Return to Transcripts main page

CNN News Central

Interview with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY): Trump Said U.S. Will Bomb the Shit Out of Oman if They Interfere with Reopening Strait of Hormuz; Trump Orders U.S. to Scale Back Joint Exercises with Ally South Korea; Blanche Refuses to Pledge Independence from the White House; Actress Haden Panettiere Dies at Age 36; Opening Statements Begin in Tupac Shakur Murder Trial. Aired 8-8:30a ET

Aired August 17, 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]

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Now, CNN's reached out to the White House for comment. In the past, the president has defended his crypto profits, saying that he follows the law, and that his sons oversee his personal finances while he's in office.

Now, World Liberty told me in a statement that critics are missing the point here. They're arguing they are running towards regulation, not away from it. And they're also arguing that this supervision from federal regulators, this is going to outlast the Trump administration.

One other point here, Elizabeth Warren, not surprisingly, she really blasted this regulatory approval. She said in a statement, "President Trump is now the first president in history to approve, operate, and supervise his own bank." She said, "This is the most brazen act of self-dealing our financial system has ever seen." -- Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of questions surrounding this, and I know you'll be keeping on it. Thank you so much, appreciate it. A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: The president says he's angry at South Korea for not helping more with the war with Iran and doesn't want also to hurt his relationship with North Korea. So he is now abruptly ordering the Pentagon to scale back a massive joint military exercise with South Korea that's kicking off today.

We're also tracking the breaking news and the death of actress Hayden Panettiere, found dead overnight just days before her 37th birthday.

And the new system to make air travel safer, airport runways seeing the upgrades.

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking this morning with friends like these, that's a statement key allies might be making about the United States. The President ordered the U.S. military to scale back military exercises with South Korea just hours before they were set to begin. The President cited his, quote, very good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and said the drills send a totally inappropriate and hostile signal to the North.

So much for the President's criticism of communism, at least in the United States. He also implied that South Korea's refusal to help with the Iran war was a factor in his decision. South Korean officials say the drills are proceeding and that they are reviewing the President's comments.

Also, just a few moments ago, the President in an interview with Fox News. And remember, today is the 60th day of the Memorandum of Understanding the deal between the United States and Iran that more or less collapsed. The President on this day threatened to, quote -- and then hide the kids if they don't want to hear swear words.

He threatened to bomb the shit out of Oman. That's a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, a key U.S. partner there. He threatened to bomb them if it gets in the way of U.S. efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz -- Sara.

SIDNER: All right. To discuss this further. Thank you, John.

Joining me now is Congressman Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York. He's also the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Got to start with the first obvious question.

You saw this president saying that he's going to bomb the shit out of Iran. I have to ask you, does this alarm you? Because this is not the first time he has made this threat.

He did so again in May.

REP. GREGORY MEEKS (D-NY), FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE: Look, we've got a president that clearly doesn't know what he's doing. He treats our allies like they are our adversaries, and our adversaries as if they're our allies. And this threat at the time when we are running low on munitions now.

There's all kind of panic that's going on in trying to make sure that we have what we need to defend ourselves and others. And now he's going after Oman. He's not listening to our friends in the Middle East, in the GCC, the Arab countries.

I meet with them and talk to them all the time. And they said the president does not listen. He has failed the American people continually.

And as you've indicated, and others from some stories, I believe that the corruption is rampant. And who's suffering? The American people.

So here he is again, threatening a country with military might that is misguided. As he misguided this whole war of choice that he's had. This was not about, he says, nuclear weapons.

It never was. We didn't start this war. He didn't start this war because of nuclear weapons. He started it because he wanted regime change. It failed. And everything else that he's been doing has failed.

And who's paying the price? The American people.

SIDNER: Let me ask you about something that he announced on Sunday, that the United States would reduce military exercises with South Korea.

[08:05:00]

It was hours before they were set to begin. He said it was because of Seoul's lack of assistance with the war in Iran. And his good relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. North Korea has nuclear weapons. They test them.

They are considered a threat. What do you think the president's moves are doing to the trust of American allies?

MEEKS: It's going to be something that we're going to suffer from for a long period of time. You know, trust is something that is earned. Diplomacy is what we used to do.

That is not the case with this president. He doesn't care about anything. I mean, just look at how he treats American citizens even.

You know, he gets pissed at the district attorney for saying the truth about the pool, for example, and trying to put regular American people at ill. Then look at our individuals on the USS Abraham Lincoln. He says now the conditions there and having to come back home, does he care about that?

No. He says they should be there longer. This is a man that only cares about himself.

And I say, as I look at this, this is something that we have criticized other countries like Russia over and over again. And it's time that that stops. Otherwise, we are going to be like Russia.

So he keeps talking about communism, this and that. He is driving this country toward and would love to have it to be ruled as an authoritarian state.

SIDNER: I want to ask you about something that we're hearing from newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche. He was asked this weekend by NBC if the DOJ will remain independent of the president. Here's what he said.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TODD BLANCHE, ATTORNEY GENERAL: No, I'm not going to pledge that. And no attorney general should ever pledge that. If I were to pledge, I will be independent of the White House, what that means is that if President Trump says I want the Department of Justice to go after every violent criminal in this country, which is what he has said, what you're saying to me is I just said, no, sir, not going to do it.

So I will act with integrity. Our prosecutors will act with integrity. We will prosecute without fear or any sort of favor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: How does that sit with you? He says he will act with integrity. Do you believe him?

MEEKS: No. Listen, what we're going towards is Russia. We're trying.

That sounds just like whoever Vladimir Putin would put in charge. The person when you become the top guy at DOJ, you pledge allegiance to the United States of America, not to a president. And here's where the Senate has gone absolutely wrong because that's where the check and the balance is supposed to be.

That's why every Democrat voted against him because it is clear that this individual is not there for the American people. He's there to do the bidding and often the illegal bidding of Donald J. Trump, who simply wants to go after everyday Americans, as well as those who he considers his enemies.

So that is not the role of the attorney general. The role is to make sure that there is an independent body and who's failed us. And that's why these elections coming up are tremendously important, is the United States Senate, the Republicans in the Senate, who have disregarded their responsibilities to make someone -- to confirm someone who takes the oath of office for the people of the United States, not the president of the United States.

SIDNER: Congressman Gregory Meeks, thank you for coming on early this morning for us. Do appreciate your time -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: So today, a long-awaited murder trial gets underway, all having to do with the killing of hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. We are standing by for opening statements now.

And construction workers strike gold, quite literally, the hidden treasure that they found hidden beneath an old brewery.

[08:10:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: Quite a shock overnight. Actress Hayden Panettiere has died just five days before her 37th birthday. Her father confirmed her passing in a statement saying in part that she was an incredible light and force of nature.

Now at this hour, the circumstances surrounding her death are still unclear. Though she was so young, her acting career actually spanned decades though. She began acting as a child, she went on to star in films and shows like Nashville, of course.

So many questions now this morning of what happened. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister is working on this for us this morning. Elizabeth, what are you hearing?

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kate. This is an incredibly, incredibly sad story. As you said, Hayden Panettiere had been in our lives for three decades even though she was so young.

And she was very open about her personal struggles, everything from being exploited as a child star to her battle with addiction. So her death now at such a young age really coming as a shock for so many fans who were rooting for her. Now, as you said, we have confirmed with her representative that she did die at the age of 36.

[08:15:00]

And as you said, her father gave us a statement. I do want to read part of that to you, Kate. He said quote, "It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her and to the millions who watched her on screen."

Now, as I mentioned, she had been working ever since she was a little girl. In fact, she was in commercials starting before the age of one. She was acting as a newborn.

She was in a ton of auditions as a newborn. And as she got older, this is something that she actually spoke about that she resented her own mother for. She had in a strange relationship with her mother.

And we learned about this actually just earlier this year, Kate, because Hayden Panettiere, she just came out with a memoir this past May. And this is one of the reasons why her death is so shocking, because we had just seen her on this very vulnerable press tour where she was talking about all the struggles of her life. Everything from domestic abuse to addiction to, again, that estranged relationship with her mother.

She also has a daughter who is 11 years old, and she had spoken publicly about how she had decided to give up custody of her own daughter because that is what she felt was best for her own daughter. But she said that they did have a great relationship. Now, I mentioned that she was on this press tour for her memoir where she was talking about her struggles, but also how she was in the best moment of her life.

Again, that is one of the reasons that is making her sudden passing so incredibly sad. I want to play you a clip. She was on Jay Shetty's podcast, and she was speaking about where she was in her life now.

Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HADEN PANETTIERE, ACTRESS: I finally feel like I have shaken off all of this darkness and this negativity. And that means that I've closed one door and another door is opened, and I can feel it open, and I can feel all the possibility, all the possibilities, all the exciting possibilities. I feel like I have a lot more life to live.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WAGMEISTER: Just so incredibly sad. You hear her in her own words there saying that she has so much more life to live, and now three months later, here we are.

So, of course, a ton of Hollywood tributes pouring out this morning. Everyone just incredibly shocked and saddened over a life lost way too soon -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Way too soon. Absolutely. Elizabeth, thank you so much.

Really appreciate it -- John.

BERMAN: All right, a real tragedy. This morning, tens of thousands waking up without power in the wake of Hurricane Lala.

And how do you keep a plane from careening off the runway? The brand new construction project designed to make flying and landing safer.

[08:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SIDNER: Today opening statements going to begin in the trial over the 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur. Nearly 30 years after the iconic rapper was gunned down in Vegas. The man accused of orchestrating his murder going before a jury.

Former gang leader Duane Davis has pleaded not guilty in this case. Prosecutors are expecting to focus heavily on Davis's own words. Including statements he's made publicly.

Details in his 2019 memoir. And also some of the interviews he's been doing. But also what he told police.

Now, in an interview that he just did, Davis claims his past confessions, however, were fabricated for financial gain. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did you have anything to do with the murder of Tupac Shakur?

DUANE DAVIS, FORMER LOS ANGELES GANG LEADER: No, ma'am. No, ma'am. I wasn't even in Nevada. I wasn't in Nevada, period.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you regret the book and the interview?

DAVIS: Yeah, I was just after the money, and they said I was covered. I did it for money.

(END VIDEO CLIP) SIDNER: Here now standing legal analyst and criminal defense attorney Joey Jackson. I did it for the money. He is now saying, look, what he said back then and in his own memoir was fabricated.

Because he was just trying to make a buck off of perhaps the biggest case that existed for years that has had so much attention paid to it. So, in this particular case, how is that going to play with prosecutors using his own words? And then him saying that was a lie.

JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Was not even there. Good morning, Sara. So, it could play well.

We'll have to see how the jury receives it. But here's why I say it could play well. Remember in 2008 when he gave the confession, they're calling it, prosecutors, talking about where he was in the white Cadillac.

Procuring the weapon. Handing it to the person in the back seat. All the other things.

Remember when he made that statement, it was in the course of a federal narcotics investigation where he would spend the rest of his life in jail. So, I think what his team is going to do is they're going to call an expert on coerced confessions. And with those coerced confessions, they're going to suggest that what else is he going to say other than what they wanted him to say.

Which is give us information with respect to Tupac and you're all good. And in fact, he was. And in terms of the other things that he said over the years, whether it's his memoir in 2019.

Whether it's all the other things on YouTubes or podcasts. That rumor got out that he knew about this.

[08:25:00]

And he was simply doing it for money. He was playing to the cameras. He was making a living.

And as a result of that, prosecutors, his defense team will say, if you don't have any physical evidence, where's your case? And I think that's where this is going.

SIDNER: I do want to ask you about who will be taking the stand and the importance of those taking the stand. We have already heard from one of the people, Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records. Who has already said publicly, if you bring me up there, I'm going to hurt you.

In other words, I think hurt your case.

JACKSON: Yes. Yes. That could be problematic. I don't expect, and again, anything can happen.

You know, trials are very fluid. And people might say one thing and do another. But I don't expect him, that is Suge Knight, to say anything of value.

He might in fact say some things, as he noted, that would be harmful to the prosecution. So it's a wild card. And generally, when prosecutors are proffering witnesses, you know pretty much what the witnesses are going to say within parameters.

We know about someone else. His name's Diddy. What, if anything, will he say that would add value?

And so, I think it'll come down, really, not only to his statements, that is, Keefe D., but who can corroborate them. Are there any people who were on the streets with him at the time who can credibly say that, yes, he orchestrated it? Did he make any admissions to people on the street, to members of the gang, et cetera, at that time?

And if he did, are they willing to come in and say it? So I think it'll turn on that. And, of course, the defense will harp on the fact that there's no physical evidence.

What are we even doing here? You can't rely on his word. It was all puffery.

It was fiction. And he was just making money.

SIDNER: It is fascinating. A lot of people will be watching this trial. Joey Jackson, I know you'll be one of them. Thank you so much.

And full coverage of the trial, speaking of, with Laura Coates starts today at noon Eastern. You can watch that on CNN.com/TupacTrial or the CNN app -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Coming up for us, why President Trump says he is ordering the military to scale back military drills with a key U.S. ally over the concerns of, well, not a U.S. ally.

And sitting down with award-winning actress Allison Janney on how she made it in her long journey and her career and her latest role now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:30:00]