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Manhunt for Shooter Who Killed Charlie Kirk; Republican and Democratic Lawmakers Pay Tribute to Charlie Kirk; Moment of Silence Marking Time Flight 11 Struck North Tower; Inflation Continues to Rise. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 11, 2025 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we're minutes away from a new inflation report. Actually, we're 30 seconds away from a new inflation report. What it can mean after the disappointing jobs numbers.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The latest on the breaking news this morning. The FBI is planning to speak this morning in a press conference. And we are going to bring that to you live, as authorities are racing to find the person who shot and killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk. So, when that press conference begins, we will bring you that for whatever update they may be bringing.

The 31-year-old Charlie Kirk was a political force. Influential among young conservatives and in the broader conservative movement. He also had the ear of President Trump and other leaders like J.D. Vance. Today Vice President J.D. Vance and the Second Lady will be visiting Salt Lake City to pay respects to Kirk and his family.

And it comes also as we are learning more about the horrific moment that Kirk was shot in front of about 3,000 people. Among that crowd -- in that crowd, was Amy and Jeremy King. The couple was just about 15, 20 feet away from Kirk yesterday at this event when this tragedy played out.

[08:35:00]

And Amy and Jeremy are joining us right now. Thank you both. As I said in the break, I really appreciate you coming on in what are horrible circumstances. And I'm so sorry we're meeting under these circumstances.

Amy, you were so close to Charlie Kirk when this happened. How are you processing this, thinking about this today as maybe the shock and adrenaline of it all is starting to go away?

AMY KING, WITNESSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: I'm not sure if it's yet gone away. I mean, I came home from the event and kind of talked to my kids. They had seen it at school, so we had that open conversation with them. They were distraught. Kind of just been up all-night kind of thinking about it and thinking about his family and his two young kids and what they're going through.

BOLDUAN: And we'll have to go through for a very long time, right? It's not just today. It's not just this grief. It's everything. And, Jeremy, you -- there are so many videos and different angles of this tragedy and the aftermath. You actually were taking video and capturing the moment that Kirk was actually rushed to an SUV after he was shot. What sticks out, in your mind, most today about what happened yesterday?

JEREMY KING, WITNESSED CHARLIE KIRK ASSASSINATION: That's a great question. I remember Amy, she told me afterwards she was looking around at the security, and we just feel like the world is a different place today than it was five, even 10 years ago. And for him to be doing this event with -- and I don't know outside of his immediate security what he had in place, but it just felt so open and so vulnerable. And those were our thoughts leading up to it. And then for it to happen, it just didn't feel real in the moment.

Also, you get a lot of clarity after the fact. But at the time, Kate, we didn't know that this was a single-shot event. There's been so many mass shootings. Like, that was what was going through my head is, what's going to happen next after that shot?

BOLDUAN: Sadly, that's an absolute rational thought to have is that this isn't a one-shot event. Sadly, because that is what we have seen over and over again in mass -- so many mass shootings.

Amy, what was it that -- I had read that you had been -- you brought up -- that you were concerned or you were noticing the security at the event, what was it? Was it a gut feeling? Was is -- what was it that you -- that stuck out to you?

A. KING: You know, I have always been kind of aware of my surroundings. I have two girls that are in college right now. And we've always taught them, hey, you know, you just don't trust people. I said, when you're on campus, you know, make sure you don't have your EarPods in. You're aware of your surroundings. We've just always drilled that into our kids. Just to be looking around, because we live in different times. We live in different, you know, world. And I want to be able to protect my kids. And so, we have taught them that, that you can't take anything for granted. And so, that's what -- we've just taught them that. And so, that's what I was just doing. I was scanning the area when I got there. And I just thought, this is weird.

I mean, I had a ticket. Nobody checked my ticket. I walked right in. I walked all the way down to the front. It just -- and I just scanned. And I literally looked at him and I'm like, where is all the security? That was just my thought.

BOLDUAN: That's -- it is. That's like one of those things that gives you chills, knowing what was then just what happened right after that. For either of you or both of you, we are hearing from so many people, political leaders. Many saying that everyone needs to bring the temperature down.

Still others, you know, very angry and blaming the other side for, quote/unquote, "this." The radical right or the radical left for where we are today. The governor of Utah really was eloquent and called on everyone. And the way he put it is to stop hating our fellow Americans. And one of the things he said, and I'll read it to you, is he says, we desperately need leaders in our country. But more than the leaders, we just need every single person in this country to think about where we are and where we want to be and to ask ourselves, is this it?

And I just wanted to know what your -- forget political leaders telling you what to do. What is your message to those political leaders today?

J. KING: I mean -- and we're just we're just a couple of parents, right? Just trying to do the best we can. And these are heavy questions. But, you know, I imagine the founding fathers, when they locked themselves in that room and they had those debates, they were probably pretty heated. But what they can't do is turn on each other, right?

[08:40:00]

So, to have these debates is great. To take it to the next level where we feel like we need to take someone's life, that I don't understand and will never understand. You know, question with boldness. Have these debates. We should have these debates. That's what America is known for. I don't know why people get it in their head that the greater good would be to murder somebody. How is that the greater good? How does that do anything? It doesn't solve any problems.

BOLDUAN: Yes. Amy, Jeremy, just a couple of parents with a really important message that should be heard. Really appreciate your time. Thank you so much for coming on. John.

BERMAN: All right. With us now, Democratic strategist, CNN commentator Paul Begala and Republican strategist and CNN Senior Political Commentator David Urban. Gentlemen, I'm so happy you're both here. And I've been thinking about this as I was up most of the night. You two have spent your entire lives trying to beat the crap out of the other party, right? In elections, in elections. But you're also lovely people who have friends who don't agree with you on anything. So, what can we do? How can we navigate this moment? David, you're nodding. So, first to you.

DAVID URBAN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND FORMER TRUMP CAMPAIGN ADVISER: Yes. Not only do we have friends that don't agree with us. Paul and I are friends, right? We've been friends for a long time. You know, today is a very somber day, John. As you know, not just the assassination of Charlie Kirk, but the 24th anniversary of 9/11. And so, many people lost so many loved ones on that day.

And I think back to how I felt on 9/11 and the days after and how our country came together to -- you know, try to heal the wounds of that act of domestic terrorism that occurred on our soil then. And I think about yesterday and what happened and the political assassination of Charlie Kirk, which was akin to an act of domestic terrorism. And I hope our country can remember those feelings we had on 9/12 when we came together as a country and recognized that dark forces were trying to split our nation apart, split our people apart.

And I hope we reflect on that today and remember the same thing and how we came together on those days after 9/11 to try to make our country better. I hope that we can find those better angels in these coming days and weeks and remember that we're all one country.

Charlie's words, his words himself said, you know, the second we stop talking to each other, even though we disagree, is when the violence starts. And I hope that we continue to talk to each other, that we continue to heed Charlie Kirk's words. We need more Charlie Kirk, not less.

BERMAN: Paul?

PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR AND DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: That's beautiful. I agree completely, Urban. He is my friend. He's my political adversary, my personal friend. That shouldn't be that hard in a democracy.

What I've been thinking a lot, David, I'm in New York. We're in September 1, 1939. Hitler invades Poland. And W. H. Auden is in New York City. He goes to a bar on 52nd. And it's something you and I have done a couple of times. And he writes a poem and he says -- he begins just with the rage and the need for vengeance. And he says, those to whom evil has been done do evil in return. And I get that. I know that reciprocity, that vengeance that a lot of people are feeling right now.

But then he turns and he says, we must love one another or die. That's both idealistic and very practical in a democracy. And he concludes by saying his own choice, show an affirming light -- show an affirming flame, show an affirming flame. And seriously, David, you do that. I try to do that. This is on us. This is on everybody in the public square who has a platform to show an affirming flame. I think you do that. I'm trying very hard.

I was driving past the Pentagon when that plane hit 24 years ago today. I lost friends. I know you did. President Bush showed an affirming flame that day. He could have called down violence against honest, honorable, patriotic Muslims in America, and he didn't do it. He said Islam is peace. Our war is not with Islam, it's with terrorism.

I worked for President Clinton when right-wing terrorists blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City. He could have called for violence against conservatives. He didn't do that. When the Mother Emanuel Church was shot up by a white supremacist who murdered black Christians in their bible study, President Obama went to that church. He sang "Amazing Grace." This is this is on our president to show an affirming flame. It is. And he's not good at it. But it's his job and his duty. But it's also mine, yours, and everybody with a social media account.

I think that the dad who was on here a moment ago was just terrific. I mean, we have to do this ourselves. But also, we have to call upon our leaders to show an affirming flame as well.

BERMAN: David, we've got about 45 seconds until the first bells ring in the memorial of September 11th. How can President Trump show that affirming flame? Listen, I think we just remember this until the first bells ring in the memorial of September 11th. How can President Trump show that affirming flame?

[08:45:00]

URBAN: Yes. Listen, I think we just remember the spirit of Charlie Kirk, right? We listen to his words. We, you know, heed his warnings. Charlie was a happy warrior. Charlie wanted to debate everybody. Look, watch the video of Gavin Newsom and Charlie when they first sit down. I mean, it is two people who could not be further apart in the political spectrum, but they're sitting down in the marketplace of ideas to debate their differences and try to move America forward in a better light. I think we need to heed Charlie. Again, we need more Charlie Kirk spirit in American politics, not less.

BERMAN: Now, we're about 30 seconds away, Paul. It's hard. I mean, this is not easy, I think. You know, we've had Republican members on who only want to talk about one side. We've had Democratic members on who say, yes, but what about you? So, what do you do?

BEGALA: Well, you challenge them. We challenge them. We, the people. The whole point of democracy in a pluralistic country like this is you have to. This is your homework assignment, America. You have to know, respect, and even love someone who votes opposite of you. That ain't easy to do. But look around your neighborhood. Look around your family. I love David Urban. OK. I do. He disagrees with me on everything. I disagree with him.

I admire what Charlie Kirk stood for -- not what he stood for, but how he stood for it. I disagree with everything he stood for, but he had debate. And that's what we need. But we have to love each other. That's the challenge. That's the golden rule.

BERMAN: And I think that's the message we're going to take into the ringing of the bell, marking the moment American Flight 11 struck the North Tower.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ready, quick, march.

BERMAN: All right. The first of many moments that we will be monitoring and bringing to you throughout the morning. Remembering the events of 24 years ago this morning, the attacks of September 11th. Of course, there's also other news we're watching as well. We're just minutes away from an FBI press conference promising updates on the manhunt for the person who carried out the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:50:00]

BOLDUAN: All right. Breaking news, breaking -- and coming in just moments ago, a new inflation report showing that the cost of living continues to be on the rise, continues to increase for Americans. CNN's Matt Egan has the report, has the data. Joining us now, what do we know?

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Yes, Kate. Look, this is not the report we were hoping for. This shows that the cost of living heated up during the month of August, even more than expected, and this is coming even as the job market is stumbling. So, the latest numbers show that consumer prices jumping by 2.9 percent year over year in August.

Now, that is in line with expectations, but that is a notable step in the wrong direction from the prior month of July, where it was 2.7 percent. Not only that, but on an annual basis, now we have consumer prices going up at the fastest pace in seven months. Now, this shows the monthly prices. And again, you can see going in the wrong direction, going up by 0.4 percent. This is the pace of inflation over the last five years or so, and you can see it's starting to tick higher, starting to move in the wrong direction.

Now, when we dig into some of the categories here, we should note that some of the categories month among can be a bit volatile, but some of the ones I want to call out, including the price of going to -- getting on an airplane, airfare spiking by 6 percent between July and August, that's the biggest monthly increase for airfare in three years.

BOLDUAN: Yes, lots of people can say, I felt that, right?

EGAN: Yes, seriously. Gasoline also ticking higher from low levels. Used cars and trucks, 1 percent increase there as well. All of those are notable increases. There's a few other ones I would just call out that could be tariff-related. Car repair, 5 percent increase in just one month. Jewelry, 7 percent.

BOLDUAN: Talking about parts, all of that. Yes.

EGAN: Sewing machines.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

EGAN: So, look, this is a big deal because, obviously, the cost of living is public enemy number one. It's the biggest frustration for many voters. This shows the difficult position that the Federal Reserve is in because they've got a weakening job market and heating up inflation.

BOLDUAN: Yes, it's getting more and more complicated.

EGAN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Thank you, Matt.

EGAN: Thanks, Kate.

BOLDUAN: That's important for everyone to see today. I really appreciate it. John?

BERMAN: All right. The breaking news this morning. We're really just minutes away now from an FBI news conference. They scheduled an update on the manhunt for the person who assassinated Charlie Kirk. We will bring that to you live the minute it happens. Again, just a few minutes from now.

Former Utah State Representative Phil Lyman was in the crowd at the time of the shooting. He spoke with Kirk just moments before, and joins us now. Thank you so much for being with us. Let me just ask you, you were at this event. How are you doing this morning?

PHIL LYMAN, (R) FORMER UTAH STATE REPRESENTATIVE: You know, I haven't slept yet. A long night and just a lot going on. And I -- But I'm doing fine. I'm concerned about the -- you know, the college students, the younger kids that were there, and kind of what this does to them psychologically. I'm concerned about Utah. I'm concerned about America. Clearly, concerned about Charlie Kirk's family. It's so devastating, so sad.

[08:55:00]

BERMAN: So, you talked to Charlie just before the event. Talk to us about that interaction.

LYMAN: Yes. So, I live about four hours south of Orem and I drove up for the event and I met him as his entourage came up. And we spoke just very briefly. He was there to see the college kids. And I said, hey, it's good to see you. Welcome to Utah. And he was excited, happy to see me and said hello. And we -- and then, I followed him up. It was kind of backstage there as he started his speech, was throwing out the hats and all those things. And I needed to meet some other people. So, I went up top, ironically, very close to where the shooter was apparently. And so, I heard those shots and I was looking around up there.

But yes, the interaction with Charlie, I was just impressed with him, always. He's a nice guy, tall, good looking and so energetic, so connected to the -- you know, all those kids that were there, thousands of those college age kids.

BERMAN: You shared a moment where he gave a hat to someone who was standing by you. Tell me about that.

LYMAN: So, I -- yes, a young man there who knew who I was -- and followed my campaign. And he said -- and I said, hey -- he was handicapped. He said, you -- do you know Charlie Kirk? And I said, I do. And he said, can you get me a hat? Lifted up my hand and said, Charlie. And he looked over at me like, you want me to throw you a hat? And now he's pointing.

And as soon as he recognized what was happening there, he walked right over and handed that young man a hat. And in that clip, he holds up the hat and you can just tell how happy he was. So yes. It was a sweet moment. And just to me, it's like -- that's Charlie Kirk and that's who he is. And it made that man's day and my day as well. BERMAN: And you said you had moved at the time the shots were fired. Where were you and what did you think was happening?

LYMAN: So, I went clear to the back of the venue up top. I kind of wanted to, like I said, meeting some people and I wanted to get some video of Charlie from back there and started to walk into a building. And as I walked through the doors, I heard a very loud bang. It felt like it was right behind me. I turned around and looked at the woman who was standing behind me. And she was looking at me as confused as I was like, what was that? And then I saw some commotions. So, I ran out of the building. And my first thought was that, that was a gunshot.

And I thought it -- from where I heard, I thought I will see whoever shot because it was so close. And there was nothing to be seen and nobody. And I was asking the other people to just hear that? Was that here? And my conclusion, I thought, was that it must've been from above us on top of the building. And I suspect that was the case.

But at any rate, the commotion and watching the kids all of a sudden start to -- you know, we didn't know. I was looking to see if somebody down and looking. And then, when I looked up at the stage and saw the commotion up there, then I headed toward the stage and talked to a few people as I got up there, they'd already taken Charlie away. So, I was talking to some of the -- some of his people and some of the young kids that were much closer to the scene.

BERMAN: Yes. And I know your thoughts are with them, with the Kirk family. Thank you so much for being with us this morning, Phil Lyman. Appreciate it. Kate?

BOLDUAN: Breaking overnight, the British ambassador to the United States has been fired over links to Jeffrey Epstein. The prime minister, Keir Starmer, is now dismissing Ambassador Peter Mandelson who was featured in the Epstein birthday book released by the House Oversight Committee. This week. That book included a handwritten note from Mandelson describing Epstein as the way it was in the book, my best pal.

CNN's Clare Sebastian joins us now with much more on this. What are you learning about this, Clare?

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kate. This comes after days of criticism. A series of revelations have come out concerning Mandelson's relationship with convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. This week, of course, the letter that appeared in that birthday book from the House Oversight Committee release, but the clinching factor for the British government was this Bloomberg investigation that came out on Wednesday with a series of e-mails between Mandelson and Epstein where this happened after his first conviction in 2008. And Mandelson shows support for Epstein and seems to be suggesting that he felt that that conviction was false.

So, we heard from the British Foreign Office today saying that the e- mails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. He has not been in the job very long. He was appointed in December last year. Took up the post in February, and he seems to have wanted to keep the job. He did not resign. He came out in a podcast interview on --

[09:00:00]