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Dem Socialist Angie Nixon Upsets Alex Vindman in FL Senate Primary; Democratic Socialists Celebrate Win in Florida Senate Primary; Attorneys: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Accuser Told House Ethics Committee He Sexually Assaulted Her; Trump: U.S. Reached Trade Deal with Canada to Avert 50 Percent Tariff 3-3:30p ET

Aired August 19, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Always good to have you, Pete.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Anytime.

SANCHEZ: Pete Muntean, thanks so much. A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR AND NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Democratic socialists pull off another major primary upset, this time in Florida. But can they survive their midterm matchups come November?

Plus, punishing new tariffs for Canada now on pause. President Trump says there's a trade deal. Canada's Prime Minister warns there's still work to be done.

And one of the biggest names in tennis now suspended provisionally after testing positive for cocaine. We're following these major developing stories and many more coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

SANCHEZ: The stage is now set for a compelling showdown in the race for U.S. Senate in Florida. After winning their primaries, Democratic socialist Angie Nixon will face off against Trump-backed incumbent Senator Ashley Moody. Nixon pulled off a stunning upset over establishment candidate Alex Vindman in last night's primaries, overcoming a huge disadvantage in campaign spending.

She recently joined the DSA while serving in the Florida state legislature. And this morning, Nixon was asked about some of the group's more controversial proposals. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about abolishing prisons, which is one of the platform positions of the national DSA? Do you support that?

ANGIE NIXON, U.S. SENATE NOMINEE FOR FLORIDA: I don't support abolishing prisons. What I do support is abolishing for-profit prisons.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about another national position, which is the free movement of people, which the DSA means open borders? NIXON: I believe that border patrol should make sure that they are

securing the border. I believe, though, that there needs to be a clear, comprehensive and compassionate pathway to citizenship.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Would you support cutting off military and economic aid to Israel?

NIXON: I do not support sending any money or any weapons to Israel at this moment. No, I don't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: We're joined now by Ashik Siddique. He's the co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Ashik, thanks so much for sharing part of your afternoon with us. With some of those comments from Angie Nixon ...

ASHIK SIDDIQUE, CO-CHAIR, DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA: Thank you for having me.

SANCHEZ: ... of course. do you see her in any way as moving to the middle for the general election? Do you think she's perhaps distancing herself from these tenants of the DSA platform?

SIDDIQUE: Angie Nixon's win comes because she is speaking so directly to how so many Floridians are feeling left out of the political system. They're having to work longer hours and multiple jobs just to make ends meet. And she's -- she -- she won on the basis of campaigning for things like Medicare for All, child care for all, raising the minimum wage to a living wage of $25 or more.

So, she -- she's winning on the strength of speaking to working class people who have been feeling left out of the political system, unrepresented by establishment politicians for so long. So, we -- we're excited to see that. And we think she'll be very competitive in a general election and expanding the electorate, especially in a state like Florida, where so many people have just not been voting because they don't see something that speaks to their needs.

SANCHEZ: Do you think that her candidacy may have been hurt by including in her message not only topics of affordability, but also things like abolishing police and having the free movement of people or open borders?

SIDDIQUE: She won the primary on the basis of being laser focused on cost of living. And that's what all of our candidates are doing in these competitive primaries. And we'll keep doing that through a general election. These elections are being won on the basis of talking to people on their doors, in their communities around the ...

SANCHEZ: Sure.

SIDDIQUE: ... the issues that they're facing, the struggles, the cost of living crisis that so many people are experiencing. So, that's what we're campaigning on and that's -- that's why we're showing so much strength.

SANCHEZ: Sure. So, Congressman Jared Moskowitz fended off an avowed, proud Democratic socialist, Oliver Larkin. Moskowitz said, quote, "People want change. They don't want this sort of extremism." What is your response?

SIDDIQUE: Oliver Larkin, again, was laser focused on cost of living issues. And as a first time candidate in South Florida, he got over a third of the vote. And that shows a base that can only grow as working class people keep getting more organized. Just one year ago, it -- or even a few months ago, it would have been unheard of for a Democratic socialist to do as well as he did in South Florida and especially in Miami. We -- we hear so much about how conservative voters are, especially in Miami. But he talked to thousands of people and they turned out to vote. And that message is resonating more and more across the South, beyond Florida. DSA has been gaining seats in places like San Antonio, Texas, in Kentucky, in Atlanta.

So -- so especially in the South and swing states across the Midwest, we are speaking to people's needs directly. And that's why we're getting more and more competitive.

[15:05:00]

SANCHEZ: I assume you -- you mentioned South Florida and -- and the surprise that a Democratic socialist would do well in South Florida, in part because of a large population of people who have fled socialism, notably Cuban-Americans. The country's largest Cuban- American population is in Florida.

Last week, the DSA commemorated a hundred years of Fidel Castro with a statement describing him as an organizer and a fighter. How do you think that plays with Florida voters?

SIDDIQUE: I think you're seeing the results. You're seeing that play out in these elections where candidates are campaigning on addressing the cost of living crises that so many people are struggling with in the U.S. and especially in Florida. More and more people are not l-- are not happy with the -- with the government that spends now over a trillion dollars on a military budget, on -- on expanding the ICE budget to tear communities apart, kidnapping our neighbors. People want our taxpayer dollars to be used on things like Medicare for All, raising the living wage, providing child care for everybody.

So, if we want to expand democracy across the world and especially in the United States, the policies that we're talking about are the way to do it.

SANCHEZ: I hear your message discipline on affordability. I do wonder whether you understand why a statement like that lauding Fidel Castro may not just turn people off from your platform, but offends people who suffered for decades under his dictatorship.

SIDDIQUE: Many decades of U.S. policy at this point have shown that if we want to expand democracy across the world, military regime change and economic blockades are not the way to do it. I came of age after Iraq was invaded by the United States, after Afghanistan was, and democracy did not expand there. If we want to expand free and fair elections anywhere in the world, it -- it's about expanding more -- a more open policy toward the whole world.

If we were serious about expanding democracy in Cuba, for example, we could start by going back to the -- the opening up, the economic reform that happened under the Obama administration.

SANCHEZ: Sure.

SIDDIQUE: Our (INAUDIBLE) ...

SANCHEZ: I -- I -- I understand, Ashik, you're ...

SIDDIQUE: ... (INAUDIBLE), yes.

SANCHEZ: ... we -- we have a limited amount of time, but I -- I understand your critique of U.S. policy. It's not an uncommon one. What I'm trying to get at is how you think that lauding Fidel Castro is a good idea and is going to win you votes in Florida.

SIDDIQUE: Many people, especially younger Americans now, are looking at the history of what happened in Cuba and what it was like before the Cuban Revolution, where it was one of the most -- most unequal societies in the Western Hemisphere. People lived under very brutal conditions at -- under a -- a power structure where U.S. corporations were profiting off of the labor of the Cuban people.

So, if we're serious about expanding democracy, going back to the system that existed in Cuba before then is not the way to do it. It's about opening up political and economic reform that starts with free trade, ending the brutal embargo that, for over 60 years, under economic sanctions from the United States that have limited trade into Cuba, that has been starving the Cuban people. It's been really brutal conditions.

If we look at what's happening now, electricity is being shut down.

SANCHEZ: Sure.

SIDDIQUE: Food is being shut down.

SANCHEZ: Have you ...

SIDDIQUE: (INAUDIBLE) to Cuba, so -- so humanitarian clusters like that coming from the United States are not the way to do it.

SANCHEZ: ... spent much time, Ashik, speaking to -- have you spent much time speaking to Cubans who have fled the island because of political persecution, who endured years under the Castro regime, Ashik?

SIDDIQUE: I -- I know plenty of people who are, especially second and third generation Cubans, who are finding things out for themselves and wanting to open up more open communication, open exchange with Cubans. And this is not the way to do it. SANCHEZ: Have you spoken to people who were politically persecuted?

Have you spoken to people who were politically persecuted by the Castro regime, who fled that island because of it?

SIDDIQUE: I have. And -- and there are people who, whatever critiques they might have of the Cuban government, they don't think that an economic blockade and military intervention is the way to do it. It's -- it's like opening up (INAUDIBLE) ...

SANCHEZ: I do wonder how they would feel about a statement lauding Fidel Castro, though, Ashik. That -- that's my concern. I get your criticism of foreign policy. As I said, it's not an uncommon one. But lauding Fidel Castro is a different story.

You talk about what things were like before the revolution in Cuba. I'll give you a personal example. My grandfather was a revolutionary in Cuba during that time. He was affected by a previous dictator, Fulgencio Batista, having his friends disappeared in the street for speaking their minds. My grandfather found that revolution, hoping to bring democracy to Cuba. And then what happened? Fidel Castro locked my grandfather up, sentenced to 20 years for doing what you're doing now on live TV, for speaking his mind, for expressing himself freely, for trying to organize politically.

[15:10:01]

So, I wonder, again, how you think that lands with people who suffered under that dictatorship, who now you are trying to court as voters when your organization comes out and lauds a hundred years of Castro. I don't think it would land well with them, Ashik.

SIDDIQUE: We're -- we're seeing many people in the United States who are -- who -- who are seeing their -- who are struggling under massive inequality in the United States. That's greater than it's been in over a century. Inequality in the United States is higher than it's been in the Gilded Age. We're now returning to something that something that (INAUDIBLE) ...

SANCHEZ: So, putting out a statement about Fidel Castro courts those people?

SIDDIQUE: We want to expand democracy everywhere in the United States, in Cuba and everywhere else. And that does not come at the barrel of a gun. It doesn't come at -- under -- under the threat of economic blockade. That only makes the -- that -- that limits democracy everywhere.

So, if we want to improve conditions for Cubans (INAUDIBLE) ...

SANCHEZ: And Fidel Castro was a beacon of democracy?

SIDDIQUE: I -- I wouldn't say that. I think that the revolution in Cuba led to an expansion of things like universal healthcare. That's -- that's actually been a model that Cuba exports medical care to countries that have very poor infrastructure themselves. There are things like that that we could have in the United States the way that it exists in Europe or in so many other countries, but we don't have that. So, there are plenty of things that could change and improve in Cuba that Cuban people would speak for themselves. But Cubans have to be the ones deciding Cuba's future. And we have to support from the United States what makes that possible, which is ending the embargo, ending sanctions.

If we want freedom of expression, a free press, elections people can believe in, we have to look at the history of U.S. intervention there. So, it's really hard for us to say where the effects of Cuba's government end and where the effects of the blockade begin. And 65 years of strangling an economy, what the United States has done, what will do that? So, that's why lifting sanctions is -- is what will give Cuba the breathing room it needs for -- for political change to even be possible.

SANCHEZ: And I think depending on ...

SIDDIQUE: And in the United States, our concern is expanding voting right for the U.S., expanding democracy in the United States ...

SANCHEZ: Sure. Sure.

SIDDIQUE: ... was under threat from the Trump administration.

SANCHEZ: I think depending on what economists you speak to, there is some disagreement about conditions in Cuba, how much of it is the embargo, how much is the incompetence of the Cuban government. Nevertheless, my question was about Fidel Castro being a beacon of democracy. I -- I -- I would suggest that, perhaps, we should have more conversations with folks who have fled that regime and what they think about these statements and the position of the DSA.

Nevertheless, Ashik Siddique, I appreciate you sharing your perspective. Thank you so much for coming on CNN.

SIDDIQUE: Yes, I appreciate that. And we're -- we have to talk about how people are struggling in the United States, and that's why we're winning elections across the country. Thank you.

SANCHEZ: We'll continue the conversation. Stay with CNN. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:17:21]

HILL: There is new information about Democratic Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who's facing a House Ethics Committee investigation over allegations of sexual misconduct. Gomez has acknowledged making mistakes that causes family pain, but says he hasn't violated the law or any House ethics rules. CNN's Allison Gordon is part of the team that broke the story of the Ethics Committee investigation into Gomez and joins us now.

So, what more do we know today about this new information? ALLISON GORDON, CNN INVESTIGATES REPORTER & PRODUCER: Yes, Erica. For

months, Gomez has said any relationship he had was consensual, but one of the women involved told the Ethics Committee that it was not. She says she was sexually assaulted by and harassed by Gomez. So, that information comes from the women's attorney who released a statement saying, we represent one of the women who was interviewed by the House Committee on Ethics about her experience of sexual harassment and assault by Representative Jimmy Gomez. His actions were not consensual in nature with respect to our client. We fully expect that the House Committee on Ethics will come to the same conclusion in this investigation.

HILL: So, in terms of that, the -- the Ethics Committee this week announcing that formal investigation, looking into the sexual misconduct. Has he spoken out about or responded to that?

GORDON: Yes. So, I reached out to Gomez's office earlier today and he has not yet responded to this latest allegation. But on Monday, he -- the office reiterated to CNN that while he has made past mistakes, he did not break any house ethics rules or break the law. And Gomez said, quote, "I take full responsibility and have committed myself to working through the pain privately with my wife and family."

So, today's information, Erica, from the woman's attorney, that contradicts what Gomez has said in the past.

HILL: It does. And so, in terms of the Ethics Committee and the investigation, where does that stand?

GORDON: Yes, I'm glad you asked. So, on Monday, the Ethics Committee announced that it had opened a formal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Gomez, including engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with the staffer.

Now, sources had told us months ago that the panel started looking into Gomez after a New York Post story alleged that Gomez was seen outside of a party kissing a staffer for a different member of Congress. This is something that Gomez has denied. But one of my sources previously told me that in the process of digging into this, the panel learned of other allegations of sexual misconduct against Gomez, and that is what it's now investigating.

So, this is all coming amid increased scrutiny on lawmakers behavior and the role of the House Ethics Committee, with the recent resignations of Congressman Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales, as well as an ongoing ethics investigation to Congressman Max Miller, Cory Mills, and a recently completed probe into Chuck Edwards.

So, Erica, this is just one piece of a bigger conversation happening right now on the Hill.

HILL: Yes, it certainly is a really important conversation. You've been doing such great work getting this information out with your reporting. Allie (ph), I appreciate it. Thank you.

[15:20:01] Still ahead here, President Trump hitting pause on his threat to hit Canadian imports with a 50 percent tariff. We'll talk through what we know about the last minute deal and the announcement from the President.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:24:53]

SANCHEZ: Today, a break in the Trump trade war with Canada. President Trump pausing a 50 percent tariff that was set to start today on a wide range of Canadian goods, impacting about 20 billion dollars' worth of products. Trump says it's because the two sides have reached a deal.

(Begin VT)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And basically, we have no tariffs going into Canada anymore. Canada was charging us tremendous tariffs. We no longer have any tariffs. So, subject to the finalization of documents, we have a deal with Canada. And I think it's a very good deal for both -- both parties.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney confirmed the pause in tariffs, saying, quote, "Substantial progress has been made, although there is still important work to be done." Joining us now is Peter MacKay, former Canadian minister of foreign affairs.

Peter, thank you so much for being with us.

Based on what we know, what do you make of this purported new trade deal?

PETER MACKAY, FORMER MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF CANADA: Well, we don't know much about a new deal. We know that things seem to be moving in the right direction, that there was a pause in the tariffs, as you mentioned off the top, that were going to hit the Canadian economy quite hard. Fifty percent tariffs on about 20 billion dollars. That's in addition to tariffs that exist already, as you know, with respect to lumber and aluminum and steel and auto.

So, this has significant implications for both the Canadian and American economy. But we have not seen the details of a -- a so-called new deal. But the fact that they're still at the table, that new tariffs are not going to come into effect. But this only lasts 72 hours. And so, there's a lot more that has to come out before anybody, particularly businesses, feel any sense of certainty or security.

SANCHEZ: To that point, if talks wind up stalling and these tariffs are put into place, what is that going to mean not only for the Canadian economy, but for the American one as well?

MACKAY: Well, these are mutually assured harmful tariffs, let's be clear. This is affecting a lot of different areas of the American economy as well, particularly things like energy. But all of the commodities that go back and forth across the U.S.-Canada border will and can be affected if these tariff wars continue.

And as we've seen in other parts of the world, it can literally stall your economy at a time, frankly, where the Canadian economy is -- is quite vulnerable. And so the details, the devils, as you say, are in the detail. And we are facing a lot of economic headwinds. There's attempts been made by the current government in Canada to diversify trade. But you're our best and closest and most trusted partner up until this tariff war began. And so, there remains hope, but hope is not a plan.

SANCHEZ: So, when he announced the pause on tariffs, President Trump actually referenced the Keystone XL pipeline, saying that it may be awoken from the grave. How do you see energy potentially fitting into a potential deal?

MACKAY: Well, I think energy is a key component. It's something that has been contentious for some time. The Keystone pipeline, which was on again, off again, being back on the table, we, Canada, sees as a very positive development for the most part. We view the -- the relationship around energy as critical as we do on things such as defense, on so many components of this important relationship.

Look, we've had spats in the past and -- and that's normal, but we're not moving. We're not -- we're not going to separate from North America. We have a lot of trade integration, but security integration. The relationship has -- has evolved. And yet we are now at this critical juncture.

So, energy is extremely important to the economy of both Canada, U.S. that it's not confined only to oil and gas.

SANCHEZ: The USMCA itself is up for review. So, how does this fit into the broader picture of that negotiation?

MACKAY: Well, the USMCA timeline for negotiation came and passed and we've been sort of in limbo. And so, I reiterate that this is not good for the certainty of businesses, but we've -- we've already missed, blown through a couple of deadlines. The current prime minister in Canada, by the way, was elected almost entirely on the promise that he would get a deal around renewing the USMCA. So, that is yet to happen.

There's a lot at stake domestically and politically for both the Canada and U.S. administrations. And so these are high stakes. And this has been a difficult time, certainly in -- in -- certainly in my lifetime. This has been one of the most difficult pauses in the relationship, which is critical for the well-being of the citizens of both our countries.

SANCHEZ: Peter MacKay, appreciate you sharing your point of view. Thanks for joining us.

MACKAY: It's been a pleasure, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Of course. So, U.S. military drills with South Korea are abruptly cut short following a surprise order from President Trump. His reason for curtailing these annual drills when we come back.

[15:30:02]

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