Who is Trending Today?

Ali Khamenei

POLITICIAN

In a stunning escalation of Middle East tensions, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the religious cleric who ruled the Islamic Republic for 36 years, was killed in a sweeping joint U.S.-Israeli attack on the country, sparking global shockwaves and propelling his name to the top of worldwide trends. President Donald Trump confirmed the death on social media Saturday, with the White House echoing the announcement, detailing how Khamenei perished amid strikes on Iran's capital that have thrown the nation's future into chaos and doubt. Reports from BBC, Marine Corps Times, MSN, U.S. News, and the Financial Times flooded feeds, amplifying the seismic event as world leaders scramble to assess the fallout from this bold operation.

Ruhollah Khomeini

RELIGIOUS FIGURE

In the wake of a dramatic US air strike that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at age 86, Ruhollah Khomeini is surging in online searches as the foundational figure of the Islamic Republic. Khamenei, dismissed early on as weak after Khomeini's 1989 death, ruled for 36 years—three times longer than his mentor—building a military dictatorship from the revolutionary state Khomeini had forged. News outlets from Yahoo to AL.com highlight Khomeini's enduring shadow, portraying Khamenei as the unlikely successor who shaped Iran's defiance, sparking global buzz about the regime's origins and future amid this seismic power shift.

Harrison Ford

ACTOR

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

POLITICIAN

In the shadow of U.S.-Israeli airstrikes that rocked Tehran and claimed the life of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad surged into global headlines when three members of his personal security team from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed in a targeted attack on their building. The strikes, amid escalating tensions, highlighted Ahmadinejad's enduring ties to Iran's hardline military apparatus even after his presidency, thrusting the controversial figure—known for his fiery anti-Western rhetoric—back into the spotlight as the nation reels from the loss of its iron-fisted cleric who built Tehran into a regional powerhouse.

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

POLITICIAN

In the wake of uncertainty surrounding Supreme Leader Khamenei's death, Reza Pahlavi, the exiled crown prince and eldest son of Iran's last Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, is surging in global attention as a potential transitional leader for a post-regime Iran. From his U.S. base, the dissident activist hailed recent U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iranian targets as a "humanitarian intervention" and the "beginning of the end" for the Islamic Republic, urging Iranian forces to defect while unveiling a roadmap for national recovery. Declaring "we are close to final victory," Pahlavi positions himself amid his sister Noor Pahlavi's claims that the regime has never been weaker, fueling viral discussions on his royal lineage, youthful piloting feats, and opposition role.

Benjamin Netanyahu

POLITICIAN

In a stunning escalation of Middle East tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trending worldwide after boldly suggesting that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei may have been killed in recent Israeli-U.S. strikes, citing "many signs" that Khamenei "is no longer." Speaking on February 28, 2026, Netanyahu urged Iranians to seize the moment, overthrow their Islamic regime, and "join forces" against it, promising Israel would strike "thousands more targets" to create conditions for change. The remarks followed U.S.-Israel attacks, with rumors swirling of Netanyahu fleeing to Greece amid unconfirmed reports of Khamenei's death—later echoed by President Trump on Truth Social—igniting global debates on regime change and sparking viral clips of his televised address.

Zendaya

ACTOR

Calista Flockhart

ACTOR

Jim Carrey

ACTOR

Jim Carrey sent shockwaves through social media after making a rare public appearance at the 51st César Awards in France, where his dramatically altered, "puffy" and unrecognizable face ignited a firestorm of speculation and debate. The 64-year-old actor, who had kept a low profile for years, stepped out with longtime girlfriend Minzi, confirming their relationship while stunning fans who insisted the man on the red carpet wasn't him at all. Online buzz exploded with comments calling it "quite alarming" and likening it to a "Truman Show" twist, as viral photos highlighted his transformed look, thrusting the comedy legend back into the spotlight and trending worldwide.

Reza Pahlavi

NOBLEMAN

In the wake of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's reported death, exiled Iranian crown prince Reza Pahlavi has ignited global headlines by declaring the Islamic Republic's functional collapse and urging Iranians to unite for a stable transition to freedom. As U.S. and Israeli strikes pummeled Iranian targets—including Tehran—Pahlavi hailed the attacks, calling them a pivotal moment and rallying citizens to "return to the streets" for a final push against the regime. He dismissed any successor appointment as doomed, vowed free elections distinguishing Iran from Iraq, promised ties with Israel, and thanked President Donald Trump for his support, propelling his bold vision of regime change into a viral sensation.

Masoud Pezeshkian

POLITICIAN

In the shadow of escalating US-Israel strikes on Iran, President Masoud Pezeshkian, the 71-year-old reformist leader elected in 2024 on promises of political thaw and US dialogue, has surged to global headlines. Reports from February 28 claim he and Supreme Leader Khamenei were direct targets, prompting nationwide school closures and government alerts for more attacks, while Pezeshkian himself condemned a "barbaric" school bombing in the south. Earlier whispers on February 25 saw Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref stepping in amid wartime chaos, fueling uncertainty about Pezeshkian's status, though February 12 updates insisted he was safe after explosions rocked the nation. This whirlwind of peril and defiance has Iranians and the world glued to every update on their president's fate.

Pete Hegseth

POLITICIAN

Michelangelo

PAINTER

Benjamin Lavernhe

ACTOR

In the glittering glare of the 2026 César Awards, Benjamin Lavernhe emerged as a breakout star, captivating France's film elite with his riveting performance in Carine Tardieu's family drama L’Attachement (aka The Ties That Bind Us), which clinched the night's top honor of Best Film on February 27. As awards season buzz electrified social media, his nuanced portrayal in the emotional tale of familial bonds propelled him into the spotlight, sparking trending conversations among cinephiles praising the film's sweep and his rising prowess alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Richard Linklater and Jim Carrey, who also shone at the ceremony.

Franco Battiato

MUSICIAN

Guido Crosetto

POLITICIAN

Fleur Jaeggy

WRITER

Claudio Santamaria

ACTOR

Arisa

SINGER

Arisa is trending after a heartfelt press conference at the Sanremo Festival, where the Italian singer candidly reflected on her personal struggles and triumphs, declaring, "I think that if social media had existed, Mia Martini would not have died." This emotional confession, shared amid discussions of sisterhood, hardships, and her artistic rebirth on the Ariston stage, has resonated deeply with fans, sparking widespread conversations online about mental health, resilience, and the music industry's shadows—especially poignant given Mia Martini's tragic history of public backlash. Her vulnerability has propelled her into the spotlight, intertwining her journey with the festival's buzz, including nearby highlights like Ditonellapiaga and TonyPitony's Sinatra cover win.

Paolo Giordano

WRITER

Donyell Malen

SOCCER PLAYER

Madame de Pompadour

COMPANION

Daryl Janmaat

SOCCER PLAYER

Johan Cruyff

SOCCER PLAYER

Jeffrey Epstein

BUSINESSPERSON

In late February 2026, Jeffrey Epstein surged back into headlines as the Republican-led House Oversight Committee hauled former Presidents Bill and Hillary Clinton before it for depositions in its probe into the late sex offender's web of connections. Bill Clinton testified on February 27, staunchly declaring, "I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong," amid lawmakers' intense scrutiny of his Epstein ties, while Hillary faced questioning the next day. Lawmakers buzzed with reactions, spotlighting the Clintons' Epstein links without summoning Donald Trump, fueling partisan fire. The frenzy intensified after fact-checkers debunked a viral AI-generated image falsely claiming a bearded Epstein was alive in Tel Aviv, underscoring ongoing conspiracy theories around the financier's 2019 death.

Henry VIII

NOBLEMAN

Xi Jinping

POLITICIAN

In a dramatic escalation of his iron-fisted control, Chinese President Xi Jinping is trending worldwide after sacking nine senior People's Liberation Army officers—including a key army commander positioned for a potential Taiwan assault—and 19 congressional figures in a savage purge, as reported by the Financial Times and AOL on February 26-27, 2026. This widening crackdown signals Xi's relentless campaign to root out disloyalty within the military and party ranks. Amid the turmoil, global eyes are also on his upcoming April summit with Donald Trump in Beijing, dissected by Forbes, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's Beijing visit seeking a "reliable and fair" partnership despite trade frictions, per the FT. The launch of an English edition book on "China's Governance under Xi Jinping's Leadership" in Geneva further spotlights his authoritarian model.

Donald Trump

POLITICIAN

President Donald Trump is trending amid a whirlwind of high-stakes developments: he's reportedly poised to escape scrutiny in the unfolding Epstein files, thanks to his aversion to email that leaves him untraceable in the digital dragnet ensnaring others. Domestically, he issued a bold ultimatum to phase out Anthropic AI from federal use after the company rebuffed Pentagon military demands, while he and First Lady Melania broke State of the Union precedent by inviting separate guests to spotlight foster care, responsible AI, and his priorities. On the global stage, Trump affirmed U.S. strikes likely killed Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a "correct story," fueling debates over his shift from "America first" peace advocate to a regime-change warrior asserting power abroad.

Ali Larijani

POLITICIAN

Alysa Liu

SKATER

Alysa Liu is trending worldwide after her triumphant double gold medal haul at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where the American figure skating star delivered a stunning victory in one of the most memorable competitions in recent history, shining alongside rival Amber Glenn in the individual event. Fresh off her return to the USA, Liu shared her first message home, sparking waves of celebration, including a viral hometown NHL game honor where even mascots paid playful tribute to her prowess. The buzz intensified as her rival announced heartbreaking news post-Olympics, while Liu and Glenn revealed Stars on Ice tour dates, though a Barbra Streisand tribute meant to celebrate her win drew backlash for shifting focus to the icon herself.

Khalil Fong

SINGER

Sung Kang

ACTOR

Sung Kang is trending thanks to his high-octane partnership with Xbox for the supercharged Forza Horizon 6 sweepstakes, immersing fans in Japan's vibrant car culture through a custom "Drifter" adventure he curated. The actor, beloved for his iconic role as Han Lue in the Fast & Furious franchise, invites gamers to enter the contest—perfect timing for those itching for drifting thrills while awaiting sequels like "Fast Forever" or "Drifter." Announced just days ago, the buzz has propelled Kang into the spotlight, blending his real-life passion for cars with cutting-edge gaming excitement.