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Alexander Vindman is Interviewed about Video of Second Boat Strike; Quilen Blackwell is Interviewed about His Award. Aired 9:30- 10a ET

Aired December 08, 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]

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: It seems to me there are some people who are trying to resist the Paramount bid because of the perception that Ellison and Paramount have cozied up to the Trump administration in the past 12 months. Ellison is a really interesting figure. Father -- son of Larry Ellison, the Oracle billionaire, who has a relationship with Trump. David Ellison donated to Joe Biden's reelection campaign last year. But in the past 12 months, he has struck out a relationship with President Trump. He was seen at UFC matches near the president. He was able to make some concessions with the Trump administration in order to win approval to buy Paramount. And now Ellison is in this really powerful seat where he's trying to take a hostile bid over the top, straight to shareholders, for all of Warner Brothers Discovery. This is going to go on for months, and nobody knows how it's going to end.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: That is the one certainty in all of this is, no one knows how this is going to end.

Brian, thank you very much for the reporting. Clearly, much more to come.

STELTER: Yes.

BOLDUAN: John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning, the pressure is growing on the Trump administration to release the full video of the deadly double-tap strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean. Some have called it a potential war crime. President Trump has said he'd be fine releasing the full video, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over the weekend would not commit. This is what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, Mr. Secretary, you will be releasing that full video?

PETE HEGSETH, DEFENSE SECRETARY: We are reviewing it right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is that a yes or no?

HEGSETH: That is we're -- the most important thing to me are the ongoing operations in the Caribbean with our folks that use bespoke capabilities, techniques, procedures in the process. I'm way more interested in protecting that than anything else. So, reviewing the process and we'll see.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: With us now, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman. He served on the White House National Security Council in the first Trump administration, then became a key witness against President Trump during the 2019 impeachment over his dealings with Ukraine.

Colonel Vindman, great to see you.

So, the White House, the Defense Department have released all kinds of videos of strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean. What would be different about releasing this one? What valid reason could there be not to release this one?

LT. COL. ALEXANDER VINDMAN (RET.), FORMER DIRECTOR FOR EUROPEAN AFFAIRS, NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL: John, thanks for having me on.

I think, frankly, what we're hearing is some smoke and mirrors. This idea that, you know, the secretary of war crimes, as I've been calling him after these strikes and the revelations of this double-tap, are trying to cover for -- on op-sec reasons that they can't release this video when numerous versions of various strikes have been released. There's now reporting that the Navy has been directed to delete some of these videos. There is no substance to the fact that this needs to be reviewed from an operational security perspective.

What Hegseth is trying to do, he's trying to cover up the fact that when the first strike resulted in shipwrecked sailors, the second strike that killed them was a -- was a patent war crime. It was a violation of war, a violation of law of the sea. So, that's what he's covering up for. He's on thin ice between Signal-gate and the I.G.'s investigation of the fact that he compromised the safety and welfare of our airmen who were conducting those operations. And this particular instance with multiple strikes in the Caribbean, I think that puts him on thin ice and he's trying to keep treading water.

BERMAN: Defenders of Secretary Hegseth, and we had one, Senator Tom Cotton, on with us last week, say, look, these two survivors were trying to flip the boat back over. And Senator Cotton says, continue on their drug run, which made them a legitimate target he says. He also says, because there are overall legal questions about whether these strikes are legal on their face, first, second, third, fourth strikes, whatever, any strikes. And this is how Senator Cotton justified going after alleged drug boats.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOM COTTON (R-AR): If those boats were loaded with bombs or missiles headed for the United States, I don't think anyone would dispute that we had every right and indeed a duty to intercept them. But those drugs detonate like a bomb all across Arkansas and all across America, killing hundreds of Arkansans and hundreds of thousands of Americans. Our government has a duty to protect our communities from those drugs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, he's arguing the drugs are like bombs and weapons, therefore you can go after the boats. What do you say to that argument?

VINDMAN: It's deeply troubling. So, what happens to drugs that are across in U.S. territory and being proliferated by drug runners here in the U.S.? Does his logic also mean that the U.S. military could strike targets domestically, or do we go through what the law says due process and that folks are arrested, that there's an evidentiary basis on which to convict and imprison folks.

This whole thing is an absolute mess. It's deeply disturbing that we're -- we think that because it's overseas in international waters that we don't have to have a basis on which to go after drug runners. These -- drugs and bombs are two different things.

[09:35:01]

Drugs potentially could make it over to the U.S. It's still entirely unclear whether all these boats actually are drug runners or human trafficking or something else, or mistakes. We make mistakes all the time. The U.S. military makes mistakes, unfortunately, all the time. Just think about recent incidents in Afghanistan and strikes on civilian targets. I find it deeply disturbing that we do not go through some sort of process in which we could adjudicate these matters and then take action. This is criminal activity and then double-taps take any doubt out of this matter that this was a war crime.

BERMAN: Very quickly, we just heard from the German Chancellor Merz meeting in London with Ukrainian Leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I want you to listen to his exact words about what he said with the current peace plan that's being discussed.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRIEDRICH MERZ, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY: I'm skeptical about some of the details, which we are seeing in the documents coming from the U.S. side.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So, we're almost out of time, Colonel, but to hear the German chancellor say outright, for the whole world to hear that he's skeptical of parts of the U.S. peace deal, what's the significance there?

VINDMAN: It's not a peace deal. This was a Russian wish list given to the U.S. side to actors that are looking to serve their own interests, not national security interests. That is mainly a ploy for Trump, for Putin to either divide the U.S. from Ukraine or get Ukrainian capitulation. He's not going to get capitulation. So, he's looking to divide.

And I think that the Republican establishment is, to some extent, pushing back on it. If you think about what happened with the National Defense Authorization Act, some of these -- the bits of legislation on sanctions coming through, that there is a separation within the U.S. government on what is -- amounts to an appeasement approach versus advancing U.S. national security.

BERMAN: We will have to see what these European leaders come out saying after meeting with Zelenskyy behind closed doors.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, thanks for being with us. Thank you.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, up ahead, officially Instagram official. How former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry rolled out their situationship on social media.

Also, the stunning footage from Hawaii as Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts, knocking out a nearby camera. But before it did, the pictures are unbelievably powerful.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:41:47]

BERMAN: All right, it is nearly that time, since 1927, "Time" magazine has named a person of the year, with everyone from presidents to popes, dictators to activists making the cover.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is with us now.

So, Harry, who's the favorite?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, I mean, at this point, you know, according to the prediction markets, what we see is interestingly, it looks like a two thing race, not a two person race.

BERMAN: A two entity race.

ENTEN: That's it, a two entity race, because right now what we're seeing in the top two slots are A.I. and the co-founder of Nvidia. So, this is one of these very interesting things where what you see at this point is it's very clear that A.I. is leading this race. But again, it's a very close one too. It's a -- looks like a plurality lead at this point.

BERMAN: So, A.I., not a person technically I'm told.

ENTEN: No.

BERMAN: So, has it --

ENTEN: According to some people it is a person. BERMAN: Has a non-person ever won?

ENTEN: Yes. In fact, a non-person has won twice. You have to go back to the 1980s. But in 1982, I do believe, it was the computer actually was the "Time" person of the year. And in 1988, endangered earth was the "Time" person of the year. Not a person or people, though. At least, I think, endangered earth has feelings associated. But I think the computer is actually an interesting one because, you know, that sparked a revolution, right? And I think a lot of people see A.I. as sparking a similar revolution.

BERMAN: I just love the idea of an endangered earth in 1988 showing up to accept the award.

ENTEN: The globe literally comes out onto the stage, the whole thing.

BERMAN: You know, says, I'd like to thank my agent and Chad Lowe.

We're talking about A.I. being the favorite here. How much more has A.I. entered into U.S. culture?

ENTEN: Yes, I mean, just over the last few years. You know, I think a few years ago, you know, A.I. was this thing that some computer nerds kind of looked at, some people who were futurists kind of looked at. But now it is much more prominent in life. And we can see this in the polling data, you know, essentially looking at Pew Research over the last few years have heard or read a lot about A.I. Look at this. In 2022 it was 26 percent. Now it's up to 47 percent. Nothing a little dropping from 74 percent to 52 percent.

BERMAN: How have feelings changed?

ENTEN: Yes, this is, I think, the more interesting thing. As more people have gotten to know about A.I., the feelings have actually become worse. The fears of A.I. become worse. Look at this. More concerned in 2021, 37 percent, versus now 50 percent, who say increased A.I. use in daily life makes me more concerned, more excited, has dropped from just 18 percent to 10 percent.

So, look, A.I. has a pretty decent shot of being the "Time" entity or person of the year. But I think there are a lot of folks who wish that A.I. was not as prominent in our lives.

BERMAN: Of course, you and I have both won once that year that that the "Time" person of the year was you, as in all of us. We all won (ph).

ENTEN: That's right. We did it, guys. We did it.

BERMAN: All right. We'll see if we get it again this year.

Harry Enten, thank you so much.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BERMAN: We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:49:13]

SIDNER: Oh, the speculation's over. Pop meets politics in one of the year's most unexpected pairings. There's been months of speculation about the relationship between former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry. Well, wonder no more. They have gone Instagram official. Perry posted photos of the two cheek to cheek and sharing sushi in Japan during her world tour.

All right, watch this. This is incredible video. A stunning time lapse of Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupting from dawn to dusk on Saturday. Look at those pictures. Lava shooting 50 to 100 feet in the air. Kilauea is one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupting on and off since late 2024 now. Officials are monitoring closely, but for now the eruption remains confined to the crater.

[09:50:01]

I have to remind you that in 2018 this eruption of Kilauea, it was the most destructive in 200 years. But those are incredible, incredible pictures you're seeing.

BERMAN: All right, we now have our 2025 CNN hero of the year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDERSON COOPER AND LAURA COATES, HOSTS, "CNN HERO OF THE YEAR": The 2025 --

COATES: CNN --

COOPER AND COATES: Hero of the year is --

COATES: Quilen Blackwell.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Nice smile. Quilen Blackwell bringing new life to empty lots on Chicago's south side. His nonprofit, Southside Blooms, turns vacant lots into eco-friendly flower farms, employing 25 local young people to grow, harvest, arrange and sell flowers at the group's nonprofit flower shop.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

: And it's like a big win for the hood. You know, I love the hood. I love it so much. You know, we get a bad rap, but, you know, we're going to -- we're going to -- we're going to shine. Shine the path forward for the country. There's a lot of amazing things going on in the inner cities that is going to surprise a lot of people. And I'm really thankful for all the young men and women who've been a part of our work, because they're the stars. I don't -- truth be told, I don't know how to make a centerpiece. I don't know how to make a bouquet.

ANDERSON COOPER, HOST: I don't know either.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Oh, here with us now, Quilen Blackwell. You know what makes a good centerpiece? This.

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: You don't need no flowers. You can just use the award.

BERMAN: Congratulations. How does it feel?

QUILEN BLACKWELL, 2025 CNN HERO OF THE YEAR: Thank you. It feels great. You know, like this really isn't about me. It's about, you know, our team, our communities. But, yes, we're very humbled and honored to, you know, be -- get this type of recognition.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you about this because there are -- you talk about being in the hood. You talked about, you know, some of these blighted areas that you've turned into this beautiful space. But there's such these, these dark stereotypes, these, these negative stereotypes about people who live in those areas. And this gives such a different perspective as to what people are capable of. I mean it's quite beautiful.

What was your relationship with the with, the kids that you're -- you're sort of getting into, being both gardeners and florists.

BLACKWELL: Yes. So, I'm not originally from Chicago. I'm originally from Madison, Wisconsin. And I was really like, you know, compelled, you know, through my faith and, you know, my love for the people to, you know, put myself in an environment that, you know, wasn't, you know, native to how I grew up. So, I really had to, you know, forge those relationships with our young people. And, you know, a lot of it was just trying to help them to, you know, meet their needs and help them to, you know, affirm their dignity so that they can have the freedom to live their lives how they see fit.

BOLDUAN: And, Quilen, talk about the flowers. I mean, I -- we all, everyone, everyone loves flowers. But it might not be the first thing people think of to, like, I see a -- I see blight, I see a vacant lot, let's fill it with flowers. What was it about it? Why choose flowers instead of, I don't know, something else you could grow. Some other installation you could put in a vacant lot.

BLACKWELL: Well, we actually did try a lot of different things. We landed on flowers because, you know, when you look at the floral industry, it's about a $35 billion a year industry. But 80 percent of the flowers that you see in the United States actually come from overseas. So, for us, this is really about trying to establish a new anchor industry in the inner city.

BOLDUAN: This is so cool.

BERMAN: Yes. SIDNER: Right.

BOLDUAN: The way you -- the work you put into, even the thought process behind it. Keep going. I'm so sorry.

BLACKWELL: Yes. So, you know, like for us, this is bigger than just trying to create a youth program or even like a successful business. Like, we really do want to reestablish industry, not just in Chicago, but across inner cities, across America. And, you know, we just kind of figured, like, hey, all that wealth that's currently being exported overseas, why not have that reside right here in our inner cities. Like, what could that do for our community? So.

BERMAN: Just talk to us about some of the young people you're working with. What are they like? What are they into? What do they think of flowers?

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BLACKWELL: It depends which one you ask. But many of them didn't expect it. Like, you know, obviously, you know, floristry isn't really a thing, you know, for like a lot of our youth. So, you know, we've gotten a wide range of reactions. You know, some of our kids like Deontay (ph), for example, you know, you know, he kind of thought it was girly, it was a little feminine, you know, but, you know, he really needed the money, so he's willing to try it and, you know, he's really -- he's flourishing.

SIDNER: A practical (ph) fella.

BLACKWELL: Yes, exactly. Very, very practical guy.

SIDNER: Yes.

BLACKWELL: You know, and then we have, like, you know, other youth who, you know, see it as a way to advance some of their own dreams. So, we've had kids come who are like first generation college students, and this was like more of a means to an end. We had kids who just needed a way to be able to take care of their families, help provide incomes for their household. So, yes, there's a litany of responses that, you know, we've had from our youth.

[09:55:02]

SIDNER: This is the whole teaching a man to fish.

BERMAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: You know, thought process. And that's exactly what you're doing.

You talked about potentially expanding this to other cities. What's the plan?

BLACKWELL: Yes. So, you know, our goal, especially going into 2026, is to really lay the foundation to expand nationwide. You know, the plan is to start recruiting other groups across the country that, you know, are interested in having a Southside Blooms. Obviously, Chicago is not the only city that, you know, faces the same issues that we face. So, you know, you go to our website, you know, southsideblooms.com, and, you know, we actually have a landing page set up, you know, for people who are interested in having a Southside Blooms in their city.

BOLDUAN: I love it. And with CNN Heroes, you get a big boost in heading in that direction. I mean, congratulations.

BLACKWELL: Thank you. Appreciate it.

BOLDUAN: Truly it's so great to celebrate something so good.

SIDNER: I love it so much.

BLACKWELL: Awesome.

BOLDUAN: Quilen Blackwell, CNN's Hero of the Year. Thank you so much.

BLACKWELL: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: He's such a fantastic guy.

BERMAN: That was awesome.

BOLDUAN: It was, wasn't it?

And thank you all for joining us today. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

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