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Trump's Approval At 100 Days The Worst Since Modern Polling Began; Trump Looms Large Over Canada's Elections; Immigrants And Some Active-Duty Military Arrested In Raid On Underground Nightclub; U.S. Citizen Children Deported With Their Mothers To Honduras; Interview With Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY); White House Journalists Celebrate First Amendment And Press Freedom. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired April 27, 2025 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:01:43]

JESSICA DEAN, CNN HOST: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Jessica Dean in Washington.

President Trump plans to hold a rally in Michigan Tuesday to celebrate 100 days in office. But new CNN polling showing the American people not happy with the president's performance or many of his policies so far in his second term. The president's approval rating, according to this poll, dropping to 41 percent. That is the lowest at the 100-day mark for any president in the history of modern polling. It also represents a significant six-point drop in his overall approval since February.

Let's go now to CNN's Betsy Klein, who is live outside the White House.

And, Betsy, I know the president just spoke with reporters at the airport in Bedminster. He's on his way back to Washington. What did he say?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: Yes, we just heard from the president and very notable remarks, the first time that he has spoken substantively on that meeting that he held in Rome with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy. Of course, the president was there for the funeral of Pope Francis. The two of them meeting in Rome for about 15 minutes.

The president said that the meeting went very well. He said he was very disappointed that Russia continues to launch missiles at Ukraine. He asked if he trusts Putin. He said he would know within the next two weeks or so. But really striking a very different tone on President Zelenskyy. Asked how he views Zelenskyy's attitude, he says he sees him as calmer and he thinks that he wants to make a deal.

He said it was a good meeting, nice meeting, a beautiful meeting. He said Zelenskyy is doing a good job and working hard. He again believes he wants to make a deal. He said that Zelenskyy told him during that meeting that he needs more weapons. The president was noncommittal on whether the U.S. would continue to provide additional weapons for Ukraine. Of course, that's something that he has said he is going to stop.

But of course, all of this comes as the president is running up on his 100th day in office. He promised on the campaign trail and shortly before taking office that he would get this Russia-Ukraine conflict resolved within his first day in office. Of course, that has not happened. This has proven to be a very complicated issue for his team to work through.

And I just want to take you through some of the polling that we are seeing on this. His Secretary of State Marco Rubio made clear today this is a critical week for these talks. There is a lot of frustration that so much money, effort and time has gone into this negotiation really hasn't borne fruit as of yet. But his approval on foreign affairs at this stage, according to the latest CNN polling, is 39 percent approve to 60 percent disapprove.

And of course, very notably, we are getting a better sense of how Americans view his efforts to use his presidential power. We have seen the president really reimagine his use of executive authority, of course, emboldened by his November victory and what he views as a mandate. According to that CNN poll, back in December 46 percent of voters had no confidence that the president would use his presidential powers responsibly. That number now up in this poll this week to 54 percent have no confidence that he will use that presidential power responsibly.

Jessica, very notable and significant shift there.

[18:05:05]

DEAN: All right. Brand new polling.

Betsy Klein, thanks for walking us through it.

And joining us now, pollster and communications strategist Frank Luntz.

Frank, good to see you. Betsy just walking through some of the polling we're getting out of our new CNN polling. This has been a historically disruptive administration. They'll say that's exactly what they set out to do. That's why they were sent to be in office. Yet we are seeing historic low approval ratings.

What do you think about all of this? Is it a surprise to you in having the conversations in the focus groups that you've been having?

FRANK LUNTZ, POLLSTER AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIST: It's a significant change because the president was upholding some reasonably high numbers January, February and early March. And over the tariff situation, it became more and more negative. And it's not his own voters. And what the president and the administration will argue is, is that he is just as popular today as he was with the people who voted for him.

But in the end, we're all of America, not just those who supported him. His own numbers, with his own people have withstood all these pressures. It's those who didn't like him now have really turned against him. And among independents, swing voters, people who are not ideological or partisan, those are the people who have said, I don't like what's happening right now.

DEAN: And those are the people, right, that really did swing this election. I mean, those were people that broke that maybe weren't necessarily super politically involved, that were, you know, maybe not super partisan, but really concerned about the cost of living, those types of people, if they turn on him, you know, what does that mean? Probably not for him because he's not on the ballot in two years but as we look toward these midterms.

LUNTZ: Well, when you have to make an omelet, you got to break a few eggs. And what the Trump administration will say is that it's so early now. It's only the first 100 days. That said, you don't want to turn a significant segment of the electorate against you. And what I've been arguing over the last few weeks is that the agenda, the issues still have public support in most cases. It's the execution and the communication behind it that has begun to turn some Americans against this president.

You can't look at these numbers and say there hasn't been an impact. You can't ignore them and say, well, this isn't relevant if you care about all of America. So I'm thinking, as I speak to you right now, how the administration will be viewing this conversation. And they're going to say, we only care about the people who had faith in us and trust in us. And my argument as a pollster is that you have to represent all of America, and there is an increasing percentage of America that is saying, yes, I want safe streets, but not throwing people out of the country.

Yes, I want our borders under control, but in a responsible way. Yes, I want China to be dealt with, and not for American manufacturing to suffer, but not with these tariffs. Once again, the agenda still has a majority support. But the way that it's being articulated is costing the president right now.

DEAN: And we have -- I've talked to some Republicans. They make the argument that, look, this is that short-term period that we keep talking about that's going to be really difficult on people. And then if we can get these deals done, if we can get this bill through Congress, things are going to turn around and we think it can swing back our way. Do you think that's possible?

LUNTZ: I think it's possible. I think it's more than just possible. But that requires the administration to be able to articulate that Rome wasn't built in a day, that these things require months and months of planning. It's what happened when we have had these situations in the past. Usually the administration sets out the predicate, creates the context, and so people will be more patient.

Right now thanks to social media, thanks to the ability to reach out to people immediately, this interview itself will go far and wide, and people will interpret it any way they wish to. And that becomes more and more difficult to be able to communicate a message, to be able to communicate an explanation for tariffs, an explanation for Ukraine or for Iran. And it becomes absolutely a prerequisite of the administration to focus on not only what the public expects of this administration, but on the ability to get things done. You got to give them time.

[18:10:00]

These numbers won't matter a year from now, but it is an indication that there is restlessness. It is an indication that people have some significant anxiety. And most importantly, it's an indication that there needs to be some empathy for those who are afraid for their 401(k)s, who are afraid for their investments, and who believe that things need to become more affordable, more available, and they question whether that's going to happen in the weeks and months.

DEAN: All right. Frank Luntz, good to have you on. Thanks so much.

LUNTZ: Thank you.

DEAN: Tomorrow Canadians will head to the polls and President Trump is looming large over those elections. We're going to break down what's at stake when CNN NEWSROOM returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:15:25]

DEAN: At least 11 people are dead and dozens more injured after a driver plowed through a crowded street fair in downtown Vancouver, Canada last night. Police calling this the darkest day in that city's history. Hundreds were celebrating an annual Filipino Heritage Festival when that happened. The 30-year-old suspect is now in custody after being detained by bystanders before authorities got there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSHUA POLINTAN, EYEWITNESS: From over there, from like the start right there, he just pushed the gas all the way through the whole block right there, crashing into, like, everyone in his way.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Police say they're confident this is not an act of terrorism. They are investigating whether mental health issues played a role.

Now, that tragedy in Vancouver comes as Canadians prepare to head to the polls tomorrow for federal elections. Prime Minister Mark Carney is vying for a chance to continue leading the country after Justin Trudeau stepped down. The election takes place amid high tensions, of course, between Canada and the United States. President Trump has raised tariffs on Canadian goods and has said repeatedly that Canada would be better off if it became America's 51st state.

Now we want to bring in Jean Charest, former Quebec premier and former deputy prime minister of Canada.

Thank you so much for being here with us. And before we get into the politics of all of this, I do want to say how awful this news is out of Vancouver and we are so sorry. And I do just want to get kind of your reaction to what happened and the response.

JEAN CHAREST, FORMER QUEBEC PREMIER: Well, thank you, Jessica. And, you know, your own comments speak to the relationship between our respective countries. When something happens in Canada, Americans are there. And they're the first to be at our side. And the same is true for us. And the Filipino community in Canada is close to a million people. And it's a beautiful community and has done extremely well in the country. So all of Canada is mourning today. And thank you for your words.

DEAN: Yes. OK. So now we head to the polls. You all head to the polls tomorrow, and I do want to talk -- I want to talk about that. The incumbent Liberal Party wasn't initially favored to win, but President Trump, this tariff war, what's been going on has affected this race and transformed this race. Help people here in America understand how much of a factor that is and what Canadians will be focused on when they're casting their votes tomorrow.

CHAREST: Well, it will be I think interesting for Americans to take note of the outcome of the election in Canada tomorrow because this speaks to the impact and the effect of this whole tariff story throughout the world. And Canada is among the first to go. The Australians will be voting on the 2nd of May.

And the reality of the campaign, Jessica, is the main actor in that campaign and the campaign was President Donald Trump, and the whole story of tariffs and the remarks about 51st state, which really, really, really had an impact on Canadians who felt very strongly that in response, we needed to elect a leader who would be strong and would respond to President Trump, and help us come to an agreement with the American administration.

That's been the story of the campaign. Now how important was it? Only six months ago, the conservative opposition had a 25 point lead over the liberals of Mr. Trudeau. Since then, Mr. Trudeau left. He was replaced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, who used to be the governor of the Bank of Canada, governor of the Bank of England. And he is now leading in the polls. And tomorrow we may have an outcome that will allow the election of a liberal government if we were to trust pollsters.

DEAN: It is so surprising. I covered American -- I've covered American politics for several cycles now, for many years, and to have one inciting incident like that that swings what was not really a close race, if you were listening to the polls, is rare.

CHAREST: Yes.

DEAN: Were you surprised by that?

CHAREST: Yes, we were surprised. And it is unprecedented. But it says something, and I think the administration will probably want to look at the outcome very closely. Americans will want to look at the outcome very closely, because what it speaks to is the impact that these policies have, not just in Canada, Jessica, but in Europe and Asia and throughout the whole world. And ask ourselves, is this really the path we want to go down.

Now we understand that President Trump wants to get a certain number of things done. We -- he's a legitimately elected president.

[18:20:01]

We respect that. We don't question that. And we want to work with the administration so that they can meet their objectives. But we want to do that in an environment where we can all be respectful of each other and meet our own objectives and continue to work together the way we have. It's an extraordinarily good relationship. There's nothing like the relationship between Canada and the United States in the whole world. And so we don't want to lose that. We should not take it for granted.

And the outcome of the election will elect a government that will be in a strong position to be able to negotiate and work with the American administration.

DEAN: Secretary of State Marco Rubio was on "Meet the Press" this morning. He was asked about that comment that you noted the Canada becoming the 51st state. I want to listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTEN WELKER, NBC NEWS ANCHOR: So does the president, does the U.S. still want to make Canada the 51st state?

MARCO RUBIO, SECRETARY OF STATE: I think the president has stated repeatedly. He thinks Canada would be better off as a state. I mean, and he has said that based on what he was told by the previous prime minister, who said Canada can't survive unless it treats the U.S. unfairly in trade.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: What do you say to the secretary of state?

CHAREST: Canada will survive whatever the circumstances, Jessica, and make no mistake about it. There was a -- we started into a free trade agreement in 1988. Before that, there was none. If there's a tariff, well survive if there's not. But what we want is more than just to be in a mode where each of us are on our side of the border. We want to work together so that whether it's on security, whether it's on trade, whether it's on all the issues that the environment or anything else, that we also offer the best of what we have for each other.

And so, you know, I listen to Mr. Rubio's remarks, if you read between the lines, there's no one in the United States who's following the president on this 51st state rhetoric and comment. Hopefully it will just fade away and we can get down to talking to each other about the real things that count between Canada and the United States.

DEAN: All right. Jean Charest, thank you for your time. We really appreciate it.

CHAREST: Thank you, Jessica.

DEAN: A late-night raid ends with more than 100 immigrants arrested at an underground club in Colorado, where active duty military members were working. We'll have the very latest on this. That's next.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:26:49]

DEAN: Authorities in Colorado Springs say they've detained more than 100 immigrants after an overnight raid on what they described as an underground nightclub. Officials say more than a dozen active duty service members were at the club at the time of that raid, some of whom were working as security guards.

The DEA posted video of the raid on social media, announcing in English and Spanish that they had a search warrant.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Occupants of 296 South Academy, this is the police with a search warrant. (Speaking in foreign language)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: CNN's Julia Vargas Jones is joining us now with more details about this.

What is the latest here, Julia?

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jessica, that what you just saw there happened about 3:45 a.m. this morning. Inside, about 200 people, 100 of them, those immigrants that were detained and taken into custody of ICE, those 12 plus active duty service members. Now the Army is saying that they are investigating, that they are in the custody of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Army.

The DEA said that what we were seeing inside was drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence, that they seized drugs and weapons. Take a listen to what one of those investigators had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JONATHAN C. PULLEN, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE, DEA ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION: When the cops showed up at the door, most of the drugs hit the floor. And we did find cocaine. It looks like some pink cocaine or the Tusi. And there was a little bit of other drugs. We haven't had time to test everything, but there were dozens of small packages of drugs that they've recovered so far that I have personally seen.

(END VIDEO CLIP) JONES: About 300 law enforcement officials taking part in this raid, not just DEA. We also had ICE, Homeland Security, U.S. Marshals, as well as local authorities taking part in this as well, Jessica. It's really difficult to separate, though, this happening now from the politics, even though the DEA did say that this was a months' long investigation that they had been surveilling this particular underground club, as they called it, for months, and watching that gang criminal activity take place.

But in the posting of those photos and videos, also echoed by the attorney general, Pam Bondi, saying that this was already, as we approach 100 days in office of President Trump, his directive to make America safer again, already showing results. We can expect even more arrests to come from this as the investigation moves forward -- Jessica.

DEAN: Julia Vargas Jones, thanks for that update. We appreciate it. We are also following two separate cases tonight in which three children who are U.S. citizens were deported with their mothers to Honduras. Now that includes a 4-year-old being treated for cancer. A lawyer with the National Immigration Project said both mothers wanted their children to remain in the U.S., but we're not given that choice.

CNN correspondent Brynn Gingras is joining us now.

Brynn, again, two separate cases here. But tell us what you know about both of them.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, two separate cases, but the details are so similar, Jessica.

[18:30:02]

Let's start first with that 4-year-old who also has a sibling that's 7-year-old. That 4-year-old, as you already said, is still getting cancer treatments here in the United States. They are all the children, U.S. citizens. Their mothers were not legal citizens that's why they are being told that they needed to be deported and have been sent back to Honduras.

Now, in these cases, what we're told is that both of these mothers at separate times went to have a routine check in with ICE officials. And within that check in, immediately they were told that they were going to be deported. Now, in the instance of the 2-year-old, actually in both cases, but in the 2-year-old, we could see the court documents where allegedly this mother handwritten note saying, listen, if I have to leave, basically I am going to take my 2-year-old daughter with me.

Now, if you talk to their attorneys, they basically say, listen, they didn't really have a choice in the matter of this. They actually argue that in the case of the 2-year-old, the father was like, hey, I have a sister-in-law who is a U.S. citizen, and I can bring these children to her. But they said that those -- that just was not granted.

Now, this whole issue about these U.S. citizens who are children being sent to Honduras with their mothers, that was brought up on the Sunday talk circuit with Marco Rubio and also Tom Homan. Let's listen to what Tom Homan had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: The children aren't deported. The mother chose to take the children with her. When you enter the country illegally and you know you're here legally and you choose to have your citizen child, that's on you, that's not on this administration. If you choose to put your family in that position, that's on them. But having a U.S. citizen child after you enter this country illegally is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. It doesn't make you immune from our laws.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

GINGRASS: And the lawyers for these women say that basically they checked in for this routine check-in in both cases, and within 24 hours they were sent away. And during that time, they never even had an attorney with them. So they say this is just really another example of a lack of due process here. So we're going to have to see how this all plays out -- Jessica.

DEAN: All right, Brynn. Thank you for that update. We appreciate it.

And joining us now is Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis of New York. She serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and is also assistant whip for the House Republican Conference.

Congresswoman, thanks so much for being here with us today. We appreciate it.

REP. NICOLE MALLIOTAKIS (R-NY): Thank you.

DEAN: I do want to just start on that issue of immigration. We were just hearing from our colleague Brynn Gingrass with those two separate issues. And I think the big question around those particular stories is the question of due process for the American citizen children.

Do you think there needs to be more consideration for American citizens, more due process before deporting them?

MALLIOTAKIS: Well, certainly for American citizens there needs to be the due process. I think in this particular case the mother chose to take the children with her. It's a very obviously sad story and I think that we should be looking at this as a unique circumstance and try to work with this family the best we can to keep them united and to make sure those American children are getting the treatment that they need for their cancer.

What I would point to is the other things that this administration has done in terms of reducing the border crossings by 95 percent. In my city of New York City we had horrible situation with gang members, people committing violent crimes, people who have really wreaked havoc on the city. Thousands of crimes were committed in the city of New York, and the taxpayers were being forced to house them in luxury hotel rooms and in shelters. And it was wrong. And so I give credit for the administration for not just securing the

border, but also ensuring that we deport those criminals, those gang members, those drug traffickers and violent offenders. So I think we have to -- it's a case by case basis is really what we have to do here and try to try to put, you know, there's obviously a human face and story behind every single one of these cases. But we should be really laser focused as they are on deporting these criminals who have really done terrible things in our city and the administration, previous administration had let them in and forced us to house them at taxpayer expense.

DEAN: And -- but it sounds like you're saying that there should be, that there are, and I think we can all agree that there are people if they are criminals or drug dealers or gang members, violent adults who are here illegally to deport them. But that when it comes to a 2-year- old, 4-year-old U.S. citizen child, that there should be more due process. Is that correct?

MALLIOTAKIS: Yes.

DEAN: OK.

MALLIOTAKIS: Yes, absolutely. Particularly because they are American citizens. But again, in this particular case, it was the mother who is not an American citizen. She is here illegally, and she chose to take the child back with her to Honduras. And that's obviously there's a lot there. We don't know, I don't know all the particular facts of that case. I mean, maybe there was no one else that could care for the child here in the United States.

DEAN: Right. They didn't have an attorney. Right, right, right.

MALLIOTAKIS: But, you know, but with that said, in this particular case, you know, it seems like a very extraordinary circumstance. And we do need to be compassionate, particularly when there's children involved. They are American citizens.

[18:35:01]

They were seeking treatment for cancer. So, again, let's focus on the criminals. Let's focus on getting rid of the bad actors who are here, who are led in by the Biden administration, and deal with these other cases on a case by case basis.

DEAN: I also want to ask you about our new polling that's out today. CNN has this new polling as President Trump approaches 100 days in office. He's sitting at, according to our polling, 41 percent approval, which would be historically low for this point in a term for modern polling for a modern presidency.

You are up for reelection and you'll have to run in the midterms like all of your House colleagues. As you look ahead to the next elections and as you're talking to your constituents, does that concern you? Is that a drag on you?

MALLIOTAKIS: Look, I think my constituents are, for the most part, the majority are happy with what is taking place right now, that they're seeing the borders being secured. They're seeing our city being cleaned up after four years of total chaos, where they were being -- seeing their taxes increase and forced to pay more property taxes so they can house people who are in this country illegally wreaking havoc.

They're happy that President Trump and his administration are deporting those individuals who have committed crimes. And these shelters, migrant shelters across our city, are being closed. They're happy that President Trump is taking action to stop congestion pricing in the city of New York, which is just another cash grab for constituents of mine who have to drive into Manhattan for doctor's appointments or for work or for recreation.

So overall, I think people are happy that they're seeing gas and oil prices come down, the prices of eggs come down. That inflation year over year is coming down, that mortgage rates are coming down. I think there's a lot of -- there's a lot that's been happening very fast. And for some there could have been, you know, look, the tariffs, for example, too fast. And there was a lot of uncertainty, a lot of anxiety as a result.

But as these trade deals happen, President Trump is bringing 75 countries to the table. As we see these deals happening, and America being treated more fairly, and we'll see more export markets for our products, we'll see more barriers being reduced for our products. We'll see more domestic manufacturing. By the way, $5 trillion in domestic -- in new foreign investment or domestic companies investing in the United States, expanding manufacturing facilities.

We have dozens of hostages, by the way, that were in other countries, whether it be Afghanistan or Russia or Belarus or Venezuela or in Gaza, being released here back to the United States under President Trump's leadership. I think, overall, when all is said and done in two years, people will see that it has been very productive and that it's been mostly good that has been occurring, and that a lot of the bad policies of the President Biden administration has been reversed.

DEAN: And it doesn't worry you that they're looking at higher prices because of the tariff policies even if I know that the hope is that these are short term. But even in the short term, if things are going up and inflation kind of stays the same, which is what the Fed chairman has said is likely to happen, that does that concern you?

MALLIOTAKIS: Well, obviously we want to be able to reduce prices. And I think that we will. Like I said, you're seeing egg prices and oil and gas prices and energy prices and mortgage rates decrease. That is critical. That's a great start. I don't want to deal with hypotheticals here. We'll address that if it happens. But I think what we're going to see is good trade deals coming as a result. And that will benefit everybody. The American worker, American companies, our economy, our GDP, and of course, you know, our supply chain resiliency.

So I would rather say let's see what happens over these next few months. I think President Trump is on a good track here to make some good deals for America. And we've already seen 75 countries come to the table. And I'd like to just see how that plays out first.

DEAN: All right. Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis, thanks for your time. We appreciate it.

MALLIOTAKIS: Thank you.

DEAN: The First Amendment and a free press on display last night in Washington. And there was an interesting moment we're going to show you. That's next.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:43:56]

DEAN: The First Amendment and press freedoms taking center stage at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday. The annual gala had a different tone last night than in years past. President Trump did not attend. There was no comedian to roast the president or other politicians that there normally is. The dinner comes amidst an unprecedented assault on the freedom of the press, with the president referring to, quote, "the fake news media" as the enemy of the people.

CNN's chief media analyst, Brian Stelter, is joining us now.

Brian, it is good to see you. First, we actually sat right next to each other at this event. So I kind of think, I know how you're going to answer this question, but we're going to let the viewers in on it as well. What you thought about the event?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: OK. Yes. Later this week is World Press Freedom Day. It's observed by the United Nations, and all around the world, press rights are under attack. And that is true in the United States as well as in many other countries. So I think it was appropriate that there was a more sober tone to the proceedings this year. And frankly, I think it's probably going to be long -- going to be this way going forward for a while. You know, there's no need for an entertainer at a moment like this.

And that was my main takeaway, although I did really appreciate seeing the show of support for the Associated Press and some of the other outlets that have been specifically called out and besmirched by the Trump administration in recent months.

[18:45:10]

DEAN: Yes. There was another moment when Axios national political correspondent Alex Thompson, who's been on the show many, many times, took home an award for Overall Excellence in White House coverage. And he gave a speech in accepting that award and here's some of what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX THOMPSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: President Biden's decline and its cover-up by the people around him is a reminder that every White House, regardless of party is capable of deception. But being truth tellers also means telling the truth about ourselves. We, myself included, missed a lot of this story, and some people trust us less because of it. We bear some responsibility for faith in the media being at such lows.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Brian, what did you think about that point of view?

STELTER: Well, you probably noticed what I did in the room. All the chatter stopped. Suddenly the room was quiet as everyone listened very intently to what Alex was saying, and I'm glad he said it. It's important to say, and it's important what he said afterwards as well. He said admitting to errors actually builds trust. Defending or ignoring errors erodes trust. And that is true in the media. It's also true with other institutions. Think about medicine and science and so on and so on.

So being up front about missteps or moments where, you know, where stories were, in this case, not missed or ignored, but in some cases minimized. Look, the title of Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper's upcoming book is "Original Sin," and it refers to an actual cover-up that refers to Biden White House officials trying to keep secrets from the public. And it is true, I experienced this, lots of reporters did at the time that Biden White House officials tried hard to blunt stories about the president's health and age.

They tried very hard in those years to keep those stories under wraps. And I think this book and other books in the coming months are going to reveal some of that in a way that's really healthy, because it is important to acknowledge what was missed or minimized years ago. I do think, as Alex Thompson said, it helps actually build trust.

DEAN: All right. Brian Stelter, good to see you. Thanks so much.

STELTER: You too.

DEAN: President Trump with new comments tonight on both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. We're going to bring you those comments just ahead.

You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:52:09]

DEAN: A new CNN Original Series follows Eva Longoria on a culinary journey across Spain, where she explores her Spanish roots and the rich culture, deep history and innovative food that is unique to the country's various regions. And I sat down with Eva to discuss the inspiration behind her travels, what she learned along the way, her first stop on her journey, the region of Catalonia.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) DEAN: All right, Eva, so let's start with episode one.

EVA LONGORIA, HOST, "EVA LONGORIA: SEARCHING FOR SPAIN": Yes.

DEAN: You go to Barcelona and Catalonia, which I studied abroad in Spain. But --

LONGORIA: Did you?

DEAN: A few years ago.

LONGORIA: Where?

DEAN: In Madrid.

LONGORIA: Oh, in Madrid. OK.

DEAN: But Barcelona was really its own --

LONGORIA: Yes. Yes.

DEAN: They have such their own spirit in that whole region.

LONGORIA: Yes.

DEAN: What really stuck out to you?

LONGORIA: People don't realize that Franco, his dictatorship for so long. And when Franco was dictator, he really suppressed all of the regional identities. Their languages, their food, their cultural specificities. He wanted one Spain, under one flag. And Catalonia took a lot of that brunt. I mean they had to hide certain recipes. And they couldn't cook with this or that. And they obviously could not speak Catalan.

And so when his dictatorship ended there was this resurgence of celebration of these individual identities that each region had. It was just really beautiful to see the Catalan celebrate who they are and to tell those stories through the food.

DEAN: The mixture, is it of wisdom and madness? That's what they like --

LONGORIA: Of practicality and creativity.

DEAN: There you go.

LONGORIA: Yes.

DEAN: Practicality and creativity.

LONGORIA: I think there was a necessity to be practical because they had to, you know, suppress a lot of who they were and so they were practical about it. So they had to get innovative in how they held on to their culture and their heritage of being Catalan. And so that, I think, is the birth of that saying. But to see that in food is very fascinating.

Spain has climbed the ladder of gastronomic success so fast, like in the last 20 years, to go from where they were to where they are today. Led by Ferran Adria in the '90s with elBulli. He thought, why is French food the level of excellency? Spain should be the level of excellency as well. Even though he's from Catalonia and he's Catalan, a lot of his disciples have descended all over Spain. Many of them had worked for him and now are Michelin Star chefs of their own.

But he really started a movement of excellency in Spain. And so Spanish cuisine can rival any other cuisine in the world.

DEAN: Reflect a little bit on just the experience as a whole.

LONGORIA: When I did "SEARCHING FOR MEXICO," it was a beautiful journey for me. But I've been to Mexico a lot.

[18:55:01]

Spain I had never explored like this, so to be able to go into Spain wide eyed and ears open and palate ready was a different approach. The questions you hear me ask, and the curiosity that I have that you'll see is so genuine because I'm really blown away by like, what is this? How did you do that? What am I drinking?

It is a really fun journey. I wish everybody could experience this. To learn about a culture is, I think, the way we should interact in this world. We should be so open to learning more about other cultures. And I think food is a really easy way in to do that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

DEAN: It is so fun. I have seen a little preview of the first episode. It is excellent. It's a great time. You learn a lot. The all-new CNN Original Series, "EVA LONGORIA: SEARCHING FOR SPAIN," premieres tonight at 9:00 Eastern and Pacific only here on CNN. Do yourself a favor. Watch it. You'll have a good time.

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