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Florida's Attorney General Filed a Lawsuit Against OpenAI; Trump Meets with Top AI Execs Amid Safety, Regulation Debate; GOP Spending in Texas Gives Dems an Opening in Key Battleground States; GOP-Aligned Groups to Spend $166 Million in Final Leg of Paxton Campaign; Jury Begins Deliberations in Caleb Flynn Murder Trial. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired September 29, 2026 - 14:30   ET

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

[14:30:00]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: We're standing by for updates on a critical meeting taking place this hour at the White House. It's focused on AI's potential, along with the risks involved with its rapid development, and expanding cases of AI agents going rogue. President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are meeting top tech and AI leaders as warnings about the technology's threat to humanity grows.

This meeting playing out at the same time that OpenAI announced it's pulled its latest AI model because it, quote, didn't quite meet the bar for safety. Now, today, Florida's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman asking the court for a temporary injunction. Florida argues that OpenAI and ChatGPT doesn't have the ability to properly regulate its own technology.

Let's discuss with James Uthmeier. He's Florida's Republican Attorney General who filed that temporary injunction. Sir, thank you so much for being with us.

So your office hasn't secured any discovery from OpenAI. Your motion, this latest one, relies largely on public reporting, including from Axios, which says the majority of these incidents involving rogue agents acting on their own haven't actually hurt anyone. So I wonder if you can name a Floridian that's been harmed by rogue AI agents.

JAMES UTHMEIER, (R) FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL: Sure. Well, we actually filed our legal action against OpenAI several months ago, and in our complaint highlighted dozens of examples of how the chatbot, ChatGPT, has been used to cause serious harm, especially to children. We've cited examples here in Florida where ChatGPT has been consulted for advice on how to commit self-harm, suicide, even commit murder.

The shooter here at Florida State University consulted ChatGPT to get advice on how to carry out the shooting that took two lives on that campus, including questions as specific as what gun to use, what ammo, where to go on campus at what time to encounter the most foot traffic. So it's going to be months till we get to trial, but we've sought injunctive relief from the court to limit the company from advancing new platforms in the absence of third-party vetting and approval for safety and security, because it's clear we can't rely on that company to police itself.

SANCHEZ: To that point, the incidents that you're citing use just the chatbot itself. I was wondering specifically about rogue AI agents, because in this newest motion, you suggest that that is a big part of the reason why you want to see these companies be -- or rather OpenAI specifically, stopped in developing new models. So that's why I was wondering what victims are there from these rogue agents, from these new models that are coming out?

UTHMEIER: Well, I think the point is that they can't control the safety and security of the models that are there now. The company has itself expressed a lack of control, asking for government regulation as we've seen recent breaches of both government agency firewalls and corporate security firewalls alike. So we don't want to stand around and be on the back end and have serious disaster and national security crises.

We want to be proactive. We want the court to grant injunctive relief so that we can prevent horrible situations from taking place while we progress in this legal case. Simultaneously here in Florida, we're working on legislative proposals as well to put firewalls in place to protect children from having access to dangerous platforms before they've had the training and maturity to understand the dangers that are out there.

SANCHEZ: I do want to ask you about the balance of state regulation and state lawsuits, for example, versus federal control. But I wanted to get your thoughts on the fact that OpenAI paused training of their most capable models in order to develop guardrails. They shared that misstatement with CNN.

They also declined to release their latest model, as I noted a moment ago, over safety concerns. Doesn't that contradict your argument that they are incapable of regulating themselves?

UTHMEIER: Well, look, it's great to see new changes in behavior. If they don't believe that new platforms, new technologies are ready for prime time, that there are security issues, that I'm glad to see them pause. I'm glad to see them extend an olive branch to our government leaders to sit down and have the conversation.

But we've got multiple examples here in Florida in recent history where there have been heinous murders on college campuses. Look, I'm not anti-AI, I'm not anti-technology.

[14:35:00]

But when you have AI chatbots telling people specific information on how to dispose of bodies where they won't be tied to a murder charge, that's wrong.

That can't happen. Authorities need to be looped in. Technology has to be there to support man.

SANCHEZ: James, I hate to cut you off, but we're listening to President Trump, who's now speaking at the White House with these AI leaders. Please stand by. Let's listen in.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're talking about today will make it a better place and a much safer place. So I just want to thank these are the greatest, the most brilliant people probably in the world. I met many of them were meeting last week with President Xi and myself, and he acknowledges are the most brilliant people, the people behind me and the people sitting with me.

These are the most brilliant people in the world. And the job they've done is unbelievable. We have a very big lead and we're going to keep our lead.

And it's a very positive thing. It's an amazing industry. There are those that say it's bigger than the Industrial Revolution.

Now, I don't know if that's so, but everyone seems to think it is. And it could be substantially bigger. And we're leading and we're going to keep it that way.

So I just wanted to thank everybody you recognize. I would say almost every one of the people sitting and standing behind me. I just think it's an honor to be involved with this group of very, very brilliant people.

And I thank you very much. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you expect there to be any binding rules on superintelligence after today's lunch?

TRUMP: Well, we're doing one thing. We're going to be signing a document today at about five o'clock renaming artificial intelligence because it's not artificial. We all agree on that. And we're going to be renaming it superintelligence, officially renaming it.

And that'll come out at five o'clock today. But there was a lot of commonality in this room. It was pretty amazing.

And all for the good. Really amazing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it the belief of everybody that you're meeting with today that no guardrails, no regulation of AI, superintelligence, as you call it, is necessary?

TRUMP: Well, there's a belief that there should be tremendous self- regulation and we automatically have regulation with the Department of Justice, the FBI, all of that. But the self-regulation is very important. There's something else that was discussed and that's local communities.

This is a group that loves local communities. They love our country and they're going to work with local communities for the data centers in particular. And they're going to work to make the community happy.

That's might be supplying oil and gas. It might be supplying education. It may be helping teachers along financially, helping people along financially. And they've all agreed that that's a very positive. Nobody really thought of it. And it's a very positive thing.

So you're going to see data centers are going to be very popular because this is the group and they're the ones that want it. And they're also the ones that want to see communities that are safe and happy. And they're going to make communities very, very happy.

Otherwise, they'll be forced to go overseas or other locations. But even in America, there are so many people that want data centers. You know, the areas with data centers have become very rich.

People have become very rich. The taxes have gone down, not up. And a lot of good things have happened.

But these people and others having to do with the data centers that you've been reading so much about, I think they're going to do things for the community that will be really financially beneficial and otherwise beneficial.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And we're talking about the government's plans to go public while it raises safety concerns. And did the IPO come up during your dinner?

TRUMP: Well, we're going to be putting out a statement in a little while, summing up some of the things that we did. But there's a great it is -- there's an unbelievable feeling in this room, sort of a feeling of love for our country. And they want to do the right things.

These are people that love our country. I can tell you that. Thank you very much, everybody.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: All right, we are listening there to a summit, just brief Q&A, the president answering questions from reporters. The summit he's had with AI leaders. And he said they're going -- I mean, he was leading with this, which is going to bring up questions about whether he's really meeting this moment because he's saying they're going to sign a document at 5 p.m. renaming AI to SI. So renaming artificial intelligence to superintelligence. This has been a fixation of his that it should be labeled superintelligence. But of course, this comes as OpenAI and Anthropic have been raising new alarms about the dangers of the new models.

We've been seeing that. There are people in that room who have a lot of concerns that there isn't enough regulation, that self-regulation isn't enough.

[14:40:00]

Even as he was asked about that and emphasized self-regulation.

SANCHEZ: Yes. He seemed to say that there's already sufficient oversight from the Department of Justice and other entities within the federal government. He also suggested that perhaps local communities would facilitate the building of data centers, which he suggested there would be great incentives for communities to build those.

Notably, there are some contradictions there, even with who we were just hearing from, the attorney general of Florida, James Uthmeier, who in this latest motion to try to get a judge to pause the work of the U.S. of OpenAI suggested that their work is potentially civilization ending. Of course, we've heard President Trump suggest that AI destroying humanity is a hoax. We're going to keep watching what comes out of this meeting at the White House between President Trump and top AI executives. We'll bring you the latest as we get it.

Now, still to come, Republicans are spending a Texas sized fortune to save Ken Paxton's Senate bid in the Lone Star State. Can James Talarico overcome the Republicans' massive spending advantage?

We'll discuss next.

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[14:45:00]

SANCHEZ: They say everything is bigger in Texas. At least financially, this campaign season, there is no doubt the highly competitive Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton is pushing political cash flows to another level. Ad spending already far surpassing previous records with five weeks to go until the election.

Republicans are pouring millions into the race to get Paxton across the finish line and a state their party has dominated for decades. CNN's Jeff Zeleny has been looking into this expensive contest. So Jeff, break down the numbers for us.

How much money are we talking?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, so far, I mean, Republicans are $300 million in on this Texas Senate race. And that is something that we talk about money in politics a lot, but this is extraordinary because it's a red state. I mean, Democrats have always for years and years been trying to make inroads there, but this year they have a very competitive race with James Talarico and Ken Paxton, the attorney general.

But looking at this ad spending, Republicans are having to spend so much more money to try and defend this seat. Look at this right here. Republicans are outspending Democrats five to one.

So the question is, could this money be better spent elsewhere in places where Republicans also are falling short and need some help? But the bottom line also, look at this comparison to Michigan and Maine, Texas. Republicans are spending more than Maine and Michigan combined.

And of course, the Michigan race is at the center of all this. Mike Rogers is running. He's trying to defeat Abdul El-Sayed and Susan Collins is trying to hold the main seat.

But look at these money disparities here. So the Texas race all in for a Ken Paxton. And our analysis shows that the majority of this money, a lot of it is being spent on programs like Judge Judy, Family Feud.

So it certainly is poetic that there's a Republican infighting which led to this primary led to a Ken Paxton is being litigated on some of these daytime programs.

SANCHEZ: Jeff Zeleny, I appreciate you bringing us those details.

ZELENY: You bet.

SANCHEZ: Brianna.

KEILAR: Let's talk more about all of this with CNN senior political commentator Adam Kinzinger, who's a former Republican congressman from Illinois. We should point out here his political action committee, Back the Bold, has donated the maximum amount allowed to the James Talarico campaign. All right, congressman, so what does it mean when you're looking at the spending here for GOP resources in other competitive states that GOP aligned spending in Texas for Ken Paxton could exceed $300 million?

ADAM KINZINGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes, I mean, if you're coming up with, you know, what do we do, where do we spend our resources? It's one of the difficulties with big states is you have to spend an intense amount of money to get the same message out that, for instance, in Iowa, you could probably get out in one tenth of that. Keep in mind, this is presidential level money.

I mean, at least, you know, presidential level a few years ago, I think it clearly shows that Republicans are worried. I want to be very clear. Had John Cornyn won in Texas, probably wouldn't be spending a dime here because I think it would have been pretty quick.

So I think Republicans are finding themselves in a bad position. Now, let's also be very clear. Republicans are outspending Democrats because Republicans have significantly outraised Democrats.

And that is an issue that I think Democrats have to have a bit of a come to Jesus moment on and why their fundraising has taken such a hit.

KEILAR: For the final two months of the race, though, you do have Republican aligned groups currently set to outspend Democratic aligned groups by more than five to one. So one $166 million to 32 million. Can James Talarico withstand that?

KINZINGER: I think he can. So here's the thing. Like money is clearly important in politics.

You know, we don't want to downplay that. But there's a point at which you get diminishing returns. So not that it actually turns negative, but that to every additional dollar spent has a diminishing result to it.

And I think you know, at some point, how many times have you turned on television, and you see ad after ad after ad? It's the same message. And so they may be running into that here. I mean, clearly, Ken Paxton is very wounded. He's not popular. The question is, can they really come out and make Talarico look weird, which is what their argument is?

And, you know, look, I saw actually I was watching football yesterday and saw that they recycled the same kind of ad that Trump did to great effect. It's just I don't know if you'll do it in two years again, which is what was it? Talarico's for they them, you know, Paxton's for us.

And that was an effective message in '24.

[14:50:00]

I don't know if it's going to land again here, but we're going to have to wait and see. But the reality is they are spending a significant amount of money in a state they never should have thought about. What that bodes for the rest of the country is certainly not a red wave, maybe a blue wave and certainly going to be, I think, races in the House and Senate that maybe we weren't even expecting to be watching closely.

KEILAR: Jasmine Crockett, who ran against Talarico in the primary, has not endorsed him still. And that continues as she announces new endorsement. She's really going to be focused on down ballot races instead.

Do you understand the reasons that she is not lending her support in this race?

KINZINGER: Besides ego, no. I mean, I guess she did tweet the night or the day or soon after the election that we need to support Talarico. But short of that, as you mentioned, she hasn't endorsed him.

I mean, clearly, is she for Ken Paxton? I mean, honestly, if you're going to put Ken Paxton up against Talarico, what's closer to her values? The thing is, though, does it matter?

Sure, I guess. I don't think, though. I think the Democratic base is very motivated to turn out.

I don't think the lack of her endorsement is going to lead to people that follow her either skipping that ballot line or, for instance, voting for Paxton. So I don't think it's going to have much of an impact. It's just I think it will have more of an impact on her and her reputation and her future in the Democratic Party, quite honestly, than it would probably on any election result.

KEILAR: Obviously, there have been some concerns on her part about racial overtones in her experience. That was her experience. I mean, do you understand that?

Do you think that should prevent her from lending her support to Talarico? What do you what do you say to that? And does it concern you?

Do you think this could really make a big difference that she does have a lot of supporters in the state?

KINZINGER: Yes, I mean, I can't speak to her experience, and I haven't quite heard supporting evidence, but I'm not going to take anything away from her on that. But if the concern is I had these racial undertones in Talarico, let me introduce you to a man named Ken Paxton and to the party, the Republican Party in Texas. So, I mean, again, this is where I think, is it a is it a deal?

Yes. Is it a big deal? I think if this was a 50-50 race with 100 votes separating, it may have an effect.

I think the way we're tracking now, I expect either Talarico is going to win by a number of percent or if this is all for naught and the reality is Paxton is going to win, as he always would in Texas, is probably not going to be 50-50 or 49-50.

KEILAR: When you're thinking of issues that play, certainly in Texas, fuel is a big one. I mean, that's playing for everyone, right? But in diesel in Texas, huge.

And Governor Abbott just declared a state of emergency over a shortage of diesel and high prices there. Do you think that's the right move on his part? Could that help Texans with relief? Do you see that having any impact?

KINZINGER: Not necessarily. I mean, look, this is the state that refines and produces a ton of oil. And if there's a shortage here, this can be a problem all over.

So there, you know, the Republicans have talked about, and I guess everybody has, a diesel export ban as a way to kind of help that. And look, all you have to know, listen to the oil experts and say that's not going to do anything. It may have a very short term kind of sugar rush, a bit of a hit on prices.

But the reality is diesel still is a global commodity and you're actually going to skyrocket prices in other parts of the world, which is going to have an effect here. Significant damage to our alliances and also significant damage to the future of our markets in diesel. It was a big deal when we got through the lifting of the ban on oil exports to turn around to do this now would be a huge problem.

The reality is that the president either needs to finish up the war in Iran. Let's be clear about that, either through victory or whatever. What we're sitting at right now, where he's waiting by some reports till after the midterms to resume it is doing nothing but extracting the pain out of the American people.

And I think it's going to have a big impact at the polls.

KEILAR: Adam Kinzinger, this election is getting mighty close and we appreciate you being here to speak with us about it.

KINZINGER: Anytime, you bet.

KEILAR: Still to come, closing arguments in the Caleb Flynn trial. Prosecutors say he killed his wife and then staged the crime scene. His defense says the state failed to prove murder.

Now his fate is in the jury's hands.

[14:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Now to some of the other headlines that we're watching this hour. Jury deliberations are underway in the murder trial of former American Idol contestant Caleb Flynn accused of killing his wife. Flynn appeared emotional in an Ohio court today during closing arguments.

Prosecutors alleged that he shot his wife Ashley and staged the crime scene to make it look like an intruder was responsible. But the defense says the state failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, Flynn could face life in prison without parole.

And Six Flags says it will permanently close its world-famous X2 roller coaster in California, about a month after a CNN investigation revealed years of serious injuries and deaths associated with the ride at Magic Mountain. The company says it consistently passed safety tests but will shut down because it's ...

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