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No Breakthrough After U.S. Hosts Ukrainians for Peace Talks; Syria Marks One Year Since Assad Departure; Sudan's Civil War Has Killed Over 150,000 People; Trump Hosts Kennedy Center Honors, Says Changes 'Saved' Building; Controversies May Impact GOP in 2026 Midterms; Golden Globes to Announce Nominations; Lando Norris Captures World Championship Crown. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired December 08, 2025 - 00:00   ET

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

BEN HUNTE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello. Wherever you are in the world, you are now in the CNN NEWSROOM with me, Ben Hunte, in Atlanta. And it is so good to have you here.

[00:00:44'

Coming up on the show, the president of Ukraine is set to meet with top European leaders as President Trump pressures Ukraine to make a deal with Russia.

Plus, a fragile peace deal brokered by Trump is at risk after deadly border clashes.

And after a nail-biter race, Formula One has crowned its new world champion.

ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is CNN NEWSROOM with Ben Hunte

HUNTE: Welcome. Ukraine's president is heading to London to meet with British, French, and German leaders after days of difficult peace talks with Trump administration officials.

Ukrainian negotiators spent the weekend in Miami, hashing out details of the U.S.-backed plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Ukraine is committed to diplomacy, no matter how tricky it is.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Yesterday we spoke with Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner. I thank them for their readiness to work together, 24/7. The American representatives know the basic Ukrainian positions. The conversation was constructive, although not easy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expressing frustration over the lack of a breakthrough, and he accuses President Zelenskyy of not having read the deal without explaining what he means. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: So, we've been speaking to president Putin, and we've been speaking to Ukrainian leaders, including Zelenskyy, President Zelenskyy. And I have to say that I'm a little bit disappointed that President Zelenskyy hasn't yet read the proposal. That was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Paula Hancocks brings us the latest on the peace talks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Three days of discussions, negotiations between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegation in Miami, Florida, have ended, and both sides have referred to them as constructive.

Now, we have heard from the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States saying that, quote, "difficult issues remain," saying that both sides are going to continue to try and secure realistic and acceptable solutions.

Now, we understand that -- that two of the outstanding issues are territory and guarantees. These have been the longstanding sticking points when it comes to these negotiations.

Ukraine has insisted that it needs strong security guarantees to ensure it is not having to surrender further territory to Russia in the future.

HANCOCKS (voice-over): And what we have heard from the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, in recent days, when he was in India, is that he intends to seize the Eastern Donbas region by any means.

So, really highlighting Ukraine's insistence on having those steadfast, strong security guarantees.

So, those discussions have ended. We know that Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has spoken by phone to the two U.S. mediators. That's Steve Witkoff, the special envoy for the Trump administration, and also President Trump's son in law, Jared Kushner.

Those conversations, according to the Ukrainian side, were also constructive, we understand.

HANCOCKS: And we have heard from the U.S. ambassador to NATO, who has suggested that progress is being made.

MATTHEW WHITAKER, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO NATO: You know, we're -- we're close. We're closer than we've ever been to peace. And this is, you know, as President Trump has said, this is a -- this is a tough situation to get to the right spot. And, you know, ultimately, it's -- this war needs to end. It's been going on for almost four years, with millions of casualties.

HANCOCKS: So, looking forward to this coming week, we know that President Zelenskyy will be in London on Monday. He will be meeting with the leaders of the U.K., of Germany, of France. These discussions will continue.

The diplomacy is ongoing on a number of different tracks at this point. But as of now, no breakthrough.

Paula Hancocks, CNN, Abu Dhabi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[00:05:04]

HUNTE: Thailand has launched airstrikes against Cambodia as a new wave of fighting erupted along the disputed border.

Thailand says the strikes are retaliation for an attack that killed one soldier and wounded others on Monday. The action marks a major escalation in long-running tensions between the two countries, and it calls into question a peace plan brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump just two months ago.

In July, conflicts over the border led to five days of fighting that killed dozens and displaced 200,000 people. Civilian evacuations of both countries' border regions are currently underway.

Israel's prime minister says his country is very close to advancing to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. Benjamin Netanyahu made the remarks during a joint news conference with the German chancellor on Sunday.

It marks the first time he's spoken publicly since requesting a presidential pardon from his ongoing corruption trial. Netanyahu also said he would not step down in exchange for that pardon.

The prime minister emphasized Israel's priority in the next phase of the ceasefire is, to, quote, "disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: We finished the first part, as you know, phase one. We're almost there. We have one more hostage, deceased, Ran Gvili, a hero of Israel, to return here. And then we very shortly expect to move into the second phase, which is more difficult.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official told the Associated Press that the group is, quote, "very open-minded about what to do with its remaining weaponry."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BASSEM NAIM, SENIOR HAMAS OFFICIAL: Hamas is open to discuss such ideas within the context of a long-term ceasefire or truce, within the context of a track -- political track which have to lead to a Palestinian state. But if not, OK, we are ready to discuss the idea of storing or freezing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Israel's military chief says the current withdrawal line inside Gaza will now serve as a new border. Known as the yellow line, it marks the first formal withdrawal point for Israeli forces inside Gaza. That's according to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The line separates areas still occupied by Israel from the rest of the territory, from which the IDF has pulled back. Israeli forces hold more than half of Gaza's land area.

Syria's president says Israel is fighting ghosts, with persistent incursions and airstrikes being conducted by the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF crossed into Southern Syria a year ago as the Assad regime fell, and Israeli officials say those forces will be staying indefinitely in the places they've occupied.

Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa spoke with CNN's Christiane Amanpour at the Doha forum in Qatar on Saturday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AHMED AL-SHARAA, SYRIAN PRESIDENT (voice-over): When we demand Israel to go back to the pre-December 8th lines, we have also been very adamant about respecting the 1974 agreement. This agreement has held on for over 50 years. So, one way or another, we can call it a successful agreement.

And messing with this agreement, even though it has received international unanimity and Security Council approval, and attempting to seek other agreements, such as a buffer zone or something similar, I believe these attempts will send us into a serious and dangerous place. And we don't know what the result may be. They could be successful or not.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: A moment of celebration and uncertainty in Syria as the country marks the first anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime.

Millions of Syrians fled during the 13-year civil war that ultimately led to the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's brutal rule.

Over the past year, more than a million Syrian refugees and nearly 2 million internally displaced people have returned home. That's according to the U.N. refugee agency. But it also warns that there's a risk of reversals amid major cuts to foreign aid. The World Health Organization in Syria says returnees are coming back

to areas where medicines, staff, and infrastructure are limited, adding pressure to already thin services.

Let's bring in Sahar Razavi, director of the Iranian and Middle Eastern Studies Center at California State University, Sacramento.

Thank you so much for being with me. How are you doing?

SAHAR RAZAVI, DIRECTOR, IRANIAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN STUDIES CENTER, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO: Thank you. I'm well. Thanks for having me.

HUNTE: It is good to see you. Thank you for being here. Let's get into this.

It has been a year since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. How would you describe the overall mood in Syria today, especially in cities that suffered the worst of the regime's violence?

[00:10:05]

RAZAVI: It is overall still very celebratory. People are very well aware of the fragility of the peace. They are well aware of how long it is taking to rebuild. But the Assad dynasty was in power for more than 50 years, and it was a very, very difficult situation.

So, at this point, aware of the domestic constraints and the international politics that are playing on -- on the outcome of the rebuilding, people are generally very hopeful. Generally, the mood is positive.

That said, there is still some sectarian tension. There are there are skeptics, certainly largely from the Kurdish minority there. There are still unresolved questions.

HUNTE: Well, speaking about some of those unresolved questions, there's quite a dire economic situation over there at the moment, with high unemployment, shortages of electricity and drinking water, slow rebuilding. What do you think are the biggest obstacles that Syrians are facing day to day?

RAZAVI: Like, right now, the economic situation is extremely dire. There is recognition, on the part of the interim government, that the international legitimacy, legitimacy that they are seeking is not only symbolic; it is quite material. They need that international legitimacy in order to be able to build economic and commercial relationships that will allow Syria to pull itself out of this economic situation.

Before the Assad regime fell, some 80 percent plus of Syrians were experiencing food insecurity, according to the World Food Program. Ninety percent were living in poverty.

That is, of course, improving, and there is a sense that each month, there are improvements being made. There are changes that are being seen. People are seeing material changes.

But again, it's -- it's slow, and the primary concerns now are political and economic, which are irrevocably and intimately tied.

HUNTE: More than 1 million refugees have returned since last December, along with millions of internally displaced people going back home. What is driving those returns and what still remains too dangerous or unstable for other people to go back?

RAZAVI: I think the -- the easy answer or the short answer to the question of what's driving the return, is that no one really leaves home unless they feel they have to. I mean, it's very rare for people to not want to return once they've been displaced, either forcibly or out of violence and insecurity.

There have been many who have returned, as you said, but this still represents a relatively small proportion of the internally and externally displaced people.

Syria was more than 20 million population prior to the civil war, and over half were displaced. So, as you're saying, a million people returning, it's -- it's encouraging to the extent that it shows that there is stability that is returning and, therefore, people can come home, but it is still relatively small.

So, what remains is there is still, as I mentioned before, the widespread economic insecurity, the widespread security uncertainty, owing to sectarian tensions. These are things that still remain, you know, sources of -- of a real sense of questioning overall of, is this the right time to return? Can I return? Is it worth the risk to return?

HUNTE: The U.N. says that Syria is making fragile but meaningful progress restoring basic services, expanding humanitarian access. From your perspective, what parts of this transition are working, and what parts are at real risk of stalling?

RAZAVI: I think that there is a lot of infrastructure on the ground that is -- that is working. I mean, infrastructural projects are working. There has been a lot of -- there have been a lot of commercial relationships that have been reestablished that were, under Assad, broken and some internal cohesiveness that is starting to rebuild that was fractured under Assad, who systematically used sectarianism to keep himself in power for -- for himself for decades. And his father before that.

So, social cohesion is improving the ties the community ties, the social fabric that returns with that, that is also improving, and that brings with it improvements of all sorts of other -- other aspects of life. Right?

But the challenges that remain, I think, largely stem from the regional politics and the enduring tensions with the neighbors.

There are -- there is a long history there between Syria and Iran that now Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to -- al-Sharaa is trying to navigate at this point. He really needs to maintain credibility among Syrians, but he also needs to make concessions where necessary to regional and international powers, especially the United States.

[00:15:11]

So, these are challenges that I think are going to be quite durable as the country moves forward. And it's going to be a very delicate line for the government to walk.

HUNTE: OK. We'll see what happens next. We'll leave it there for now. Sahar Razavi, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

RAZAVI: Thank you.

HUNTE: OK. Still to come, a failed coup in the West African country of Benin leads to gunfire and a number of soldiers arrested. How the country's president is reacting, just ahead. See you in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:20:10]

HUNTE: Welcome back. At least 13 soldiers have been arrested in a failed coup attempt in Benin, according to local reports. But it's unclear if the group's leader has been caught.

The group, who called themselves the Military Committee for Refoundation, appeared on state TV early on Sunday, declaring that the government had been dissolved and the president removed from office.

But the president later appeared, saying that the coup had been foiled. He praised the military's response and condemned those who planned the attempt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICE TALON, BENIN PRESIDENT (through translator): A small group of soldiers, under the pretext of false claims, began a mutiny with the aim of attacking the institutions of the republic and destabilizing our nation.

I have taken the necessary actions to maintain peace, to ensure the security and tranquility of all throughout the national territory.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: This is just the latest in a string of coup attempts that have plagued West Africa. Neighboring countries are now sending troops to assist Benin's army in restoring order.

At least 50 people have been killed, including 33 children, after a drone attack by paramilitary forces hit a kindergarten in Sudan's South Kordofan region on Thursday.

The Sudan Doctors Network says paramedics were targeted in a second attack. The strike is the latest in the fighting between the rebel group, the

Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese military.

CNN's Larry Madowo has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Some have called it the world's forgotten conflict. For nearly three years, Sudan's brutal civil war has raged, leaving at least 150,000 dead, forcing millions more to flee their homes in an attempt to escape the worst of the violence, and sparking one of the worst humanitarian crises this century.

Now, the United Nations and other groups are calling out an alarming escalation in the conflict by rebel group Rapid Support Forces. The U.N. humanitarian aid chief visited the Western Sudan area, where civilians have reported widespread abuse occurred.

TOM FLETCHER, UNITED NATIONS AID CHIEF: Al-Fasher, based on the testimonies I heard from many survivors, is basically a crime scene right now. Horror show, absolute horror show. There have been mass atrocities, mass executions, mass torture, sexual violence on a horrific scale. And of course, the people escaping are then attacked on the roads, as well.

MADOWO (voice-over): Rebels from the Rapid Support Forces, or RSF, seized control of al-Fasher in late October after 18 months of fighting with the Sudanese military. Witnesses who managed to escape the violence described a bloodbath and accused RSF fighters of mass killings in the city.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Fifty or 60 people in a single street, or 10 or 20 people. They kill them. Bang, bang, bang. Then they would go to the next street and again bang, bang, bang. That's the massacre I saw in front of me.

MADOWO (voice-over): Amnesty International has called for a war crimes investigation into an April attack on the Zamzam refugee camp outside the city, part of the RSF's push to take al-Fasher.

And the RSF says it acknowledges what it calls violations in al- Fasher.

Tens of thousands of people are unaccounted for, according to the U.N., after nearly 100,000 people fled the city. Many of those who managed to escape are women and children, and the treacherous journey out often means more violence.

ANNA MUTAVATI, U.N. WOMEN'S REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR EAST AND SOUTHERN AFRICA: There is mounting evidence that rape is being deliberately and systematically used as a weapon of war. Women's bodies, ladies and gentlemen, have just become a crime scene in Sudan. There are no safe spaces that are left.

MADOWO (voice-over): Even within the relative safety of a displacement camp, there's often too little to go around.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): We are very tired. There's no food or water. We came here. Some kind people help us, little by little. We thank them. And may God reward them for this. But we need more. We need more to be able to live.

MADOWO (voice-over): Last month, at the request of Saudi Arabia, U.S. President Donald Trump said he would work for peace in Sudan.

TRUMP: We're going to start working in Sudan.

MADOWO (voice-over): But so far, despite some efforts at reaching a ceasefire deal, there is little evidence the war will end soon, with the RSF now pushing into the buffer zone between its strongholds in the West and Eastern areas held by the Sudanese military.

And without more aid, there's also little sign that life will improve for the millions impacted by the fighting.

Larry Madowo, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: OK, still to come, the growing bipartisan criticism surrounding U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and his role in the controversial boat strikes in the Caribbean. Stay with us.

And still ahead, President Trump hosts the annual Kennedy Center Honors after massive changes to the national arts center this year. Could he be pushing to change its name? We'll have more details. See you in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:29:49]

HUNTE: Welcome back. I'm Ben Hunte. Let's take a look at today's top stories.

In the coming hours, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with the British, German, and French leaders in London. They'll discuss the state of negotiations on the U.S.-backed plan to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy is expected to attend more talks with European allies this week in Brussels and Rome.

The president of Benin says a coup attempt on Sunday has been foiled, with at least 13 soldiers arrested, according to local reports.

The group had gone on state TV, declaring that the government was being dissolved. Gunfire was later heard in the streets, though there's no word on any casualties.

Regional partners are now sending troops to help Benin's army restore order. Israel's prime minister says his country is very close to moving on to

the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire plan. According to Netanyahu, Israel's priority in the next phase is to, quote, "disarm Hamas and demilitarize Gaza."

Meanwhile, a senior Hamas official told the Associated Press that the group is willing to discuss freezing or storing its weapons.

President Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday amid a year of massive restructuring of the inner workings of the art center.

CNN's Julia Benbrook has more details on how he prepared for the night, and how he's pushing back against criticism of his changes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Kennedy Center Honors is, of course, a longtime tradition spanning decades, but the event looked quite different Sunday night.

Donald Trump was there, as the sitting president of the United States, but also as the Kennedy Center chairman of the board and the host.

As he walked the red carpet on the way in, he was asked how he prepared for the night. He said, "Maybe I didn't prepare. Sometimes it's good to be a little loose." That he didn't think he needed to prepare much.

Now, during his second term, he has had an intense focus on this performing arts center. Back in February, he dismissed a slew of Democratic appointees to the board of trustees and replaced them with aides and allies, including chief of staff Susie Wiles, as well as second lady Usha Vance. He was subsequently elected chairman of the board.

TRUMP: Well, it's very exciting being chairman, but maybe more importantly, saving this incredible structure and building and concept. And it's done so well. You know, we've raised a tremendous amount of money tonight for the building itself and for the charities overall. And we're really happy.

It's been a -- I mean, you see the way it's been received. It's been like it's never been before. And this building, this beautiful building is going to be brought back to life. We've already started, and it will be better than it was from day one.

BENBROOK (voice-over): This comes as Trump has really been putting an emphasis on trying to reshape Washington to fit his ideal.

In the so-called One Big, Beautiful Bill, more than $250 million was allotted for restoration and repairs around the Kennedy Center building. And Trump has touted changes to the exterior marble, as well as the interior chairs and stages.

He said that he was 98 percent involved in selecting the winners this year. So, let's take a closer look at that. They include country music star George Strait, actor and Broadway alum Michael Crawford, actor Sylvester Stallone, members of the rock band KISS, and singer Gloria Gaynor.

In remarks just a few days ago now, Trump referred to it as the Trump Kennedy Center. Now, he did push that off as a joke. On the red carpet, he was asked if that was a possibility. He said it's ultimately up to the board, but added, "I don't know. I heard that."

Julia Benbrook, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HUNTE: Top bipartisan lawmakers in the U.S. say they support the release of video from a controversial double-tap strike on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean that killed two survivors in September.

The Trump administration says that strike is part of a campaign to end drug trafficking.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision to carry out that double-tap strike while speaking at an event on Saturday. But some lawmakers are raising concerns amid mounting criticism of Hegseth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARK KELLY (D-AZ): He doesn't look out for anybody.

It's not leadership to throw your -- your people under the bus. I mean, he turned around and ran away from this as fast as he could.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pete Hegseth. Would you vote the same way today to confirm?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm not going to answer it in front of all these good people.

DANA BASH, CNN ANCHOR: If you were to take the confirmation vote again today, would you vote to make Pete Hegseth defense secretary?

SEN. JOHN CURTIS (R-UT): That's a question I can't answer without as much thoughtful research as I did the first time I did that vote.

SEN. TAMMY DUCKWORTH (D-IL): I've been shot down behind enemy lines. Under the laws of war, if a pilot bails out, he gets shot down. He bails out. He's in a rubber dinghy in the middle of the ocean. Under all the international laws of warfare, you are supposed to help render aid to that individual.

Everything that they did here was illegal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Joining us now is Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. Thank you so much for being with me again, Larry. How are you doing? [00:35:04]

LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Thank you. I've been doing real well.

HUNTE: Amazing. Good to see you.

The Hegseth controversies have expanded over the weekend. The spotlight is also on the health secretary, RFK Jr., after confusing and controversial new guidance on vaccines this past week.

How are Republicans weighing the political cost of continuing to defend these controversial figures against just distancing themselves?

SABATO: Well, we've got less than a year to go before the midterm elections, and all members of the House of Representatives and a third of the U.S. Senate and, of course, a bunch of governors and other people, are on the ballot.

And I've noticed that Republicans are getting a little bit more irritable with each day's passing, because Hegseth really is a major problem for them. He projects himself as someone who is clearly unqualified for the very complicated job he has.

And RFK Jr. is nothing short of -- well, I was going to say unusual, but the word "nutty" comes to mind, as well.

The entire medical community, except for this tiny group of people who are obsessed with vaccines, the entire medical community is very upset with what is going on. Because it is changing the entire superstructure of the vaccine schedule for children and others.

And you know, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. That's what they all say. Why are we trying to fix something that ain't broke?

HUNTE: Wow. You never hold back. I love it.

Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene just gave her first interview since announcing her resignation from Congress, and says her Republican colleagues are terrified to step out of line with Trump. Have a listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): I think they're terrified to step out of line and get a nasty Truth Social post on them. Yes.

LESLEY STAHL, "60 MINUTES": Behind the scenes, do they talk differently?

GREENE: Yes.

STAHL: How?

GREENE: Oh, it's -- it -- it would shock people.

STAHL: Well, let's shock people.

GREENE: OK. I watched many of my colleagues go from making fun of him, making fun of how he talks, making fun of me constantly for supporting him to, when he won the primary in 2024, they all started -- excuse my language, Lesley -- kissing his ass and decided to put on a MAGA hat for the first time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: Let's talk about it. Is she right? Can any Republican ever speak out without fear?

SABATO: She is correct. I've got to tell you; I'm still stunned to watch this Marjorie Taylor Greene. She is the last person, much more so than Elon Musk, that I ever expected to drift away from Donald Trump. And she's broken with him entirely.

But from my own personal experience, I can tell you she is absolutely correct. You will talk with one or even a small group of Republican members of the House and Senate, and it will be in private, and it will be either off the record or on background, and they will tell you how horrible it is to deal with the White House. They roll their eyes every time Donald Trump's name is mentioned. They talk about how difficult he's making their re-elections.

Then you watch them go around the corner, see the cameras, and go over and praise Trump and support every little thing he's doing.

So, they are still afraid, but Marjorie Taylor Greene is a good example of what's happening. There are cracks and fissures occurring in MAGA, his base. And that's going to have an impact on his presidency.

After all, nearly 80 percent of it is still to run. That's a long time to go. And he's losing support early on.

HUNTE: Wow. OK. Keep going. Last week, we saw President Trump mocking the issue of affordability. Now we're starting to hear from Republican lawmakers who say their party isn't making enough of a focus around this, that doing nothing is not an option anymore. Where does the party go from here?

SABATO: Well, they have to get Trump to stop saying what he's saying, which is that affordability is somehow a con job of the Democratic Party.

Hey, that's how he got elected president. He used the affordability issue, and it had tremendous power. And it caused many Democrats either not to vote or even to turn away from their party.

Well, the same thing is going to happen in the midterm elections, because people are very unhappy with the increased prices. Sure, on some items like eggs, the prices declined. But on a much greater variety of items, the price has increased. Inflation is still a problem. And certainly, what Trump said during the campaign that, on day one,

he would bring the prices down. Hasn't happened, and I don't think it's going to happen before next November either.

HUNTE: Larry Sabato, thank you so much. Appreciate it.

SABATO: Thank you, Ben. Enjoyed it.

HUNTE: The first major show of the award season is ready to share its nominations with the world. When we come back, we'll look at what to expect when the nominees for the 83rd Golden Globes are revealed in the coming hours.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:44:54]

HUNTE: Welcome back. President Trump is weighing in on one of the biggest Hollywood deals made this year: Netflix's bid to buy Warner Bros. and HBO for more than $72 billion.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: That's got to go through a process, and we'll see what happens. It's a -- Netflix, a great company. And they've done a phenomenal job. Ted is a fantastic man. I have a lot of respect for him. I have a lot of respect for him, but it's a -- it's a lot of market share. So, we'll have to see what happens.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HUNTE: There are still details to work out concerning the deal with CNN's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery. And President Trump said he'll be involved in the scrutiny of the merger. Netflix bested both Paramount and Comcast in the deal, which now faces regulatory approval.

A recent Bank of America analyst report said, quote, "If Netflix acquires Warner Bros., the streaming wars are effectively over."

Hollywood is spotlighting the best of film and TV this week. Actors Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall will announce nominations for the 83rd annual Golden Globes in the coming hours. The Golden Globes is the first major award show of the season.

Nominations stretch across 28 film and TV categories, and they're expected to include movies like "One Battle After Another," "Sinners," and "Wicked: For Good," as well as TV shows such as "Severance," "The White Lotus," and "Only Murders in the Building."

And we'll find out who won when the awards take place on January 11.

Joining us now is Segun Oduolowu. He's an entertainment journalist and media personality, and joining us from fabulous L.A.

Thank you so much for being with me, Segun. How are you doing? SEGUN ODUOLOWU, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I'm good, Ben. It's

Christmastime here in the -- in L.A. and especially in the Oduolowu house, as you can see. Got the tree up, all of that. We're ready to go. And the Golden Globes are around the corner.

HUNTE: It looks absolutely beautiful where you are. I love that. We need some more Christmas vibes here. What's going on, CNN?

Let's get into this. We are just hours away from the Golden Globe nominations. To me, this year feels a bit like a year defined by sequels and remakes, but also some massive media moments in film and TV. What stood out to you the most this year?

ODUOLOWU: Well, exactly what you said. I mean, everything seems to be a remake, a retread or sequel. In fact, the host, Nikki Glaser, is coming back for a second time to do it in 2026. She did it earlier this year in 2025, in January.

And then the movies and the names that you're hearing. Right? "Wicked: For Good" -- I've been saying it's called "Wicked: For Mid" -- is in there in Musical Comedy.

But you're hearing the usual names like Julia Roberts, Laura Dern, you know, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan. Names we're familiar with. A lot of the films that they're attached to, outside of "Sinners" -- which, again, if Sinners don't win, you and I are on that black phone. We march at dawn. Right? If Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan is not walking away with hardware, you call -- at the secret meetings. We march at dawn.

HUNTE: I mean, Warner Bros. will be happy to hear you say that. So, I suppose that's a good thing.

Let's talk about what we're expecting in the movie categories, Best Drama and Best Musical or Comedy. I kind of get the vibe of what you're hoping to see, but break it down for me. What else is there going to be?

ODUOLOWU: Well, Paul Thomas Anderson, you know, the Paul Thomas Anderson-led flick with Leonardo DiCaprio at the helm with, you know, another battle is the juggernaut, and it's winning every battle, right? It is -- it is the kind of movie that the Golden Globes and award shows love.

Paul Thomas Anderson is a director with a lot of heft. He's a name that they know.

Again, Chloe Zhao and "Hamnet," which is arguably one of the worst names. It sounds like "Spamalot." But I -- it's up there. It's a newcomer that people are talking about.

But again, it's really Ryan Coogler for the technical aspect of "Sinners" and the drama behind it. That's a really big movie.

But the carryover also to the directors is some of what you're also seeing in drama. Again, Ryan Coogler, Paul Thomas Anderson, Chloe Zhao and -- I was about to say, Benicio del Toro. Guillermo del Toro, that's what I was going for -- director of "Frankenstein" -- is another name that is -- is bubbling up. Wasn't in the theaters. It was really a Netflix movie. But as we've seen, Netflix is so powerful. They can do whatever they want. They might just buy the Golden Globes.

HUNTE: We shall see. Let's talk about the Best Actress categories, because they could also be ones to watch. Do you expect the Golden Globes to lean towards star power, or could we see some surprises in the nominees, as well?

ODUOLOWU: I think it's going to lead star power, because this has been such a lackluster box office. So, no one really saw those smaller movies, right? Did anyone really see "Begonia"? No, not really. Did anyone see, you know, the Julia Robins [SIC] -- the Julia Roberts-led "The Hunt" [SIC]? No. But, you know Julia Roberts.

What people know is Cynthia Erivo in "Wicked." What people know is Ariana Grande in "Wicked." They're both nominated for best -- I'm expecting them to be nominated in Best Lead and Best Supporting.

[00:50:08]

So, I think you're going to hear names that people know, because that's all people really went to see. The October box office was the worst it had been in 30 years, and "Wicked" is what ushered in that -- that money in November.

And that plays well when you're thinking about what's going to draw eyeballs, because let's never forget that this is a TV show. The Golden Globes is a TV show. And to bring eyeballs, you need names that people know. And I think that's what's going to do it.

HUNTE: That's really interesting, actually. I thought when you were talking there, I thought you might have had, like, the inside scoop on who was getting nominated. I was like, oh, Segun. But the Best Actor race is --

ODUOLOWU: Well, I mean, I could -- if you -- if you want me to -- to drop some insight, you know, a little inside baseball or inside cricket on your behalf, I would say that the -- the -- "Wicked" is not going to do as well as people think.

HUNTE: Oh.

ODUOLOWU: I think it's going to have nominations, but I don't see it walking away with any hardware.

I really do believe that the shock is going to be the names that -- the people that walk up are -- might be names that you've never heard.

Because the Hollywood Foreign Press, even as the Globes have revamped their entire system, is still about as secretive as the Illuminati. In fact, we know more about the Illuminati than we know about the Hollywood Foreign Press.

We don't really know what they like, what they don't like, but we know that they do lean towards prestige. One -- one dark horse that I would say, that would bring me some joy is to see arguably the greatest living actor, Daniel Day-Lewis in "Anemone," a movie that was directed by his son. I'd love to see him be nominated again.

Because he -- he took time off and said he was done acting, and his son brought him back in like "The Godfather." That would be a name that I would really love to see up there, given a chance to win some hardware.

HUNTE: Of course, we can't forget the TV categories, as well. Has anything jumped out at you this year? What have you been loving?

ODUOLOWU: OK, so Apple TV, for me, is doing incredible prestige television. "Pluribus" is an interesting take on, you know, why is everybody happy? What's going on there? I love how that's written.

"The Task" on HBO Max. But what really mimics what you and I do, Ben, "The Morning Show" on --

HUNTE: Yes.

ODUOLOWU: -- on Apple TV is something that I feel needs to be recognized for being such great TV.

So, there are a lot. There's a lot of TV out there, actually, that -- that should be recognized. You'll probably see "The Bear" again.

HUNTE: I guess.

ODUOLOWU: Even though it doesn't deserve to be there. This last season wasn't that good.

But Apple TV has absolutely knocked it out of the park. And again, you're going to -- you're going to see -- you're going to see a lot of the nominees, a lot of the names come from the Apple stable.

HUNTE: Loved it, as always. Let's see what happens next. Segun Oduolowu, thank you so much for being with me. Appreciate it.

ODUOLOWU: Thank you, Ben.

HUNTE: Still ahead, the closest driver's championship contest in years. Formula One crowns a new winner. See you in a moment.

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[00:54:44]

HUNTE: There has been drama on the track in Abu Dhabi, and Formula One has crowned a new world champion by the closest of margins. CNN WORLD SPORT's Patrick Snell has the story.

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PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: It's British Formula One superstar Lando Norris who's celebrating his first ever driver's championship. In the end, a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was enough to seal the title. The young Brit, fighting back tears after his highly emotional triumph.

Norris always knew that finishing in the top three would be enough, irrespective of what his two title rivals, Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri, would do.

Red Bull's Verstappen had pole position going into this decider in the desert, but Max was well aware his destiny was not in his own hands. He would do his part by winning the race, but the Dutchman would ultimately -- would be denied a remarkable fifth straight driver's crown.

Piastri was the other man in the hunt for the title, the Aussie finishing second after passing his fellow McLaren driver on the very first lap, as well.

Lando's only real moment of concern coming when Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda, in the second Red Bull, was handed a five-second penalty for forcing Norris off the track as the Brit tried to make his move there.

Norris was also investigated over the incident, but he would be cleared.

But this day belonging to Lando Norris, a career moment to savor as he seals the third-place finish he wanted to become the first McLaren driver to win the title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008.

Overcome by emotion right there, the tears flowing. And this is going to mean the world to him, as well as sharing the moment with his proud parents, those nearest and dearest to him.

Norris, at the end of his seventh season, ending Verstappen's four- year F1 dominance. Let's hear now from the main man himself.

LANDO NORRIS, FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPION: Oh God. I've not cried in a while. I didn't think I'd cry, but I did. I've enjoyed it. It's been a long year. But we did it. We did it. And I'm so proud of everyone.

SNELL: So, what a weekend for Lando Norris, who seals the title by just two points from Verstappen. Piastri in third, an epic finish to the season if ever there was one.

And Norris making even more history over the weekend by becoming the 11th driver from Great Britain to be crowned a Formula One world champion.

Back to you.

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HUNTE: That's all I've got for you. Thanks for joining me and the team. I'm Ben Hunte in Atlanta. I'll be back with more CNN NEWSROOM after this quick break. See you in a bit.

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