Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Transcripts for August 20, 2025

Note: This page is continually updated as new transcripts become available. If you cannot find a specific segment, check back later.

Anderson Cooper 360 Degrees
• Hurricane Erin's Intense Waves Slam NC Beaches; Justice Department Plans to Begin Sharing Epstein Files with House Committee on Friday; Roughly eight in ten D.C. Residents Oppose Trump's Police Takeover; VP Vance Derides Protesters While Visiting National Guard in D.C.; Detailed NASA Images of Mars Show What Red Planet Would Look Like Under Clear Blue Skies; NASA's Perseverance Rover Captures One of the Sharpest Panoramas Yet of Red Planet; Parents of Girls Killed in Texas Camp Flooding Say Common Sense Measures Were Absent as Lawmakers Consider Safety Bill; Doubts, Misgivings Among Reservists Called Up for Gaza Offensive. Aired 8-9p ET


Amanpour
• Interview with "My Undesirable Friends" Director Julia Loktev; Interview with Russian Journalist and "My Undesirable Friends" Co-Director Anna Nemzer; Interview with Chatham House Senior Fellow for Latin America Christopher Sabatini; Interview with Musician and Actor Grace Jones, Interview with Grammy Award-Winning Violinist and Edinburgh International Festival Festival Director Nicola Benedetti. Aired 1-2p ET


CNN's The Arena with Kasie Hunt
• Now: Texas House Debates GOP Redistricting Plan; Judge Denies DOJ Bid To Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Docs; Trump Aide Says Museums Have "Overemphasis On Slavery". Aired 4-5p ET


The Lead with Jake Tapper
• Now: Forecast Update For Hurricane Erin; Target CEO Stepping Down As Sales Continue To Plunge; Target's Slump Follows Economic Turmoil, DEI Backtrack; Sources: DOJ Investigating If D.C. Crime Stats Were Manipulated; Poll: D.C. Residents Feel Less Safe With Increased Federal Presence; TX GOP Nears Vote On New Maps As Dems Stage Last- Minute Protests; Afghans Left Behind After U.S. Withdrawal Speak Out; Russia's New Warning About Ukrainian Security Guarantees. Aired 5-6p ET
• Now, High Tide Hits North Carolina as Hurricane Erin Gets Closer; Trump Pressures Another Top Fed Official to Resign; Judge Rejects DOJ Request to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Documents. Netanyahu Orders Shorter Timeline To Take Control Of Gaza City; Maker Of Labubu Dolls Reports Nearly 400 Percent Profit Jump. Aired 6-7p ET


CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip
• Vance, Hegseth Heckled By Protesters Amid D.C. Takeover; Poll Shows 80 Percent of D.C. Residents Oppose Trump's Police Takeover; Target CEO Resigns After Customers Turn Away. President Trump Unprecedented Action on Corporate America; President Trump Pushing Resignation of Fed Reserve Governor; Obama Approves Redistricting Plan of California. Aired 10-11p ET


CNN News Central
• Hurricane Erin Threatens East Coast With Rip Currents, High Surf; Russia Strikes Ukraine Overnight as White House Says Putin, Zelenskyy Will Meet; DOJ Probing D.C. Crime Stats Amid Federal Police Takeover. Aired 7-7:30a ET
• Trump: Smithsonian Focuses Too Much On "How Bad Slavery Was"; Russian Foreign Minister: Discussing Ukraine's Security Without Moscow Is "Path To Nowhere"; Prosecutor Investigating Letitia James Photographed Outside Her Home. Aired 7:30-8a ET
• White House Says Plan for Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting Underway, Kremlin Won't Commit; Interview with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA): Ukraine Security Guarantees, Trump Attacks Against Smithsonian Museums; Hurricane Erin Threatens East Coast with Rip Currents, High Surf; Goods Containing Steel and Aluminum Hit with New Tariffs. Aired 8-8:30a ET
• Trump Claims "The Smithsonian is Out of Control"; Kremlin Slams Attempts to Discuss Ukraine's Security Without Moscow; Texas House Could Vote Today on Redistricting Measures; HHS Staffers Call on RFK Jr. to Stop Spreading Health Misinformation. Aired 8:30-9a ET
• Hurricane Erin Threatens East Coast with Rip Currents, High Surf; White House Says Plan for Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting Underway, Kremlin Won't Commit; DOJ Looks into D.C. Crime Status After Trump Claims They were Manipulated; Democratic States Sue to Force Trump to Hand Over Crime Grant Money. Aired 9-9:30a ET
• Democratic States Sue to Force Trump to Hand Over Crime Grant Money; Russian Foreign Minister Says European Leaders Have No "Constructive Ideas" on Ending War; "The Last of Us" Season 2 Actress Bags Emmy Nomination. Aired 9:30-10a ET
• Russia Continues Strikes on Ukraine; Trump Pressures Federal Reserve Official to Resign; Interview With State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-CA); Hurricane Erin Impacts East Coast; Redistricting Battle. Aired 1-1:30p ET
• Trump Says Smithsonian is Too Focused on How Bad Slavery Was; Federal Judge Rejects DOJ Motion to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Docs; Target CEO Stepping Down as Customers Turn Away; John Deere Lays Off 238 Employees Amid Trump Tariffs. Aired 1:30-2p ET
• White House, Kremlin Give Mixed Signals on Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting; Hurricane Erin Thrashes the East Coast, Life-threatening Rip Currents, Monster Wave and Dangerous Surf; Texas House Reconvenes, Moves Closer to Passing Redistricting Bill; Judge Rejects DOJ Request to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Docs. Aired 2-2:30p ET
• Vance Visits National Guard at DC Restaurant as People Protest; National Guard and Federal Agent Presence Increasing in DC; Israel to Call Up 60,000 Reservists for Gaza City Takeover; Florida Woman on Trial, Accused of Arranging Son-In-Law's Murder. Aired 2:30-3p ET
• State of Emergency Declared in North Carolina as East Coast Braces for Hurricane Erin; Erin is a 110 MPH Cat 2 Hurricane and is Strengthening; Clashes Over Congressional Maps Reaching Fever Pitch in TX & CA; TX House Reconvenes, Moves Closer to Passing Redistricting Bill; Ukraine: 5 Civilians Killed in Russian Overnight Attack; White House, Kremlin Give Mixed Signals on Putin-Zelensky Meeting; Goods Containing Steel, Aluminum Could Get More Expensive Aired 3-3:30p ET
• Goods Containing Steel, Aluminum Could Get More Expensive; Target CEO Stepping Down as Customers Turn Away; U.S. to Look for Anti-Americanism in Immigration Applications; Foodies Grateful to be Alive After SUV Smashes into Restaurant. Aired 3:30-4p ET


CNN Newsroom
• Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting Up in the Air; Palestinians Flee as Israel Plans to Occupy Gaza City; Trump Ramps Up Attacks on Museums; China Keenly Watching Ukraine Talks; Taiwan on Edge as China Watches Negotiations Over Ukraine; U.S. Government Considering Taking Stake in Chipmaker Intel. Aired 12-12:45a ET
• Thousands Of Palestinians Leave Gaza City Fearing Israeli Offensive; Russia Won't Commit To Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting; Hurricane Erin Sparks Major Waves And Evacuations In North Carolina's Outer Banks; Trump Escalates Attacks Against Smithsonian Museums; White House Joins TikTok After Delaying Enforcement Of Sale-Or-Ban Law; NATO Military Leaders to Discuss Security Guarantees; Trump Slashes Funding for Russian War Crimes Watchdog; Released Israeli Hostage Eliya Cohen Speaks to CNN; Lawmakers: Some Files will Go Public after Friday Release; London Residents, Activists Criticize Chinese Embassy Plans; Amanda Knox, Monica Lewinsky Team Up for New Hulu Project. Aired 1-2a ET
• Ukraine Security Guarantees In Focus Amid Push To End War; China Closely Watching Efforts To End War In Ukraine; Freed Hostage On Life After Captivity: "I Feel Guilty"; Trump Ramps Up Attacks On Smithsonian Museums, Exhibits Too Focused On How Bad Slavery Was; Hurricane Erin Prompts State Of Emergency In North Carolina; Firefighters Injured By Ruptured Gas Line Explosion In North Carolina; Missed Wallet Returned To Retired Autoworker 10 Years Later. Aired 2- 2:45a ET
• White House Prepares For A Putin-Zelenskyy Summit, Kremlin Hasn't Committed Yet; Israel Awaits Response For The Ceasefire Deal by Hamas. Aired 3-3:45a ET


CNN This Morning
• North Carolina in State of Emergency as Hurricane Closes In; Kremlin Downplays Trump Push for Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting; Little League to Gamblers: Don't Bet on Kids. Aired 6-6:30a ET
• Erin Brings Life-Threatening Rip Currents To East Coast; Today: Texas House Expected To Vote On Redistricting Maps; Trump On Smithsonian: Too Much Focus On "How Bad Slavery Was". Aired 6:30-7a ET


Connect the World
• Lavrov: Russia Must be Included in Security Talks; The Afghans Left Behind after U.S. Withdrawal; Former Israeli Hostage Reflects on Life after Captivity; White House Joins TikTok as Deadline to Ban App Approaches; Mixed Reviews on New Mixed Doubles. Aired 9-10a ET
• Israel to Call Up 60,000 Reservists for Gaza City Takeover; Israel Moves Forward with Settlement Plans in West Bank; Netanyahu Lashes Out at Australia and France; Trump Says "Better" if Putin and Zelenskyy Meet without Him; China Sees Opportunity as Ukraine Talks Grind On; The Afghans Left Behind after U.S. Withdrawal; Trump Escalates Attacks on Cultural Institutes; Londoners and Activists Criticize Chinese Embassy Plans. Aired 10-11a ET


Erin Burnett Outfront
• Judge Blasts Trump Team's Bid To Unseal Epstein Docs: "Diversion"; Newsom One Step Closer To New Map, Vows To "Fight Fire With Fire"; Hurricane Erin About To Unleash The Sea On The East Coast. Aired 7-8p ET


Early Start with Rahel Solomon
• Uncertainty Over Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting; Trump Attacks Smithsonian Museums; Hurricane Erin Moves Along East Coast. Aired 5- 5:30a ET
• League of Women Voters Against Mid-Cycle Redistricting; IDF To Call Up 60,000 Reservists Ahead Of Gaza City Takeover; London Residents, Activists Criticize Chinese Embassy Plans. Aired 5:30-6a ET


Inside Politics
• Now: California & Texas Wage Fights Over Redrawn Maps; Texas House GOP Could Pass New GOP-Friendly Maps Today; CA Dems: New Map Would Include Only Four GOP Seats; House Panel To Make Some Epstein Files Public; National Guard Troops From Republican-Led States Arrives In D.C.; Russian Foreign Minister: Talks Without Moscow Are "Path To Nowhere". Aired 12-12:30p ET
• WSJ Reports Elon Musk Pumping the Bakes on Political Third Party; Newsom Raises Eyebrows With Trump-like Social Media Posts; Trump Promises Executive Order Eliminating Mail-in Voting. Aired 12:30-1p ET


Isa Soares Tonight
• Texas Moves Closer to Passing Redistricting Bill; California Republicans File Lawsuit to Halt Newsom; Trump Calls Major Changes in American Museums; White House Launches Own TikTok Account. Israel Approves Controversial Plan Dividing West Bank; Russia Warns of a "Path to Nowhere" in Ukraine Talks Without Russia Involvement; Dozens of Afghans Killed in Deadly Bus Crash. Aired 2-3p ET


Laura Coates Live
• Texas Gives Trump The Political Map He Wants; Target Misses Bullseye; Hurricane Erin Prepares To Unleash Massive Waves. Aired 10- 11p ET


One World with Zain Asher
• Russian FM: Security Talks without Moscow a "Path to Nowhere"; White House Pushes Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting, Kremlin Refuses to Commit; Texas House Could Vote Today on Redistricting Measures; Texas Republicans Closer to Approving New Electoral Maps; McDonald's Cuts Prices of Combo Meals; London Residents, Activists Criticize Chinese Embassy Plans. Aired 11-12a ET
• Trump: Better If Putin And Zelenskyy Meet Without Me; Israel Call Up 60,000 Reservists For Gaza City Takeover; HHS Staffers To RFK, Jr.: "Stop Spreading Inaccurate Health Info": Trump's Travel Ban Leaves Former Allies Stranded; North Carolina Evacuates Ahead Of Hurricane Erin; Released Israeli Hostage Eliya Cohen Speaks To CNN; Russia Gives Motorcycle To Alaska Man. Aired 12-1p ET


Quest Means Business
• Trump Calls for Fed Governor Cook to Resign; Bessent: Looking at 11 Candidates for Fed Chair; Tech Stocks Slide Amid Worries About Spending on A.I. India Imports Less Russian Oil After New U.S. Tariffs; Overseas Arrival to U.S. Down This Summer Compared to 2024. Aired 4-5p ET


The Situation Room
• Hurricane's Life-Threatening Rip Currents and Surf Hit East Coast; Target CEO Stepping Down Amid Slumping Sales; California Democrats Advance Redistricting Plan in Response to Texas GOP. Aired 10-10:30a ET
• Russian Attack Sparks Large Fire at Ukrainian Fuel Facility; Putin Agreed to "Robust Security Guarantees" Says Witkoff; White House Joins TikTok After Delaying Enforcement of Sale-Or-Ban Law. Aired 10:30-11a ET
• Trump Administration Screening Immigrants For 'Anti- Americanism'; How Companies Are Navigating Trump Tariffs; Russia Continues Attacks on Ukraine; Texas Moves Forward on Redistricting Bill; Hurricane Erin's Wrath. Aired 11-11:30a ET
• Interview With Fmr. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA); Texas State Democrats Threatened With Arrest; Interview With Washington, D.C., Councilmember Zachary Parker. Aired 11:30a-12p ET


The Source with Kaitlan Collins
• Texas House Passes Trump-Backed Map That Favors GOP; Judge Rejects DOJ Request To Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Docs; Hurricane Erin Brings Rip Current Warnings From Florida To Maine. Aired 9-10p ET


The Brief with Jim Sciutto
• CNN International: Operation to Seize Gaza in Early Stages; Israel Calls Up 60K Reservists Ahead of Gaza City Takeover; Trump Demands the Resignation of Fed Governor Lisa Cook; U.S. Coast Bracing for Hurricane Erin; Kremlin Downplays White House Hopes for Ukraine Talks. Aired 6-7p ET


What We Know with Max Foster
• Israeli Military: Operation To Seize Gaza City Underway; Trump Administration Imposes Sanctions On More ICC Officials; White House Pushes Putin-Zelenskyy Meeting, Kremlin Refuses To Commit; Texas House Moves Closer To Passing Redistricting Bill; White House Launches Its Own TikTok Account; U.S. East Coast Bracing For Hurricane Erin. Aired 3-4p ET