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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy Loses Bid For Third Term; Kentucky Voters Weigh Options As Trump Attacks Massie; Good Samaritans Tackle Man Who Plowed Car Into Crowd In Italy; Cubans Prepare For Invasion As Pressure Mounts On Cuban Government. Aired 5-6a ET
Aired May 17, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:00:35]
LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and all around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Just ahead, President Trump's so-called political revenge tour claims another target.
Ahead, the fallout from a closely watched Senate primary and what it reveals about Trump's grip on the Republican Party.
Activists on both ends of the political spectrum showing their dissatisfaction with Britain's government as the Prime Minister faces efforts to oust him. A report from dueling protests in the nation's capital.
Plus, potential chaos is in store for commuters in New York this morning as railway workers go on strike. What they're demanding from the city to end the walkout.
ANNOUNCER: Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom" with Lynda Kinkade.
KINKADE: President Trump is showing the influence he still wields within the Republican Party when it comes to targeting dissent. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy lost his bid for a third term Saturday, coming in behind two other Republican primary candidates in a vote widely seen as a test of Trump's hold on the GOP. Cassidy was mostly loyal to the Republican agenda, but he's been a target of Trump's anger ever since he voted for the President's impeachment after the January 6th insurrection.
In his concession remarks, Cassidy made a veiled critique of Trump without mentioning him by name.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): I've been able to participate in democracy. And when you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to. But you don't pout, you don't whine, you don't claim that an election was stolen, you don't find a reason why --
(CHEERING & APPLAUSE)
CASSIDY: -- you don't manufacture some excuse, you thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you've had that privilege.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: Well, the Trump-endorsed candidate, Representative Julia Letlow, got the most votes but didn't win outright. She'll now face the Louisiana State Treasurer, John Fleming, in a runoff on June 27th. Letlow emphasized her gratitude to the President after her first-place finish.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JULIA LETLOW, U.S. HOUSE REPUBLICAN: I want to say thank you to a very special man who you all know, the best president this country has ever had, President Donald Trump.
People ask me all the time, Julia, why would you put your family through this? Why would you elect to have $26 million spent in negative ads against you? Again, that's another testament to the President's endorsement, how powerful it is in Louisiana that we were still able to garner 45 percent of the vote despite the negativity.
And I have a feeling you're why. It looks a lot like mine. It's your kids. It's your grandkids. They are the reason why we all fight so hard to make sure that we live in the greatest country in the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KINKADE: President Trump watched the race closely and posted on social media after the results were in. He celebrated Letlow's win and mentioned Cassidy's impeachment vote with reference to the senator's quote, "disloyalty."
Earlier, CNN White House Correspondent Alayna Treene explained why the race is so important to Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: In any race, when the president makes an endorsement, he's invested in it, particularly because he doesn't like to make endorsements that he doesn't win. So, obviously, you're seeing him have this level of wanting to closely watch how Julia Letlow performs. But even more than that, and I think a bigger reason in many ways for this endorsement is because of his criticism and, you know, personal dislike of Senator Bill Cassidy.
And what this shows, I think, is that if you're a Republican who crosses Trump, you see the president kind of to make it a priority to try and take you out and ruin your political viability. And of course, as you mentioned, Cassidy's, you know, cardinal sin was voting to impeach the president for what had happened on January 6th at the Capitol. Now, I do want to read for you what we heard from the president
because he did post specifically about Cassidy this morning on True Social.
He wrote, quote, "Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana is a disloyal disaster. His entire past campaign for the Senate was about Trump. Now he's with me all the way. And then after winning, he turned around and voted to impeach me for something that is now proven to be total BS." He used the full word there.
[05:05:09]
Now, I want to point out that the president's criticism today, but also throughout recent months of Cassidy comes even despite -- Cassidy really trying over the last 18 months or so since Trump got reelected to try and get back into his good graces and make moves that would calm the MAGA movement. And, you know, I think one of the biggest ones being his vote to confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to HHS to be HHS secretary. That came despite Cassidy, who is -- who was previously a doctor, you know, having a lot of strong beliefs about vaccines and kind of disagreeing with Kennedy on a lot of those fronts. But even despite all of that, it shows that I think, you know, the president has not gotten over.
Neither has his team. He's still surrounded by a lot of the big political people who helped get him reelected back in November 2024. They are still holding on to this. And it is a bit personal for him. So, all in all, he is watching this very closely.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Thanks to Alayna Treene. Well, President Trump is now calling for a challenger to take on Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert for her seat. In a truth social post Saturday night, Trump asked, quote, "Is anyone interested in running against weak minded Lauren Boebert in Colorado's fourth congressional district?"
Boebert has consistently been one of the president's most vocal supporters, but lately she's been supported. But lately, she's supported incumbent Kent -- Kentucky Republican Thomas Massie, who led the charge for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files and has voted against several of the president's priorities. For her part, Boebert says she's not offended and is still MAGA.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Can you escape this?
JONI PUGH, REPUBLICAN VOTER, KENTUCKY: No.
ZELENY: Fight between Trump and Massie?
PUGH: No, it's everywhere. It really is, and that's what really worries me.
ZELENY (voice-over): Joni Pugh feels like she's stuck in the middle of a family feud between President Trump and Congressman Thomas Massie,
PUGH: And I'm not putting Trump down at all, because I'm very much a fan of his. But I'm still going to vote for Thomas. I think he is a great guy. He is very careful about he wants -- how he wants our taxpayer money need to be spent.
ZELENY (voice-over): No Republican has infuriated Trump more than Massie.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We got to get rid of this loser.
ZELENY (voice over): Who led the charge to release the Epstein files.
REP. THOMAS MASSIE (R-KY): I'm not going to give up.
ZELENY (voice over): And voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
MASSIE: it's going to add to the deficit. It's all -- everything else is semantics.
ZELENY (voice over): Two of many grievances the president won't forget.
TRUMP: He is disloyal to the Republican Party. He is disloyal to the people of Kentucky.
ZELENY: That loyalty will be tested next Tuesday when Massie faces Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL, in a district stretching from the Louisville suburbs up to Cincinnati and along the Ohio River.
More than $29 million has been spent on T.V. ads in one of the most expensive House primaries ever.
STEVE FRANK, REPUBLICAN VOTER, KENTUCKY: And the problem is, Thomas Massie has burnt every bridge he could possibly have to be effective.
ZELENY (voice-over): Steve Frank is among the Republicans who believes Northern Kentucky needs a member of Congress who's not a White House enemy.
FRANK: He will say in his own statistics, he agrees with Trump in the Republican leadership 91 percent of the time. Well, hey, you know, a monkey shares 91 percent of our DNA with us, but they isn't the same thing.
ZELENY (voice-over): Massie has long stood up to the establishment of both parties, after first winning 14 years ago in the Tea Party era as a deficit hawk. He defends his independent libertarian brand.
MASSIE: Well, there is three branches of government, and we are supposed to keep each other accountable, and that's what we are doing here today in the people's House. ZELENY (voice-over): In seven elections, Massie has never faced an onslaught like this, including an attack ad with A.I. images depicting a romantic relationship with two Democratic congresswomen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thomas Massie caught in a throuple in Washington.
ZELENY (voice-over): Massie blasted the ad from a Trump-aligned super PAC as disgusting and defamatory.
Steve Doan, a Republican lawmaker and friend of Massie's, said some voters are torn.
STATE REP. STEVEN DOAN (R-KY): How do I square this? You know, Trump doesn't like him, but I like him, and I just don't know what to do. And I always compare it to mommy and daddy fighting. You know, we love both of those people. We love Trump, we love Thomas, and we just have kind of figured it out here.
ZELENY (voice-over): Inside the shortstop diner in Garrison, Nedra Jamison said she votes for the person, not party.
NEDRA JAMISON, REPUBLICAN VOTER, KENTUCKY: I like Thomas. I like Trump.
ZELENY: So, Trump came in here and said, don't vote for Massie. What would you say?
JAMISON: I'd say, well, if I want to vote for him, I'll vote for him. If I don't want to vote for him, I won't vote for him. It's my -- it's my choice, not yours.
ZELENY (voice-over): Ramona Bivens believes the attacks on Massie could backfire.
RAMONA BIVENS, REPUBLICAN VOTER, KENTUCKY: I'll vote for Thomas, just because Trump is giving him such a hard time.
ZELENY: That's why you are going to vote for him? Why is that?
BIVENS: Yes, I just think it's silly. It's politics, and they are running for office. They are not running against each other.
ZELENY (voice over): Jeff Zeleny, CNN, Garrison, Kentucky.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[05:10:02]
KINKADE: Well, this comes as the Supreme Court's recent decision to strike down part of the Voting Rights Act that still reverberates around the U.S. On Saturday, thousands of people participated in nationwide rallies called, "All Roads Lead to the South." Demonstrators called for fair representation for all Americans and for stronger voting rights protections.
Events in Alabama saw a march across the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. There was also a rally at the Capitol in Montgomery, where several Democratic lawmakers spoke, including Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock and New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Politics in the U.K. is becoming volatile as well. Britain's former health minister says he will challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer in any new election. Wes Streeting resigned from Mr. Starmer's Cabinet Thursday. He says he's lost confidence in the Labor Prime Minister and that it would be, quote, "Dishonorable and unprincipled to remain in his government." Mr. Starmer is facing outright revolt from many Labor lawmakers after voters rejected the party in local elections in England, Scotland and Wales.
Huge crowds of far-right protesters in London are demanding mass deportations of immigrants. That was just one call from Saturday's Unite the Kingdom march. It was organized by Tommy Robertson, an anti- Muslim agitator whose extreme views have drawn both condemnation and growing support. And elsewhere in the city, thousands of other people marched to commemorate Nakba Day.
That marks the loss of Palestinian land during the creation of Israel. CNN's Jomana Karadsheh brings us the details on a busy day in London.
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JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Tens of thousands have descended onto central London today. We are at the Unite the Kingdom rally. This was called for by the far-right anti-Islam activist, Tommy Robinson. And it doesn't take long for you to notice where many draw their inspiration from.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a Donald fan.
KARADSHEH: You're a Donald fan?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Absolutely.
KARADSHEH: What is it about Donald that you ...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything. The U.K. needs a Donald Trump.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come back then.
KARADSHEH: Why do you guys like Trump? Why do you like him?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He got us out of Brexit. If it weren't for him, we'd be out of Brexit. And that's where Hoover started.
KARADSHEH: You talk to people and they're here for different reasons. And just take a look around at this sea of flags. In many ways, what is happening in London today is this state of global polarization playing out on the streets of the capital city. Whether it's Gaza, the war in Iran, national identity, migration. Happening at the same time is the pro-Palestinian Nakba Day march where also tens of thousands of people are expected to be taking part. Not far from where we are standing. That is why you've got a major police operation that is being described by London's Metropolitan Police as unprecedented in scale in recent years. They've deployed more than 4,000 police officers onto the streets. They are restricting the marchers on both sides with very specific routes that they can take.
Timings restricted as well. And for the first time, on the outskirts, not here, police are also using facial recognition cameras. Their mission is to ensure that these two different crowds don't meet.
In addition to that, they are also dealing with thousands of football or soccer fans who are also in the city for the FA Cup final. This couldn't have happened at a trickier time for the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer who is fighting to hold on to office, facing turmoil from within his own Labour Party after massive losses during the recent local elections that saw serious gains by the hard-right reform party. And you can see that someone like Tommy Robinson, who called for this protest, who managed to draw the tens of thousands yet again to the streets, this once convicted criminal, now anti- establishment figure.
And we heard him today in a speech saying outside Parliament that now is the time for strong men to take that back.
Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Italian leaders are praising good Samaritans who tackled a man after he rammed a car into a group of pedestrians. He then came out of the vehicle wielding a knife before four brave civilians made sure he couldn't run or hurt anyone else.
[05:15:04]
For more, Barbie Latza Nadeau joins us from Rome. So Barbie, police are saying, you know, four people were seriously injured. What's the latest on the condition of all the victims? And, you know, what did the good Samaritans do that prevented further harm?
BARBIE LATZA NADEAU, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Yeah, you know, it really must have been a chaotic scene last night around 5 o'clock p.m. local time, a beautiful spring evening. People out for a walk when the driver plowed into this crowd of people. Two of the people are still severely injured.
One woman was apparently pinned up against a building with a car. Her legs were severed. They had to be amputated, we're told, by authorities.
Now, we did hear from the public prosecutor that they have issued a detention order to keep this man who is in custody in jail, and he is being investigated for manslaughter and aggravated assault.
Now these four good Samaritans, as they're being called, were hailed for getting into that vehicle, sort of breaking into it, and stopping him. One of the men who helped stop him from hurting other people with a knife was injured himself.
Now, let's listen to what he had to say, but I must warn you, the images are quite disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LUCA SIGNORELLI, CONFRONTED THE DRIVER (through translator): I forced it open. I opened the door, the car door. The suspect left the car, and while I was trying to help the woman whose legs had been amputated, he ran away. So, I chased him. A fight broke out. I was stabbed twice, once in the heart and once in the head. I managed to dodge one of the two, and during the other one, I grabbed his wrist and blocked him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I threw myself into Tigota. In fact, he swerved, crashed into the shop windows at Dolores, smashing them, and severed the legs of a woman who was standing there. He crushed her right against the shop window.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LATZA NADEAU: And Lynda, you know, it just sounds so terribly harrowing. And we do know that the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, are both going to Modena today to meet some of the patients and to thank, personally, these good Samaritans who acted, risking their own lives, really, to stop him from further injuring other people, Lynda.
KINKADE: Yeah, true acts of bravery. Barbie Latza Nadeau, thanks so much.
Still ahead, Iran claims it's negotiating a deal with European countries for paid passage through the Strait of Hormuz. We're going to go live to Abu Dhabi for the latest.
And later, we'll bring you an update on how the World Health Organization is responding to a deadly Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
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[05:21:29]
KINKADE: Iran's state media claims that European countries are engaged in talks with the Iranian Navy regarding passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The reports come after a senior Iranian official announced that only vessels and countries cooperating with Tehran would benefit from what he described as a new mechanism to manage traffic through the strategic waterway. He also warned that necessary fees would be collected under the new system.
Also, Israel has launched new strikes in southern Lebanon after the two sides agreed to a 45-day ceasefire extension. Residents in the city of Tyre could be seen sifting through rubble after an IDF strike destroyed part of a residential building. Experts -- or eyewitnesses rather, say occupants were forced to flee with little more than the clothes on their back.
The extension of the ceasefire was announced just days before it was set to expire. And under the terms of that ceasefire, Israel is allowed to conduct defensive operations.
Well, for more, CNN's Leila Gharagozlou joins us from Abu Dhabi.
So, Leila, Iran's foreign minister says his country doesn't trust the U.S. and will continue with diplomatic efforts despite that. But they're also saying they're going to potentially allow more commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and charge a fee. Just explain what Iran's saying.
LEILA GHARAGOZLOU, CNN PRODUCER: Yeah, so we've heard a number of things from the Iranians. First was this report from state media about the Iranians and Europeans potentially coming to some sort of agreement about access to the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, we haven't actually heard from the E.U. or European nations on this. Now, Ebrahim Azizi, who is the head of the National Security Commission for Iran's parliament, did post on X saying that they've prepared a professional mechanism to manage the traffic. He said more details would be unveiled soon. He also said that there would be necessary fees.
In his post, though, he really made clear two things. One was Iran's desire to collect these tolls and fees, which they have made clear over the last couple of months. And two, was Iran's sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.
Now, if you remember, this has been a key tension point between the Iranians and the Americans. The Iranians want their control of the Strait to be officially recognized.
Now, of course, as you said, we've also heard from Abbas Araghchi about this really huge obstacle of trust and -- lack of trust in the U.S. But just a little bit ago, we actually had some more significant news come out from Iranian media around Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of parliament. He's now been assigned as Iran's special representative on China Affairs. And the timing of this is significant, given President Trump's recent trip to China and Iran's acknowledgement via Abbas Araghchi that they'd be open to having China mediate or negotiate an end to this regional conflict.
So, having Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, the head of parliament, as well as one of the lead negotiators between Iran and the U.S., take on this new role is a really interesting change and announcement. He is one of the most powerful politicians currently in Iran. He has become very powerful, particularly during this conflict. And just to make note, Iran and China have a very close relationship.
So, this is going to be a relationship that we see constantly evolving. China is one of Iran's key trading partners. So, we'll see how this plays out when it comes to any sort of Iran or U.S. negotiations. China did offer help to President Trump. Thus far, President Trump has said he doesn't need help when it comes to the Iran file. But we'll see how things go over the next couple of days and weeks.
KINKADE: Yeah, exactly. And Leila, I want to ask you about those Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. Despite the announcement of the extension of the ceasefire, these strikes are continuing. Just tell us more about what's happening on the ground and just how fragile this ceasefire appears to be now.
[05:25:14]
GHARAGOZLOU: Yeah, so there's been some concern about the fragility of the ceasefire. It's been very shaky throughout its first portion. We've obviously seen this extend for another 45 days. It's set to start today. This was also going to be the expiration of the ceasefire. And leading up to that expiration, we saw renewed hostilities and a lot more exchanges like this strike. This strike came right after the announcement of the ceasefire and just hours before the extension really took hold. So, we do see things kind of escalating.
Now, Hezbollah has said that they would be open to some sort of direct ceasefire with Israel, if Israel is open to that. But we haven't seen anything come of that as of yet.
KINKADE: Leila Gharagozlou in Abu Dhabi. Our thanks to you.
Russian state news agencies reporting a huge wave of Ukrainian drone attacks overnight. It says at least three people were killed near Moscow in what's described as the largest attack on the capital in more than a year. Twelve others were injured, including workers at an oil refinery. Russia's military says it shot down more than 500 Ukrainian drones.
And that's happening on the heels of Russia's largest two-day barrage on Ukraine since the war began. The strikes partially collapsed this residential building in Kyiv last week, killing at least 16 people, among them two young girls aged 12 and 15.
The World Health Organization is calling the latest Ebola outbreak in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo a public health emergency of international concern. The WHO has stopped short of declaring it a pandemic. But health officials say at least 80 people have died amid a surge of more than 200 suspected cases. And there are no approved vaccines or treatments for this rare strain of the virus, raising concerns of potential cross-border transmission. The Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention said it will convene an urgent meeting to reinforce surveillance and response efforts.
Still to come this hour, a U.S. aircraft carrier has returned home after nearly a year at sea for a record deployment that included the war with Iran and the capture of Maduro. We'll have more on that emotional homecoming when we come back.
Plus, as the pressure campaign ramps up against Cuba, residents on the island are preparing for a possible invasion by the U.S. I'm going to speak to a former White House official as the Cuban crisis worsens.
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[05:31:03]
KINKADE: Welcome back to CNN Newsroom. I'm Lynda Kinkade coming to you live from Atlanta.
The USS Gerald R. Ford is finally home after a record-setting deployment. America's largest and newest aircraft carrier participated in the capture of Venezuela's former president and the Iran war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined families in welcoming the sailors home.
CNN's Brian Todd reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is the end of an exhausting deployment. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the aircraft carrier, pulled into Norfolk here a short time ago after the longest deployment of an aircraft carrier strike group since the Vietnam War, 11 months out at sea. During that time, they had some issues on board. There was a fire that tore through the laundry area on board the ship that required 30 hours for crew members to put it out and keep it from reigniting. Then they flew sorties just two days after that. But also, they had plumbing issues on board. The toilets didn't work and they had to be fixed. So, a lot of that had to go in for repairs at port.
But, you know, family members told us about just kind of the nature of this deployment and the pure length of it. Two different times this deployment was extended. So, we talked to family members about what it was like to go through that.
TODD: What was the toughest part of this deployment?
JALYSSA DELAROSA, WIFE OF PETTY OFFICER 3RD CLASS OMAR MORA: One, him being gone for 11 months and him getting extended over and over and over. And then the pregnancy, doing it all by myself, because, you know, obviously he had to go. And the labor and delivery by myself, that was very emotional for me, having to deliver him.
PETTY OFFICER DAKOTA KLINEDINST, SAILOR, USS GERALD R. FORD: I think anybody that's been on a deployment on a ship, it feels the same. It's like, ah, you know, that's a bummer, but we got to do what we got to do, you know, like just we'll be home eventually. We got to come home eventually.
TODD: Can you tell us, Sarah, what the toughest part of the deployment was for you?
SARAH KLINEDINST, WIFE OF PETTY OFFICER DAKOTA KLINEDINST: Just my husband missing everything, missing his first steps, missing his first birthday.
TODD: So, family members telling us they missed important events that their spouses on board here missed important events like first steps, birthdays, but also actual births. One Navy official told us they believe that about 57 babies were born among the families of those deployed during this 11-month deployment.
Brian Todd, CNN, Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: As the pressure mounts on Cuba, residents on the island are preparing for a possible invasion by the U.S. The ongoing energy crisis caused by the U.S. blockade of oil has caused rolling blackouts across the island, leading to social unrest. But the country's current leadership has yet to capitulate to the Trump administration.
Let's bring in Brett Bruen. He is a former National Security Council and State Department official and the current president of the public relations firm, "The Global Situation Room." Great to have you with us.
BRETT BRUEN, FORMER NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL OFFICIAL: Good to be with you.
KINKADE: So, Raul Castro is 93 years old, long out of day-to-day power. Why is the U.S. moving to indict him now?
BRUEN: Well, look, this is another tactic at trying to increase pressure on Havana. And you're seeing both the military saber rattling, you're seeing the economic pressure and obviously also the social pressure that that creates. But as well, you know, this notion that Raul Castro or other officials from Cuba could find themselves meeting the fate of Nicolas Maduro in a New York jail is perhaps one of the more effective points.
KINKADE: I want to ask you about that, you know, whether we are going to see a Venezuela-style incident where, you know, like we saw in Venezuela where there was an effort to indict him and then a middle- of-the-night raid to capture him. Could that play out in Cuba?
BRUEN: Well, yeah, Lynda, I think there's a critical miscalculation. We saw it play out in Iran. Cuba is not Venezuela, despite being much closer across the Caribbean.
[05:35:14]
This is a regime that has deep ideological roots. And so it's not as though, you know, you simply take out Raul Castro or you take out a couple members of the leadership regime that has deep ideological roots. And so it's not as though, you know, you simply take out Raul Castro or you take out a couple members of the leadership and the rest will fold as it did in the case of the Chavistas in Venezuela.
And so I think, and obviously Secretary of State Marco Rubio knows the regime quite well. He knows those pressure points perhaps better than anyone on the national security team. So, I think that's why we're seeing a much more methodical approach to this pressure campaign.
KINKADE: So, why would the CIA director go to Cuba, quite publicly talk about it? Do you see this as a credible opening for de-escalation or a negotiating tactic to extract concessions? BRUEN: Yeah, it's both, Lynda, actually. Because the CIA director normally travels without so much attention and certainly going on a plane that has painted on the side United States of America was designed to send that message. And I think he also delivered a very direct message to the leaders in Cuba about this probably being their last opportunity.
So, sitting face-to-face as somebody who spent a decade and a half in American diplomacy has its power, it has the power of landing on the tarmac with that plane. And so we'll see whether or not Ratcliffe was able to shake the confidence of Cuban leaders. But I think that was the intent.
KINKADE: And certainly, Brett, you've spoken about or warned about really that what looks like diplomacy can sometimes be a ruse for escalation. And looking at the current approach and what you've already mentioned and what I've already mentioned, the sanctions, the blockade measures and the reports of regime change, does that fit this pattern?
BRUEN: Well, it does. And yet what I worry about, Lynda, is that Trump is probably looking around for a turning of the page when it comes to the debacle in Iran. And Cuba offers that next opportunity for him to get his groove back and to show that the U.S. military can truly have an impact and change the dynamics in a country like Cuba. So, you know, he needs that political win. He needs to be able to project that power again. And so, you know, that, for me, bodes likely that we could see a military effort if diplomacy fails.
KINKADE: And just your perspective, Brett, on this $100 million U.S. humanitarian aid offer that's under discussion. From your perspective, is that genuine diplomacy or perhaps coercive pressure dressed up as negotiation?
BRUEN: Well, let's start with the fact that $100 million is not a substantial amount, especially when you have the humanitarian needs that Cuba does. It's more designed to try to contrast that the U.S. on the one hand is offering this aid, this assistance, while on the other positioning the Cuban leadership is blocking that aid to their people. We did this as well back in the first Trump term when Maduro was seizing aid that we were trying to send into the country.
So, it is a tried-and-true tactic. I think it also, quite frankly, helps to sow some of that unrest on the island. But, Lynda, my last point here would be that unrest can go in a number of different ways. So, again, we need to proceed with extreme caution, not just apply more and more pressure.
KINKADE: Yeah, you make some really good points, Brett Bruen. Great to have you on the program. Thanks so much.
BRUEN: Sure thing.
KINKADE: Well, expert cave divers from Finland are now in the Maldives to assist an ongoing undersea recovery mission. Search teams have been looking for the bodies of four Italian divers who went missing after a scuba accident Thursday. The body of one diver was recovered that day.
The dangerous mission has already cost the life of a top military diver from the Maldives. Authorities say that Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee may have died from complications in the decompression process. Officials say they think the bodies of the four remaining Italian divers are in a maze-like underwater cave. The deepest point of the cave is about 70 meters. That's about 230 feet below sea level.
The country's largest commuter rail road is set to strike Monday as workers demand better living wages. We're going to take you to New York, where thousands of people are now left without critical transport.
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[05:43:08]
KINKADE: Severe thunderstorms eating parts of the central U.S. this weekend. It comes as the storm system moves eastward into more of the northern plains and upper Midwest. Tornado threats will ramp up for Sunday and Monday.
Meanwhile, record high temperatures are on the way, too, with roughly a dozen highs expected on Sunday from Kansas to Bridgeport, Connecticut. That number doubles on Monday and continues into Tuesday with record temps in store from the Appalachians through the northeast. Cleveland could see its first 90-degree day of the year. And Washington, D.C. could see its first 95-degree day.
In New York, hundreds of thousands of people on Long Island are scrambling to figure out how they're going to get to work this week. CNN's Gloria Pazmino has more on the strike impacting America's largest commuter railroad.
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GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It's going to be a messy commute on Monday morning if the strike is not resolved by then. About 3,000 workers walked off the job on Saturday at midnight after talks between the five unions representing the workers and the MTA, which controls the Long Island Railroad, fell apart. They were unable to reach a deal.
Now, the workers are asking for a pay increase. They say that's what's needed in order to keep up with the high cost of living. We talked to some of them today. They told us that living in this area, one of the most expensive areas in the country, is really difficult, and they are asking for those wage increases in order to be able to keep up.
Take a listen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our argument and our fight is not with the commuters because the commuters are our friends, our family, our neighbors. It's unfortunate we had to come to this position. I don't want to be here anymore than anybody else wants to be here, but this is the only way to get the MTA to listen. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All we really want is to be respected for the work that we do. We're here nights, weekends, holidays. We miss family events. I almost missed the birth of my daughter. We just want to be treated fairly and well compensated for it.
[05:45:06]
PAZMINO: Now, the workers are specifically asking for a 9.5 percent retroactive pay increase and a five percent increase for the current year, but the MTA says that increase will likely result in fair hikes, Governor Kathy Hochul has encouraged both the unions and the MTA to go back to the negotiating table to try and strike a deal.
Now, if this is not resolved by Monday again, the impact is going to be significant. The MTA has put contingency measures in place. They will have buses available to help bring commuters in from Long Island, but they are asking people to work from home if they're able to do so. This is the busiest rail line in the United States. It carries approximately 300,000 passengers every day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KINKADE: Thanks to Gloria.
Well, that strike could mean more New Yorkers might have to take a car to work, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars for commuters. Of course, gas prices are reaching new heights due to the Iran war is pushing up prices.
According to the Triple A, the national average cost of a gallon is now $4.51. That's about 50 cents more than one month ago and about $1.53 higher than before the start of the war.
Well, despite the financial turmoil weighing on Americans, President Trump is expanding upon his plans to upgrade the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. He says the renovation should be completed by America's 250th anniversary on July 4th, but that it is a much larger job than originally considered.
The president listed a variety of higher quality construction materials being used to increase the site's longevity. According to the president, the renovation was expected to cost $1.8 million. Federal records show a no bid contract for the job will cost taxpayers more than $13 million.
The renovation is also facing a legal battle after the Department of Interior was accused of sidestepping congressional approval.
Short margins, a razor thing, heading into the final round of the PGA championship. Still ahead, a closer look at the current leaderboard following Saturday's stiff competition.
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[05:51:12]
KINKADE: Bulgaria is celebrating its first ever victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, and this is the song that won it.
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KINKADE: 27-year-old DARA stole fans' hearts with her pop song, "Banga'ranga." It crashed the jury vote and public vote, the first time both have selected the same winner in nearly a decade. And for seven decades, Eurovision has helped create some of the biggest international stars, including ABBA and Celine Dion. But the hugely popular contest, which often features quirky acts, is facing its largest political boycott ever. Israel took second place, although its participation led to countries boycotting the event over Israel's war in Gaza.
Earlier I spoke to forensic musicologist and professor at Berklee College of Music Joe Bennett. He shares his thoughts on this year's contest and Dara's win.
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JOE BENNETT, FORENSIC MUSICOLOGIST: I had tipped Finland to win in a very public way, and in fact they came sixth. So, it just shows what so-called experts know. But the winner, of course, Bangaranga, a very well-deserved winner. I loved it when it came out. You know, I did score it very highly in my defense. But why was it successful? I think in two words, great hooks. It was just super catchy. And, of course, Dara performed it with such aplomb and enthusiasm and authenticity. I think that really shone through the final performance.
KINKADE: Yes, it certainly did. Of course, Australia's Delta Goodrem, who grew up in my old neighborhood, topped the Eurovision 2026 audience poll with Voiders. What does that tell you about how her performance landed with the audience?
BENNETT: Well, I think "Eclipse" was a very fine song and extremely well-written. And, of course, she's an established performer. We know that in Eurovision that can sometimes be a risk, established performers trying to bring their name recognition.
In fact, one country brought in Boy George as a gimmick and didn't even make it through to the semifinals. So -- but in the case of the Delta Goodrem song, I just think she gave a very sincere performance. It was a shiny piece of Europop, very well produced, very well put together with excellent performance values. But on the night, you just never know which way the voters are going to go and what's going to capture the public imagination.
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KINKADE: Well, at the 151st Preakness Stakes, Napoleon Solo laughed it all on the track Saturday, rallying a major come-from-behind win. A surging sprint in the final straight saw the three-year-old overtake the leading favorite, Taj Mahal. Barreling close behind in second place was Iron Honor and in third was Chip Honcho.
But none were able to catch Napoleon Solo down the stretch. Now all eyes will shift to the Belmont Stakes in June, where Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo is expected to return for the final leg of the horse-racing Triple Crown.
Top-ranked golfers are preparing for the fourth and final round of this year's PGA Championship later today. American Alex Smalley carved out a narrow lead Saturday following his birdie streak on the back nine. But the tournament is still any one's to win, with nearly a dozen major champions within striking distance. CNN's World Sports Patrick Snell has more.
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PATRICK SNELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Atop a clogged PGA Championship leaderboard, one name stands alone at the top. The unheralded American Alex Smalley will take a two-shot lead into Sunday's final round, but it could have been an altogether different story.
[05:55:05]
The 29-year-old New Yorker, without a PGA Tour title to his name, started Saturday's round three in a tie for the lead, but he bogeyed three of his first four holes. He dug deep, though, refusing to hit the panic button, responding with seven birdies, including one at the last, to close out a round of 68 to leave himself at six under par for the championship.
Also in the mix, Spanish star Jon Rahm, who fired a three under par 67 on Saturday. Rahm's quest to become the first Spanish golfer ever to win the PGA Championship.
And England's Aaron Rai, also very much in the mix. Rai, one of five players at four under par, as he seeks to become the first English golfer to win this tournament in 107 years.
AARON RAI, ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: It's actually the first that I heard of that statistic a few minutes ago. I didn't realize that that was the case. But, yeah, amazing, amazing to be in this position, a lot of really good golf to be here. But I also know there's such a long way to go, a lot of things can and will change tomorrow. So, yeah, amazing to be here, but trying not to get too far ahead of myself.
SNELL: Saturday was very much moving day for two-time winner Rory McIlroy, who'd started the day five shots back. But a sizzling four under par 66 soon changed that, and the back-to-back Masters champion will start Sunday three shots back. Only once since 1990 has the PGA Championship winner not been in the top five on the leaderboard, entering the final round. And with that, it's right back to you.
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KINKADE: Thanks to Patrick Snell, we'll be watching.
Thanks so much for joining us for this edition of "CNN Newsroom." I'm Lynda Kinkade.
For those of you watching in the U.S. and Canada, "CNN This Morning" is next. And for those of you elsewhere, it's "The Link." (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
