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Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA) is Interviewed about the California Race; Pressure on Netanyahu; Brian Kelly is Interviewed about Summer Travel Prices. Aired 9:30-10a ET
Aired June 10, 2026 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:31:39]
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, California's November ballot is starting to take shape. Overnight, we learned that Republican Steve Hilton will advance in the governor's race there, setting up a showdown with Democrat Xavier Becerra. So that -- there is that.
One factor in that race and the many others that are happening in California is President Trump inserting himself, accusing California, without basis, of rigging its elections.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: How it's looking. Look at what's happening in California.
KRISTEN WELKER, NBC HOST, "MEET THE PRESS": Where's the evidence that?
TRUMP: It's four days. In California, it's --
WELKER: But Republicans are doing well in California.
TRUMP: No, they're not. They're dropping fast because it's a rigged election. Let me tell you, it's four days and they aren't even close to coming up with --
WELKER: That's how they -- that's how they count the votes in California.
TRUMP: You know why they're doing that? Because they're cheating on the election.
WELKER: There's -- what -- do you have evidence to support that?
TRUMP: They're -- all I have to do is look. All I have to do is look.
WELKER: But that's not evidence.
TRUMP: And I listen. And I listen to people. And let's see what happens.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: Joining me right now is Democratic Congressman Adam Gray of California, also obviously up for re-election right now.
President Trump is making these claims. He is facing pushback for it. CNN asked the Republican House Speaker, Congressman, about this as well. Let me play what Mike Johnson said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The president keeps saying that there's election fraud in the California mayor's race. Is -- what evidence is there to prove that?
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: You tell me, Manu. They are counting votes weeks after the election. We have entire nations with huge populations, like India, that can count their votes in 24 to 48 hours.
RAJU: So, you're saying it's rigged like the president?
JOHNSON: I'm not saying it's rigged. I'm saying it stinks to high heaven. And everybody knows that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: What do you say to that, Congressman? Do you think these accusations, even without basis, I don't know, hurt your race?
REP. ADAM GRAY (D-CA): No. I mean, I think it's silly. You know, we ought to expect a lot more out of the speaker of the House in Washington than just to, you know, make accusations without any fact basis. I mean, we have a Republican president. If all this voter fraud exists in California around the country, where is the charges being filed, right? It's just a silly talking point at election time to try to distract people from the fact that I think this morning's reports are inflation is at an all-time high under the Trump administration and under Speaker Johnson's leadership.
BOLDUAN: Yes, I mean, that was going to -- I was going to say, the breaking news we had this morning is that inflation is back up over four percent, which is something that you write about, this impact of the economy, the state of things and its impact on politics in the context of your race in 2024 was the closest in the United States, decided by 187 votes.
And you wrote about this in a new opinion piece. And you also write this in part, "you don't need me to tell you that life in modern America is expensive and exhausting. Costs rise, weights lengthen, paperwork multiplies. People seem to spend more time on hold with health care providers, insurers, utilities, and other bureaucracies than they do with their families. Politics should be aimed at making all that easier. Democrats used to understand this." You think democrats are missing it now. Why?
GRAY: I do think there's way too much focus on, you know, talking points, slogans, buzzwords, polling. You know, I won by 187 votes and closest race in the country.
[09:35:01]
I think I was the only Democrat at that time to actually flip a seat, to win a seat that Trump wanted, you know, have people split their tickets. And people ask me, why? How'd you do it? Well, I actually focused on the work, getting things done. I mean people don't experience politics through Washington ideological debates, right, and policy. They experience politics when they go to the grocery store, when they have a long wait at the emergency room, at the hospital, when they stay on hold, right? These are the ways people experience politics. And I think we got to do better. Less focus on process, more focus on outcomes.
BOLDUAN: And you also -- let me read another part. You also write this. "My party talks a good game about ambitious goals. But the work required to bring those dreams to life is often left undone."
Again, you're saying that Democrats are not getting it done. I mean, a lot of Democrats I talked to say this was because they say it's Republicans' fault. You're saying that your party is not getting it done. How is a midterm election going to change that? I mean, are you having this conversation with your party?
GRAY: Well, obviously, right now who's not getting it done is the Republicans. They're in charge of the House. They're in charge of the Senate. They have the president. But if Democrats are to win the midterm elections, we're going to have an opportunity to govern. And I think we need to govern being focused on people.
You know, people are looking for a helping hand, not a lecture. That's another thing I say in the piece. And too often I think our efforts to connect with voters sounds a lot more like correction, right? That's another line I use in the op-ed. And what we really need to be doing is making people's lives better. And that needs to be the focus. How do we bring prices down? How do we make that whole time when you call the V.A. or the insurance company, shorter? Why can't, in the richest, most powerful country in the world, why can't we make things less complicated and less expensive?
And frankly, in recent years, in this hyperpartisan environment, where everybody's busier telling you who to blame than they are solving the problem, I don't want to see Democrats replicate that. We've seen that from Republicans now for a year and a half, and it's not making people's lives better. Inflation's up, costs are up, grocery prices are up. You know, when somebody wants to go to the lake on the weekend and fill up their truck and their boat and take their family and enjoy some time, they want the work we're doing here in Washington to make that easier and more affordable.
BOLDUAN: This kind of gets into this whole conversation. The Republican arm -- the Republican campaign arm in the House is trying, I saw, to make the Maine Senate race part of your race in California, checking (ph) you on Twitter for not answering a question of whether or not you would support Graham Platner, who just won the Democratic nomination there. Again, this is -- this is not talking about the things that you were just talking about, but they are trying to make this part of your race. Do you support Graham Platner? Do you think he's a good representation of the Democratic Party?
GRAY: Well, of course, they're trying to make that part of the race, right? I mean, they don't want to talk about inflation. They don't want to talk about what this war in Iran has done to fuel prices. They want to say, well, what about this candidate? What about that?
You know, every day, when we tune into your network or any other network, we see panels of folks doing the what about ism? What about that? What about that? Your party did this. Your party did that. What I'm saying is, let's actually get focused on making people's lives better, right?
BOLDUAN: Right.
GRAY: That's what's been successful for me in one of the closest races in the country, in a place where Democrats and Republicans are fairly evenly divided.
BOLDUAN: Yes.
GRAY: As I speak to the whole community and work on those issues.
BOLDUAN: I'll give you one more opportunity, though, to answer my question, if you do support Graham Platner.
GRAY: You know, the voters in Maine picked Graham Platner. I don't have a relationship with him. Don't know much about him other than what I see on the news. The voters need to decide what's right for them. I mean, that's exactly, again, what's wrong with Washington is we're busy telling other states and other communities what they should or shouldn't be doing. Let them make that decision, right?
They've got -- they've just finished a primary election. He's the winner of that primary election, and they're going to have a general, and they're going to decide who's right to represent them. I'm going to focus on the people in my district and not get involved in his race. I'm going to get involved in my race and my community.
BOLDUAN: Congressman Adam Gray. A big race ahead of you. Thank you so much for coming in. I appreciate your time.
Up ahead for us --
GRAY: Thanks, Kate.
BOLDUAN: Of course. Up ahead for us, a former pilot arrested and accused of flying almost 17 years with a fake license.
And some lucky soccer fans get a prize of a lifetime. How one state is handing out free tickets to the World Cup.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [09:44:28]
BERMAN: All right, brand new this morning, President Trump tells Fox News he is considering launching new strikes on Iranian bridges and infrastructure. We've been very focused on the political impact of the war on Iran here in the United States. But you know where it might have an even bigger political impact? Israel and for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
With us now is CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.
So, the elections in Israel are different, right?
HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes.
BERMAN: It's a parliamentary system. We don't know exactly when the next election will be, but soon-ish. What are the prediction markets saying about whether Netanyahu will survive?
[09:45:00]
ENTEN: Yes. It turns out that Bibi Netanyahu's political luck might have finally run out, right? You know, Bibi Netanyahu, who was first elected prime minister all the way back when I was in elementary school and, of course, has held on to power in some form or fashion to now, when I'm long past elementary school.
Look at this, chance Netanyahu is Israel's prime minister after the 2026 election. Look, 50 days ago it was about an even split, 51 percent. But down it goes. Down it goes. Now we're just talking about a one in three possibility, 33 percent chance that Netanyahu is still the prime minister after the next elections. So, Netanyahu's chances have been going down, down, down into the Red Sea as we're looking at this compared to 50 days ago.
BERMAN: Now, part of the issue isn't as it is maybe for President Trump, that he's fighting the war on Iran at all. It's that he's not maybe doing it more or better.
ENTEN: Yes.
BERMAN: So, talk to me about that.
ENTEN: Yes. OK. So, simple question is, if the Iran war ended today, would it be -- basically be in Israel's security interest? And just take a look here. I think this kind of gives it away. If Iran War has, in fact, ended, is it in Israel's security interest? Fifty-eight percent of Israelis and 63 percent of Israeli Jews say, no, it is, in fact, not in Israel's interest.
So, the political calculus for Bibi Netanyahu is significantly different than it is for Donald Trump. If Israel continues on in this war, it may actually be politically advantageous for Bibi Netanyahu. In a way, it, simply put, isn't for Donald Trump. And that is why I think we've been seeing the news reports in recent days of the two of them not necessarily lined up in terms of the goals when it comes to the war in Iran.
BERMAN: Swear words.
ENTEN: Yes.
BERMAN: Swear words on phone calls reportedly.
ENTEN: Yes.
BERMAN: How do Israelis feel about how Netanyahu and the Israeli government is waging the war on Hezbollah?
ENTEN: Yes, so this Iran is one thing. How about Hezbollah? And, you know, again, here, look at this, Israelis on the handling of Hezbollah. Look at this. Not good, poor, 52 percent, the majority. Just 18 percent say good. Fifty-three percent of Israeli Jews, in fact, say not good/poor. So, we're talking about a war on two fronts, against Iran, against Hezbollah. And what you're essentially seeing is that the Israelis, not so hot to trot on all of this.
BERMAN: OK. So, Netanyahu has been prime minister for a total of almost 20 years, over various times since 1996. Clearly no term limits there.
ENTEN: Yes.
BERMAN: How do Israelis feel about maybe instituting such things?
ENTEN: Yes. OK. This might be the biggest indictment of Netanyahu of all. Two term limit for Israel prime ministers after Netanyahu, 61 percent of Israelis, 65 percent of Israeli Jews say yes. I think that Netanyahu, you know, you eventually wear out your political welcome. We'll see. Bibi Netanyahu has pulled rabbits out of hats before, but his luck might have finally run out.
BERMAN: The absolute, ultimate political survivor.
ENTEN: Yes.
BERMAN: We will see.
ENTEN: We'll see.
BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much.
We do have a lot of news this morning. We'll be right back.
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[09:52:17]
BOLDUAN: New numbers out today show how much the Iran War is impacting the airline industry now. The new inflation numbers indicating that airline -- airfare were up nearly 3 percent last month. And the Transportation Department now says that jet fuel jumped almost 80 percent in April -- in April, compared to last year. That increased cost is hitting airlines hard. The International Air
Transport Association forecasts that profits for airlines could be a combined $23 billion this year. Last year it was almost double that.
That loss could mean you, the traveler, pays more and takes the bigger hit.
BERMAN: Always. Always.
BOLDUAN: Brian -- yes, shocker.
Brian Kelly, "The Points Guy," joins us now for hopefully a little bit of help on how to navigate all of this.
So, if you're looking at, Brian, fares up almost 20 percent year over year, rewards and points pricing not much better, how can people do this in a smart way? Like, is there a trick?
BRIAN KELLY, FOUNDER, THEPOINTSGUYS.COM: There is a trick, and it's always been being flexible. So, there are still a lot of deals out there. Certain markets are down year over year. So, this is why I highly recommend, whenever you're searching for airfare, Google Flights has a feature called "Explore." And what that means is you can go and put in your home airport and say Europe, say, if you just still want to go to Europe this summer, there are deals out there. You can put in your home city and then Europe, and then it will show you a map of the continent and where the cheapest flights are. So, it's really about being flexible, going to different destinations.
And also I'll just say, you know, Americans love going to Europe, but the euro is stronger this year. It might make sense to go to Mexico, even South America, where the dollar is much stronger and flights are cheaper since it's off season. So, got to be flexible.
BERMAN: And plus, you know, you always wanted to go to Bulgaria.
BOLDUAN: Exactly.
BERMAN: Right. It was always in your plans. No offense to the people of Bulgaria.
BOLDUAN: They're offended.
BERMAN: Brian, August is also different than July and June typically. You know, why maybe should you look there?
KELLY: Yes. So, August is 20 percent cheaper than June and July. And I will say, even though domestic airfare is up about 20 still, that's down from 28 percent in May. So, airfare is cooling. So, it's not all a bleak picture.
And international is only up 12 percent. And I will, you know, as "The Points Guy," using your frequent flier miles, there are still a lot of deals out there. Air France has business class to Europe this summer for 60,000 points each way to a lot of different cities. So, don't assume just because fares are up that you can't use your points. There are websites like point.me and seats.aero. These are tools that will help you sniff out all the points deals out there.
BOLDUAN: Points deals are quite something. I thought you were going to be like, and $60,000 for the -- for that ticket.
[09:55:04]
So, you say that the worst-case scenario for travelers has been avoided so far. So, what is the worst-case scenario though? And do you think it's actually still coming?
KELLY: The worst-case scenario would be getting stranded. You know, we heard rumors of jet fuel running out in Europe. I know a lot of people were messaging me, is it even worth it to go? Am I going to get stuck there? And by and large they have canceled thousands of flights, but mostly smaller, intra-European routes that really the international routes are not being impacted.
I would say one other pain point for Americans, especially going to Europe, they have a new immigration system where in some airports, specifically Lisbon, Rome, Milan, it might -- you might have to wait up to three hours to cross the border because they have new biometric screening and you have to give fingerprints. So, for the first time you go through, it can be painful. A lot of people are reporting that. So, it's kind of a double whammy, higher fares and more hassle actually getting into Europe. So, this might be the summer to stay domestic
BOLDUAN: Sounds good.
BERMAN: So, I'm going to Indiana.
BOLDUAN: Exactly. Never even sounded -- never sounded better. Always sounds wonderful.
Good to see you, Brian. Thank you so much for your help always.
BERMAN: Big fan of The Points Guy. I depend on that site to help me book with points.
Thank you all for joining us. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM," up next.
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