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Trump's Economy Rating; FDA Fast-Tracks Psychedelic Drug Research; FDA Approves Gene Therapy for Deafness. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 24, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Senator writing, look, we said 60 days. We've got 60 days. Beyond that window, we don't want to see this go on without congressional approval.

Do you have a sense that there is enough bipartisan support to rein in the president on the length of this war?

REP. GIL CISNEROS (D-CA): Well, I can tell you, on the Democratic side, there is support to rein in this war. Hopefully my Republican colleagues will stick to what they've said. No troops on the ground. No more than 60 days. We're -- right now we're at that window, right? So, they need for us to take back, as the House of Representatives, the complete Congress, our responsibility to declare war and to authorize military action. We cannot keep turning that over to this administration and let him continue to act on this Trump war without the authority of Congress.

SIDNER: You, as well as everyone in Congress knows, you've got to have enough Republicans on your side to try to get that done. We'll see what happens going forward.

I do want to talk to you about the economy, because as you mentioned at the very onset of this, you know, people in the United States are very upset about their own personal economies and how they're being able to go day by day to deal with the high prices of gas and other goods.

There's a new Fox poll that came out and showing that voters believe Democrats would do a better job on the economy over Republicans. This is the first time that Democrats have polled better than Republicans on this issue since 2010, which is a little bit of a backhanded compliment, but it's certainly a compliment in and of itself right now.

What's the first thing you think needs to be done to make this economy better for everyday Americans?

CISNEROS: Well, you know, one of the first things we want to focus on is health care, right? That is why we have kind of, as the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives, is focused on that policy. The Affordable Care Act subsidies, lowering the costs, making sure that we're protecting Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that people can get preventive care rather than having to seek treatment in an emergency room. We need to -- this war needs to end, right? These tariffs need to end. And these are all things that we want to work on as a Democratic congress when we are going to take the majority and we are going to push this agenda to ensure that we can help lower the cost and make it more -- things more affordable for the American people.

And, look, it's no surprise, right? When you look throughout the history, the last few presidents, right, it has been Democratic presidents always pulling a Republican economic crisis, you know, from the ground up, you know, curing it and taking care of it. So, it doesn't surprise me that those poll numbers came out saying they trust Democrats more now on the economy.

SIDNER: I do have to ask you about what is happening in California in the governor's race. There was a debate for California governor. There will be another one here on CNN. Who are you backing at this point?

CISNEROS: I'm backing Xavier Becerra. You know, I worked with him when he was at -- the secretary at DHS -- or, I'm sorry, of Health and Human Services, and I was at the Pentagon as undersecretary for personnel and readiness. We worked together on health care. I know his work ethic. I know what he's done. He's got the background, both as the attorney general in California, and as well as a former member of Congress and serving in the state legislature. So, he is the one that I believe can support and keep moving California forward.

SIDNER: I also want to ask you about this situation when it comes to, obviously, the jet fuel, very, very expensive. You're hearing from CEOs saying that the prices are going to remain high. They're about 20 percent up for those who are buying plane tickets.

And now we have this bailout on the table for Spirit Airlines. A $500 million potential bailout for Spirit. We're hearing from Republicans saying they don't like it. That -- Representative Keith Self of Texas said so. Do you support bailing out the airline?

CISNEROS: I don't support bailing out the airline. They've had economic troubles long beyond this crisis started. We don't need to be bailing out the airline. What we need to do is end this war and get costs down, get the fuel costs down. That's what's going to help the American people.

SIDNER: Congressman Gil Cisneros, thank you so much for your time. Have a great weekend.

Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, so you have to meet this adorable toddler and learn about the groundbreaking gene therapy that is helping him hear.

And the number one draft pick ready to prove himself once again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FERNANDO MENDOZA: I'm just looking forward to get to work. Prove it at the next level. College was fantastic. I'm so blessed to have that career. But now I step into a great game of the NFL.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:39:12]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump likes to say he has created an historic economy. Well, he is making history on the economy.

CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is here.

Is it the kind of history he'll like, Harold?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: No, I don't believe so, Johnny B. The president is making history on the economy, at least how Americans feel about it, in the completely wrong way.

What are we talking about here? Well, let's take a look at Trump's net approval rating on the economy. Look at where he is today. Way, way down there, minus 32 points in the net approval rating. At the beginning of term two, remember, Trump got a term two because voters trusted him more on the economy than Kamala Harris. He was at plus six. That's a nearly 40-point drop in a little bit more than a years' time. And look at where he was at term one at this point. He was at plus two points. Remember, the economy was a strength for him in term one at this point.

[09:40:01]

It was a strength for him throughout his entire term one. But in term number two, it has become absolutely an anchor that is dragging him down to a historic degree.

BERMAN: This is what kept him afloat in term number one here. It's just so different right now.

Where does this rank in history of presidents at this time in their administration?

ENTEN: Yes, OK. So, you see him right here. Donald Trump at the lowest point in terms of his net approval rating on the economy. But, you know, Johnny B., I'm a student of history. I like reading those history books. I like going through the spreadsheets.

And just take a look here. He's not just the lowest at this point in -- at any point in either of his presidencies, but he is at the lowest, he has the worst net approval rating at this point in any term for any president. Look at this, he's at minus 32 points now. Joe Biden, of course, Donald Trump loved to rip Joe Biden on the economy. Joe Biden, though, was at minus 25 points, seven points better. How about George W. Bush? Minus 25 points. Again, seven points better than Donald Trump. And, of course, Donald Trump loves to rip on James Earl Carter. But James Earl Carter, Jimmy Carter, was at minus 22 points. Ten points better than Donald Trump is right now.

So, again, Donald Trump making the type of history that no president likes to make.

BERMAN: I mean, this is historic. No president has been this low at this point in the presidency on the economy, period, full stop.

ENTE: Full stop. Full stop. Presidency or term.

BERMAN: OK. And if you think this is bad.

ENTEN: If you think this negative 32 points is bad, you ain't seen nothing yet. Because just take a look at independents. Oh my. Oh my. Johnny B., oh my. Look at this, Trump's economic net approval rating among independents. He's at minus 55 points, ladies and gentlemen. Minus 55 points. Fifty-five points underwater.

Look at that. He was a plus one. He was a plus one in January of 2025. That's a 56-point drop. And in term number one, he was breaking even at zero. So, he's 55 points lower. The bottom line is, the reason why the general electorate is leaving Donald Trump is being driven -- the car is being totally driven by independents absolutely abandoning him. He is down there with the Titanic at this point.

BERMAN: I mean, the swing like you just don't see --

ENTEN: You don't see it.

BERMAN: Swings like this.

ENTE: This is the type of stuff where you're reading the history books when you're back in college and you go, whoa, that could never happen again. And that is the type of thing that absolutely ruins presidents.

BERMAN: And if it did, it would have to be an event. I mean that's what's, you know, there's no like one thing exactly, maybe tariffs, maybe not. But again, that's such a huge swing.

OK, what are the prediction markets saying? One of the issues has been inflation.

ENTEN: Yes.

BERMAN: People are not happy about that. What are the prediction markets saying about where inflation is headed?

ENTEN: It ain't going any better. It ain't going any better. Take a look at the Kalshi prediction market. Chances April's CPI year-over- year is above March's 3.3 percent, 98 percent chance. That's not 100, but it's pretty gosh darn close.

The bottom line is this, the economy for Donald Trump is his Waterloo.

BERMAN: All right, Harry Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BERMAN: We got a lot of news this morning. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:47:26]

BERMAN: All right, we do have breaking news. The FDA has announced a fast-track review of certain psychedelics for mental health conditions.

Let's get to CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard for the latest on this.

What are you learning, Jacqueline?

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: Yes, John, we just got this announcement from the FDA. They're issuing national priority vouchers to three companies studying these specific psychedelic drugs. One voucher is for psilocybin, which is the active ingredient when we think of mushrooms. And this is for the treat -- for the potential treatment of treatment resistant depression. So, this is for patients who have not responded to traditional treatment approaches for depression.

The second voucher, psilocybin for major depressive disorder. And then the third voucher is for methylone for post-traumatic stress disorder. And that drug is similar to MDA. So, these are the three national priority vouchers that the administration is issuing to fast track the review of these psychedelics for these potential treatment approaches.

Now, another action the FDA announced just moments ago, John, is that it's also allowing an early phase clinical study of ibogaine to move forward. Now, ibogaine is another psychedelic that's been getting a lot of attention. It derives from the African iboga plant. And in this case, the FDA says it's going to allow this clinical study to move forward here in the United States. And this is the first instance in which the FDA is allowing a clinical study based here in the U.S. And this study is going to look at ibogaine as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder.

Now, John, these FDA actions are happening just days after President Trump signed an executive order to accelerate research and accelerate the possible approval process for psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine. And the administration has said this is a priority because there is a mental health crisis, they say, here in the U.S., and especially they're hearing from military veterans who are pushing for and advocating for more potential treatment options. It's estimated, John, that about 6,000 veterans sadly die a year here in the U.S. by suicide.

So, the administration says this is why this is now a priority. But many experts I've talked to say that we still need to do more research. We need to weigh the risks versus benefits when we think about these psychedelics as potential treatment options.

[09:50:01]

So, that's what we expect to hear more about, John, is that research process as well. BERMAN: All right, Jacqueline Howard, thank you so much for that

update. A lot of people will be watching this review very, very closely.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, on our radar, a U.S. special forces soldier involved in planning and carrying out the capture of ex-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, under arrest now and facing charges this morning. Master Sergeant Gannon Ken Van Dyke is accused of betting on the operation online and making nearly $400,000 in profit. He allegedly wagered about $32,000 on Polymarket that Maduro would be, quote, out by January. Maduro was captured January 3rd. Van Dyck faces five criminal charges and will make his first court appearance in North Carolina.

All right, there is a bipartisan push in D.C. for chicken, specifically hot rotisserie chicken. A group of senators introduced a bill to allow SNAP recipients to buy the super supermarket staple with their benefits. Right now, recipients cannot buy any hot food with their SNAP benefits. But the senators say this particular rule doesn't make any sense. They argue the chicken is inexpensive, healthy and practical for families.

All right, in January, his -- he led his team to the first ever college basketball (ph) national championship. Now, Fernando Mendoza is at the very top of the NFL draft. The Heisman winning Indiana quarterback -- Katie's over there cheering -- was taken number one by the Las Vegas Raiders last night. Mendoza watched and celebrated from his home in Florida with his mom and his dad and dozens of family members alongside him. Mendoza says he's grateful for the journey so far, and he is ready for what comes next.

All right, does stripping off your shirt help your golf swing? Golfer Michael Brennan apparently thought it did. He -- OK, we've got some people taking off shirts and jackets here, and I just, John, keep it on. Keep it on, John. He -- don't do it. As he tried to hit his ball out of a muddy water near the green, he threw off his shirt. He hit the ball but sent it deeper into the hazard. So, apparently, that doesn't work. The moment quickly went viral online and friends called the moment a thirst trap, which is --

BOLDUAN: Yes.

SIDNER: I mean, he got a lot of abs. So, he's showing off a lot of abs.

BOLDUAN: Yes. I also like his stance. Joh, put your shirt back on.

SIDNER: John, it's --

BOLDUAN: Just kidding.

SIDNER: Really.

Unfortunately, the team ended the day 11 under par. Kate.

BOLDUAN: We got to get in some trouble with HR on a Friday, guys, right?

All right.

SIDNER: John is turning red, by the way.

BOLDUAN: What? Oh, is that what that --

SIDNER: John is turning red.

BOLDUAN: Is that that color? Is that that color?

SIDNER: Yes.

BOLDUAN: OK. We're going -- we're all going to come together in a second. Let's go here first.

For the very first time, the FDA has approved a gene therapy to treat inherited hearing loss. We're talking about a treatment specifically for children born with a rare genetic mutation. The condition affects about 50 babies born each year in the United States. And the results of this treatment, nothing short of miraculous.

CNN's Meg Tirrell has this story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: A year ago, this little boy, Miles, could hear almost nothing. But now his life is filled with sound.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Shake, shake, shake.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He loves music and dancing and running around. I never thought this would be possible. What does the leopard say?

MILES: Rarr.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ah!

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And to find out that your baby is profoundly deaf is just so scary. And I remember sitting in that room, it was dark, and I just started sobbing. And it was really the start of our journey.

TIRRELL: Miles was born with a rare genetic mutation in a gene known as Otof (ph). It's so rare, only about 50 kids are born with it each year in the United States. But it turned out that there was a clinical trial going on of a completely new way of treating this kind of hearing loss. Miles' parents signed him up.

In results from about five months after the treatment, 11 out of 12 participants had improvements in their hearing. Six could hear soft speech and three had essentially normal hearing. Now, that therapy, made by the company Regeneron, has just received FDA approval.

So, how does it work? Well, it's called gene therapy. It involves using a harmless virus to deliver a working copy of a gene directly into the inner ear to fix the faulty mutation that's causing Miles' hearing loss. For his family, the results were incredible.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He didn't like music. He wouldn't sit for stories. He would try to interact with his siblings to the best of his abilities, but, you know, it was hard for him. And then after the surgery, we quickly started to realize that his hearing was coming back.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is that?

MILES: (INAUDIBLE) bee (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: One of the days we were heading to school, I was like, Miles, I love you. And he had his back to me. He turned right around and he went, and blew me a kiss. And I was like, you heard me. You heard me say that and you blew me a kiss.

It's just amazing.

TIRRELL: The new gene therapy is the first ever for hearing loss. And though Miles' condition is rare, the hope is that this will lead to more breakthroughs that can extend the kinds of benefits that Miles has experienced to many more people.

[09:55:05]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER: Hear someone scream.

TIRRELL: So, guys, of course, this is just such a good news story.

BERMAN: We all love Miles.

(CROSS TALK)

SIDNER: He's so sweet.

TIRRELL: But there's more. But, wait, there's more.

BOLDUAN: Oh.

TIRRELL: So, normally these drugs can cost millions of dollars for each of these patients, just so the companies can try to make a return. But in this case, Regeneron is saying it's going to make this drug available for free to children in the United States. It's a small patient population, and they say they hope to take this technology and expand it to more people. So, all around.

BOLDUAN: That gives me chills when you think about, like, good medicine and also just like a company doing well -- doing good on this. And Miles is so cute.

SIDNER: A baby.

BERMAN: It's just life changing. I mean, just think of that. One, you know, the pill (ph), go from not being able to hear to being able to hear.

SIDNER: Yes, not surgery.

BOLDUAN: Thank you.

SIDNER: And just the way that that child is smiling and goofing around with his mom. I'm done.

BERMAN: Yes, he's trouble.

SIDNER: So cute.

BERMAN: Miles is trouble.

BOLDUAN: Exactly.

SIDNER: (INAUDIBLE), Miles.

BOLDUAN: Whatever you want, Miles, you get.

TIRRELL: Absolutely.

BERMAN: All right, thank you all so much for joining us.

SIDNER: "SIT ROOM" --

BERMAN: "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

SIDNER: It's Friday. We got to go.

BERMAN: Let's go. Yes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)