A new political and cultural controversy is unfolding after podcaster Candace Owens released leaked audio she claims came from a private Zoom meeting held days after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The recording, allegedly featuring comments from Erika Kirk, quickly spread across social media and ignited intense backlash.   

A Senate hearing took a dramatic turn after Vice President JD Vance mocked Senator Tammy Duckworth following her sharp exchange with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.  Duckworth, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and combat veteran who lost both legs in Iraq, fired back at Vance, calling the remarks petty and offensive. The clash erupted after Duckworth pressed Rubio on foreign policy risks and warned against the United States being drawn into another long and costly conflict. The exchange quickly escalated online, drawing reactions from Illinois leaders and reigniting debate over respect for veterans, disability rights, and accountability in Washington.