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Trump Meets with G7 Leaders, Touts U.S.-Iran Agreement; Top Trump Officials Reportedly Raise Concerns About Iran Agreement; DOJ Investigating Gov. Newsom's Wife, Others in Tax Probe; Mangione Returns to Court for Pretrial Hearing; President Trump Speaks from G7 Summit. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired June 16, 2026 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Starts right now.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: The great global mystery of what is in the U.S. agreement with Iran. It seems the only thing we know for sure is that it is meant to open the Strait of Hormuz, which was opened before the war. Almost everything else seems to be still on the table.

A devastating fireball, a B-52 crashes after takeoff, eight crew members dead. This morning, we're getting new details on the investigation.

And treacherous flash floods and a night of high water rescues. This morning, millions of Americans at risk from severe storms.

I'm John Berman with Kate Bolduan and Sara Sidner. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Congress has not read it. The public has not seen it. So what is actually in the agreement between the U.S. and Iran? What's the holdup in releasing it?

Those are some of the questions following President Trump overseas, where he is now attending day two of the G7 summit. Sources tell CNN that the framework deal that then sets the path for nuclear negotiations, the framework deal includes an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iran's ports and also then kicking off 60 days of negotiations on the issue that the president says is at the heart of the conflict, Iran's nuclear program. We're told that Iran, though, says it's made no concrete commitments on that last part. Yet President Trump says he believes the tough part is already over.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have our deal done with Iran and it should be successful. It goes to a second stage, which I think will be actually easier.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BOLDUAN: But some of the president's own top officials appear to disagree and have doubts about this current framework and where it could go. Axios is reporting that the CIA director, the defense secretary, the secretary of state all have raised concerns about this framework. And a formal signing, though, is set for Friday in Geneva.

That is where CNN's Kevin Liptak is for us today. Kevin, what's the very latest that you're hearing? Because we have heard a lot from President Trump this morning.

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, and he has spent the last 90 minutes or so in this working lunch with members of the G7, but also three Middle Eastern leaders that have been invited to this summit. And according to the officials that I'm talking to, they really did expect this to be a moment for the president's counterparts to really press him on some of the specifics that are in this agreement. They too have not seen the final text here.

And one of the issues they really want to nail down on is the Strait of Hormuz, the status of that very critical waterway. That has been one of the sort of key conflictions in terms of what you're hearing from the U.S. and what you're hearing from Iran. President Trump saying that no tolls will be charged in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran saying that they reserve the right to charge a fee of vessels passing through. The reason the Europeans really want to drill down on this is they say that they're standing ready to help demine the strait. That's something that they've been saying for some time.

They needed the hostilities to end before they send their militaries in. President Trump has spent the last several months really kind of lambasting these world leaders for not doing more on that front, even though he said yesterday when he was meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron that in fact, he doesn't need any help in trying to get the waterway open. And so in this lunch that is still happening as far as we know, that is something that these officials are going to be pressing the president on is what specifically does this agreement say about the status of the Strait of Hormuz.

Now we did hear from the president earlier today. It was remarkable to hear how he was describing the next phase of this deal as easy, given that a number of the thorny issues are set to be negotiated in the next deal -- of the phase of the dealmaking. You know, for all of the lack of clarity here, it is clear that a number of those thorny issues have been pushed off to the future.

It was also remarkable to hear how he was describing his irritation at Israel for its conduct in Lebanon, for what he said was essentially steps that could stymie some of the dealmaking. Here's what he said on that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I've had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon. Now, I'm not happy with the way Israel has handled themselves with Lebanon and with Hezbollah. But Israel would have been blown up a long time ago had I not gotten involved.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:05:00]

LIPTAK: Now the president also said that he thought Syria would be better positioned to go after Hezbollah in Lebanon. That's an idea that is, I think, going to cause a lot of issues for all kinds of historical reasons that we don't necessarily have to get into.

Now the other conflict that is on the agenda today is in Ukraine. Macron has invited Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the summit as a way to kind of refocus attention on that conflict. The president openly admitted today that his attention has been on Iran.

He did say he wants Russia to come to the table and make a deal. And in their behind-the-scenes conversations, I'm told that the president, along with the other G7 leaders, did agree that more pressure needs to be placed on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Whether that actually comes to pass, at least from the American perspective, remains to be seen -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Yes. And when you compare that to what the past has shown us, if that is precedent for where this heads and where the president feels about the Ukraine war, we will see it all together. It's good to see you, Kevin.

Thank you so much -- Sara.

SIDNER: All right. To discuss further, joining me now, CNN political and global affairs commentator, Sabrina Singh, saying live and in person. And we do appreciate you being here this early.

All right. There are so many issues in the Iran war that are not yet resolved. Will there be nuclear inspections, inspectors let in?

How will the nuclear material that they already have be handled? Who will handle it? Will they agree?

Will Iran agree not to pursue any nuclear weaponry? The president says, look, after this Memorandum of Understanding is signed, the next part will be easy. Really?

SABRINA SINGH, CNN POLITICAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: I think he's really downplaying this and doesn't have a clear grasp of how difficult the next phase of this negotiation when it comes to Iran's nuclear program and highly enriched uranium is going to be. And there's so many outstanding questions. And that's why you're seeing bipartisan remarks from both sides of the aisle asking questions of we need to see the text.

So that's the biggest thing here. We have a one and a half page document that J.D. Vance called as a general document. We have no idea what's in it.

But the next phase of this, what comes to the highly enriched uranium, who's going to get that? Does that mean U.S. boots on the ground? Who's going to conduct the inspections?

And at the end of the day, who's going to be the check on Iran's nuclear program? All of these remain to be answered. And to have this somehow be settled in 60 days is somewhat aspirational.

And I think, you know, the president with that 60 day timeline also is running up right against midterms. So even if negotiations fall apart, I don't think that this president wants to start kinetic action again anytime soon.

SIDNER: Yes. I do want to ask you about what we heard, because obviously politics always plays a role in this. Vice President Kamala Harris made this point to our Elex Michaelson, where she said Trump is basically going to end up with what President Obama already brokered, known as the JCPOA, putting us right back where we started before the war with Iran, before the Strait was closed, before they learned that they had this power with the Strait.

Is that a fair assessment or just a political punch?

SINGH: I think she's right. I think that is a fair assessment. And I think what President Obama said is also correct.

I mean, the Iranians know how to negotiate. The JCPOA took nearly two years to get to a deal. We're seeing reporting that Iran is, you know, concealing its true intentions when it comes to its nuclear program.

So I think this is going to be very, very difficult. And we know that Iran wants to drag out these negotiations for a very long time. The JCPOA put in strict checks on Iran's nuclear program.

We have no idea what this administration has agreed to. We only know that they might be able to tap into some of those frozen assets that we know exist around the world. And then will there be sanctions relief?

That is something that Iran wants, because if they can get that money, not only will it help them rebuild their economy, it could help them rebuild their military capabilities as well.

SIDNER: Which is the thing that did happen in this war that the Trump administration is very proud of, which is, you know, decimating some of their capabilities, not all of them, clearly, but some of their capabilities, naval and otherwise. But we're in this scenario right now where this Memorandum of Understanding, a page and a half, I think, is what J.D. Vance said, and he said it was general. Does that just give you an idea that this is just kind of some notes about what could happen, but agreeing to open the Strait is really what they're after here?

SINGH: Yes. I mean, think about a page and a half. I mean, I was talking to someone last night.

Think about, you know, your grocery list. Sometimes it's more than -- longer than a page and a half. So this Memorandum of Understanding, from what we know, would just restore the status quo before the war, which was that the Strait would be open.

What we don't know, and what Iran has said, is that they might charge some type of fee for ships passing through the Strait.

SIDNER: A toll.

SINGH: What they're not calling a toll, but would be a fee, which would be highly illegal under international law, and something that was not in existence before this war. So we're just talking about getting back to pre-war conditions.

I can't see how this administration can really take a win on anything right now.

[08:10:00]

SIDNER: We will see the American people hoping at least for the Strait to be open, because of gas prices, because of oil so high. We'll see what happens with all of this, but it is such a pleasure to have you here in person.

SINGH: Good to see you, also.

SIDNER: John.

BERMAN: All right, breaking news. The FBI director just announced officials stopped a threat to the UFC event just held at the White House. We're getting new details on this.

Overnight, a dramatic rescue. A person clinging to a tree you can see highlighted right there as floodwaters rush in. This morning millions and millions of Americans are under severe flooding risk.

And then a fireball erupts from the side of a mountain after a military jet crashes in. Look at that. That is horrific. The good news is the pilot did eject safely. We'll tell you what we're learning about what happened.

[08:15:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right, new this morning, a source tells CNN the Justice Department is investigating the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom blasted the move. He said it's political that the administration is going after him because he's an enemy, political enemy of the president, and he is considering running for higher office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM, (D) CALIFORNIA: One by one, anyone who has challenged Donald Trump has ended up on his hit list. And today, I proudly join that list.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BERMAN: Sources say the investigation is looking at possible tax crimes and includes people with ties to the governor, but not the governor himself. With us now is CNN Washington bureau chief and political director David Chalian. David, I want to talk about the politics of this, not the investigation, because this was -- Gavin Newsom was very quick to come out and announce this investigation.

Yes, you want to get out in front of it politically. But what advantage is there for a Democrat now to be the target of an investigation from the Trump administration?

DAVID CHALIAN, CNN WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF AND POLITICAL DIRECTOR: Yes, John, I actually think the politics of this are a lot easier for us to understand because they're in full display. The investigation, there are so many questions we don't know the answer to and a lot more to learn there. But you are right.

It is not the norm that somebody sort of, yes, you want to be on offense and get out in front. But this is Gavin Newsom's entire strategy in making his mark and appealing to where the Democratic electorate is these days, which is they want somebody who's going to take it to Donald Trump all the time. They are looking for a fighter who can push back on the president.

That is what we saw Gavin Newsom do with Prop 50 last year, with the redistricting situation in California to push back on what the president was trying to do in Texas and did so successfully. And that is what he is doing here. It is a calling card to Democrats to be on President Trump's hit list.

Now, it's not clear that he actually is on President Trump's hit list here or that this is a retribution investigation. We have to learn a lot more about that. But what is clear is that Gavin Newsom wants to portray it that way because there's political benefit in doing so.

BERMAN: Yes, that is exactly the only thing that's clear right now about this. And we'll learn all the other things as they develop. It's interesting.

Newsom seen as a potential frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for president. Our friend Jonathan Martin notes that there are Democrats casting about for other options and they may look toward Georgia, which is holding a runoff today on the Republican side to see who can take on Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. Jon Ossoff is getting some buzz now, perhaps beyond Georgia.

Explain maybe why.

CHALIAN: Yes, I mean, Jon Ossoff on paper, when this cycle started, John, you would say, oh, there's the one Democratic incumbent senator running for reelection in a state that Donald Trump won on the map. That's going to be the easy pickings for Republicans. And that is not how the race has taken shape.

Ossoff has proven to be an unbelievably successful fundraiser. He also is striking a message with these speeches and campaign events that end up going viral and really tapping into not just the Democratic base electorate, but perhaps into a broader sense of frustration with the establishment overall. Ossoff has really tapped into sort of running against the Epstein class and that the system is rigged against everyone.

You know, Georgia's a big purple battleground, say as well. So tonight in the primary, in the runoff, Ossoff will learn who his Republican opponent will be. Will it be Mike Collins that Donald Trump got in at the end this weekend to endorse?

Or will it be Dooley, the former football coach? We'll await the results for that tonight. But Ossoff now also is going to have to get off the sidelines and fully engage in a general election high profile Senate battle before he can really consider future presidential prospects.

BERMAN: Very quickly, we've seen a lot of Vice President J.D. Vance talking about this agreement that was signed digitally with Iran. How excited do you think Vance is to be the face of the Iran situation?

CHALIAN: I mean, all vice presidents have to sort of take on assignments with glee, no matter what. Right. And I think Vance is doing that here.

He is selling the deal that nobody has seen yet -- this memo of understanding. He will be the face of the signing, as you note. And obviously being out in front like that could potentially help curry favor with the boss, which is something J.D. Vance is no doubt eager to do as he looks ahead to his potential 2028 prospects.

[08:20:00]

But given the reports that there's some divide inside Trump's inner circle on this, you know, if indeed this agreement sours with conservatives or there are real questions and no answers at the end of the day and people don't accept this as a better place than where we were prior to the war, J.D. Vance will have to answer for that, too.

BERMAN: Yes, and he'll say thanks. Thanks, Mr. President, for sending me over there for this. David Chalian, great to see you this morning, appreciate it.

SIDNER: All right, thank you, John.

Ahead, a rescue out at sea. A Coast Guard members jumping in to rescue a boater in need of medical attention. You see there, we will take you there.

And accuse UnitedHealthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione due back in court this morning. The options his legal team are weighing ahead of his first trial.

Those stories and more ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:25:00]

SIDNER: All right, next hour, Luigi Mangione is expected back in a New York courtroom for a pretrial hearing that's expected to focus on jury selection and scheduling ahead of his state murder trial.

The judge is also weighing a decision after a sealed hearing. Mangione is accused of gunning down the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, back in 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to state charges as well as to federal stalking charges.

CNN's Kara Scannell joining us now from outside court. What are you learning about what will happen in this pretrial hearing today?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Sara. So we're expecting the judge to focus on the schedule. The remaining three months before this case goes to trial, he is expected to address issues around jury selection, usually in high profile cases like this.

Both the defense and prosecution go head to head as they try to figure out the right questions that they want to pose to prospective jurors to weed out anyone who might have some kind of bias either in favor of Mangione or against him. But there is this sealed issue. There was a hearing earlier this month that the judge sealed at the last minute at the request of the defense.

We do not know what that was about, but we are expecting the judge to make some kind of decision on this issue, which we are expecting to be made public. So we'll be looking today to see if he does address that issue. One thing that we do know that has been under seal is whether Mangione will invoke any kind of psychiatric defense.

In New York, under the law, the defense is required to tell the prosecution to give them notice so they can conduct their own investigation into Mangione's mental health. The last time that we heard anything about this was last August when the defense had asked for more time before they would have to give that notice. Since then, everything has been under seal.

SIDNER: I am so sorry to interrupt you. There is so much to learn there. We'll go back to that.

But right now, President Trump is speaking. And we're going to head to the G7 now, where he's having a conversation with the president of the UAE.

TRUMP: It's been a long time, but I would say much more so since I came on board, I will say. They've invested trillions of dollars in the United States, and I was telling them before at another meeting that we have over $19 trillion being invested in the United States, which is a record. And it's building factories, car plants, everything.

We're doing things that have never been done. The record was $3 billion many years ago with a different country. And we're going to be over $19.

I think we'll head to $19.3 trillion. So there's probably not going to be anything. Maybe we'll do better next year.

I don't know if it can. I don't know if you can do better. But I just want to say that the relationship has been outstanding.

He's a man of great respect. Everybody respects him, and they respect your country. And it's an honor to be with you.

And we just signed a deal with Iran. This country was very, very -- a very powerful ally. And good things are happening.

The ships are starting to move now. We're going to have it fully open by Friday. The ships are starting to move nicely.

Oil is starting to go. And the prices are coming down rapidly. Stock market is going up rapidly.

A lot of good things are happening. And most importantly, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon. That was how I got involved in this.

We can't let that happen. So they will not have a nuclear weapon. And other than that, I'd like to ask His Highness, to say a few words.

And if you want, we can take a couple of questions, please.

HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH MOHAMED BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN, PRESIDENT, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Well, it's really my pleasure, Mr. President, to be with you here. And I want to say that we are so grateful to have you here and as a President of the United States. And thank you for your support, your commitment to your friend, to your allies.

And special thanks for your support during the six-week war. It means a lot to us. And you show us who's the real ally.

Without your support, your commitment, Mr. President, not my country only, but the Middle East would be in a different situation today. So it's really my pleasure to see you today, Mr. President. Thank you for giving us the time.

And there is a lot of things we can talk about for going forward between our two countries and see how we can make our relationship even better.

TRUMP: We love it. Thank you, my friend. See, when you're that rich, you can speak that lowly.

I was just wondering, can anybody hear that? But when you're so rich, you have such confidence, and you don't have to do any strain to the voice. It's great.

So do you have any questions, please?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What should we expect from the second stage of the negotiations from this memorandum?

TRUMP: I don't know. It's a 60-day period or so. I think it's going to happen fairly quickly.