Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Fathers are Important in Boys' Lives; Americans and Crypto Investing; Norm Eisen is Interviewed about Trump's Use of the Alien Enemies Act; Cardi B Not Liable in Civil Assault. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired September 03, 2025 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: What do you think -- do you think a group like that speaking out will have an impact, or maybe my better question would be, would it have an impact in another political environment?

DR. PAUL OFFIT, DIRECTOR, VACCINE EDUCATION CENTER, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: I don't. I mean, I think you've had so many medical and scientific professional societies stepping forward. You've had a letter by 75 Nobel Prize winners. You've had a letter by 17,000 clinicians. I think that the only way that RFK Jr. steps down is if Donald Trump asks him to step down. I think that as -- that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. realizes that he's going to have a meeting on Thursday in front of the Finance Committee to answer questions in front of them. And I think nothing will happen because I think Robert F. Kennedy Jr. learned very early on that he can act without government oversight, given how many outrageous things he's already done and gotten away with. I think he's learned that as long as Donald Trump is on his side, he's fine.

BOLDUAN: I wanted to ask you, because Kennedy -- Kennedy Jr. himself is now speaking out, responding and pushing back on another group that spoke out, which is current -- which is former -- a group of former CDC directors speaking out against his leadership. They say, it said, and we had Richard Besser on who said this, that he's endangering Americans health. Kennedy put out his own op-ed saying this, "the America people no longer believe the CDC has their best interests at heart," and defends his actions since coming in as this, "we have shown what a focused CDC can achieve. When measles flared this year in Texas, we brought vaccines, therapeutics and resources to the epicenter. The outbreak ended quickly, proving the CDC can act swiftly with precision when guided by science and freed from ideology. That response was neither pro-vax nor anti-vax."

But, Dr. Offit, this group of former CDC directors, they actually describe the actual reality of what happened with this outbreak as one of RFK's failings, saying that -- and you and I talked about this, he focused on unproven treatments while downplaying vaccines. What is he laying out here then?

OFFIT" That's right. So, what happened? What happened was there was the beginning of an outbreak in west Texas. And it start -- it was overwhelming. And so people on the ground, people who work for the Texas Department of Health asked the CDC to please come help them. And the CDC didn't really respond because they'd been shredded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in terms of personnel, in terms of being able to do surveillance, in terms of being able to set up immunization clinics. There were 21 immunization clinics that were set up to come out of Dallas to help in these high risk areas, and they were canceled for lack of funding. And so what did Robert F.. Kennedy Jr.. he said, just take vitamin a. Nutrition is the best defense. And so, people took vitamin a and then they took more vitamin a, and then they took more vitamin a. And what ended up happening is children got admitted to the hospital with severe liver damage due to vitamin a excess. And -- and this is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

He similarly went on national television around that time and said measles vaccine kills people every year, which isn't true, that measles vaccine causes blindness and deafness, which isn't true. He could -- you could not have found a worse person to be in charge of Health and Human Services during this measles outbreak than him. And the only reason that it ended was summer, because this is generally a winter and spring disease. We experienced that in Philadelphia in 1990, 1991, when we had 1,400 cases of measles and nine deaths. What ended that -- that epidemic was summer. And I fully suspect that as we go back to school again and we enter winter, you're going to see measles once again flare up because Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has consistently decried the harms falsely of that vaccine and said all you need is nutrition.

BOLDUAN: We're going to need your expertise and advice, on an advisory panel or not, throughout all of this.

Dr. Paul Offit, thank you for your time.

Still ahead for us, a setback for the federal government's immigration crackdown. An appeals court rules illegal immigration does not constitute an invasion. What that means now across the United States and for this legal battle.

And President Trump and his family are looking to make crypto great again. How they're using their influence to rake in billions, and how it's working for their investors.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:38:42]

BERMAN: All right, this morning, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics finds that, on average, fathers spend a little more than one hour a day caring for and helping their children. For mothers it's much more than that. About 40 minutes more. It turns out that that gap can have a significant impact, especially on boys.

"SITUATION ROOM" anchor Pamela Brown here with this CNN special report.

Good morning to you.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN CHIEF INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT AND ANCHOR: Good morning. Good to see you, John.

So, I came into this project with a genuine curiosity, why do I keep seeing statistics and hearing stories about boys and men falling behind? And as a mother of two young boys myself, I wanted to understand what's behind that.

Richard Reeves is widely known as the expert in this space. He is the founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, which uses evidence-based research to understand the unique challenges facing boys and men. And so, I sat down with him, and I asked him about the roles of fathers in society. He refers to dads as a "load bearing wall" and says their influence can have a bigger impact on boys' upward mobility in society than many of us may realize. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: How important are dads in the life of a boy?

RICHARD REEVES, PRESIDENT, AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR BOYS AND MEN: Dads are really important for kind of teenagers and adolescents. Girls and boys, but especially boys getting out into the world, kind of learning how to navigate the world, take some risks.

[09:40:01]

So, again, at the risk of stereotyping, but true on the average, dads are a little bit better at encouraging their kids to take risks. Moms are a little bit better at keeping them safe.

And so the stereotype here would be throwing your kid in the air, right? You throw your kid in the air and catch them. When dads do that, they get a spike in the hormone oxytocin, which is like the bonding hormone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: And he talked a lot about the idea of mothers and fathers complimenting one another rather than overruling each one. They're both important. Let's be clear. And he talked about how in same sex marriages, his research shows that couples still seek out male figures for their kids to interact with and learn from.

And, John, also, it was really interesting to me, he talked about the different games moms and dads play with their kids. I'm sure -- I know you have kids. And he talked about the importance of the different games. Why tickle monster, which is what I played with my kids, is different from what maybe a dad might play and how that actually can shape a child. It's really fascinating this conversation I had with Richard Reeves on this topic. It airs on my show, 11:00 a.m. today, "THE SITUATION ROOM." Hope you'll tune in.

BERMAN: I can't wait to see. Look, I got -- I got two boys, age 18.

BROWN: Yes.

BERMAN: If I try to throw them in the air to get those hormones, I'd probably hurt my back, and then they'd punch me in the throat.

BOLDUAN: Look at you. I mean --

BERMAN: So, it wouldn't end well.

BROWN: And of course, I'm always the one, and, Kate, you probably could relate. I'm like, wait, don't hit your head. Don't -- don't hit your head, you know?

BERMAN: That's right.

BROWN: I'm like the nervous mom right there.

BERMAN: All right, listen, it's a great subject. Can't wait to see it. Thanks so much.

BROWN: Thank you. Thank you both.

BERMAN: Kate.

BOLDUAN: It's great to see you, Pam.

So, this week the Trump family's crypto business launched a new digital currency. And according to "The Wall Street Journal," the Trump family gained as much as $5 billion on the first day of its public launch, likely making the meme coin one of their most valuable assets. But how much is crypto paying off for investors?

CNN's Harry Enten has a look at the numbers for you on this.

Talk about the interest in the Trump crypto. I mean is it part of a bigger trend?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: I absolutely believe it's part of a bigger trend. And, you know, I think there's this stereotype, oh, people who are involved in crypto, they live in their mother's basement. Uh-uh. What we're talking about is real investors getting involved in crypto. Look at this, investors in crypto, those with at least 10k in stocks, bonds or mutual funds. In 2018, it was just 2 percent. Then, by 2021, 6 percent. Look at the number now, 17 percent of investors are, in fact, invested in crypto. It's been up like a rocket. We're now talking nearly one in five investors also being involved in crypto and it has been led in part by Republicans like Donald Trump.

BOLDUAN: I mean crypto is cryptic and kind of amorphous for so many people. And that's why, you know, they weren't invested in it in 2018 because they don't understand it and didn't think it was real.

ENTEN: Correct.

BOLDUAN: But that's completely changing now.

ENTEN: That is completely changing. But I think the thing that is so important to note is, we've seen the two to six to 17. But, in fact, there are now more people who are actually saying they're never going to get into crypto. Look at this. OK, not interested in ever buying crypto again. Looking among investors. In 2018 it was 17 percent. Then it dropped to 58 percent in 2021. OK, that's a downward trend. You'd like that if you like crypto. But then look at this. By 2025, it jumped back up to 64 percent. So, while it is true more investors are getting involved in crypto, it is also true that more investors than four years ago say they'll never get involved in crypto. And the folks who are leading this are Democrats.

BOLDUAN: What's driving -- what's driving this?

ENTEN: Yes. OK. So, I think the big, major warning sign, if you like crypto, is that I believe, at least in part, charged by Donald Trump and being involved in crypto, it's become much more partisan. Take a look at this. Crypto is a very risky investment. Back in 2021, it was 53 percent of Democrats, 52 percent of Republicans. Now, look at this, 66 percent of Democrats say it's a very risky investment compared to just 45 percent of Republicans. So, Republicans less likely to see crypto as a very risky investment, but Democrats far more likely. That is not a way to grow cryptocurrency when you have partisan divides like this.

BOLDUAN: Fascinating numbers, Harry. Thank you.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: John.

BERMAN: All right, this morning we're standing by to see if President Trump responds after a federal appeals panel overnight blocked his use of an 18th century law to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. The court rejected the president's claim that the migrants were part of an invasion, that immigrants are invaders.

With us now, Norm Eisen, executive chair of the Democracy Defenders Fund, part of a group who filed a legal brief that the court referenced in this decision.

Ambassador, always great to see you.

Talk to me about the significance of what this panel ruled overnight. Why it matters on the substance if they say that illegal immigrants are not invaders.

NORM EISEN, CO-FOUNDER, "THE CONTRARIAN": John, one of the hallmarks of Donald Trump's presidency, he said he wanted to be a dictator on day one. And he's continued to flirt with that, recently saying -- musing that people may want a dictator.

[09:45:03]

Well, what dictators do is claim there are invasions when there are none to unlock their military powers. And in this instance, a bipartisan panel of the extremely conservative Fifth Circuit said, not so fast, Donald Trump, there is no invasion of gang members from Venezuela and therefore your declaration that you are going to deport individuals back to Venezuela based on that invasion, under the Alien Enemies Act, is illegitimate. So, they've pulled the rug out from him yet again. That's happened over 200 times, John, including in many cases brought by my organization, the Democracy Defenders Fund.

BERMAN: And again, and -- and you're talking about actually what's outlined in this brand-new article in "The Atlantic" called "The Anti- Trump Strategy That's Actually Working." It's about all the legal challenges that you're right in the middle of.

Let me ask a specific question about this one case, though, because it pertains to really a lot of what you're doing. This is very likely going to get to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court will very likely weigh in on this very specific issue of, if illegal migrants can be determined -- be deemed invaders. And also, importantly, if it's the president who can decide it. How confident are you that they will decide in a way you will like?

EISEN: John, it'll come as no surprise to you. I've taken exception to some of the decisions that the Supreme Court makes. They only affect about 10 percent of the cases. We have over 125 legal matters. The vast majority of our cases have not been touched by the Supreme Court. We design them that way. But this is one area, even if I have sometimes disagreed with the Roberts court, this is one area where they have signaled skepticism, they've issued stays and they've pushed back because what Donald Trump is trying to do with seizing power over the military by claiming that there are invasions when there are none. He just lost another case in California. In the District of Columbia a court just said to him, no, you can't take over the police department. The courts have been robust.

So, I think this one will be successful at the Supreme Court. And our Democracy Defenders Fund brief was a brief, John, from conservatives. Every administration from Nixon to Trump, ones saying, hold on. And the court, the Fifth Circuit, relied on this brief. Hold on. Not so fast. That's not conservative. It's not right. And they helped persuade the extremely conservative Fifth Circuit. Donald Trump is breaking the law to assert powers that are authoritarian and autocratic.

BERMAN: I've known you a long time. I've actually never heard you be skeptical that a case you're bringing would lose. You're always confident.

But even when you're not, I think the issue is, you think that the fight partially is what's important here. It's important to issue and be part of these challenges. Why?

EISEN: I think we'll win on the Alien Enemies Act when it goes to the Supreme Court because they have windows in that building, John, and they can look outside the windows and see there is no invasion from Venezuela. Other cases have been tougher. I am confident overall, and "The Atlantic" article talking about our work at Democracy Defenders Fund, and the many other -- it takes a village, John. I like to say, we're meeting Donald Trump's flood the zone authoritarianism with rule of law shock and awe. Hundreds of cases, again, over 100 legal matters Democracy Defenders alone. I'm confident because I believe in our Constitution. I believe in the

American people. They counted us out, John. 1776. The Civil War. World War II. The Cold War. We came back every time. The courts are not standing for this. Over 200 decisions against Donald Trump. The Supreme Court has only reversed a fraction of them, bad as they've been.

And then I'll say one last thing if I may.

When the Supreme Court rules against us, we go back into court. They did that on birthright citizenship. They said you need a class action. We at Democracy Defenders Fund, with our partners, had that on file in two hours. We got one. We got an injunction to protect the Constitution. It hasn't been overturned, John.

BERMAN: Ambassador Norm Eisen, we appreciate you being with us today. I like your reference to the revolution. People who took the other side of that bet, they ended up losing.

All right, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Coming up for us, Cardi B throwing a pen at a reporter outside the courthouse soon after she found -- she was found not liable for assault and had won her case.

[09:50:00]

Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein will be -- soon will be speaking out on Capitol Hill at any moment. We're going to bring that to you live.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: This morning, Cardi B likely feeling some vindication. A California jury found her not liable of assault allegations filed by a former security guard. Outside the courtroom, she clashed with a man over what she called a disrespectful question.

Let's get right to CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister for the latest on all of this.

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John.

So, Cardi B just really keeps the hits coming. Of course, we all saw her on the witness stand giving some incredibly viral testimony that just keeps trending online.

[09:55:06]

You see her right there. That was during one of her days of testimony. And then yesterday she was vindicated. She was cleared of all of the allegations of physical assault that she was facing.

And just to remind some of our viewers who may only know the viral moments but weren't actually keeping up with the case. This all stems from a 2018 incident at Cardi B's obstetrician's office in Beverly Hills. She was pregnant at the time but had not yet announced her pregnancy to the public. And she says that a security guard working at that medical office was filming her with her phone. Now, that security guard was suing her, John, for $24 million, claiming that Cardi B's long fingernail scratched her face.

Well, again, the jury didn't buy that. Cardi was cleared.

But it was something that happened outside, actually, before she was cleared. As you said, Cardi threw a pen at a member of the press. Let's take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you foresee any paternity issues with Stefon Diggs?

CARDI B: (EXPLETIVE DELETED). Don't disrespect me.

(INAUDIBLE) as a man you got to ask me those type of questions. Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you, respect women.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WAGMEISTER: So, this is kind of Meta because that voice that you heard, the photographer was actually asking her a personal question about a possible pregnancy and the paternity there. So that's why she lashed out. She said, do not disrespect me. Now, that photographer said, I still love you. And she said, I don't care, don't disrespect me. So, Cardi is always being Cardi, and that's what people really love about her.

BOLDUAN: I mean be careful with your questions.

BERMAN: Be careful with your questions. All right, Elizabeth Wagmeister, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Thank you all so much for joining us. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)