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USA Set to Face Bosnia-Herzegovina in Round of 32; Two in NYPD Custody After Scaling Empire State Building; Trump Visits New Teddy Roosevelt Library in North Dakota; Trump Made Billions in His First Year Back in Office; Heat Waves Threatens Millions of Americans Through July 4th; John Brennan Sues the Trump Administration. Aired 2- 2:30p ET

Aired July 01, 2026 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:40]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": -- the Empire State Building, pausing for what appeared to be an engagement on the way down. Police in New York not very amused.

Plus, a profitable presidency, a new disclosure showing that President Trump pulled in at least $2 billion since returning to the White House. The Trump family's holdings, especially in crypto, extremely lucrative. We'll get into those numbers.

And stars and strikes, Team USA looking to advance at the World Cup with its first game in the knockout round. Can the U.S. do something it hasn't accomplished in over two decades? We're following these major developing stories and many more, all coming in right here to "CNN News Central."

We begin this hour with a high-risk spectacle in the skies over New York City. Two people are now in police custody after doing that, climbing to the top of the Empire State Building, more than 1,400 feet in the air. This video seems to be from the perspective of one of the climbers. We've got that coming up in a moment.

At one point, the couple unfurled a banner that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace." This is the vantage point that I was mentioning a moment ago. Apparently, they stayed in that love theme as one climber dropped to a knee, appearing to propose to the other climber. You see it there.

CNN's Jason Carroll joins us now with the latest. Jason, the big question, how was this couple able to get through layers of security to get to the top of the Empire State?

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And you better believe that is a question that the folks at the Empire State Building are asking right now, NYPD doing the exact same thing.

But as you said, that couple, apparently they are experienced climbers, given what we are about to show you, made their way to the top, not just of the Empire State Building, but the Empire State Building antenna, 1,424 feet in the sky. This all started at about noon, Boris. That's when the call came in to NYPD that two people had suddenly made their way to the top of the Empire State Building.

We could see a lot of it from where we were at this vantage point, just a few blocks away. Once they got up there, there were all sorts of questions about motive. What were they doing up there? What was their intention? While news helicopters were surrounding them, you could see several things.

You could see them hugging. You could see them kissing. And then at one point, they live streamed to Instagram, one of their Instagram pages, exactly what they were doing up there. And you could see at one point, as you said, the man got down on his knee as they were hugging, as they were kissing. The woman who was up there took a picture of what appeared to be an engagement ring.

Also from their Instagram, it's very clear that they are experienced climbers, that they have climbed other buildings in other parts of the world in terms that they've done similar antics.

So again, the big question now becomes how they were able to get up there. Well, as you know, Boris, they have daily tours of the Empire State Building. There's an observation deck up there, so the public has access to that.

The question is, how were they able to, you know, get in there with the public and then move through a separate door that takes you up to the top there? And again, now that they're in custody, perhaps we're going to get some more -- we'll get some more answers about the motive here. But it appears that these experienced climbers, who have done this at other parts of the world, decided the Empire State Building was where they were going to do their engagement.

So again, they are both in custody. We talked to people who were down here on the ground. Boris, New Yorkers see all sorts of things, a lot of crazy stuff going on in New York City. You just heard about Taylor Swift's wedding that's coming. You've got World Cup. You've got Knicks celebration. So people have been seeing a lot here.

I spoke to one woman. She says, well, this rate's sort of kind of in the middle of all that she has seen as of late. But again, a lot of questions that NYPD are going to have for the couple at this hour. Boris?

SANCHEZ: Jason Carroll, thank you so much for that report from Manhattan. Erica?

ERICA HILL, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Well, also happening now, President Trump is in North Dakota. He's there to celebrate America 250 and the opening of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in honor of America's 26th president.

Trump arriving a short time ago, walking down the stairs, as you see here, after his first flight on the new Air Force One. CNN's Jeff Zeleny is live in Medora, North Dakota, where the president will soon be speaking. So bring us up to speed on what we can expect today, Jeff. JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Erica, we have just seen President Trump a few moments ago arrive by train here to Medora, North Dakota after, of course, flying on that new Qatari flight that has been converted into at least a temporary Air Force One.

But the president now is inside the new presidential library here, the Theodore Roosevelt Library, a tribute to the nation's 26th president. And of course, President Trump will be speaking here later today, undoubtedly drawing parallels that he sees between the two men.

Of course, Teddy Roosevelt from New York found a purpose in life with some time here in North Dakota and later became president.

[14:05:00]

And yes, there are some similarities. Of course, Roosevelt was a Republican, but he was very pro-regulation and pro-conservation, many differences. But President Trump, of course, will be touring the library as we speak.

But this is all part of his ramp up to the America 250 celebration that is going to culminate on Saturday on the National Mall. But spending some time here in the Badlands of North Dakota, you can see behind me here. This is the set of the Medora musical in the Burning Hills Amphitheater.

This is a summertime historic musical where thousands come every summer while President Trump will be speaking here later today. But, of course, everything is hanging over this visit, including the Iran War, the rising energy costs, the midterm elections. But for today, at least, President Trump is trying to celebrate and perhaps step into the glow a bit of Teddy Roosevelt. Erica?

HILL: You talked about the backdrop. There are also questions about all of the money that President Trump has made since being back in office. His first year in office, his disclosure about billions of dollars. And I know he was asked about that earlier.

ZELENY: He was, I mean, an extraordinary $2.2 billion that Trump and his family has made. He said this as a rationale as he came to North Dakota.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I don't get involved in my personal. We have funds that run my money.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But you are benefitting, you've made (Inaudible).

TRUMP: Well, I've made a lot of money before I became president and they invest my money and I don't talk to them.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: To critics who say you're profiting off the presidency, Mr. President?

TRUMP: Well, you know why I'm profiting because the stock market's going up. Everybody's profiting. If you have a 401(k), how's your 401(k) doing? It's been up 85 percent. Thank you, President Trump. So we're all profiting. I'm profiting because I have a lot of money and a lot of cash.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: Of course, the president and his family profiting in an entirely different way than any other American. Just take a look at some of these line items from that disclosure.

Some $635 million in celebrity coins alone, more than $500 million in a crypto token. $77 million just for Mar-a-Lago. The list goes on from there. $4.7 million from Trump Watches. So, Erica, we have never seen a U.S. president profit like this from the office. It certainly is an entirely different moment than the library in which he's visiting just a short few hundred feet from me.

Teddy Roosevelt, of course, a very different kind of man, born into a wealthy family, but again, found his purpose and calling here in North Dakota. But for now, at least President Trump will be delivering remarks on this stage behind me as the afternoon moves on. Erica?

HILL: All right. Jeff, appreciate it. Thank you.

Still ahead here, another incumbent Democrat is out losing in a primary, this time in Colorado, the third to lose a primary in just one week. What does this say about the party moving into the midterms?

Plus, World Cup fans getting hyped. Team USA aiming to win its first World Cup knockout match in more than 20 years. We are live in California with a preview.

And the oceans on this planet hitting a record high temperature for June. Scientists say this is incredibly alarming. We'll take a closer look at that and much more ahead on "CNN News Central."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:13:06]

SANCHEZ: The U.S. men's national team is just a few hours away from trying to win its first World Cup knockout match since 2002. The high- stakes game against Bosnia and Herzegovina kicks off at 8 Eastern in Santa Clara, California.

That's where we find CNN Sports Anchor, Coy Wire. Coy, a big day for the U.S. men's team.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yeah, huge day, Boris. I don't know if you can hear the excitement building. I was never really a fan of Bosnia and Herzegovina music until about 10 minutes ago. They're waiting to be able to get into this stadium where it's about to be on. You can almost feel the heartbeat of American footy getting louder. Today isn't just a knockout match. It's a chance to kick down another door. The U.S. hasn't reached a World Cup quarterfinal since 2002. Back then, smartphones didn't exist. Social media wasn't a thing.

But now, this 15th-ranked squad has a chance to give America its biggest World Cup moment in nearly a quarter century. Standing in the way, 61st-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina. The U.S. players have told me they've been feeding off of all the fans' energy, and they've helped them get off to fast starts.

Three goals so far in the first 15 minutes, more than any other team so far. The fans and their coach, Pochettino, has them believing, why not us? Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTIAN PULISIC, USA FORWARD: For sure the energy in the stadium helps us a lot. Being here in America, just the energy within the team, I think we've done a good job of starting strong, and it helps us a lot. So yeah, we want to keep that mentality.

CHRIS RICHARDS, USA DEFENDER: I think we're a country full of believers. In ultimately every game, every tournament we go into, we want to win. So, I mean, that mentality has stuck with us ever since he said it.

I think a lot of us believed it, but I think it was good to hear him say it. So ultimately, no, it's the same mentality throughout the rest of this tournament. It's one game at a time. But again, you know, why not us?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: All right, now, Bosnia and Herzegovina are a talented, fearless side with nothing to lose, and those teams can be dangerous.

[14:15:00]

It's a huge moment for U.S. goalie, Matt Freese, self-described nerd, son of a pioneering neurosurgeon. He played at Harvard a few years ago. He was a backup in MLS. Now he's a keeper for New York City F.C. and might be guarding America's World Cup dreams.

We asked him about his journey which nobody saw coming.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATT FREESE, U.S. GOALKEEPER: An interesting, you know, jump to leave school early and leave the promise of a college degree early to chase your dreams and 26 years of hard work meeting with opportunity at the right time. To now be able to do that at a World Cup is, you know, means a lot of that sacrifice and that leap of faith was completely worth it and all the other work that went into it was worth it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) WIRE: All right, the Harvard hero hoping to stop Bosnia and Herzegovina from crashing America's party with what would be their biggest win. Somebody has to lose. Somebody's dream will end today.

The crowds, they're about to set this thing off, Boris. Can't wait to be in there and experience that and then tell the stories of what we're about to see today.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, history potentially will be made as we hear that music in the back. Is that an accordion, Coy? What instrument is making that noise behind you?

(LAUGH)

WIRE: I believe it's an accordion boosted by about an amp and speaker about as tall as I am. I mean, these Bosnia-Herzegovina fans, they came to play fan wise (ph). We'll see if their team could do the same on the pitch.

SANCHEZ: We shall see. Go USA! Coy Wire, thank you so much from California for us.

So sea temperatures have just hit record highs and scientists warn the warmer water won't just affect sea life, but weather patterns on land as well. That story is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:21:40]

HILL: There is a good chance you're feeling this extreme heat that's spreading across the eastern half of the U.S. ahead of the July 4th holiday. The National Weather Service is now warning of dangerous heat-related risk. Millions of Americans are facing at least three straight days of these triple-digit temperatures and this heat dome.

And it's not just that the air is getting hotter. It's important to note the oceans are as well. New data shows global sea surface temperatures just set a new record for June. It's a milestone that scientists say could have far-reaching implications for weather patterns, also for marine life.

CNN's Bill Weir is joining us now. So what does this new data tell us? Because it is alarming.

BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: It's coming out of Copernicus, Erica. That's the European Space and Weather Agency. And if you look at this line chart, comparing, this is now the poles, the North and South Pole. It's the big swathe in the center of our blue marble averaging at this time of year. And look at it off the charts. We've already shattered 2024.

That's that yellowish line on there as well. But all of the decades, going back to 1991, several degrees cooler than it is now. And this, of course, drives weather on land. Everything from corals to whales to turtles that live in the ecosystem is suffering from this. Because the oceans hold 90 percent of man-made global warming, hiding it from most life on land, they really feel it there. So when there's an El Nino year like is just kicking off now, it spikes and goes off.

And now, the results of this that we will feel here on land, that means hotter heat waves. It means fiercer storms. This drives excessive rainfall and flooding in some areas, droughts in other counterintuitively. And then, of course, mass bleaching of coral reefs and marine life and sea level rise, which is a headache for all coastal communities as well.

But this affects life everywhere, inland and on the coast.

HILL: So you mentioned human-driven climate change. Is that what is, in fact, driving this unprecedented heat we're seeing -- that we saw in the month of June?

WEIR: That is what has ratcheted up these new records year after year after year. Yes, this like the top on a pot, this boiling is that fossil fuel pollution, all that carbon and methane in the sky holding it down. Every giga ton that gets burned just turns up the global temperature that much more.

But then when an El Nino year comes along, that's a natural warming pattern in the Pacific. That just takes it even to new extremes because the dice are already loaded, thanks to climate change.

HILL: All right, Bill. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Still ahead over here, we have more Breaking News this hour, this time involving ex-CIA Director, John Brennan, now suing the Trump administration. We'll tell you why.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:28:51]

SANCHEZ: We're following Breaking News right now involving former CIA Director, John Brennan. He has just filed suit against the Trump administration, demanding it preserve all records and communications pertaining to the DOJ's investigation into him.

CNN Crime & Justice Correspondent, Katelyn Polantz is here with the Breaking News. So, Katelyn, what is in this filing?

KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME & JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, this filing, it's essentially been described to me as poking the bear, where John Brennan's team is trying to signal to the Justice Department that if he were to be indicted for, say, potentially perjury, we knew he had been investigated for that or something additional, that they will be challenging it. That's what this lawsuit is putting a marker down on.

This is an investigation into Brennan that's been going on for some time. It's out of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami. But what Brennan's legal team is saying here is that they believe the Justice Department may be trying to follow Donald Trump's orders to vindictively and selectively prosecute him, single him out illegally to bring charges against him because Trump doesn't like him from the time he served as CIA director, including during the Russia investigation of Trump.

That's where the perjury accusations arose, what they were related to. And that is a set of accusations that Brennan fully denies. He says he has done --