Democrat lawmakers urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to play hard ball with President Donald Trump resulting in their disastrous Friday meeting, sources close to the matter claim.

According to Michael Goodwin of the New York Post, Zelensky met with anti-Trump Democrats, including Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., before facing Trump. Murphy posted on X that Zelensky confirmed Ukrainians “will not support a fake peace agreement where Putin gets everything he wants and there are no security arrangements for Ukraine.” The advice, the Post argues, led Zelensky to spurn a deal tying U.S. aid to Ukraine’s rare earth minerals, a plan Trump touted as a step toward peace.

The meeting turned chaotic as Zelensky clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, rejecting the deal publicly and demanding security guarantees. Trump called it “great television” but a “disaster for Ukraine,” suggesting Zelensky’s stance aided Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Goodwin claims that Murphy sabotaged the talks to undermine Trump and revive the idea that the U.S. President favors Putin. “By listening to the nakedly partisan advice of Dems … Zelensky betrayed his countrymen,” the opinion piece states, warning Ukraine now lacks U.S. military and diplomatic backing.

Zelensky later told Fox News he wasn’t sure he “did something bad,” refusing to apologize to Trump. The fallout leaves Ukraine’s future uncertain as European allies scramble to fill the void.

Musk TEARS INTO the Oscars over “messed up” DEI eligibility requirements for the awards

Elon Musk criticized the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday, calling its diversity requirements for Best Picture nominees "messed up."

The Tesla billionaire took to X to voice his disapproval of the "Representation and Inclusion Standards," which mandate that films meet specific diversity criteria to be eligible for the top award.

"This is messed up. Should just be who is best, not best with an asterisk!" Musk wrote, echoing sentiments from critics who argue the rules prioritize inclusivity over merit. The Academy introduced these standards in 2020 amid nationwide anti-racism protests following George Floyd’s death, requiring films to feature underrepresented groups in lead roles, key crew positions, or storylines.

Musk’s comments sparked a heated online debate. Supporters agreed, with one X user writing, "Elon is right, it’s about who’s best, not checking boxes for diversity quotas." Others defended the policy, arguing it fosters long-overdue representation in Hollywood.

The Academy’s rules, now in their fifth year, have drawn mixed reactions. While some hail them as progressive, detractors like Musk claim they limit recognition of the "best" films. The 97th Oscars, held Sunday at the Dolby Theatre, saw "Anora" win Best Picture under these guidelines.

Musk, a vocal opponent of forced-diversity initiatives, has previously targeted similar efforts in business and government. His latest critique reignites a broader discussion about merit versus inclusion in the arts, ensuring the Oscars remain a lightning rod for controversy.

Rumors SWIRL after Kroger CEO QUITS out of the blue over “Personal Conduct” issues

Kroger Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen resigned Monday following an internal investigation into his personal conduct, the company announced in a statement.

The grocery giant declined to specify the nature of the conduct, stating only that it was "unrelated to the business" and "inconsistent with Kroger's policy on business ethics."

McMullen, 64, informed the board of his actions on Feb. 21, prompting an immediate probe by independent counsel, overseen by a special committee. Kroger emphasized that the issue did not involve associates or affect financial performance. Ronald "Ron" Sargent, a board member since 2006, was named interim CEO and chairman as the company launches a national search for a permanent replacement.

McMullen’s departure ends a 47-year career with Kroger, where he began as a part-time stock clerk in Kentucky. Named CEO in 2014 and chairman in 2015, he recently navigated the failed $25 billion merger with Albertsons, which collapsed in December. His exit comes amid heightened scrutiny, with shares dropping over 3.5% Monday morning.

Bosses refused to elaborate on the scandal, leaving speculation swirling. The United Food and Commercial Workers union, representing 37,000 Kroger employees, had previously called for McMullen’s resignation after the merger fallout. Kroger, the nation’s largest supermarket chain, now faces a leadership transition as it regroups from recent challenges.

Sargent vowed to maintain Kroger’s focus on customer value during the interim period. Details of McMullen’s conduct remain undisclosed.

Bernie Sanders runs for cover when MSNBC starts asking tough questions!

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., dodged a good question Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” about whether Democrats could have done more to curb wasteful spending during President Joe Biden’s administration.

Host Kristen Welker pressed Sanders on the issue, citing a Republican-backed budget bill that approves up to $4.5 trillion in deficit increases to slash $1.5 trillion to $2 trillion in spending.

Welker highlighted Medicare and Medicaid’s billions in spending errors in 2023, asking, “Should the Democratic Party have done more to address some of those issues with the insolvency of our entitlement programs?” Sanders deflected, replying, “And Trump was in power four years before that,” shifting focus away from Democratic accountability.

The exchange followed House Republicans’ advancement of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda, with Speaker Mike Johnson emphasizing cuts to government waste. Sanders, a vocal progressive, avoided engaging directly with the premise, instead pivoting to broader critiques of economic policy.

The senator’s response drew attention on X, where users accused him of dodging responsibility. The moment underscored ongoing partisan tensions over fiscal management, with Republicans framing Democrats as lax on spending oversight. Sanders’ reluctance to address the question head-on left some viewers questioning the party’s record under Biden.