. Walk, stretch, breathe, and trust the process.

Another practical tip: Pick a night to map out your 3-3-3 week ahead of time. You'll probably find that the week arranges itself pretty naturally once you're looking for those nine windows.

The bottom line

As always, consistency should always be your priority in fitness. If you've been struggling to find a rhythm, if your past workout plans have always fizzled out around week three, give the 3-3-3 rule an honest four-week try. Maybe start with a 1-1-1 month! After all, the 3-3-3 rule isn't a hack to totally transform your physique, but I do think it can provide something way more valuable. Finding a routine that works for you—like the 3-3-3 rule works for me—is the first step to make exercise a reliable, sustainable part of your life.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) gave Pope Leo XIV some advice amid his ongoing feud with President Donald Trump: if you’re going to comment on political matters, “you should expect some political response.”

Johnson weighed in on the Trump-Leo beef while speaking to reporters in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.

“Listen, I’m not one to criticize clerics and religious leaders. We defend free speech and we certainly defend the free exercise of religion. And you know, a pontiff or any religious leader can say anything they want,” Johnson said. “But obviously, if you wade into political waters, you should expect some political response, and I think the pope’s received some of that.”

He then took issue with something the pope said during his Palm Sunday address in late March. Pope Leo — while speaking to tens of thousands of Catholics in St. Peter’s Square — said Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.'”

Johnson on Wednesday said the pope’s biblical interpretation was a bit off:

I was taken a little bit aback, just honestly, frankly, by something that was said. I think he said several days back that something about “Those who engage in war, that Jesus doesn’t hear their prayers,” or something.

It is a very well settled matter of Christian theology, there’s something called the “Just War Doctrine” — there’s “a time to every purpose under heaven.”

I think what the president’s comments [and] what the vice president’s comments reflect is their understanding… the stakes are so high. And the situation that we’re facing and the fact that you had the nation that was the largest sponsor of terrorism now having had that ability taken away from them, that means potentially millions of people will be able to keep their lives and not be killed by terrorists. That’s a good thing.”

He added, “I don’t want to get into a theological debate with the pope, I certainly respect the pope, I would just say that these are matters that people of good faith and good sense can debate.”

Johnson’s answer comes after Trump posted a searing social media rant against the pontiff on April 12, blasting him for being “WEAK” on crime and the issue of a nuclear Iran. The president added he was a bigger fan of the pope’s brother, Louis Prevost, because he is a “big MAGA person.”

Trump’s post followed Pope Leo ramping up his criticism of the Iran war last week.

The pope condemned Trump’s threat to wipe out a “whole civilization” in Iran if its theocratic leaders did not make a deal, calling it “truly unacceptable.” He then spoke out against the war three days later, saying “God does not bless any conflict.

Trump declined to apologize for his post against the pope on Monday, saying “there’s nothing to apologize for. He’s wrong!” He then went off on Pope Leo again late on Tuesday night.

Watch Johnson above via LiveNow From Fox.

The post Mike Johnson Suggests Pope Leo Should Have Expected ‘Political Response’ From Trump first appeared on Mediaite.

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Ever since our house flooded in the middle of the night (though thankfully before we fell asleep), my wife and I have been diligent about setting up water alarms all over the house, so we'll receive crucial warning the moment something leaks or backs up.

Well, the other night, the alarm under the kitchen sink went off while the dishwasher was running—and, sure enough, there was water gushing out of the sink drain. Luckily, I was able to turn off the water and clean everything up before it totally ruined my cabinets and floors. I started my investigation into the problem, and about three seconds later, it was obvious: My sink drain had a huge gap in it:

The ginormous hole in my corroded kitchen drain pipe. Credit: Jeff Somers

It was actually kind of amazing—a chunk of pipe was just gone, and what was left was as fragile as tissue paper. I called a few plumbers, but no one could get to me for a few days (plumbers have a very narrow definition of the word “emergency”). I was faced with the prospect of not being able to use my kitchen sink or dishwasher for a while, or risk further damage to my house.

But I had another option: A quick fix with an epoxy putty.

Epoxy putty is an easy, water-resistant solution to leaks

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SEE 1 MORE

Epoxy putties all work generally the same: They contain a resin and a hardening agent, and when these clay-like materials are combined, a chemical reaction quickly hardens them into whatever shape you work them into. There are a few major brands to choose from, including J-B WaterWeld, PC-Plumbing Epoxy Putty, Oatey Stick Fix-It, and Loctite Epoxy Putty. I happened to have some WaterWeld on hand, so that’s what I used to save my kitchen, but any of these products will probably work as well.

How to quickly patch a leak with epoxy putty

The process is pretty straightforward: First, you pinch off as much putty as you think you’ll need (wear gloves—this stuff can irritate your skin):

The two parts of an epoxy putty ready to be combined. Credit: Jeff Somers

Knead the meaterial together, mixing the resin and the hardener until it’s all one color:

Kneading the putty together is oddly satisfying. Credit: Jeff Somers

Now apply the putty to your leak. In my case, I used pretty much the whole package to encapsulate the massive hole in my kitchen drain:

My masterful putty repair kept the kitchen in business until the plumber arrived. Credit: Jeff Somers

Different products will have different working times and hardening times. WaterWeld takes about 25 minutes to set, so you need to work relatively quickly. Luckily, temporary plumbing repairs don’t need to be pretty. I just rolled it onto the drain, pressed it into place, and worked the edges to create a seal. It's important to note that epoxy putty products like this are intended for low-pressure repairs; while they can probably plug pinhole leaks in high-pressure pipes, a repair of this size wouldn't have worked if under any sort of intense water pressure.

WaterWeld cures in about an hour, so after waiting it out, I went ran the water in the sink for a while to test it—and not a drop came out. Then I ran the dishwasher with my water alarm in place, and experienced zero problems. The putty repair held for the three days it took a plumber to show up (to add insult to injury, he wasn’t even impressed with my brilliant temporary fix). In the meantime, we were able to use the kitchen normally without risking further water damage. For a product that costs about $7, that’s not bad.

Billionaire Democrat donor Stephen Cloobeck UNLEASHES on Eric Swalwell after the disgraced congressman announced his plans to resign over sexual misconduct allegations.

Cloobeck says he is LEAVING the Democratic Party over the bombshell accusations, and that Swalwell lied to him… pic.twitter.com/fxop7Nu2ed

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 14, 2026

A billionaire Democratic donor who briefly ran for California governor before dropping out and endorsing Eric Swalwell has announced he’s leaving the party after he was betrayed by the embattled former lawmaker — and he’s not going quietly.

Speaking to a KTTV reporter on Monday, Stephen Cloobeck said he was shocked by Swalwell, who dropped his gubernatorial bid and resigned from Congress after the disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct and rape surfaced.

“I was blown away!” he shouted. “Like blown away. Like, there’s no way I would have endorsed him. It’s such a shock.”

Cloobeck added that the betrayal has led him away from Democrats altogether.

“I am no longer a Democrat! I’m now a libertarian Republican, because that’s what a blue dog Democrat used to be,” he said.

Cloobeck mounted a campaign for governor of the Golden State himself before dropping out in November. He then endorsed Swalwell, saying he was a man of “integrity, focus, and willingness” for the job.

But that was then.

When asked if he was still friends with Swalwell, Cloobeck unleashed on the ex-congressman.

“Eric who?” he said.” Is that clear? Don’t bust the trust. You bust the trust, OK? You don’t exist in my life.”

The post Billionaire Donor Goes Absolutely Ballistic on Swalwell, Proclaims He’s Leaving Democratic Party: ‘Don’t Bust the Trust’ first appeared on Mediaite.

Last week, we learned that the FBI accessed a defendant's deleted Signal messages on their iPhone, even though that user had deleted the app entirely from their device. It wasn't that the FBI was able to find the messages themselves on the device; rather, it turns out they were able to pull incoming Signal texts from the defendant's push notification database. If you're like most people, you probably had no idea devices like the iPhone had such a push notification database, and that it could be used to retrieve deleted messages. Luckily, there's an easy way to protect yourself, and ensure no one can pull sensitive information from this space on your iPhone, or any device that receive sensitive notifications.

It is unclear how the push notifications database works, or whether clearing notifications deletes their info from the database. But we might be able to glean some insight from a blog post by the Objective See Foundation (admittedly from 2018), which highlighted an issue with Signal messages on the Mac. The post reads: "In short, anything that gets displayed as a notification (yes, including 'disappearing' Signal messages) in the macOS Notification Center, is recorded by the OS." It looks like the recent FBI investigation used a similar loophole to retrieve data from iOS notifications.

So, how can you protect yourself? The safest method is to turn off notifications altogether, which will prevent any information from being saved in this database, but that's not practical for most people. Most of us want to be alerted when receiving a new email, message, or an important update in an app. However, you can stop your device from displaying the contents of messages in the notifications, preventing this information from appearing in the database. When you do this, each of your notifications will look something like, "You have a new message," as opposed to: "Pranay Parab: My Netflix password is Lifehacker." Again, it's not clear how this database works, or which platforms have the same database as iPhone, but for the sake of privacy and security, I've listed steps for most major device platforms below:

Protect sensitive notifications on an iPhone

Your iPhone allows you to hide the contents of messages from all of your app notifications. You can enable this by going to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and select Never. You also have the option to disable notification previews for specific apps. To do this, go to Settings > Notifications, scroll down, and tap the name of the app you wish to hide alert previews for. Select Show Previews > Never, and repeat that step with every other app that you want to hide notifications for.

Remove information from the notification database on a Mac

Credit: Pranay Parab

On your Mac too, you can hide notifications previews globally or for individual apps. First, go to System Settings > Notifications. Click the drop-down menu next to Show previews and select Never. This will disable notification previews altogether. Alternatively, you can scroll down, select any app from the list, and click Show previews > Never to disable previews for individual apps.

In case you want to purge notifications from the database on your Mac, you can install the free app called AuRevoir, which was developed by The Objective See Foundation following their findings. It allows you to view and remove all the information stored on your Mac's notification database. You can click View Msgs to see the stored data, followed by Remove Msgs to purge it from your Mac.

Keep sensitive information out of Android's notifications

Although Android has a few different ways to hide notification previews on the lock screen, there aren't too many options to disable these previews when the phone is unlocked. You'll find it easier to disable notification previews from each app's settings page individually, as opposed to looking for a toggle that works across Android.

To disable notifications on the lock screen, go to Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen, and turn off Show sensitive content. You can also enable Hide silent notifications in status bar and also turn off Show silent notifications. There are some granular options available under Settings > Notifications > App notifications, so be sure to check that out too. These settings pages may be different on your Android phone on account of manufacturer customizations.

Clear notification information in Windows

Unfortunately, Windows doesn't have a global setting to disable notification previews, but you can hide previews from the lock screen. To disable notification previews in Windows, open the Start Menu, and click the gear icon near the power button. This will open the Settings app. Go to System > Notifications > Notifications. Disable Show notifications on the lock screen. Next, scroll down and select each app you want to hide previews for, and enable Hide content when notifications are on lock screen.

Beyond this, you're going to have to rely on notification settings within individual apps to disable previews. I've listed a few popular options below.

Hide sensitive content from notification in popular messaging apps

Popular messaging apps allow you to disable notification previews through in-app settings. This is just as effective as using your device's system settings to disable notification previews, but I'm mentioning it here in case your operating system doesn't let you disable notification previews easily:

• In WhatsApp, you can go to the app's settings, tap Notifications and disable Show preview.

• If you're using Signal, tap the profile icon in the top-left corner, and go to Settings > Notifications. Select Show, under "Notification Content." On the next page, the safest option is to select No Name or Content.

• You can also do this in Telegram's settings. Go to Notifications and Sounds > Private Chats, and disable Message Preview. You can do the same thing under the Group Chats page in notification settings.