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The Lead with Jake Tapper

18 Days in Minnesota, the Killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti; Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) Withholds Endorsement for Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) in Governor Race; French Recruiter Tied to Epstein Found Dead Near Paris. Sen. Collins Labels Democratic Opponent A "Bernie Bro"; Former Sen. Ben Sasse On Faith, Death, And His Family. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired July 22, 2026 - 18:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[18:00:00]

JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to The Lead. I'm Jake Tapper.

This hour, President Trump wrapping up an appearance in Georgia today, but without a Republican he has endorsed by his side. No photo op with Congressman Mike Collins, who is trying to unseat Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff amidst all sorts of accusations of anti-Semitism in Collins' ranks. We're going to talk about the state of Republican politics with another high-profile candidate, Congressman Byron Donalds, who's in a fight of his own to become the Republican nominee to be governor of Florida.

We're also tracking Tropical Storm Bertha at this hour. It's making landfall just hours ago in Louisiana. The system is headed west, but could fuel major flooding hundreds of miles away on the East Coast.

Also, the attempt at a cleanup today from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, one day after he acknowledged he does not have the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on alleged war crimes.

And a shocking discovery in France, another person tied to Jeffrey Epstein, oh, would you know it, found dead, this time a modeling recruiter who introduced young women to the dead pedophile. What that recruiter told CNN just weeks before this grisly discovery.

The Lead tonight, a CNN exclusive, it's the lead special investigation. It's called 18 Days in Minnesota. We looked into the chaos and the lies and the cover-up surrounding the days between the killings by immigration agents of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Six months later, still no charges against anyone involved in those shootings.

The Trump administration's immigration enforcement policies have been criticized as overaggressive. That's still unchanged. Lying about violence committed by federal agents as happened in January, that's still happening. Federal authorities breaking from precedent, stopping cooperation with local authorities looking into those killings of U.S. citizens, and the initial language from Trump officials describing Good and Pretti as domestic terrorists, lying about what happened on the scenes, well, that still lingers.

Here's the Pretti family attorney, Steve Schleicher.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: After he was killed, the Trump administration told lies about him. Kristi Noem, the Secretary of DHS, said he had been brandishing a weapon. He hadn't. Stephen Miller said things. Trump said things. What was that like for the family?

STEVE SCHLEICHER, ALEX PRETTI FAMILY ATTORNEY: It was heartbreaking. You know, no matter who is in charge, whatever administration, what we expect, what the American people have the right to expect, what the citizens of this state have the right to expect, is that the government is going to do their job, and that they're going to be transparent, and they're going to be honest.

The statements that were made by the then-secretary of Homeland Security were false. They were, again, cruel. And this was the most difficult thing for the family to hear right after, aside from the mere fact of the death of their son, the very fact of his death, but then to disparage him in this way with statements that were just demonstrably false.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: Joining us now are two people who knew Alex Pretti before January 24th, when he was killed by Border Patrol and Custom and Border Patrol agents and officers in Minnesota, Sara Misner and Travis Vanden Heuvel.

Travis, let me start with you. You were a friend of Alex Pretti's. What's your reaction to our investigation and what we just heard from his attorney and the lies that were told about Alex Pretti brandishing a weapon, going there to assassinate people, and on and on?

TRAVIS VANDEN HEUVEL, FRIEND OF ALEX PRETTI: Yes, thanks, Jake, and thanks for everything your team's doing to bring the truth out in this story. I first met Alex when we were in fifth grade and knew him through middle school and high school, kept in touch.

And to hear him labeled a domestic terrorist unfortunately was par for the course with this administration. But to those of us who knew him, we knew that it couldn't be further from the truth. He was just such a kind, loving person. He had an infectious smile, and I can't imagine, given how angry I was, what it must have been like for his family and close friends to have heard the character assassination that happened just after he was murdered.

[18:05:02]

TAPPER: Sara, after Pretti was killed, which is six months ago Friday, a video came out of Alex working as a nurse in the intensive care unit at the Minneapolis V.A. I should acknowledge I have a bias. My mom was a nurse at the Philadelphia V.A. I know how hard that work is and I know people don't go into that line of work for the money or the fame.

Your dad was a patient of Alex's. Tell us about him, and what's been your response to all of this?

SARA MISNER, FATHER WAS CARED FOR IN HOSPITAL BY ALEX PRETTI: Yes, thanks too, Jake, for all you're doing with this story. And I as well -- I didn't know Alex as nearly as well as Travis, but I -- the short time I did, he was, like you said, so warm, kind, wonderful, and helped me and my family feel like we were really well cared for. He was like the perfect nurse. And I just can't -- I feel like we're in a time when we're calling evil good and good evil, and like it's just not fair and right and just, so I'm here to show his character. It's true that he was a wonderful person.

TAPPER: Travis, Alex put his body on the line to protest what was happening in Minneapolis. His last words were, are you okay, when immigration agents pushed a woman onto the ground. And after that happened, six agents swarmed him and a couple of them put ten bullets in his body. Do you think he would do the same thing again knowing how his attempt to help that woman ended up resulting in his death?

HEUVEL: There's not a doubt in my mind he would, Jake. From the time he was very little all the way up through the career and the profession that he chose, Alex was always a helper. He was always someone who stood up for the people around him. He had a strong faith, and I absolutely believe he would do this all over again if he could.

TAPPER: And so you use the term, look, helper, which reminds me of the, the Mr. Rogers, the famous Mr. Rogers saying, look for the helpers. Look to the helpers.

Sara, the prosecutors in Minnesota and others in Minnesota that I spoke to who were involved in the case or involved in the case of Renee Good and worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office Minnesota and resigned, they're stunned and appalled that no charges have been brought in, either investigation into Alex's death or Renee Good.

But in particular Alex's death, one of the former prosecutors said to me, that was a summary execution. And six months later, here we are, no charges, no explanation. What do you make of all that, and what is that like for you as somebody who cared about this person?

MSINER: It's absolutely unjust. And I agree with the prosecutor, just not -- it's sad. And so I just want to help make sure that we are doing what we can to make sure that -- the frustration you said is minuscule probably compared to the family, and the bit I knew of him when he was this -- you know, the ICU nurse for my dad and the caring I had with felt from him during that time was immense.

So, I just am extremely appalled myself that this hasn't happened yet, that justice hasn't happened yet for either Renee Good or Alex. TAPPER: Travis, what -- is there anything -- I mean, obviously, it doesn't matter like if you said to President Trump, please provide justice, et cetera. Like I don't think I mean, based on what his administration, the lies they told about Alex Pretti, I'm not sure he'd be listening. But do you think that your governor or your senators or other people in power who are sympathetic with what you think about Alex Pretti, do you think they should be doing more? I'm not blaming them, please understand. But do you think they should be doing more?

HEUVEL: Sure. I absolutely think they should be, Jake. And beyond that, I think law enforcement has a vested interest in speaking out. I'm the son of a former sheriff's deputy who spent 27 years protecting people, and I've seen firsthand how the actions of a few bad officers can spoil the reputation that all law enforcement has. And I think there are law enforcement professionals throughout the country who saw what happened and the lack of accountability for what happened, and it would be in their best interest as well as ours to speak up and speak out and hopefully bring justice to this situation.

TAPPER: Sara Misner and Travis Vanden Heuvel, thank you so much for joining us today. We really, really appreciate it as we get ready to mark this tragic anniversary, six months since the death, some would say execution, of Alex Pretti six months ago on Friday.

[18:10:00]

Thank you for joining us.

MISNER: Thank you.

HEUVEL: Thank you.

TAPPER: Look for much more of this special report, complete with exclusive interviews online. You can find that right now, the very top of the page at cnn.com.

Coming up next on The Lead, we're going to talk to Republican Congressman Byron Donalds. He's going to talk to us about his race for governor, what he makes of some of the attacks coming at him from the right and the left.

Stay with us.

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TAPPER: In our Politics Lead, one of the most dramatic races this election cycle is the Florida governor's race, specifically the Republican primary set for next month. Congressman Byron Donalds is backed by President Trump, but does not have the endorsement of the current Republican governor, Ron DeSantis. DeSantis hasn't endorsed anyone in that race.

And that has left something of a vacuum and room for people like James Fishback, a 31-year-old racist insurgent who has gained national attention, despite a troubling legal history, limited financial support, and obviously horrific views, Fishback has called Donalds a DEI Republican who would, quote, turn Florida into a Section 8 ghetto, unquote.

[18:15:12]

He said this on CNN in November.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES FISHBACK (R), FLORIDA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE: The word slave means you are controlled by someone else. That's it. Byron Donalds is a slave to his corporate donors because he does their bidding.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: It's actually not what the word slave means, but in any case, joining us now, Florida Republican Congressman Byron Donalds. Congressman, thanks so much for being here.

So, according to polls, you are by far the frontrunner for the Republican nomination. Why hasn't Governor DeSantis endorsed you?

REP. BYRON DONALDS (R-FL): I'm not quite sure. I think that's more a question for the governor. But what really does matter at this point is that Republicans are coalescing around my campaign to be the Republican nominee, to be Florida's next governor. And the reasons why are actually quite clear.

Number one I have a strong background in the finance industry, 17 years banking, insurance, financial services. I know economic policy. I served four years in the state house, obviously six years up here on Capitol Hill, having President Trump's full support, but also our former governor, Rick Scott, most of the members of the Congressional delegation most of our sheriffs in our state, and we've been focusing on the issues of affordability, property taxes, insurance, the cost of building housing the ability to build it more efficiently, not having government waste a lot of time and resources, to lower construction costs, and that's really resonated with the people of Florida.

TAPPER: What does it say about the state of politics today that a guy like James Fishback, who's just an unrepentant racist, I don't even understand where this guy comes from, I'm watching my words, that he even is part of the conversation?

DONALDS: Well, I think, look, online, we've all seen it. Anybody can try to get notoriety or try to get clicks and likes, but that's really more the algorithm feeding in some small corners. We actually look at that campaign and mostly ignore it because it's online, but it's not really been relevant anywhere else in Florida, and I believe the polling actually reflects that when you look at any average that's used. And also, even if you look at the prediction markets, like he's really nowhere to be seen.

And so we've just been focused on the people of Florida, the Republicans of Florida. And if you look at our party, how it's made up, the people of our state, they want to make sure that we're addressing all of the economic issues affecting Florida, but prepared to keep Florida the free state of Florida because people have come to our state to chase that Florida dream. They like it. They want to continue to see it going.

TAPPER: Let me give you a preview of what's likely going to be happening after you likely win the primary. You are running against a former Republican, now Democrat, Congressman Dave Jolly, or you likely will be running against him. He's not yet the nominee.

He's pushing for a moratorium on building data centers in Florida, all this A.I. controversy. He says you were bought by too many special interests, and Politico does report that you, quote, received big contributions, five and six figure, from multiple developers that are pursuing or previously proposed data center projects in Florida. And there's also a million dollars in ad -- millions of dollars in ad buys from a pro-A.I. super PAC.

You say as governor you would protect -- you would keep the law that protects the water and power grid. You've heard the complaints from people who live near A.I. centers about the noise, about the pollution, about the low water pressure. How do you reconcile your concern for Floridians with their concerns for what happens with these A.I. data centers?

DONALDS: As I've traveled the state, I've been in 60 of our 67 counties campaigning all across Florida. I know the concerns that Floridians have, and I understand those concerns, but here's what I found. What happened in northern Virginia, where they were putting data centers right next to residential homes into apartment complexes, we're not going to do that in Florida.

Here's the other thing that we found. Governor DeSantis and the legislature put into law Senate Bill 484. By law in Florida today, your utility rates will not go up because of a hyperscale data center. And if a hyperscaler is built, you have to get a consumptive use permit from our water management districts.

Our water management districts in Florida are tasked with protecting Florida's aquifer, fresh water resources, and other water management in place in our state. We're going to keep all those protections in place.

And so what I've found when we've had this conversation with voters in Florida, if their utility bills aren't going up, you protect water resources and the beauty of Florida, and you keep it away from people's homes, I think then people are okay with some development.

The last thing I'll tell you, Jake, we can only really build maybe four of these in the state of Florida. Florida has five gigawatts of excess power on our electric grid, five gigawatts. So you can't build 100 in Florida. We don't have the excess power.

The reason why they're building 100 of them in Texas is because these data centers are actually getting some of the natural gas out of Texas right out of the ground. They're using turbines to power them. We don't have that ability in Florida, and we are not going to make -- we're going to make sure that the electric grid is protected, and we're going to make sure that Floridians are not paying the price for these data centers.

[18:20:09]

TAPPER: Quickly if you could, I want to ask you about Trump's approving a nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia that could lead to the kingdom enriching its own fuel for civilian reactors without adopting international oversight, Israel obviously wary of this deal. And there are a lot of observers who are concerned that this could spark a bigger arms race in the Middle East, a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. What do you think?

DONALDS: This is the first I'm hearing of the deal, actually. So, I'm not quite sure of the details.

TAPPER: You're focused on Florida.

DONALDS: Well, I'm very focused on Florida.

TAPPER: Okay.

DONALDS: But what I will tell you, though, is that nuclear energy the ability to have cheap, readily available base load power, that's our technology. We created it. Actually, here in the United States, it's our regulatory system that we put in place actually stops the United States from building out some more modular nuclear reactors, which would lower the electricity costs for all Americans, whether you live in Florida, live in New York, or anywhere else in our country.

I think if they're going to do an energy deal with Saudi Arabia, I think there's probably some room to make sure that they're not enriching that material in order for it to be weapons grade. But there are other reactor designs that do not use plutonium or uranium. And so you could still have the nuclear effect for power purposes without having it to be used for weapons grade purposes.

So, I think there's a lot of details in this agreement that have to be flushed out, but I'm fully confident, especially considering the fact that the president has been very clear about not wanting the Iranian regime to have nuclear weapons. I'm quite sure in this deal that there won't be weapons that'll be borne by the Saudis.

TAPPER: You know, I've moderated two Florida governor's debates. Ask Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis if they think I was fair. I'm just saying.

DONALDS: Are you trying to do a third?

TAPPER: I'm just saying, I've done it, and ask Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis if they think I was fair.

Thank you so much. Good luck to you in your primary. I appreciate it.

DONALDS: Thank you.

TAPPER: Republican Congressman, Byron Donalds from Florida. In our World Lead, a stunning discovery in France, another person tied to Jeffrey Epstein found dead. This was a modeling scout who spoke with CNN just a few weeks ago about introducing young women to Epstein. You can hear him explain it posthumously. That's next.

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[18:25:00]

TAPPER: In our World Lead, a new twist tonight in an investigation linked to Jeffrey Epstein, a person with longstanding ties to the late convicted sex offender, well, he's turned up dead.

CNN's Melissa Bell has more.

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A French model recruiter linked to Jeffrey Epstein has been found dead at his home in the suburb of Colombes near Paris, according to prosecutors.

Daniel Siad had been the subject of renewed scrutiny in the wake of the latest releases of the Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice. For over a decade, he'd arranged for the late sex offender to meet several models.

CNN's Katie Polglase recently interviewed Siad, who said he'd had no reason to believe that two women he'd recommended to Epstein had been harmed by him, even though those two women told CNN that they were indeed abused by Jeffrey Epstein.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANIEL SIAD, MODELING RECRUITER LINKED TO JEFFREY EPSTEIN: My work with him has been strictly professional. I never doubt that because I never heard anything from anyone introduced to him who come back to me that they had a bad situation with him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: Siad said he believed that Epstein was a casting director for Victoria's Secret and for a modeling agency. CNN has found no evidence to support that claim.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SIAD: I didn't know a lot about him until when he comes to Paris, and I told you again, he said he pays his due to the government. So, for me, he's free man. He's clean. He was such a powerful person and how can I not trust him?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: Epstein ties to the modeling industry are part of ongoing investigations, including a criminal probe launched this year in Paris involving Siad, according to the city's chief prosecutor.

Now, Siad's lawyer has pointed to the stress that the man was under due to the unbearable waiting, and I quote, the stigma cast upon him. Siad's lawyer statement also calling for respect for his loved ones as they mourn, adding that he died and was innocent.

Siad himself was also facing accusations of abuse. A model accused him of rape when she was working in France in 1990. Siad had also denied that accusation. His death certainly marks the latest macabre twist in the Epstein saga, and a reminder of the ripple effects of the revelations from the Epstein files and of the fact that they are far from over.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.

TAPPER: And our thanks to Melissa Bell in Paris for that report.

Breaking news, the Trump administration is launching its 12th straight night of strikes on Iran. This after President Trump's threat today, vowing to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants, even those in or around Tehran, if Iran dares to continue to strike ships in the Strait of Hormuz. We're going to see how this plays out tonight.

We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back.

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[18:30:00]

TAPPER: In our Politics Lead, we shine a spotlight on Michigan, where the Democrats' identity crisis is on full display. Two very different Democratic candidates are seeking the nomination to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters. Congresswoman Haley Stevens is something of a moderate with a track record of winning in red turf. Dr. Abdul El- Sayed, a progressive, is backed by Senator Bernie Sanders.

This is all forcing a decision for the voters, difficult for some, and one that is difficult for Democratic office holders.

Let's turn now to an expert on all things Michigan, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten of Michigan, who has endorsed Congresswoman Haley Stevens in the Michigan Senate race.

So, I have to say, Congresswoman, thanks for being here, Abdul El- Sayed, Dr. El-Sayed, seems to have a lot of energy behind his campaign. You recently were quoted saying, quote, Abdul has a problematic record with women.

REP. HILLARY SCHOLTEN (D-MI): Yes.

TAPPER: What did you mean by that?

SCHOLTEN: You know, if you look at the things that he has said, not even just in the context of this race, Jake, but going back to his campaign with Governor Whitmer, there is a uniquely sexist bent to the things that he has said about women, right? He said that Congresswoman Stevens couldn't string two sentences together, that, you know, she was sort of an empty vessel. When comparing her and her other female Democratic primary opponent, Mallory McMorrow, he said essentially there's no difference between the two candidates, one just has better comms and more charisma.

It's one thing to attack your opponent because of the substance of their issues, it's another thing to engage in what are deeply sexist attacks. Going back to his race with Governor Whitmer, he said she was bought and sold for by her dad's company, you know, essentially comparing her to property with no ideas of her own, a successful two- term governor who many talk about as a potential presidential candidate. You know, so that's what I meant by that.

He's also had, you know, a number of former staff members who have come out against him saying, you know, that they were mistreated by him and discriminated against in the workplace.

[18:35:09]

So, that's what I meant.

You know, this race is so consequential, Jake. You know, when you look at it I think about it as considering who's on your team, right? You look at Haley Stevens, and a lot of people like to try to say, Oh, she's got sort of establishment candidates behind her. Well, she's got the current U.S. senator who wants her to replace this seat, Gary Peters, right, who has been known as the workhorse in the Senate, right, one of the most effective members of the Senate. Haley Stevens also one of the most effective members of Congress right now.

And then let's consider who's on Abdul El-Sayed's team, right? He's been endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, who also was supporting Graham Platner, who had, you know, deeply problematic record with women, credibly accused by multiple sources of sexual assault even.

TAPPER: Rape in one case.

SCHOLTEN: Rape in one case. Abdul El-Sayed and Graham Platner campaigned together. They fundraised together.

You know, another thing that I find, you know, potentially even more concerning than some of the sexist comments are, you know, some of the things that Abdul has said and gone out of his way to associate himself with when it comes to what some might see as deeply un- American comments, you know, choosing to campaign with Hasan Piker, who said America deserved September 11. Sure, he went on to disavow those comments, but I'm telling you, nobody on my team would ever, you know, come even close to making a comment like that.

TAPPER: So, will you not back him if he wins the primary? Will you not support him?

SCHOLTEN: You know, Jake, I think that it's really important to make a clear distance from yourself and these comments, and that's exactly what I've been doing, you know, in this race. You know, I cannot -- I will not even come close to being associated with comments like America deserved September 11.

TAPPER: Well, he would say, Dr. Sayed would say, well, I didn't say that, and I don't think that Hasan Piker said it, and I don't agree with everything everybody I campaigned with has said.

SCHOLTEN: But here's the critical point on that, Jake, is that he might say that, right, and, sure, I give him credit for disavowing it after the fact but the reality is he also didn't have to choose to campaign with Hasan Piker. To me, that's a non-starter. Saying something like America deserved September 11, call me a patriot, Jake, but, you know, saying never forget still means something to me, right?

2,977 people lost their lives on September 11. In the one year following September 11, 180,000 men and women signed up to serve our country, to protect us after what happened that day, many of them my age. We went on to see over 58,000 Purple Heart veterans, almost 6,000 who lost their lives, right?

It's important to focus on these facts because you're not just going to brush aside comments like that, right, comments that are deeply un- American. And as people are talking about right now, like the rise of the DSA, it's not so problematic because, you know, they want better healthcare, right, for people. You want better environmental protections. It's so concerning to a lot of people in West Michigan, I hear, because, you know, we're not willing to be tough on comments like that, you know?

TAPPER: Do you worry about the direction of your party?

SCHOLTEN: I absolutely do. And I think that condoning behavior like this from candidates like Abdul El-Sayed is taking us in a direction that we don't want to go as a party.

You know, I don't need $20 million to study why, you know, young men started -- you know, stopped voting for the Democratic Party. You know, look at what the message that we're sending to our veterans if we're willing to embrace or even brush aside comments like that. I would never stand on a stage or be at a rally with someone like Hasan Piker, you know, because he chose to say comments like that.

TAPPER: Democratic Congresswoman Hillary Scholten of Michigan, thank you so much.

SCHOLTEN: Thank you.

TAPPER: After campaigning on it as a candidate, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani now admits he does not even remotely have the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on alleged war crimes. Hear what Mamdani is saying about that today.

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[18:40:00]

TAPPER: In our Politics Lead, New Yorkers are dealing with a case of whiplash in their city this week, all thanks to their mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani ran on a campaign pledge that he would seek to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because of his actions and the IDF's action in Gaza. He backed down from that stance and released this video yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D-NEW YORK CITY, NY): It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does, and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant. And I want to be equally clear, Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: Mamdani was pressed today about what he would say to disappointed Palestinian New Yorkers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAMDANI: I understand it because we are talking about someone who has been charged with crimes against humanity, someone who has visited this city on many an occasion and who has been welcomed by previous mayors, and I want to make it very clear that that welcome ends with me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: My panel joins me now. Ashley, what do you make of all this?

ASHLEY ETIENNE, FORMER COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS: I'm not sure why you run on an issue that you didn't first vet to make sure you have the authority to do it. I mean, that's sort of --

TAPPER: It was pretty clear he never had the authority to do it.

ETIENNE: Yes, that's why I'm like why even run, you know, and give people the impression that you have the authority here?

But I will say, put that aside, it is clear that Mamdani is not the leader of the Democratic Party, but is leading the Democratic Party. He's ahead of where the Democratic Party needs to be, not just on the issue of affordability, but on the issue of Israel.

If you look at the polling, for the first time ever, you have more Democrats sympathizing with the Palestinians over Israeli. You've got 75 percent of the Democratic Party that believes that we should not support, send any aid to Israel. You saw the vote that just happened last week within the Democratic caucus.

So, he really is leading the party closer to where voters actually are. And so that's my top takeaway.

You know, this was sort of a misstep, but the reality is he remained very firm and had an authoritative posture about calling Netanyahu a war criminal. He didn't back down on that. And that's what the party responds to right now.

He's clearly reading the tea leaves, but he's also standing firm on principles that I think the party's going to respond to. JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Just on that vote, I think it was like, it was just short of 50 percent of the Democratic House. It was close. But the majority of House Democrats still voted for it.

ETIENNE: But the reality is you look at the trend line, Jake. The trend is there.

TAPPER: Absolutely.

ETIENNE: And so he's ahead of every trend from affordability to Israel. And the Democratic Party is not confronting any either of these issues. I mean, especially not Israel.

MELIK ABDUL, GOP STRATEGIST: We're absolutely loving this. Mamdani, I don't think that he didn't know what he was doing. He absolutely knows that the United States is not even, I don't even think we're a party to the ICC at all. I absolutely believe that he knew what he was doing and he was actually -- to your point, he was leaning into the sentiment that many Democrats and the Democratic Socialists have as far as when it comes to Israel.

The United States' position on Israel, even now among Republicans, people are starting to at least evaluate it. But I think what Mamdani is doing is something a little more sinister because there is an anti- Semitic strain within the Democratic Party and that is actually --

ETIENNE: Both parties actually.

ABDUL: Well, both parties but that's who -- but we're talking about Mamdani and that's who Mamdani is talking to. We don't have the elected leaders --

ETIENNE: That's like saying it's not sinister if that sentiment exists --

ABDUL: But we don't have politicians who are actually taking the position of Mamdani on the right. That is something that people are doing on the left. We're pretty in sync in support of Israel on the right. When it comes to the left this is what he's leaning into.

TAPPER: So, let's look north of New York into Maine. There is a closely watched Senate race there, and Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins spoke with our Manu Raju today about Troy Jackson. Do you not know the name?

Troy Jackson is the likely Democrat who will replace Graham Platner as the Democratic nominee when they have their convention, the Democrats. Take a listen to Manu and Susan Collins.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: You had mentioned that you think he's in line with the Socialist wing.

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): Well, he really is. You can tell, read his statements. He was Senator Sanders' -- lead for Senator Sanders' presidential campaign in Maine. He's a Bernie bro.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: So, there might be a lot of energy with the DSA, and there might be a lot of leadership with DSA leaders, like Mayor Mamdani. But in some of these close races, Republicans think that it's a liability for Democrats.

ETIENNE: No, I think that is a concern. I mean, because the way you win Maine is through independent voters. I mean, Susan Collins has had a stronghold on those voters, which is, you know, taking her to victory cycle after cycle.

So, Jackson is going to have to figure out, how do you appeal both to progressives? the left of the left while not alienating those independent voters. So, it's -- he's going to -- he's going to actually have a tough road to hoe.

But I will say one thing, though. The death at the hands of ICE, the shooting and the death of the gentleman there in Maine change, I think, the trajectory of this race. I think it had a huge impact on Susan Collins. People are now protesting outside of her house. There's an awakening about her support around ICE.

So I think that is going to be an issue she's going to have to actually continue with. And the Democratic Party's going to continue to put her lockstep with Donald Trump on the issue of ICE and all these other issues that we're seeing are polling poorly for her in the state.

TAPPER: What do you think?

ABDUL: Well, they got rid of one guy who loves Nazi tattoos, and at least according to "The Washington Post", they chose a guy who seems to have an anger problem. So, I would love to see how that actually fares with suburban women. You can't count Susan Collins out. The last time they had her down about maybe six or seven points. During the general election in 2020, she ended up winning by four. No, she ended up winning by a larger margin than that.

TAPPER: Yeah, I think.

ABDUL: Yeah, by --

TAPPER: Yeah, about Sarah Gideon.

ABDUL: About Sarah Gideon.

ETIENNE: This is the toughest race Susan Collins has ever been in. She's now polling below Jackson.

ABDUL: She did in 2022.

ETIENNE: Hold on. She's now polling below Jackson. He's had record fundraising, in a matter of days, has raised over a million dollars. So, he's got, according to what Bush would call the Big Mo right now.

Now, that could all change, and if I steal one of your talking points, it's still quite early.

ABDUL: Oh, absolutely. The oppo research. We haven't even done that yet.

ETIENNE: She's not done that work yet. But the reality is that she's feeling some heat in a way that she's never felt before.

TAPPER: Let's turn to Georgia, because President Trump traveled to Marietta there to stunt for his handpicked Senate candidate, Republican Congressman Mike Collins, who, by the way, didn't appear with Trump. He said he needed to stay in Washington to attend to legislative duties.

Here was President Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The price now of eggs is lower than it was when we started, right?

[18:50:01]

And many other things, too. And oil will be coming -- it's going to be tumbling down. It was three weeks ago.

They thought we had a deal. I said, I don't think we have a deal with these guys. They break every deal they make. But I said, you know, but people thought the geniuses on Wall Street, they came down, really down, and goes back up a little bit. But it's going to come down maybe lower than when we even started.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TAPPER: What do you think, Melik? President Trump talking about how great the economy is?

ABDUL: Well, this is what President Trump is going to do, and, hey, you can't blame Collins. The guy's busy. Congress is busy. That's why he can't be down there with Donald Trump.

ETIENNE: I don't want anything to do with the guy.

ABDUL: But I will say that, to the point of, is it a good idea for him to campaign for Collins, as with any president, it depends on the state.

TAPPER: Right.

ABDUL: More likely, it will help him at least in a place like Georgia or maybe Texas than it will help Susan Collins in a Maine.

TAPPER: So Mike Collins -- Congressman Mike Collins, is running against incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who has really been very buzzy with Democrats because of his speeches and his questioning of Trump cabinet officials and such. How do you see him? Do you think that he's likely to be reelected, Ossoff?

ETIENNE: Oh, absolutely. I think he's incredibly talented. I think he's fearless. I think he has an ability to message in a way that no other Democrat has, and that message resonates across the political spectrum in the state of Georgia. So, I think he -- I mean, clearly, listen, Trump would not be there if he wasn't concerned about Georgia, if he wasn't concerned about Ossoff.

TAPPER: Right.

ETIENNE: I mean, Ossoff -- I mean, completely fried him last week about the president's speech on election integrity and drew it back to Georgia in a way that I think energized Georgia voters, especially Black voters across the state of Georgia. So, you know, I think he's incredibly talented, but, you know, I caution the party to continue to stop elevating these guys as the next savior.

Let him win his race. We need that seat, you know, but, you know, give the man a break in terms of elevating him, but he's incredibly talented.

ABDUL: And even his performance on the dais, it reminded me of Kamala Harris. People remembered when they talked about Kamala Harris running for president, they always remembered how she performed on the Senate dais. He's doing the same.

TAPPER: You know, George is tough.

ABDUL: Yeah.

TAPPER: I think Ossoff versus --

ABDUL: Ossoff probably is going to win that.

TAPPER: Ossoff versus Herschel Walker, Ossoff still only won by one or two points against Herschel Walker, who's our ambassador to the Bahamas.

Hello, Mr. Ambassador. We're all ready for our invitation.

Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Coming up, the notable faith of former Senator Ben Sasse as he faces his terminal cancer diagnosis.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:56:48]

TAPPER: Time for our faith lead. Former U.S. Senator Ben Sasse reflects on the importance of his faith while faced with the imminent reality of his death. Last December, you may recall, he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer that had spread all over his body. Doctors gave him just three to four months to live, but he is taking a miracle medication and he has outlived the prognosis.

I recently sat down with him and his family to talk about his faith and about coping with the thought of leaving this mortal coil.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN SASSE (R), FORMER U.S. SENATOR: I felt the heaviness of death being terrible and obviously not wanting your wife to go through being widowed or your kids to be orphaned, to lose their dad. But I just felt at peace that death is real. I've always known we're all on the clock and to get a finite number felt horrible but not surprising.

TAPPER: Your faith is -- it always has been remarkable, but never more so, I think, as somebody who's long admired and covered you during this period. Just your supreme confidence in what happens next, and that you will see your loved ones again.

And do you ever have any moments of doubt about any of it?

SASSE: I mean --

TAPPER: Let me just say, I envy it. I wish I felt that way. I think there are a lot of people probably watching who think, God, what a gift.

SASSE: I think death is wicked. But I don't think it's a surprise to any of us who reckon hard with a conscience that says we're broken, this world is broken, things are not as they should be. So, to your direct question, no, I don't doubt it.

TAPPER: You're-- but I imagine selflessly, you are sad for the people who love you. Even if you're confident you're going to a better place and that you will see them again --

SASSE: Yeah.

TAPPER: -- there is that pain that you already acknowledged.

SASSE: A hundred percent. My wife and I have been married 31 years and have been, you know, good friends for a year and a half, two years longer than that. I am sad for what she'll experience during a period of grieving and transition. She's a rock, and so I'm not scared for her, but I'm sad for her.

When I think about my three kids, my oldest daughter's about to turn 25. The middle kid is 22. We are blessed that they are rooted and strong, and this has been heavy, but they're fine.

I don't mean they don't whitewash it, but they're going to be fine. My son just turned 15. And he seems to be doing great, but I feel like a 15-year-old boy could fake it even if he wasn't.

TAPPER: Sure, that's the whole gig. SASSE: Yeah, yeah. I feel heaviest for him. I don't doubt the

providence of this, that it'll be fine, but I'm definitely sad that, you know, who knows when. He's, without a dad, too young.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TAPPER: You know, I was very blessed to be able to do this interview with Ben Sasse and his family. And you can see the whole interview on "THE WHOLE STORY" this Sunday night at 8:00 on CNN.

"ERIN BURNETT OUTFRONT" starts now.