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Taylor Swift's Wedding Expected This Evening; West Point Cadets Speak Out on America 250; Zohran Mamdani Delivers America 250 Address; Dangerous Heat Wave. Aired 1-1:30p ET

Aired July 03, 2026 - 13:00   ET

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

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ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: A sweltering celebration. America pulling out all the stops for its 250th birthday, including a record-breaking fireworks display planned in Washington, but it's the record-breaking heat that may be the most memorable part of the weekend.

Are you ready for it? Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce tying the knot in New York, that celebration said to now be just hours away.

And last dance? Maybe, maybe not. The next chapter in Cape Verde's World Cup Cinderella story, Argentina, ooh, and a matchup with one of the best to ever play the game.

We're following these major developing stories and many more all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

We do begin this hour with those dangerously hot, humid temperatures for the holiday weekend. This July 4, more than 150 million people will be dealing with suffocatingly high temps. For the East Coast, it's this heat dome over the region that is going to bring triple- digit temperatures, and that raises the risk for heatstroke, and it's also elevating safety concerns, when we talk about parades, barbecues, fireworks.

In fact, Philadelphia canceled its Independence Day Parade -- that's one of the nation's largest -- citing the extreme heat, Washington, Boston, Newark, New Jersey all breaking records on Thursday, but the worst is actually expected to come today.

CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam certainly taking one for the team here. He is outside at the American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

And I know you have some developments there too involving the heat there.

DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Yes, Erica, they just announced over the P.A. system here along the National Mall to all the people, the thousands of spectators, that the event is postponed.

They didn't give a reason why, but we can imagine it's heat. I mean, we have seen time after time people getting carried away in the Fire Department, the D.C. Fire Department trucks with medical personnel attending to individuals, their shoes off to try and cool their internal body temperatures.

It is extremely hot. But here's the question that I want to raise, is that, after they announced this postponement of the Freedom 250 event, there are still the spectacles that are drawing in the visitors, including the ferris wheel behind us, which, by the way, those individual cabins are enclosed with Plexiglas.

So you can imagine just how hot it is inside there. But, look, there are still people lining up for the event, even though it has been postponed. They asked people to leave the event space and find shade.

So, what you're seeing behind me, I will get the camera, our photojournalist to turn around and see the -- just the masses of people taking off because it is just simply too dangerous to be down here. When we're talking about record-breaking heat, it's not just the temperature. It is the humidity levels that make it feel blistering.

And coping with this heat is so challenging because there's such little shade on the National Mall. I mean, Erica, you have been here. Thousands of our viewers have been here as well. There's very little trees, except on the outer periphery, but that's outside of the boundaries of this Freedom 250 event.

I have got this. This is a digital thermometer. We have been using this all morning to kind of showcase just how hot it is. And the ground temperature right now in this white coloring is about 124 degrees. But if I bring it over here into darker spaces, it gets up to 135.

Now, you add in the humidity levels and our natural cooling system is to sweat. Well, your body has to work that much harder to cool itself off, to evaporate and get your sweat on your skin. But it is just so hard when you are literally swimming in the air that we are all walking around in.

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And this is dangerous heat. There's people picking up some of the water bottles, but they're just literally thrown all over the place. People are dealing with the heat the best they can. We have seen them carrying umbrellas. We have seen them with -- there's one right there as well.

Listen, you can hear it now. The postponement is being announced on the P.A. system right now, Erica. "Attention, festivalgoers, the event has been postponed. Please exit the fairgrounds immediately."

It doesn't start back up until 5:00 p.m. But, hey, Erica, even that is questionable, because the peak of daytime heating here in D.C. is right around that 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., time frame. Check the CNN Weather App. It'll give you the exact moment-by-moment temperature what's happening here on the National Mall.

HILL: Yes. I mean, an important development there.

Again, as you noted, Derek, they're not giving a reason for postponing, as they said it, the state fair, but essentially closing access right now for at least the next few hours. We know, though, earlier this week, a number of the state booths were shut down when they lost their air conditioning.

I left D.C. at 5:00 a.m. this morning before the sun was up. It was already oppressive. I can only imagine what it's like there. Appreciate it. Thank you.

Well, from the nation's first official capital, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivering a major speech today to mark the country's 250th anniversary. He delivered that speech from the desk used by George Washington when he was president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: Two hundred and fifty years presents a rare opportunity for more than 340 million people to turn together, both towards one another and towards ourselves, to take measure of who we are as a nation.

I cannot see all of America, but like so many who came before, I can see New York City. The city I see today looks very different than the one that greeted George Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: CNN's Gloria Pazmino following this for us.

So, the mayor had a lot of messages in that speech. He certainly touched on immigration, touched on what he sees as American exceptionalism, and perhaps his view for the future even, Gloria.

GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Erica.

And I would say it was a speech deeply seeped in symbolism. You talked about the fact that he was sitting at George Washington's desk. He was doing this speech from inside City Hall, which he said is just a few steps away from the very site where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the Continental Army 250 years ago.

And he centered the speech on, frankly, immigration and the immigrant experience here in America. The mayor, himself an immigrant who became a naturalized citizen just a few years ago, surrounded himself with other newly naturalized American citizens that are very reflective of New York City's diversity.

And I think the obvious question here is, why is Mayor Zohran Mamdani doing this? And I'm told that this was very much an effort by Mamdani to provide a bit of a contrast to the celebrations that President Trump will be headlining starting this evening. He is expected to speak at Mount Rushmore earlier tonight -- or later

tonight, I should say. And the mayor was looking essentially for a way to provide a contrast. And he centered his speech, again, on this immigrant experience. And he also had a few veiled criticisms of Trump, even though he did not specifically call him out by name.

Take a listen.

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MAMDANI: As we mark 250 years, what do we see? We see a city of contradictions within a nation of contradictions. We see the wealthiest country in the history of the world, one where children go to sleep hungry, while the world's first trillionaire hungers for more.

We see monopolies that dominate every industry and oligarchs who buy elections. We see masked agents terrorizing our streets, eating food cooked by our undocumented neighbors, before spiriting them away in unmarked vans.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAZMINO: Erica, Mamdani also talked about the ideals of our nation, describing them as strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime, but only if we can reach for them.

I should also mention that, again, this was supposed to be a contrast to what we are expecting to hear from President Trump later today. And I think it does make some people wonder, is Mamdani thinking about the future, perhaps a presidential future? But, as you know, as a non natural-born, American citizen, he cannot run for the White House.

And he's been asked the question if he would support a constitutional amendment to make that a possible reality. He told ABC News earlier this week that he believes the Constitution is just fine as it is -- Erica.

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

There is a lot of reflection happening, of course, in this moment as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, including with the nation's future military leaders.

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Pollster Frank Luntz recently sat down with a group of West Point cadets for their thoughts as the nation marks this milestone.

Big week at West Point, actually. They just opened -- welcomed, rather, the class of 2030 reporting earlier this week. This is a -- to be at a service academy, it's important to note, this is a very special group of young men and women, who have a deep sense of service. It is not easy to get to that place.

One of the things you talked with them about was patriotism, how they define it. I want to play a little bit of what they told you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have the unique experience that, by the time we graduate, there is the possibility that we go into a conflict and give our life. And I believe that every single person in this room has a devoted love of the American people, and they're willing to go and give their life for every single individual in this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: In many ways, that's not a surprising answer from someone who would choose this path. Have you noticed, though, a change at all in the way these cadets think about that in 2026?

FRANK LUNTZ, POLLSTER: I haven't. And I have been discussing it with them for the last three years. That's why they call it the long gray line.

There is a commitment to defend the country, a commitment to defend the people, but to do so without politics, without partisanship. That's really important for viewers to understand that these young men and women are selfless in their service, and they believe in academics. They believe in training. They believe in physicality.

But they do so without politics and without partisanship, which is very positive. It's not something that we see that much in America. And I'm eager to show the country what they have to say and why, because I think it's instructive for what we want for our country as we look to the next 250 years.

HILL: And so it's interesting too when you -- I think, when you set it up that way.

We have some recent polling. Gallup finds just 19 percent of Americans think the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be pleased by the way the U.S. had turned out. And there also is this generational divide that we see among Americans. An Ipsos poll from earlier this year found most adults 45 and older said being an American is an important part of how they think about themselves.

But a majority of younger adults didn't say it was something they really thought about that much. There's clearly a much different take from these young cadets. Why do you think that is?

LUNTZ: Well, you have got more sound, and I hope that you use it. The key here...

HILL: We will. Don't worry.

(LAUGHTER)

LUNTZ: The key -- thank you, because they speak it better than I do. I don't translate them all that well, even though I'm a faculty member, because I'm trying to understand myself what makes them so exceptional and so extraordinary. You said at the beginning how hard it is to become a West Point cadet.

It's just as hard to stay a West Point cadet. The demands on them are unheard of in American academia, but that's why I respect them so much. They don't quit. They don't give in. They're committed to winning. They're committed to representing the country in as strong and as directive as they possibly can, and that's what they do.

HILL: In terms of representing the country, one of the other things you ask them about is how to describe this country, how to describe America. And I was really struck by some of their answers. I want to play those.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Greatest country on Earth.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would say United States of America is a beacon of hope, not just in our local communities, but to the rest of the world. Anything's possible in America.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The greatest test ever passed.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You can cultivate your future here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Unparalleled in the values and the opportunity that it provides.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's all I know, but it's everything I want to have.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: And that last...

LUNTZ: "It's all I know" -- that last one...

HILL: That last answer really got you.

LUNTZ: We -- yes. And you cut it off, so thank you.

But I got choked up listening to them. "It's all I know, but it's everything I want to have." That cadet's just graduated, and he's going to become a great 2nd lieutenant, a great, great platoon leader because he envelops all that is great about America, and he represents all that this country needs to bring ourselves together.

HILL: You know, Frank, I thought it was notable too how you said you're learning so much from them. We can learn a lot from a group of young men and women who are so focused certainly at this age and with such a deep sense of service.

Frank, thank you.

LUNTZ: Thank you.

HILL: Still ahead here: a peek into what could be the event of the year. If you thought it was July 4, well, think again. We have got another event before that, people. And it turns out a photographer managed to capture a shot of suspected wedding decor arriving at Madison Square Garden in the wee hours of the morning. That is ahead.

Plus, the Trump administration has a new plan, we're learning, to keep the Reflecting Pool clean. It's an intensive plan. We will take a look.

And the U.S. attempted to warn, we're learning, Iran of potential Israeli attack.

That and much more ahead on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

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HILL: It's the more perfect union setting New York City abuzz, Taylor Swift expected to make it official with Travis Kelce in a little more than four hours, that is if it hasn't happened already.

CNN spotted this SUV leaving Swift's Manhattan residents this morning. Preparations for the ceremony, the city's worst kept secret, have been taking over -- the celebration, we should say -- have been taking over Madison Square Garden for the last few days. Lush greenery was spotted inside the arena.

A white tent with a black curtain has gone up outside the entrance, one of the entrances, that is, barricades, black screens also being put up around the perimeter there. There's plenty of excitement, to the point that even the NYPD's deputy chief, well, had to get in on the action.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard you calling on the megaphone. You need to calm down. Why you got to be so mean? I knew you were trouble. I knew it. This weather feels like a cruel summer. Welcome to New York.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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HILL: We've been waiting for you. Welcome to New York.

(LAUGHTER)

HILL: Joining me now, entertainment journalist Brian Balthazar.

Good to see you, my friend.

OK. So there's so much speculation. We know there was an event last night. We know there's a big event today. No pictures have leaked out, which is something, I got to say. When do you think we will get the first images from this big celebration? BRIAN BALTHAZAR, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: Well, soon, because we

know from the permit application that 2:00 is the crew call; 3:00 is when guests could potentially arrive, between 3:00 and 5:00.

So that's when we could start seeing some familiar faces. Now, interestingly, the best celebrity sightings have been happening between yesterday and today, Bradley Cooper, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter spotted around the city, not to mention some football players. I know those too, Erica.

(LAUGHTER)

BALTHAZAR: George Kittle from the -- I have to mention -- from the 49ers and Green Bay's, Micah Parsons, Donna Kelce at the airport. So some of the best celebrity sightings were happening from real people around the city. But around 3:00 this afternoon, people could start trickling in.

But, as you mentioned, those tents are designed so that cars could drive in, and they could get right out and not be seen or photographed. So Taylor Swift knows a little bit, a thing or two about maintaining her privacy when she needs to. And so they have figured this out, but it's really starting to happen right now.

And, obviously, we have got eyes and ears everywhere watching.

HILL: Yes, we do.

She also, though, she knows how important her fans are, right? So I would imagine she wants to give them a little something, while still trying to keep a very important moment private. Part of what people will be wondering is not only who's there, but what is she wearing? How many dresses is she wearing?

BALTHAZAR: Right.

HILL: Has anything leaked about the designers? Nothing.

BALTHAZAR: Well, the only thing we -- little bits and pieces, and it's hard to know what's real, right?

But we do know that the engagement photo that she posted had a garden theme. You just saw greenery. It stands to reason. And we have heard some rumors that a garden theme could be what's incorporated into the Garden, Madison Square Garden, if you will.

And so, I mean, it's really anybody's guess right now. I will say this, though, and you touched on it when you did the introduction, is that we know something big is happening. We know the event could run from 5:00 p.m. to as early in the morning tomorrow as 4:00 a.m., according to the permit.

Here's what we don't know. We don't know if it's actually the wedding or is it actually a big celebration or party. And here's what -- here's -- I have to say, we have to have a conspiracy theorist among us, and maybe that will be me. You can play this clip later. Taylor Swift is almost too smart to have it be this obvious to us,

right? Maybe she got married last night, or maybe she's getting married right now, and she will arrive and tell everyone, guess what, we're married, let's have a party.

I'm not saying that I know that. I'm just saying this could be a little bit of a diversion. She's probably sitting in a suite somewhere drinking champagne laughing, because we think we know what we know, but she is a pro at little clues and red herrings, and then coming out with this amazing truth.

I think she will share obviously a little bit because she knows -- I mean, lookit, we're all watching. We're all watching barricades move.

HILL: Yes.

BALTHAZAR: Right?

HILL: It's true.

BALTHAZAR: So, we -- she knows that there's an appeal there, but I think -- I think we will get some clues. But, right now, the fun is kind of in the mystery.

HILL: One of the questions, because their friendship was so public, and then their apparent breakout -- breakup seemed to be a little public too, is whether she and Blake Lively have made up and whether Blake and Ryan Reynolds will make the cut today.

BALTHAZAR: Right. Right.

HILL: Any insight there?

BALTHAZAR: Well, I think people are going to be watching their Instagram feeds very closely, because, yesterday, Selena Gomez posted her Instagram feed a photo of herself all dialed up in full glam.

Now, perhaps she was going to the rehearsal dinner that we believe was last night. There she is. She didn't explicitly mention where she was going. She was talking about her makeup line. However, is it a coincidence that it's happening the same night as what we believe was the rehearsal dinner?

So I think people are going to be watching Instagram feeds very closely. But I think knowing that there were NDAs signed -- and even, by the way, Madison Square Garden corporate employees are not even allowed in the building until Sunday. That's been made very clear.

So everything's being kept under wraps as much as possible. This messaging, this information is being held closely by Taylor and Travis, and they're going to decide how it gets out and when.

HILL: Yes.

Brian, good to see you, as always. Thank you.

BALTHAZAR: You too, always. Thank you.

HILL: Still ahead here: The Trump administration has a new plan to keep the Reflecting Pool clean, and CNN got a look at it.

Plus, we have an update for you this afternoon on Senator Mitch McConnell's health, what we know about an emergency dispatch call to his home.

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[13:29:18]

HILL: There is a new plan in the works to keep the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool clean, this, of course, after the severe algae, the peeling problems, the allegations of vandalism.

CNN has learned that the Department of the Interior is now looking to hire a contractor to provide long-term maintenance and an annual purge.

CNN's Sunlen Serfaty has this story.

I feel like you are officially our Reflecting Pool correspondent at this point, Sunlen.

So, they're also, as I understand it this time around, taking bids?

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

This is a very extensive plan, Erica, that will happen after the next round of renovations happen after the July 4 holiday. And the Department of Interior is reaching out to contractors that want to take part in this work to potentially win this bid. And, essentially, what it is for is for the daily maintenance of the pool going forward, so after this renovation.