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GoFundMe For James Van Der Beek's Family Sparks Debate About U.S. Healthcare After Amassing Over $1.5 Million
Feb 13, 2026
Though Dawson's Creek's James Van Der Beek has only just tragically passed away at the age of 48, his family has had to start making financial plans amid their grief.
While going through cancer treatment, it became public knowledge that Van Der Beek was auctioning off much of his memorabilia from Dawson's Creek and other big products to cover the high costs of his cancer treatment. Though Cobra Kai star Paul Walter stepped in at the time and started a Cameo account to help offset those remaining medical costs, the debt continued to mount.
Van Der Beek's family now has the looming medical debt to deal with, as well as the other expenses that every family must address on a monthly basis, like groceries, education, and housing.
Van Der Beek's wife, Kimberly, has been made the beneficiary of a GoFundMe that was started yesterday by one of Kimberly's loved ones, asking people to consider donating to offset the remaining medical costs and to help the Van Der Beek family maintain their home and educational plans.
The GoFundMe listing reads:
"James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026, leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children."
"Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care."
"In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of Jamesâs medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds."
"They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead."
"Your generosity will help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the childrenâs education. Every donation, no matter the size, will help Kimberly and her family find hope and security as they rebuild their lives. Thank you for considering a gift to support them."
The goal for the GoFundMe was $1.5 million, and more than $2.1 million has been raised as of the writing of this piece, with over 43,000 donations having been made. A few notable donations were $10,000 from Wicked director Jon M. Chu, a monthly pledge of $2,500 from Avatar's Zoe Saldaña, and an anonymous top donation of $30,000.
Steven Spielberg, the favorite director of Van Der Beek's character Dawson Leery, and his wife Kate Capshaw also donated $25,000 to the GoFundMe.
Though everyone can empathize with the family and understands the hardship they must be going through, a debate began in the "Entertainment" subReddit, where people were torn between human kindness, the disgusting U.S. medical system, and celebrity wealth.
The family is grieving, obviously, but many people noted that their financial situation makes affording healthcare much easier than it is for most people.
"It's so terribly tragic that he has died so young and left his young family behind, and then on top of that the tragedy is compounded by the awful for profit US health care system. Heartbreaking." -PrinceRupertAwakes
"Itâs hard to believe that even the famous can face the same horrible financial outcome of the common person. As a kid I always thought being a celebrity would leave you in good standings. But over the years Iâve seen a lot of famous people hit rock bottom, or lose it all to disease. James will live in a lot of our hearts and minds, so long Dawson." -ivejustbluemyself
"America is an indefensible nightmare. A dude who was on hit shows, in movies, and is a well known name still goes bankrupt basically over just random illness. what a crock of sh*t."
"Tell some kid he should work hard as an actor MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE HE could have 1 / 100 the success this guy had, and then this guy is totally screwed by his country, and what are you supposed to hope for?" -EveryAccount7729
"My grandfather worked his whole life in order to save up a cushion that he would use up in its entirety paying for 6 months of hospice care before the end. Life savings spent on getting a bed pan changed by a stranger. Thatâs the American way." -one_pound_of_flesh
"SAG insurance is only available as long as you book acting gigs. I read somewhere that older actors would guest star on 'Murder She Wrote' so they could keep their insurance. Angela Lansbury wanted to make sure they were able to continue their insurance coverage." -memcjo
There's also the lingering question of posting a public GoFundMe, which encourages middle- and lower-income people to donate, while fellow actors arguably make much more.
"I donât understand why he wouldnât have a life insurance policy after having that many kids. Yes, money comes and goes, but thereâs no excuse to own an entire ranch and not have a life insurance policy."
"What also bothers me a lot is that their original goal was $500k but then they raised it to $1 million dollars. That really rubs me the wrong way and is so greedy to me." - alilcannoli
"Why canât their rich friends step up? Why do lay people who can barely afford life themselves feel compelled to donate to millionaires who didnât need a ranch at minimum. Itâs so gross to me." - Butter5768
"Iâm also kind of shocked they werenât better financially prepared with 6 kids. Which normally I would say isnât my business but when you start asking for money, you make it other peopleâs business. I don't know, something feels icky about the whole thing to me." - DriftingIntoAbstract
"Seriously. Why it is being posted for regular middle-class people to donate and why ARE they donating?"
"People are going to say he didnât make as much money as we think (fine), but I promise he made more in his career than the vast majority of us will earn in our lifetimes." - Revolutionary_Cow536
It's an incredible loss that Van Der Beek passed at such a young age to cancer. The question of whether celebrities should be able to get GoFundMe donations will likely continue to be a topic of debate for years to come.
But the fact that we have a healthcare system in the U.S. that can bring even the family of a Hollywood star to their knees speaks volumes.
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Former Reality Star Fired From New Show After Going On Racist Tirade About Bad Bunny's Halftime Show
Feb 13, 2026
Real Housewives OG Jill Zarin may need to add âfired againâ to her Bravo rĂ©sumĂ© after production axed her from the upcoming E! reality docuseries The Golden Life, which stars fellow RHONY originals Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon, and Sonja Morgan.
Zarin appeared on The Real Housewives of New York from 2008 to 2011, quickly branding herself the groupâs truth-teller, a role that often blurred into pot-stirrer, grudge-holder, and reunion-stage detonator.
Her latest blowup came Sunday, when she posted (and later deleted) an Instagram video tearing into Bad Bunnyâs historic Super Bowl halftime show, which drew more than 138 million viewersâsetting a new record.
Zarin opened her now-deleted Instagram critique, dramatically declaring:
âWe all agree that it was the worst halftime show ever. And itâs 250 years that weâre celebrating right now in the United States, and I just donât think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish.â
But the performance she dismissed was a milestone. Bad Bunnyâs 13-minute set marked the first halftime show headlined entirely in Spanish, with no direct English-language singing.
The Puerto Rican superstar celebrated Latin American pride with reggaeton hits, a live wedding ceremony, appearances by Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga, and a closing moment that spotlighted a pro-independence version of the Puerto Rican flag while he named Latin American countries.
Zarin, however, was unmoved:
âQuite frankly, I think him grabbing his, you know, g-area, I think it was totally inappropriate. Got all these young kids watching the Super Bowl, and he doesnât have to be grabbing himself every five seconds. Is he so insecure? Seriously.â
Variety once dubbed Zarin âa master of disasterââa description that now reads less like shade and more like prophecy.
Viewers may also remember her explosive friendship breakup with Bethenny Frankel and the controversy surrounding her decision to send her daughter Ally, then 14, to a âdetox centerâ to lose weight.
After exiting RHONY following Season four, Zarin launched a jewelry line, focused on philanthropy, and later returned for 2022âs The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. She also appeared on the Amazon Freevee competition series The Goat.
But Sundayâs video was something else entirely as Zarin continued to speculate:
âI didnât understandâI donât speak Spanish, I wouldâve like to know the words he was saying. To me, it looked like a political statement, because there were literally no white people in the entire thing. I think it was a political statement, and Iâm not taking a side one way or the other. I just do. I think it was an ICE thing.â
Her commentary aligns with her long-standing political leanings. Zarin has publicly supported President Donald Trump and attended both of his inaugurations, including the January 2017 ceremony, where she described the Trumps as âold friends.â
In 2025, she said her support was tied to his stance on Israel and backing of hostage families. That same year, she admitted the alignment has been âvery isolating,â but added sheâs ânot going to stay silent anymore.â
As the video continued, she accused the NFL of being âsold out,â adding, âitâs very sad because 75 years and, you know, shame. Shame.â She also claimed she âdidnât recognizeâ Lady Gaga and âhad to Google her face to see who it was.â
Like a Housewives reunion, Zarin closed her now-deleted video with her final word:
âAt least it gave me something to do since it was so hard to watch.â
You can watch the reuploaded video below:
- YouTubeEntertainment Tonight
Production was watching, too. After Zarinâs comments about the performance featuring âliterally no white peopleâ and her suggestion that it was âan ICE thingâ sparked backlash, Blink49 Studios confirmed on February 10 to People and Variety that she would no longer be part of The Golden Life.
Blink49 Studios announced its decision in a statement:
âIn light of recent public comments made by Jill Zarin, Blink49 Studios has decided not to move forward with her involvement in The Golden Life. We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values.â
Andy Cohen offered a characteristically brisk response, referring to Zarin as someone who is ânot employed by Bravo anymore.â Even Zarin Fabrics, the store once owned by her late husband, joined the chorus, posting a photo of her with a red âXâ over her face.
You can view the shady post below:
Zarin is hardly the only Bravolebrity who treated Super Bowl Sunday like an open mic.
Former The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong shared a Gladiator meme with her face superimposed over Russell Croweâs body.
Taylor Armstrong wrote this on her Instagram Story:
âIâm embarrassed for the NFL and Apple for the Super Bowl halftime show totally in Spanish with a Cuban Flag!!â
Former The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Joe Giudice also blasted the show, calling it âwoke ass crapâ and âvery stupid,â and suggesting supporters needed to âget their brains washed.â The remarks sparked backlash, with critics noting the irony given his deportation to Italy after serving 41 months in prison for federal fraud charges.
Zarin, for her part, said the firing decision came quickly in a statement to InTouch magazine:
âThey didn't even give me a chance. I took it down right away. People make mistakes. I'm human.â
Itâs a plea for grace, though critics were quick to point out she didnât extend much of that to Bad Bunny before declaring his record-breaking performance a disaster.
And once news of her firing broke, social media wasted no time delivering its own verdict:
As for The Golden Life, the series follows Singer, de Lesseps, Morgan, and Bensimon as they relocate from New York to Palm Beach, Florida, revisiting the familiar formula that made RHONY appointment television: fighting, reconciling, and reopening decade-old wounds.
And now, enter Dorinda.
Dorinda Medley, Lady of Bluestone Manor, is set to join E!âs reboot of The Real Housewives of New York, according to Page Six. Medley, who starred for six seasons, has long been expected to participate and is currently finishing her second publicity stint on Peacock's The Traitors.
In true Housewives fashion, the cast shakeup arrived before cameras even started rolling.
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Trump Dragged After Getting Yet Another Meaningless Award To Placate His Fragile Ego
Feb 13, 2026
Yet another group has taken advantage of one of the thinnest-skinned individual's fragile ego to manipulate the current President of the United States.
Joining politicians, foreign nations, foreign billionaires, corporations, and international organizations, the coal industry created a new shiny trinket for MAGA Republican President Donald Trump. On Wednesday, they awarded Trump the completely-not-made-up-just-to-appease-the-POTUS "Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal" award.
James Grech, CEO of Peabody Energy, the largest coal company in the United States, presented Trump with a goldish (no one tell him it's bronze) trophy of a coalminer complete with headlamp and pick ax. The trophy came from industry lobbyists in the Washington Coal Club.
Grech told Trump during the ceremony:
"We stand here today representing the thousands of coalminers across the country to express our deep gratitude to you, sir, for the actions youâve taken to support our industry."
The event marked Trumpâs signing of an executive order directing the Department of Defense to secure long-term purchase agreements with coal plants for military installations and other "mission-critical facilities."
Trump said of his regressive return to further nonrenewable fossil fuel dependence:
"You've never had a better friend in the Oval Office than me. I'm not an expert in coal, but I've been very good to the people that are. The quality of our coal is supposed to be the finest of anywhere in the world."
"Weâre going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now."
He then falsely claimed:
"Under our leadership, weâre becoming a massive energy exporter."
"Weâre lifting up our hard-working American miners like nobody has ever done before."
People were embarrassed that it's so easy to manipulate the elderly, cognitively-impaired President.



According to experts whoâunlike Trumpâdo know about coal, it is still the most polluting and most costly to extract fossil fuel.
During the event, Trump said:
"I don't use the word coal, you know, it needs a PR job, because it got a bad reputation for a while. So we're not allowed to say the word coal anymore. It has to be preceded by beautiful, clean coal."
But just adding words doesn't change reality. "Clean coal" refers to an ineffective, complicated, large-scale system to capture the carbon dioxide generated by burning coal and then either chemically removing the CO2 or injecting the gas deep undergroundâcreating a new environmental hazard.
A return to coal is bad news for both the environment and consumers forced to foot the bill to prop up a dying, outdated industry.
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Zelenksyy Slams Olympics For Disqualifying Ukrainian Athlete Over Helmet Honoring Athletes Killed In War
Feb 13, 2026
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke out after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych for insisting on wearing a helmet painted with the faces of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia since its 2022 invasion.
Yesterday, the IOC announced that Heraskevych would be barred from competing in that dayâs skeleton events in Cortina, citing his refusal to abide by the IOCâs "guidelines on athlete expression." IOC President Kirsty Coventry personally weighed in on the ruling to sideline Heraskevych, saying she "felt it was really important to come and talk to him face-to-face."
Coventry said athletes have made it clear they support the right to speak out on political issues, but not during competition itselfâthe setting in which Heraskevych planned to wear the helmet.
After Olympic officials determined that the images of fallen soldiers painted on Heraskevychâs helmet amounted to a political statement, they offered to let him compete wearing a black armband instead, but the athlete declined. Coventry said she "really wanted to see him race today," adding that it had "been an emotional morning."
The official X account for the Olympics shared Coventry's statement with the general public, adding:
"This is a painful moment. We wanted him on the start line. The Olympic Games must remain a place where athletes compete together under the same rules."
You can hear what Coventry said in the video below.
Heraskevych did not accept this narrative, criticizing his "wrongful disqualification":
"What cynicism from the IOC! After the wrongful disqualification and robbing me of my Olympic dream, they announce that they are revoking my accreditation. But then, at the initiative of Coventry herself, they allow me to stay in the Olympic Village longer⊠Thank you for your 'kind' heart, IOC."
You can see his post below.
The controversy was especially frustrating for Heraskevych, who'd been considered a serious medal contender after finishing fourth in last year's world championships, and drew the ire of Zelenskyy, who said the decision to bar the athlete from competition was "not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace."
Russia remains under tight Olympic restrictions following its invasion of Ukraine, with only 13 Russian athletes permitted to compete at the Olympics under neutral status. Against that backdrop, Zelenskyy argued that barring Heraskevych ultimately serves Moscowâs interests, suggesting the decision risks undermining Ukraineâs position while Russia continues to participate.
He said:
"Sport shouldnât mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors. Unfortunately, the decision of the International Olympic Committee to disqualify Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych says otherwise. This is certainly not about the principles of Olympism, which are founded on fairness and the support of peace."
"I thank our athlete for his clear stance. His helmet, bearing the portraits of fallen Ukrainian athletes, is about honour and remembrance. It is a reminder to the whole world of what Russian aggression is and the cost of fighting for independence. And in this, no rule has been broken."
"It is Russia that constantly violates Olympic principles, using the period of the Olympic Games to wage war. In 2008, it was the war against Georgia; in 2014 â the occupation of Crimea; in 2022 â the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. And now, in 2026, despite repeated calls for a ceasefire during the Winter Olympics, Russia shows complete disregard, increasing missile and drone strikes on our energy infrastructure and our people."
"660 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have been killed by Russia since the full-scale invasion began. Hundreds of our athletes will never again be able to take part in the Olympic Games or any other international competitions. And yet, 13 Russians are currently in Italy competing at the Olympics."
"They compete under 'neutral' flags at the Games, while in real life publicly supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine and the occupation of our territories. And they are the ones who deserve disqualification."
"We are proud of Vladyslav and of what he did. Having courage is worth more than any medal."
You can see his post below.
Many have applauded the Ukrainian leader's words and criticized the IOC's decision.
News of Heraskevychâs disqualification broke as fighting in Ukraine entered its fourth year, with fresh violence reported across the country.
Early Thursday, Kyiv was targeted in a Russian missile strike, according to the cityâs military administration, as residents reported hearing explosions. There were no immediate reports of casualties, and the full extent of the damage remained unclear.
In the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian attacks killed four people and wounded three in the Synelnykove district, regional military chief Oleksandr Hanzha said on Telegram. Elsewhere, police in Kharkiv reported that a Russian drone struck an ambulance transporting five people, including medical personnel and civilians, killing a woman.
And in western Ukraine, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said air defenses intercepted two Russian Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles headed toward the city. He said it was not immediately known whether the attack caused damage or injuries.
Despite the reality of the situation on the ground and the disappointing outcome for Heraskevych, he retains a positive outlook, taking to X to "thank everyone for all the support weâre receiving":
"I want to thank everyone for all the support weâre receiving. There really is an incredible amount of it."
"For me, the sacrifice of the people depicted on the helmet means more than any medal ever could - because they gave the most precious thing they had. And simple respect toward them is exactly what I want to give."
You can see his post below.

Heraskevychâs father and coach, Mykhailo Heraskevych, was far more pointed, telling reporters that "The International Olympic Committee destroyed our dreams. Itâs not fair.â
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Mark Kelly Speaks Out In Blistering Video After Judge Rules Pete Hegseth Violated Constitution By Trying To Punish Him
Feb 13, 2026
Arizona Democratic Senator Mark Kelly spoke out in a video on social media after a federal judge ruled that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth violated the U.S. Constitution by attempting to retaliate against Kelly for urging U.S. service members to refuse illegal orders.
Hegseth previously sparked outrage after announcing an investigation into Kellyâa former U.S. Navy captain and astronautâfor "serious allegations of misconduct" after Kelly joined five other members of Congress in a video reminding U.S. military members that they took an oath to obey the U.S. Constitution and can disobey illegal orders.
In a video message, Kelly, joined by a group of fellow veterans in Congress that included his colleagues Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Michigan) and Rep. Jason Crow (Pennsylvania), noted that the Trump administration is "pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens."
They stressed that "no one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution" and "whether you're serving in the CIA, the Army, our Navy, the Air Force, your vigilance is critical."
Hegseth later said he wanted the group to face consequences, writing the following on X in which he singled out Kelly and threatened him with a court-martial:
"Encouraging our warriors to ignore the orders of their Commanders undermines every aspect of 'good order and discipline.' Their foolish screed sows doubt and confusion â which only puts our warriors in danger."
"Five of the six individuals in that video do not fall under @DeptofWar jurisdiction (one is CIA and four are former military but not âretiredâ, so they are no longer subject to UCMJ)."
"However, Mark Kelly (retired Navy Commander) is still subject to UCMJâand he knows that. As was announced, the Department is reviewing his statements and actions, which were addressed directly to all troops while explicitly using his rank and service affiliationâlending the appearance of authority to his words."
"Kellyâs conduct brings discredit upon the armed forces and will be addressed appropriately."
You can see his post below.
However, a ruling from senior U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, determined that Hegseth's actions were unconstitutionally retaliatory. Leon wrote that the Pentagon was targeting âunquestionably protected speechâ that is actually entitled to âspecial protectionâ under the law.
He added:
âThat Senator Kelly may be an âunusually staunch individualâ does not minimize his entitlement to be free from reprisal for exercising his First Amendment rights. Senator Kelly was reprimanded for exercising his First Amendment right to speak on matters of public concern.â
Leon's decision came after a Washington, D.C., grand jury declined to approve charges against Kelly and his colleagues. He wrote that the Trump administration should âbe grateful for the wisdom and expertise that retired service members have brought to public discussions and debate on military matters in our Nation over the past 250 years.â
Moreover, he wrote that the Pentagon's "argument runs up against our Nationâs long tradition of retired service members, including those holding elected office, routinely contributing to the public discourse in ways critical of current military policy."
In a video message shared to his followers, Kelly announced that the courts have determined that Hegseth "violated the Constitution when he tried to punish me for something I said." He was firm, however, "that this case was never just about me."
He added:
"This administration was sending a message to millions of retired veterans that they, too, can be censured or demoted just for speaking out. That's why I couldn't let this stand. Now, this is a critical moment to show this administration that they can't keep undermining the freedoms that generations of Americans like me went to war to defend."
"The First Amendment, it's a foundation of our democracy. It's how we demand better of presidents like Donald Trump whether they're jacking up groceries with tariffs or sending masked immigration agents to intimidate American communities. But Donald Trump and his administration, they don't like accountability."
"They don't like it when journalists report on the consequences of their policies. They don't like it when retired veterans question them, and they don't like it when millions of everyday Americans peacefully protest. That's why they're cracking down on our rights and trying to make examples out of anybody they can."
"Now, that's not how we do things in the United States of America. I didn't ask for this fight, but I've been defending the Constitution since I was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy and after decades of public service I can't think of anything more important that I can do for my country than defending the free speech rights of millions of retired veterans and millions of Americans."
"I appreciate the judge's careful consideration and the clarity of this ruling. But I also know that this might not be over yet because this president and this administration do not know how to admit when they're wrong."
"But one thing is for sure, however hard the Trump administration may fight to punish me and silence others, I'm going to fight ten times harder because this, this fight is too important."
You can hear what he said in the video below.
Kelly's message resonated.
In a post on X, Hegseth said the Trump administration would "immediately" appeal the decision, adding:
"Sedition is sedition, 'Captain.'"
You can see his post below.
While President Donald Trump has not yet commented on the ruling, he previously accused Kelly and the group of engaging in sedition, an act "punishable by death."
Kelly, despite not being up for reelection until 2028, has seen a fundraising boost since Hegseth's court-martial threat. He has dismissed Hegseth's threats, saying he was "given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."
In November, he was the top fundraiser on ActBlue; while fundraising amounts are not listed, a source familiar with the platform's metrics confirmed he's seen a spike in donor activity and is ranked ahead of California Representative Eric Swalwell and Tennessee state Representative Aftyn Behnâboth of whom are competing in active races.
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