Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

NASA's DART Spacecraft Nearing Impact With Asteroid; New Filing Brett Favre Pushed For Funds Despite Legality Concerns; Biden To Announce New Rule That Promotes Airline Fee Transparency; Rihanna To Headline Super Bowl 57 Halftime Show. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired September 26, 2022 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

KRISTIN FISHER, CNN SPACE AND DEFENSE CORRESPONDENT: It impact occurs, Alisyn, the screen is just going to go black. And then a few days, perhaps weeks later we may even get to see some images of this massive impact because from other cameras. Because the Webb Space Telescope is also going to be turning and looking that way and trying to catch a sight of that impact tonight -- Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN HOST: It's pretty cool. I mean, I must admit it is very sci-fi and it's cool and we'll all be watching what impact it has.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Ian of course is forcing NASA to delay the moon launch of the Artemis rocket. So, now what's the new launch date?

FISHER: We don't know yet, Alisyn, but what this means is that this pushes a third launch attempt for the Artemis moon rocket until late October at the absolute earliest. More likely we're looking at mid to late November. This is obviously not what NASA was hoping for, Alisyn.

They had just worked through all of those technical issues that they had encountered on launch attempt one and two with those hydrogen leaks and whatnot but the bottom line, Alisyn, is this is a $4.1 billion spacecraft and you can't take chances in a storm like Ian -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Yes, understood. OK, Kristin Fisher thank you very much for all that reporting.

Let's bring in Adam Frank. He's a professor of astrophysics at the University of Rochester and he is the author of the book "Light of the Stars: Alien Worlds and the Fate of the Earth." Professor, it's great to see you. So, crashing a rocket into an asteroid. I mean, Bruce Willis tried this 25 years ago as you know in "Armageddon." And so, is this going to work tonight?

ADAM FRANK, PROFESSOR OF ASTROPHYSICS, UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER: Well, if it does the dinosaurs will be crying. Because if the dinosaurs had this technology they would still be here and we wouldn't be. So, you know, this is really -- this is an amazing technological feat that we can pull off because you can't see from the earth the moonlet that we're trying -- the asteroid moonlit that were trying to hit. Literally just is junction a pixel. So, this is the first real attempt

to recognize that we have -- you know, there is a huge threat coming from asteroids. And you know, what Bruce Willis did, well, they tried to blow it up -- which is the worst thing you want to do. Nudging it out of its orbit early on, long before the asteroid ever got near you, that's probably one of the best shot at averting disaster.

CAMEROTA: But do you think NASA got the idea from Bruce Willis?

FRANK: No, I don't think so. I mean, it was a great movie though I personally liked "Deep Impact" better -- what can I say. But I think, you know, this idea has been around for a while that there are two ways to not catastrophically destroy an asteroid that you're trying to keep from catastrophically hitting you.

And one is to nudge it out of the way and the other is to actually park something -- a spacecraft next to it and actually use the gravity of the spacecraft to tug it slowly away. The whole thing here is to get it early and keep it from breaking up into a bunch of chunks that are then going to hit you.

CAMEROTA: Yes, I understand why that would be bad. How risky of a mission is this? Could this go horribly wrong?

FRANK: Well, it's certainly -- there's no danger of no matter what we do, there's no danger of the moonlet -- the asteroid moonlet ever hitting us or anything. What we're really trying to do right now -- the reason why we're going for a binary asteroid -- one asteroid orbiting another -- is we just want to see whether or not the impact can change the asteroid's motion. So, right now the little asteroid takes about 11 hours and 55 minutes to orbit the big asteroid.

Once we hit it with the spacecraft, then what we're expecting is that the orbit will be a little bit shorter. It'll orbit around 11 hours and 45 minutes. So, we're just looking that 10-minute decrease in the orbit to tell us that, hey, we actually changed the asteroid's motion. And that'll tell us whether or not this whole approach is even possible if we were really threatened by a big asteroid.

CAMEROTA: Well, that's what I was wondering. I mean if this works then are we out of the woods? Like is the existential crisis of being hit by an asteroid and going the way of the dinosaurs, then is that over?

FRANK: Well, it's a first step. There's still, you know, changing a little tiny asteroid by, you know, changing its orbit by ten minutes is a long way from really deflecting something enough that -- you know, especially a larger one, a real planet killer. You know, enough that you could really save the earth. But this will be -- it's like a proof of principle, a test of the technology.

[15:35:00]

So, if this works it gives us hope that this relatively inexpensive, relatively not too dangerous way of averting disaster might work. And then we'd have to do more tests and probably try it out on larger objects. But if it works, like I said, it really would give us hope that, you

know, we want humanity to be around for hundred thousands of years. And sooner or later this kind of thing -- we're going to face this kind of issue and if this works it'll give us some real hope that there is a way to avert that kind of, you know, absolute apocalypse.

CAMEROTA: How cool is it that there's a camera attached to it? I mean, is this your Super Bowl tonight basically?

FRANK: This is definitely my Super Bowl. You know, I do this pretty much every night with the video games I play. So actually, seeing it work is pretty cool. And there's also -- they're detached -- there's another little satellite that detached or space probe that detached from DART -- which is called I think Lucia cube.

It's a little cube satellite and it's got two cameras on it which I kid you not are called Luke and Leah. And it will actually also be taking pictures of the DART as it heads in and then it will try and take pictures of the plume, you know, the amazing explosive plume that we all want to see, that will.

So, you know, I love the idea to go to black too. It's kind of like "The Sopranos," right. Fade to black, end of story. At least this time hopefully will know what happens.

CAMEROTA: That's right. I hope so. Well, always fun to talk to you, Professor Frank. And of course --

FRANK: Always a pleasure.

CAMEROTA: -- we'll all be watching Luke and Leah and may the force be with you, too. Thanks for being here.

We have new details about Brett Favre and the alleged scheme he is at the center of with the governor of Mississippi. That's ahead.

All right, we have new details about football legend Brett Favre in the alleged welfare fraud scheme he is at the center of. These unearthed texts with the governor of Mississippi. That's ahead.

[15:40:20]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: We have new details in the massive welfare fraud scheme linked to Brett Favre. Text messages appear to reveal the football Hall of Famer pushing to use state funds to build a volleyball facility at his alma mater even after being warned it could be illegal. CNN's Dianne Gallagher is on this story for us. So, Dianne, tell us more about these text messages. Has the details.

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so these come in a filing. Is the latest in a lot of twists and turns in this civil suit filed by the state. It's from the former Governor Phil Bryant's team essentially trying to keep all of the totality of his conversations about that volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi private or at least keep the media and the public's eyes off of them.

They argue that even though Bryant worked with Brett Favre and others who had been convicted in this welfare scheme, to get funding for this volleyball center that Bryant did not know that it was illegally coming from welfare funds. And they submit proof that includes these select text messages. The majority of which are either with Brett Favre or about him.

Now of course, this is a massive scheme. We're talking about around $77 million according to the auditor that were meant for needy families in the poorest state in the nation. Instead spent on pet projects for celebrities in the politically connected.

This volleyball center at the University of Southern Mississippi, which is the alma mater for both former Governor Phil Bryant and Brett Favre -- Brett Favre's daughter played volleyball at the time as well. Well, that's about $5 million diverted to that project.

Now these text messages I'm going to read you right here happened just after the former head of the welfare agency John Davis left. Davis last week just pleaded guilty to state and federal charges in connection with this scheme and he is working with authorities. This text message happened after they met with the new head of the agency. Favre texted former Governor Phil Bryant.

We obviously need your help big time and time is working against us. And feel that your name is the perfect choice for this facility and we are not taking no for an answer. You are a southern Miss alumni and folks need to know you are also a supporter of the University.

Bryant replied: We are going to get there. This was a great meeting. But we have to follow the law. I am too old for federal prison. Smiley face and then sunglasses emoji there.

Now look, part of the reason where this came from here is because the filing, Alisyn, came in response to a subpoena from the attorneys for a nonprofit founder, Nancy New, who was already been convicted in this scheme, she helped get that money to this project. Nancy New argues that Phil Bryant -- the former Governor -- instructed her to pay Brett Favre more than a million dollars for speeches that the state auditor says he never gave.

Now Phil Bryant denies that allegation. Bryant has been charged with anything criminally and he has not been named in the state's civil suit as a defendant. Brett Favre is a defendant in the state civil suit but he has not been charged criminally and, Alisyn, Brett Favre's attorney has consistently said Favre did not know that the money came from welfare funds and that he acted, quote, honorably in this project. Of course, we are getting lots of filings in this and it continues to change by the day.

CAMEROTA: Yes, OK, Dianne Gallagher thank you for the update.

So, new rules about airline flights and fees and they could save you money. This story is next.

[15:45:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: The White House just announcing that President and Mrs. Biden will host a state dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte on December 1st. This will be the Biden's first state dinner, and it's taking place later than usual in a president's term because of the pandemic. The White House says they will discuss shared global challenges, especially the war in Ukraine.

President Biden will soon announce a new rule that would require airlines and travel sites to disclose all fees up front, the first time a fare is displayed. CNN's Pete Muntean joins us from Washington. Pete, that would be helpful.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: You said it, Alisyn.

[15:50:00]

You know, everything went from free to fee on the airlines about 15 years ago. You know, background noise for those of us who fly all the time. But you know, what's serious here is that the Biden administration really wants it so that airline passengers can see all of these fees up front when you book your ticket so you can understand the true total cost from the outset.

Look at some of the fees that airlines are charging these days, $30 for a first checked bag on United Airlines, $50 on Allegiant. $75 for a same day change fee on Delta Airlines, even though most wave those fees at the start of the pandemic.

50 bucks on Spirit Airlines to simply select your seat. Those fees can go as high as $280 to select your seat on main cabin extra, which is a bit of an upgrade on American Airlines. It also depends on the route. Sometimes those fees can be as low as $4.

But the issue is that airlines are making a lot of money off of this. $436 million in the first six months of this year according to Flight Aware in cancellation and change fees. $3 billion in the first six months of this year when it comes to bag fees. Airlines are really, really making off with big profits here when it comes to these fees.

Just the way it is now. But you know, the Biden administration really wants a win here especially after they have been so hard on the airlines after this tough summer for them. They cancelled about 55,000 flights in total from Memorial Day to Labor Day. And the Biden administration pushed airlines to really rewrite the fine print in plain language that is essentially attached to your ticket about what you're entitled to in the case of a cancellation or delay.

Now, airlines push back on some of this. They say they have been transparent about fees, and it's a pretty competitive industry. And so, when somebody drops a fee or changes one, other ones do as well. The big tip here though, Alisyn, avoid that dreaded basic economy ticket. That is when you get a lot of fees tapped on can be pretty easy to add up. CAMEROTA: OK, thank you for the tips, Pete Muntean.

OK, now to this multicolored rainbow fentanyl is sparking major concern nationwide. Federal authorities warned that it looks similar to candy or sometimes sidewalk chalk and it poses, of course, a threat to children and teenagers. Last month the DEA seized rainbow fentanyl in 18 states. The drug, which is currently the deadliest in the country is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine.

New questions about that mysterious phone call from the White House to a man storming the capitol on January 6th, the former Congressman who revealed the call is going to join CNN just ahead.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CAMEROTA: OK, we have some new images right now into our NEWSROOM of the eye of hurricane Ian. The crew aboard the International Space Station shot this satellite image of the storm as it barrels towards Tampa, Florida. Ian is currently packing wind of 85 miles per hour, and it's roughly 500 miles wide, and you can see it's just enormous there in the sky. This could be the first storm to directly hit Tampa in a century.

OK, back to baseball world champions received a White House welcome to day. The Atlanta Braves met with President Biden celebrating their 2021 World Series win over the Houston Astros.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: But none of it came easy. People counted you out. Heck, I know something about being counted out, and I know in Georgia you show up when it counts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Following tradition, the president received a Braves jersey emblazoned with Biden 46 on the back.

OK, so we now know who will headline the halftime show for Super Bowl LVII in Arizona. It's Rihanna. The pop star confirmed it on her Instagram with a shot of her holding up a football. CNN entertainment reporter, Chloe Melas is here. So, Chloe, Rihanna had turned down, I think, this offer to do the halftime show in the past. What changed?

CHLOE MELAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: Jay-Z, that's what changed it. So, Rihanna -- that's how you say her name, we've always called her Rihanna. She previously spoke out to Vogue and said, you know, I couldn't do that after what was going on with Colin Kaepernick, I turned it down. But things have changed.

Jay-Z was tasked with the partnership -- a many year partnership with the NFL where he is making it more diverse, more hip, the Super Bowl halftime show. Really helping the NFL with their much needed image makeover. And it looks as though she's going to be performing solo unless she announces some guests that are going to join with her.

But there has been people like the Weekend, Lady Gaga, and others, if you go way back to Prince who have performed solo. And she is a billionaire. She is one of the bestselling artists of all time. So, she definitely has the star power, the talent and a list of hits that could make for an amazing halftime show on her own. You don't always need those extra guests.

And I also want to point out, really exciting, that Apple, they are taking over for Pepsi as the new main sponsor of the halftime show, which is a big deal for them, with their partnership with music and sports and their, you know, competition against Spotify.

[16:00:00]

So, this is a, you know, a brand new very exciting Super Bowl halftime show that I know I am so excited for.

CAMEROTA: I can tell. I thought it until Taylor Swift, or did I dream that.

MELAS: She has a long time partnership with Apple. She's like their darling so people thought that, but it's not true, obviously.

CAMEROTA: Obviously, it's Rihanna. And thank you for clearing of the mystery on how to pronounce that.

MELAS: Even I make mistakes.

CAMEROTA: Impossible. Chloe Melas, thank you very much --

MELAS: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: -- for all of that breaking news.

And "THE LEAD" with Jake Tapper starts right now.