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Spirit Airlines Shutting Down; Trump Rejects Tehran's Latest Peace Proposal; Trump: It's "Treasonous" To Say U.S. Is Not Winning Iran War; Mifepristone Maker Files An Emergency Appeal To U.S. Supreme Court; New Video From Correspondents' Dinner Shooting; U.S. Pulling 5,000 American Troops Out Of Germany; U.S. War With Iran At A Standstill; 152nd Kentucky Derby. Aired 2-3p ET

Aired May 02, 2026 - 14:00   ET

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

[14:00:00]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A new warning from a senior Iranian military official after President Trump rejects Tehran's latest peace proposal, what he says about the potential of renewed military action plus. All Spirit Airlines flights canceled and passengers scrambling to find a way to their destinations. That's after the U.S. budget carrier suddenly shuts down what it means for stranded travelers and the 17,000 people working for Spirit. And soon, the most exciting two minutes in sports, the run for the roses at the Kentucky Derby. We're live at Churchill Downs with a front row look.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.

WHITFIELD: Hello, everyone, and thank you so much for joining me. I'm Fredericka Whitfield. We begin this hour with breaking news after Spirit Airlines shuts down operations early this morning, abruptly canceling all upcoming flights. The discount carrier is now advising passengers to rebook their tickets on different airlines. This leaves 17,000 workers out of a job and passengers scrambling to get on to their other flights.

Air traffic controllers and other pilots were heard wishing their spirit colleagues well on what may have been the final flight to Dallas early this morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Spirit, from us guys at American, good luck to you all. Sorry to hear what happened.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is there any other Spirit flights coming in after us?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You might be the last one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, it was a pleasure working with you guys, and I wish you the best.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, thank you very much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: CNN spoke with passengers at LaGuardia Airport, who were caught off guard by this morning's sudden shutdown.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEXANDRA MERINO, TRAVELING TO FLORIDA: I just got here and the people that were standing here just said, it's, there's no flights. Spirit went out of business.

DANNY NUNEZ, TRAVELING TO ORLANDO: I saw the notices. Didn't really think well. I walked right by them. And I went to the kiosk and I typed in my information and they're like, oh, yes, your flight has been canceled. Find an agent. So, I was looking for an agent. They were like, there's no agent, there's no customer service.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: What a nightmare. OK. We're following the latest on this developing story. CNN National Correspondent Rafael Romo is live for us from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Also, joining us is CNN Anchor and Business Editor at Large Richard Quest in New York.

Rafael, you first, I mean, what have you been hearing from passengers there? I see behind you. It's barren. No people working at Spirit.

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, barren is a good way to describe it, Fredericka. And passengers' attitudes about what's happening with the shuttering of Spirit Airlines can be described with one word, confusion.

And when we got to the Spirit Airlines ticket counter here behind me this morning, the area was cordoned off. Signs that normally direct passenger traffic were set up as barriers and screens had a message for passengers saying the following, we regret to inform you that Spirit Airlines has ceased global operations. All Spirit flights have been cancelled, and customer service is no longer available. It has been our honor to bring friends and families closer together for 34 years.

This decision will put 17,000 workers out of a job. Fred, including 14,000 Spirit employees and thousands of contractors and other people whose jobs depend on Spirit and its operations at multiple airports around the country. Spirit Airlines' demise has stranded thousands of passengers who have to adjust plans and perhaps millions who have tickets for future dates.

Customers have been instructed not to come to the airport. Those who book directly through the airline with a credit or debit card will be issued refunds and have been instructed to rebook travel on other carriers, including JetBlue, Southwest, Delta and United Airlines, all of which have announced they are offering lower cost rescue fairs so that Spirit customers can rebook flights.

Earlier today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said some last-minute efforts intended to save the airline were ultimately unsuccessful.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEAN DUFFY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: The president was like a dog on a bone trying to figure out a way to keep Spirit afloat. He was concerned about the employees of Spirit. I was in the oval many times hearing him talk about the employees and the customers. In the end, this was a creditor issue. Again, they have the final say of whether they want to do a deal with the government.

[14:05:00]

But also, from the government's perspective, we oftentimes don't have a half a billion dollars laying around in a spare account that we can put into a bailout of an airline.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMO: And, Fred, let's remember that Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2024, but then emerged from it in March of the following year, only to file again five months later in February. The airline was able to reach a deal with its creditors to move forward, but then fuel prices surged and ultimately contributed to its demise. Spirit is the first significant U.S. airline in nearly 25 years to go out of business because of financial problems. Fred, now back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Rafael Romo, thank you so much, at Atlanta's airport. All right. Richard, let's get to you. Let's get into the business now of it all. You know, how could losing this low fare competitor impact potentially the industry and flight costs overall?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS EDITOR-AT-LARGE AND CNN ANCHOR, QUEST MEANS BUSINESS: I think, first of all, you have to just look at the human side of this and the people who are, have lost their jobs at Spirit. Many of them will be picked up by other airlines. United's already made overtures for flight attendants and there is a shortage of pilots, so there's a possibility for them that it won't be too bad to get fresh employment.

For the industry and for the traveling public, well, Spirit wasn't that big, 5 percent of capacity, if you will. But what it did was it kept prices low and therefore forced everybody else, including the big majors, the big three and four, to also offer a certain number of very low fares to compete with Spirit. If you remove Spirit, then suddenly that has gone and the same amount of necessity to offer a low fare is not there.

Having said that, Fred, at the end of the day, they were losing money and had been for many years. They were a drain on the industry, making it unprofitable for some other airlines such as JetBlue, who now, because Spirit has gone, arguably can put themselves in a marginally better position. Overall, it's never good to see an airline go out of business, but in the case of Spirit, there was a grim inevitability about this over at least the last 12 months. WHITFIELD: At the same time, are other discount airlines potentially in jeopardy? I know you just said for JetBlue, maybe there's an upswing here, but then does it also expose vulnerabilities for other discount airlines?

QUEST: Oh, absolutely. Because the war in Iran and what's happened in terms of the doubling, remember, fuel is roughly 30 to 35 percent of an airline's costs. The two highest costs are labor and fuel. Now, if a third of your costs suddenly doubles, you can only pass on so much to the public. You're going to see an effect.

Thankfully, the measures taken by all the big airlines means that there are -- I mean, the big three certainly are in robust financial health. JetBlue has said it does not foresee any form of bankruptcy protection before the air lease for the rest of this year. The thought of consolidation is very much in the air. And I don't just mean whether American United, which is perhaps fanciful and unlikely, but say United and JetBlue, which is perhaps far more likely, there will be consolidation. This crisis in fuel prices is forcing airlines to readdress their cost basis.

WHITFIELD: So, I wonder, then, does it make sense to you what the transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, said this morning? He's quick to, you know, lay blame on the Biden administration and former Secretary Buttigieg, you know, saying that the administration blocked -- well, your laugh tells everything now, that the administration, you know, blocked a proposed, you know, merger between Spirit and JetBlue in 2024, which could have prevented today's shutdown. Take a listen to his words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DUFFY: Once the merger was denied in 2024, Spirit filed for bankruptcy immediately after the denial. And then last August, Spirit again filed for bankruptcy. So, Spirit was in dire straits long before the war with Iran. Multiple times they had filed for bankruptcy. Their model wasn't working. They couldn't get to fiscal health. So, this was not the impetus. The war was not the impetus for Spirit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. So, is it that or is it the rising fuel prices that have come from this Iran conflict?

QUEST: Oh, so, the transportation secretary is right up to a certain point. The enormous what if, what if that the Biden administration had not sued? What if the judge had not blocked the merger?

[14:10:00]

Well, you'd have had two ailing airlines trying to prop each other up, but they would have had a better chance. There's no doubt. Look, many of us, myself included, were very surprised when Spirit and JetBlue were not allowed to merge. Not the same as JetBlue and American and Northeast Agreement. But when Spirit and JetBlue were not allowed to merge, many of us thought, hang on, this makes no sense. The antitrust monopoly reasons are simply not strong enough for an airline that is already on the ropes.

So, to the judge who actually came out and said it would be a monopolistic, well, I wouldn't know how he's feeling today, because again, the transportation secretary is right. The war in Iran pushed Spirit over the edge, but they were ailing and failing and stumbling, and there was a grimness to their future ever since that judge made that decision.

WHITFIELD: All right. Richard Quest, glad you could be with us. Thank you so much. All right. And now, a new warning from a senior Iranian military official after President Trump said he was not satisfied with Iran's latest offer to end the war. The spokesman for the Iran military headquarters says Tehran is preparing for the possibility of a renewed conflict with the U.S. Meantime, on Friday, Trump blasted people who say the U.S. is not winning the war, calling those comments treasonous.

Polls show the war is very unpopular with a majority of the American public. According to the latest ABC News, Washington Post, Ipsos poll, 61 percent of Americans believe it was a mistake to use military force against Iran, with just 36 percent saying it was the right decision.

CNN's Nic Robertson is joining us now from Islamabad, where Pakistani mediators have been trying to help forge a deal. So, Nic, where do things stand right now?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, as far as we know, diplomacy, despite what President Trump has said, is still in play, that there does remain some optimism here. It does, however, seem, I think, more widely in the region viewed as it's hard to see how a deal can actually get done, given where both sides are postured, where the language is coming from both sides. But here, where the mediators are, there still remains that essence of option.

But as we heard from President Trump just yesterday, he wasn't happy with the deal, not satisfied with the deal. He said you can either strike a deal or essentially go back to bombing. So, pretty, you know, binary choice there. There's no middle ground. And you really get the sense, because Iran's tactics at negotiations in the past, they really know how to play for time. They really know how to put forward something that is just enough to head off the potential of, you know, an escalation back to conflict.

And this is what President Trump seems to be being pulled into. And it does have a lot to do with the Strait of Hormuz, because the Iranians control it and think that gives them good leverage. But, you know, the president frames his options here as maybe even better off not having any deal. This is how he explained it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Frankly, maybe we're better off not making a deal at all. Do you want to know the truth? Because we can't let this thing go on.

Iran wants to make a deal because they have no military left, essentially. And they want to make a deal, but I'm not satisfied. They've made strides, but I'm not sure if they ever get there.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: So, irrespective of where their military is, their navy is, their air force, the Iranians do believe that the Strait of Hormuz is their number one negotiating card. And it's their legal system today just passed a law or is in the process of passing a law that allows Iran to have a management in their own law structure over the Strait of Hormuz. This is not something they're going to give up.

And this is very hard with the blockades currently in place for either side to dislodge. Very difficult for President Trump, because the Iranians clearly appear intended to play long. And how do you dislodge them from the Strait of Hormuz to regain the upper hand there and open it up? Absent, because the blockade, the Iranians are very clearly saying that's not going to work.

How do you do that? So, these are very stark choices for the president as the Iranians try to draw him in to this very drawn-out negotiating tactic practice that they've formulated and to a point of expertise over the years.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nic Robertson, we'll check back with you from Islamabad. Thanks so much.

[14:15:00]

All right. And this breaking news, the fight over online access to an abortion pill reaches the U.S. Supreme Court in an emergency appeal today. Details straight ahead.

Plus, new video showing the moments before the White House correspondents' dinner shooting one week ago. What investigators say reveals about how that evening unfolded.

And the U.S. is pulling 5,000 American troops out of Germany. What that could mean for stability in the region and the role NATO plays in keeping Europe secure.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:20:00]

WHITFIELD: All right. This breaking news into CNN. The makers of the abortion pill, Mifepristone, filed an emergency appeal asking the U.S. Supreme Court to keep the drug available by mail. This emergency appeal comes after a federal appeals court temporarily reinstated a nationwide requirement that abortion pills have to be obtained in person. CNN Supreme Court reporter John Fritze is joining me right now. John, what are you learning?

JOHN FRITZE, CNN SUPREME COURT REPORTER: The company that makes the drug called Danco wants the Supreme Court to move really quite quickly, potentially as soon as today, to restore online and through the mail access to the drug. That's how things have worked, at least since the COVID pandemic. The Biden administration sort of formalized the rule that allowed this drug to be more widely accessed through online telehealth visits and through the mail. And I think the court probably will move pretty quickly to deal with this, at least on a short-term basis while it considers the case.

WHITFIELD: OK. And when you say the court could move quickly, any idea of when a decision could be made? Are we talking a matter of weeks or months?

FRITZE: Yes. So, it's a multi-part thing that Danco is asking for. They're asking for what's known as an administrative stay. Those can come within a few hours, and that would sort of put everything on freeze. It would maintain the status quo. And it would allow this drug to be widely available while the court considers the underlying case.

Danco also, interestingly, is asking for the court to take up this case on the merits, to have arguments and to go through the regular process the Supreme Court uses. If the court does that, it'll be really interesting to see how quickly it goes. The court had its last arguments for this term last week. And so, they would have to -- if they wanted to move quickly on a merit's decision, they have to schedule something in pretty short order.

WHITFIELD: That is fascinating. John Fritze, keep us posted. Thank you so much.

FRITZE: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. We're also getting a clearer look now at the moments before the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting. New video released by federal prosecutors during a hearing this week shows suspect Cole Tomas Allen wandering the halls at the hotel before rushing the security checkpoint. The FBI says the footage helps piece together Allen's movements. CNN senior correspondent Josh Campbell breaks it all down.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to walk you through chilling new video that was just released by authorities. Prosecutors say Cole Tomas Allen checked into the Washington Hilton a day before the White House Correspondents' Dinner. And in this new video, you can see him casually walking around the hotel. It's possible this was an attempt by him to familiarize himself with the hotel before a planned attack.

But here is the moment on Saturday when a peaceful night celebrating the First Amendment was shattered by gunfire. The event was already well underway, and officers began disassembling one of the metal detectors at a security checkpoint. In the background, you see who appears to be Allen leaving through a doorway.

Prosecutors added a white circle to the video showing his location. But look what's behind him. A police dog tugs at its leash, taking interest in that doorway, and then follows. The canine's handler then stops and appears to be speaking with someone off camera. Was he talking to the suspect? Authorities haven't said.

Immediately after the officer turns, Allen comes sprinting towards the checkpoint, shotgun in hand. A Secret Service officer quickly draws his sidearm. Allen then points his shotgun at the officer. Authorities say they're confident Allen opened fire and the officer was hit by something.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEANINE PIRRO, U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: What we do know is that he fired off that 12-gauge shotgun one time. The cartridge was still in the weapon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: On the video, you can see the officer opening fire on Allen multiple times. And at one point, another security agent appears to be in the line of fire. Inside the ballroom where the dinner was taking place, you can actually hear what appears to be gunshots erupting outside the room. Guests took cover as Secret Service agents stormed the stage. Allen was swarmed by agents outside the room and arrested.

A CNN analysis of the video and audio from the ballroom doesn't definitively say when Allen fired, but the audio analysis does indicate six shots were fired. Officials said Allen shot once and the officer fired five times.

Now, there have been conspiracy theories spreading like wildfire on social media, some people claiming this is all a hoax and Allen never fired because you don't actually see a muzzle flash at the barrel of that shotgun. But let me point out another critical indicator here. When Allen points his weapon at the officer, look up and notice the ceiling lights at the top of the screen. You see what appears to be dust and debris passing by the lights.

Now, I was an FBI agent and I carried a shotgun. It's a loud and powerful weapon. And I can tell you that dust and debris around those lights appears to be from the concussive blast of that firearm. Nothing else on video would explain dust kicking up like that. For his part, Allen remains in custody. He has not yet entered a plea. Among the charges he currently faces, attempting to assassinate the president of the United States.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:25:00]

WHITFIELD: All right. Incredible view. Josh Campbell, thank you so much for that. All right. Coming up, President Trump facing increased pressure to get congressional approval for the war with Iran as the conflict passes the 60-day mark now. We'll discuss that next with Illinois Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. New today, the U.S. is ordering the withdrawal of roughly 5,000 of its troops from Germany. The German defense minister said the U.S. decision was, quote, "anticipated" and that Europe needs to take more responsibility for its security.

[14:30:00]

The drawdown set to be completed within a year follows sharp criticism from Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the war with Iran. The German leader said U.S. officials entered the conflict without a clear strategy.

CNN Senior White House reporter Betsy Klein is in Doral, Florida, where President Trump is spending the weekend. So, Betsy, you know, we're also hearing from members of Congress who also are not too happy about this.

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER AND WRITER: Yes, Fredericka, at its heart, this is all about that very long, simmering feud between President Trump and NATO dating back to his first term. It is President Trump's view that the U.S. is bearing a disproportionate share of the NATO defense spending burden and that our allies aren't doing enough to pick up the slack.

But the war with Iran has intensified this disconnect between the U.S. and European allies who are hesitant to get directly involved in this conflict. And we have heard the most stringent criticism from the German Chancellor Merz, who says that the Trump administration does not have an effective strategy to end this war. That prompted President Trump to announce that he would be re-evaluating U.S. defense posture in Germany.

And I should note that there are about 36,000 active-duty U.S. troops stationed in Germany for logistical purposes and staging. Germany is also home to the largest U.S. military hospital outside of this country. But Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell announcing yesterday, quote, "The Secretary of War has ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany. This decision follows a thorough review of the department's forced posture in Europe and is in recognition of theater requirements and conditions on the ground. We expect the withdrawal to be completed over the next six to 12 months."

Now, this has prompted some very rare pushback from the Republican chairman of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, along with Mike Rogers of Alabama, the congressman. They say, quote, "We are very concerned by the decision to withdraw a U.S. brigade from Germany." They go on to say that, "Prematurely reducing America's forward presence in Europe risks undermining deterrence and sending the wrong signal to Vladimir Putin. Rather than withdrawing forces from the continent altogether, it is in America's interest to maintain a strong deterrent in Europe by moving these 5,000 U.S. forces to the east."

Now, all of this as President Trump has rejected Iran's latest peace proposal. He says that the U.S. may be better off if no deal is reached. But all of this as the U.S. continues that blockade on the Strait of Hormuz that is continuing to put pressure on American consumers with the average price of a gallon of gas now at $4.43, according to AAA. Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Betsy Klein, thank you so much. We'll check back with you throughout the day. All right. I'm joined now by Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen of Illinois. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman, great to see you.

REP. ERIC SORENSEN (D-IL), ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE: Good to see you, Fredericka.

WHITFIELD: So, what concerns do you have about the Trump administration moving these U.S. troops, 5,000, out of Germany?

SORENSEN: I think it is -- there's a broader concern that we have to understand here is where the United States friendship with our allies. Where do we have that friendship? You know, I talk with folks from all across Europe, leaders, and they say we need to be able to depend on the United States. But also, in turn, the United States should be able to depend on our allies. And if we're just going to slap their face, then are we going to be able to get their help when we actually need it.

WHITFIELD: Does it make the U.S. or even Europe more vulnerable with this move?

SORENSEN: I mean, certainly, as we're seeing there, what we need in Iran, for instance. You know, look, the costs of life are going up, Fredericka. You know, just down the road here on Avenue of the Cities in Moline, Illinois, I passed a gas station. It's $4.50 a gallon. People are running their John Deere tractors here in Western Illinois, filling up with $6 a gallon diesel fuel.

We need an end to the war in Iran. Let alone now, the administration seems to think that it's OK to now pick a fight with Germany. It just doesn't make any sense.

WHITFIELD: The U.S. war with Iran just surpassed the 60-day mark, which under the War Powers Act of 1973 requires presidents to remove U.S. forces from any conflict which Congress has not authorized. The president says the 60-day War Powers deadline is totally unconstitutional, and his administration says the ceasefire effectively pauses the deadline. What's your response to that?

[14:35:00]

SORENSEN: Well, look, I mean, my GOP colleagues, they know, they're hearing the same things from their neighbors back home. They want answers. That was one of the things that we asked Pete Hegseth in our committee here this week. You can tell us now that the American public has spent $25 billion on a war they didn't want. But also, now you couldn't tell us when this is going to end.

And so, my GOP colleagues need to grow the spine and say enough is enough. We need an end because how long can we ask the American people to pay for this? You know, my neighbors are doing everything right. They're working two jobs. They're trying as hard as they can to grasp the good life. But the problem is the administration, instead of doing something for affordability, the president just makes jokes about it. It's a slap in the face of the American people who are working so hard.

WHITFIELD: You underscored it just a second ago. And we mentioned at, you know, the top of the show that 61 percent of Americans believe that it was a mistake for the U.S. to strike Iran. Last night, the president said it was treasonous to say the U.S. is not winning the war. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We get the radical left to say we're not winning. We're not winning. They don't have any military left. It's unbelievable. It's actually -- I believe it's treasonous. OK. You want to know that it's treasonous?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Treason is a loaded legal term, punishable by death. What's your response to that and the way in which the president expressed that?

SORENSEN: Well, we aren't winning this war. I mean, look at what's happening here. You know, not only am I serving on the House Armed Services Committee, but I also represent the folks that work at the Rock Island Arsenal.

And I asked Pete Hegseth, if this is really that important, why are you firing people at Joint Munitions Command? These are the folks that are in charge of making the munitions that we're blowing through in Iran. But Pete Hegseth and this administration are also firing people at Army Sustainment Command. This is the group of people, the experts, that are sustaining our military, our soldiers, our warfighters in the Middle East and beyond.

So, it doesn't make any sense what they're doing right now, but then also what they are saying in public. And that's why it is so important that we are asking the tough questions. We're demanding the answers from our committee, because the way I feel about this, Fredericka, is all of my neighbors are telling me, do something about the cost of living. And we keep asking the questions to this administration. And they need to answer not just to us, but to the American people about it.

WHITFIELD: I want to shift gear to something really equally important. We're talking about voting rights. The U.S. Supreme Court justices, you know, just invalidating Louisiana's congressional map, calling it an unconstitutional gerrymander. I mean, that move weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Louisiana Republicans are now delaying the May 16th primaries, mail-in ballots already, you know, in the boxes, you know, for U.S. House races to redraw the map in that state. More states actually could follow.

Do you have -- or what are your concerns? Because surely you have some, right? What are your concerns that this ruling could hurt particularly minority representation in Congress? SORENSEN: And especially those folks who are struggling, you know, when I talk about people who are doing everything right, but they still can't grasp the good life. These are a lot of those folks in Alabama and in Mississippi and in Louisiana. We need to make sure that there is representation. But then, also, that everyone -- every American has the ability to partake in our elections and be represented accurately. And what this is going to do is upend that tradition that we have had in the Congress for decades and generations to make sure that no matter who you are, no matter where you are, you are going to be represented by somebody who understands what you're going through.

WHITFIELD: Congressman Eric Sorensen, glad you could be with us. Thank you so much.

SORENSEN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Next hour, I'll be joined by Indiana Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman. All right. Coming up, it's off to the races in just a few hours. We're live at the Kentucky Derby with a look at the food, the fashion, oh, and of course, the thoroughbreds.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:40:00]

WHITFIELD: All right. It's Derby Day, the first Saturday of May in Louisville. The most exciting two minutes in sports is just now hours away at the Kentucky Derby. Some of the world's best thoroughbred horses running for the roses in the first of a triple crown. Ahead of post time, an enormous crowd of fans at Churchill Downs wearing their fascinators, linen suits, dining on some of the most creative bites paired with mint tulips.

Who's in the middle of it all wearing his linen suit, CNN Sports Anchor Andy Scholes, right there for the 150 second running of this event that combines horses and, of course, a little high fashion on the side. So, who will be your favorite?

[14:45:00]

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Well, Fredericka, we've got a very interesting Kentucky Derby this year. It's really a wide-open field. There's not one horse that's a dominant favorite. If you look at the odds, there's a pretty clear top five, though, that keep switching around of who's on top and who's in second. Mike Smith, he's going to be riding So Happy. He's trying to become the oldest jockey ever to win the Derby at 59 years old. So Happy right now is on top five to one odds tied with Commandment there. And then right after them, you see Further Ado and Renegade. They have six to one odds.

Now, Renegades on the rail. No horse has won from post one in the Derby since 1986. So, we'll Renegade finally be able to break that losing streak from post number one.

Now, the Derby here, you mentioned it a little bit, Fredericka, it's as much about the fashion as it is about the horses, all the fascinators, hats and colorful outfits out in full force today. It's really been out in full force throughout the entire week. And all the fans I spoke with agreed the Derby is the best people watching event in all of sports.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's history and nostalgia and Americana all wrapped up into one. It's a great big party. So, what else is better than that?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You cannot top the amount of random people you see here that are just all dusted up to the tens and just having a great time.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just beauty and art everywhere you look, and you just can't find that anywhere else.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's like so many people having so much fun. I'm a fat kid. I like to eat and the drinks -- and oh, yes, there's horse racing, too. I forgot about that part.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: Now, they're expected to have one hundred and fifty thousand fans just like those guys out here today for the race. Everyone's having a good time unless you're struggling to pick winning horses. I have certainly been there, but I just got over from the red carpet and I was asking all the celebrities that were coming in the best strategy to picking a winning horse in today's Derby.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: What's the secret to picking a winning horse?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Luck.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The name. Whatever has the best name.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Being able to talk to that horse before the race and see what kind of mood he's in.

SCHOLES: you're going to head to the stables?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I am. I'll be down there in the paddock talking to all of them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I always look for a horse with a good mind.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Name out of the hat. And I picked Emerging Market.

SCHOLES: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that's the secret to picking a winning horse.

SCHOLES: She's blind luck. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, blind luck.

SCHOLES: So Happy.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because we're so happy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm riding So Happy, but I also like Patente. Bob Baffert's always a good choice.

SCHOLES: Oh, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm going with Commander.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SHOLES: Yes, there you go. Jackson Dart, the quarterback of the New York Giants. He is number six. So, fitting that he picked six Commandment to win the Derby, Fredricka. But it's all about having fun. And as you can see, most people just go with the name they like the most.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I like this So Happy because that makes me so happy. That's cute. And I like the story of the jockey on there, too. So, you know, Mike Smith, go, go, go. All right. Andy Scholes, thank you so much. Appreciate it. We'll be right back.

SCHOLES: All right.

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[14:50:00]

WHITFIELD: All right. New today, at least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since Friday, according to the health ministry in Beirut. Israel also issued a warning for residents in parts of southern Lebanon to evacuate their homes. A ceasefire remains in place but has come under tremendous pressure as Israel and Hezbollah exchange attacks.

With us now is CNN Jerusalem Bureau Chief Oren Liebermann. Oren, there's a renewed push from the White House for further talks between Israel and Lebanon. But what can you tell us about whether that could happen?

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Fredericka, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut tried to lay out what it saw as the benefits to direct talks and a direct meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, saying such a meeting could guarantee Lebanon's territorial integrity, ensure U.S. assistance for humanitarian support and reconstruction, as well as a number of other elements.

But it's difficult to see that from where we sit right now. First, Aoun had declined to take a call with Netanyahu several weeks ago because of continued Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Second, it's not clear that Israel would agree to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon, a territory it occupies on the border there, some 10 kilometers at points into southern Lebanon. And it's not clear that Hezbollah, Iran's proxy in Lebanon, would abide by the ceasefire.

So, a diplomatic path forward seems very difficult to see from this point. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon killed at least nine people on Friday, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health, including one child. And that means over the course of the past two months, since the start of the war with Iran, Israeli strikes in Lebanon have killed more than 2,600 people, according to the ministry. Israel says its actions since the ceasefire, its strikes in southern Lebanon as they target Hamas militants and infrastructure, are in line and agreed upon under the ceasefire agreement. But still, it puts pressure on what very much looks like an open conflict and an open war with Hezbollah.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has continued to launch drones at Israeli troops in southern Lebanon and in northern Israel as well. So, all of that puts tremendous pressure on this ceasefire. The U.S. is still pushing for a diplomatic path. It's gotten two direct talks between ambassadors under the auspices of the Trump administration in Washington, but there is no third round on the agenda as of now. And it's very difficult to see a scenario in which Netanyahu can now meet Aoun. Fredricka.

[14:55:00]

WHITFIELD: Oren Liebermann, thank you so much. All right. Coming up. In this country, passengers left stranded at airports around the country after Spirit Airlines abruptly shuts down. We'll explain how the U.S. government is trying to step in and help travelers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just got here and the people that were standing here just said it's -- there's no flights. Spirit went out of business.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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