Author: Stephanie Gauthier

In a significant and unexpected policy reversal, President Donald Trump declared that Ukraine has the capacity to reclaim all the territory lost to Russia, a statement from the U.S. president that has drawn mixed reactions from both Ukraine and Russia.

There was a mix of astonishment and reservation in Kyiv after President Trump said that Ukraine could reclaim all of its territory, a dramatic change in rhetoric on the war.

— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) 2025-09-24T11:00:07Z

As the United Nations gathered in New York, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post: «I think Ukraine, with the support of the European Union, is in a position to fight and WIN all of Ukraine back in its original form. With time, patience, and the financial support of Europe and, in particular, NATO, the original Borders from where this War started, is very much an option.»

The remarks marked a dramatic shift from his earlier calls for Kyiv to make concessions and bring the war to an end through diplomacy.

Ukrainian officials and citizens greeted the reversal with cautious optimism, but also with deep uncertainty about whether it would translate into concrete action. Behind the scenes, Ukraine is watching closely whether Trump will follow up his words with tangible commitments: military, financial, or diplomatic.

A forceful call for global action

«Putin and Russia are in BIG Economic trouble, and this is the time for Ukraine to act,» Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Many fear that Trump’s shift may prove rhetorical rather than translating into substantive action from the United States.

In his address to the United Nations this morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky issued a forceful call for global action against Russian aggression. He warned that failure to act could unleash «the most destructive arms race in history,» pointing to the growing dangers posed by military AI and drone technologies, which he described as even more threatening than nuclear weapons.

Zelensky urged nations to adopt binding limitations on autonomous weapons and bolster security guarantees for Ukraine.

«I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!»

JUST IN: President Donald Trump says Ukraine is in a position to "fight and WIN" back its original borders, an abrupt shift from his bids to broker peace in Russia's war in Ukraine. https://cnn.it/46EIKYt

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-23T19:58:00.089966869Z

Unsurprisingly, the Kremlin was quick to push back, rejecting Trump’s portrayal of Russia as weakened and balking at the idea that Ukraine can reclaim all territory.

«I wish both Countries well»

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked the idea of a «paper tiger» Russia, according to the Associated Press, saying: «Russia isn’t a tiger, it’s more associated with a bear … There are no paper bears. Russia is a real bear.»

These comments referred to Trump’s post on Truth Social: «Russia has been fighting aimlessly for three and a half years a War that should have taken a Real Military Power less than a week to win. This is not distinguishing Russia. In fact, it is very much making them look like a paper tiger.»

Trump ended his post with a striking sign-off that underscored both the ambiguity and the controversy of his stance:

«I wish both Countries well. We will continue to supply weapons to NATO for NATO to do what they want with them. Good luck to all!»

As Jimmy Kimmel marked his return as host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, after being taken off the air last week following his remarks about Trump and Republican reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk and his killer, Donald Trump completely lost it on Truth Social:

«I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back.»

President Donald Trump has taken to social media to complain about Disney’s decision to reinstate Jimmy Kimmel Live! ahead of the comedian’s first show since the late-night program was indefinitely suspended last week.

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) 2025-09-24T03:28:04.713623Z

Donald Trump has erupted on Truth Social following Jimmy Kimmel’s return to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, lashing out at both the comedian and ABC.

In a lengthy tirade, the former president accused the network of making a big mistake by reinstating the late-night host, and even suggested legal action might follow.

«I can’t believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled! Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his “talent” was never there,» Trump wrote.

«I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative.»

Never seen before in American history

The president went on to question why the network would want Kimmel back at all, attacking both his performance and political leanings:

«Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who’s not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE. He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution.»

In a statement that carried a clear intent to intimidate ABC into steering away from content critical of his presidency, while simultaneously raising the specter of legal consequences over its editorial decisions, Trump’s move shattered the boundary between political power and media independence in a way never seen before in American history.

«This one sounds even more lucrative»

Trump also hinted that ABC could once again face a costly lawsuit. «I think we’re going to test ABC out on this. Let’s see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative.»

That reference was to Trump’s previous legal battle with the network, when he sued over what he claimed was defamatory coverage and won a multi-million-dollar settlement. For Trump, that case has become a proof point that taking on major media companies can yield financial victories, and he now suggests that history might repeat itself with ABC.

Trump concluded his post with a blunt attack on both the network and Kimmel himself:

«A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.»

While Trump lashed out at Kimmel’s «bad ratings,» the comedian’s 28-minute monologue posted on YouTube racked up nearly 12 million views within just 12 hours.

Jimmy Kimmel returned to his late-night show after efforts by the Trump administration to push him off the air.

Jimmy Kimmel broke his silence on Tuesday in an emotional return to ABC’s airwaves, by turns defiant, joking and somber as he addressed the controversy that temporarily sidelined his late-night show and set off a national debate over free speech. Read more: nyti.ms/42C0P8k

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-09-24T10:40:38.836355Z

Speaking with a mix of emotion and defiance, Kimmel tore into the president’s attempts to silence him, describing how the threats extended far beyond a personal attack to include ABC, the constitutional right of free expression, and even the role of the press itself in a functioning democracy, a pattern of intimidation he warned was profoundly dangerous and, in his words: «anti-American.»

A wave of support

Kimmel highlighted the immense wave of support he received following his removal from the show last week, pointing out that it came not only from viewers but also from fellow late-night hosts, ranging from Stephen Colbert and John Oliver to Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Conan O’Brien, radio legend Howard Stern, and even David Letterman.

«The government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.»

He noted that solidarity even crossed borders, with talk-show hosts from other countries reaching out, joking that he had even been offered a job in Germany.

Those who do not support him

The late-night host expressed deep gratitude to his audience for standing by him throughout this ordeal, but he also extended his thanks to those who do not support his show or share his beliefs, yet still defended his right to free speech in these uncertain times.

«You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.»

He pointed out figures such as Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, Joe Rogan and Ted Cruz, emphasizing that while he strongly disagrees with much of what they say, he recognized the courage it took for them to speak out against the Trump administration, and he thanked them for it.

Kimmel said, «The government cannot be allowed to control what we do and do not say on television.»

«We have to stand up to it.»

Kimmel set the record straight

In a deeply emotional moment, Kimmel acknowledged that while he had heard plenty of opinions about what he should say or do on his return to the air, he truly believed it didn’t matter, those who liked him would continue to like him, and those who hated him would go on hating him.

What mattered to him, he stressed, was to set the record straight «as a human,» making it clear that it was never his intention to make light of the murder of Charlie Kirk: «You understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.»

«I don’t think there’s anything funny about it,» he added firmly, before pointing to a post he had made on Instagram the very day of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, where he expressed love and condolences to the family and called for compassion. «I meant it, and I still do,» Kimmel said.

«That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is unAmerican, and it is so dangerous.»

Kimmel also explained that in his remarks last week, he never intended to blame any specific group for the actions of what was clearly «a deeply disturbed individual.» On the contrary, he said, his words were meant to convey the opposite, though he acknowledged that some may have found his comments poorly timed or unclear.

Kimmel explained that: «I don’t think the murderer who killed Charlie Kirk represents anyone. This was a sick person who believed violence was a solution, and it isn’t… ever.»

He emphasized that freedom of speech in America has always been admired around the world, admitting that he himself took it for granted: «until they pulled my friend Stephen (Colbert) off the air.»

Kimmel criticized the Trump administration for trying to coerce affiliates who run his show in cities across the country to take it off the air: «That’s not legal, that’s not American, that is un-American and it is so dangerous.»

Kimmel described how the Trump administration, in particular FCC director Brendan Carr and Donald Trump himself, made threats in broad daylight against free speech and pushed for censorship, actions that even Ted Cruz compared to those of mobsters.

He pointed to statements both men had made back in 2022 defending free speech, highlighting the irony that they are now attacking this fundamentally American value.

Kimmel then joked about the one supposed condition of his return on air. While many wondered whether he would be forced to say something or remain silent, he explained that Disney had asked him to read a message, before proceeded with the steps to re-subscribe to Disney+ and Hulu!

«Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.»

The wave of outrage over his removal from the air the previous week had led to a surge of subscription cancellations to Disney’s streaming services as a form of protest.

A dangerous position with the Trump administration

Kimmel emphasized that he felt privileged to work for a company that, over the years, had allowed him to shape his late-night show into what it is today. He admitted that his remarks often made the network uncomfortable, something he does a lot, yet they continued to defend his right to poke fun at political leaders and to address important and sometimes uncomfortable subjects on their platform, for which he said he was deeply grateful.

Kimmel recalled being genuinely angry when he was taken off the air last week, but after many conversations, the company «even though they didn’t have to» decided to put him back on, a decision he thanked them for, even while acknowledging that it unfairly puts them in a dangerous position with the Trump administration.

He stressed that Trump had made it clear he wanted to see Kimmel and his team fired from the show, adding: «Our leader celebrates Americans losing their livelihoods because he can’t take a joke.»

It touched me deeply.

-Jimmy Kimmel

Trump’s intention to slash free speech in America

Kimmel stated that the message is clear after what happened to Stephen Colbert, to himself, and after Trump openly said he wanted NBC to do the same with Seth Meyers and Jimmy Fallon.

He argued that these actions reveal Trump’s intention to slash free speech in America, and warned that if anything like this happens again, everyone must stand up and speak out against it, because Trump will not stop there. Kimmel stressed that this is not just about late-night hosts making jokes at his expense, but that the same tactics are currently being used against journalists.

Kimmel pointed out that the Pentagon is, at this very moment, implementing a pledge requiring reporters not to publish anything the administration has not explicitly authorized, insisting that this is serious and demands everyone’s attention.

Kimmel concluded by highlighting the actions of Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika, who said she forgave her husband’s killer, an example to follow, according to the host. Kimmel described it as «a selfless act of grace» and forgiveness from a grieving widow, adding: «It touched me deeply.»

Kimmel ended by saying that, in the end, this is the only thing that truly matters to remember from all of this.

Donald Trump opened his address before UN members gathered in New York in his trademark style, launching into a rambling tirade that touched on almost everything, from the teleprompter and escalators to windmills and cows.

— Entertainment Weekly: Entertainment News for Pop Culture Fans (@ew.com.web.brid.gy) 2025-09-23T15:27:28.000Z

Your countries are going to hell.

-Donald Trump

Trump’s extended tirade, stretching on for several minutes, drew both mocking laughter and uneasy silence as the U.S. president addressed world leaders, touting his own abilities and proclaiming:

«I’m really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell.»

Trump to the UN: "I'm really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-09-23T14:39:28.395Z

The odd tone of Trump’s UN address was evident from the very start, as the president opened by taking aim at the United Nations itself.

«These are the two things that I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter», he said, recounting how the escalator stopped «in the middle» while he was riding it.

Trump ranted that the UN had rejected his past offer to construct its headquarters, which he accused of falling apart, pointing to the malfunctioning escalator as evidence.

A recurring grievances

During his UN address, Donald Trump turned to one of his recurring grievances: the teleprompter.

Trump complained that it «wasn’t working» at the start of his speech and cautioned that another failure could cause «serious problems,» even threatening the operator with «big trouble.»

Such remarks were met with laughter and silence in the hall.

The outburst was not unprecedented, Trump has frequently blamed malfunctioning teleprompters at rallies and past speeches, often using the moment to improvise and lash out, turning technical hiccups into part of his trademark performance.

Trump also referenced both incidents in a Truth Social post following his speech:

«I have been talking about this for a long period of time and this Forum was the absolute best from the standpoint of making these two important statements. I hope everybody gets to watch it! The teleprompter was broken and the escalator came to a sudden halt as we were riding up to the podium, but both of those events probably made the speech more interesting than it would have been otherwise.»

The «open borders experiment»

Bragging about his tough immigration policies and declaring it was time to end the «open borders experiment».

The global warming «hoax»

During his UN address, Trump also launched into an extended tirade against what he called «the global warming hoax».

I guess they want to kill all the cows.

-Donald Trump

Trump accused U.S. environmentalists of pushing radical ideas, mocking them by saying:

«No more cows, we don’t want cows anymore,» adding,:

«I guess they want to kill all the cows.»

Trump on US environmentalists: "'No more cows, we don't want cows anymore.' I guess they want to kill all the cows."

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-09-23T14:56:45.408Z

The president went on to celebrate America’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord and praised what he described as «clean, beautiful coal.»

Trump dismissed the scientific consensus on climate change as a «scam,» claiming it was «made by stupid people.»

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel is set to return to the air amid controversy, as two ABC affiliates, Sinclair and Nexstar, announced they would not broadcast his show.

Jimmy Kimmel will be back on ABC tonight — but not in every market.With Sinclair refusing to air Kimmel’s show on its ABC-affiliated stations, and Nexstar continuing to preempt the late-night show, this free speech tug-of-war is far from over: https://cnn.it/46u0968

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-23T17:00:33.144588237Z

The decision follows the show’s cancellation last week, after Kimmel’s remarks about Trump and Republican reactions to Charlie Kirk’s death and his killer prompted a stern warning from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who said on the Benny Johnson podcast on September 17, «We can do this the easy way or the hard way. These companies can find ways to change conduct and take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead,» calling Kimmel’s comments «some of the sickest conduct possible.»

Carr’s comments set off a wave of outrage across the political spectrum, sparking protests from both Democrats and Republicans.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return, but…

ABC announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to air on September 23, 2025, a little more than a week after the show was abruptly pulled from the schedule on September 17.

The network’s decision comes after intense backlash, with many viewers threatening to cancel their Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions in protest, joined by artists and entertainment figures who denounced the move as an attack on free expression.

In its statement, ABC said it was «committed to supporting free expression and ensuring that our late-night programming remains a space for creativity and diverse perspectives.»

The announcement sparked relief and excitement among fans, many of whom are eagerly awaiting Kimmel’s first monologue back on air.

The host himself has not issued any public comment since the controversy began, leaving his return remarks highly anticipated.

Two major station groups keep Kimmel off the air

According to the New York Times, two major station groups, Nexstar and Sinclair, which together control more than 20 percent of ABC’s local affiliates, announced they would not carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! for now.

Nexstar said it would pre-empt the show indefinitely without offering any justification, while Sinclair stated it required further «discussions with ABC» before resuming broadcasts and would air news programming in the meantime.

Breaking News: Nexstar and Sinclair, which control over 20% of ABC affiliates, will not broadcast Jimmy Kimmel’s TV return tonight.

— The New York Times (@nytimes.com) 2025-09-23T15:16:11.722387Z

President Donald Trump, alongside his Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., made a major announcement about an alleged link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and autism.

Trump announced that the FDA will be notifying physicians that use of acetaminophen during pregnancy "can be associated with a very increased risk of autism."However, experts say autism is caused by multiple factors, and the science concerning that connection is not settled. https://cnn.it/4gxLCe6

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-22T21:23:43.290259898Z

The statement quickly drew public and media attention.

Fight like hell not to take it.

-Donald Trump

However, numerous health experts and medical authorities, including the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the WHO (World Health Organization), have already spoken out to dispute the claims made in this announcement.

Donald Trump delivered stark warnings about the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) during pregnancy, claiming it could be linked to autism in children. Trump repeatedly told women to avoid the medication unless absolutely necessary.

«This is my view. People need to know».

«Don’t take Tylenol. Don’t take it», Trump said, before adding, «Fight like hell not to take it.»

«The only time a pregnant woman should ever take Tylenol is if she has a very bad fever», he declared.

Trump also announced that the Food and Drug Administration would move to update product labels, saying they would soon state that prenatal acetaminophen use «can be associated with a very increased risk of autism and ADHD».

Trump stated that his remarks reflected his personal opinion on the matter, adding:

«This is my view. People need to know».

RFK Jr. Points to Studies Linking Tylenol, Autism

During the announcement at the White House, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expanded on President Trump’s warning by invoking scientific studies that he claimed support a possible link between acetaminophen use in pregnancy and autism.

Kennedy referred to large cohort studies such as the Nurses’ Health Study II and the Boston Birth Cohort, which reported associations between prenatal exposure to acetaminophen and a higher incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and ADHD. He stressed that the risk appeared stronger in cases of chronic use during pregnancy.

Kennedy further argued that environmental exposures, such as medications taken in utero, may be contributing to what he called an «autism epidemic».

He also highlighted research into folate metabolism, suggesting that deficiencies could worsen outcomes and that leucovorin (folinic acid) shows promise as a therapeutic option in certain cases of children with autism.

While acknowledging that more research is needed, Kennedy framed these findings as a wake-up call to reconsider long-standing assumptions about acetaminophen’s safety in pregnancy.

FDA: No Proven Link

A few hours after Trump’s announcement, the FDA published a statement on its website saying it had begun the process of updating acetaminophen product labels to include a warning about a possible link to autism and ADHD when used during pregnancy. At the same time, the agency sent a letter to physicians to inform them of these signals.

The FDA nevertheless emphasized that no scientific evidence demonstrates a causal link between prenatal acetaminophen use and autism.

The agency noted that while some studies report associations, they also contain significant contradictions. It further stressed that acetaminophen remains the only over-the-counter medication recommended for treating fever during pregnancy, as fever itself can pose risks to the fetus.

While moving forward with label revisions and informing physicians, the FDA urged cautious use: avoiding frequent or prolonged intake, but continuing to use the drug when necessary under medical supervision.

«The evidence on a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism is inconsistent.»

WHO: Evidence Remains Inconsistent

At a press briefing in Geneva, reported by Reuters, a WHO spokesperson commented on the debate surrounding acetaminophen use during pregnancy, emphasizing that the available research remains inconclusive.

WHO stated that «The evidence on a link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and autism is inconsistent», highlighting the absence of scientific consensus.

The Autism Science Foundation: any association rests on limited and inconsistent science

The Autism Science Foundation issued a statement on September 5, ahead of Trump and RFK Jr.’s announcement, cautioning against claims linking acetaminophen use in pregnancy to autism.

The foundation stressed that: «Any association between acetaminophen and autism is based on limited, conflicting, and inconsistent science and is premature given the current science».

It emphasized that autism arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, warning that it is misleading to attribute the condition to a single exposure.

Pregnant people should not be afraid to take Tylenol, experts say, rebuking unproven claims made by the Trump administration that it can cause autism. https://cnn.it/46xN3EZ

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-23T05:11:01.881832451Z

Donald Trump took aim at Pam Bondi in a post on Truth Social. In the post, he criticizes his U.S. Attorney General, whom he accuses of not prosecuting his political opponents quickly enough.

Trump exerted public pressure on Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying it was time for the Justice Department to take action against a number of his political foes.

— NBC News (@nbcnews.com) 2025-09-21T02:00:26Z

In his post on Truth Social, Donald Trump addresses Pam Bondi, pointing out that he has reread more than thirty statements and messages that, in his view, repeat “the same old story as last time”, namely the announcement of investigations with no real follow-up.

Trump writes in his post, “All talk, no action. Nothing is being done,” demanding accountability from Pam Bondi about, among others, his former FBI director James Comey, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who won a civil suit against him.

He adds further:

“What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia???”

Trump asserts that in his eyes, they are all guilty, but that no action will be taken against them.

James Comey

Donald Trump continues to target James Comey, the former FBI director he himself fired in 2017. Trump blames the former FBI boss for his handling of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which he deems politically motivated.

Several internal investigations, including one by the Justice Department’s inspector general, have criticized some of the agency’s practices, but they have not found any illegality on Comey’s part.

No charges have been brought against him.

Adam Schiff

Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, elected from California, is another recurring target of Donald Trump. The president blames him for his central role in the first impeachment proceedings against Trump in 2019, linked to the Ukraine affair.

Schiff led the hearings and argued in favor of impeaching Trump for abuse of power.

Trump accuses him of exaggerating and instrumentalizing certain elements, but no judicial investigation has ever been opened against him.

Letitia James

New York State Attorney General Letitia James has led several legal proceedings against Donald Trump and his organization.

She filed a civil lawsuit for financial fraud, accusing the Trump Organization of artificially inflating the value of its assets in order to obtain favorable credit terms.

In 2024, the New York courts sided with James, imposing heavy financial penalties on Trump and his companies.

Trump called the action a political prosecution, but the courts upheld its legality.

However, in August 2025, a New York state appeals court overturned the financial penalty (which amounted to over $500 million with interest), deeming it excessive under the U.S. Constitution. Despite this reversal, the court upheld the finding of fraud and other non-monetary penalties. Letitia James has formally announced that she will appeal this decision to the state’s highest court in an attempt to have the penalty reinstated.

Trump’s urgency to act

In this message published on Truth Social, Donald Trump insisted on the urgency to act, asserting that “we can’t delay any longer” and that this inertia is destroying the reputation and credibility of his camp:

“We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.”

In his message, Donald Trump recalls that he has been impeached twice and indicted five times, proceedings he deems unfounded.

The president uses this argument to demand immediate prosecution of his opponents, a rhetoric that is part of a logic of political revenge:

“They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

Donald Trump made waves on Saturday with this bombshell letter criticizing Pam Bondi.

— Raw Story (@rawstory.com) 2025-09-21T01:00:10.905Z

Erira Kirk, wife of Charlie Kirk, who was killed a few weeks earlier during an outdoor activity on a university campus in Utah, spoke at a memorial service that had the feel of a political rally.

Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, delivered an emotional speech at his memorial service in which she said she forgives alleged shooter, Tyler Robinson.

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-22T11:31:13.572079805Z

In an emotional address, Erira Kirk struck a stark contrast with the other speakers, whose remarks had turned the ceremony into a platform for political attacks.

Amid this combative tone, she chose a different path, declaring that she forgave her husband’s killer.

Before a crowd gathered both to pay tribute and to project a combative political stance, she chose to deliver a message of forgiveness.

«I forgive the man who took my husband’s life», she declared, prompting a mix of astonishment and applause.

«I hate my opponent»

-Donald Trump

Her words, marked by gravity, gave the ceremony a profound tone amid a memorial service overshadowed by an unusual militant atmosphere, shaped in part by the speeches of JD Vance and Donald Trump

JD Vance says Kirk is «a martyr»

Addressing the thousands gathered at the memorial, Vice President JD Vance cast Charlie Kirk’s death in explicitly heroic and religious terms.

«We must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America, and he is a martyr for the Christian faith. May our heavenly Father give us the courage to live as Charlie lived», Vance told the crowd, framing Kirk not only as a political figure but as a symbol of Christian sacrifice and national devotion.

Trump wants division

At the Glendale memorial for Charlie Kirk, President Donald Trump drew a sharp contrast between his own political stance and the values he attributed to the slain conservative activist. Paying tribute, Trump described Kirk as «truly … a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose.»

Trump added that Kirk embodied a generosity of spirit:

«He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them.»

But Trump immediately distanced himself from that approach, offering words that underscored his combative posture:

«That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don’t want the best for them. I’m sorry, I am sorry, Erika,» he declared, addressing Kirk’s widow.

The admission, delivered in front of thousands, highlighted the president’s readiness to embrace confrontation, even in a moment intended for remembrance and reconciliation.

«The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.»

Erika Kirk calls for forgiveness

Erika Kirk delivered a message that sharply contrasted with the combative tone of Trump:

«My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life», and with her voice breaking, she added:

«That young man … I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do.»

She urged the audience to resist anger and retaliation, declaring:

«The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.»

A vow to carry on his mission

Charlie Kirk, founder of the conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed earlier this month during an outdoor event on a university campus in Utah.

His death sent shockwaves through the conservative movement and drew tens of thousands to Glendale, Arizona, for a memorial that blended religious fervor with partisan politics.

While his assassination has intensified political divisions, his wife Erika Kirk has emerged as both the guardian of his legacy and the new chief executive of his organization, vowing to continue the mission he began.

“[Charlie] did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them,” Trump said. “That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them."Read: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol…

— Rolling Stone (@rollingstone.com) 2025-09-22T14:48:46.709Z

Donald Trump has confirmed a strike against a second ship accused of transporting drugs from Venezuela to the United States.

The US military killed three people in another deadly strike on a vessel in international waters around South America allegedly "transporting illegal narcotics" from Venezuela, President Donald Trump said in a Truth Social post. https://cnn.it/4na60EM

— CNN (@cnn.com) 2025-09-15T20:37:27.065538936Z

The administration claims that this second attack, carried out in international waters, left three people dead.

“Violent drug cartels”

Without providing specific details, Trump described the ship’s passengers as “violent drug trafficking cartels” and claimed that the strike was necessary to protect US national security.

The first incident

The first bombing ordered by the Trump administration occurred on September 2, when the US military created an international surprise by destroying a ship from Venezuela, which Trump then accused of belonging to the “Tren de Aragua” gang.

The Trump administration justified the strike by claiming to know “exactly” the identity of the people on board, their activities and the origin of the vessel, without however presenting any public evidence. It presented it as a defensive action against drug trafficking threatening public health and the security of the United States.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the government “knew exactly” who was on board and what they were doing.

Tensions rise with Venezuelan president

According to Reuters, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro strongly denounced this U.S. first strike as aggression, rejecting the justifications put attack, in particular the allegation that the ship was actually carrying drugs or being used by narco-terrorists.

Legality and controversy

The bombings ordered by Donald Trump are causing considerable legal and political controversy.

In the United States, legal experts are denouncing the lack of a clear authorization from Congress, considering that the executive is overstepping its powers. On the international scene, experts point out that the law authorizes the use of force only in cases of imminent threat, or with the approval of the UN, conditions deemed not to have been met.

Many also point to the extra-judicial nature of these strikes, carried out without public proof.

BREAKING: Trump says the U.S. again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela and three people were killed in the strike.

— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) 2025-09-15T20:22:17Z