Overview of Iran Objectives, CPAC Straw Poll Results, Alleged Sheridan Gorman Killer in Court: AM Update 3/31
This AM Update (March 31, 2026) with Megyn Kelly covers three main newslines: the ongoing Middle East conflict and U.S.-Iran diplomatic/military posture after President Trump’s “we’ve won the Iran war” comment; results from the CPAC straw poll and early positioning for the 2028 Republican primary; and the Sheridan Gorman homicide case, including White House criticism of media coverage. The episode also touches on a viral pop-culture item (Costco’s giant chocolate bunny) and runs several sponsor/read promotional spots.
Key topics & quick timeline
- Middle East: new missile strikes and bombardments by Iran, Iran-backed militias, and Israeli strikes. Diplomatic outreach reported alongside threats to target Iranian infrastructure if negotiations fail.
- CPAC straw poll: J.D. Vance (53%) leads, Marco Rubio (35%) surges; DeSantis and Rand Paul receive minimal support in this poll.
- Sheridan Gorman murder: alleged shooter Jose Medina (Venezuelan national) appeared by video in court; White House blasts media for minimal coverage; family statements and funeral details reported.
- Lighter item: Costco’s oversized, viral chocolate bunny (“Pete”) — specs, calories, and consumer reaction.
Iran / Middle East developments
- Context: Days after President Trump said “we’ve won the Iran war,” fighting continues with strikes across Iran, Israel, and Lebanon.
- Recent incidents:
- Iran reportedly fired missiles at Israel’s largest oil refinery.
- Iranian-backed militias (believed in Iraq) launched rockets at an Iraqi base near Baghdad International Airport; proxy groups treating U.S.-adjacent targets as fair game.
- Israel struck a Tehran university tied to weapons research and Iranian air-defense installations near the Caspian Sea.
- Iranian parliament reportedly approved collecting tolls from vessels traversing the Strait of Hormuz; vessels tied to the U.S. and Israel would be barred, per state media cited by The Wall Street Journal.
- U.S. posture:
- Trump allegedly threatened strikes on Iranian electric plants, oil wells, and desalination plants if Iran doesn’t agree to terms including opening the Strait of Hormuz.
- White House says diplomacy is preferred but acknowledges negotiations might fail and military options may be necessary.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized testing whether interlocutors in Iran have the power to deliver and reiterated a preference for diplomatic solutions while preparing for failure.
- White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt hinted Gulf allies could be asked to share war costs (noting precedent during the 1990–1991 Persian Gulf War).
- Reported cost: Roughly $1 billion per day for the U.S. military effort (as cited in the segment).
CPAC straw poll & 2028 GOP positioning
- CPAC straw poll results:
- J.D. Vance: 53% (also won in 2025 at 61%)
- Marco Rubio: 35% (big increase from 3% in 2025)
- Ron DeSantis: 2%
- Rand Paul: 1%
- Context:
- Reuters reports Trump has been privately asking advisors whether J.D. or Marco would be better as a successor — some signs he may lean toward Rubio but is not fixed.
- No official announcements yet from Vance or Rubio.
- Rand Paul and DeSantis have publicly not ruled out runs; Paul frames himself as a potential libertarian lane alternative to populism.
- Notable political comment: Trump told NBC in February he thinks both Vance and Rubio are “fantastic” and described one as “slightly more diplomatic” than the other.
Sheridan Gorman case & media / political reaction
- Incident summary:
- Victim: Sheridan Gorman, 18, Loyola University Chicago student, shot March 19 while on a pier with friends.
- Accused: Jose Medina, 25, alleged illegal immigrant from Venezuela; prosecutors say he chased and shot Gorman in the back.
- Court details:
- Medina’s first court appearance was by video from Cook County Jail medical unit (he has a reported tuberculosis diagnosis and was seen vomiting during the proceeding).
- Defense: Public defender claimed Medina is “severely brain damaged” due to a bullet fragment lodged from a prior shooting in Colombia and requested detention due to ICE concerns if released.
- Judge ordered Medina detained; next court appearance set for April 15.
- White House reaction:
- Caroline Leavitt criticized Democrats for defunding DHS/ICE and blasted the media for minimal coverage of Gorman’s life and death, calling the lack of coverage “despicable.”
- Leavitt cited a survey with very limited broadcast coverage times for major networks.
- Family statement & memorial:
- Family emphasized Sheridan’s life and urged not to excuse the crime by focusing only on the accused’s background. A private funeral and public memorial were held; family vowed to seek justice and change.
Viral / lighter item: Costco “Pete” giant chocolate bunny
- Product highlights:
- Name: “Pete” (made by Minnesota candy maker Mod Borup for Costco).
- Weight/size: ~10 pounds, just over two feet tall.
- Sugar: ~3,300 grams; approx. 151 servings; nearly 23,000 total calories if consumed whole.
- Chocolate types: milk, white, and dark.
- Price range: reported $57–$140 depending on market.
- Packaging suggests smashing or slicing to access candy inside; family reviewers reported kids enjoyed “annihilating” the bunny.
- Cultural note: Positioned as an over-the-top, viral Easter novelty.
Notable quotes
- Caroline Leavitt (White House Press Secretary): “It’s despicable that the lack of coverage of this young woman's case, of her life, and the way that it was tragically cut short.”
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “We always prefer to settle things through negotiation and diplomacy, but we also have to be prepared for the fact that that effort might fail.”
- Sheridan family: “Sheridan had a life, too. There is a difference between understanding a life and excusing a loss… we’re going to fight for justice for our sweet Sheridan.”
Takeaways & potential implications
- Middle East: Escalation continues alongside diplomatic outreach; threats against Iranian infrastructure and moves like tolling the Strait of Hormuz increase economic and military risk to global oil transport and could provoke wider retaliation.
- U.S. politics: CPAC’s results show Vance and Rubio as prominent conservative choices; Trump’s private deliberations about successors could shape GOP dynamics ahead of 2028.
- Immigration & media politics: The Sheridan Gorman case is being used politically to press for stronger immigration enforcement and to criticize media coverage; the case is likely to remain a flashpoint in domestic debates over DHS funding and immigration policy.
- Legal: Medina’s detention and next hearing (April 15) are key upcoming milestones; defense claims about his health/background likely to feature in court strategy.
Important dates & references
- Jose Medina next court appearance: April 15, 2026.
- Megyn Kelly: MK Show live at noon ET on SiriusXM Channel 111 and YouTube; AM Update host.
Sponsor mentions in the episode included health insurance messaging, Relief Factor (pain supplement), Lean (weight-loss supplement), and the Jack Welch Management Institute (online MBA).