We are trying to get to the bottom of is we think there are a number of people on the government payroll who are dead, which is probably why they can't respond.

And some people who are not real people, like they're literally fictional individuals that are collecting paycheck.

Well, somebody's collecting paychecks on a fictional individual. So we're just literally trying to figure out, are these people real? Are they alive? And can they write an email?

That was non-cabinet member Elon Musk taking center stage during President Trump's first

cabinet meeting, offering a new explanation for his ultimatum email. The question is,

did the billionaire overshadow the commander-in-chief in that room? And it comes as Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, will visit the White House tomorrow

to sign a mineral rights deal with the United States.

The question is, how will this agreement help Ukraine defend itself from Russian aggression?

Also ahead this morning, we'll bring you the latest on the growing measles outbreak in Texas,

as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seemed to downplay its spread yesterday.

The question is, how will the Trump administration handle what could be its first health emergency of the administration?

It's way too early, the show that's remembering a Hollywood legend this morning.

I'm Ali Vitale on this Thursday, February 27th, and we'll start with that breaking news.

Overnight, two-time Academy Award-winning

actor Gene Hackman has died. Police say Hackman was found dead inside his Sanify, New Mexico

home, along with his wife of three decades and their dog. As of now, there's no indication

of foul play. Hackman was considered one of the greatest screen performers of the 20th century.

NBC news correspondent Gotti Schwartz has a look back at the actor's legendary career.

If the car chase scene in the French connections set the gold standard for all Hollywood chases to follow,

then its star Gene Hackman has come to define what a true actor is.

With the uncanny ability to vanish into any role, Hackman drew from within to put nuance into all the tough guy roles he portrayed.

All right, Popeye's here. Is it gun just for show?

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