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Trump Tells Pentagon To Prepare For Possible Action In Nigeria; Millions Of Americans Lose Access To SNAP Benefits; Dodgers Force Game 7 With Dramatic Win Over Blue Jays; FBI Probes "Intentional" Explosion At Harvard; John King Goes All Over NYC To Unpack High-Stakes Race; NYC Voter: Mamdani "Represents The Change We Need"; Obama Rallies New Jersey Voters Ahead Of Election Day. Aired 6-7p ET
Aired November 01, 2025 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
VALERIA LEON, CNN EN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: This is the ninth consecutive year of this parade and we are of course enjoying this moment as well as the thousands of people gathered here to witness this colorful parade -- Jessica.
JESSICA DEAN, CNN HOST: All right, Valeria, thank you so much. Enjoy.
And stay with us. Another hour of CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.
[18:00:23]
You're on the CNN NEWSROOM. Hi, everyone. I am Jessica Dean here in New York.
We do have breaking news tonight as President Trump says he is ordering The Pentagon to prepare for, in his words, possible action in Nigeria. He has been accusing the African nation of violating religious freedoms. It is a claims Nigerian leaders have repeatedly denied.
Let's bring in CNN's Julia Benbrook, who is traveling with the President who is in Florida this weekend. Julia, what do we know about where this is coming from.
JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, President Donald Trump in a social media post just recently said that he has ordered his Department of Defense to prepare for a possible military action in Nigeria as he continues to accuse the nation of severe religious freedom violations. As you mentioned, an accusation that Nigeria has repeatedly denied.
I do want to pull up this social media post for you in full. Some very strong language here, Trump said: "If the Nigerian government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country guns-a-blazing to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities. I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our cherished Christians. Warning the Nigerian government better move fast." This post comes just a day after trump had posted some similar thoughts on social media, accusing the Nigerian government of religious freedom violations. Now, we have not heard an exact response to that recent post that I just read, but in between the two posts, Nigeria's president said this in part. He said: "The characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians."
He went on to say that he is working with the United States and the international community to deepen understanding, as well as cooperation of communities of all faiths -- Jessica.
DEAN: All right, Julia Benbrook, for us stand by. We will come back to you as we get updates on that.
In the meantime, the government shutdown has tightened its grip on many American homes as federal food benefits ran out today for millions of American families.
On Friday, two judges ruled the Trump administration must use contingency funds to keep SNAP benefits going for November. But right now, it is still not clear when or if families will get their usual food benefits.
Now, food banks across the country are struggling to keep up as people ask for more help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JON WEST, ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK: We have seen a significant jump in need just in the last week here in particular, and this is on top of already sort of historic need that we are responding to because of inflation, rising costs of living.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DEAN: We are joined now by Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, the CEO of Feeding America, a nonprofit network of more than 200 food banks all across the country, and Cara Durr, CEO of the Food Bank of Alaska. It is good to have both of you here with us. Although I know this is a very trying and stressful time for the people you're serving.
Claire, I want to talk first to you about the millions of Americans out there who rely on benefits right now, who are not getting it, and we still are in limbo over what exactly these judicial rulings mean.
What does it mean realistically, though, for these families, men, women, children, seniors in red and blue states all across the country right now?
CLAIRE BABINEAUX-FONTENOT, CEO, FEEDING AMERICA: Well, you talked about a little bit in the intro. We were, before the shutdown experiencing the highest rates of food insecurity in a very, very long time. In fact, higher than at any point during the pandemic. Now, on top of that, you have the shutdown and its implications. On top of that, you have the fact that these SNAP benefits have been suspended. I don't often use terms like this because it is not often true. The potential is absolutely devastating, cataclysmic, in fact, for the whole nation, not only people experiencing hunger, but especially them.
[18:05:02]
DEAN: Yes, and to use those words, why use them right now? Why could it be cataclysmic?
BABINEAUX-FONTENOT: Just within the last week, we've seen significant increases in demand. Over 70 percent of food banks are saying that month-over-month, they are seeing increases already. We know that the fastest growing group who are turning to food banks and the charitable food system for help, even before the shutdown, were people who didn't qualify for federal assistance. We know people who do qualify for federal nutrition programs often need food banks and pantries across the country in order to supplement, because it doesn't actually stretch as far as they need.
And what they were getting with SNAP for every one meal that the charitable food system can provide, SNAP has been providing nine. That's why I am saying cataclysmic.
DEAN: Yes, Cara, I want to talk to you because you're there on the ground in Alaska. I know there, a recent typhoon left villages flooded. The SNAP benefits obviously aren't going out right now. What are you seeing in your specific area?
CARA DURR, CEO, FOOD BANK OF ALASKA: Well, we are seeing a lot of the same. You know, we are seeing a lot of concern and anxiety over these SNAP disruptions. SNAP is a really critical resource in Alaska, like in many states, but in particular, you know, we have many rural communities that are not even accessible by road, where there are not food pantries.
So, you know, we are in a lot of communities around the state, but there are some where we don't have a partner. So, there are not food pantries or other resources to turn to. It is SNAP.
In addition, you know, you mentioned we are still reeling from the after effects of the devastating flooding from Typhoon Halong that has pulled a lot of additional resources from us as a food bank and capacity, as well as in our state. So now we have a crisis on top of a disaster.
DEAN: Yes and what does that mean, Cara, in terms of who is turning up and needing assistance that maybe didn't in the past?
DURR: Our partners are saying they are seeing lots of new faces. You know, certainly an increase in government federal workers that are visiting pantries, perhaps for the first time ever and a lot of people just in anticipation for this, this loss of SNAP on November 1st. So we are already seeing an increase. We expect that will continue. And we are really seeing a huge influx from requests from many of our rural partners. Just saying, we know this is happening. You know, how can you help us?
DEAN: Yes, Claire and Cara, our thanks to both of you for helping us understand how this is affecting so many of our fellow Americans. Thank you.
BABINEAUX-FONTENOT: Thanks for having us.
DURR: Thank you.
DEAN: Yep. Still ahead, former President Barack Obama back on the campaign trail making closing arguments for two Democrats in two big elections. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:12:39]
DEAN: Turning back to our breaking news this hour, President Trump says he has ordered preparations for, "possible military action in Nigeria." Trump is accusing the country of what he has called the mass slaughter of Christians. These are claims Nigeria's president has denied.
We are joined now by CNN political and national security analyst, David Sanger who is also a correspondent for "The New York Times."
David, I think most people saw this post and said, wait, what? So help people understand where this is coming from?
DAVID SANGER, CNN POLITICAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I am not entirely sure I can help you understand where it is coming from. There is certainly been violence in Nigeria, some of it has been directed against Christians, some has been Muslim on Muslim violence. Some of the biggest terrorist cases have been up in the north, where it is primarily Muslims who live there.
The country is about 220 million people, and its roughly evenly split between Muslim and Christian. But the causes of violence are all over the place. They include farmers against different settlers and land disputes. There are some secessionist movements and so forth.
So into this, the President comes in and warns that he may send in troops, as he says, guns-a-blazing, and you. Sort of wonder guns-a- blazing against who? You know, for what? And what is the ultimate objective here? Do we want to insert ourselves into issues of terrorism? Do we want to risk Civil War? Why is the President saying nothing about the huge humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where there have not been, as many Christians and virtually none involved in that case, but it is leading to huge humanitarian crises.
And we've just seen this sort of repetition, maybe acceleration of sudden threats. DEAN: Yes, and then more broadly, Trump's relationship to the continent of Africa and just kind of what he, you know, is -- how focused is he there? Is it a region he wants to get involved and more?
SANGER: Doesn't seem to be a region he particularly wants to get involved in. Occasionally, you hear from American officials about the competition with China for Africa. The. President was supposed to go to South Africa for a summit a little bit later on this year. He cancelled that and I think is sending J.D. Vance in his place.
[18:15:16 ]
It would have been an opportunity for him to go to Africa and spend some time there. So, his interest seems to be somewhat reduced. But, you know, think about just what we've seen in these Truth Social posts in the past couple of days. A few days ago, he was upset, presumably by some Russian tests of nuclear delivery vehicles, no nuclear explosions and he suddenly threatens to conduct nuclear tests -- revive nuclear tests, which we've not done since 1992.
He sees more reports about Christians in Nigeria, and he threatens to send in troops when there may be a range of other things that he might be able to do. Also doesn't quite seem to fit with the sort of America First, let's stay out of conflicts. You know, you already have some Republicans asking questions about why he is taking military action in Venezuela.
So this just seems to be how the President is reacting more and more, which is to say, reaching for his biggest stick first.
DEAN: Yes, I mean, because that's what I was going to ask you about, all of these posts we've seen, it is good to kind of zoom out and take a look at what we've seen over the last several days.
All right, David Sanger, thank you so much. We really appreciate it. It is good to see you.
SANGER: Thank you. Good to see you.
DEAN: Yes, after the break, former President Barack Obama was in Virginia just a few hours ago. Now, he heads to New Jersey as he tries to close the deal for the Democratic candidate there running for governor.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:21:17]
DEAN: Election Day is quickly approaching. President Barack Obama spending today on the campaign trail rallying for Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, where voters in both states will elect a new governor this coming week.
Tuesday will mark the first major election since 2024, when Republicans won control of both the House and the Senate. And, of course, President Trump retook The White House. Democrats since then have struggled to find their footing. Tuesday could potentially be an indicator for how the party is faring during the first several months of Trump's return to office.
Political journalist, Molly Ball is joining us now.
Molly, always good to see you. What do you think Democrats are going to be looking at this week beyond win or lose? What are they looking at as a whole in these elections this week?
MOLLY BALL, POLITICAL JOURNALIST: Yes, there is going to be a lot to dig into in these election results even if Democrats win as they are, I would say tentatively expected to do. These are both blue states. But there is going to be a lot of analysis of the turnout in both of these elections.
We have seen a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the Democratic base because they want to send a message against Trump. We've seen in smaller special elections that have happened over the past year that just massive Democratic turnout, whereas Republicans and we saw this pattern going back to Trump's first term, Republicans don't tend to turn out when Trump is not on the ballot.
So Republicans and Democrats alike are going to be looking at is that enthusiasm there for Democrats? In addition, I think the demographics of the vote, right? Are we seeing mostly that Democratic base of college-educated upper income voters, who are the typical voters in an off-year election and in a midterm? So that is potentially important for next year's midterm elections and the strategists on both sides are going to be digging into exactly what the makeup is of the vote in both of these states.
DEAN: You also look at some of the candidates in these upcoming elections, you have somebody like Abigail Spanberger, you have Mikie Sherrill. These are more moderate Democrats running for governors in both Virginia and New Jersey. Then you have a democratic socialist running as the Democrat, Zohran Mamdani here in New York City. What do you think that this says about the Democratic Party? And can we glean anything from the direction of it? Because those are very different candidates.
BALL: It is almost a perfect sort of diptych of the Civil War in the Democratic Party, isn't it? On the one hand, you have Mamdani who is inspiring a huge amount of enthusiasm on the far left and the center left, I would say in New York City, on the other hand, these two centrist candidates, Spanberger and Sherrill have really struggled. They have struggled to inspire voters in their states. They have struggled to put these races away by a comfortable margin in the polls so far, even though they are blue states.
There are a lot of people in the sort of, I would say Democratic establishment who would prefer for these sort of centrist candidates to be the face and the future of the party, but when you see where the enthusiasm is, I think there is no question that it is much more with the far left.
So this is the Civil War in the Democratic Party that is going to continue to play out over the coming year, and then some as you know, some factions of the party would like to see candidates much more in the mold of a Mamdani, whereas the strategists in places that are more swing states, more contested with Republicans would much prefer to have a candidate like a Spanberger, be the spokesperson for the Democratic Party.
DEAN: Yes, that is such a key question as we both head into the midterms and then if you even look beyond that to 2028, who might be the presidential nominee.
Speaking of presidents, we do see former President Obama out on the campaign trail today, and as I was noting in the last hour, all of these years later, he has been out of office for a while now.
[18:25:08]
He really is still the closer for Democrats. Its who they want out on the campaign trail with them in the final days, the weekend before people go to the polls. What do you glean from that?
Molly, can you hear me? I think we might have lost Molly, unfortunately, but our thanks to her. Sorry we didn't get to hear her answer there on that last question, but, Molly Ball, thank you.
Be sure to stay with CNN for results from all the critical races across the country. Our Election Night coverage begins Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. Eastern here on CNN. You can also stream us on the CNN app.
Still ahead tonight, will the reigning champs win back-to-back titles or will our neighbors to the north break up more than three-decade drought? All eyes are on Toronto tonight as the Dodgers face the Blue Jays in Game 7 of the World Series.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:30:41]
DEAN: Tonight, in Toronto, we get two of the greatest words in all of sports, Game 7. The Dodgers and the Blue Jays will finish what's already been a high-drama World Series with baseball's ultimate winner-take-all game. And last night, the Dodgers were facing elimination, leading 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth inning. But in trouble, a line drive that looked like it might be a hit to tie the game instead became one of the more unlikely double plays imaginable.
You see Kike Hernandez not only caught the line drive quickly through to second base to get the runner and end the game. Which brings us to tonight in Game 7. Keith Law, Senior Baseball Writer for The Athletic, is joining us now.
Keith, good to see you.
That was exciting. That was fun. How unusual was that last night?
KEITH LAW, SENIOR BASEBALL WRITER, THE ATLANTIC: I believe it was the first double play of its kind in ... DEAN: Wow.
LAW: ... World Series history. Left fielder to second baseman. I mean, it was a combination of a very good and heads-up defensive play, particularly by Hernandez, and a bit of a face-running blunder by Addison Barger. He should not have been that far off second base at the time. But credit to the Dodgers. They made a key play. They saved the game. And now the odds have, I think, shifted back slightly in their favor.
DEAN: Wow. And so, after last night, it looks like Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Dodgers against veteran Max Scherzer for the Blue Jays. Walk us through that dynamic a little bit.
LAW: Yes, a couple of future Hall of Famers here. Scherzer, not the guy you may remember from five, ten years ago when he was peak Max Scherzer. Still effective, relies a lot more on his fastball to get outs, and he's got to be pretty precise with command. Been very good in his last two playoff starts. He's also gotten a little bit lucky, too. We'll see if the Dodgers are better the second time facing him.
Ohtani, obviously also a future Hall of Famer of a different sort. He's probably going to be on a pretty short leash tonight. He's not going to go very deep into the game. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him only face about 15 batters before the Dodgers go to the bullpen. Because he's working on short rest, he's still not that far removed from his second elbow surgery. And it's Game 7. You want to just keep going through your bullpen, where it's all hands-on deck. Get the best guy in the game to get the next couple of outs.
DEAN: Yes. And so, if the Dodgers win tonight, they will be the first team to repeat as champions in 25 years. If the Blue Jays win, not only would the team get its first championship since 1993, we're going back a little bit there, but the country of Canada would also, you know, win it all. How big is this in Canada?
LAW: My understanding, and for folks who don't know, I used to work for the Blue Jays in -- from 2002 to 2006.
DEAN: Oh, I do not know that, okay. Mm-hmm.
LAW: I still have several of my mentors still there. Several of my colleagues at the time are actually still there. It sounds like it's pretty much a nationwide phenomenon. They've been getting huge TV audiences. The country's kind of rallied around the Blue Jays since the Expos left 20 years ago. The Blue Jays are the only major league baseball team in Canada. And so, there is a lot of nationwide fervor for the team. And I mean, sentimentally speaking, of course, I'd like to see them win.
Also, because the Dodgers, they've won twice in the last five years. They have their -- they -- they've sort of gotten their rings at this point. So, I can think at this point, I could say I'd rather see the Blue Jays win. But I also understand the Dodgers are a great team. They might be the best-run franchise in baseball. If they win another World Series, it would be pretty easy to say they've earned it. DEAN: Yes. It -- it -- it has been such a fun series. You and I
actually talked last night before that game, and I thought it was interesting to hear your thoughts on what's made this series stand out, including that one game where you stayed up until 3 A.M. I think other -- a lot of other people did, too. It needed 18 innings to get to a winner.
LAW: That was incredible. And I feel like, I mean, I've had a lot of people say it's too long, it's too late. I get it. I totally get it. This is my job. I can say to my wife, hey, I got -- I got to stay up. I can't -- I'm sorry. I can't go to sleep yet.
DEAN: It's my job.
LAW: It was also -- it was super exciting, right? It was -- and, you know, for folks, I love the experience when we've got one game and the folks who are still online, we're all talking about the same game, the same things. We're reacting in real time to the same plays, to the same incidents within the game. It's been a really good series. It's been a good playoffs. But I think this World Series has been one of the most exciting you've seen in some time. I'd say at least going back to 2019, which is also coincidentally, or not, the last time we had a Game 7.
[18:35:09]
DEAN: Well, see, and that's kind of, I think, all you want as -- as a fan probably is just some good baseball. Obviously, if you're an avid fan one way or the other, you want your team to win. But -- but good baseball is really fun.
All right. It is great to see you. Thank you so much, Keith Law, for being here.
LAW: My pleasure.
DEAN: Yep. From grilled cheese at Lambeau Field to Tony's favorites in his own family's kitchen, discover the breads that bond Wisconsin. It's tomorrow night on a new episode of the CNN Original Series, "Tony Shalhoub Breaking Bread." And here's a preview.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TONY SHALHOUB, CNN HOST, "TONY SHALHOUB BREAKING BREAD" (voice over): That's my sister, Susan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUSAN: Whoa. What was that?
SHALHOUB: Family heirloom bowl.
SUSAN: There's 15 more right behind you.
SHALHOUB: Parsley, mint, bulgur, lots of lemon juice, chopped tomatoes.
SUSAN: Three tomatoes should be enough for that batch.
SHALHOUB: Oh, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SHALHOUB (voice over): Makes another Lebanese staple, tabbouleh.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I remember this one time, Tony answered the phone, and we were all sitting around the table, and he -- and let's pretend this is the phone. And -- and he would walk over to one of us and go, like, it's not for you. And then he'd go to the next person. No, not for you. Remember that, Tony?
SHALHOUB: Oh, what a sense of humor, huh?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He went all around -- he went all around the table. It was for the last person. That was good.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEAN: Be sure to tune in. It's a new episode of "Tony Shalhoub Breaking Bread." It premieres tomorrow night at 9 P.M. Eastern Pacific, only here on CNN.
Five boroughs, more than 8 million people, one big race. Just days before New Yorkers head to the polls to choose a new mayor, we're going to head to the streets to hear what they're thinking. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:41:19]
DEAN: FBI is investigating an intentional explosion at a Harvard Medical School building. An officer responded to a fire alarm at the university's Goldenson Building in the overnight hours this morning, saw -- and saw two people running from the area. He tried to stop them before he then had to go to the fourth floor to find evidence of an explosion. An arson team says the blast appears to have been deliberately set. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
The final countdown until Election Day is on, and New York City mayoral hopefuls looking to pull in every last vote. Reverend Al Sharpton throwing his support behind Democrat Zohran Mamdani with just two days to go. CNN's John King is talking to New Yorkers. He visited all five boroughs, and he's hearing what they're really thinking about the candidates.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALICE HENTY, FILMMAKER, NEW YORK VOTER: Because New York City need most from its mayor. Someone to stand up to Trump and all bullshit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): One choice, five distinct boroughs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VAL LOPEZ, NEW YORK VOTER: I'm good that he's not backed by millionaires and billionaires.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): We visit all five on foot.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, God, it's good to see you out here.
KING (on camera): How you doing, sir?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What are you doing out there?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): In cabs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So maybe I saw you.
KING (off camera): Maybe.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I saw you too, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The subway. The Staten Island ferry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE RONALDO, NEW YORK VOTER: If you love your daughter, you can't vote for Mamdani. You can't vote for him.
KEVIN MARSHALL, NEW YORK VOTER: My God, this guy's talking about emptying out the prisons.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Sorbet in Brooklyn, a sandwich to die for in the Bronx. Trump voters for Cuomo in Queens.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KING (on camera): I'm guessing it's been a minute since you had a middle-aged white guy walk in.
CHRIS DULCIO, NEW YORK VOTER: No.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Gender and a generations gap.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANNA ST. CLAIR, NEW YORK VOTER: All of my friends are for Zohran.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I'm going to Cuomo because he's more experienced.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Three candidates, eight and a half million people.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARSHALL: Sliwa's ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mamdani ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cuomo ...
DREW MAX WISE, NEW YORK VOTER: I wish we had better choices.
KING (on camera): Just in case you're lost. We're here because America's largest city is about to elect a new mayor, and it's a race that gets global attention because of the candidates, because of the issues, because the stakes are so high, and because a certain New York City real estate developer turned president named Donald J. Trump takes a lot of interest in this race.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The candidates? Zohran Mamdani, a state assemblyman and Democratic socialist.
Republican Curtis Sliwa, founder and CEO of the Guardian Angels.
And Andrew Cuomo, the former New York governor who resigned because of multiple sexual harassment allegations he says are not true.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): That's Manhattan behind me. I'm standing on one of New York's iconic landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge. Brooklyn is this way. By the math, Brooklyn should have the most sway in the mayor's race. Why? Because it is the most populous of the five boroughs. That, if you broke it off on its own, would make Brooklyn America's fourth largest city. It's also a working-class enclave, fourth when it comes to median income of the five boroughs. (END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Crime and policing, giant campaign issues.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): You guys -- you guys want to get in trouble?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no.
KING: Who's -- who's going to win the mayor's race?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No idea.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said it.
KING: Smart guys.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said it.
KING: That's good. That's good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
KING: Thank you for what you do. Appreciate it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Yes, I'm old school, a yellow cab.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): How are you today?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just fine.
KING: We're here to figure out who's going to win the mayor's race. That's why we're here. Who's going to win? The cab drivers know everything, don't they?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no. Most of the people on -- say that -- that the Indian guy.
KING: Mamdani?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Brooklyn is critical to Mamdani's chances.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENTY: I believe in socialism, so for me, he's a beacon. (END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The liberal Bushwick neighborhood is home to Diego and filmmaker, Alice Henty.
HENTY: Well, I think the country's just going really badly down the toilet, and I think Zohran is like the glimmer of hope for me and for everyone I know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[18:45:05]
KING (voice over): Not swayed by Trump's threat to slash federal aid if Mamdani wins.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENTY: Nope.
KING (on camera): Too bad?
HENTY: No, I just think that's what we're going to live in fear and only do things in reaction to Trump for the rest of our lives, because then we're really (expletive). Excuse -- excuse my French, but we ought to stand up.
KING: I don't think that's French.
HENTY: It is in France.
KING: And in New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Brooklyn attracts a lot of newcomers like 26-year- old Hassan Ragy, a clean energy researcher who hopes his adopted city sends a global message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN RAGY, NEW YORK VOTER, NEW YORK VOTER: Definitely Zohran Mamdani.
KING (on camera): Why?
RAGY: I feel that he represents the kind of change that we need, not just in New York, but around the country and quite frankly around the world, of representing ordinary people and people who value communities and who value the strength of ordinary people.
GIOVANNI LANZO: It's pizza. It never fails.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Luigi's is in Brooklyn's Bark Slope neighborhood, opened 52 years ago by Giovanni Lanzo's father.
LANZO: I'm tossed up still.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): That's Brooklyn for undecided, but a clue here. Mamdani says he's changed his mind, but he did in the past call for defunding the police.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANZO: Now what am I going to do? I say get rid of them and then when I need them, I'm going to call who? Superman, Clark Kent don't exist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): A taste test.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): Simple excellence. Sauce, mozzarella, a little basil, lunch.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Off to Manhattan.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Drew Maxwell Wise: I just want someone to do the right thing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Drew Maxwell Wise (ph) is an independent but leans blue. He sees Mamdani as over-promising, sees Cuomo as damaged goods.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): You wish you had better choices?
WISE: I wish we had -- I wish we had better choices, yes.
KING: Thank you. Pleasure to meet you. Pleasure to meet you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Up the stairs, way uptown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): After most of the day in Brooklyn, this is evening in Manhattan. Manhattan is by far the wealthiest of the five boroughs. The median income here, $106,000 a year. It's also the most educated. Sixty-five percent of Manhattan residents have at least four years of college, meaning a bachelor's degree or higher.
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KING (voice over): Trivia night at The Gaf East draws a lively crowd.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, anyway, we have a few rules for trivia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): This table, all in for Mamdani.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): What do you think is the single most important issue for the next mayor of New York?
ST. CLAIR: I definitely think it's affordability.
VAL LOPEZ: To protect us from what's going on, on the federal level.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Anna St. Clair works in public relations. Val Lopez (ph) is a nurse, 29 and 40. Young professionals who welcome Mamdani ideas others call socialist, unrealistic and worse.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LOPEZ: And everyone just calls him a communist. And, you know, and I don't have reservations with him. I think he's fully capable.
ST. CLAIR: He has, like, new ideas that are, like, different. Like, the grocery stores, which, like, you know, something like that. Okay, like, maybe that won't work out. But I think the idea that he's, like, I have this new policy proposal or, like, the -- the free buses is, like, inspiring.
KING: Either one of you give a second thought to possibly voting for Cuomo?
ST. CLAIR: No. No.
KING: No. You're looking at me like I'm crazy, okay.
ST. CLAIR: His sexual ...
LOPEZ: Yes, the sexual allegation ...
ST. CLAIR: ... the sexual harassment allegation is definitely big.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Up with the sun on day two.
(Begin VT)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Welcome aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): On our way to the city's conservative outpost.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): We're starting our morning on the Staten Island Ferry. Officially, Staten Island is Richmond County on the map. Famous for these ferries. You see us here passing by the Statue of Liberty behind me. Heading over to Staten Island. We started in Manhattan.
Staten Island is the least populous of New York's five boroughs. Still, about 500,000 people. That's roughly the size of Oakland, California or Raleigh, North Carolina. It is also unique among the five boroughs because Staten Island is majority white. About 56 percent of its residents are white.
And here's another unique Staten Island distinction. It is the only borough Donald Trump has ever won in his three runs for president. And Trump has won it all three times.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The Island Coffee Shop is a Staten Island landmark.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I watch you every day.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) ...
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I watch you every day.
KING: Well, then you need to find something better to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Abelardo Alemin sees his vote as a message to Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABELARDO ALEMIN, UM, NEW YORK VOTER: I Mamdani wins, I mean, it will be probably a relief probably for our libation of Trump immigrant community, you know, because he gives some hope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Kevin Marshall is a retired corrections officer who sees Mamdani as dangerously liberal.
MARSHALL: Nothing's free. There's no such thing as free groceries, and free housing, and free this and free that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Marshall loves the breakfast here. Hates his choice just ahead.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARSHALL: As a Republican, I don't think Curtis Sliwa's got a shot. So, where does that leave us?
KING (on camera): So, you're going to vote for Cuomo?
MARSHALL: I don't know. I am, you know, I'm just stuck. I'm stuck in purgatory here.
KING: Right.
MARSHALL: You know?
[18:50:01]
KING: How would it feel like to vote for Cuomo? Have you ever voted for Cuomo?
MARSHALL: I've never voted for a Democrat.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): That's rare in New York, but not on Staten Island.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): So, the last presidential election, Harris-Trump.
Matthew Drees: Trump.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Matthew Drees (ph) is a Republican likely to vote for Cuomo. Why? Well, even the Jets get better odds than Sliwa.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DREES: I just firmly believe it's a lost vote and he's never going to get the traction he needs to win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Joe Ronaldo prefers a counter seat.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RONALDO: Yes, I've been all over the world. This is probably the best breakfast place in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Ronaldo believes Sliwa still has a chance to beat Mamdani, especially if voters accept his test for picking a mayor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RONALDO: Twelve o'clock midnight, you're on a train. Three thugs get on the train. You want him but you and the other car or do you want the Guardian Angels? Tell me who you want. Tell me the -- tell me the truth. You, tell me the truth.
KING (on camera): I don't answer questions, I ask questions, sorry.
RONALDO: So, if you love your daughter, you can't vote for Mamdani. You can't vote for him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The coffee and service are great. The conversation crackling, but we have a lot more ground to cover, so back to the ferry and then a drive up the BQE.
Teitel Brothers is on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, an Italian grocery founded by a Jewish family 110 years ago.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): How's business?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Gil Teitel is a registered Republican, a Trump voter, maybe Cuomo for mayor if he thinks he can win. Teitel says Mamdani's math just doesn't add up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GILL TEITEL, NEW YORK VOTER: He will raise -- raise real estate taxes. He will freeze rents, but then how do you go about paying real estate taxes?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Michael Teitel doesn't live in the city anymore, but his daughter does.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL TEITEL, NEW YORK VOTER: Girl, she's 30 years old. The girl's 30 ...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): He worries about her safety. Michael's gift to a visitor, his signature Italian combo.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): That is spectacular. Wow.
The Bronx is the poorest of New York's five boroughs. The median income here is about $50,000 a year. That is less than half of what it is in Manhattan. And while all of New York's boroughs are diverse, the Bronx has this distinction. It is the only borough of the five that is majority Latino.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): This auto shop is busy. More Trump-Cuomo talk in the blue-collar Bronx.
Jose Hernandez is a 47-year auto body veteran, also a Trump voter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOSE HERNANDEZ: Mamdani, I'm not -- doesn't like, he talk too much. I don't believe it when people talk too much or promise too much things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Four down, one to go. We're going in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): We're going in.
DULCIO: So, I was born and raised in Brooklyn.
KING: Brooklyn?
DULCIO: Right. And I moved over here to Queens when I was like 14.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Chris Dulcio is quick to admit politics is low on his interest list.
DULCIO: You know, a lot of young people like Mamdani.
KING: Mm-hmm. Doesn't do it for you.
DULCIO: Not so much. Like I said, I'm not -- I don't really know too much of the guy. The only name that ring a bell is Cuomo.
KING: Okay.
DULCIO: Yes.
KING: And so that works.
DULCIO: That works.
Appreciate you. Appreciate the time.
KING: This is Astoria in Queens. In terms of population, Queens ranks second among the five boroughs. It's right in the middle of the five when it comes to median income. And Queens is the most diverse of the five boroughs, 28 percent Hispanic, 26 percent Asian, 23 percent white, 16 percent black.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING (voice over): Mamdani is a fan of this Bangladeshi restaurant, so is Saliman Abu (ph).
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): What's the biggest problem in the city or the biggest challenge?
SALIMAN ABU, NEW YORK VOTER: The crime and rent control.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Abu favors Cuomo because of his experience. But Mamdani has a lot of fans here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING (on camera): Who's going to win the mayor's race?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mamdani.
KING: Who should ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mamdani, Mamdani.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mamdani.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mamdani.
KING: Are we sure about this?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we hope so.
KING: Yes, why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why not?
KING: Why?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: New -- we need somebody new.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The more we walk and talk, the more a few things stick. The mayor's race has a gender gap and a generational gap. Trump voters for Cuomo is a real thing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: America has to go in a certain way. Well, this is a Judeo-Christian nation and people have to understand that.
(END VIDEO CLIP) KING (voice over): You hear doubts about the young frontrunner just about everywhere.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARSHALL: It's frightening to a lot of people to think that this guy could become our mayor.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): But you also see a better Mamdani organization and more enthusiasm.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HENTY: Something's got to change because what we have right now is not working.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): The city where Trump made his name. A young immigrant frontrunner who is the anti-Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LANZO: People look at what happens in New York. The whole world watches what New York does. Let's do it right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING (voice over): Five distinct boroughs, one giant choice.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DEAN: John King doing it only the way he can. Thank you so much for that. Be sure to stay with CNN for results from all the critical races across the country. Our election night coverage begins Tuesday at 5 P.M. Eastern here on CNN. And also streaming on the CNN app anywhere you are.
Any moment tonight, President Barack Obama will rally voters to back this woman, Mikie Sherrill, who is running for governor in New Jersey.
[18:55:07]
We are live in Newark. We'll bring it to you live when it happens.
Also, ahead this next hour, more than 40 million people are now without food benefits. The ongoing effort to keep them from going hungry. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[18:59:56]
DEAN: You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. Hi, everyone. I'm Jessica Dean here in New York. We are following breaking news this evening as President Donald Trump says he's ordering the Pentagon to prepare for possible action against Nigeria after accusing the country of severe religious violations against Christians.
