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Quote of the Day

"I want to see more yearning. Everyone’s hot, but nobody’s horny — people aren’t pining. We want Jane Austen”

— Jessica Williams, a woman of the people, on why she wants to see more onscreen romance. Take our money.

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.

The News in 5

🗞️ The FBI seized former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) electronic devices at a San Francisco airport and raided his home in Washington, D.C., as part of a probe into sexual assault accusations made against him.

🗞️ One Amazon customer in Texas got quite the surprise when her first-ever drone delivery was dropped straight into her swimming pool. Talk about making a splash.

🗞️ As Meta’s trial over child safety continues, a former employee testified that Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly ignored safety concerns. He said, “You just cannot trust Mark Zuckerberg with kids.”

🗞️ Yesterday, Neutrogena released a statement addressing its previous treatment of Hayden Panettiere. The post came after fans renewed threats to boycott the brand after the actress alleged the company did not renew her contract because she talked about her postpartum depression in a 2015 interview.

🗞️ Nearly 40,000 bottles of Clear Eyes drops have been recalled nationwide over possible contamination and sterility concerns, according to the FDA. Meanwhile, the agency upgraded a recall of frozen blueberries and mixed berries to its highest-risk level.

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In Our Rotation

Plot twist: the rewards funding your flights and upgrades are under threat in Congress. Here’s what’s at stake, and how to protect them.*

ICYMI, underwire remains canceled. This smoothing, wire-free bra flexes to fit you and stays invisible under everything — and it’s nearly 25% off right now.*

Keep scrolling...more recs below

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 This

And the winning skimm is…

“Realizing your parents’ secret tape ended up in the wrong VHS sleeve.” — Emily D., Lexington, SC

With more than 70% of the vote, Skimm'rs agree: Emily D., you're this week's champ. Maybe we don't want to see what's on that tape after all.

Meanwhile, we’ll be back on Tuesday with the next Skimm This. See you then.

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 21

🍿 Spa Weekend in theaters

What do you get when a group of friends — played by Leslie Mann, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Anna Faris — go on a spa trip? This unhinged comedy.

🏀 The Dynasty: UConn Huskies premieres on Apple TV

This three-part docuseries follows the Huskies from one winning season to becoming the college basketball team with the most rings. Check out the trailer — it's stacked with the game’s royalty.

Saturday, August 22

📚 National Book Festival

Kate McKinnon, Ann Patchett, and Cynthia Erivo are among the 80+ authors and speakers at this DC festival. Can’t make it in person? Stream the main events, which kick off with Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman at 10 am ET.

Sunday, August 23

🎾 US Open starts

Fan Week starts today, with practices and matches to fill the remaining spots in the tournament. Plus, a certain 20-time Grand Slam champ is coming back — any guesses?

✈️ National Cheap Flight Day

Consider this your sign to finally price out that trip that’s been living in your Notes app. Here’s a little inspo for your planning.

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

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In Our Rotation

Hot sleeper? This cooling bedding is 25% off with code LD25.

This hoodie is specifically designed for travel — it's perfectly oversized, soft, filled with zippers, and comes with a built-in eye mask.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

KNOW IT ALL

Thanks to “Aunt Taylor,” Kylie and Jason Kelce’s daughters have started making the case for the family to get what?

A. An acoustic guitar

B. A cat

C. A stand mixer for sourdough bread

D. A karaoke machine

Love solitaire? Then you'll be obsessed with Pile-Up Poker. Climb the leaderboard.

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Milan Alley (FL), Mimi Wertheimer (PA), Daria MacDonald (NJ), Lauren Caparso (MA), Jerran Orwig (OH), Tamara Hayes (GA), Dawn Hamilton (FL), Denise Siegel (IL), Cristina Carper (KS), Kim Harmon (NY), Stacey Connors (PA), Dylan White (Nova Scotia), Jensi Gise (GA), Savana Miller (SC), and Liza Larson (SD)

Together with

Quote of the Day

"I want to see more yearning. Everyone’s hot, but nobody’s horny — people aren’t pining. We want Jane Austen”

Whose Debt Is This?

We Can’t Spray-Paint This Gold

The News in 5

✴︎

In Our Rotation

Climate Crisis

Trump Vs. California

Batter Up…

The Diamond Is a Girl’s Best Friend

Quick Hits

Skimm This

And the winning skimm is…

“Realizing your parents’ secret tape ended up in the wrong VHS sleeve.” — Emily D., Lexington, SC

On Our Calendar

Friday, August 21

🍿 Spa Weekend in theaters

🏀 The Dynasty: UConn Huskies premieres on Apple TV

Saturday, August 22

📚 National Book Festival

Sunday, August 23

🎾 US Open starts

✈️ National Cheap Flight Day

✴︎

In Our Rotation

KNOW IT ALL

Thanks to “Aunt Taylor,” Kylie and Jason Kelce’s daughters have started making the case for the family to get what?

Spotlight on

🥳 Some Birthdays

Cannonballing into the pool