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The 7

An emerging GOP rivalry; Epstein files; gamers' brains; and more

The 7

The Washington Post

News, Daily News

4.51.3K Ratings

🗓️ 22 December 2025

⏱️ 9 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Monday, December 22. The seven stories you need to know today. 


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Transcript

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0:00.0

A rivalry is emerging inside the Republican Party.

0:07.4

We figured out the top jobs that can be done from home.

0:11.3

And video games might actually be good for you.

0:14.8

That's some of what we'll get to on the 7 from the Washington Post.

0:18.5

I'm Christina Quinn in for Hannah Jewel.

0:23.1

It's Monday, December 22nd.

0:25.9

Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories.

0:35.5

Number one. Ted Cruz is weighing another presidential run, setting up a potential clash with J.D. Vance.

0:39.6

The future of the Republican Party is up for grabs in the 2028 primary, and some possible contenders are starting to emerge. One is Cruz. The Post reported

0:47.7

this morning that the senator from Texas is weighing a second presidential bid. He first ran in 2016. A second run would be politically

0:56.8

risky for Cruz, and it would put him on a path to collide with Vice President J.D. Vance.

1:02.7

Many Republicans expect Vance to enter the 2028 race, and friction is already evident behind the scenes.

1:10.2

According to our reports, Cruz has privately

1:13.0

criticized the vice president to Republican donors. The emerging rivalry shows how much the party

1:19.1

has changed under Trump's leadership since Cruz arrived in the Senate in 2013. After rising to

1:25.1

prominence as a rebel against the establishment, Cruz is now a vocal champion of some long-time Orthodox positions,

1:33.2

and a new generation of conservatives is rising with a different vision.

1:43.2

Two lawmakers said they will seek to find Pam Bondi in contempt over the Epstein files.

1:49.9

That's number two.

1:52.0

Over the weekend, the Justice Department released more than 100,000 documents related to the

1:57.9

deceased sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.

2:00.8

But some have been heavily redacted,

...

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