Texas Democrats Flee the State to Prevent Quorum for Gerrymandering
I had of the most inspiring weekends. Meanwhile, Texas Democrats are fleeing the state to prevent gerrymandering. Huge news!
By Aaron Parnas•August 3, 2025•5 min read
Congress
This past weekend was incredibly inspiring, and I want to share some exciting news with you—along with a deeper look at what made it so powerful.
On Friday night, I had the honor of co-hosting a dinner in New York City with Sophie Beren and The Conversationalist. We brought together 30 people from all walks of life, faiths, and perspectives for one purpose: unity. In a time when our country feels increasingly divided, we stepped away from social media and sat down, face to face, for honest, human connection.
It was a deeply meaningful evening—one rooted in listening, learning, and reminding each other that shared humanity always matters more than political or cultural lines. These kinds of moments are why I do what I do. They are small acts of defiance against the noise and polarization that dominate our world.
This platform was built on a belief: that truth should bring people together. Accurate, timely news should be free and accessible to everyone. Thanks to your subscriptions, I get to do the most meaningful job in the world—and I’m deeply grateful. If you believe in this mission, please consider subscribing today so we can keep building something better, together. Let’s keep redefining what media can be—every single day.
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Meanwhile, The Atlantic, one of my favorite publications, featured my work—and this very newsletter—in a thoughtful piece on the future of news on TikTok.
Even more powerful than the recognition? The story included voices from two young people—one a college senior, the other a recent graduate—who spoke to the real impact of this work.
Here’s how The Atlantic described it:
“Parnas wasn’t adding elaborate detail or original reporting. What he had to offer was speed—plus a deep understanding of how to reach people on TikTok… His rapid-reaction formula for news has made him a one-man media giant: He currently has 4.2 million followers on TikTok. He told me that his videos on the platform have reached more than 100 million American users in the past six months. His Substack newsletter also has the most subscriptions of any in the ‘news’ category...”
But this story wasn’t just about numbers. It was about trust.
Ashley Acosta, a senior at the University of Pennsylvania, said she values that we operate independently—outside of corporate media. Nick Parigi, a recent UT Austin grad, put it simply: “You’re getting less propagandized… It’s not pushing an agenda.”
That’s exactly the point. We’re here to serve, to inform, and to unite. And we’re just getting started.
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Now, here’s the news you missed today:
Texas Democratic lawmakers are leaving the state to block a Republican-led redistricting effort backed by Donald Trump, preventing a quorum in the legislature and incurring $500 daily fines under a 2021 rule; calling the system “rigged,” they aim to delay a GOP power grab ahead of the 2026 midterms, prompting national pushback from Democratic leaders like Gavin Newsom, Kathy Hochul, and Hakeem Jeffries.
Despite pledging to expand IVF access, President Trump’s administration has no current plans to mandate insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization, backing away from campaign promises due to legal and political hurdles, internal GOP divisions, and concerns over rising insurance premiums — even as critics highlight the contrast with cuts to Medicaid and food assistance. He is breaking another campaign promise to his voters.
Hispanic Republican lawmakers are expressing concern that President Trump’s mass deportation campaign is alienating Latino voters and disrupting communities, prompting efforts like Rep. María Elvira Salazar’s “Dignity Act” to offer legal status (not citizenship) for certain undocumented immigrants, though GOP unity on immigration reform remains elusive as Trump’s hardline stance persists.
The Senate, at Majority Leader Thune’s request, unanimously agreed to hold pro forma sessions every three days through Sept. 2, preventing President Trump from making any recess appointments during the break.
A top Trump aide accused India of financing Russia’s war in Ukraine by continuing to buy Russian oil, prompting a 25% tariff on Indian goods and threats of harsher trade penalties; despite the criticism, the White House emphasized Trump’s “tremendous” relationship with Prime Minister Modi.
After failing to reach a deal on advancing dozens of Trump nominees, the Senate adjourned for its August recess, prompting President Trump to lash out at Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, telling him to “go to hell”; Republicans now consider changing Senate rules in September to speed confirmations amid escalating partisan standoffs.
Trump lashed out at radio host Charlamagne tha God on Truth Social, calling him a “racist sleazebag” amid escalating tensions with media figures critical of his administration.
After disappointing job numbers and economic data, the Trump administration faced backlash for firing Bureau of Labor Statistics chief Erika McEntarfer, with critics warning it undermines data credibility; officials defended the move while reaffirming upcoming tariff hikes, as economists and former officials like Larry Summers condemned the administration’s pressure on institutions as authoritarian overreach.
An Ohio couple welcomed a baby boy, Thaddeus, born from an embryo frozen in 1994 — making him one of the world’s oldest known embryos to result in a live birth; after seven years of trying to conceive, the Pierces adopted the embryo through an agency, achieving pregnancy via IVF and emphasizing their goal was simply “to have a baby.”
