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White House Deportation Legal Battle; Columbia Univ. Changes Policies; Democrats Face Frustrated Voters; Pope Francis Set to Leave Hospital; Israel Intercepts Missile from Yemen; Kyiv Takes Fire Ahead of Ceasefire Talks; Backlash Intensified Against Musk and Tesla; Trump Order Targets Trans Athletes. Aired 4-5a ET

Aired March 23, 2025 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:00]

KIM BRUNHUBER, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome to all of you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is SNA Newsroom.

The White House tries to clean up some of the legal drama surrounding the administration's controversial deportations, while the latest on the use of the Alien Enemies Act. Democrats face frustrated voters demanding their elected officials do more to fight Trump and the Republican agenda. And Pope Francis is set to go home soon after 38 days in the hospital. We'll head to Rome for a live report.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber.

BRUNHUBER: U.S. President Donald Trump is dealing with growing legal troubles. After invoking a law dating back 200 years. Now, the aim was to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members. But he says he never signed the order, and now the administration is offering a clarification.

He spent Saturday night courting some of his key supporters attending the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia. Trump faced protestors outside the arena, but received a warm welcome inside. The president has made a point to go to major events like these, including NASCAR's Daytona 500 and the Super Bowl. CNN's Alayna Treene has more on the dispute that for at least a little while he left behind.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, the president is really triggering a potential legal headache for his administration and trying to distance himself what is shaping up to be one of the hardest fought legal battles of Donald Trump's term thus far.

Now, a reporter asked the president on Friday before he departed for New Jersey about a question posed by the federal judge at the center of this case, Judge James Boasberg, who essentially was seeking answers in a hearing Friday about why the administration signed this proclamation and what seemed like the dead of night and then hurried these migrants onto a plane to be deported to El Salvador. This is how the president responded. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We want to get criminals out of our country, number one. And I don't know when it was signed because I didn't sign it, other people handle it. But Marco Rubio's done a great job and he wanted them out and we go along with that. We want to get criminals out of our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TREENE: Now, as you heard there, the president is arguing that he couldn't answer the question because he wasn't the one who signed the proclamation. He also brought up unprompted Secretary of State Marco Rubio, trying to suggest that he's the one who's calling the shots here.

However, when it comes to this issue of signature or no signature, if you look at the proclamation, it's on the White House's website, it's very clear that it's issued by the president of the United States. But even further than that, it's actually filed on the National Register, and you could see it, the president's very recognizable signature there at the bottom.

Now, the White House, a couple hours later after that exchange, try to clarify what the president was saying, they wrote this, they said, quote, "President Trump was obviously referring to the original Alien Enemies Act that was signed back in 1798. The recent executive order was personally signed by President Trump, invoking the Alien Enemies Act, that designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization in order to apprehend and deport these heinous criminals."

Now, Tren de Aragua of course is the Venezuelan gang that they're using to really justify the form of this usage of this wartime authority, this wartime law.

Now, what the White House is trying to say here is that Trump did not sign the actual 1798 law. However, that wasn't the reporter's question all to say, if you take a step back, we are now seeing this legal battle play out for a whole week now. There's still a lot of questions. We know that the judge is trying to get answer. This is not the end of this fight.

Alayna Treene, CNN, Bridgewater, New Jersey.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: The U.S. is sending another warship to areas near the southern border as President Trump ramps up his immigration crackdown. The military says the USS Spruance guided missile destroyer will help combat maritime related terrorism and illegal seaborne immigration among other tasks. It'll join the USS Gravely, which was deployed last weekend.

Meanwhile, sources South CNN USS military officials are scrambling to develop a missile defense system similar to Israel's Iron Dome. They say the White House wants no expense spared for what it's calling the Golden Dome at a time when the Pentagon is looking to cut budgets. But sources say the discussions so far are purely conceptual.

Columbia University's board of trustees is agreeing to dramatic policy changes regarding protests, its curriculum and disciplinary procedures. The policy changes include new campus police with the power to arrest protestors requiring protestors to show a university I.D. banning face masks at protests and changes to the disciplinary process.

[04:05:00]

Columbia was the site of massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year. This year, president Trump ordered a $400 million cut to the Ivy League school's federal funding because of how it handled those protests.

Congressional Democrats are feeling the pressure as they too face frustrated Americans at town halls. Democratic lawmakers were met with eruptions of anger from voters across the country this week. Many constituents have coupled their fury over President Trump's actions with the lack of response from their Democratic leaders.

During a California town Hall, Congressman Ro Khanna was met with a voter worried about healthcare as she battles breast cancer. Listen, this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am so frightened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. God, love you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What is Congress going to do for us? What are you going to do for us and what can we do?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: CNN's Eva McKend has more on constituents concerns and what they're seeking from their Democratic elected officials.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EVA MCKEND, CNN U.S. NATIONAL POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: While President Trump is governing as if he has a mandate, it's important to remember 75 million Americans did not sign up for the type of sweeping changes that we are seeing from the Trump administration. And so, that's why Democratic voters are leaning on their elected leadership to make it more difficult for Trump to advance his agenda.

And to be clear, even though they are in the minority, there are specific ways they can do that, where they have not like shutting down the government or even slowing down the process to confirm some of Trump's nominees. What we hear now from some elected Democrats is a class focused message in response to the anger from their voters that doesn't fall so neatly along party lines, take a listen to Senator John Ossoff at an event build as a rally for the Republic.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JON OSSOFF (D-GA): Corruption is why you pay a fortune for prescriptions. The corruption is why your insurance claim keeps getting denied. The corruption is why hedge funds get to buy up all the houses in your neighborhood and Congress doesn't do anything about it.

See, this is why so many have lost faith in our system, because the system really is rigged. But Trump's not unrigging it, he's re rigging it for himself.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MCKEND: And a very similar message we are hearing from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on his fighting oligarchy tour. His events drawing big crowds. And so, this seems to be the energy center of the left right now. But time will tell if he can recapture the working- class voters Democrats lost in the last election. And if they can expand their coalition, not just preach to the converted.

Eva McKend, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: In the coming hours, the world will get to see Pope Francis in person for the first time since he was hospitalized last month on February 14th. CNN's Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman is live. In Rome. So, Ben, a relief for so many Catholics. Take us through the latest on his condition and what happens next.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we understand is that at some around midday local time, that's about three hours from now, the pope will come out on one of the balconies behind me here at Gemelli Hospital at the end of the Angelus prayers, and greet the faithful down below and give a blessing. That will be the first time he is seen in public in more than 38 days. He's been hospitalized for 38 days now.

Here the Rome, La Republica newspaper says, the pope is going home. And we heard from the doctors last night that over the last two weeks, his situation has gradually improved and that he's been sort of pushing them to allow him to be dismissed, to leave hospital that his double pneumonia has now abated. He still needs two months of convalescence and rest before he can resume his full duties. But he is going back to his residence in room 201 on the second floor of Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican. That we don't know, you know, to what extent he's going to be able to resume his activities.

[04:10:00]

But this all comes as something as a surprise, because on Friday evening the Vatican press office said that there would be no bulletins on the pope's health, at least until Monday evening, if not later than that. And then, yesterday morning, it was announced that he would appear on the balcony at -- here at Gemelli Hospital. And in the afternoon, with just two hours' notice, the Vatican Press office informed journalists that the doctors leading the medical team treating Pope Francis would be giving a briefing. And then of course, we heard suddenly at the beginning of the briefing that the pope would be going home.

So, it's been 24 hours of news here. And certainly, it is a relief to many that the pope who twice, according to his doctors, was in a life- threatening situation seems to have recovered to the extent that he can actually leave hospital, return to his residence at the Vatican, where, of course, he will continue to be under constant observation by the medical teams and will be resting after this time of crisis. Kim.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. Oh, it'll be quite a scene I imagine when he does appear. Ben Wedeman in Rome, thank you so much.

As Teflon, Elon lost his touch bad. How Musk's involvement with the Trump White House could cost him and his businesses.

Plus, Ukraine's Capital gets a deadly reminder about the reality of war just as diplomats prepare to talk ceasefire. Those stories and more coming up. Please stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:15:00]

BRUNHUBER: Israel says it has intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. It's the fifth to target Israel since the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire. In Gaza, Hamas says an Israeli airstrike killed one of its leaders, Salah al-Bardaweel. Now, this comes as hundreds have already been reported dead since Israel shattered the truce in Gaza with its renewed offensive.

And now, the other fragile ceasefire, this one between Israel and Hezbollah, is being tested. The Israeli military has targeted the militant group's infrastructure with deadly airstrikes across Lebanon. Israel says it is retaliating over intercepted projectiles fired from Lebanon, but Hezbollah denies any involvement and says it's committed to the ceasefire. CNN Sebastian Shukla has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN INTERNATIONAL PRODUCER: And this is most certainly the most significant violation of that ceasefire that's taken place since it was signed in November 2024, between Israel and its northern neighbor Lebanon. And it came after that period of very intense and brutal fighting that took place in September and October last year, which was the main reason of which was to root out Hezbollah from Lebanon and began with that incredible pictures of those exploding pagers. And obviously, Hezbollah being the Shia -- the Iran-backed Shia militia hellbent on the destruction of Israel. This attack though began around 7:00 this morning. And I want you to take a listen to the defense chief of one of the towns affected by this Metula.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GLAZER YOSEF, ISRAELI HEAD OF SECURITY FOR TOWN METULA (through translator): Around 7:30 in the morning, we woke to a number of incoming rockets. There were sirens, and then the Iron Dome system intercepted a number of rockets that were fired from Lebanon. We were able to see two fall inside Lebanon, and we immediately got the residents into the shelters.

SHUKLA: And Prime Minister Netanyahu vowed a robust actions against terror targets, and that retaliation has now already taken place by the Israeli Air Force. This obviously comes at a time where the ceasefire negotiations with Gaza have fallen apart and have come to an end. And the -- we've seen this week, hundreds of people killed in the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces have gone back into offensive operations there.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Ukraine's Capitol came under Russian drone fire just hours before new ceasefire talks are to begin. Officials say three people were killed in a massive attack overnight, including a five-year-old child. The attack caused a fire in a residential high rise, and debris from drones hit by Ukraine's air defenses rained down on the city. Eight people were injured.

Meanwhile, negotiators are preparing for new talks in Saudi Arabia on a partial ceasefire. Sources tell CNN, U.S. diplomats will meet with Ukrainians in the coming hours before sitting down with Russians on Monday, and more meetings are possible. After that, the diplomats will focus on a proposed ceasefire on energy targets and in the Black Sea. Well, the U.S. special envoy says there's one bigger issue hanging over future talks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEVE WITKOFF, U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY: The elephant in the room is there are constitutional issues within Ukraine as to what they can concede to with regard to giving up territory. The Russians are defacto in control of these territories.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

WITKOFF: The question is, will they be -- will the world acknowledge that those are Russian territories? Will it end up -- can Zelenskyy survive politically if he acknowledges this? There's -- this is the central issue in the conflict.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Meanwhile, parts of Ukraine's third largest city, Odessa, appear eerie as it recovers from a barrage of drone strikes on Thursday. The attack caused multiple fires and injured at least three people.

Hanna Shelest is the director of Security Programs and Global Outreach at the Foreign Policy Council, Ukrainian Prism, and she joins us live from Odessa. Thank you so much for being here with us. So, Odessa, obviously no stranger to Russian attacks, but in the wake of this latest one on your city, just take me through what is the mood there?

HANNA SHELEST, DIRECTOR OF SECURITY PROGRAMMES AND GLOBAL OUTREACH, UKRAINIAN PRISM: The mood is the same as all these three years that Odessa people constantly repeat to the Russian side that we are not Russians and we don't want to be your part. And definitely showing that the Russians intentions are not the security concerns, but just the destruction of Ukrainian viability as the Russians constantly target here the -- including Russian cultural heritage, the Russian Orthodox Church, and almost weekly the Odessa port.

[04:20:00]

So, you understand that port is from where Ukrainian economy really depends. But you hear from Moscow that they would like to -- not only what they already occupied, but constantly you also hear the demands about the City of Odessa.

BRUNHUBER: These drone attacks, both what we've just seen in Kyiv and Odessa, where you are, just underscore the importance of the vital military equipment from the U.S. that protects critical infrastructure in big cities like Patriot missiles, which could come to an end. So, if it does what then?

SHELEST: Yes, from the Patriots, definitely would not help from the drones, especially when you have 200 of them. But it is very vital in terms of the ballistic attacks, and that's what we are also experience constantly from the Russian side.

Unfortunately, there is no total substitute to the Patriots. They are very important for covering the critical infrastructure like energy stations, like the -- our ports and other type of these. Europeans can help us with many types, but also Ukrainian production. Let's not forget that almost 40 percent of the ammunition last year was produced in Ukraine, not taken from Europe or from the United States, and for this year it is increased in production plan.

But yes, there are certain types of the ammunition like Patriots that unfortunately nobody else is producing. And that would mean just to open for the Russian attacks, the critical infrastructure of Ukraine. But as we know, very often Russians are intending to target the critical infrastructure, but because the ballistic missiles are not so precise, they just destructing a lot of the civilian objects around.

All right. So, let's turn now to the ceasefire talks. The Ukrainian- U.S. officials will be meeting today, I understand, in Saudi Arabia to talk about that ceasefire with Russia and then the later meetings will be taking place Monday. What are your expectations for these talks?

SHELEST: As for now, not high expectations because it is not the political level, but we would have technical teams. So, let's look how both sides would be accept to the information coming. Because unfortunately, the latest statements from Washington demonstrated that it is real lack of understanding where Russia is targeting or what is the goals for the Russian attacks. The energy system is important for Ukraine, even that Russians destroyed significant parts of it already, but it is extremely important for Russia as well, because Ukraine been targeting their refineries. So, that's where both sides can find a certain compromise.

When you speak about the maritime domain, that was the big surprise for the Ukrainian experts at least because since the last year, we don't have real attacks on the sea. We are not speaking about the ports, but on the sea from Russia because Ukrainian forces managed to destroy 30 percent of the Russian navy and to move all of them from Crimea. So, this is more in the Russian interest.

And why I emphasize this because we remember the grain deal signed in 2022. Russia, after 23 hours from the signing, targeted Odessa port, when we ask like, what's the hell, you just signed that you are not going to target the port facilities, they said port facilities doesn't mean the whole port.

BRUNHUBER: Yes.

SHELEST: It means just the two versus where you have Ukraine terminal.

BRUNHUBER: Yes, important context there. Before we go, you mentioned the latest statements from the U.S. So, I wanted to bring this up. In an interview yesterday, the U.S. envoy, Steve Witkoff, said, quote, "I don't regard Putin as a bad guy." And he also said, there's a sensibility in Russia that Ukraine is just false country that they just patched together in this sort of mosaic, these regions, and that's what is the root cause, in my opinion, of this war.

I mean, that sounds an awful lot like Putin, doesn't it? I mean, what does that say to you about the man who's leading the U.S. ceasefire negotiations?

SHELEST: That was definitely outrage for the Ukrainians because that was not just repetition of the full set of the Russian narratives, that was even over manipulation with some statements. If Ukraine, the country with the thousands or years of history, the Apache, so what can we say about the United States? Do you know how many times the Russian politicians claim they want Alaska back or let's return back California to Mexico or Texas to somebody. So -- or France would claim some of the territories that they owned in the past.

[04:25:00]

So, that is definitely is a no go and it is a demonstration that KGB techniques of the negotiations really won over the U.S. business type of the negotiations. That's what we were afraid previously when the Trump administration just came, because Russia is the KGB type of the flattering of the -- persuading of the spreading disinformation. They're very good from Soviet time in this.

And unfortunately, the U.S. delegation, as for now, the U.S. mediator, as for now, really was caught in the trap of these techniques that been tested. BRUNHUBER: Yes. We'll have to see what comes from these negotiations, but really appreciate getting your insights on all this. Hanna Shelest, thank you so much.

SHELEST: Thank you.

BRUNHUBER: Thousands of people are defying bans on street gatherings to support Istanbul's popular mayor and potential challenger to longtime President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A short time ago, a court ruled that Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu would be jailed on charges related to corruption pending his trial and his detention doesn't relate to separate terrorism charges. That's according to CNN Turk. Four of his aides who are facing charges will also be imprisoned.

Imamoglu's detention has sparked days of protests. His party, the leading opposition block in Turkish politics, calls the charges politically motivated and vows to bring an end to Erdogan's decades long tenure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OZGUR OZEL, LEADER, REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY (CHP) (through translator): We will come tomorrow. We will choose. We will go down in history. We know who will be going. We are running to the ballot boxes to determine the name of the candidate that will unseat him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Many drivers are turning away from Tesla and their blaming Elon Musk's involvement with Donald Trump. Ahead, I'll speak with a public relations expert on how Musk's pivot to big government could cost him and his brand. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:30:00]

BRUNHUBER: Welcome back to all you watching us here in the United States, Canada, and around the world. I'm Kim Brunhuber. This is CNN Newsroom.

The FBI has issued a public alert about attacks on Tesla vehicles and showrooms. Cars have been spray-painted, and even set on fire. Now, President Trump, who's aligned himself with Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, suggested those responsible could be sent to a prison in El Salvador. CNN's Julia Vargas Jones reports on the growing backlash against Musk and his brand.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE ROMER, SELLING HIS TESLA: That's the word incorrect, of course it's incorrect.

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN PRODUCER (voice-over): Rolling his Model Y back to factory settings. Joe Romer is a Tesla owner, no more. A week ago while covering a protest at a Tesla service center, we found Romer as he drove past the picket line.

ROMER: I'm in the process of getting my car repaired so that I can sell it.

JONES (voice-over): Today, he says a weight is lifted.

ROMER: I feel better because I was getting to the point where this was being embarrassing driving this car because of Elon Musk and the things he's doing right now. And that just, I find annoying and not acceptable.

JONES (voice-over): Even though he's selling for less than a third of what he originally paid four years ago, Romer is not alone.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: From our hub, we're picking up eight Teslas today.

JONES (voice-over): In 2025, thousands of Americans are breaking up with the automaker. Tesla cars from model year 2017 or newer made-up 1.4 percent of all vehicles traded in through mid-March. That's more than tripled the rate from this time last year, according to Edmunds data shared with Reuters. And some Tesla drivers are hiding in plain sight.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And then I just took my finger and I just pulled it off. It makes me feel like I'm doing something.

JONES (voice-over): Masking a Tesla costs almost nothing. But in the week Romer waited to sell, he got $800 less for the car.

BRIAN MOODY, KELLEY BLUE BOOK, SENIOR STAFF EDITOR: There's always going to be opportunity to either do the right thing or at least signal that you're doing the right thing. But for most people, the average consumer taking the hit on the depreciation of a relatively expensive electric car by selling it just to prove a point is not something that they're in the business of doing.

JONES (voice-over): Protests continue at dealerships across the country and some Tesla properties have become targets, torched with Molotov cocktails, shot at and defaced. And all this comes as Tesla faces new headaches, including potential import tariff woes and recalls after Cybertruck panels have been reportedly falling off. The stock price has also plunged. That has liberals cheering.

GOV. TIM WALZ (D-MN), FORMER VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You've got that little stock out. I added Tesla to it to give me a little boost during the day.

JONES (voice-over): And the Trump administration taking unprecedented steps to defend the company.

PAM BONDI, ATTORNEY GENERAL: On stage --

JONES (voice-over): On Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against three people accused of destroying Tesla property in Oregon, Colorado and South Carolina. If convicted, each faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years behind bars. And on Friday, President Trump comparing attacks on Tesla facilities to the January 6th insurrection.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I view these people as terrorists, just like others. These are -- when I looked at those showrooms burning and those cars, not one or two, like seven, eight, 10 burning, exploding all over the place, these are terrorists. You didn't have that on January 6th.

JONES (voice-over): All of that going too far for Romer. ROMER: It is done.

JONES: How do you feel?

ROMER: Better.

JONES: Better?

JONES (voice-over): Happy.

JONES: And protests like this one in Pasadena, California are mostly very peaceful. They're saying Tesla, tyrant, impeach Elon Musk. They're saying mostly that Musk has an outsized role in government and that they don't agree with it. He wasn't elected. Trying to send a message both to Tesla to try to hit them where it hurts, in their pocketbook and also to the Trump administration.

Now, it remains to be seen if that message will be heard or if the administration will just double down.

Julia Vargas Jones, CNN, Pasadena, California.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Well, for more on this, I want to bring on Jason Mudd, who's CEO of Axia Public Relations, and he joins us live from Jacksonville, Florida. Thank you so much for making the time early this morning for us.

So, listen, I want to start off by quoting a marketing expert here, Omar Oakes, who said business professors will do case studies for years on X and Tesla, and how to destroy brand equity so needlessly. So, have you ever seen anything like this, a brand seemingly cratered by one person, the head of the company?

[04:35:00]

JASON MUDD, CEO, AXIA PUBLIC RELATIONS: No, definitely not in my lifetime that I recall. And certainly not that I've ever heard of for an automotive deal manufacturer.

BRUNHUBER: Yes. It seems certainly unique and especially with the political angles to this, and it seems to be a twofer in a way. And not only is it Elon Musk's turn to the extreme right, which is unpopular with many Tesla buyers, but he's also in charge of these DOGE cuts, which are also unpopular. So, it seems as though Musk will be inextricably linked with the Trump administration and with it his brands like Tesla. I mean, it's hard to untangle the brand from the politics.

MUDD: Yes, you're right. I think that, you know, Elon has been known for quite a while to be a man that does things his own way. You know, he's a kind of a rare character. I call him like a renegade CEO. You don't usually see CEOs of billion dollar publicly traded companies acting so vocal and being so active in the political eye. He's just a unique type of personality and kind of does things his own ways. And doesn't seem to have any care or ramification for it. I mean, he is one of the world's richest individuals. So, maybe he doesn't feel like he's -- you know, maybe he feels untouchable.

BRUNHUBER: Well, certainly, the share price has been touched by all of this. Now, we've seen how much President Trump has been throwing his support behind, not just Musk personally, but Tesla as a brand specifically. Is that likely to help, do you think? I mean, it's not as though EVs are core to the Republican identity.

MUDD: Yes. You know, I'm sure some Republicans enjoy having luxury cars and others could, you know, are more interested in traditional vehicles. You know, what's interesting to note is during Trump's first administration he had a lot of conflict with his cabinet members and other appointees, and including him and Musk butted heads during his first administration. So, it'll be interesting to see what happens from here.

But definitely, Elon is doubling down in his role here. He's made some unpopular choices and it is affecting stock price. It is affecting his image. I don't know if that's going to change. I think that, you know, he gets in a lane and tends to stay in it. And just like Trump doesn't always seek outside counsel or advisors and take their advice.

ROBERTSON: Yes. What would your advice as a PR expert be? What would you tell Elon Musk if you could bend his ear?

MUDD: Well, I think clients like Musk are very difficult, just like it would be difficult to have Trump as a client. You know, they know what they want. They double down on it and they don't tend to take outside advice. But if I were to give Musk advice in this situation, or Tesla in this case, would be more likely, I would give them the advice of separating the persona of the CEO and -- from the brand itself. And I would make sure that the things that Elon is doing are held at a distance from the organization.

A lot of times people get frustrated with Musk as, you know, the leader of Tesla, but you know, I'm sure there are other CEOs who are a little bit quieter who they, you know, probably wouldn't agree with their politics or their political preferences and their actions either. It's just the differences these CEOs are a little less likely to seek the limelight and seek to control the narrative and work behind, you know, a corporate communications department.

Trump -- or excuse me, Musk got rid of his Public Relations Department, I believe, around 2020, and he prefers just to communicate directly through using X and other platforms, and be the voice and primary spokesperson for the organization very actively. BRUNHUBER: Yes, it seems hard to separate Musk from Tesla. Quick yes or no question, to rescue Tesla, do you think Elon Musk has to go as CEO?

MUDD: I think that's a question the board is asking themselves. I think it's going to be hard to do. They tried to separate him from the company years ago and were unsuccessful. I feel like separating Tesla from Elon from Tesla is kind of like when Apple tried to separate Jobs from Apple and it didn't work out too well and they ended up bringing them back. I could see this happening again. And only time will tell.

BRUNHUBER: All right. Only time will tell. We shall see. Thank you so much for your analysis. Jason Mudd, thanks so much.

MUDD: Glad to be here. Thank you.

[04:40:00]

BRUNHUBER: All right. Well, trans athletes are left in limbo after Donald Trump's executive order restricts their ability to compete. Coming up, how led to a standoff between the governor of the state of Maine and the President?

Also, what's next for Heathrow Airport now that it's back up and running after a fire and blackout led to thousands of stranded passengers plans to investigate? That's coming up next. Please stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: In just a few hours, Canada's new prime minister is expected to trigger a Snap federal election. Mark Carney recently replaced Justin Trudeau as prime minister and as leader of Canada's Liberal Party. The voting will likely take place in hundreds of constituencies at the end of April, according to sources. Polls show Carney's party has rebounded in popular support as U.S. President Donald Trump imposes a catastrophic trade war. He's also vowing to turn Canada into the, quote, "51st State," which polls show most Canadians and major Canadian political parties flat out reject. Carney hopes to remain as prime minister against the conservative party. He's promising to protect Canada against what many in Canada call his newly unreliable southern neighbor.

President Trump took to Truth Social on Saturday, calling for a quote, "full-throated" apology from the governor of Maine herself, Janet Mills. He says she failed to comply with his order banning transgender women from competing in women's sports. He also demanded she never again challenged the federal government's stance on the issue.

Now, the remarks come after Trump and Mills got into a remarkable and intense standoff at the National Resident Association Winter Summit. Mills stood her ground against the U.S. president, but as CNN's Brynn Gingras reports, the controversy impacts athletes like Sadie Schreiner, who says she feels defeated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SADIE SCHREINER, TRANSGENDER ATHLETE: I've been running track for ten years now. Without it, I wouldn't be here. The same is true for transitioning. And so, I refuse to give up either aspect of myself.

[04:45:00]

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The future for All American collegiate runner Sadie Schreiner is uncertain.

SCHREINER: It's definitely not safe for me to continue competing here.

GINGRAS (voice-over): When we first met last year, Schreiner, a trans woman, was following NCAA rules, taking medication to keep testosterone at nearly undetectable levels in order to qualify. Now, nearly four months later, President Trump is in office, along with his executive order banning trans women from competing in women's sports. And it didn't take long for the NCAA to follow suit. What's changed for you?

SCHREINER: I'm tired. You know, I'm scared in a lot of ways.

GINGRAS (voice-over): Schreiner now runs at meets hosted by USA Track and Field, the national governing body for the sport, which holds competitions around the country for all ages and skill levels.

GINGRAS: Sadie basically comes here just to practice. She'd rather be at the national championship, which is actually also happening today. But, of course, you can't be there because of the NCAA ban.

GINGRAS (voice-over): And in between her two races at this main meet, Schreiner found out USATF also changed its rules, meaning this race --

SCHREINER: It could be my last in the United States.

GINGRAS (voice-over): The state has been in the spotlight in the debate over trans athletes after Maine's governor got into a heated exchange with President Trump over his executive order.

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Are you not going to comply with it?

GOV. JANET MILLS (D-ME): I'm complying with state and federal laws.

TRUMP: You better comply because otherwise you're not getting any federal funding.

MILLS: See you in court.

GINGRAS: See you in court, well, that became a rallying cry for some people in Maine as there were several federal investigations into this state and their compliance of Title IX and federal funding coming into the state is at risk.

What do you think about all of this sort of attention on this issue?

STATE REP. LAUREL LIBBY (R-ME): Honestly, it's a little embarrassing that we're known for this interaction between Governor Mills and President Trump. It has a simple fix, stop discriminating against Maine women and girls, and our federal funding will be insured.

GINGRAS (voice-over): Maine State Representative Laurel Libby also at the center of this debate.

LIBBY: Welcome to the Maine State House of Representatives.

GINGRAS (voice-over): The Republican lawmaker is now censured after posting a controversial Facebook post about a high school trans girl athlete and refusing to take it down.

GINGRAS: You can't vote, you can't speak on this floor. What do you do?

LIBBY: I sit in my seat and I silently represent my constituents. After all the struggle that women have gone through over the past decades to get where we are today, it's unacceptable to allow biological males to take the place of females in any arena.

GINGRAS (voice-over): Libby says she is fighting to protect athletes, like Cassidy Carlisle, a high school senior who skis competitively and has raced against a trans athlete.

CASSIDY CARLISLE, HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE: At the heart of this all, it's all about having equal and fair opportunities for women.

GINGRAS: Did you feel that in that moment?

CARLISLE: Overall, I was being beat by someone that is on a different physical advantage over me.

GINGRAS: Is there a place in your mind where there can be middle ground?

CARLISLE: I don't think that this is something that gets fixed overnight. I think that, you know, overall, I just want everybody to have fair and equal playing field, and that includes the trans athletes.

GINGRAS: If you were to talk to a woman in any sport who, to your face, is saying, look, I don't feel like it's fair, what would you say?

SCHREINER: I would open a conversation with them, because for three years now, my testosterone has been so low that it's undetectable on a single lab result. It's shrank my ligaments, it's made me shorter, it's made me weaker.

GINGRAS: Do you think safety is a major issue?

LIBBY: Safety is absolutely a concern. Maine girls should not have to be concerned for their safety when they step out on the playing field.

CARLSILE: I have not competed personally in a sport that's contact with a trans athlete, but I still think it's important in keeping our women safe.

GINGRAS: And what about the argument that it's unsafe?

SCHREINER: Safe for who? When I go to these meets, I'm the one that's getting threatened.

GINGRAS (voice-over): For now, Schriener will have to exist without racing in the U.S.

SCHREINER: I'd love to do like snowboarding and skiing.

GINGRAS: Why continue this fight?

SCHREINER: Because it's worth it. We are an incredibly tiny community of people and there are very few of us that have the means to properly stand up. And it's not something I'm ever going to stop doing.

GINGRAS: Brynn Gingras, CNN, Portland, Maine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: London Heathrow Airport is back to normal, although the after effects of its shutdown are expected to last for a while, Friday's power outage sparked global travel chaos, causing hundreds of flight delays, cancellations, and diversions of fire in an electrical substation near the airport, caused the blackout at one of the world's busiest travel hubs.

Heathrow's chief executive called it unprecedented for passengers like an American trying to get married in England. It was more like a nightmare.

[04:50:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AMBER RODEN, AMERICAN TRAVELER, BRIDE-TO-BE: They've had to rebook and come in on Monday, which is the day we're meant to be at the venue. So, it's absolutely been insane. And my other friend doesn't even know if she can make it now.

YOUSEF ALDEREES, TRAVELER: We got told that all trains to Heathrow got canceled and we had to go back and we couldn't find another hotel booking because all the hotels were fully booked. So, it was a disaster.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRUNHUBER: Head of the airport apologized to stranded passengers, but he says he's proud of the airport's response. The situation has raised concerns about Heathrow's reliance on its power sources. The government says Britain's national energy operator will investigate.

Being honest online is helping people around the world find community. Still to come, how a 97-year-old man's call to connect on social media turned to a viral international podcast? Stay with us. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BRUNHUBER: In an age of increased isolation, people across the globe are looking for a sense of genuine connection. Now, after an elderly man in Argentina broke the ice on social media, thousands are sharing their stories and finding community. CNN Cecilia Dominguez has more on the viral podcast, "90 and Counting." " [04:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CECILIA DOMINGUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): 97-year-old Alberto Chab was tired of being lonely. His granddaughter posting his video on social media, calling for others over the age of 90 to unite and share their life experiences. The response, huge.

ALBERTO CHAB, FOUNDER OF "90 AND COUNTING" (through translator): That little video created a tsunami, 1,500 e-mails. I mean, there was a very real need for people, for seniors to get together and talk to each other. I touched on a very necessary point, which is why people from all over Latin America wrote to me, even from Canada.

DOMINGUEZ (voice-over): Now, Chab meets with his team every two weeks in Buenos Aires to toss around topics.

CHAB (through translator): Just say everything that comes to mind. It's never going to be absurd because whatever happens to one of us having a car crash or going to the eye doctor, a similar situation will arise for the other.

DOMINGUEZ (voice-over): His group catching the attention of someone much younger, a 26-year-old journalist with a podcast vision.

GUADALUPE CAMURATI, CREATOR OF "90 AND COUNTING" (through translator): From the first minute I saw them, I was kind of excited, very. It touched me. I said to Alberto and the people who were there, this has to be done digitally. For me, we have to make a podcast.

DOMINGUEZ (voice-over): They decided to call it "90 and Counting." Season one is already done. The topics range from tango to healthy habits to affection, and ways of connecting. A second season is already in the works.

CHAB (through translator): Well, I'm still learning at 97. I still have so much to learn.

DOMINGUEZ (voice-over): Cecilia Dominguez, CNN, Buenos Aires.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRUNHUBER: Oh, what a great story. Well, that wraps this hour. CNN Newsroom. I'm Kim Brunhuber. I'll be back with more news in just a moment.

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