What's Happening

Politics

Biden's Debate Performance Is Everything the GOP Wanted

What's going on: Last night, a convicted felon and 81-year-old man took the stage in the first presidential debate of the 2024 election cycle. The key issues like abortion, immigration, and inflation didn’t take center stage. Even former President Trump’s 34 felony counts of falsifying business records appeared to be a footnote. Instead, it was President Biden’s performance, which seemed to all but confirm voters’ concerns about his age and ability to lead the country for another four years, that stole the show. From the moment he walked onto the stage, he stumbled over his words, lost his train of thought, and appeared frail. Meanwhile, Trump took advantage of Biden’s verbal gaffes and responded with repeated falsehoods. The debate left people questioning whether they should have finished binging “The Bear” instead. Many Democrats, on the other hand, are panicking about how to move forward at such a pivotal point in the election. 

What it means: Ahead of the debate, many political analysts had painted it as a historic showdown: Never before has a presidential debate pitted a sitting president against a former commander in chief. Now, about four months before Election Day, Biden has reignited the concerns voters and the Democratic Party have had since the beginning of his reelection campaign, asking: Is Biden too old to be president? For many voters, last night’s debate provided a clear answer and has some calling on the president to reconsider his candidacy. Meanwhile, Trump, who was impeached twice and had to remind people that he “didn’t have sex with a porn star,” has his campaign declaring debate victory. Biden and Trump will meet on stage one more time in September, after they both officially accept their party’s nomination.

Related: These Internet Memes Are the Real Winners of Debate Night (Teen Vogue)

US News

Supreme Court Rejects Multibillion-Dollar Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement

What's going on: Yesterday, the Supreme Court blocked Purdue Pharma’s controversial opioid settlement that would’ve provided billions of dollars to communities and victims, while also protecting the Sackler family from lawsuits related to the epidemic. Under the deal, the Sacklers, who have controlled Purdue Pharma since the 1950s, agreed to give up ownership of the company and pay $6 billion over 18 years to settle opioid-related claims as long as they could be protected from liability in future opioid lawsuits. In a 5-4 decision, the majority of the justices ruled bankruptcy courts do not have the authority to shield the Sacklers from legal claims made by opioid victims. In dissent, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the “decision is wrong on the law and devastating for more than 100,000 opioid victims and their families.”

What it means: Communities and victims affected by the opioid crisis will have to wait even longer to see any kind of payout, and some are worried it could take years. The ruling means states and other entities that sued Purdue will likely restart negotiations. The settlement had divided those directly affected by opioid addiction. Some said the bankruptcy deal shielding the Sacklers was the only way to get the desperately needed funds, while others said it was allowing them to get off easy. The Sackler family expressed disappointment over the decision and said they remain hopeful about reaching a resolution. The ruling could impact other mass injury-related bankruptcy settlements, like the $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan for the Boy Scouts of America, and other cases that rely on the liability shield used in the Purdue Pharma settlement.

Related: SCOTUS Couldn’t Decide Whether To Allow Pollution To Drift Across State Lines (NPR)

Sports

A New Era for USA Gymnastics?

What's going on: The US Olympic trials for gymnastics kicked off last night and will continue through Sunday. Sixteen women will compete for five spots on the team — although one of those spots practically has Simone Biles’ name on it. Among the hopefuls are six-time Olympic champ Sunisa Lee and World medalist Shilese Jones, who is nursing a shoulder injury. A committee is in charge of deciding who gets to go to Paris, and they are looking for the best gymnasts to help maximize Team USA’s score. Here’s how to watch.

What it means: These Olympic trials come at a pivotal time for USA Gymnastics. The sport has faced one hurdle after anotherfollowing the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal. The organization filed for bankruptcy, restructured their leadership team, and faced a number of lawsuits. It has also been trying to rebuild the trust it once had with hundreds of young athletes and their families. Now, USA Gymnastics is likely looking to the Paris Olympics as the start of a new chapter.

Related: Thanks to Athletes Like Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, More Young Black Girls Are Joining Gymnastics (AP)