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Delta Regional Jet Pilot Makes Hard Turn, Avoids B-52 Bomber; Soon, Hearing in Harvard's Funding Fight Against Trump Admin; Video Shows Moments After Car Plows into Crowd Outside Nightclub. Aired 7- 7:30a ET
Aired July 21, 2025 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:00:00]
Breaking overnight, President Trump tells the Justice Department to release any and all pertinent grand jury testimony related to the Jeffrey Epstein case hours after The Wall Street Journal publishes explosive new details alleging Donald Trump sent a raunchy birthday message to Epstein on his 50th birthday. This morning, Trump furiously denying that report.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Sorry for the aggressive maneuver. A pilot apologizes to passengers for the evasive move he was forced to make to avoid a military jet. There are new details now coming out about what really happened and how they avoided disaster.
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: And happening today. Harvard heads to federal court to take on the Trump administration. Billions of dollars in frozen funds are on the line for the university. We will have the details.
And an urgent rescue effort underway in Vietnam after a tourist boat capsizes, killing dozens of people. We're going to tell you though how a ten-year-old boy managed to survive the sudden storm before being rescued.
I'm Omar Jimenez with Kate Bolduan. John Berman and Sara Sidner are out today. This is CNN News Central.
BOLDUAN: So, this morning, it's something no one wants to hear when you are flying an apology from the pilot for the hard turn to avoid being on a collision course with a massive military jet. It happened though a terrifying midair close call that's now under investigation this morning. The pilot of a SkyWest flight, which is a Delta regional jet, says that he was forced to pull a last, second and aggressive maneuver to avoid colliding with a B-52 bomber.
The flight had taken off from Minneapolis, was preparing to land in Minot, North Dakota, when it happened, one passenger telling CNN that she felt the plane jerk as if it was doing a U-turn.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MONICA GREEN, PASSENGER: Honestly, like everyone was kind of weirdly calm. Like I felt kind of like I was gaslighting myself, like, am I being crazy? No one else is reacting. Like we took a really sudden turn and that's when the pilot got on the intercom and said, sorry, everybody, I'll explain everything when we land safely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: That passenger, Monica, will be joining us live later in the show to talk about her experiences more.
For the latest though on what happens, what we know happened, and what happens now, let's get to CNN's Brian Todd, who's got the very latest.
Brian, what are you learning?
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kate, this is extraordinary, not only because of the frightening near miss that occurred, but also because of the pilot's interaction with the passengers just moments afterward.
Now, setting the scene, as you did a moment ago, this incident occurred this past Friday, July 18th. This was SkyWest Flight 37 88, operating as a Delta connection flight from Minneapolis to Minot, North Dakota. Now, the incident happened as the flight approached Minot, which is also home, we should say, to an Air Force base that has radar capabilities. The pilot had to make a hard U-turn to avoid colliding with a B-52 bomber. That is according to audio from the incident. The pilot told passengers that the tower asked him to report six miles from the airport. And after being in communication with the tower, the pilot said he turned right, but then he saw the military aircraft on the right hand side. So, the air traffic controller, he says, turn -- told him to turn left. And he said he could tell by the speed of the other aircraft that that was a military plane.
Now, afterward, after this U-turn and after they landed safely in Minot, we should say, the passenger recorded audio of the pilot explaining what had happened to the passengers and apologizing. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sorry about the aggressive maneuver. It caught me by surprise. This is not normal at all. I don't know why they didn't give us a heads up because the Air Force base does have radar and nobody said, hey, there's also a B-52 in the pattern. Long story short, it was not fun, but I do apologize for it and thank you for understanding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: And that drew a round of applause from people inside the cabin, which you can hear on the audio just after he says that.
Now, the Pentagon and Delta Airlines referred CNN to SkyWest when we asked about what had happened, and SkyWest issued a statement. Here it is. Quote, SkyWest flight 3788 landed safely in Minot after being cleared for approach by the tower, but performed a go-around when another aircraft became visible in their flight path.
[07:05:07]
The incident is under investigation by SkyWest.
Now, the tower involved was not a tower operated by the Federal Aviation Administration, so the FAA does not have a report on this event, but the FAA says it is working to gather more information about this, Kate. Just extraordinary, such a frightening close call there.
BOLDUAN: Yes, extraordinary on multiple fronts, as you perfectly lay out, Brian. Thank you so much for laying it out for us. I really appreciate it. Omar?
JIMENEZ: Well, happening today, a critical hearing in President Trump's battle to exert more control over higher education. A federal judge is set to hear oral arguments in Harvard University's lawsuit against the Trump administration. At stake, more than $2 billion in federal funding that the administration has frozen to this point. Harvard says it's being illegally targeted because it won't comply with sweeping demands to change its policies.
Now, the administration argues the freeze is justified after accusing the university of failing to address anti-Semitism on campus.
I want to bring in CNN's Gloria Pazmino, who's with me now. So, Gloria, can you just set the stage for this hearing? How did we get to this point? What can we expect?
GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Omar. It's going to be the first time that we are hearing from a Department of Justice lawyers as well as attorneys for Harvard making oral arguments in this lawsuit, which was filed back in April.
Now, let's remember, this all started early this year after the president took office and signed an executive order increasing enforcement on school campuses, specifically around this issue of anti-Semitism.
Now, since then, Harvard has responded forcefully, specifically not willing to accept many of the administration's demands. In fact, we've seen other universities like Columbia, for example changed many of their procedures and rules on campus in order to prevent these funding cuts.
Now, here's what Harvard argues. They say that the funding is unconstitutional. It says that the government violated the Administrative Procedure Act. They also say that these funding cuts, which are affecting medical research as well as scientific research, have nothing to do with anti-Semitism. They also say that the funding freeze is a violation of the First Amendment and Harvard's academic freedom.
So, going into this hearing today, not only is Harvard obviously watching very closely, but also so many higher education institutions across the country, which have been targeted by the Trump administration. Many of the faculty members as well as academics I've been speaking to in the last few weeks have said that this is not just about a fight over funding and the research that's very much on the line. It's about an administration that is trying to influence, politically influence how universities and educational institutions carry out their mission.
Now, here's what the White House had to say about this hearing today. In part, they said we are confident that Harvard will eventually come around and support the president's vision and through good faith conversations and negotiations, a good deal is more than possible.
We've heard President Trump saying that he believes Harvard will want to settle. That, of course, remains to be seen. One thing we do know going into this hearing is Harvard has asked a judge to make an expedited decision specifically by September. That is when Harvard will have to file its paperwork to close out their grant funding. So, they have a critical deadline just a few months away.
JIMENEZ: Not just a lot of people watching, but as you mentioned, a lot of universities watching to see how exactly this plays out.
Gloria Pazmino, I appreciate the reporting. Kate?
BOLDUAN: Coming up for us, there's new video showing just chaos unfolding right after a man drives his car straight into a crowd outside of a nightclub this weekend. More than 30 people were injured, some of them critically. And why now police believe it was intentional and also why police are looking for a second suspect who shot the driver in the aftermath.
And also breaking overnight, the brother of former NFL Player and Army Ranger Pat Tillman is now accused of deliberately driving into a post office causing a massive fire. There's new details from police on this today.
And a Coldplay disclaimer, Chris Martin now warning the audience, they will be on camera days after that on-camera catastrophe.
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[07:10:00]
JIMENEZ: This morning, dozens of people are recovering after a car plowed into a crowd outside of Los Angeles nightclub on Saturday, CNN has obtained cell phone video of the chaotic aftermath. Before we show it to you, though, I just want to warn it's, it is a little graphic.
The video shows people running, yelling for help in the moments after the crash. Some of the injured are literally sprawled on the pavement. Then you see the driver at one point being dragged out of the car and beaten there. And authorities say he was also shot in the back at one point. Police are still searching for whoever shot him. But you can see a pretty chaotic scene here.
The driver, 29-year-old Fernando Ramirez, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and remains hospitalized. At least 36 people were injured in the car-ramming, some of them critically.
Joining me now, CNN Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. So, obviously, a lot going on in this situation, but just what is your immediate read here?
JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, originally there had been the theory that this was an accident, that someone had been -- you know, sort of been unable to control their car.
[07:15:04]
Obviously, once the investigators understood what happened in the bar and that there was some sort of altercation, the guy gets into his car and then plows people down. The people around him who pulled him out, obviously, did the right thing, just try to minimize the harm, but now there's an in second investigation, which is of course the shooter who, in the reporting, shoots at him, the driver, after he's detained. That is unlawful and now is going to be investigated with all the ways that investigators will have at this stage, given how many cameras are involved.
JIMENEZ: Yes. And, look, I mean, this was a pretty chaotic chain of events. Driver plows in a crowd, bystanders pull him from the car, beat him, one of them shoots him in the back and is on the run. But I guess how does that type of civilian response complicate, I guess, what would eventually be the law enforcement response and investigation? Because obviously law enforcement isn't going to be there at the moment that something like this happens. But when it's taken to this level, it seems like there's another layer here.
KAYYEM: Yes. I mean, and to be honest it's so complicated, as you describe, as well as sort of it will have implications for the investigation. Look, you have someone who had comes in and shoots an assailant who's detained at that stage. They don't know that person's motives, the defendant or the car driver's motives. And so you simply can't allow it. So, that is a serious investigation as well in terms of who the shooter is. The shooter may have known what they did was wrong and therefore flees because it wasn't like self-defense, immediate self-defense, and it would be hard to maybe explain why you would shoot someone after they were detained.
So, these, as you said, are complicated, they're crowded. It's terrifying. It's the middle of the night people have had alcohol. There's a lot of people who may be unruly. And this is the challenge in these urban environments, especially late at night with the combination of pedestrians, people partying on the street, people waiting in line to get into these bars as next to vehicles. This is -- you know, this is a city that cannot close down its streets but it's a city that holds a lot of high-profile events. So, getting that balance right is going to require public engagement, which you saw here.
JIMENEZ: Yes, a lot still to, to work through in this particular case.
Juliette Kayyem, I appreciate the insight, as always. All right, meanwhile, growing calls from both sides of the political aisle to release the so-called Epstein files, as Epstein's former attorney claims his longtime confidant may be willing to testify before Congress. We will have more coming up.
And an incredible rescue, a ten-year-old boy survives by sheltering in an air pocket after a tourist boat, capsized killing dozens of people. How rescuers managed to save him, coming up.
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[07:20:00]
BOLDUAN: So, Scottie Scheffler wins his first British Open, and he dominated and made history in the process.
Let's get over to CNN's, Coy Wire for the very latest. Fill us in, my friend.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Good to see you, Kate. The 29-year-old from Texas was in no mood for a dramatic ending in Northern Ireland. He's like, let's just keep this boring. He took a four-shot lead into Sunday's final round, and he ran away with a four-stroke win. Dominating, Scheffler joining, Tiger, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to win the Masters PGA Championship and British Open before the age of 30.
But maybe the biggest win of the day, the reception from his family, including his One-year-old son Bennett. He hadn't seen dad all day, and at one point he just wanted to give dad hugs, but he can't make it up that darn hill, Kate. Dad came to the rescue, swooped him up, and young Bennett got to see dad's cool nu shiny toy. Scheffer says golf is great, but it's not the most important thing in life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, PRO-GOLFER: Hopefully I did a good job of communicating that. Yes, this is amazing to win the Open Championship. But at the end of the day having success in life, whether it be in golf or work or whatever it is, that's not what fulfills the deepest desires of your heart. Am I grateful for it? Do I enjoy it? Oh my gosh, yes, this is a cool feeling. I can't wait to get home and celebrate this championship, you know, with the people that have kind of helped me along the way. But at the end of the day it doesn't fulfill the deepest desires in my heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: Talk about a humble megastar.
All right, let's go to Texas with the Detroit Tigers. Thanks to a dazzling display from their ace arm, Tarik Skubal became the first team in MLB to scratch out 60 wins this season. Skubal's sensational, spending 11 strikeouts, zero walks against the Rangers in a 2-1 win. In the last 60 years, every time the Motor City kitties (ph) were the first to 60, they went on to the World Series. Let's swing to Aaron Judge, who etched his name even deeper into the iconic chronicles of the Yankees. His 36th home run of the season in a 4-2 win against the Braves, a moon shot, tying in with Alex Rodriguez for sixth on the Yankees all time homer list now with 351 in his career. He's not just hitting homers, Kate. He's leading the league with an astounding 0.352 batting average in contention for the Triple Crown. I spoke to him last week when he's here in Atlanta for All-Star Game and his humility is what jumps out at you. A seven time All-Star, and he said, it just still feels like I'm a kid out there. I'm not taking any of these moments for granted.
BOLDUAN: That's pretty great. He's definitely not following the Scheffler policy of keep it boring, that's for sure. But --
WIRE: No, that's no doubt.
BOLDUAN: I love that. Let's just keep it boring, people. Never with you, Coy. Love you, buddy. Thank you.
WIRE: Thanks.
BOLDUAN: Coming up for U.S. activists and police clash at an ICE protest. Now, the man who was seen on camera being punched by police, he is speaking out.
[07:25:03]
And soon, the Colorado dentist accused of killing his wife by poisoning her protein shake, soon, he's headed back into court. What to expect as week two of trial testimony gets underway.
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JIMENEZ: President Trump has now hit these six-month marks since returning to the Oval Office and new data shows Americans are actually getting more dissatisfied with him in one of the key issues he campaigned on, immigration. A new CNN poll finds a growing majority of American surveyed say the president has gone too far in carrying out deportations.
[07:30:02]
I want to bring in CNN's Alayna Treene, who's at the White House with more. So, Alayna, what are these numbers showing? How does that fit overall?
