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Hearing For A Man Charged With Killing Two USF Doctoral Students; Trump Endorses Rebranding ICE As "Nice"; Today: Opening Statements Expected In Musk V. Altman Trial. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 28, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Joining me right now. Isabel, what's the very latest? What are you learning here?

ISABEL FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kate, good morning. This case is really intensifying the scrutiny over what role A.I. is -- is being for nowadays to help plan for crimes.

The state's top cop, Attorney General James Uthmeier just posted on X last night stating that he is expanding his criminal investigation into OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, to include the killing of these two USF doctoral students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.

He had said last week that his office was looking into whether ChatGPT helped the suspect of a deadly shooting at Florida State University in carrying out this crime and planning for it.

Now let's go into this particular case and specifically the court documents that reveal the ChatGPT searches of the suspect at play here.

Authorities did a forensic search of his phone and found that three days before the students were last seen alive, Hisham Abugharbieh, asked ChatGPT the following, what happens if a human is put into a black garbage bag and thrown into a dumpster, which the chatbot responded to him, well, that sounds dangerous.

And Hisham then said, how would they find out?

And then April 15th, this is crucial. This is one day before Zamil was last seen alive. The suspect asked ChatGPT this, whether he could legally keep a gun at the home without a license, whether a car's VIN number could be changed.

And then in the days after the killing, he -- he asked ChatGPT, has there been someone who survived a sniper bullet to the head, among other searches.

Now, I spoke with Zamil Limon's brother, and he told me that they had only lived together at this off-campus student housing for just two months. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ZUBAER AHMED, BROTHER OF ZAMIL LIMON: I ran to my mother and said that calmly and hugging her, my brother is no more. After hearing that my -- both of my parents, their -- their -- their hearts broken and they're crying like a child.

ZAHID PRANTO, BROTHER OF NAHIDA BRITSY: She was the perfect sister. She used to sing. She used to love to cook. Those were amazing days, our amazing days, our memories. And they will always be there till our last breath.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROSALES: And CNN reached out to OpenAI about this probe from the attorney general. We just heard back here in the past hour from OpenAI stating this, this is a terrible crime and our thoughts are with everyone affected. We're looking into these reports and we'll do whatever we can to support law enforcement in their investigation. Kate.

BOLDUAN: Isabel, thank you very much for your reporting on this. Much more to come. John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right. So this morning, is the Trump administration seriously considering a rebrand for ICE? President Trump has endorsed a post on X to rename the agency NICE, which would stand for National Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

He responded to the suggestion saying, great idea. Let's do it. And the Department of Homeland Security released a video showing, you know, what you might consider the softer side of ICE agents interacting with kids, shaking hands, giving hugs. This is all just within the last 24 hours.

BERMAN: With us now is Congressman Brad Schneider, a Democrat from Illinois. Congressman, good to see you this morning.

Not sure if you've seen this video of ICE agents giving hugs and helping kids or seeing the president's sort of endorsement of a rebrand. What do you think of it?

REP. BRAD SCHNEIDER (D-IL): Well, I've not seen it. And ICE doesn't need a rebrand, it needs a complete restructuring.

What we're asking, what Democrats are asking for ICE is the same we're asking of our local police; take off their masks, put on body cameras. Make sure they're following the same protocols that we would expect of any law enforcement, having warrants, respecting everybody, treating people with the respect that they deserve, and upholding the Constitution, honoring the law.

That's all we're asking for and we can't even have a conversation with Mike Johnson or -- or Republican leadership to get a bill to the floor.

BERMAN: Do you see this video? And do you see the statement from the president as an acknowledgement that they -- they think there might be a perception problem?

SCHNEIDER: Well, we're seeing this not just with ICE, but so many other things where the administration is trying to rebrand. They had the -- the -- what they originally called the One Big Beautiful Bill. Democrats were calling the one big ugly bill. And they tried to re -- rebrand that because it was so unpopular, taking a trillion dollars of Medicaid funding away from people who were desperately in -- in need of -- of healthcare.

Everything they're doing here. We're -- we're trying to pass bills this week, and -- and the Republicans can't even get a -- a rule to the floor so we can vote to open the floor and have debate.

They're -- they're trying to rebrand everything because everything they do is so unpopular.

BERMAN: You're talking about the FISA authorization there, surveillance basically, and yes, the rules committee, I guess, is not meeting today on this to get it to the floor.

[09:35:07]

What's happening there? And I know it's hard for -- to explain, I think maybe to some of our viewers here, but this is about authorizing surveillance here. Is this something you support?

SCHNEIDER: Well, let me take a step back and just talk in general. We've seen with this administration an attack on expertise, an attack on science, and now we're seeing an attack on competence, and -- and really displaying utter incompetence.

The Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and they can't even bring any kind of bills.

And what you're talking about is a national security issue, the ability to identify actors out of the country who are trying to cause harm to American citizens here in the homeland or otherwise. And it's a critical bill that needs to pass.

I support making sure we have strong national security, making sure we're protecting our borders, we're protecting our citizens, we're protecting our interests around the -- around the world.

But the fight within the Republican Party makes it impossible for the Republicans to even bring a common sense bill to the floor. And with respect to FISA, we need fixes. We need to make sure there are warrants that Americans' rights are protected.

We also make sure that people outside the country wanting to do us harm are defeated.

BERMAN: So, the Iranians reportedly made an offer to the United States to open the Strait of Hormuz. What would happen is that the Iranians would let the ships through. They haven't been letting through. The United States would end the blockade at Iranian ports. And they would push off, save to a later date, discussions about Iran's nuclear desires and program there.

There are reports this morning, the president doesn't like that proposal. It's not one he would be in favor of. Do you think that would be a fair proposal?

SCHNEIDER: No. I think, you know, the issue is with the Straits of Hormuz, starting with the end here, is the Strait should be open to all shipping. I think the position of the United States and our allies should be all ships or no ships.

Iran can't be allowed to control the Straits, not now or not after any agreement. It has to be open to -- to all shipping. But we have been fighting with Iran for more than 47 years.

The issues that we are focused on, the issues that have been on the table now for two decades is ensuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon. We had to eliminate their ballistic missile program. We've seen the threat that is, the allies in the -- in the region, and the United States.

We have to thwart their support of terrorism in the region and around the world.

And we need to give support to the Iranian people to free themselves from this terrorist regime.

Those should be the goals. Unfortunately, the president has yet to make a clear articulation of goals and a strategy for achieving them, and -- and that's why there's so much uncertainty and confusion, not just here at home, but with our allies. And I think why this war right now is at a stalemate.

BERMAN: So, the King of England coming to speak to a joint meeting of Congress today. I'm sure this is why you ran for Congress, wanted to be a U.S. elected leader so you could hear the King.

But, no, what are you listening for?

SCHNEIDER: Hundred percent.

BERMAN: What are you listening for as the King comes to speak to Congress today?

SCHNEIDER: Well, we're marking 250 years of American independence from England. And in the 250 years since, there's been up -- ups and downs in the relationship, but it is without question the most important relationship we have had throughout our history and one that we need to continue to build upon.

I think the King will talk about that. There have been tensions of late. Unfortunately, with this administration, there are tensions with all of our allies it seems.

But what I'm looking for the King to talk about is a reflection on our history and our -- our -- our growth together in -- in trying to, you know, go back to World War II, defeating the Nazis and -- and protecting democracy.

But then building the -- the world order that came after that and -- and led to what many call the American century of the 20th century. And how do we continue to build on those successes and secure peace and security for the United States and our allies into the future?

BERMAN: Congressman Brad Schneider, thanks so much for being with us this morning. Appreciate it.

So this morning, an historic diner on Route 66 is no longer an historic diner on Route 66. What -- what caused it to just collapse?

And this story is just awful and terrifying. A tourist dies after a poisonous snake crawled into his pants and bit him.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:49]

BERMAN: This morning, the redistricting wars moved to Florida. The Florida legislature taking up a proposal from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that could basically redraw the districts there and net Republicans as many as four seats or so.

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

So, if they have this map that gets Republicans four additional seats in Florida, what does that do to the national line drawing?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: These redistricting wars have gone forever. I was a young man when they first started and now I'm an elderly old man, although I always kind of felt that way.

But the bottom line is this, after all the mumbo jumbo, the most likely House seat game from mid-decade redistricting, well currently, it's Democrats plus three to four seats.

If Florida actually passes its map and it's implemented, it is a grand total of a zero seat change. So, zero, zero, zero, zero if Florida in fact actually implements its maps and the map from Virginia help.

BERMAN: So, after everything we've done.

ENTEN: Everything.

BERMAN: Everywhere we've been right back where we started. So then what did the prediction markets say? This will do the Florida map at -- for Democrats chances of retaking the House.

[09:45:02]

ENTEN: Basically no effect, no effect at all. I mean, just take a look here. This is the Kalshi prediction market. Chance that Democrats win the House in 2026 on Sunday before the maps were debuted. It was an 86 percent chance for the Democrats, the clear majority chance. Now, an 86 percent chance that Democrats actually win the House. So despite Ron DeSantis' efforts, we'll see if they actually do implement that map. But at this point, the people who are putting their money where their mouths are, they still think that Democrats are the overwhelming favorite no matter what the man from the panhandle state does.

BERMAN: Why is that then? What are they looking at? What are the polls showing overall that indicates that Democrats have this chance?

ENTEN: Yes, okay. So you -- you look at what's going on in the Sunshine State and then you see, OK, Democrats still have this 86 percent chance, still the overwhelming favorite.

And that is because for all this redistricting, Democrats just have a clear lead in the national environment, right? I mean, this is what's going on.

We're, you know, trading one seat, two seat, three seat, four seat. Generic congressional ballot at this point. Look at this. Democrats have a six-point advantage. That is double from where they were when Texas started these redistricting wars at three points.

So this is not about one or two seats. This is about a national environment in which Democrats are clearly favored.

BERMAN: And this isn't a giant lead. We've seen bigger leads than this.

ENTEN: Yes.

BERMAN: But it's enough in theory --

ENTEN: It's enough.

BERMAN: -- to retake the narrow margin they have.

But when the prediction markets are looking at this in the overall national environment, do they think this is even going to be close?

ENTEN: Yes, that's exactly it. You see the six-point advantage. You see what's going on in Florida. You know, we're talking about maybe a three to four shift towards Republicans if that map is in fact implemented.

But at this point, the people who are putting their money is where their mouths are. Look, chance that Democrats in 2026 win a very small majority, exactly 218 to 221 seats, just one percent chance.

How about a slightly bigger majority, 222 to 225, just a two percent chance. The people who putting their monies where their mouths are think that the majority is going be much wider than this.

They think that Democrats are going to run away with the House. So these three to four seat changes just don't really add up to a whole heck of lot.

BERMAN: Yes. You see much bigger numbers north of 225 seats. (INAUDIBLE)

ENTEN: Correct.

BERMAN: This is a very interesting number to look at here. So bettors are basically saying, it won't just be a narrow win, could be a bigger one.

ENTEN: It will be a huge win. And that's why they're at 86 percent chance.

BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you, Jonathan.

BERMAN: We've got much more news this morning. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:50:57]

BOLDUAN: Southwest Airlines is marking the nation's 250th anniversary in its own way with its own patriotic new plane. The Boeing 737 is being called Independence One. It features red, white, and blue paint, a giant 1776, and the words, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The jet is scheduled to make an official first flight tomorrow from Dallas to Philadelphia.

Also new this morning, a man accused of plotting to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna nearly two years ago has now pleaded guilty today, according to his lawyer. The plot was back in August of 2024, it was foiled, but you'll recall authorities canceled Swift's three performances there because of it.

The defendant is a 21-year-old Austrian man. He was also accused of pledging allegiance to the Islamic State. He allegedly planned to target people gathered outside the concert with knives and homemade explosives. He faces multiple charges and could then get up to 20 years in prison.

And it was a scary moment caught on video. A historic diner along the famed Route 66 in New Mexico partially collapsed. Debris from the east wall of Lindy's Diner scattered into the road. Authorities said thankfully no one was injured. A week earlier actually the city of Albuquerque had shut down the diner over safety concerns. The building is more than 100 years old.

And a German tourist has now died after a terrifying experience while vacationing in Egypt. He was a 57-year-old man on a trip earlier this month with his family when he attended a snake Charmer show at a resort.

Police say one of the snakes, believed to be a cobra, was able to crawl into the man's pants and bit him on the leg. And the police statement also said that the man afterwards subsequently exhibited clear symptoms of poisoning and required resuscitation. The man was taken to a nearby hospital, which is where he later died. Authorities have now opened an investigation.

John?

BERMAN: That is awful.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: All right. We are standing by for opening statements in this high-stakes court battle. Elon Musk is expected to testify this week in his case against Open CE -- OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman.

Musk is suing over allegations that the company, which Musk helped found as a non-profit, defrauded him by abandoning its original non- profit mission. But really, the stakes in this case have gone much higher with these major players very much in the center of it.

CNN's Hadas Gold is in Oakland for all of this high drama. Hadas, what are you expecting today?

HADAS GOLD, CNN A.I. CORRESPONDENT: Yes, John. Opening statements will get underway in just about an hour.

You can see behind me the line of press and the public who are lined up because this is a very high-profile case. It is the battle of the billionaire. Some of the biggest names in tech are expected to take the stand potentially as soon as today.

We may even hear from Elon Musk himself, who is expected to be one of the first witnesses. So as soon as those opening statements are done, he may take the stand and make his case as to why he believes the jury and the judge should take his side of the argument that he was deceived that -- that OpenAI and CEO, Sam Altman, and his other executives, were unjustly enriched because when he donated tens of millions of dollars and helped co-found OpenAI in 2015, he was doing so, he says, under the guise, that it was going to stay a non-profit.

[09:55:17]

OpenAI has since transitioned to having, first, a for-profit arm. Now, it's a for-profit public benefit corporation with a non-profit foundation sitting on top of it.

But Elon Musk says that he deserves something like more than $130 billion, with a B, dollars that he wants to go back into OpenAI's non- profit foundation. He wants Sam Altman and President Greg Brockman to lose their positions on OpenAI's board. And he wants the entire company to revert back to a non-profit.

That would put some tangles into OpenAI's potential IPO plans, which they plan to have just later this year.

Now, Elon Musk previewed some of what he may say on the stand in posts on X, course. He wrote yesterday, "Scam Altman and Greg Stockman stole a charity full stop. Saying Greg got tons of billions of stock for himself and scam got dozens of OpenAI side deals. But it is not the people on X that Elon Musk has to convince, it is a jury of regular Californians and a judge. And we got a preview of what some of them think of Elon Musk, some of the potential jurors we heard in jury selection yesterday.

They -- a lot of them had negative thoughts about Elon Musk. Now, the ultimate juror pool that was selected to actually be seated, most of them they said they have a neutral opinion on it, but it will be really interested to see what Elon Musk says on the stand potentially later today and, of course, how the jury and the judge will rule in a case that completely changed the landscape of A.I. as we know it. Guys.

BERMAN: Lot of money at stake here but also some reputations as well. Hadas Gold, thank you very much.

BOLDUAN: Thanks so much for joining us. This is "CNN News Central." "Sit Room," up next.

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