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GOP Now Looks to Sell Big, Beautiful Bill to American Public; July 4 Holiday Travel Numbers Set to Break Records; Tropical System Could Bring Heavy Rain to Southeast Coast. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 04, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

SEUNG MIN KIM, WHITE HOUSE REPORTER, ASSOCIATED PRESS: Dismissing the public polling, because they say that the public polling doesn't actually really drill down into the policy of what these -- what the different measures are in this legislation.

[09:30:11]

The White House has done their own polling. And when you point out the specific parts of the bill, they say that's really popular, and they say that is going to give them a really good political standing in 2026.

But I will point out that this whole sort of theory that presidents and their own party can benefit from massive legislation, that doesn't always necessarily bear out. Actually, it doesn't often bear out. That was President Biden's whole theory of the case in 2024 that his accomplishments will override any concerns about his age or the economy. Obviously, President Trump's tax cuts in 2017 didn't really have an impact on the 2018 midterms. And for President Barack Obama, Obamacare was a political albatross for him.

So, it will be -- I would look at the claims from Republicans that this will be a political boon for them next year with a little bit of skepticism because history doesn't always bear that out.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: We are a little tight on time, but I did want to play one other thing that the president said yesterday in talking specifically about this bill and his plan moving into the midterms to use it against Democrats. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Not one Democrat voted for us. And I think we use it in the campaign that's coming up, the midterms, because we got to beat them. But all of the things that we've given, and they wouldn't vote only because they hate Trump, but I hate them too. You know that? So, it's sort of a -- I hate -- I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them because I really believe they hate our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: It is, on the one hand, Ron, maybe not surprising to hear those words from the president, right. And at the same time, we are only a couple of weeks removed from a horrific incident, right, in Minnesota, where a person targeted, specifically Democratic lawmakers killing one and their spouse, severely wounding others, with a list of some 70 people allegedly who were Democrats, who were targets.

In this moment, what happens with a rhetoric like that? Has everyone just become numb to it?

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes. No, I actually think it is astounding to hear a president talk that way, even though we know Trump has kind of, you know, danced around that kind of framing for quite a while. I said during his first term, I think it is more true in his second term that he governs -- Trump governs as a wartime president with blue America rather than any foreign adversary as the enemy.

I mean, if you look at the, kind of the totality of the way he is trying to pressure blue states and blue cities to adopt social policies that they've rejected, that are prevalent in the red states by threatening their federal funds, he's arrested now a judge, a mayor, a U.S. representative, a U.S. senator has been handcuffed and thrown to the ground. He's federalized the National Guard over the objection of blue state Governor. And not only that, but sent the Marines into a U.S. city.

You know, there is a kind of a fundamental vision of blue America as something less than real Americans, as Sarah Palin put it in 2008. And I think he's just making explicit what is implicit in a lot of his policies that he does not view himself as the president of the whole country. He views himself as the president of one faction that largely views the other side of the country as a threat.

HILL: Ron Brownstein, Seung Min Kim, we are unfortunately out of time, but I look forward to seeing the both of you again soon. Enjoy your 4th. Thank you.

HILL: Millions of Americans are set to hit the roads, maybe the skies, maybe the rails. Maybe you're taking the train this holiday weekend. Economic concerns though have changed the way a number of folks are traveling and where they're headed. That's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:35:00]

HILL: All right. Well, hopefully, you are already in the throes of your holiday weekend for the 4th. Millions of Americans, of course, already expected to travel to enjoy their holiday. AAA estimating 61.6 million people will take to the roads as you see five, 5.8, let's just call it 6 million for fun, traveling by air to their destinations.

Good news for anybody heading out on those road trips, 4th of July, gas prices are at their lowest prices that we've seen in years. That is always a win heading into your holiday travel,

Becky Blaine is joining us now, managing editor of the travel website, The POINTS guy. Becky, great to see you, Happy 4th.

As we look at where we stand --

BECKY BLAINE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, THE POINTS GUY: Hi.

HILL: Hi. When we hit the 4th of July, it sort of feels like, oh my gosh, we're in the middle of summer, what if you didn't book anything, you say it is definitely not too late to book a summer trip. Thank you, first of all. Why is it not too late? What's still available?

BLAINE: It's not too late because the airlines have started to realize, as kids go back to school early and earlier, sometimes, you know, I'm in Arizona, it's the end of July, first week in August. August has really become part of shoulder season now. So, we're seeing deals into late summer, September, and even into October.

So, if you have flexibility with your schedule and maybe you're not tied to a school schedule, then take a look at the Google Flights and look at that time period. If you're not worried about where to go either, we love that explore map for finding cheap airfare to different destinations around the world.

HILL: I used to love to do that back before I had kids, when I had a weekend off. Like what's a cheap destination this weekend?

[09:40:02]

When we look at where to go, in general, what are some of the most popular destinations for this summer that you're seeing?

BLAINE: So, for summer, it's always going to be places like Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, but we're also seeing, and we saw this last year too, that trend for cool locations. You know, a lot of people are across parts of Europe and we see that it's getting very hot in some of these big cities in Europe, but cool locations. So, heading up north, like to Scandinavia, Norway, Sweden, places like that, offer a great opportunity to not only try and beat the heat but also get a great vacation in as well.

HILL: What are some of the best destinations if you're a little bit more frugal, right? You're conscious about your budget, where can you get the best bang for your buck at this point?

BLAINE: It really depends on where the exchange rate is in your favor. So, you want to be able to do that research first and see where that's helping. Right now, it's still a little rough against the Euro, so everything's going to be a little more expensive there. But if you take a look and figure out where that dollar might be stronger and then you can find, you know, airfares, whether it's award flights, using your points and miles or, again, using that Google Flights Explore map, to really research and set some alerts for airfare maybe to those destinations that you're interested in. We love tracking airfare and setting alerts because it will literally tell you when the best time is to book and you can nab that cheap airfare when it pops up. HILL: Yes, it is such a helpful tool. And speaking of I know we're only in summer, but when should I start thinking about booking holiday travel or maybe setting an alert for it?

BLAINE: Yes. So, late summer is always a good time to start looking into the fall, like especially for Thanksgiving travel and then into December, set those alerts early. But you want to book 45-plus days out in some cases for Thanksgiving and for winter week travel. So, be sure that you're checking those airfare trends on Google and then setting those alerts so that way you'll be ready to go when the airfare drops.

And always set multiple alerts for destinations maybe around where you go. So, if we're going to Washington, D.C., I'm going to set an alert for, you know, Dulles National Airport and BWI, for instance, New York. You have three options for airports there as well. So, you know, really think about what's the best way that you could get to a place and be flexible and you're up to find a great deal.

HILL: Maximizing your options.

Becky, great tips, I really appreciate it. Thank you. I hope you have a good holiday.

So, you're probably hoping for great weather for your fireworks maybe. It could be a little rough for our friends in Central Texas though, devastating flash flood emergencies there. There's a real focus on this possible tropical storm system as well in the southeast.

CNN's Derek Van Dam joining us now. So, those real severe weather events, how serious could they be, Derek?

DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, that's right. So, a lot of people waking up to a very pleasant 4th of July, namely the East Coast, but the same cannot be said for residents of the hill country of Texas. We've been monitoring a very serious situation that's kind of breaking and unfolding overnight, flash flood threat in and around the Kerrville, Texas region, particularly across the Guadalupe River.

This is a look at the river which, by the way, has reached its second highest stage ever on record. And you could just see how quickly the water is flowing across this region. There has been reports of swift water rescues. There has been reports of water inside of buildings. And if you just look at the river gauge here specifically for the Guadalupe River at Hunt, it broke the river gauge and stopped reporting. So, the numbers here are likely higher than what is actually being reported there. So, that just gives you an indication of the severity of the flash flooding that is going on across central and western portions of Texas.

Look at the radar. You can kind of see this evolving, storm system raining over the same areas, San Angelo into the San Antonio region. We've had multiple areas where we've exceeded ten inches of rain since yesterday. That is why there are flash flood emergencies with this considerable tag attached to them. That means that life threatening flash flooding is occurring right now. And you can see that the Kerrville region is one of those locations, and it also includes San Angelo.

So, it's a real serious situation that we're trying to gather more information. Erica,but that's definitely going to impact 4th of July plans. In fact, some of the fireworks already canceled within that area. So, we're thinking of the people that are impacted by the floods today.

HILL: Yes, absolutely. I understand those pictures are really something. Derek, I appreciate it. I know you'll stay on top of it as well in the Weather Center.

[09:45:01]

Thank you.

Tonight, here live on CNN, be sure to join us for a coast-to-coast event, fireworks, musical performances from Noah Kahan, Lainey Wilson, Dirk Bentley, Nelly, and many more. You can join us to celebrate the fourth with Victor Blackwell and Sara Sidner live tonight at 7:00 P.M. Eastern.

All right, pickleball, maybe you've heard of it, maybe you're one of the millions of Americans who now plays the sport. It has exploded in popularity. It's also got a little bit of a king. Perhaps you know him. If not, you're about to. The sport's number one ranked player here for a major tournament in New York. But before he does that, he's in the studio. Stick around.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:00]

HILL: A private wake held in Portugal today for soccer star Diogo Jota, and his brother, Andre Silva. The two were killed early Thursday morning in a shocking car crash. It happened in Spain.

Jota, 28-year-old star forward, enjoyed five successful seasons with Liverpool. He had just married his longtime partner, the mother of his three children, two weeks ago. Spanish officials say the accident was likely caused when a tire burst while the brothers were trying to pass another vehicle. A funeral is scheduled for tomorrow in the brother's hometown in Portugal.

This morning, a Missouri family stunned after finding the grave of their loved one had been desecrated. When Kansas City Police arrived at the cemetery, they found the grave of Delshon Dupriest had been completely dug up. The concrete vault destroyed, the casket pride opened.

Dupriest, a father of nine, was killed 27 years ago. His mother says, the vandalism has not surprisingly reopened wounds.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARNESETTA BLANDHOOD, SON'S GRAVE DESECRATED: Just awful, cruel. I don't know. I can't say he did something to somebody because he wasn't even -- he wasn't even living. He was dead. I don't know. I just don't know. And I thought this would be a safe place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Police say whoever did this had ran a car through the cemetery's gates to get to the grave. No one has been arrested.

People in an Atlanta suburb thought a tornado was bearing down, and then when they spotted this ominous cloud hovering over the city. While it looks scary, it turns out it was harmless. Our CNN Meteorologist Derek Van Dam says this is what's known as a scud cloud. He says, well, they form near the base of a thunderstorm, a scud cloud does not have that intense spinning or rotation of the tornado. Quite the picture.

All right, let's shift to some happier news, shall we? He's been called the Michael Jordan of pickleball. You may know him also as Ben Johns, the first superstar of a sport that perhaps you've heard is the fastest growing in the U.S. You may be one of the nearly 20 million Americans who play it. I feel like the number actually be higher than that. It's up more than 300 percent in just the last three years, according to a sports industry group. It is growing though by the day.

Ben Johns is here in New York to play a major league pickleball tournament stopping the studio before your first match. This is very exciting.

So, pickleball. It's fun. I've played it a few times. It is now a professional thing and you're killing it out there. Did you ever imagine that you would be a professional pickleball champion?

BEN JOHNS, WORLD'S #1 PICKLEBALL PLAYER: Absolutely not. You know, I just picked it up in 2016 as kind of a fun game, just like anybody that plays normally and is just like, you know, it's very enjoyable sport. And, you know, some nine years later, I find myself, you know, playing professional pickleball tournaments in New York City and, you're in a wonderful studio. So, it's a cool way.

HILL: It's not a bad place to be. There's been a huge increase, as I know you've seen, and as you know, in the non-professional athletes who are playing pickleball. What's it like though on the circuit? I mean, how much has that changed? Because there's only been professional pickleball for a few years anyway.

JOHNS: Right, right. Yes, no, it's only five years in pro tour started in 2020. But, yes, just miraculous growth in every way. You know, fans are super engaged, more networks covering events and more and more pro players. So, on the circuit, it's more and more competitive and more selection of tournaments, international tournaments even now, going to Asia later this year. So, it's been a very cool journey so far and just looking forward to all the things that's happening in pickleball.

HILL: Some tennis players are trying to move in on your space here in the pickleball world. Did you play tennis first?

JOHNS: I did, yes. HILL: See, so now it's all coming full circle.

JOHNS: It's helpful, yes.

HILL: What do you love most about the sport? Once you started playing, as you said in 2016, what made you say, this is what I wanted to devote a lot of time to?

JOHNS: Yes. You know, there's a lot of things about pickleball that are really engaging, but I would say it was the same for me initially as it is for most people now, which is just that you can play with anybody and have a great time. Like I started in a community where it was mostly elderly people and I still enjoyed playing with them and, you know, love to just meet new people. And I think that has continued not just to be a sport for older people, but a sport for everybody.

HILL: Yes.

JOHNS: Anybody can play and because of that you meet a lot of people you wouldn't otherwise meet in kind of your normal day-to-day lifestyle. So, it's just a very interesting sport in that it kind of brings a lot of people together from very different backgrounds.

HILL: I am in no way comparing my pickleball skills to you, so just as a caveat there. But it does feel like something that you can pick up fairly quickly as well, which is nice, that it's sort of the entry level is accessible.

So, you have this big tournament. You told me that it's a little bit of a party.

JOHNS: Yes.

HILL: Drinks and dinks, is that what you called it?

JOHNS: Dinks and drinks, yes. It's a major league pickleball event this weekend, which is known as kind of a little bit rowdier, more crowd-engaging type of tournament. The other style is more like a tennis tournament. You can think more Wimbledon, U.S. Open-style. But major league pickleball, they like to support their teams. You know, teams are associated with cities and that lends itself to a little bit more of not necessarily a party atmosphere.

[09:55:00]

But certainly for those that want it, you can find it there.

HILL: It's there.

JOHNS: Yes, exactly.

HILL: So, you're on this incredible run, and yet at the ripe old age of 26, I hear you're thinking maybe by 30, you throw in the paddle, really?

JOHNS: You know, we'll see. I never planned my life out that far ahead. I'm just, you know, enjoying every day, every year one at a time. So, if I get to 30 and I'm just like, you know what, I've had enough. It's been fun, then sure. But if I still love it at that time, then I'll keep going.

HILL: What's your number one tip for the amateur pickleballers out there?

JOHNS: Number one tip for the amateur pickleball players is you don't need to go for the hero shot. You don't want to be a zero when you go for the hero shot, you know? Pickleball is all about making one more ball and it's really not that hard. You just don't need to go for too much at a time. And pickleball really comes down to shot selection more than anything for success. So, you know, just make one more ball than your opponents and you'll win the game.

HILL: All right, fair enough. I appreciate it. Great to have you here.

JOHNS: Absolutely.

HILL: We're going to maybe try to play, if we don't get in trouble. If we hit the walls though, I get fired.

JOHNS: I'll save you.

HILL: So, no pressure.

JOHNS: I got you.

HILL: There you go. Thanks to all of you for joining us on CNN News Central. I hope you have a great 4th of July. Maybe there's some pickleball in your future. Maybe it's just the drinks, not the dinks. Who knows? Whatever it is, I hope it's a happy one.

Stay tuned. The Situation Room is up next. Okay, let's do this.

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[10:00:00]