Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz; White House lockdown; Met Gala red carpet; and more

Summary

Podcast Summary: The 7 (Washington Post) – May 5, 2026
Host: Hannah Jewell
Episode: Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz; White House lockdown; Met Gala red carpet; and more

---

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a brisk overview of the day's seven most important news stories, blending urgent international events with domestic political maneuvering, scientific insights, and pop culture moments. Hannah Jewell succinctly guides listeners through topics including escalating conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, White House preparations for potential political upheaval, a security incident near the White House, a Supreme Court decision on abortion access, startling new findings on microplastics and climate change, the effects of cell phone bans in schools, and highlights from the Met Gala.

---

1. Attacks in the Strait of Hormuz Escalate Tensions

[00:23–02:23]

• Key Points:
  • Iran fired cruise missiles and drones at U.S. naval and commercial ships in the strait, but hit nothing. U.S. forces destroyed six Iranian fast boats targeting commercial vessels.
  • The UAE and Oman also reported attacks; a South Korean tanker was hit by Iran.
  • These attacks endanger the fragile U.S.-Iran ceasefire (agreed April 7), as talks to end the war stall.
  • Iranian officials warned U.S. interference in the strait was a violation of the ceasefire.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “New attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are threatening the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran.” — Hannah Jewell [00:23]
  • “An American admiral said that Iran fired cruise missiles and drones at U.S. Naval and commercial vessels…but did not land any hits.” — Hannah Jewell [00:54]
• Impact:
  • Raises worries of renewed open conflict and disruption of a critical global shipping route.

---

2. White House Preps for Opposition Congress

[02:23–03:00]

• Key Points:
  • Exclusive reporting: White House lawyers are briefing staff on handling a likely Democratic-controlled Congress after midterms.
  • The GOP is viewed as vulnerable, with Trump’s popularity slipping under economic strain and the Iran war.
  • Staff are advised to be cautious about written communications.
  • Trump reminds supporters of risks, warning of potential impeachment attempts if Democrats take Congress.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “White House lawyers are preparing their staff for how to deal with a Democratic Congress…reminding staff members how congressional oversight works and suggesting ways to handle it.” — Hannah Jewell [02:30]
  • “He has also stressed the stakes of the elections, telling supporters that Democrats will attempt to impeach him again if they gain control of Congress.” — Hannah Jewell [02:52]

---

3. White House Lockdown Amid Gunfire

[03:00–04:20]

• Key Points:
  • An armed individual exchanged gunfire with Secret Service near the Washington Monument, leading to a White House lockdown.
  • The suspect was shot and hospitalized; a bystander was injured but not critically.
  • The person’s motive is currently unknown; the Vice President’s motorcade had passed through the area shortly before.
  • Metropolitan Police will investigate use of force.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “The Secret Service said it wasn’t clear who the person may have been targeting.” — Hannah Jewell [03:42]
  • Interviewer: “Not long before this shooting occurred, the Vice President’s motorcade did transit through this area. The investigation…will be conducted by Metropolitan Police Department.” [03:58]

---

4. Supreme Court Temporarily Restores Mail Access to Abortion Pill

[04:20–05:10]

• Key Points:
  • Supreme Court grants emergency petition to allow mifepristone (medication abortion pill) to be mailed, pending further review.
  • Comes after an appeals court required in-person pickup only.
  • Mifepristone is especially sought after since Roe v. Wade was overturned; telehealth and mail access have become key issues.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “Mifepristone will continue to be accessible by mail until May 11 while the court considers the drugmaker’s request.” — Hannah Jewell [04:37]
  • “This drug has become a key target for anti-abortion activists.” — Hannah Jewell [04:46]

---

5. Microplastics Heat Up the Planet

[05:10–06:15]

• Key Points:
  • New research reveals microplastics absorb more heat than they reflect, worsening climate change.
  • Dark-colored microplastics (black, yellow, blue, red) absorb more sunlight than white particles.
  • The annual impact of global microplastic emissions equals the emissions of 200 coal-fired plants.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “These tiny pieces of plastic are likely absorbing more heat than they are reflecting.” — Hannah Jewell [05:23]
  • “By one scientist’s calculation, the effect of one year’s microplastic emissions globally is approximately equivalent to a year’s pollution from 200 coal-fired power plants.” — Hannah Jewell [06:09]

---

6. School Cell Phone Bans Don’t Boost Test Scores

[06:15–07:10]

• Key Points:
  • Research spanning 41,000+ schools from 2018–2025 shows cell phone bans have no meaningful effect on test scores, attendance, bullying perceptions, or class engagement.
  • However, teachers report greater job satisfaction, and students gradually report feeling better at school.
• Notable Quotes:
  • “They found that the average effect on test scores was consistently close to zero…” — Hannah Jewell [06:32]
  • “…perhaps it’s still worth putting your phone away.” — Hannah Jewell [07:05]
• Tone: Hannah’s delivery is breezy and lightly humorous.

---

7. Met Gala: “Fashion is Art” and Celebrity Highlights

[07:10–09:05]

• Key Points:
  • This year’s Met Gala (theme: “Fashion is Art”) featured outfits inspired by art and artists.
  • Some controversy over Jeff Bezos and his wife as honorary chairs and sponsors; protestors criticized their role because of their billionaire status.
  • Red carpet moments: Rihanna’s late, dramatic arrival; Cardi B’s “bulbous getup”; Beyoncé’s heartfelt comment on art.
• Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments:
  • “Not everyone was a fan. Protestors outside the gala criticized the choice of the billionaire founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his wife as honorary chairs…” — Hannah Jewell [07:52]
  • “As always, Rihanna was late to arrive, and as always, she didn’t disappoint.” — Hannah Jewell [08:04]
  • Beyoncé [08:42]:
    • Interviewer: “Is there one piece of art that has changed your life?”
    • Beyoncé: “I would say my children.”
    • Interviewer: “One more time.”
    • Beyoncé: “My children.”
    • Interviewer: “Oh yeah, the greatest work of art.”
  • “Beyoncé has left but will never leave my heart.” — Interviewer [09:05]

---

Closing Recommendation

• For detailed visuals and best-dressed lists, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the “seven” newsletter.
  (“Where else can you read about microplastics, the Supreme Court, and Beyoncé all in one place?” — Hannah Jewell [09:13])

---

Conclusion:
This rapid-fire episode delivers a snapshot of global conflict, domestic politics, scientific discovery, educational policy, and high fashion—each with memorable reporting and accessible explanation. Host Hannah Jewell’s tone remains crisp, occasionally wry, blending urgency with the unexpected, and making even complex developments easy to grasp for listeners on the go.

Transcript

[Progressive Insurance / PMI US Advertiser]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever think about switching insurance companies to see if you could save some cash? Progressive makes it easy to see if you could save when you bundle your home and auto policies. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. Potential savings will vary. Not available in all states.

[Hannah Jewell]

New attacks in the Strait of Hormuz are threatening the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. That's where we're starting the seven from the Washington Washington Post, I'm Hannah Jewell. It's Tuesday, May 5th. Let's get you caught up with today's seven stories. Yesterday I told you about President Donald Trump's announcement that US Forces would start guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran blockaded and laid mines in the critical waterway in response to the US And Israel launching their war on Iran. The US Is also blockading Iranian ports. The two countries are technically in a temporary ceasefire, which was agreed to on April 7. But yesterday there was a sharp escalation of attacks in the strait. An American admiral said that Iran fired cruise missiles and drones at US Naval and commercial vessels crossing the strait, but did not land any hits. He said Iran also sent six fast boats after the commercial ships, but that US Forces fired on and destroyed the vessels. The UAE and Oman also reported attacks, and in a separate incident, Trump said Iran hit a South Korean tanker in the strait. Iranian officials said over the weekend that U.S. attempts to interfere with Tehran's management of the strait would qualify as a ceasefire violation. The new attacks are threatening that shaky ceasefire as Iran and the US Struggle to make progress in talks to actually end the war. Number two is a Post exclusive. White House lawyers are preparing their staff for how to deal with a Democratic Congress. There's a growing sense across the Trump administration that the Republican Party is in trouble going into the midterm elections. President Trump's popularity continues to sag under the economic strain caused by the Iran war, among other issues. Yesterday, the Post reported that staff are beginning to brace for the likelihood of significant Democratic victories in November. In private briefings, White House lawyers are reminding staff members how congressional oversight works and suggesting ways to handle it. According to the report, they have encouraged political appointees to be careful about what they put in writing. Trump has acknowledged his party's electoral vulnerability, repeatedly saying that the incumbent party hardly ever wins the midterms. He has also stressed the stakes of the elections, telling supporters that Democrats will attempt to impeach him again if they gain control of Congress. The White House was briefly locked down following gunfire between the Secret Service and an armed person. That's number three. Yesterday, Secret Service officers identified a suspicious person near the Washington Monument. According to the agency, officers approached the individual who tried to flee on foot before firing at the agents. They fired back and the person was struck and taken to a hospital. Gunfire struck a young bystander who did not sustain life threatening injuries. The Secret Service said it wasn't clear who the person may have been targeting. Matthew Quinn, the deputy director of the Secret Service, spoke at a news conference after the incident.

[Interviewer / Reporter]

I'll point out that not long before this shooting occurred, the Vice President's motorcade did transit through this area. The investigation itself in terms of the use of force in the shooting will be conducted by Metropolitan Police Department.

[Hannah Jewell]

Number 4 the Supreme Court restored access to a widely used abortion pill by mail for now. Last week, a federal appeals court ruled that mifepristone, which is used in medication abortions, could only be picked up in person and not by mail. But two drug manufacturers filed emergency petitions to the Supreme Court to restore mail access. Yesterday the court granted that request, at least temporarily. Mifepristone will continue to be accessible by mail until May 11 while the court considers the drugmaker's request. This drug has become a key target for anti abortion activists. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, people have been using telehealth appointments to get the medication delivered to states with new abortion bans, Microplastics are probably helping heat up the planet. That's our fifth story. Tiny pieces of plastic known as microplastics or nanoplastics lurk in every corner of the globe. They have been found in rivers, lakes and oceans. They're in our food and water supplies. And can you feel that they are also in our bodies? But less is known about what their effect could be on climate change. A new study revealed that it's probably not good news. Researchers found that these tiny pieces of plastic are likely absorbing more heat than they are reflecting. Black, yellow, blue and red particles absorb even more sunlight than white particles. By one scientist's calculation, the effect of one year's microplastic emissions globally is approximately equivalent to a year's pollution from 200 coal fired power plants. Number 6 school cell phone bans don't affect test scores or attendance in recent years, most states have attempted to curb cell phone use. Two thirds have implemented rules that limit or outright ban cell phones on school grounds. Researchers wanted to know what, if anything, these bans are achieving. So they looked at data collected between 2018 and 2025 in more than 41,000 schools. They found that the average effect on test scores was consistently close to zero. The bans also didn't make much difference to attendance, perceptions of online bullying, or in class engagement. However, teachers reported that educators were happier at work. And it seems like over time, students reported feeling better at school too. So even though it might not make you any smarter, perhaps it's still worth putting your phone away. And at number seven Celebrities Paid Tribute to Arch at the Annual Met Gala for those who don't know, the Met Gala is former Vogue editor Anna Wintour's annual benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It's also a chance for celebrities to strut down a red carpet in fabulous and sometimes outrageous looks. This year's theme was a simple Fashion is Art. The dress code led to looks inspired by artworks, artists and artistic concepts. Not everyone was a fan. Protestors outside the gala criticized the choice of the billionaire founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and his wife as honorary chairs and financial sponsors of this year's event. Bezos owns the Washington Post, but on the red carpet, it was business as usual. As always, Rihanna was late to arrive, and as always, she didn't disappoint. Cardi B arrived in a very bulbous getup that has to be seen to be understood. Beyonce over here. And Beyonce herself gave a lovely answer to a question from Post reporter Shane o'. Neal.

[Interviewer / Reporter]

Is there one piece of art that has changed your life? I'm sorry? Is there one piece of art that has changed your life? I would say my children. Your children. One more time. My children. Oh yeah, the greatest work of art.

[Hannah Jewell]

At the end of the night, our reporters did the math and picked the nine best dressed celebrities to see their favorite looks. Follow the link in today's seven newsletter.

[Interviewer / Reporter]

Beyonce has left but will never leave my heart.

[Hannah Jewell]

Alright, you're all caught up. It's as good a time as any to sign up for that newsletter I keep talking about. Where else can you read about microplastics, the Supreme Court, and Beyonce all in one place? You can find the seven Morning Briefing through a simple old fashioned Google search or or by following the link in our show notes. It's totally free, so sign up and you can get links to all the stories I talk about here on the podcast early every weekday morning. I'm Hannah Jewell. I'll meet you back here tomorrow.

[Progressive Insurance / PMI US Advertiser]

America's next chapter is being written right now. PMI US has invested more than $1 billion expanding US manufacturing, creating American jobs and strengthening communities through Advancing Science backed smoke free nicotine alternatives to help millions of legal age 21/ adults move away from cigarettes. This is what being invested in America's future looks like today. Learn [e-mail] better decisions start long before you make them.

[Deloitte Advertiser]

That's why Deloitte brings together the right technology with the right teams to understand what's connected, what could change and what could break from AI and data to cloud, cyber and risk. Deloitte's diverse perspectives and deep experience can help you move faster and make decisions with more confidence. Deloitte Together makes progress visit deloitte.com Together makes progress.