Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Trump and Xi Call Underway; Trump Dismisses Free Speech Concerns; ABC Wants Kimmel Back but Lower Temperature; British Spies Turn to Dark Web to Recruit Russian Agents; Texas Democratic Voters Fights Against Gerrymandering. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 19, 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]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, officials in Washington State have discovered human remains that they believe belong to Travis Decker. He is the man accused of killing his three young daughters, and also, he has been on -- the focus of a month's long manhunt.

The children were reported missing by their mother back in May, and then three days later, police found their little bodies near a campground. Officials now say that Decker, they believe, suffocated them and then fled on foot. The remains were found in a nearby wooded area, but in a remote kind of area, and authorities are now conducting DNA testing to confirm the identity. John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. We do have breaking news. We've learned that President Trump has begun a conversation with the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping. That started just moments ago. They're thought to be discussing trade and a proposed TikTok deal. Of course, a bipartisan majority of Congress last year voted to basically ban TikTok in the United States unless it was sold -- and it's logarithm in its entirety, to a U.S. company.

With us now, Congressman Adam Smith of Washington. He's the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. So, the president's talking to the Chinese leader. What do you hope they're talking about?

REP. ADAM SMITH (D-WA), RANKING MEMBER, ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Well, I hope they're talking about, you know, the trade deal, first of all. Trying to figure out how to resolve the trade disagreement, and just in general, having a conversation and connecting on the challenges that we face.

And loOK. China is a big, powerful country. We are as well. There's been a lot of animosity between the two. There is so much that we could work on and so much that we have to resolve. So, I think it's good that he's opening up the lines of communication. We'll just have to see what comes out of it.

BERMAN: So, some of the details of this alleged TikTok deal have filtered out. It would be some kind of an 80 percent ownership by the United States, maybe a Chinese stake, still unclear who controls the logarithm. I know we don't know everything, but from what you've seen so far, does it appear to be compliant with the law that Congress passed?

SMITH: It's hard to say, because we haven't seen enough details. But the two crucial things about that are, number one, the point you made. Will it really be separated from Chinese Communist Party influence? Will it be a separate U.S. company? And will there be ways to make sure that, as you mentioned, the algorithms and all of that are no longer controlled by China, number one?

Second thing I'm concerned about is, what degree is it going to be controlled by President Trump? As I understand it, it's some of his friends and supporters who are buying it. So, is there going to be that type of independence as well? But it's really too soon to tell because we haven't seen those details.

[08:35:00]

BERMAN: The Washington Post is reporting that over the summer, the Trump administration, the president did not approve some $400 million in advanced weapon sales to Taiwan that had previously been allocated. What are your thoughts on that, on this administration's position toward Taiwan?

SMITH: Well, it's very unclear at this point. I mean, loOK. we have a clear policy and have for some time that's been challenged in a variety of different ways. But we support one China. We understand that Taiwan and China are one country. But at the same time, we also are adamantly opposed to China using force to reunify China and Taiwan. And we reserve the right to provide Taiwan with the defensive weapons they need to prevent that.

Is President Trump committed to that basic policy? We don't know for sure. I think it's really important. You asked about the phone call, and I'm just learning about this as you are. But I think one big point would be to reemphasize that, that we are completely opposed and will not allow China to use military force to invade Taiwan. I think it would be good for President Trump to make clear our position on that.

BERMAN: Congressman, how do you feel about free speech this morning?

SMITH: Not good. Look, I mean, there's a whole lot of different arguments, and I've heard a lot of them. You know, Jimmy Kimmel said things that weren't true. It's a private company. They have a right to do what they want. And this huge debate.

But the bottom line is, the President of the United States is using his power as president and our federal government to coerce and pressure people into not criticizing him in the media, in law firms, everywhere. And he's doing it in a way that is completely against the First Amendment.

He's saying it publicly. He's pulling security clearances. He's pulling security details. He's filing lawsuits. He's using the FCC to threaten them. And the president is very open about it. He doesn't like to be criticized, and he's going to try to silence people who do criticize him. And everybody in this country needs to be deeply concerned about how the President is using that power just for his own personal political aims. It is a deeply troubling situation.

BERMAN: One question about Democratic politics, if I can. Now, I'll stipulate this has to do with New York State, which could not be further, really, from you and the district you represent. But Axios reports this morning that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her team are positioning her to run for president or the U.S. Senate in 2028. That's from people familiar with her operation, according to Axios' Alex Thompson.

The reason I'm asking you is, what does that tell you about the direction of the party? How do you feel about the idea of maybe challenging Chuck Schumer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-prescribed Democratic Socialist?

SMITH: I really don't have an opinion about that. Individual members of Congress and politicians can make the decisions they make. I think the more important issue is the budget fight that we're about to get into and the partisan budget that Donald Trump is trying to jam down America's throats. And we're about to have a major fight on that. I'm not going to get into any other one of my colleagues' personal political career.

I've worked with AOC. I think she's a very capable, smart person. And I wish her the best of luck in whatever it is she decides to do.

BERMAN: Very quickly then, what about the idea of a government shutdown in this budget fight? Do you think this is the fight that Democrats should have?

SMITH: Absolutely, we have to. President Trump has put forward a radical partisan budget. Devastating cuts to health care. Devastating cuts to food security programs. $170 billion more for the Department of Homeland Security so that he can use ICE and a variety of different agencies to terrorize America. More money for defense. Massive tax cuts for the wealthy.

And also, the president has violated the law by simply blocking spending that he doesn't like. We have to stand up against that. Now, President Trump, you know, that's his budget. He can put it forward. But please understand, we Democrats don't have to vote for it. And we have our own continuing resolution that was put out yesterday that is a reasonable approach to keeping the government open.

So, if he wants our votes, we can't just vote for such a radical, extreme, partisan budget, and I don't think we should. So, I think it is absolutely a fight that we need to have. When you look where the economy is going, look where inflation is at, you look at the jobs numbers. No, we cannot rubber stamp a budget that is leading America to a weaker economy and a weaker place on a thousand different issues.

BERMAN: Congressman Adam Smith, appreciate your time this morning. Thank you. Kate.

BOLDUAN: This morning, we are waiting to hear from and possibly see Jimmy Kimmel and also see what his next move is as the fallout grows from ABC's sudden move to pull him and pull the show off the air. The controversy and the fallout shining a light on some key data that is catching Harry Enten's eye this morning. And he's here with me now. What are you seeing, Harry?

[08:40:00]

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, there are rare points in which I see a piece of data and it just sort of jumps off the screen at me. And this is one of them because I really just think it tells the entire story. And this is among Republicans. The media is biased and should be punished. Look at this, 71 percent of Republicans agree with the idea that the media is biased and should be punished. They absolutely -- Republicans are absolutely loving what is happening right now to Jimmy Kimmel. Absolutely love the words that are coming out of Brendan Carr's mouth.

The bottom line is that they believe that the media is biased and should be punished. So, taking Jimmy Kimmel off the air, if there's government influence there, they're absolutely enjoying it.

BOLDUAN: But punished by whom, I guess, is the question? How are Republicans and how much are Republicans, as you're pointing out here, likely to -- or what are they going to think about that this decision was made with government influence?

ENTEN: Yes, exactly right. So, you know, it's one thing if the idea is, OK. Jimmy Kimmel is being punished by his own company, right? Being punished by ABC, being punished by Disney. But the idea that the government is influencing it, I don't think that Republicans are going to have much of a problem with it. Because take a look here, Republicans already think that the U.S. media and U.S. news organizations are, in fact, influenced by government interest.

Look at this, again, amongst Republicans, look at this, 64 percent. This is, again, even before the Kimmel news broke, 64 percent of Republicans believe that the U.S. media is influenced by government interest. A great deal. We're talking two-thirds of Republicans. And then you get another 26 percent who say are somewhat influenced by government interest. That totals up to nearly 90 percent when, of course, you're not just rounding, as if you were, you'd be at 90 percent. But we're talking about 89 percent of the public -- of Republicans, excuse me, who say that the U.S. media is influenced by government interest.

So, no, Republicans, A, they like the idea that Jimmy Kimmel is being punished. And B, they're not at all going to be against the idea that the government might be influencing it because they already think -- two-thirds already think, that the government is influencing U.S. media organizations a great deal in this country.

BOLDUAN: I mean, or just turn off the channel.

ENTEN: They could do that.

BOLDUAN: What is the -- there is a big question about what Jimmy Kimmel's next move is. There's reporting from within, you know, sources saying that ABC is trying to find a way potentially to bring him back on air. What's the conventional wisdom around that?

ENTEN: Yes, what's the conventional wisdom? Well, you know, I'll go to the prediction markets here. Chance that "Jimmy Kimmel Live" returns by the end of 2025, it's just a little bit more than 50 percent, 56 percent the last reading that I was able to get. By the end of this month, it's 20 percent, about a one in five.

So, at this point, the prediction markets basically have it as a coin flip that Kimmel returns by the end of the year, which I think kind of feels right.

BOLDUAN: OK. Thank you, Harry.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: John.

BERMAN: All right. This morning, after spending a decade as a crime reporter, one Indiana woman wanted to volunteer at a prison to better understand the people she was reporting on. That is when she decided to start a creative writing program. This week's CNN Hero Debra Des Vignes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBRA DES VIGNES, FOUNDER, INDIANA PRISON WRITERS WORKSHOP: But when sheriff's swat team members arrived at the home, no one was found inside.

I was a television news reporter and I covered crime. I didn't really understand humanity as I should have as a young reporter in my early 20s. It wasn't until much later that the faces had stories and had names.

I decided to volunteer in a prison because I was always inquisitive and curious about their stories. I saw the raw talent and that's what led me to create this 12 week creative writing curriculum.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was convicted of dealing in a narcotic and dealing marijuana.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I pretty much grew up on the streets. I lost my mother and my father and my sister and my brother. And came to a crossroads and had to make a decision on whether I was going to use that as fuel to do better.

DES VIGNES: Thank you for sharing that. Yep, I know that was heartfelt.

We never excuse what they've done. In fact, a lot of them right about their remorse. We're just giving them a sacred space where they can let their shoulders down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eventually, though, I began to confront my grief with a clear mind and an open heart, accepting the fact that no matter what I did or who I hurt, nothing was going to bring my brother back from the dead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I look forward to my Friday afternoons more than most days. People just let their souls bleed out of their pens onto that paper. And for two hours a day, everyone can just truly be themselves. And we're like a little small knit family here. I plan on going into college and majoring in psychology when I get out. So, I feel like this is a huge step towards that.

DES VIGNES: That's going to make me tear up. We'll end on that one. That was really powerful.

[08:45:00]

Some people would think it's a lock them up and throw away the key. If a lot of these prisoners are going to be released, then why not use writing as a tool become better in the space that you're in?

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: And to learn more about Debra's wonderful work, go to cnn.com/heroes. So, this morning, how do you go about recruiting new spies? Well, one intelligence agency launching what they're calling silent courier. A top-secret effort they are staging. And a YouTube star's affair with an employee turned into a national scandal. It was mocked on Saturday Night Live. He lost his job in a production company. Now, years later, he and his ex-wife are addressing the scandal for the first time.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right. New this morning, the U.K. spy agency turning to the dark web to try to recruit Russian agents. The goal to entice potential spies to share their secrets.

[08:50:00]

Chief International Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh in London with the latest on this. So, who are they trying to get and how exactly?

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: In shortest, the answer is Russians, it seems. And also, I think to be sure that people out there with secrets that they would like who are reticent to get in touch with them, essentially harnessing all the capabilities out there on the dark web, in the modern digital world that we all live to be sure they never miss an opportunity. But it's pretty clear in the British announcements here given by the outgoing head of MI6, Sir Richard Moore, in a departure speech in Istanbul given this morning that it's really Russia that is ultimately their focus.

How is this going to work? Well, it's not a massive new departure. They essentially say to people download the Tor internet browser. That's most people's access to the dark web anyway. Get a VPN and a computer, a virtual private network that's not associated with you, you know, so don't make the mistake of paying for a VPN with your own credit card and then using that to log into this. Protect your identity. And then when you get on Tor, enter a code, which they released this morning at 2:00 a.m. your time.

It's huge. It must be at least over 40 characters there. So, not the kind of thing you necessarily enter by mistake. You've got to be pretty seriously wanting to get in touch with that. And then you'll have access to what they call a secure messaging platform.

Now, clearly here there are risks obviously of false informants coming forwards with false information. You've got to be pretty cognizant though. The MI6 will be wise to that possibility. There may even be looking for this kind of fake individuals to get inside their networks.

Look, this is the modern digital age. It was trailed by a pretty slick video they released yesterday. Really redolent over the kind of imagery of espionage we've seen from the past. Anonymous figures meeting deep in the forest, spies it seems and SUVs on desert roads accessing their laptop and indeed, a mock-up of what this might look like, the words in Russian on the mobile phone that seems to be using this saying, transfer of information.

Being no doubt the speech in which this was delivered and launched within Istanbul by the outgoing head of MI6 clearly focused towards Russia. He took the same opportunity to say that Russian President Vladimir Putin is stringing the West along in claiming that he wants some kind of peace in Ukraine, that he categorically does not want that.

And again, like he did two years ago in Prague, appealing to Russians who are not sympathetic to this war to use a platform like this called silent courier to reach out to the British spy agency made most famous frankly by the fictional character James Bond and pass the secrets they have onto them securely. John.

BERMAN: Whenever you see this kind of overt intelligence request, it makes you wonder how many different levels this is operating at. Because obviously, the British know that the Russians can see it also, but they may very well want that. Nick Paton Walsh, really juicy stuff there. Thank you very much. Kate.

BOLDUAN: Juicy. Fascinating. Let's turn to this. This morning, we're learning new details about a tragedy at an amusement park. This week, a man died after riding a roller coaster at Universal Orlando Resort's newest park. And a medical examiner now says that the man died from blunt impact injuries, ruling the death an accident. Police say the man who was in his 30s was found unresponsive after riding the Stardust Racers Roller Coaster at Epic Universe. The ride can hit up to speeds of up to 62 miles an hour, that's according to the park's website.

There's still a lot of questions around this. The medical examiner did not mention any details about the injuries and where they were even on his body. Officials with Universal say they are cooperating with investigators.

Now, a once popular YouTube couple breaking their silence about their personal life that turned into a national scandal. Three years ago, former Try Guys member Ned Fulmer cheated on his wife Ariel with a producer at his company. The fallout led to Try Guys removing him from the company. Now, Ned and Ariel are talking about it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ARIEL FULMER, NED FULMER'S WIFE: Like people ask me, like, do you forgive Ned for what he did? And I mean, the answer is no, absolutely not. How can you forgive somebody for -- like for lying to you, for cheating on you? I mean, I found out about your affair from the fans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: The couple says they are still friends are remaining friendly and co-parenting their two children.

A scary afternoon for a Kentucky homeowner after a plane overshot the runway and hit the house. Authorities say yesterday, the Cessna veer off the runway at the Mayfield Graves County Airport. And then get this, after that, plowed through a grassy area, a perimeter fence and across the highway and then hit the house.

[08:55:00]

Fortunately, the person inside the home at the time, not injured, and neither was the pilot, fortunately, according to the sheriff's office. The FAA and NTSB are now investigating. John.

BERMAN: We're afraid of tree damage at our house, not so much like runaway planes.

BOLDUAN: I know, I mean, but where -- what it went through before it hit the house is like insane.

BERMAN: All right. So, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Indiana to speak out against the Republican plan to redraw House districts to the Republican advantage in the midterms. So, far, obviously, the big prize for Republicans is Texas, with redistricting going on there, the possibility of picking up five seats.

CNNs John King with us this morning. You were just in Texas talking to voters about what they actually think about this.

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: John, you know the midterm math. The Republicans have such a tiny majority, it'll take Democrats by the time next November rolls around just winning three or four seats, and they would be in the majority.

So, President Trump is trying to do everything he can to make the map more favorable. You know midterm history, the president's party normally loses seats. So, the president's looking at red states saying, give me more House districts. Texas, by far, the biggest prize.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANNY RIZO, TEXAS VOTER: There's got to be some sort of a change. KING (voice-over): Manny Rizo is a Democrat in Texas, on the losing side again.

RIZO: Intentional gerrymandering in order to control the vote. And are we really represented by the proper representative? I think it's just a way so they can keep control and power and continue on with the next two years as to what they're doing now.

KING (voice-over): Rizo maintains private jets, his office a hanger at this private airport in Pflugerville, about 15 miles south of Austin. Business is good.

RIZO: This airplane came in for some big inspections. We found a lot of issues, but that's what we do. That's what they pay us to do, is to find issues on the ground rather than they find them in the air.

KING (voice-over): Most clients are longtime customers. Of late, a few tough conversations about the bill when critical parts come from Mexico or Canada.

RIZO: Tariffs cost more money to stay in business, cost more money to buy parts.

KING: To buy parts.

RIZO: To buy parts.

KING (voice-over): The local congressman for this airport is a Democrat like Rizo. He listens. Rizo has concerns about how Washington impacts his business, listens to on the issue that is now Rizo's passion, gun violence. His nine-year-old niece, Jackie, was among the students killed in Uvalde.

RIZO: That's where it's really important, you know, to us and our family. You know, we -- our values, our morals and --

KING (voice-over): Sadness every time he thinks of his niece, anger every time he thinks about a new Texas map that moves Pflugerville and other Austin suburbs.

RIZO: Especially during a change in the midterms. You know, I don't agree with that.

KING: This is Kyle, Texas, about 20 miles down Interstate 35 south of Austin. As of today, this is the 35th congressional district, one of two solidly blue seats in the Austin area. But when Texans vote in next year's midterm elections, the map will be dramatically different. The 35th moved south east of San Antonio to Republican country. The 37th made more compact right there in Austin. The result, two Democratic districts become one and tens of thousands of Texans now represented by Democrats in Congress dispersed into more rural and Republican districts.

KING (voice-over): Gretchen Pruett is one of those Democrats. And this winery just outside of Kyle is one of her favorite places. Pruett moved to Texas 30 years ago, likes her wine red and her politics blue. GRETCHEN PRUETT, TEXAS VOTER: I wanted to live near Austin and I was looking for a place that would be a community that I would feel at home in.

KING (voice-over): The new map puts Pruett in a district represented by a Republican. That isn't her only objection.

PRUETT: It's also a district that is heavily farming and industrial and that is not the same kind of industry and ecosystem that we're in here in Austin suburbs.

KING (voice-over): Pruett was a library director who first became politically active fighting Texas Republicans trying to ban books. Now, she's embracing a new cause, trying to elect a Democrat in a district drawn to heavily favor a Republican.

PRUETT: It has activated me and my family. So, we will be helping to register voters. We will be helping to get out the vote. When I was in public service in the government, I could not speak out, but I'm now retired and unmuzzled. And so, I have a voice and I'm going to use it.

KING (voice-over): Pruett has studied the new lines and she knows the math, but she promises to fight on if a Republican wins next year.

PRUETT: I just believe that conversation and compromise and seeing all sides of the issue and then making a decision.

[09:00:00]