Iran Objectives, CPAC Straw Poll Results, Alleged Sheridan Gorman Killer in Court: AM Update 3/31

The all-new tropical butterfly refresher is now at Starbucks. Dive into juicy guapa and passion fruit flavors. With mango pineapple popping pearls bursting in every sip. Ice cold, instantly refreshing and impossible to put down. Made for summer only at Starbucks. Good morning, everyone. I'm Megyn Kelly. It's Tuesday, March 31st, 2026, and this is your AM update. Days after President Trump says we've won the Iran war, new attacks in Iran, Israel, and Lebanon. 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. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio coming out on top of an influential straw poll ahead of the 28 Republican presidential primary. And I would also add 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. The White House blasting the media for failing to cover a horrific murder allegedly by an illegal immigrant. And an Easter candy going viral, all 23,000 calories of it. All that and more coming up in just a moment on your AM update.

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If there are new people now in charge who have a more reasonable vision of the future, that would be good news for us, for them, for the entire world. But we also have to be prepared for the possibility, maybe even the probability, that that is not the case. Well, but the president said they are. Is that the case or is it not? I'm just trying to get some clarity on that. Well, what I mean is, yeah, so you have people that are saying some of the right things privately. Obviously, they're not going to put it out in press releases and what they say to you or put out there for the world doesn't necessarily reflect what they're saying in our conversations. But at the end of the day, we have to see if these people end up being the ones in charge, seeing if they're the ones that have the power to deliver. We're going to test it. We are hopeful that that's the case. There are clearly people there talking to us in ways that previous people in charge in Iran have not spoken to us in the past. Some of the things they're willing to do, some of the things they're saying. they're willing to do. Obviously, they have to go do it. We're going to test that proposition very strongly because 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. With a war costing the United States reportedly around a billion dollars a day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinting President Trump may ask America's Gulf allies to chip in. During the Persian Gulf War, 1990, 1991, Arab countries paid for the vast majority of the cost of the war, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE. Who's paying for the cost of this war? Will those Arab countries step up to do just that? Well, I think it's something the president would be quite interested in calling them to do. I won't get ahead of him on that, but certainly it's an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you'll hear more from him on. The annual Conservative Political Action Committee, or CPAC, straw poll for the Republican presidential primary, is out. JD Vance coming in first place with 53%, followed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio at 35. Marco Rubio's support surging compared to 2025 when he was at 3%. JD Vance also winning last year's poll at 61%. Reuters reporting this week that Mr. Trump has been asking his allies and advisors about... Who would be a better successor as the Republican Party standard bearer with the president asking, quote, J.D. or Marco? Reuters reporting, quote, some see signs of Trump leaning toward Marco Rubio, but note he could change his mind quickly. Here's what the president had to say to NBC news about Marco Rubio and JD Vance on February 4th. You've suggested that JD Vance, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be a tough ticket to beat. Who should be at the top of that ticket? Well, I don't want to get into this. We have three years to go. I don't want to, you know, I have two people that are doing a great job. I don't want to have an argument with or a... I don't want to use the word fight. It wouldn't be a fight. But look, JD is fantastic and Marco is fantastic. How are they different? And I do think this, it's a great question. I think that's your most interesting question. I would say one is slightly more diplomatic than the other. I think they're both of very high intelligence. I mean, they will do shows. They will do Jill Rogan as opposed to the opponent not doing it because they couldn't handle it. They will be able to.

do whatever they have to do. Neither JD Vance nor Marco Rubio have officially made any announcements about seeking the nomination, but if they do, they might not be the only other candidates. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky telling CBS News he's considering a run and that he believes there may be a lane for a Republican like Rand, who identifies more as a libertarian and less as a populist. Yeah, I don't know yet. So maybe they know something I don't know. We're thinking about it, and I would say 50-50. We'll make a decision after the election. There used to really be a free market slash libertarian wing of the party, and now there's not much left. In fact, on many days, it's me in the Senate. The only one left for free trade. But I think there still is a desire among business for it, and it may make the so-called libertarian vote, which might not be big enough to ever win anything. If you combine that with the Chamber of the Commerce and the traditional business community that doesn't like protectionism, there may be a force out there for a different direction from the party other than being continued to be led by populism. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis last week telling Sean Hannity he also has not ruled out another presidential run. We'll see. I mean, you know, I think that, you know, in 24, like in Iowa, the people that voted for Trump, if he wasn't running, I would have gotten like 90% of those people. They were conservative voters, right? They didn't want the non-conservative that, you know, they wanted me. And so, but the timing didn't work out, obviously, for that. So you just got to see what happens. Ron DeSantis getting just 2% of the CPAC's draw poll vote, Senator Paul getting 1%. Coming up, the White House is blasting the media for failing to cover a murder allegedly committed by an illegal immigrant. And you're going to want to be all ears to hear what special item Costco has for Easter.

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Not because he's guilty, but because they're afraid of ICE. Here's Kohler speaking after the hearing. We are very concerned that if Jose was released, that he would be detained by ICE and transported to a third country. where he without the benefit of due process. The judge ordering Medina detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 15th. Sheridan's family releasing a statement following the hearing, quote, We sat in a courtroom and listened as the person accused of taking Sheridan's life was described through the lens of his background, his circumstances, and his struggles. We heard a call for compassion, and we understand that instinct. Every life has a story. But we cannot lose sight of the simple, devastating truth at the center of all of this. Sheridan had a life, too. There is a difference between understanding a life and excusing a loss. A private funeral and burial held for Sheridan on Saturday, with her parents also speaking at a public memorial. Sheridan, she was our joy, our collective joy. And now that joy is gone. As a mom, I'm Agwick. Completely hard-voken. And we're going to fight for justice for us. We heard it. When we're going to fight for change, what matters is that we don't turn away from each other, that we actually listen, that we try, really try to understand, stand in each other's shoes, even when they don't quite fit, even when it's uncomfortable, even when it hurts. Because the heart of all of this, we all look the same thing. For your children, then for ours to be safe, to be protected, to help home.

Our deep condolences to the Gorman family. Five days till Easter, and are you still searching for that special Sunday surprise? Maybe you've tried Cadbury eggs, peeps, jelly beans, or the classic malted milk balls. Well, move over, Russell Stover. Now there's something chocolateier. The Costco Giant Bunny. Pete's name, sugar's the game. Weighing in at 10 pounds and chock full of some 3,300 grams of sugar, this delectable resurrection rabbit sits at just over two feet tall with a big round belly and giant at attention ears. But don't fall too in love with this dandy candy or you won't enjoy the best part, those tasty, creamy bites, oh bunny. Given Pete's size and because Costco must not think much of the intellect of its shoppers, the packaging breaks down how to go about eating Pete. Quote, Wrap peat in a towel and give one bold whack, using a hammer, a mallet, a rolling pin. There await you some 151 servings of Jesus-loving junk food, ordered by Costco from the Minnesota-based candy company, Maude Borup, which Costco asked for the delectable. In years past, Costco has offered consumers other cotton tails once they sold a 4.4-pound chocolate hopper for Easter. But this year, they had a vision, reports Rackett News, Minnesota. A large, head-turning, show-stopping chocolate bunny to outdo all chocolate bunnies ever for Easter. The candy maker obliged, making what they call their most viral creation, Pete. According to the New York Post, Pete ranges in price from a bargain $57 to a hop in 140 buckaroos depending on local market conditions. He's got it all. Milk chocolate, white chocolate, and dark chocolate, too. In addition to whacking him with a blunt force object, they suggest you cut Pete with a serrated knife, with the package recommending folks, quote, cut gently. Ears or feet first, up to you. One reviewer, at first feeling trepidation about whether his little ones would feel comfortable, beating, battering, and slicing up their special bunny. Happily reported on the joy, Pete's total annihilation brought the wild-eyed youngsters. And what will Pete set your waistline back? 150 calories, if you just have a nibble. Eat the whole thing, and it's nearly 23,000 calories. Enjoy every bite. We won't tell Robert F. Kennedy Jr. if you won't. And that'll do it for your AM update. I'm Megyn Kelly. Join me back here for the MK show, live on SiriusXMs, the Megyn Kelly channel, 11 at noon east, on YouTube.com slash Megyn Kelly, and on all podcast platforms.

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