What's Happening

Politics

Will the Gender Gap Decide the 2024 Presidential Election?

What's going on: In the run-up to Election Day, polls have highlighted a couple of key trends: Most women back Vice President Kamala Harris and a majority of men support former President Donald Trump. For months, political analysts have tracked the growing divide in voting preferences. One recent poll found 53% of women backed Harris, while 36% supported Trump. Men mirrored those results, with 53% favoring Trump and 37% backing Harris. Views on the candidates’ capabilities also fall along gender lines. One recent CBS News poll found 51% of women said they feel “only Harris” possesses the mental and cognitive capacity to be president, compared to only 41% of men who share that sentiment.

What it means: The voting differences among men and women could serve as a critical referendum on gender dynamics and equality in the US. The gender divide is also shaping both campaigns in distinct ways. A senior adviser to the Trump campaign stated that “the male gender gap gives us the edge” in the election. Meanwhile, despite being the first African American woman to secure a presidential nomination, Harris often avoids making gender the focal point of her campaign — a stark contrast to Hillary Clinton’s campaign and “I’m With Her” slogan. While gender alone may not be the sole reason voters are breaking for each candidate, turnout among men and women in swing states could be crucial in shaping the election’s outcome.

Related: Early Voting Might Not Tell the Full Story — but Here Are the Signs Both Parties Are Seeing (Politico)

International

Israel Launches First Open Military Strikes Against Iran

What's going on: Israel conducted airstrikes on military targets in Iran over the weekend, marking its first overt attack on the Islamic Republic. The strikes were in response to a series of ballistic missiles fired from Iran toward Israel earlier this month. Iran's state-run IRNA news agency said the strikes killed four Iranian air defense personnel. The Israeli military confirmed its aircraft targeted missile production facilities and surface-to-air missile sites. But notably, Israel didn’t strike Iran's oil or nuclear facilities.

What it means: Iran downplayed the impact of the strikes, saying they caused only “limited damage.” Analysts suggest that downplaying the Israeli airstrikes might provide the Iranian government an opportunity to avoid retaliation and mitigate the risk of escalation. Iranian-backed militant groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are already at war with Israel. Meanwhile, the White House called for an end to direct fire exchanges between Israel and Iran and warned against additional retaliation.

Related: Egypt Proposes 48-Hour Gaza Cease-Fire and Release of Four Hostages (Associated Press)

Media

Two Newspapers Owned by Billionaires Aren’t Endorsing Presidential Candidates

What's going on: The Washington Post is facing backlash. The newspaper’s publisher announced Friday that it wouldn’t endorse a presidential candidate, and soon reports revealed that The Post’s owner Jeff Bezos made the call…after the editorial board had already drafted an endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. Subscribers reacted swiftly, with at least 2,000 canceling in response, according to Semafor. The Los Angeles Times is dealing with similar fallout after the paper’s billionaire owner also blocked a planned endorsement of Harris. Not only did the two newspapers lose subscribers, but several journalists resigned over the decisions.

What it means: This was the first time in 36 years that The Post chose not to endorse a presidential candidate. The Post’s publisher said the decision supported “our readers’ ability to make up their own minds.” The paper’s union called it a mistake, noting that the role of an editorial board, which is separate from the newsroom, is to “share opinions on the news impacting our society and culture and endorse candidates to help guide readers.” (The paper’s humor columnist ultimately took a stab at this big responsibility, and the cartoonist had a hot take.) Meanwhile, some media critics called the newspaper’s move “anticipatory obedience,” suggesting that The Post's owner was trying to avoid potential retaliation if former President Donald Trump won the election.

Related: This Is Why The New York Times Endorses Candidates (NYT Gift Link)