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Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Sunday provided updates regarding the investigation into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, stating on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the suspect was romantically involved with their roommate, who has been “very cooperative” with the authorities.
“What we have learned specifically is that this person did not have any knowledge and was shocked upon discovering the incident,” Cox mentioned regarding the roommate.
The roommate, described as a male-to-female transitioning boyfriend, was mentioned by Cox, who acknowledged an earlier report by Fox News.
That tracks with what a federal official close to the investigation told NBC News on Sunday.
Investigators have been talking with Robinson’s roommate, noting “there appears to be a romantic relationship” while the roommate undergoes a gender transition. Although cooperation is evident, a clear understanding of the personal relationship’s impact on the attack remains elusive, stated an official.
- Trump says ‘radical left’ blocks healing: President Donald Trump said he hopes the nation will heal following the assassination, though he suggested in an exclusive interview with NBC News that a “radical left group of lunatics” in the country stands as a barrier to reconciliation.
- ditional security: The Trump administration is asking Congress to approve an additional $58 million for security to protect the executive and judicial branches following the assassination, a leadership aide confirmed to NBC News.
- Employees being disciplined for posts: In the days since the assassination, institutions from airlines to schools have moved quickly to discipline employees accused of celebrating or mocking his death, a reflection of the charged atmosphere surrounding the killing.
‘Meet the Press’
Senator Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., expressed on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” his efforts to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which protects internet companies from being liable for user-posted content.
“If you’re mad at social media companies that radicalize our nation, you should be mad,” Graham said.
Section 230 has been heavily criticized, particularly by social media critics who believe the provision enables tech companies to evade responsibility for harmful messages spread on their platforms, especially highlighted in light of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Also appearing on “Meet the Press,” Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., said Kirk’s shooting brought him back to when he received a phone call informing him that his wife, then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was shot at a political event in 2011. Giffords ultimately survived.
“I immediately thought back to the day in 2011 when I got that phone call. And I know Erika, his wife, got a similar call,” Kelly said of Kirk’s wife. “And it is like a punch in the gut like I’ve never experienced before.”
Trump says the new White House ballroom will be ‘a little bigger’ than initially planned
President Donald Trump said the new ballroom he’s adding to the White House campus will be larger than first described, with a capacity of 900 people. The number is nearly a 40% increase from a July statement, which showed the room would seat up to 650.
In a telephone interview with NBC News, the president said: “We’re making it a little bigger. It will be top of the line, as good as it can get anywhere in the world.”
The White House has estimated the cost at $200 million. Trump reiterated he will personally help pay for the addition and private donors are also expected to chip in.
The construction represents the biggest change to the White House exterior since the East Wing was expanded under Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942.
Politics in brief
- Early notice: Sen. Bernie Sanders might be done touring the country for now, but he’s still making his mark on the Democratic Party by backing progressive candidates earlier than ever.
- McCaul-ing it a day: Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, announced that he does not plan to seek re-election in 2026 after serving in Congress for two decades.
- Government (not) by the people: A growing number of Republican-led states are moving forward with efforts to make it more difficult for citizen-led ballot initiatives to succeed.
- Grappling with tariffs: American small businesses that rely on goods from India are feeling the strain after Trump imposed 50% tariffs on imports from the nation.
Previewing the 77th Emmy Awards
Hollywood will celebrate television royalty during Sunday night’s Emmy Awards, hosted in Los Angeles by comedian Nate Bargatze.
All eyes are on Apple TV+’s “Severance,” which already picked up six awards during last weekend’s Creative Arts Emmys and leads with 27 nominations. Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” also snagged nine early wins, and is expected to dominate the comedy categories.
Other top picks include HBO’s “The White Lotus,” up for 23 awards, first time nominee and hospital drama “The Pitt,” and Disney+ series “Andor.”
NBC News is covering all the best moments, winners and more.
Joe Burrow suffers another injury setback
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow was helped off the field with a left toe injury during the first half of the Bengals’ game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team later announced he was ruled out of the matchup.
In the middle of the second quarter, Burrow was attempting to pass when he was sacked by Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead. After initially trying to stand up, Burrow stayed on the field and waited for medical attention.
Burrow, 28, was the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He has struggled with injuries in his career, missing the final six games of his rookie season after tearing his ACL. He also missed seven games in 2023 because of a torn ligament in his wrist.
- Vikings-Falcons on ‘Sunday Night Football’: Second-year quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr. face each other for the first time in the NFL since they squared off in the 2024 College Football Playoff. NBC News is covering all the action.
Notable quote
It says, ‘Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.’ First of all, that means zero to my students.
An elementary school teacher on Texas’ Ten Commandments law
As Texas public schools begin hanging posters of the Ten Commandments in compliance with a new law, some teachers are finding creative alternatives to sidestep or dodge the legislation.
In case you missed it
- Elon Musk urged more than 100,000 protesters at a far-right rally in London to “fight back or die,” joining the “Unite the Kingdom” event — one of the country’s largest far-right rallies in decades — via video link.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Jerusalem seeking answers from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel’s unprecedented attack on Hamas leaders inside Qatar, another key U.S. partner in the Middle East.
- Fox News Channel host Brian Kilmeade apologized for advocating for the execution of mentally ill homeless people in a discussion on the network last week, saying his remark was “extremely callous.”
- Mötley Crue singer Vince Neil revealed that he suffered a stroke the day after Christmas that made him lose control of his “whole left side.”
- British boxer Ricky Hatton, a former two-division world champion, died at 46, the World Boxing Association said.
- The mother of a 15-year-old boy who died by suicide is suing Roblox and Discord over his death, alleging her son was groomed and coerced to send explicit images on the apps.
- A 20-year-old California man was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after admitting to using Discord to sexually exploit minor girls.
- Bobby Hart, a key part of the Monkees’ multimedia empire who teamed with Tommy Boyce on such hits as “Last Train to Clarksville” and “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone,” died at 86.
