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Race to Rescue Survivors After Deadly Earthquakes Rock Venezuela; Donahue to Relinquish Command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa; Trump Refuses to Sign Housing Bill, Demands Action on Voting Measure; New Data: Shipping Traffic Slowly Through Strait of Hormuz. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired June 25, 2026 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking news, we're getting new images just into CNN showing the devastation, look at that, from the deadly back- to-back earthquakes in Venezuela. So, many buildings just flattened, others leaning over at this point.

More than 160 people have been killed, nearly 1,000 injured. That's according to the country's acting president. But that number is rising quickly and almost certain to rise more. And based on the images we're seeing, perhaps much more.

An urgent race is underway to reach people trapped in the rubble. Rescuers have reported hearing people alive underneath. The quake struck 40 seconds apart in northern Venezuela, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. The second quake was the strongest to hit the country in more than a decade. Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Also new this morning, another shakeup at the Pentagon. Multiple sources tell CNN that General Christopher Donahue is expected to retire as soon as next week. He's currently the top U.S. Army commander in Europe.

And it's not just that, though. Donahue is seen by many as a rising star in the U.S. Army, someone that a lot of people had hoped would one day lead the whole thing. Now, the four-star general who served in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan is being forced out. And the big question is why. CNN's Haley Britzky has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HALEY BRITZKY, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: A highly respected four-star Army general, General Christopher Donahue, is stepping down from his post commanding soldiers in Europe and is slated to retire as he's not yet been nominated for a new job by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Donahue, who has commanded the Army's elite Delta Force, the storied 82nd Airborne Division and served in other special operations roles, is relinquishing command of U.S. Army Europe and Africa on July 2nd.

Sources tell CNN that his stepping down has been in conversation for at least two months. They also said while he has submitted his retirement paperwork to leave the Army, the Army has not yet made a final determination whether to approve the retirement, meaning he could still be nominated to another four-star position.

Sources told CNN that there's been tension between Hegseth's office and Donahue's command in Europe, though not necessarily directly between the two men. His exit from command also comes amid several other moves by Hegseth and the Trump administration more broadly to alter the U.S. footprint in Europe.

Donahue is highly respected by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and senior and junior ranks alike and has long been believed to be on track to eventually take over as the Army Chief of Staff, a role that some sources say he could still be nominated for. An Army spokesperson said the Army thanks General Donahue for his leadership of U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

Haley Britzky, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right. With me now to discuss this and many other issues, Democratic Congressman from Illinois, Mike Quigley. He sits on the House Appropriations and Intelligence Committees.

[07:35:00]

First, the top Army officer in Europe, General Chris Donahue, retiring earlier than expected. He's the sixth Army three- or four-star officer to announce early retirement in the last year and a half. What does this tell you about what is happening under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth?

REP. MIKE QUIGLEY (D-IL), APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Well, look, it's too soon to tell exactly what all this means and what they have in store for the general, but he is indeed very well respected here on the Hill. It's evidence of the additional tumult under this secretary, the tensions with NATO, what the future of our role with NATO is in Europe, how that keeps our allies safe, how it keeps the United States safe.

SIDNER: Let me ask you about this issue that happened in the last day, the president refusing to sign a bipartisan bill that a large number of Democrats and Republicans, it was bipartisan, agreed would help create more affordable housing, a huge issue for Americans. But the president didn't sign it because he wants to force the Senate to pass his voter identification bill.

Do you get the sense that he would veto this bill, or do you fully believe this bill is going to become law without him?

QUIGLEY: Look, I think this is a president who is being very petty at a time. What this bill represented is what the American people want, a rare bipartisan effort to address an American crisis, the housing crisis. When I got out of college, the average age for a first-time homebuyer is 28. It's now 40. We're about 4 million homes short. So, here Congress got together to solve that problem on a bicameral, bipartisan basis. Because the president's mad that he can't get another pet project done, he cancels abruptly the bill signing. I think there's obviously a threat of a veto. But with the mood now, and what I think is Republicans starting to part ways when the president is being so petty, I do think there'd be a chance for an override.

SIDNER: Speaking of mood, sources to CNN said there was an actual shouting match in the Senate over several GOP members who voted to curb the president's war powers, including Republican Bill Cassidy, who just recently lost to a Trump-backed candidate. Here's what he said in response.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): I felt like I was trying to get answers for the American people. And I'm not going to be bullied when I'm trying to get answers for the American people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: Lo and behold, Cassidy and other GOP senators ended up reversing their vote on the Iran war powers. So, the president bullying seems to have worked. Do you see this potentially working with his Save America Act?

QUIGLEY: The president has bullied people. The fact of the matter is what we've seen under Trump 1 and Trump 2 is Republicans who stand up to the president typically leave Congress or they're forced out of Congress. I think that sends a message to do the same for others.

We are seeing cracks and fissures, I think, with Epstein, with the Iranian war, with the housing crisis, with Republicans willing to step up. It's simply not enough and not strong enough because I think the American people are tired of what the president is doing with the costs that are involved, with inflation, with the war in Iran, and with the failure to solve crises like the housing crisis.

SIDNER: Look, there's also this issue that also is about voters and voting. The Trump administration has been demanding states hand over their voter rolls to the federal government. A federal court just denied the request for that demand in Michigan, but that's not, of course, the only state where the demand exists.

So, I want your take on this exchange on a proposed rule for the Postal Service regarding whether the Postal Service would actually deliver ballots if the state refused to turn over its voter rolls. Here is a back and forth on the Homeland Security Committee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. GARY PETERS (D-MI), RANKING MEMBER, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: Yes or no, if a state refuses to turn their absentee voter list over to the federal government, will the Postal Service still mail their ballots under this proposal rule?

DAVID STEINER, UNITED STATES POSTMASTER GENERAL: Under our proposed regulation, no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: What do you think of that?

QUIGLEY: Yes. Look, this is the president recognizing he's going to get creamed in the midterms, turning to whatever effort he can to suppress votes. The SAVE Act that he's bullying Congress to pass is an extraordinary effort on his side to suppress voting. When you don't allow mail voting, you're really hurting elderly voters. You're really hurting people in rural communities.

Now, the SAVE Act goes beyond that to make it far more difficult for women to vote. This is just part of the effort for the president. He can't win fairly, so he's doing whatever he can to change the rules of the game, to rig the game, in effect.

SIDNER: Congressman Mike Quigley, thank you so much for coming on. Appreciate it. John.

BERMAN: All right. This morning, there is some new fencing near the reflecting pool, but it's still accessible to the public.

[07:40:00]

The administration says renovations largely on hold until after the July 4th celebrations. This morning the U.S. Park Police are looking for information that would lead to identifying, maybe capture I suppose, someone seen in video putting their hand in the water. They're wanted in connection with a destruction of government property investigation.

President Trump claimed over the weekend that ongoing issues of the pool were caused by vandals and said six people have been arrested. Other experts say that the algae problems and paint chips they're seeing in there are the result of heat and also the way the work might have been done.

This morning a flu outbreak at Laughlin Air Base in Texas is getting worse. At least 275 recruits, 275, have fallen ill since the outbreak started and now a source tells CNN that the U.S. Air Force had actually asked the Pentagon to reinstate mandatory flu shots just weeks before the outbreak. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Air Force to drop the requirement for mandatory vaccination in April.

Initially 60 percent of the previously unvaccinated trainees at Laughlin declined to be vaccinated, the source says. The Air Force request for exception took weeks and by the time the mandate was restored on June 11th, now they are required to get vaccinated, but by June 11th the outbreak was already well underway. Kate.

BOLDUAN: President Trump kicked off celebrations for America's 250th birthday at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall just yesterday. The president headlined the event himself, hosting a rally really after most of the originally planned musical lineup had dropped out, suggesting that they were misled about the event's political associations. Well, here was some of President Trump last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Just like those patriots of 1776 over the past 17 months, we have taken power back from the far-off political class. They're trying to gain it back but it's not going to happen. We have reclaimed our sovereignty, regained our liberty, restored our prosperity, and we have saved our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: That state fair on the National Mall I believe continues through July 10th. Sara.

SIDNER: All right. Thank you, Kate. Happening now, oil prices falling, hitting their lowest levels since before the war with Iran began. That was fast. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, trading below $70 an hour for the first time in four months. Prices have slid in recent days over optimism about the agreement between the U.S. and Iran to open the critical Strait of Hormuz.

A new data shows shipping traffic is slowly increasing through that key waterway. U.S. gas prices, as you might imagine with oil prices falling, so goes the gas. The national average price now, $3.92 a gallon, down 8 cents since last week. John.

BERMAN: All right. We've got dramatic video in of a woman rescued from her burning home.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We got to get out, you're going to die.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I know. I (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: All right. Did you get your invitation? Where are they registered? Do they need a place setting? All the signs that point to a huge July 4th weekend wedding celebration for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. All the new details we are learning.

SIDNER: My invitation right here.

BERMAN: All right.

SIDNER: Hope you got one, Johnny.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:45:00]

BOLDUAN: An incredible rescue. A police officer in Toledo, Ohio is seen running into a burning home to rescue a woman and her brother.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need to put that walker down. I will carry you. Come on. You're going to die in here. Come on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: The officer had to break down a door that was blocked to help the woman out of the house. Firefighters arrived moments later to then help the brother get out as well. They both are now receiving treatment for smoke inhalation, but thank goodness they survived.

Researchers in Australia have discovered a new spider. It is nicknamed the Ballista, and they're marveling over its hunting techniques for the first time, capturing on video the crazy way that it catches prey, not spinning a web like most spiders and lying-in wait.

This one actually spins a cone at the bottom of its web, and then it works like a spring-loaded death trap of sorts. So, when a green tree and bites it, the cone snaps and slingshots the ant into the web above. We will show it to you. I think this is more of the spider creating said cone. They've never seen this before.

Apparently, the scientists drove thousands of miles into a remote part of the rainforest to capture the is doing nighttime spider stakeouts. They still don't know why only one species of ant is drawn to trap, and the Ballista spider is also the only known spider to hunt a single species of prey. So, there you have it.

She may not be performing, but country icon of national treasure Dolly Parton is still giving fans something to celebrate a new rest stop. Yes, and she was on hand for the opening of Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop where travelers have a chance to, well, of course, rest and relax, pick up some barbecue, do some shopping and even enjoy some live music. Dolly was -- Dolly's even talking about why she got into the rest stop game now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DOLLY PARTON, SINGER, SONGWRITER AND ACTRESS: I'm sure some of you wonder why I wanted to talk stuff. Well, I couldn't leave it to beavers.

[07:50:00]

I have to throw that (INAUDIBLE) in there. So, we're not trying to compete with anybody. We don't think we'll have to. We think we're going to have everything that you want or need. So --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: I love her. It was a rare public appearance for Dolly. She canceled, as you remember, her Las Vegas residency last year, citing health challenges. But man, I can't wait to stop by the Dolly Tennessean now.

BERMAN: It's so great to see her. I mean, Dolly Parton makes everything better. Even this new world where there's this new spider that you're telling me about.

BOLDUAN: There's a new spider deep in the rainforest, but don't worry, it only eats one species of ant.

BERMAN: In your vivid description of how it captures its prey, I will --

BOLDUAN: Take you to lunch.

BERMAN: -- we'll stay with me.

BOLDUAN: I will make a diorama --

BERMAN: We'll stay with me forever.

BOLDUAN: -- next time.

BERMAN: Thank you very much.

BOLDUAN: Diorama, the right one?

BERMAN: Yes, dioramas are great. Shoeboxes.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

BERMAN: I would make a great diorama. All right. Team USA playing tonight in its third group stage game. It doesn't mean much, but it will still be awesome. With us now, CNN's Amanda Davis. We're all looking forward to this.

AMANDA DAVIES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes. Morning, John. I mean, these moments really don't come very often in soccer. What a luxury for any side, let alone tournament co-hosts the U.S., to be heading into their final group stage match, already knowing that you're going through to the next round and top of the group. Alejandro Zendejas has said that doesn't mean they're going to take their foot off the gas, though, against Turkey. But it does allow coach Mauricio Pochettino to rest a few players and rotate the squad.

The team's most capped player, Christian Pulisic, didn't even bother waiting to be asked about his fitness at his press conference. He went straight in telling reporters he's feeling good and hoping to play a part in the game after that calf injury he picked up against Paraguay.

Two wins in two has been the team's best start to a World Cup since all the way back in 1930. And hopes are high of making it three in three against winless Turkey.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEJANDRO ZENDEJAS, USMNT FORWARD: Just because we're through doesn't mean we have to let our foot off the pedal. We have to keep on going with that same confidence, same rhythm, and keep showing each other and the world what this team is made of.

FOLARIN BALOGUN, USMNT FORWARD: There's definitely a belief we have within ourselves. There's up to maybe 15, 20 guys who would put their life on the line, you know, for a win, for a result, you know, to block a goal. And when you have that sort of mentality, I feel like you're always going to give yourself the best chance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DAVIES: Bad news, though, for everyone's new favorite fans. The Tartan Army's days at the World Cup look to be numbered after Scotland suffered a big 3-nil defeat to Brazil in their final group game. The five-time world champions proved just too strong. Two first half goals from Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior making the difference in Miami. Matheus Cunha made it 3-nil with half an hour left to play for Carlo Ancelotti's side. And then the icing on the cake for Brazil and their supporters. The emotional return of their country's record goal scorer Neymar for the final 14 minutes, his first international appearance since October 2023.

The USA's co-hosts have both made it. Canada's World Cup of firsts continues. First time hosting, first point, first win. And now, their first ever place in the knockout round despite losing to Switzerland. And Mexico's perfect start goes on as well. Coach Javier Aguirre praising his side's mentality after their 3-nil win over the Czech Republic.

They'd already been confirmed as Group A winners after two matches. So, Aguirre made some changes to his lineup including bringing in 40- year-old goalkeeper, Guillermo Ochoa, as a late substitute. Meaning he joins only Cristiano Ronaldo and Leo Messi as the only players who have been involved at six men's World Cups. Not bad company to be in.

But I have to tell you the big travesty of the day which has certainly ruffled some feathers. Mexico's mascot Merlin the Duck wasn't able to be there to watch. He was banned after becoming the national team's unofficial official mascot after his starring role at the tournament. Fans launched a campaign for Merlin to attend the game alongside his human family. He might have met Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum this week. But this was a waddle too far. FIFA regulations prohibit animals from entering venues to safeguard their well-being apparently.

I don't know about you but I have to say a quackers decision, John.

BERMAN: I agree with that. You know FIFA way to go as always. Stepping in there, showing all the admirable qualities of that organization through and through. Amanda Davies, thank you very much for that.

SIDNER: Dripping with sarcasm.

BERMAN: I mean, it's people. What did you expect?

SIDNER: I know. Just let the duck in. I mean come on. What could it do? Can't play the game. Maybe it can. Anyway --

[07:55:00]

BERMAN: It can't even pick up the ball. SIDNER: Hello. Geez. All right. Now, to something that we talk about a lot because a lot of people care about it. Taylor Swift fans have spent months looking for wedding Easter eggs and now a new clue is sparking even more speculation. Some fans seem to think the pop star and fiance, Travis Kelce, will tie the knot at Madison Square Garden where there was this huge win. They think it's going to happen next week, right here, right down the street.

CNN has confirmed that a permit application has actually been filed to hold a large-scale event near the arena over the July 4th weekend. While neither Swift nor Kelce are named in the paperwork multiple law enforcement sources telling CNN the application is tied to a company known to plan weddings.

Joining us now Olivia Levin, Taylor Swift expert and author of the book, "The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed our Lives." Olivia, this is clearly if they are looking at this venue if this is indeed Kelce and Swift looking at Madison Square Garden this is going to be crazy.

OLIVIA LEVIN, CREATOR, @SWIFTIESFORETERNITY, AUTHOR, "THE STORY OF US: HOW THE TAYLOR SWIFT FANDOM CHANGED OUR LIVES" AND TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERT: Yes. It's going to be insane. I don't know. The rumor mill has been swirling for a while now. It seems like something is happening very soon. I'm not very much one to speculate about you know her own private life as a longtime fan. However, what I will say is that the Swifties are over the moon about her finally getting her happy fairy tale ending that we've all been wanting for her for the last two decades.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you what you think a stadium. This is a huge stadium one of the most famous stadiums in America, albeit the world. There's a lot of space in there. Do you think that maybe if it is them that potentially there could be a little like concert thing or fans coming or something because that's a whole lot of people that can fit in there?

LEVIN: Definitely a lot of people can fit in there. I really don't know. I don't. I think Taylor is so good at being unpredictable. I wouldn't think that fans would be involved at all. But, you know, she and Travis know a lot of people. So, a lot of people could be invited if it's some sort of concert celebration and not necessarily the ceremony happening there. Who knows with her? But I know whatever she does it's going to be fantastic and she's going to blow it out of the water.

SIDNER: There is speculation that they are already married legally and this is just like a huge party. What do you do know anything about that?

LEVIN: I don't. I don't know anything about that. I know she's been super busy and he's been super busy traveling. She's popping up at Knicks games and does he get making history getting inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. And now, she just popped up at Titan University to perform "Love Story" in Nashville a couple of nights ago. So, I don't know. I don't think anyone really knows if they're already married and maybe it's happening very soon before the big celebration potentially at MSG. But I think I think everyone's just super, super excited for them.

SIDNER: Yes. I guess the big question is like, who else would have a wedding planner do permits at MSG? That's one thing she could be trying to throw people off. But she has built this entire sort of world around hidden Easter eggs in her music in some of the things she says. How fun is that for fans? Is that something that fans really sort of look for, they love to follow these clues and try to figure it out?

LEVIN: Oh absolutely. I mean it's a big part of our fandom culture which I talk about in my book, "The Story of Us." I think what she has said in the past is that her Easter eggs always point towards something in her music and not her personal life. So, I know there's always fans speculating on, OK, does this mean like the wedding is soon? But the thing is we don't really know. And like you said she could be trying to throw people off.

SIDNER: Yes.

LEVIN: There's been a lot of talk about different things in Rhode Island and New York. And you know what, only time will tell.

SIDNER: Olivia, I just want to mention one thing. Can we widen this picture out? Look at this thing. You've seen the ring, right? Look how it's -- I don't know how many carats that is. But is that like a 400 million carats. I mean, you don't even need a big wedding. You got that thing. It'll be interesting to see if she actually does it.

LEVIN: Oh, my gosh. It's beautiful. I mean, that is the most Taylor Swift ring that could ever be possible.

SIDNER: It's perfect. It's perfect for her. I think it would actually fall on the ground. You won't be able to walk with that thing. Olivia Levin, thank you so much for your insight into all of this. I hope you get an invite to the wedding. I think that a lot of people will go.

A new hour of CNN News Central starts right now.

BOLDUAN: Breaking news this hour, the death toll jumping this morning after --

[08:00:00]