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Rubio Says, U.S. Can See the Finish Line in War With Iran; Now, Final Preparations Ahead of NASA's Historic Moon Mission; Supreme Court Debates Birthright Citizenship. Aired 7-7:30a ET

Aired April 01, 2026 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news, a brand new poll shows the president's approval on the economy falls to an all-time career low. Gas hits $4 and 6 cents a gallon, as the president, as the White House announces he will address the nation on Iran tonight, he now says he can end the war without a deal.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Right. In just hours, America sends four astronauts on a ten-day mission to the moon. No human has done this in half a century. A live look at Artemis II, standing as tall as a Statue of Liberty as we do countdown for liftoff.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: And from ninth grade to the governor's mansion. A 14-year-old started his own movement and landed himself on the ballot for governor.

I'm Kate Bolduan with John Berman and Sara Sidner. This is CNN News Central.

BERMAN: And the breaking news, a brand new poll shows the president's approval on the economy is at an all time low for him, as he will address the nation tonight with a, quote, important update on the war with Iran. Perhaps the two thoughts there are connected. There are signs he is looking for a way to end the conflict, now saying it'd be over in two to three weeks.

And after saying Iran was begging for a deal, the president now says It doesn't matter whether Iran agrees to one. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio now says the end is near.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: We can see the finish line. It's not today, it's not tomorrow, but it is coming. We are going to get to the point where our military will have achieved all of its objectives in this mission, and they're doing so with extraordinary efficiency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: But the president now flat out says that opening the Strait of Hormuz is not a U.S. problem or concern. Iran has choked off that critical waterway where about 20 percent of the world's oil supply usually flows through. The average price for a gallon of gas in the U.S. is now $4.6 cents, though oil prices are falling this morning.

And breaking this morning, the president tells The Telegraph he's strongly considering pulling the U.S. out of NATO. He actually said it is beyond reconsideration after members of NATO were reluctant to help with the Strait of Hormuz.

Let's get right to CNN's Kristen Holmes live at the White House this morning for this, really, combination of factors all leading into the big speech tonight. Kristen?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Good morning, John. Let's start with that speech because it's coming at a time where Americans overwhelmingly disapprove of the war in Iran and at a time where these administration officials that I'm talking to are deeply concerned about the political ramifications, not just of the war itself, but, of course, of those oil and gas prices.

And now you see President Trump really starting to shift on that timeline. It used to be four to six weeks. We're in the fifth week. Now, he's saying another two to three weeks. And there is a lot of ambiguity around all of this. As you noted, this is also coming at a time where Trump and his administration have come to believe that promising to reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of a prerequisite to end this war in Iran is likely impossible.

Now, we are hearing that they have tried to achieve these military objectives. They believe that's all that they really can do within Trump's self-imposed timeline. But Trump also seems to be taking credit for something else. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We have had regime change. Now, regime change was not one of the things I had as a goal. I had one goal. They will have no nuclear weapon. And that goal has been attained. They will not have nuclear weapons. But we're finishing the job. And I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer to do the job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: It's confusing now that we're hearing all of this talk about regime change. It really makes you wonder if that might be part of what he's going to be talking about tonight. And just a reminder here, he also said that the regime that they're talking to now is different. It's less radical. It's more rational.

The people that he is talking to, or that the administration is talking to, are people who have relationships with the new supreme leader, who, again, is the son of the old supreme leader.

[07:05:01]

So, for all intents and purposes, this was not actual regime change. It was just a regime shift within the same ideological space. BERMAN: Yes, these are important distinctions. We will hear how the president frames it tonight. Kristen Holmes at the White House, thank you so much for your reporting. Sara?

SIDNER: All right. Right now, the final preparations are underway for NASA's historic launch that's just hours away now. NASA is about to send four astronauts around the moon and back again, returning humans to deep space for the first time in more than 50 years. If successful, we could see astronauts back on the moon surface this decade.

For the crew, three from the United States and one from Canada, they could set the record for farthest anyone has ever traveled from Earth as they swing around the dark side of the moon.

CNN's Jackie Wattles is live near the launch site at Kennedy Space Center. What can we expect in the company hours as this countdown happens? I know the excitement is building and building and building for this.

JACKIE WATTLES, CNN SPACE AND SCIENCE WRITER: Absolutely, yes. The anticipation is palpable. There is definitely a lot of anxiety here on the launch site but also quite a bit of calm. NASA officials actually aren't tracking any major issues with the rocket. That could change, of course, as we get down into countdown procedures today. But take a listen to how senior NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding described it yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEFF SPAULDING, SENIOR TEST DIRECTOR, NASA: I think everybody understands what our mission is, and that's to get back to the moon and we're going to establish a presence there in the very near future.

So, I think there's a lot of excitement and fervor within all of the groups that are out there, but especially here at Kennedy, the folks that I see are very, very excited to get on with this mission and then get on and get started with the next one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATTLES: Really, yes. So, you can see there how excited this group is. But, of course, once fueling gets underway, we'll be keeping a close eye out for any leaks. This rocket is pretty notorious for having fuel leaks. And NASA's been really trying to keep those under control. And fuelings about to start off later this morning, so we'll be keeping a close eye on it.

SIDNER: And we're looking at some live pictures now, the Kennedy Space Center there, as we are waiting. What is NASA saying about the possibility of putting astronauts on the moon?

WATTLES: Right, yes. Well that's the big goal here, right? This is just a test mission, hoping that it paves the way for that next lunar landing. And NASA's new administrator, Jared Isaacman, he came in and really shook things up. Initially, NASA planned to go straight from this mission to an attempted moon landing. But Mr. Isaacman is really trying to speed things up by actually inserting another mission next year that will actually test that lunar landing technology.

And the hope here is actually to make things go faster by testing earlier. So, we'll be looking forward to seeing how this mission goes. And if all goes well, we might be able to make that deadline of next year happen where we'll take this spacecraft back to low Earth orbit and test docking it with the lunar lander. And that should pave the way for an actual landing in 2028.

But I should note in the space community, these deadlines are crazy. Like not a lot of space programs work that fast. So, it'll be quite stunning if NASA hits the deadlines it set out for itself.

SIDNER: Yes. We're seeing a lot of blue skies behind you too. So, it looks like the weather may actually cooperate.

Jackie Wattles, thank you so much for your reporting there from Kennedy Space Center. We'll all be watching. Kate?

BOLDUAN: President Trump says that he is going to do what no sitting president has done before, attend in person oral arguments at the Supreme Court. His attempt to end birthright citizenship is the focus. What is this going to look like?

And it was an emotional day in court, the case of a husband accused of trying to murder his wife on a birthday hike in Hawaii. What his son said when he took the stand.

And it's some incredible video we're going to bring to you this morning. A car -- after car crashes into a toll booth, bursts into flames, a state trooper jumps into action. We'll bring that to you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:10:00]

BOLDUAN: This morning, the Supreme Court is set to hear a landmark case having to do with birthright citizenship in the United States, something that's been essentially a fundamental principle in the U.S. for more than a century, and something that President Trump is now trying to toss out. He's so focused on this and the executive order that he signed to try to do it, that he's going to do what no sitting president has done before once again. He says that he's going to attend the oral arguments today in person at the Supreme Court.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: All of this legislation, all of this -- everything having to do with birthright citizenship, it was at the end of the Civil War. The reason was it had to do with the babies of slaves and the protection of the babies of slaves. It didn't have to do with the protection of multi-millionaires and billionaires wanting to have their children get an American citizenship. It is the craziest thing I've ever seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Joining us now is CNN Supreme Court Analyst Steve Vladeck. It's great to see, Steve. Thank you for being here.

You call this a remarkably weak case, as you've watched this kind of make its way through the system. Why is it such an uphill battle for President Trump's position?

STEVE VLADECK, CNN SUPREME COURT ANALYST: Yes. There are really two different problems with the Trump administration's position here. The first is the Supreme Court has answered this question 128 years ago in a case called Wong Kim Ark.

[07:15:06]

The Supreme Court held that with three narrow exceptions, none of which apply here, the 14th Amendment means what it says. But even if this Supreme Court were willing to revisit that old precedent, Congress has stepped in. Congress has acted both in 1940 and in 1952 to require by statute the same thing the Supreme Court held the Constitution required in 1898. So, you know, Kate, whether or not Congress could change the rules for birthright citizenship, the problem -- the biggest problem for the Trump administration is the president can't do it unilaterally whether or not the Supreme Court was right 128 years ago.

BOLDUAN: And add into what you just laid out also the fact that like why did the Supreme Court even take this case if the lower courts all blocked the executive order?

VLADECK: Yes. I mean, this is what's unusual about today's oral argument. You know, folks might remember that last May, the Supreme Court heard oral argument on these same cases, but there, the question was whether the district courts had exceeded their authority by blocking the policy on a nationwide basis.

And during that oral argument last May, justices from across the ideological spectrum. Justice Barrett, Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kagan expressed real concern about the possibility that in narrowing the power of district courts, this case might not come back. So, they basically forced Solicitor General Sauer to promise to bring the case back to the Supreme Court. That's why we're here.

And so I think it's very possible that the justices have known since last summer how they intend to rule in this case and that they're going through the motions now, at least largely because they didn't want to make it look like last summer, they were dodging it.

BOLDUAN: That is such a fascinating kind of element to what could be playing out behind the scenes here.

You know, Van Jones, who all know so well, he was on yesterday and he called the show of President Trump showing up for the oral arguments unwise, unbecoming, and unfair. But beside the kind of political view of what he is doing, what impact do you actually think it will have? Which justices will you be watching most closely?

VLADECK: Yes. I mean, I'm not sure that President Trump being in the courtroom, even assuming he doesn't change his mind in the next two and a half hours, is actually going to change all that much of what happens. I think the real question is, is this going to be a blowout? I mean, is it going to be just all the justices piling on against this obviously unlawful, if not unconstitutional policy, or is it going to be close? And if it's close, I think it'll come down, as it so often does, to Chief Justice John Roberts to Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The reason why I think those two folks are especially interesting is, you know, they were in the majority in the tariffs ruling just about six weeks ago where they ruled against President Trump. I don't think they're going to feel chastened by that experience. I don't think having him in the courtroom is going to make them more sympathetic to his position. So, I think if it's close at all, those are the justices we'll want to watch the most carefully.

BOLDUAN: There's going to be a lot to watch and listen for when these oral arguments begin this morning.

It's good to see you, Steve. Thank you so much. John?

BERMAN: All right. A brand new poll out just moments ago shows major problems for the president on the economy, historically bad numbers. And the base, it shows, could be losing some enthusiasm.

And the new message from Tiger Woods this morning, now that we have seen the report from the sheriff that he was sweating profusely with pills in his pocket after he flipped his SUV.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:20:00]

BERMAN: All right. Brand new this morning, Tiger Woods says he's seeking treatment again this time after facing charges for flipping his SUV in a DWIRS.

With us now, Andy Scholes. Andy, what's the latest on this?

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORST ANALYST: Yes. Good morning, John. So, Tiger's statement last night came hours after he entered a not guilty plea to the charges of misdemeanor DUI with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test.

Now, in a statement, Tiger said, I know and understand the seriousness of the situation I find myself in today. I'm stepping away for a period of time to seek treatment and focus on my health. This is necessary in order for me to prioritize my wellbeing and work toward lasting recovery. Tiger went on to say, I'm committed to taking the time needed to return to a healthier, stronger, and more focused place, both personally and professionally. I appreciate your understanding and support and ask for your privacy for my family, loved ones, and myself at this time.

Now, in Tiger's arrest affidavit, he told police that he was looking down at his phone and changing the radio, which caused him to not see the truck slowing down in front of him. A sheriff's deputy found two hydrocodone pills in Tiger's pocket while conducting the field sobriety test.

All right, elsewhere, Italy will not be coming to the U.S. this summer for the World Cup. The four-time champions played Bosnia and Herzegovina in a playoff yesterday, and they went down to ten men after Alessandro Bastoni was sent off on a straight red card before the half. And Bosnia then scored the equalizer in the 79th minute.

They would then end up winning the match in penalties. And with the loss, Italy becomes the first former champions ever to miss out on three straight World Cups.

Now, things not looking great for the U.S. men's national team either, so we'll be in the World Cup, but did not look impressive once again in a 2-0 to Portugal in a friendly last night in Atlanta. This comes after getting stomped by Belgium 5-2 Saturday. It's now the eighth straight loss for the U.S. against European competition, which is the longest streak for the team in 50 years.

The U.S. has just two more tune-up games before the World Cup, May 31st against Senegal and June 6th against Germany. But, hey, John, you know, U.S. Coach Mauricio Pochettino says they're not far away. It's only the details the team needs to improve. And, you know, I guess you don't want to be peaking on April 1st, right, John? You want to be peaking at June 1st, July 1st.

BERMAN: Those details include -- the details include offense and defense. No. Andy, scoring goals --

SCHOLES: Scoring goals would be nice.

BERMAN: And preventing goals.

[07:25:00]

Those are the details the U.S. has to work and it's very discouraging. I'm a huge fan and these games were not good. Hopefully, they get their act together by June.

Thank you so much, Andy. Details.

SIDNER: I'm not going there. I'm not having the coach mad at me. I'm just going to let him do his thing.

BERMAN: Details, like playing soccer well. That's the detail. They have to work on that detail.

SIDNER: Okay. Okay. Thank you for that. Now I have to be serious and I can't.

All right, ahead, President Trump says if he ends the war with Iran, gas prices will fall. But experts have a different take as gas prices remain above $4 a gallon this morning.

Is your love interest right for you? A new trend that lets your friends give a PowerPoint to your potential new partners. What could go wrong? (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: New this morning, CNN polling shows President Trump's approval rating on the economy has hit a new low, just 31 percent approving of the president's handling of the economy, the top issue among Americans.

[07:30:02]

His overall approval is a point above his all-time low in CNN polling, holding steady at 35.