Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
GOP Governor Abbott Warns Standoff With Dems Could Last Years; Europe Rallies Behind Ukraine Ahead Of Trump-Putin Summit; Trump Moves Obama, Bush Portraits To Hidden Stairwell; Details Emerge From Inside "Alligator Alcatraz" As Courts Hear Debate; Trump And Netanyahu Hold Call About Plans To Expand Gaza War; Climbing Matterhorn; Film Set Waste. Aired 4-5p ET
Aired August 10, 2025 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[16:00:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID CULVER, CNN SENIOR US NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And Peru in the south. Those are the world's top cocaine producers. Ecuador has become the transit hub, a trafficker's gateway to the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: This all-new episode of "THE WHOLE STORY WITH ANDERSON COOPER," "Ecuador, the Narco Superhighway," one whole hour, one whole story airs tonight, 9:00 Eastern, only on CNN.
All right, hello again, everyone. Thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.
We begin this hour with the redistricting fight in Texas. Nearly a week after Democratic lawmakers fled the state to prevent new congressional maps from being passed, the state's Republican Governor Greg Abbott is ratcheting up the pressure, warning today there may be no end in sight to the standoff.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GREG ABBOTT (R), TEXAS: This could literally last years because in Texas I'm authorized to call a special session every 30 days. It lasts 30 days, and as soon as this one is over, I'm going to call another one, then another one, then another one, then another one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: CNN's Leigh Waldman is following all of this for us.
Leigh, what more are you learning today?
LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're hearing from Texans who are very concerned about this special session essentially being hijacked over these redistricting talks. If you remember, just days after the deadly flooding came through the Texas Hill Country on the Fourth of July, this call for a special session was made and it was initially made to address a number of issues when it comes to flooding in Texas, enhancing the early warning system for flood prone areas, strengthening the emergency communication that we know there were issues with as those flood waters moved into the area where people were swept downstream and also providing relief funding for those communities and individuals who have been drastically impacted by this horrific flooding.
There's only been two hearings to address the flooding issues and to try and figure out ways to try and keep this from happening again. The people that we spoke to are concerned that there will be no solutions reached when it comes to preventing more disastrous flooding. And they're also concerned about the rhetoric that's being ratcheted up, not only on the part of Republicans, but also Democrats.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAT DIXON, TEXAS RESIDENT: There were some focus to the special session. Now that focus is lost on this trying to rig the next election effort. So, I am concerned.
RANDY SIMBRO, TEXAS RESIDENT: This is not about democracy. This is not about representation. This is about what can we do to rig the system in our favor about maintaining control.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALDMAN: And legal action is being threatened and taken by GOP leaders and also by the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in light of the Democrats leaving the state, preventing a quorum from being brought to continue on with this special session. We also heard from the Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who said he is reconvening the House on Monday and he expects to establish a quorum there, telling Democrats it's time to come back so they continue on with their work. And at this point, we have no idea if those Democrats will actually make their way back to the state -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Leigh Waldman, thanks so much.
All right. Now to the diplomatic scramble that is taking place as President Trump prepares for his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. European nations are rushing to understand the terms of Trump's Alaska summit with Putin, and they're pushing the White House to include Ukraine in peace talks to end Russia's war.
Today, CNN is learning Trump has not ruled out inviting Ukraine's President Zelenskyy to Alaska, one of the many details of Friday's meeting that remains in flux.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is in Ukraine, and CNN's Kevin Liptak is at the White House.
Nick, to you first. What are you learning about this push from the European Union to include Zelenskyy in this meeting?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, look, it's clear, I think, from the previous position of the Kremlin that they will be reluctant to partake in a trilateral meeting. They were offered that in may in Istanbul. Trump pushed for that. Zelenskyy proposed it. Putin rejected it. Maybe things have changed now, but it is more likely, from what we're hearing, that we would see a bilateral between President Trump and Putin and potentially Zelenskyy in attendance for some further meetings afterwards, possibly not even with the Kremlin here.
But that's frankly better than nothing and better than the exclusion of Ukraine, which is something that the United States's European allies have spoken out quite vociferously over the past 24, 48 hours. A recent statement from some of the key European nations who met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian officials on the outskirts of London, just this weekend were clear really on two things. The persistent position of the Europeans and Ukrainians that there has to be a ceasefire before any meaningful negotiations can happen. Remember, that's not actually a new idea.
[16:05:01]
That's something proposed originally by the United States months ago after meetings in the Gulf with Ukraine, pushed by the Europeans back in May, suggesting if there wasn't an immediate ceasefire, there could be sanctions and that Trump backs that idea. Well, it turns out he didn't and launched into another process. So that's not in itself new. At the same time, too, that statement from the Europeans released over the weekend spells out that the starting point for negotiations should be the current line of contact, essentially saying that we should end up freezing the front line for this point for talks to begin.
One of the permutations we'd heard from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is that the Russians would like to see the remainder of Donetsk, that they don't control through military force, given to them in exchange for ceasefire. Frankly, a politically toxic idea. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying in his nightly address today that the raising the example of a Russian strike on a bus stop in Zaporizhzhia that injured 19 as an example, how the Russians continue to want the killing.
He said he's constantly in touch with U.S. officials all the time, but ultimately it's the Russians who are the issue here, who don't want the peace. And indeed, German chancellor joining many other European officials, hoping that Zelenskyy will be part of that Alaska summit. But for now, the Russians are praising it very much as being a Washington-Moscow discussion at first.
WHITFIELD: All right, Nick, thanks so much.
Kevin, to you, how about the White House? Is it reacting to suggestions, urgings from European officials that it should be trilateral, not bilateral?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, at the very least, they seem willing to hear out some of these concerns that you're hearing from European officials. And, you know, according to White House officials that I've talked to, there is a sense that they want a degree of buy-in from the Europeans before President Trump sits down with Vladimir Putin.
And so you saw some of this play out yesterday in the English countryside. The Vice President JD Vance meeting with European and Ukrainian officials to sort of hear out their views of all of this, including perhaps most urgently, that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians not be left out of any discussions about that country's future. We also know that President Trump has been hearing from Europeans about this very issue.
He spoke yesterday with the Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and in an interview earlier today, the German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that he too would be trying to get President Trump on the phone today. He said that the hope and assumption of European leaders is that Zelenskyy is able to participate in this summit. And when you talk to White House officials, they say, you know, it hasn't been ruled out that Zelenskyy is invited to Alaska and is invited to participate.
But they say that the priority right now is to nail down some of these details for that one-on-one meeting. The meeting between President Trump and President Putin. Yes, President Trump eventually wants to coordinate this trilateral summit between all three of them. The focus now is very much on this big summit with Putin. We did hear earlier today from the NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who is very close to President Trump, who said that, in his words, Putin would test President Trump when they sit down in Alaska and saying that eventually Zelenskyy would have to be involved.
Listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK RUTTE, NATO SECRETARY GENERAL: If Putin is serious and Putin then has to commit to sit down with Zelenskyy. He cannot do this through President Trump. In the end, it has to be, as President Trump has stated himself, a three-way conversation, at least with the Europeans heavily involved.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIPTAK: Now, Matthew Whitaker, who is the U.S. ambassador to NATO, said earlier today that it was, quote, "possible Zelenskyy is invited to this summit, but that no decision had been made yet." We also heard from Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator who was out on the golf course yesterday with President Trump, saying that he hopes Zelenskyy is eventually involved, but that he would leave all of those decisions up to the White House -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: OK. All right. And then, unrelated, Kevin, I want to ask you about some other new news coming out of the White House. Portraits of Trump's predecessors, including Obama and the Bushes. Those portraits were in prominent locations in the White House. But they're not anymore. What's going on?
LIPTAK: Yes. That's right. Obviously, President Trump has been doing quite a bit of redecorating at the White House, but this one is interesting because it has some somewhat political undertones. You know, traditionally unwritten, but traditionally the portraits of the most recent presidents have been given the most prominent position inside the state floor of the White House. It's right inside the grand foyer, which is right behind the north portico, which you're looking at there.
Obama's portrait had been hanging right there, but we have heard now that President Trump has moved it to a much less public position. It now sits at the top of the grand staircase, which is not a place that members of the public can see on tours. It really is this place that's only reserved for the president and his closest aides. You really cannot see that part of the White House unless you're part of that select group.
[16:10:06]
Now, this is the portrait. You might remember it, Fredricka, it's that almost hyper realistic picture of President Obama's painted by Robert McCurdy. It was unveiled a few years ago. When President Trump first came into office, it had been hanging right at the bottom. That very prominent position below the staircase. President Trump actually moved it across the foyer and replaced it with a painting of himself during his assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Now, the portrait has been moved up to the top of the staircase, along with portraits of both Bush presidents, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush. And so you see how the president reorienting some of these portraits obviously has some political undertones. President Obama is someone who has sort of constantly in the back of President Trump's mind, someone he has talked about frequently, most recently accusing him of the, quote, "Russia hoax."
But this, I think, is just more evidence of the president really trying to move some of these portraits around and try and put his own stamp on the decorations here at the White House.
WHITFIELD: All right. Kevin Liptak, Nick Paton Walsh as well, thanks to both of you.
All right. And this breaking news into CNN. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to President Trump about his plans for Gaza as families of hostages held in Gaza called for a nationwide strike.
And up next, 40 people per cell, five-minute meals and handcuffed trips to the bathroom. What a man says he endured inside the controversial detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[16:16:25]
WHITFIELD: All right. New details are emerging about the conditions inside a controversial new immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. It's being dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz."
CNN's Rafael Romo is with us now.
You've talked to a couple of the detainees. What the conditions are like in real detail.
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. And it's very difficult to get information about what's actually happening inside because access is very restricted even for elected officials. But when President Donald Trump traveled to the Everglades in early July for the opening of the migrant detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," he said that the facility was intended to house, quote, "the most menacing of migrants and some of the most vicious people on the planet."
But based on testimonies from migrants who have been held there, immigrants' rights groups and some political leaders, the only mistake many of those held at "Alligator Alcatraz" have made is overstaying their visas.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROMO (voice-over): It was meant to be a visit to his brother in the United States to mourn together the recent death of their mother. But Carlos Gonzalez says it turned out to be a nightmare that started with a traffic stop. He says he was stopped for driving a car with tinted windows and detained. He says he had in his possession a tourist visa and his Mexican passport and driver's license.
After originally being held at a county jail, Gonzalez says he was eventually transferred to the migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," where he claims he endured harsh conditions, including lack of toiletries, staying inside tents 24/7 with the lights on even at night, five-minute meals, up to 40 people per cell, going to the bathroom with handcuffed hands and switching from hot and humid conditions inside the tents to cold when they turn the air on.
"I see it as a form of torture to all of us there," Gonzalez said. In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said that on July 7th, 2025, Florida Highway Patrol arrested illegal aliens Carlos Martin Gonzalez, Mesa Cole and Oscar Alejandro Gonzalez Mesa during a traffic stop near Orlando, Florida. Carlos was illegally working in the U.S. while here on a tourist visa, and his brother Oscar overstayed his visa, adding that the vehicle they were in was unregistered and had 212 toll violations.
By the time he was stopped Gonzalez acknowledges he had been in the country four months already because he was trying to get over the painful loss of his mother.
We have heard similar testimonies from relatives of migrants who have been held at "Alligator Alcatraz," as well as immigrants' rights groups and elected officials. But White House border czar Tom Homan says detainees are treated with dignity and respect, dismissing claims that treatment at the Everglades detention center is inhumane.
TOM HOMAN, WHITE HOUSE BORDER CZAR: Bunch of crap. I was there, I walked through the detainee facilities. I walked through the medical facilities. I walked through the cafeteria. I had them show me. What did you feed these people today? I saw the lunch what they fed them. They ate better yesterday. I mean, today.
ROMO: Last week, a man speaking by phone from inside "Alligator Alcatraz" claimed he was on a hunger strike to protest conditions there, along with at least 11 others, as reported by CNN affiliate Univision.
"I'm not eating another plate of food until my rights as detainee are respected," he reportedly said.
[16:20:05]
His wife calls what he and others are going through psychological torture.
Officials at Homeland Security said the reports of a hunger strike inside the facility are false and called them unsubstantiated and inaccurate allegations.
Back in Mexico, Carlos Gonzalez reflects on the multiple days he was detained. A trip to heal from the loss of a loved one, he said, turned into what he calls an arbitrary detention and a violation of his human rights.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMO (on-camera): Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union sued the Trump administration over what it calls lack of access to legal counsel for migrants held at the Florida detention center, as well as violations of due process. The next hearing on the case is happening on August 18th at a federal court in Miami. Of course, we will be following that closely -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Very well. Rafael Romo, thanks so much.
All right. Moments ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to President Trump about his plans for Gaza. Details straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[16:25:33]
WHITFIELD: All right. We have this breaking news. A short time ago, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holding a phone call. The two discussed Israel's plans to occupy Gaza City and expand the war in Gaza. Those plans are facing strong backlash, both inside and outside Israel.
CNN's Oren Liebermann has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: In a press conference in Jerusalem on Sunday afternoon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan that he pushed in the Security Cabinet late last week to take over and occupy Gaza City. He insisted this is the quickest and the best way to defeat Hamas. He said Gaza City, which is the focus of this plan that was approved as well as the central camps in Gaza, are what he called the, quote, "last two remaining strongholds of Hamas in Gaza."
And he said this was necessary to defeat Hamas so that there could be plans moving forward in the future for an alternate governance. But when he was asked by CNN about what that governance would look like, or who would take part in that, he declined to answer, only saying that that process was in the works. He also insisted once again that there was no starvation in Gaza and that it was Hamas that, in fact, he accused of looting the aid, diverting the aid and creating shortages.
Worth noting he said this on a day in which the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said five more people had died of malnutrition in the besieged territory, bringing the total to 217. And that includes 100 children, the ministry says, have died of malnutrition. Earlier Sunday, it was the families of the hostages still held in Gaza, as well as bereaved families from October 7th, who called for a nationwide strike next Sunday.
They said this would, first of all, bring attention to their demands to prioritize the hostages, but it would also force the government to listen. They say within eight hours of that call, some 10,000 private companies have already said they will take part in the strike as a way of making the government listen and prioritizing the hostages. Some Israeli opposition politicians have also said they would take part in the strike.
Organizers see this as a grassroots effort that they very much hope grows over the course of the next week.
Oren Liebermann, CNN, in Jerusalem.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right. Straight ahead. Deadly storms ripped through the Midwest. Record-breaking rain flooding roads and leading to high water rescues.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[16:32:31]
WHITFIELD: All right. We're following the extreme weather developments out of the Midwest. A state of emergency was declared across Milwaukee County today after a round of strong storms and heavy rainfall flooded roads and creeks. And you can see this torrent of water tearing through this suburban community.
Milwaukee Fire Department has performed about 65 water rescues, as hundreds of stranded vehicles blocked flooded intersections. The city saw a month and a half worth of rain in just a matter of hours, setting a new daily record for the region. The National Weather Service has issued several flash flood warnings for the area, which will remain in effect until tomorrow. Meantime, a CNN analysis found that June through July marked the muggiest start to the season in more than 40 years. Meteorologist Allison Chinchar is here to explain what's behind this summer's especially soupy start -- Allison.
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We're all used to summer being the hottest time of year, but humidity has made this summer, in particular, feel a bit more unbearable than usual. New data shows a warming climate is to blame.
Now, a warm atmosphere soaks up water like a sponge, driving humidity higher than they'd be in a cooler world. For nearly half the U.S., this summer's humidity has been record breaking so far. June through July marked the most humid start to the season in more than 40 years, based on a CNN analysis.
It's been the second most humid start to summer since 1981 for the U.S. as a whole. But some states, from Mississippi Valley to the East Coast, have actually achieved their most humid start to summer since the data collection of dew point temperatures began. That's not exactly a victory most people would want to achieve.
Now, another reason for the increase in moisture is due to geography. All of these areas that had very high dew points are also close to a warm moisture source, the Atlantic Ocean. For much of the summer, the Atlantic, Gulf and Caribbean have been dealing with above-average sea surface temperatures.
The warmer oceans get, the more moisture evaporates into the atmosphere. And a warmer atmosphere behaves like a sponge, soaking up, and then transporting what moisture release the ocean releases.
Now, the biggest concern is when it's too humid, it's much harder to cool off naturally. Really humid heat cancels out the benefits of sweating and puts a much higher strain on the body.
[16:35:00]
CHINCHAR: This leaves people, especially ones without access to air conditioning, much more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
WHITFIELD: Allison Chinchar, thanks so much. All right, still to come, this young mountain climber has already raised the bar on what kids can achieve. Up next, he joins us live to tell us about his newest adventure.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[16:40:00]
WHITFIELD: All right, an 11-year-old boy has become the youngest American to climb the Matterhorn. This is a picture from this weekend of 11-year-old Sam Evermore and his dad, Joe, after reaching the summit of the Matterhorn. And they posted on Instagram. Amazing. I mean this steep -- oh, I hope you are not queasy and not afraid of heights, just looking at the video makes me.
This steep mountain is located in the Alps, between Switzerland and Italy, with a summit altitude of more than 14,000 feet. And they're walking it like it's no big thing.
The Matterhorn Summit is considered by climbers as a fairly difficult mountain to climb, and especially for anyone of any age, but especially an 11 year old, right? Well, he's making it, yes, with that high five, look very easy.
And joining us right now to talk about this amazing climb and record 11-year-old Sam Evermore and his dad, Joe, from base camp. Hello, good to see you guys.
JOE EVERMORE, FATHER OF SAM EVERMORE, YOUNGEST AMERICAN TO CLIMB THE MATTERHORN: Good to see you. We're excited to be here.
WHITFIELD: This is fantastic. Hello. I mean, we saw each other once before. Last time, we were talking about you, Sam, you know, breaking a record as the youngest to climb El Capitan at the age of 10. So, just last year.
So, Sam, what's it like now to reach the summit of the Matterhorn and break yet another record as the youngest to do so?
SAM EVERMORE, YOUNGEST AMERICAN TO CLIMB THE MATTERHORN: Well, I'm the youngest American to do it. And it was so much fun to do it.
J. EVERMORE: It was incredible. And, by the way, he was eight. He was eight when he climbed El Capitan.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh. OK. Well, yes, let's not shortchange that. I mean, incredible, nonetheless. And, I mean, Joe, walk us through this climb. How do you get ready for this? Why you all are making it look so easy? And, you know, what was this endeavor like, compared to all of the other peaks that you all have been on together?
J. EVERMORE: So, this this is two years in the making. Two years of training, working a little bit every single day and like getting stronger and stronger. Sam's summited a whole bunch of peaks to be able to do this. And to -- and, like, really, it's, you know, we -- he hit a record time. So, like, I mean, for us at least.
We never thought we would get it as quick as we did. It was three hours and 45 minutes to the summit, and Sam was just like a machine. He didn't stop. He was just moving the whole way. And it's a very difficult and technical and even dangerous mountain.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
J. EVERMORE: So, there's several disciplines that Sam has had to learn to do it. And so, it's been years in the making. And last year, we went out to do it, and we got within about 1,200 feet of the summit. And we're just behind on our time. And so, even though we had spent a year getting ready, we had to turn around. And that was a pretty hard thing to do to turn around.
But now, we're -- now, we're going out -- we went after it again and we got the thing. Got it done.
WHITFIELD: You sure did. Sam, you were full steam ahead. I mean, what is it about getting in this zone in order to do this? Can you kind of say -- you know, take me along for your walk and tell me, how do you get into this zone?
S. EVERMORE: You just start hiking and then you just can't stop.
J. EVERMORE: He just -- he just -- he just keeps going.
WHITFIELD: Yes, it sounds like it's just --
J. EVERMORE: He gets really focused.
WHITFIELD: Yes, it's just invigorating for you, I guess. I mean, Joe, I mean, so, this is a family affair. You've got, you know, two other young kids, right? Climbing and breaking records. Whether at Wolfs Head or Pingora. I mean, how are you all doing this? How are you, you know, training? I mean, it sounds like you are, you know, eating, sleeping, breathing climbing.
J. EVERMORE: So, we've been blessed with four boys. And when our -- when our boys started to walk, we started them climbing. And when they turn five, we do our first big mountain. And every year, we pick one, like, colossal goal.
And so, the goal has to be big enough that you have to work on it a little bit every day. It has to be remarkable enough that we can hang it on the wall, and you kind of put our name in history. And then, number three is that you can't die. So, those are the three rules.
And so, we pick one epic mountain each year and we pursue it. So, three of my boys each have a mountain this year. Actually, my middle son this year is going to climb El Capitan. And now that he's eight. And so, just like Sam did when he was eight.
WHITFIELD: All right.
J. EVERMORE: And so, we're gearing up for that later this year.
WHITFIELD: So, Sam, you -- Sam, you must have tips then for him. Are you sharing?
J. EVERMORE: Yes. Yes, he's sharing. They're working -- they're working in the back yard a lot together. We've got a bunch of ropes that Sylvan is training on.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh. I mean, Sam, what do your friends say about all this? [16:45:04]
WHITFIELD: I mean, this is a very unique passion and skill that you and your brothers have. I mean, can your friends relate? What do you even say?
J. EVERMORE: I don't know. You got it. So, you don't have to -- he's definitely the coolest --
WHITFIELD: Do they ever ask you about it, or are you just so modest you don't talk about it?
S. EVERMORE: They don't have to do that.
J. EVERMORE: Yes, they don't have -- well, they -- it's pretty hard to comprehend, to be honest. I think, he has a -- he has another world that he lives in, in the weekends that it's hard to really, like, share that with kids that don't do this kind of stuff.
WHITFIELD: I'm sure. I mean, this is out of this world. It really is. So, then, Joe, what is next for you and Sam, and, I mean, your entire family?
J. EVERMORE: Yes. So, we haven't picked Sam's next goal yet. We're going to work on that together with him, because we just got this one. And, remember, we set this one two years ago. And so, --
WHITFIELD: Yes.
J. EVERMORE: -- now that we're here, it's like we're just -- we're just in the afterglow of it.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
J. EVERMORE: Just loving it. Feeling it. Feeling great. And get -- we're going to start gearing up for Sylvan's big climb. We got another kid, Sylvan Lightyear, then Joey Danger. Both of them have huge climbs coming up. And so, --
WHITFIELD: Incredible.
J. EVERMORE: We're pumped to.
WHITFIELD: Oh, well, fantastic.
J. EVERMORE: Yes.
WHITFIELD: Well, hey, enjoy the moment. This is your moment. This is an incredible achievement. And, you know, you both are basking in the glow of having achieved this and doing this together.
Congratulations. And so glad you did it safely. And you have been enjoying every step of the way. Joe and Sam Evermore, all the best to you. Get some rest.
J. EVERMORE: All right, thank you so much. WHITFIELD: Some rest and a good meal, right?
J. EVERMORE: Yes, we're going to -- Sam's going to be sawing logs in just a minute.
WHITFIELD: All right, very good. Thank you so much.
J. EVERMORE: See you.
WHITFIELD: All right. This week, we're highlighting a CNN Hero who has made it her mission to deliver food to people in need. Taking action. Serving up hundreds of thousands of meals over the past few years. Assistant director Hillary Cohen focused on repurposing the food left over on film productions, making sure that it doesn't go to waste.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HILLARY COHEN, CO-FOUNDER, EVER DAY ACTION (voice-over): Working on a film set, it's this whole team of people. A prop department, a costume department, an electric department, and a lot of people that need to be fed.
There's just so much food that's available. Steak and salads, so much good food every day. When lunch was over, they would just throw it out. It doesn't make any sense.
I really was always told, we can't donate the food. It's too hard. If someone gets sick, it's a liability. As an assistant director, I was the logistical planner of a set. This is just the logistical problem. I think it's so easy to solve.
Every Day Action picks food up from film sets, corporate events, grocery stores to deliver the food to those in need.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Awesome. Thanks, guys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nice to meet you.
COHEN: We're the Grubhub. We take it from point A to point B. At the beginning, it was just me and Sam. One of my co-assistant directors in the heart of COVID. We had this big cooler from Walmart, thermal bags, just picking the food up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I always like to see what the fancy meal is of the day.
COHEN: Film and T.V. set. That's like our bread and butter. All you have to do is give us a call sheet, sign liability over and the food starts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: For decades, it broke my heart to throw food away. So, we're happy to do it. It's just like clockwork. They show up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi, its so good to see you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We pass off the food and we're all set. COHEN: We pay production assistants and background artists, and then
they drive the food from place to place.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your salads, tuna fish.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There you go, Justin (?).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you.
COHEN: So, it started with encampments.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would you like some free food?
COHEN: Then, it's food pantries, nonprofits, anyone that's struggling with food insecurities.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here's three meals, and I'm going to get you some sides to.
COHEN: Giving someone that's hungry food is the best thing one can do.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And that's about 80,000 meals a year that we save from landfills. I feel like my skill set is, like, called to do this. Now, more than ever, we have to help each other.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: So nice. To learn more about Hillary's inspiring efforts, go to CNN.com/heroes.
All right. Up next, it's the year of Pamela. The Hollywood star has recaptured the hearts of so many audiences around the world, with an entirely new attitude about fame, talent and beauty.
[16:49:46]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Tonight, the new CNN original series "AMERICAN PRINCE" takes a look at the life of JFK Jr. and his lasting legacy. Tune in to the premiere episode, tonight, 10:00 p.m., right here on CNN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PAMELA ANDERSON, ACTRESS: Over here, Lieutenant. I think someone murdered my brother.
LIAM NEESON, ACTOR: Please, take a chair.
ANDERSON: Thank you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. From a "Jumbotron," to "Baywatch," to now, "The Naked Gun," and a whole lot in between. Pamela Anderson is enjoying a rebirth in her career, which supporters say is long overdue. The now, critically acclaimed actress may even have a new love interest in her "Naked Gun" co-star Liam Neeson, who you just saw there in the clip and in the pictures.
[16:55:10]
WHITFIELD: The outspoken vegan found her voice while sharing how she survived childhood trauma and the pitfalls of Hollywood in a 2023 Netflix documentary. That feature revived public interest in Anderson and ultimately landed her the role of Shelly in "The Last Show Girl."
CNN Entertainment Reporter Lisa Respers France is here with so much more. This is so interesting and fascinating and great, right? I mean, her career has evolved exponentially since the 1990s. Tell me more.
LISA RESPERS FRANCE, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: It absolutely has. You know, so many people back in the 1990s did not treat her well at all. They treated her as just a blond bimbo who wasn't very talented.
And then, of course, there was the famous theft of the sex tape of her and her then husband, Tommy Lee. And a lot of people made her the butt of the joke. Some people blamed her for it, even though a crime was involved.
So, it's just nice to see her finally getting her flowers and people understanding that she actually is a talented actress. She's a fascinating woman that Netflix documentary is so interesting to watch. If you haven't watched it, Fred, you've got to watch it.
WHITFIELD: I haven't. I'm going to have to tune in to that one.
FRANCE: Yes, you get to see where she came from and just why she is so in love with love. You know, she's had a couple relationships, a couple marriages, things like that. And now, people are just obsessed with whatever is going on with her and Liam Neeson, her "Naked Gun" co-star. I mean, because neither one of them have confirmed.
WHITFIELD: Glad they found each other, if that's the -- if that's the way it is, I'm glad they found each other, right?
FRANCE: Right. And even if they're just friends, like, they just look like they're having a great time.
WHITFIELD: They do look like they're having a good time.
FRANCE: They're doing press together. And they have such amazing chemistry. And people are really hoping that they're a thing, because both of them have been through a lot of tragedy. He, of course, tragically lost his wife, Natasha Richardson, who was another amazing actress. And that was many years ago.
And people want both of them to find love. And why not? And they're so great in this film together.
WHITFIELD: Yes, they look --
FRANCE: They're so great.
WHITFIELD: -- they look good on the red carpet, and I think we get to hear them on the red carpet as well. Let's listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIAM NEESON, ACTOR: She's a special lady.
ANDERSON: Oh, that's nice. And he's very special. It was a real -- it was a pleasure. It was so much fun to go to work every day.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Oh, they look so relaxed.
FRANCE: Don't they?
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FRANCE: They just -- they're cute. We like them together.
WHITFIELD: It's cute. I think that it's real cute. And then, I mean, cute too and still elegant and pretty. She's got the kind of more bear look.
FRANCE: Yes.
WHITFIELD: You know, and that was very intentional for her.
FRANCE: It was.
WHITFIELD: And, you know, I think we've all gotten used to it.
FRANCE: I think so, too. And I think it's important because there's so much conversation about ageism in Hollywood and past a certain point. They act like if you're past an embryo, really, in Hollywood, then you're too old.
So, with her being in her 50s and, you know, still being beautiful and being confident enough to say, you know what? I don't have to be super glam. I can, you know, go nearly naked face and still look good. She's a beautiful woman.
WHITFIELD: It's inspiring and empowering.
FRANCE: It is, absolutely.
WHITFIELD: And absolutely necessary.
FRANCE: Yes.
WHITFIELD: So, how much time do we have people? Because, you know, we can talk.
FRANCE: Let's talk about Pamela Anderson all day.
WHITFIELD: Yes, let's keep talking about her. I mean, great. And I just love, too, that she really is being heralded as having acting chops.
FRANCE: Yes. She was so good in "The Last Show Girl" and people were so disappointed that she was not nominated for an academy award. There was so much buzz around this. She plays Shelly, a woman who is a showgirl. A Vegas showgirl whose show is closing down after 30 years. And, you know, she's kind of trying to figure out what's next. She's older. Has she aged out? You know, that type of thing. And it felt like she was not acting because she understands.
WHITFIELD: It kind of embodies the experience that she has had.
FRANCE: Absolutely. And the director --
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FRANCE: -- of the film saw Pam's documentary and thought, you know what? She's perfect for this movie. And she's absolutely perfect. I love this role for her. I just love where she is right now in life, because it gives it gives us so much hope that it really does get greater later.
WHITFIELD: Yes. OK. So, in between premieres, the red carpet, all that good stuff, you decide to go a little poolside with --
FRANCE: I did.
WHITFIELD: -- rapper, Rick Ross. Hello, how did that happen?
FRANCE: So, I've been wanting to do this story about Rick Ross's amazing pool for years now. And he was gracious enough. He is the boss to invite us to come to his pool party, and -- that he hosts for friends and fans. And this pool --
WHITFIELD: And it's a real pool.
FRANCE: It's a real pool.
WHITFIELD: Like a lake.
FRANCE: It is -- it is huge. And I asked him about it. I mean, it holds 350,000 gallons --
WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh.
FRANCE: -- of water. And I asked him about how big the pool is.
WHITFIELD: Wow.
FRANCE: Let's take a listen to his response.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FRANCE: Of course, you're the biggest boss.
RICK ROSS, AMERICAN RAPPER AND EXECUTIVE: The biggest.
FRANCE: Do you feel like -- do you feel like your pool is like a metaphor for that?
ROSS: Without a doubt. You know, because being a boss, that means that you're someone who put in a lot of work. And I feel like you deserve your trophies. I'm proud of it. And I feel like it's a good thing for me to open the gates just for that inspiration for, you know, others.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANCE: And, you know, he told me, Fred, that --
WHITFIELD: Nice.
FRANCE: -- he wants especially young people to see that if you put in the work, that you can reap the benefits.
[17:00:04]
FRANCE: I mean, his house is something like 54,000 square feet.
WHITFIELD: Incredible.
