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Julianne Moore Promotes Campaign Highlighting Brain Health; Knicks Storm Back to Beat Spurs 105-95 in Game One; Inside Look at UFC's Growing Popularity, Political Connections. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired June 04, 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]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, that's Julianne Moore. She's coming right now. June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.

The CDC estimates that around 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's right now, a number that is sadly expected to double by 2060. According to a survey by Eli Lilly, nearly four in five Americans say they would want to know if they have Alzheimer's disease before symptoms emerge. The pharmaceutical company has now launched a multi-year campaign called Brain Health Matters.

The goal is pretty straightforward. Make brain health a routine part of our overall health as it's so overlooked by so many. To help spread the word, Lilly has turned to advocate and actress Julianne Moore.

[09:35:00]

Remember, Julianne Moore won an Oscar for her role in Still Alice, portraying a brilliant professor who at just 50 years old is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. The film is really a devastating portrait of the humanity behind this horrible disease.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What's it like? I mean, what does it actually feel like?

JULIANNE MOORE, ACTRESS, STILL ALIVE: Well, it's not always the same. I have good days, bad days, and on my good days, I can you know, almost pass for a normal person.

But on my bad days, I feel like I can't find myself. I've always been so defined by my intellect, my language, my articulation, and now sometimes I can see the words hanging in front of me and I can't reach them and I don't know who I am and I don't know what I'm going to lose next.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: And joining us right now is Julianne Moore. It's really nice to have you here.

JULIANNE MOORE, PARTNERING WITH ELI LILLY FOR BRAIN HEALTH MATTERS CAMPAIGN: Thank you.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: And we know how fun it is to watch yourself.

BOLDUAN: Yes, it's agony. It's agony to watch myself. Whenever we watch an interview, I'm like, come on, let's sum it up.

MOORE: Exactly.

BOLDUAN: Julianne Moore, we're all the same. When you were going into this role for Still Alice, you had said that you really didn't know much about Alzheimer's. Just talk about then the journey from there to here.

What stuck with you with that and how it's brought you here?

MOORE: Well, I haven't been personally impacted by the disease. And so I really, I was like, I didn't want to depict anything that I didn't have any information about. So I did a tremendous amount of research with scientists and doctors and patients themselves and caregivers.

And one of the things that I learned is that, you know, it's a misnomer that Alzheimer's is a condition of aging. It is in fact a disease and there is a pathology to it. So with this campaign that I'm doing with Lilly, it's really to encourage people to talk to their doctors about their brain health.

There are things that you can do that can mitigate your risk factors, but you can also ask for a cognitive assessment. You can go in and get a baseline cognitive assessment.

BERMAN: Well, and you were making fun of me because I was circling things on my paper.

BOLDUAN: You were circling, yes, yes. Don't forget.

BERMAN: But that's what I was circling because you, first of all, you're really leaning into this. This is super important to you. And I have huge respect for that, but you want these cognitive screenings that you were just talking about to be as common as like mammograms.

MOORE: Well, why not? I mean, we test everything else. I mean, that's what we've learned that being proactive about our health helps with everything.

And the brain is the control center for the body. So why wouldn't you assess that as well? And if you are now, if you're experiencing memory or thinking issues, there is a blood test that's available as well.

BOLDUAN: Part of when we were, when we knew you were coming in, I started thinking, how is it possible right now that it isn't more routine, right? Like overall health is like the conversation everyone is having, but you were absolutely right that when you talk about brain health and a cognitive exam or anything like that, that's not at the forefront of the kind of overall top to bottom annual physical assessment one should do. What is it that we still need to break through? What is the stigma?

MOORE: I don't know. That's interesting, isn't it? I mean, there's a tremendous amount of fear and I think misinformation. And this idea that there is nothing you can do, but that's not true. There are drug protocols available too. You can talk to your doctor about that.

But I think it's just like with any, anything else. I always say like, if your knees -- if you're having trouble with your knees, would you say like, I'm going to ignore it until I really can't walk anymore? No. You go like, what can I do about my knee?

Like, what can you do to improve your quality of life no matter what's going on? And how do you talk about everything that's going on in your body with your doctor?

BERMAN: If my knee is hurt though, I know my knee is hurt, right?

MOORE: Right.

BERMAN: So if I, when I go into a doctor, I think this is scary to talk about, right?

MOORE: It is scary, yes.

BERMAN: And it's scary to go into a doctor and ask about it. What do you ask about when you go in? What should you look out for?

MOORE: Well, I think you could just go in and ask for a base -- a cognitive baseline assessment. You know, there are these tests that they called mini-mentals. I had one actually when I was doing Still Alice.

And you kind of go through these different series of tests and they can see where there are deficits in your thinking or your memory or your functioning. And I think most of the time people find out that they're doing just fine. And that even, you know, maybe if you're having difficulty, you might be tired or maybe there is something serious, but then you can address it.

BOLDUAN: When, with Still Alice, the response was so strong because a lot of people said that they didn't feel so alone because of they feel so alone and you feel truly unseen when it comes to Alzheimer's. What, what is it like to kind of get that response? You were doing -- you, you study, you do your job.

You couldn't, you know, you are, you want to portray it as authentically and honestly as possible. And then to have people say essentially, thank you.

MOORE: Right.

[09:40:00]

BOLDUAN: That you've never met. What does that feel like? MOORE: Well, what was really amazing actually for me was talking to the women that really helped me with my research who are living with early onset Alzheimer's. They were remarkable and funny and interesting and actually people who are living their own lives and were kind of anxious to contribute to this project.

And they talk about -- like one woman really made me laugh because she said right after she was diagnosed, her kids all gave her puzzles for Christmas. And she was like, I mean, you know, but this is a condition often that you are living with, you know, it's not, it can progress very slowly. And so I think it's important to talk about what that condition is and how you can help people and how you can help family members as well.

BERMAN: You are starring in and producing a new Netflix comedy. What's this about? And are there two roles for news anchors?

MOORE: Wait a second. Wait, what, what, wait, oh, oh, there was just an announcement about the, the romantic comedy. That's right.

Yes. I don't know if there are any news anchors or reporters in it, but you know.

BERMAN: Yes, that's still in the development stage, right?

MOORE: Yes, still in development is the main reason, yes.

BOLDUAN: You are an advocate, actress, executive producer, also a children's book author.

MOORE: Yes.

BOLDUAN: I've never had the opportunity to meet you before, but I have to say "Freckle Face Strawberry" is such a huge book in my daughter's lives.

MOORE: Really.

BOLDUAN: We read it all the time.

MOORE: I'm so happy to hear that.

BOLDUAN: It's so important. Because one, it's so adorable. Like the pictures are great. And the message is exactly what it is. It's, which is accepting oneself and loving oneself.

MOORE: Right. You kind of, you are who you are. And I think the things that loom large in childhood, like freckles, which I really, you know, didn't like, don't necessarily go away when you grow up, but you care less.

I think that's, that's really what it is.

BERMAN: Quickly, let's talk basketball. How do you feel about the Knicks so far?

MOORE: Go New York, go man. What a night. What a night, right?

BOLDUAN: So you're invited to return because we have a guarantee from a few of our studio crew who are strapping gentlemen, that they're going to give us a gun show and go sleeveless, not necessarily shirtless, if they go all the way and they win.

MOORE: Oh, the Knicks are going all the way.

BOLDUAN: OK, well, here we go.

MOORE: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Julianne Moore coming back for the gun show, everyone.

BERMAN: So happy for you. It's great to see you. Thank you so much for coming.

MOORE: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Thank you, and for your advocacy in this regard. Thank you so much.

MOORE: Thanks.

BOLDUAN: All right. Coming up for us, a first look inside the Obama presidential center as it prepares to open to the public.

And we have more news coming in and the developments in this video that we've been showing you this morning, this terrifying video of this child who was ejected from a truck during a collision. And we have more on how he is doing this morning. We'll be right back.

[09:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Knicks fever very clearly alive and well and in full swing today. The New York Knicks putting on a big show deep in the heart of Tejas, taking game one from the San Antonio Spurs. Let us bring back the one and only Coy Wire for more.

How great were they, Coy?

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, good to see you again, Kate. The Knicks have been waiting 53 years for another title. Right now they look like they don't want to wait another day.

Early on, it looked like Victor Wembanyama was going to steal the show. The 22-year-old French phenom swatting a shot into next week at one end, then burying a three at the other. But Karl-Anthony Towns made every bucket feel like a chore, helping hold Wemby to six for 21 shooting, 26 points.

We had a couple of scares for superstar Jalen Brunson in this one. One of the Spurs got shoved into his knee. Later his ankle got stepped on. Twice he left the floor, twice he came back because Brunson apparently is built like a New York fire hydrant.

A game-high 30 points leading New York to a 105-95 road win. And back home, Knicks fans celebrated like they just won free pizza for life. That's now 12 straight playoff wins, just the seventh team to do it. The Knicks haven't lost since April 23rd.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JALEN BRUNSON, NEW YORK KNICKS GUARD: Knowing we're on the road and knowing my teammates at my back, I think that's the biggest thing in an environment like this. They trusted having me, they trusted having them. It's got us to this point.

[09:50:00]

VICTOR WEMBANYAMA, SAN ANTONIO SPURS FORWARD: When we play bad, when I play bad, it's when we shoot ourselves in the foot. This is why I'm not worried because we're going to be so much better, I'm going to be so much better.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right, you have to see this. One of the strangest moments we'll ever see in an NBA Finals. In the fourth quarter, a fan sprinted onto the court, walked right up to Wemby and took a selfie video.

Wemby said he wasn't quite sure how to react, and honestly, no one did. The fan was escorted away, but it created such confusion, Kate, that officials forgot who had possession when the play stopped. So it resulted in a jump ball, all because of one fan.

All right, the surprises keep coming at Roland-Garros. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka upset in the quarters by Diana Shnaider. Sabalenka won the first set, had a lead in the second, then Shnaider turned the match on its head, delivering one of the biggest upsets of the tournament.

And on court right now, it's Ukraine versus Russia. Marta Kostyuk, first Ukrainian woman ever to play in the French Open semis -- Russia's Mirra Andreeva, but they're both seeking their first-ever Grand Slam Final. The two did not shake hands after their last match in Madrid last month.

Finally, you can't spell Ohtani, Kate, without the O, as in oh my goodness. At this point, we are running out of ways to describe what Shohei Ohtani is doing. The Dodgers superstar delivered another masterpiece in a 7-0 win over Arizona. He struck out sixth, allowed just two hits over six scoreless innings, and lowered his MLB best ERA to a microscopic .74, then because apparently that was not enough, he went three for four at the plate. Some players, that would be like two excellent games -- for Shohei Ohtani, it's just a Wednesday, Kate. He's ridiculous.

BOLDUAN: I think that's a perfect word. Just ridiculous. Like, that's, I mean, my God. It's good to see you, Coy. Thank you, my dear.

WIRE: You too.

BOLDUAN: JB.

BERMAN: All right, a boy thrown from a pickup truck walked away with just minor scratches after a really terrible crash.

I'm just going to keep reading. Another car slammed in the family's pickup truck and the boy crashed headfirst into the police officer's car. Police say the crash is a reminder that everyone should be strapped in, especially children.

A first look inside the Obama Presidential Center ahead of its grand opening later this month. CNN toured the campus on Chicago's South Side.

It features an eight-story museum tower that tells the story of the former president and first lady and has exhibits highlighting the history of the U.S. There are community event spaces, a fruit and vegetable garden, an NBI regulation-sized basketball court. The center officially opens to the public on June 19th, which is Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.

Seventeen cannons from the Revolutionary War will soon be on display at the Savannah History Museum in Georgia. Each weighs more than 1,000 pounds. They were found in the Savannah River in 2021, where they had been for centuries. Many still had cannonballs inside.

Some even had gunpowder cartridges made of linen. They will be at the Savannah History Museum starting next month. Do not try to lift them. They are heavy.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: We want to give you a look at the White House this morning, where you can see the giant UFC arena being built on the South Lawn. You literally can't miss this. This week on "THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER," I sit down with UFC President Dana White to talk about his relationship with Donald Trump, the perception of UFC as a MAGA-aligned brand and the unprecedented logistics and cost of staging a fight event on the South Lawn.

Here's a look.

DANA WHITE, UFC PRESIDENT: I've been dragged into this whole Manosphere thing and toxic masculinity and you name it. It's all been thrown my way. I'm in the fight business.

SIDNER: You mentioned the Manosphere, so now I'm going there. You brought it up.

WHITE: I walked into this one.

SIDNER: You walked right into it. For those who may not be familiar, it's sort of a conglomerate of different dudes that are online that a lot of people saw. Joe Rogan, for example, who I know you know well, saw as promoting Donald Trump and helped him win the presidency.

Is that how you saw it? Did you introduce him to this Manosphere, to go on podcasts as opposed to doing your typical interviews?

WHITE: Yes, well, I felt like that if the president stayed on Fox, he wasn't going to win. And, you know, every other network out there was saying horrible things about him. So what I do know is he can sit on a three hour podcast and be relatable to a lot of people.

[09:55:00]

WHITE: We're rolling. Good to see you.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think so.

WHITE: Here we go.

SIDNER (voice-over): The podcast Dana White pointed Donald Trump toward -- the Joe Rogan experience. It reaches an estimated 14 million subscribers per episode.

Rogan was a UFC commentator first and still is. And so it's no surprise his audience overlaps with UFC fans, mostly young men who turned out in large numbers for President Trump in 2024.

SIDNER: Do you think it's good for business or bad for business that that relationship exists and that people see it as a Trump sport, a MAGA sport, as opposed to just a sport?

WHITE: I don't know. And I don't know if that's how people really see it. I think that people on the far left are going to see it that way. And there's probably no changing their mind about that. This sport is for everybody.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SIDNER (on camera): We talk about everything from the confluence of politics and sports to the fighters themselves who are going to be there on the South Lawn. A new episode of "THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER, UFC AT THE WHITE HOUSE," premieres this Sunday, June 7th at 8 p.m. Eastern.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: Thank you, Sara.

BOLDUAN: Thank you, Sara.

BERMAN: Sara? Sara?

BOLDUAN: Sara is away today. Thanks for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BERMAN: "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

[10:00:00]