Good morning. The weekend’s headlines span solemn remembrance to the strange intersections of politics, culture, and personal scandal. The military is mourning fallen service members after a deadly tanker crash in Iraq, President Donald Trump is making headlines in an unexpected interview with a YouTube star, and a former U.S. senator is confronting a highly personal lawsuit in court.
Six American Service Members Identified After Deadly Tanker Crash
The U.S. military has identified the six American service members killed when a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker crashed Thursday in western Iraq.
According to United States Central Command, the aerial refueling aircraft went down during an incident that involved a second aircraft that landed safely. Officials said there was no indication of hostile fire or friendly fire.
The fallen airmen were:
- Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, of Auburn, Alabama
- Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, of Covington, Washington
- Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, of Bardstown, Kentucky
All three were assigned to the 6th Air Refueling Wing at MacDill Air Force Base.
Also killed were:
- Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, of Mooresville, Indiana
- Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, of Wilmington, Ohio
- Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, of Columbus, Ohio
Those three served with the 121st Air Refueling Wing.
The crash comes amid a tense regional backdrop. In recent weeks, multiple U.S. service members have died in attacks linked to Iran during Operation Epic Fury, including casualties in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
First introduced in 1956, the KC-135 has been the backbone of American aerial refueling operations for decades. The aircraft typically carries a three-person crew and enables fighters and bombers to remain airborne far longer by refueling them mid-flight. The aging fleet is gradually being replaced by the newer Boeing KC-46 Pegasus.
Trump Talks Assassination Attempt, Iran, and Reincarnation With Jake Paul
President Donald Trump sat down for a wide-ranging interview with YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul, blending politics, personal reflection, and internet culture.
In the nearly 30-minute conversation, Trump recounted the moment he realized he had been shot during the assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Trump described noticing heavy bleeding from his ear before realizing what had happened. “I said, ‘That’s either the biggest mosquito bite in history or I just got shot,’” he recalled.
Paul praised the administration’s aggressive actions against Iran, saying he believed many Iranians supported the moves, particularly in light of the country’s human rights record. Trump echoed the sentiment while criticizing Western activists who opposed the operation.
The interview also veered into lighter territory. When asked who he would choose to be reincarnated as, Trump replied that he might simply choose himself again.
“I think my life is maybe more exciting,” he said.
Paul floated the idea of running for office one day — a possibility Trump encouraged after previously bringing him on stage at a campaign rally in Kentucky.
Kyrsten Sinema Acknowledges Affair With Security Guard in Court Filing
Former Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema has acknowledged a “romantic and intimate” relationship with a married member of her security detail while she served in the Senate.
The admission came in a sworn filing responding to a lawsuit brought by Heather Ammel, who accuses Sinema of interfering in her marriage to Matthew Ammel, a member of Sinema’s protection team.
The lawsuit claims the relationship began in May 2024 in California and continued across multiple locations including Washington, D.C., Arizona, Colorado, and New York.
Sinema did not dispute that the relationship occurred. Instead, her attorneys argue the case should be dismissed because the events took place outside North Carolina, where the lawsuit is being heard.
North Carolina is one of the few states that still allows “alienation of affection” claims — lawsuits in which a spouse can seek damages from a third party accused of helping destroy a marriage. Such cases have occasionally produced multimillion-dollar verdicts.
Heather Ammel is seeking $25,000 in damages, alleging the relationship contributed to the collapse of her 14-year marriage.
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