As the clock winds down at Charlie Kirk’s funerary procession, attention has been drawn to his widow, Erika, who opened up about what she saw shortly after her husband passed away.
The 36-year-old mother of two, who has since been bumped up to CEO of her husband’s organization, Turning Point USA, has also weighed in on his assassin, Tyler Robinson.
These revelations follow another by CNN’s left-wing anchor, Van Jones, who only yesterday claimed that he had received a message from his partisan counterpart, and used it to cast Kirk as someone seeking discourse over rhetoric and violence.
Erika Kirk described seeing her husband’s body after the shooting, saying he wore a “Mona Lisa-like half-smile” as if he died happy.
She revealed she missed kissing him goodbye the morning he left, but kissed him at the hospital after he passed.
Despite public grief, Erika said she does not want her husband’s assassin executed, leaving the decision to the government.
President Trump’s job approval rating has reached a personal record, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. After more than six months in office, and just two weeks after sending the National Guard to assist local police in Washington D.C., Trump’s approval jumped five points—from 40% in July to 45% today.
This 45% rating marks the highest level since the AP first began tracking his job approval in 2016.
Public Concern Over Crime
The poll highlights widespread public concern about crime. While some Democratic officials have downplayed violent crime, the AP-NORC survey found that two-thirds of Americans consider crime a major problem nationwide, and 8 in 10 see it as a serious issue in large cities.
Moreover, 55% of respondents—including 30% of Democrats and 46% of Independents—say it is “completely” or “somewhat acceptable” to deploy the U.S. military and National Guard to support local police.
On crime specifically, 53% approve of Trump’s handling, while 45% disapprove.
Economic Approval Also Rises
Trump also experienced a five-point gain in public approval for his handling of the economy. Forty-three percent now approve, up from 38% last month, while 54% disapprove.
The AP-NORC results align closely with the RealClearPolitics average, which shows 46.2% approval versus 50.9% disapproval.
The Impact of Federal Action
Analysts suggest that Trump’s proactive response to rising crime in Washington D.C. contributed to the boost in approval. By stepping in where local authorities struggled, the president’s approach drew a clear contrast with critics who argued the crime problem was overstated.
Historically, taking action on public safety has been a popular political move. Enforcing the law and targeting violent crime tends to resonate strongly with voters.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt may spend her weekdays in one of the most powerful jobs in Washington, but for her 28th birthday, she kept things simple, sun-soaked, and deeply personal.
The rising GOP star gave her followers a rare peek into her off-duty life on Sunday, heading home to New Hampshire to ring in the milestone surrounded by close friends, pink flowers, and the two men who matter most: her husband Nicholas Riccio, 59, and their one-year-old son, Nicholas “Niko” Robert.
Source: Instagram/Karoline Leavitt
Matching moments, beachside bliss
Leavitt kicked off her birthday with a carousel of photos on Instagram, showing off a calm, joyful day far from the political spotlight. In one sweet snap, she cradled baby Niko at the beach, the toddler stealing hearts in a crab-print bathing suit while mom glowed in a white crochet cover-up.
Another photo had fans doing a double-take, as Leavitt and Riccio matched in blue activewear and black sunglasses. The couple, who have a 32-year age gap, looked relaxed and close, with Karoline holding their son for a breezy family photo by the water.
Source: Instagram/Karoline Leavitt
She shared the photos without a lengthy caption, letting the images tell the story.
Birthday cards, scooters, and Italian dinners
But it wasn’t just the beach that made her birthday feel special. Leavitt also gave fans a look inside her gift bag, sharing adorable cards from both her husband and baby son.
Source: Instagram/Karoline Leavitt
One card, clearly from little Niko, featured smiling ice cream cones and the words “Mom, you’re the coolest.” The other, from Riccio, showed two cuddly sloths on a log, with the caption: “Happy birthday to my wife… my other half.”
On her Instagram Stories, the political aide shared even more behind-the-scenes fun, including a bouquet of pink flowers, a clip of her riding on a motorized scooter along the beach, and a family dinner in Boston’s North End, where Niko looked out the window at a firetruck passing on the street.
She ended the night with one final snap: the inside of Niko’s card, where a scribbled “I love you!” added the perfect, unfiltered touch.
A quiet life, a bold love
Leavitt’s lowkey celebration arrives just months after she addressed public curiosity about her relationship with Riccio, who she married last year after getting engaged on Christmas Day 2023. They first met during her Congressional campaign in 2022.
Source: Instagram/Karoline Leavitt
In a rare interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, Leavitt opened up about their first encounter, a campaign event at a restaurant Riccio owns, and how friendship eventually blossomed into love.
“It’s a very atypical love story,” she admitted. “But he’s incredible. He’s my rock, my best friend, and the biggest supporter of my career.”
Now a mom, a wife, and the youngest press secretary in U.S. history, Leavitt continues to juggle one of the country’s most demanding jobs while staying grounded in family. She’s been open about the emotional toll of motherhood and long hours, sharing in an October 2024 interview that leaving her son each morning “breaks her heart.”
But this weekend? It was all about joy, gratitude, and quiet love. No politics, no podium, just a birthday by the sea.
Twenty minutes ago in Chicago, Michelle Obama sent shockwaves through the political world with a
major, yet undisclosed announcement at the Obama Presidential Center.
Witnesses described an unusually emotional scene as the former First Lady arrived with her family,
suggesting this was no ordinary press conference.
The gravity of the moment was palpable, with even her typically composed husband
Barack Obama appearing visibly moved as they entered the building together.
Political insiders are scrambling to decipher the meaning behind this sudden gathering,
coming at such a critical juncture in the 2024 election cycle.
The Obama family’s solemn demeanor has fueled intense speculation about whether this
could mark Michelle Obama’s long-anticipated return to frontline politics or something even more momentous.
Given her immense popularity and moral authority, whatever announcement emerges could significantly impact the national conversation.
The carefully chosen location speaks volumes – the Obama Presidential Center
represents both the family’s legacy and their future ambitions.
Staffers were seen rushing with documents while technical crews tested
audiovisual equipment, hinting that this announcement may be destined for immediate national broadcast. The presence of foundation leaders alongside political advisors suggests this could bridge Mrs. Obama’s philanthropic work with broader public engagement. Read more below
A Texas high school student has died after suffering a medical emergency during football practice, according to school officials.
In a statement shared with PEOPLEon Thursday, August 21, the Lancaster Independent School District identified the student as 15-year-old Preston Malone, a sophomore at Lancaster Early College High School.
The district said Malone, who played on the junior varsity team, began to feel unwell during practice on Monday, August 18. He told a coach he wasn’t feeling right before the emergency occurred. “The coach immediately noticed that Malone was not sweating,” Kimberly Simpson, a spokesperson for the school district, said at a news conference per CBS. “He was not perspiring.”
The district said staff members quickly called 911 and placed Malone in a cold tub to lower his body temperature. Paramedics then took him to the hospital for additional care. Officials explained that while there was initial hope he would recover, his condition worsened overnight, and he later passed away.
We want to express our heartfelt condolences to the family of our beloved student, Preston Malone III, a sophomore at Lancaster Early College High School, and a proud member of the Lancaster High School Junior Varsity Football team. On Wednesday, August 20, Preston passed away. pic.twitter.com/0Tl3z5UjgI
At a news conference, Superintendent A. Katrise Perera Simpson shared details about Malone’s final moments.
“His last words were, ‘Hey, I’m sorry I was unable to finish the workout,’” she said, “which speaks to the type of kid Preston was.”
The practice was held inside because of the extreme heat outdoors. Temperatures reached 104 degrees on August 18. The school is located in Lancaster, Texas. This is a suburban community in southern Dallas County, part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area. It sits roughly 15 miles south of downtown Dallas.
In a press release, the school district said: “Our Lancaster ISD athletic training staff carefully followed all UIL and district heat safety protocols and procedures, which included adjusting practice times, utilizing indoor facilities, maintaining hydration stations, monitoring real-time heat conditions, and ensuring certified athletic trainers were on site.”
Also, “When the medical emergency occurred, our staff responded immediately and with great care for our student.”
Simpson also explained at the conference that the indoor practice facility does not have an HVAC system, but it is equipped with four large garage door openings that remain raised, along with fans to help circulate air inside.
From his early games to his final goodbye, Mark Badger, Bryant Young, and Marcus Badger are honoring the memory of Preston Malone III, according to KTTC.
The three had coached Preston throughout his football journey, but they say he also left them with lasting lessons in perseverance and determination.
“He got a penalty. I said, ‘Preston, why didn’t you stop?’ He said, ‘Coach, I didn’t hear the whistle,’” Marcus Badger recalled.
Coach Badger added, “He wasn’t the biggest kid, so he always had to fight,.”
Former coach Young said, “It’s just hard. It’s just hard thinking someone that you’ve been knowing since they were a kid, gone as a kid.”
He’s a breakout voice on Fox News, a bestselling author, and a passionate advocate for conservative values — but Lawrence Jones’ love life remains wrapped in mystery.
At 32, Lawrence Billy Jones III has already cemented himself as a prominent figure in American political media. Known for his sharp commentary and on-the-ground reporting, Jones has made waves on Fox & Friends and as the host of Lawrence Jones Cross Country. But while his career is very public, his personal life — especially his romantic one — is anything but.
So, who is the woman in his life? Enter: Sydney.
Sydney: The Woman Who Stays Out of the Spotlight
Though never confirmed as his fiancée or wife, Jones has been linked to a woman named Sydney, who has kept a remarkably low profile. In 2019, the Fox News personality posted a festive Christmas photo with her on X (formerly Twitter), and the couple was also seen attending a red carpet event together at the Patriot Awards that same year.
Source: Facebook/Fox Nation
That was the last public sighting — and the last time her name appeared in relation to Lawrence. No social media updates. No interviews. No appearances. It’s a level of discretion that’s rare in today’s media landscape.
Insiders speculate that Jones and Sydney have continued to maintain a private relationship, though it’s unclear whether they’re still together. One thing is certain: Lawrence isn’t sharing, and Sydney doesn’t seem to mind.
Clearing Up the Confusion: No, He’s Not Married to Gail Jones
In 2020, confusion erupted online when some mistakenly believed Jones was involved with British businesswoman Gail Suzanne Jones. That was quickly debunked — Gail is married to Lawrence Nigel Jones, a completely different person. The two Lawrences share a name, but not a love life.
More Than a TV Host: Author, Activist, Voice for Masculinity
Jones has never been shy about speaking his mind on social issues. A proud libertarian, he frequently advocates for limited government, free markets, and individual freedom — values he grew up embracing in his Christian household in Garland, Texas.
Source: Facebook/OfficialLawrenceJones
In 2023, he published his first book, American Man: Speaking the Truth About the War on Masculinity. The book explores what Jones calls a cultural erosion of traditional manhood, and it blends his personal insights with interviews from figures across the political spectrum — including colleagues at Fox News.
“I don’t write about men in a vacuum,” Jones said in an interview promoting the book. “I write about men in their relationship to society in general and women in particular.”
The quote sparked curiosity. Was Sydney one of the inspirations behind his reflections?
From Garland to the National Stage
Jones’ rise hasn’t been accidental. He began as a youth advocate in Texas and later became editor-in-chief of Campus Reform, a conservative college watchdog site. By 2018, Fox News had brought him on full-time, and by 2022, he was hosting his own weekend primetime show. In 2024, he secured a new three-year contract worth $2 million annually, plus a hefty bonus package — signaling Fox’s full faith in his future.
Source: Instagram / @lawrencebjones3
While his political stances draw headlines, it’s his calm demeanor, clarity, and charisma that have made him a fan favorite — and possibly helped him win Sydney’s heart, too.
A Love Life Locked Away
Despite being one of the youngest stars at Fox News, Jones has managed to do what many celebrities can’t — keep his romantic life completely under wraps. And for now, there’s no sign that will change.
Whether he and Sydney are still together remains a mystery. But given the way he fiercely protects his privacy, it wouldn’t be surprising if we only found out after a wedding.
When making love, physical connection is not just about bodies but also about emotional intimacy.
One of the clearest signs of that intimacy is kissing—particularly during moments of deep vulnerability and closeness.
If your partner avoids kissing you during such times,
it may point to a lack of emotional connection, unresolved tension, or even feelings they may not be expressing openly.
Kissing during intimacy is often an expression of affection, passion, and emotional unity.
It bridges the gap between physical desire and emotional attachment.
When that element is missing, it can leave one partner feeling disconnected or even rejected, despite the physical closeness.
This absence might signal that the act is more about physical release than mutual love.
There are many reasons a partner may refrain from kissing—some of them psychological, others emotional.
It could reflect a discomfort with vulnerability, a loss of romantic feelings, or even deeper issues within the relationship that haven’t been addressed. In some cases, people may detach emotionally during intimacy to protect themselves from hurt or rejection.
ABC’s clash with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel escalated after reports the network threatened to enforce a three-year ban unless he apologized and paid damages to Charlie Kirk’s family. Kimmel refused, sparking outrage across Hollywood. The standoff shifted dramatically when Denzel Washington publicly came to Kimmel’s defense, leaving ABC executives “speechless in the front row.”
“Principle Beats Profit”
Speaking before a live audience, Washington declared, “Freedom of speech cannot be bought with money; it is the voice of the people.” He followed with the powerful line, “Principle beats profit,” which drew thunderous applause and went viral online. For Washington, known for roles defined by moral conviction, the statement was not just support for Kimmel but a direct challenge to corporate influence in public discourse.
Backlash Against ABC
Industry insiders call the controversy ABC’s biggest reputational crisis in years. Social media lit up with hashtags praising Washington, casting him as a defender of democratic values rather than just a Hollywood star. As one veteran media analyst explained, “Denzel’s words reframed the entire issue. It’s not just about a comedian and a network anymore — it’s about whether power and money can silence dissent.”
A Broader Reckoning
Washington’s intervention highlights wider tensions between entertainment corporations and their talent over political expression. His words have inspired think pieces, fan campaigns, and even quiet criticism from within ABC. Whether the network reconsiders or doubles down is uncertain, but the dispute has become more than a Hollywood feud. Washington’s message has turned the conflict into a symbolic showdown, igniting national debate on free speech, accountability, and the true cost of speaking truth to power.
Television thrives on polish, but it’s often the unscripted moments that audiences remember.
From slips to surprises, these incidents remind viewers of the human side of broadcasting.
Funny Mishaps
Weather presenter Jennifer Ketchmark’s on-air bee scare and Tucker Carlson’s live nap showed how exhaustion and nature can disrupt even seasoned hosts.
BBC’s Mike Bushell falling into a pool mid-interview became another viral favorite, proving humor can rescue any slip.
Unexpected Guests & Gaffes
From a scarlet ibis perched on Nichelle Medina’s head to pranksters interrupting live reports, unpredictability is part of the job.
Wardrobe malfunctions—like Liberte Chan blending into a green screen or reporters revealing “Zoom casual” outfits—added levity to broadcasts.
In a development that has rocked American politics, President Donald Trump announced that authorities believe they have apprehended the suspect in the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Speaking exclusively to Fox News, Trump stated, “I think we have him. I think with a high degree of certainty we have him in custody. He’s in custody,” emphasizing the point repeatedly.
The remarks come after weeks of national mourning and speculation over Kirk’s death. At 31, Kirk had gained prominence as the founder of Turning Point USA and as a media personality closely aligned with Trump’s political movement.
Betrayal From the Inside
Trump hinted that the suspect was turned in by someone close. “Someone that was very close to him turned him in,” he said. “A minister, father, helped in his capture.” If accurate, this betrayal by the assassin’s inner circle played a decisive role in the case.
For Trump, the development was personal. “I hope he’s gonna be found guilty, I would imagine,” Trump said. “And I hope he gets the death penalty for what he did.”
Trump and Kirk
Trump described Kirk as “like a son,” praising him as brilliant and noting his work on TikTok to support Trump’s digital presence. Kirk’s influence on college campuses and youth activism had made him a key figure in the conservative movement, leaving a void since his death.
Investigation Under Pressure
The capture of the alleged assassin comes amid intense scrutiny. A joint task force of the FBI, Secret Service, and local police had worked to track leads. Trump’s confirmation of an arrest has quelled some speculation but left the public awaiting official details and the eventual trial.
“Things may change, but facts are the facts,” Trump said. “We have who we’re looking for.” His tone conveyed confidence that the arrested suspect will face justice, though authorities have yet to release the individual’s name or arrest details.
Political and Social Implications
Kirk’s assassination has already reshaped the political landscape. Tributes poured in nationwide, with Trump attending memorial events and emphasizing Kirk’s energy, intelligence, and patriotism. The President’s comments calling for the death penalty drew support from his base but criticism from civil liberties groups concerned about fair trial implications.
Experts warn that the upcoming trial will attract intense media attention, with every detail scrutinized, including Trump’s remarks. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA and the broader conservative movement continue to mourn Kirk, memorializing his legacy through flowers, photos, and tributes from students and colleagues.
Trump’s Personal Grief
Beyond politics, Trump’s grief was evident. “He was like a son,” Trump repeated, reflecting on their shared work and loyalty. His personal loss fuels his anger and desire for justice, resonating strongly with supporters while raising concerns among critics about prejudging the case.
What Comes Next
Authorities are expected to provide further updates, including details on the suspect and the alleged involvement of a minister or father figure. Meanwhile, Trump pledged to continue honoring Kirk’s legacy: “We’re going to keep fighting for what Charlie believed in. We’re going to keep his mission alive.”
Conclusion
Trump’s statement, “I think we have him,” marks a turning point in a case that has captivated the nation. It offers hope for closure while raising questions about the assassin’s motives, the judicial process, and the future of political discourse in America. Kirk’s death has left a void, and the pursuit of justice will be closely watched, shaping politics and public memory for years to come.
