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National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard Is Resigning; Millions Hitting The Road As Gas Prices Soar To 4-Year Highs; Kevin Warsh Sworn In As Federal Reserve Chair; W.H.O. Raises Ebola Threat Level To "Very High" in DRC 3-. Aired 3:30p ET

Aired May 22, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: This is the third version of the rocket and the most powerful one yet, SpaceX is hoping the Starship can eventually be used to send astronauts to the moon.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN HOST: High Profile Departure: The director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, is leaving the Trump administration. We'll talk about the impact of her departure.

The Federal Reserve Gets a New Boss: Kevin Warsh taking over the Central Bank at a time when the U.S. economy is facing several unprecedented problems.

And then, A New Warning on the Ebola outbreak: The WHO now saying the level of risk from the virus is raised to very high in the DRC and that the actual death toll is probably much higher than the 177 suspected deaths so far.

We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

SANCHEZ: We start this hour with breaking news. The director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has announced that she is soon to resign. In a letter to President Trump, Gabbard says that she's stepping away from the post to help care for her husband, Abraham, who's recently been diagnosed with an extremely rare form of bone cancer. Let's go live to New York, where CNN's Julia Benbrook is at an event that President Trump will be speaking at soon.

Julia, what is President Trump saying about this departure from his cabinet?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. I'm here in New York's 17th Congressional District, just north of New York City. We'll touch on the significance of that here in a minute, but as Trump left Washington to come here, he announced that another member of his administration would be stepping away -- director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. She is going to be resigning roughly over a month from now, June 30th, to be exact.

And in Trump's post about this, he praised her work. He said that she has done a, quote, "great job," and that this decision was primarily based on a health battle that her husband is facing and her desire to be with him. I want to pull up part of this post. The President said, in part, "Her wonderful husband, Abraham, has been recently diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and she, rightfully, wants to be with him, bringing him back to good health as they are currently fighting a tough battle together. I have no doubt that he will soon be better than ever. Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her."

Now, her tenure has been riddled with contradictory, confusing statements on some issues, particularly the conflict in Iran, which is, of course, top of mind right now, with elections coming up as well. Tulsi ran for president as a Democrat back in 2020. She then turned around and supported, endorsed Trump in 2024, before officially joining his team.

And so, with elections top of mind, you know, we're hearing from administration officials here. And this district is really significant, because this is one district that it was won by a Republican, Congressman Mike Lawler, who is up for reelection, but it was also won by Vice President Kamala Harris. So, this is a key area that Democrats think that they could go on the offensive here, one that they think they could pick up. And we are hearing that Trump is going to speak. At least part of his speech is going to be focused in on the economy. The White House tells me that he looks to draw a, quote, "sharp contrast" with Democrats in Congress on this. An interesting time to focus in on that, as polling has shown that his numbers are low, as low as they have ever been on the economy, specifically.

So, he should be arriving here in a minute, and we'll keep you updated.

SANCHEZ: Julia Benbrook, live in New York for us. Thank you so much. Omar.

JIMENEZ: All right. Meanwhile, Americans are feeling it in their wallets this Memorial Day weekend, the first major holiday travel period since the war with Iran began. A record 45 million people are heading out of town. The vast majority of them, 39 million, are traveling by car. And those drivers can't get away from gas prices that are nearing all-time highs. For the first time in nearly four years, drivers in all 50 states are paying at least $4 or more for a gallon of regular unleaded. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich has been tracking this, but also talking to people at a gas station in New Jersey.

Vanessa, can you just tell us, what are you hearing from people out there?

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS & POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Well, Omar, it's expected to be a record-breaking weekend, 45 million Americans expected to travel over the course of Memorial Day, 39 million expected to drive by car. And we've seen a lot of them here at this gas station in New Jersey.

This is the second most expensive Memorial Day weekend on record for gas prices.

[15:05:00]

The previous record was set in 2022, when gas prices were $4.61 a gallon heading into the Memorial Day weekend. Today, it's $4.55 -- that's the national average -- up $0.50 from just a month ago, and up more than $1.50 from February, when the war with Iran started.

I have been speaking to people here all day. You have a couple of different buckets. people saying that they are not going to hit the road. They want to be saving money. Some people we spoke to said that they're being really strategic about how they're filling up, filling up $15, $20, $40 just to see how far it can get them. And then we've spoken to others who say that they are making changes to the way they are traveling this Memorial Day weekend. Listen to what they told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEVIN OFFEMARIA, MOTORIST: Yes, we just filled up half a tank. It was 40 bucks, so I can imagine like $80 for a full. So, it's a lot.

YURKEVICH (off camera): So, today you made the choice to take the hybrid on this trip, not your car.

JENNIE WILSON, MOTORIST: Yes, actually, my car is bigger and we decided to leave it at home. The kids are really excited about that part, being crammed in the back of the smaller car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My knees always hurt. My knees always hurt in the car. I -- I don't like it.

WILSON: Yep.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) the bigger car.

YURKEVICH: But -- but are you okay with your parents downsizing in the car to save a little bit of money?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Definitely, yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YURKEVICH: So, that family was traveling from Delaware all the way up to Nantucket by car. It's something they do every single year. They downsize in terms of the car that they were taking, but they weren't willing to give up the trip.

As you mentioned, Omar, across the United States, all 50 states now seeing an average price of $4 or more. There are seven states like Hawaii and Oregon that are seeing prices -- prices more than $5 a gallon as an average. This is all playing out because of the war with Iran. The Strait of Hormuz has been closed for months now, essentially, that has pushed oil prices higher. Gas prices have followed.

And according to GasBuddy, if things stay the way that they are, the estimate is that between Memorial Day today or this weekend, and Labor Day, we could see an average of $4.80 a gallon. That is not yet touching the record. The record is $5.02 a gallon. But Omar, we are certainly creeping up towards that record that was set in 2022, Omar.

JIMENEZ: Yes, a record no one wants to set. But as talks are still stalled, we have no idea when this might end. Vanessa Yurkevich, appreciate you being out there. Thanks for the reporting.

All right, still to come, a new era for the Federal Reserve as the world's most influential Central Bank welcomes the new leader. We'll break down what to expect from new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh.

And later, can you A.I.-proof your job? It may be easier than you think. We'll explain that and much more coming up on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

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[15:12:21]

SANCHEZ: Today, a new leader in Washington was sworn in for one of the most influential economic institutions in the world. Kevin Warsh officially took the oath to become the next chairman at the Federal Reserve. Warsh takes the reins of an economy that is shifting under the weight of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Warsh, of course, handpicked, by President Trump, who insisted today he will not have any influence on how the Central Bank operates. With us now is former Trump economic advisor, Stephen Moore.

Stephen, thank you so much for being with us.

You were there at the White House ...

STEPHEN MOORE, FORMER TRUMP ECONOMIC ADVISER: (INAUDIBLE) ...

SANCHEZ: ... earlier today for the swearing in.

MOORE: Yep.

SANCHEZ: What stood out to you about Warsh's comments? How do you think he's going to do as Fed?

MOORE: Well, a couple of things just immediately stood out to everybody there, when Trump introduced Kevin Warsh as the new incoming Fed chairman, he says, we want Kevin to be independent. And that's -- I think that was good news for the markets, because, you know, most Americans and most -- the rules basically say that the Fed should be independent. That's not to say they shouldn't be accountable, but that they should be independent.

And -- and Kevin Warsh said -- said the same thing. I will be independent. I will fight inflation. I will try to restore the value of the dollar. And I think that's something that -- that Americans would like to see. Regardless of what people think about Kevin's economic philosophy, it's -- it's important for people to know he's very well qualified. He's one of the best monetary economists in the country. He has worked at the Federal Reserve Board. He worked back under Alan Greenspan back some 20 years ago, so his qualifications are quite good. SANCHEZ: There is a perception out there, obviously, given the

relationship between President Trump and Jerome Powell, who is now transitioning ...

MOORE: There wasn't much of a relationship.

SANCHEZ: Right. He -- he's now transitioning to ...

MOORE: Right, (INAUDIBLE), right.

SANCHEZ: ... to become a governor on the Fed board and ...

MOORE: It's adversarial.

SANCHEZ: It was adversarial.

MOORE: Yes.

SANCHEZ: And so, I wonder when you hear Trump say that he is not going to be hands-on with Kevin Warsh, is that actually going to be the case if he doesn't lower interest rates the way that President Trump tried to push Powell to do?

MOORE: So, that's a good question, because obviously, Boris, the first big question that will confront Kevin Warsh is what to do about interest rates at their next Fed meeting. I think the consensus among economists is, despite the fact that President Trump has talked a lot about he wants to lower rates, you know, look at that inflation rate we've -- we've seen in the last couple months. Inflation has bumped up to the 3.5% to 4% range. That makes it very difficult to lower rates in that kind of environment, because when you're lowering tax rates, you're -- I mean, you know ...

SANCHEZ: Interest rates.

MOORE: ... those -- those interest rates, you're pushing more money into the economy, and that could put -- put more pressure on inflation. So, I would bet that the Fed will not lower rates at the next meeting.

[15:15:06]

And in fact, some people on Wall Street are betting that there might be a rate increase. I -- I don't -- I don't think there will be, but I think certainly not right now is in my opinion not the time to be cutting rates.

SANCHEZ: The general consensus for some time with some exception and specifically exception that President Trump singled out himself had been to not lower interest rates too drastically, especially in light of the inflationary pressure from the tariffs last year and now with the war with Iran. Is your view that President Trump is going to be in favor of not seeing any rate cuts before the end of the year?

MOORE: Well, there's a difference between what President Trump might want and what Kevin Warsh will do. Now, you know, I know Donald Trump. I've worked with him a long time. I -- he does understand the economy very well. He -- he likes low interest rates. You know, Trump wants to see those rates lowered.

But what I would say is that the job number one right now to getting the economy -- and by the way, the economy is doing pretty well notwithstanding the fact that people aren't feeling great about things, I mean look at the NASDAQ, the S&P 500, and the -- and the Dow Jones are at all-time highs. We're seeing good investment numbers. We saw a good growth number for the economy for the latest read.

So, economy is doing decently but the thing that all Americans are concerned about is the price of food, the price of gas, the price of housing and the price of health care. And so, this is the time, I think, to -- to not be flushing a lot of additional money into the economy. And -- and Kevin Warsh gets that.

I would describe him as in an inflation hawk and that means ...

SANCHEZ: Interesting.

MOORE: ... his -- his job, I -- he wants to bring that inflation rate down. And you cannot -- look, I go back all the way to the 1970s, you know, I'm a little older than you are. So, in the '70s, we had ...

SANCHEZ: (INAUDIBLE) ...

MOORE: ... they kept lowering rates ...

SANCHEZ: Yes.

MOORE: ... and then what happened, the inflation got higher and higher and higher The other thing I would say about Kevin Walsh is he will challenge an orthodoxy that's existed at the Fed for a long time, which is that growth -- there -- there's been a kind of theology at the Fed that economic growth if we're creating too many jobs and if economy's growing too fast, it's going to overheat the economy and we need to, you know, try to snuff that out.

No. Kevin Warsh understands that economic growth and more supply of goods and services lowers prices. It doesn't raise them. That's a very different philosophy than what we've had for the last 30 years.

SANCHEZ: You -- you -- you mentioned the poor consumer sentiment, a generally dismal view among Americans about the economy/

MOORE: Yes.

SANCHEZ: Right now, the fact is ...

MOORE: Yep.

SANCHEZ: ... that many are finding it harder to put food ...

MOORE: Yep.

SANCHEZ: ... on the table and I have to ask you ... MOORE: Yep.

SANCHEZ: ... about the -- what is surrounding the administration's economic policy and specifically this nearly eight -- $1.8 billion dollars that's being directed in taxpayer money to this weaponization fund. The administration hasn't ruled out advocating or giving money ...

MOORE: Yes.

SANCHEZ: ... essentially to people who attack police officers on January 6th. This arrangement also gives the President and his family immunity when it comes to tax audits that reportedly are worth up to hundreds -- a hundred million dollars. I wonder whether you think that is appropriate how you justify these decisions when so many are feeling economically.

MOORE: So, look, I don't know much about this, so that's not my -- you'd have to ask people who are more legal experts than I am about that. I will say this that I believe the single best way right now to cut inflation of costs that people are angry about whether it's grocery prices or -- or oil prices other than getting the Strait of Hormuz to open so we can get the oil supply flow is to cut government spending as much as we can right now. We've got out of control government spending in Washington. And if we can cut back on that expect that -- that -- those expenditures in Washington, that will lower Inflationary pressures.

SANCHEZ: Steve Moore, we have to leave the conversation there. Always appreciate you joining us ...

MOORE: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: ... for your perspective.

Still to come this afternoon, health officials raising the alarm as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is upgraded to a risk level of very high. We're going to talk to an infectious disease expert about the urgent scramble to contain a rapidly spreading disease.

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[15:23:50]

JIMENEZ: The Ebola virus is spreading rapidly in the Democratic Republic of Congo according to the World Health Organization's -- today, officials upgraded the risk level for Ebola from high to very high in the DRC, while keeping it at high for the region the threat though does remain low for the rest of the World. The organization also warned the epidemic is likely larger than the nearly 750 suspected cases and a hundred seventy-seven deaths.

I want to bring in Jessica Malaty Rivera who joins us now. She's an infectious disease epidemiologist and Executive Director of the Infodemiology Initiative at The Public Good Projects. Good to see you. Just looking at what we know so far, what does it tell you about the potential scale of this compared to the 2014 outbreak, for example?

JESSICA MALATY RIVERA, INFECTIOUS DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGIST: So, as you mentioned we're already at 750 suspected cases, 175 suspected deaths, numbers that as you mentioned are likely an under account considering the fact that we are playing catch-up on an already delayed response. If you want to compare this to the 2014 outbreak, an outbreak that lasted nearly two years, this could be the beginning of a very long outbreak It is something that we are just now starting to understand because this, again, while this is the DRC 17th outbreak of Ebola, this is only the third time we have seen an outbreak of this particular strain, the Bundibugyo one.

[15:25:08]

It's much rarer and we don't have the same type of tools that we had in before, including the molecular diagnostics that are different from diagnostics that would identify another outbreak say involving the Zaire strain. And so, it is potentially much larger than what we're seeing. There are some models that suggest that it's up to a thousand perhaps more and right now we are just in a very, very acute time of figuring out the exact scale of this outbreak compared to the other ones.

JIMENEZ: And I just wonder right now, what factors are you watching most closely to indicate maybe that health entities are starting to get their arms around this or would indicate that maybe they're making some -- some real meaningful progress. What are you watching there?

RIVERA: Well, the one thing that is encouraging is noticing that there are some cases that were suspected that have tested negative after they did have the right molecular diagnostics made available to them. But again, what I'm actually really concerned with is the fact that because this went on for so long, it has made something one of the most effective strategies and infection prevention and control contact tracing that much more complicated because you ...

JIMENEZ: Yes.

RIVERA: ... you have a hard time knowing exactly the spread of an outbreak unless you can do that type of door-to-door outreach in communities Identifying all close contacts who may need to be quarantined or isolated if they're sick and symptomatic. This requires a big network of community health workers and epidemiologists. And so, while we are seeing some suspected cases come out negative, I'm more worried about the cases that we've missed. The cases that we haven't even identified as potential close contacts.

JIMENEZ: You know, there's some -- we have some new CNN reporting that has some insight into how USAID cuts could be affecting this outbreak. Surveillance, obviously, big part of stopping something like this in its tracks as you mentioned being able to contact trace in the beginning.

The International Rescue Committee who has workers on the ground says U.S. Funding cuts contributed to delay detection of the virus. The State Department though disputes that -- that changes under the Trump administration hamper those efforts, an official have told reporters, there was no specific person or program associated with USAID in this region that would have detected this or contributed to a detection framework here.

But bottom line, how does disease surveillance actually work on the ground in a place like the DRC?

RIVERA: Well, first I want to say the bottom line that is not true. There are -- there were systems in place that were in place in that region that would have absolutely been able to respond to this. The first signals of this possibly within hours, because again Ebola is not new to DRC. It's not new to the region. There were systems in place specifically to have rapid response and surveillance systems activated.

And because USAID was gutted because so many of our partners did not have the resources. They're doing it without the resources and without the personnel to do it, and we're throwing, you know, very small amounts of money to -- to, I think, you know assuage some of that guilt. I mean, I think I read $23 million dollars and 50 clinic -- 50 treatment clinics.

If we look back at the 2014 outbreak, we contributed hundreds of millions of dollars and those actually took months to build. And so, it's -- it's -- it's deeply troubling that we're even having this debate, because we know that these shortfalls are directly linked To the defunding of USAID and we have seen on the ground people say that people who are having to move suspected cases are doing so without proper PPE, sometimes without gloves, sometimes with barely even a mask on. And those are the types of things and -- and infrastructure and supplies that USAID was directly involved in, including things like contact tracing and community outreach, and comms education, and diagnostic testing.

It's a whole network of systems to do infection prevention and control and we're basically just doing it, you know, in piecemeal.

JIMENEZ: And -- and it seems to this point that -- that the rest of the world is playing catch-up to figure out what the extent of this actually is, since it seems we missed that contract -- contact tracing opportunity in the beginning. Got to leave the conversation there. Jessica Malaty Rivera, thank you for taking the time.

RIVERA: Thanks for having me.

JIMENEZ: All right. Meanwhile, the racing community mourning the loss of a NASCAR legend, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch, after his passing from a serious illness at just 41 years old. We'll have more in his life and the legacy he leaves behind after a quick break.

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