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Ukraine: 5 Killed, 11 Injured From Russian Attacks In Last 24 Hours; European Commission President To Attend Zelenskyy-Trump Meeting; CA Legislature Set To Debate Map Giving Dems 5 Seats; Air Canada To Resume Flights After Directive Ending Strike; Protesters Block Highways As Strike Demanding Hostage Deal Underway Across Israel; Over 140 Rescues Made At New Hampshire Beach Due To Rip Currents; Parole Board Weighs Menendez Brothers' Release This Week; Three GOP Governors To Send Natl. Guard Troops To D.C. Three GOP Governors to Send National Guard Troops to D.C.; WH Orders Review of Smithsonian Museums and Exhibits; Trump Announces Kennedy Center Honorees. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired August 17, 2025 - 07:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:00:48]

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Welcome to CNN This Morning. It is Sunday, August 17th. I'm Victor Blackwell.

Here's what's new this morning. We're getting a better understanding of who will join that Oval Office meeting tomorrow between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who's on the guest list so far, and what's at stake. We'll get into that.

Breaking news this morning, Air Canada is set to resume flights today after suspending operations Saturday. Passengers were stranded when thousands of flight attendants went on strike. We'll tell you what brought this to an end.

Also, could the Menendez brothers finally be freed from prison after nearly three decades? The critical hearings that will decide the fate of those men this week.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: And Erin is a major hurricane and expected to restrengthen a little bit more today. We'll take a look at that timeline coming up.

BLACKWELL: All right. This morning, there are new developments ahead of President Trump's highly anticipated meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Oval Office meeting is a little more than 24 hours away. President Trump says that his goal is to try to end Russia's war on Ukraine.

And this morning, E.U. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that she'll be there at the meeting. A European official tells CNN that the NATO Secretary General and Finland's president will also likely attend.

Now, in a couple of hours, French President Emmanuel Macron, they say that Ukraine's European allies will be meeting. President Trump said that he's now looking for a direct peace deal as opposed to a ceasefire. Experts say that's what Putin wants because it allows the Russian leader to continue the fighting.

And in the last 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities say at least five more people have been killed, nearly a dozen injured across Ukraine as Russia continues its missile strikes on the country.

Joining us now from Kyiv is CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman. Ben, give us the latest.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Victor, well, just to explain to you where we are, we're in Maidan Square in the middle of Kyiv. This is a ad hoc monument to those who have been killed in the war against Russia. Many of them actually killed in those parts of the country that Vladimir Putin would like Ukraine to give up. And, of course, many Ukrainians are opposed to that.

Now, as far as the news goes, it appears at this point that there's going to be quite a few European leaders attending this meeting between President Zelenskyy and President Trump in the Oval Office. We understand the leaders of Germany, in addition to Finland, France, Italy, the head of the European Commission is also going to be there.

So clearly they want to fill the room with those who have been solid supporters of Ukraine in its war against Russia and hoping, of course, not to repeat the sort of disturbing meeting that took place back in February in the Oval Office between President Trump, Vice President JD Vance and President Zelenskyy.

So clearly that sort of thing wants to be avoided. They want to show the American president that Europe is firmly behind Ukraine in its war. And, of course, everyone is now looking forward, perhaps, to this Friday trilateral meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy, Trump and Putin.

But that's still very much in the air at the moment. We understand that one of the main topics of conversation in today's video call between European leaders, between the members of the so-called Coalition of the Willing, is going to be security guarantees in the event of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. That's a very sensitive topic. They want the Americans to be on board with the possibility of the deployment of Western forces, perhaps even American forces in Ukraine to deter a possible future aggression.

Now, just to give you a feeling of how people are watching this, we are joined by Anna Moshyna. She is a 22-year-old university student studying theater. Her father, unfortunately, was killed on the front lines on the -- in the beginning of May. And she's come to this monument, as she does almost every day.

ANNA MOSHYNA, STUDENT: Yes.

[07:05:08]

WEDEMAN: Ana --

MOSHYNA: Hi.

WEDEMAN: -- how, are you looking forward to this meeting between Presidents Zelenskyy and Trump in the White House? Are you optimistic that perhaps something positive, perhaps peace, will come out of this?

MOSHYNA: I hope so. But my biggest dream is to save our borders, to Eastern Crimea, be Ukraine. But that was my dream, my father's dream. I've never been to East, and I want to see where my father was killed. So that's very important for every Ukrainian, I'm sure. Yes.

WEDEMAN: And, of course, it's Eastern Ukraine, which President Putin apparently told President Trump that he wants Ukraine to surrender, to give to Russia.

MOSHYNA: No.

WEDEMAN: Is that acceptable?

MOSHYNA: No. No. I think no, because look around, there are a lot of brave people, the best people of Ukraine, and they were -- they're fighting to keep it Ukrainian. That's very important for us. I'm -- I don't agree to give it to Putin.

WEDEMAN: OK, thank you very much, Anna.

MOSHYNA: Thank you.

WEDEMAN: And there you have it, Victor. People watching very closely what is happening and what's going to happen tomorrow in Washington, but with a certain amount of trepidation worry about what will be decided, what could be decided on behalf of this country. Victor?

BLACKWELL: Yes. You remind us that the territory that we're discussing, those are towns, those are people, those are communities that we're discussing, not just territory.

Ben Wedeman there for us in Kyiv in a conversation with Anna. Thank you so much.

The California legislature convenes tomorrow. At the top of their agenda is a new congressional map that could give Democrats five more seats in Washington. Supporters say it makes districts more compact, while Republicans call it politics at its worst.

CNN's Julia Vargas Jones has more.

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Victor. Well, this redistricting effort is a direct retaliation to what is happening in Texas. But even so, Democrats here are defending the new map. They're saying that it allows for more compact districts, fewer cities being split in half, minimal disruptions to the existing map. And currently, California has about 43 Democratic seats and nine Republican seats. And stay with me, that would mean that that number would go up to 48 to 4. Now, that is a five-seat difference, matching the exact number of seats that Texas Republicans want to add there.

But unlike in Texas, where the GOP can pass new U.S. House maps as soon as enough Democrats return to Austin, California Democrats will need to get approval of voters in a November referendum. And Republicans are already saying they will put up a fight, particularly, of course, the five Congress members whose seats are at stake.

One of them, Doug LaMalfa of the 1st District of California, slammed the proposal on X yesterday, saying, quote, "How on earth does Modoc County on the Nevada And Oregon Border have any common interest with the Marin County and the Golden Gate Bridge? This is naked politics at its worst."

And you may say it's only five seats out of more than 400, but the majority in D.C. right now is so thin that these California seats will matter. President Trump has made it clear that he wants to do more, that he wants more legislative wins to enact his agenda, and he needs that majority to do so.

Now, another development that's really interesting on this redistricting effort is that for months now, Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, has tried to position himself as the anti- Trump nationally. But more and more, what we're seeing, Victor, is him using the president's language, talking about Trump trying to rig the election, telling his fellow Democrats to stop being weak.

And then these posts on X, clearly tongue-in-cheek, but where he says in all caps, quote, "Many people are saying -- and I agree -- that I, Gavin Newsom, America's favorite governor, deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, why? Because of the most incredible maps in the history of mapping, even Columbus."

Now, there is another opponent entering the chat here, former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He came out and posted on X, as well, a photo of him wearing a T-shirt, reading, F politicians, and, quote, "terminate gerrymandering." Schwarzenegger is a longtime advocate of nonpartisan redistricting, and he says that he's ready to fight gerrymandering from Republicans or Democrats. Quite a worthy opponent here.

Victor?

BLACKWELL: All right, Julia Vargas Jones, thank you.

[07:10:01]

Breaking this morning, Air Canada will resume flights today. A government order ended a major cabin crew strike that halted about 700 flights daily. The Canadian Industrial Relations Board directed airline staff to return by 2:00 p.m. Eastern after a push from the Canadian jobs minister. The strike, Air Canada's first since 1985, left more than 100,000 travelers stranded. And while service will restart tonight, the airline warns that some cancelations may continue for the next week as schedules normalize.

Protesters filled the streets of the nation's capital yesterday pushing back against President Trump's federal takeover of Washington, D.C.'s law enforcement. The group Refuse Fascism confronted National Guard members parked on Constitution Avenue near the White House. They chanted and surrounded military vehicles.

A nationwide strike is taking place in Israel today. Protesters are calling on the government to bring the remaining hostages home. Organizers say that thousands of private citizens and business owners will take the part in the protest. Demonstrators blocked a major highway and burned tires. Hostage families speaking in Tel Aviv are demanding the government put a proposal on the table to end the war in exchange for the last remaining hostages.

And folks on the beach in New Hampshire are singing the praises of their state's beach patrol after 144 people were rescued from the ocean at Hampton Beach last week. The New Hampshire Beach Patrol said that the uptick in rescues was because of flash rip currents produced by Tropical Storm Dexter. Lifeguards say the best thing you can do if you're caught in a rip current is to remain calm, keep your head above water.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

CHIEF PATRICK MURPHY, NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE BEACH PATROL: You could be at waist, chest depth, in the water, perfectly fine, and then a set comes through, a set of waves, it kicks up the sand, it rips that sand out, and it creates a channel in that area, in that sand where you're standing, and swimming flows out to sea.

The best bet is swim parallel to shore, because on either side to sandbar. Do not try to go directly back to shore, you're going to be fighting the current, you're going to get tired.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

BLACKWELL: All right, if you head to the beach, lifeguards want you to remember to use your best judgment when you're in the water.

Erin is now a Category 3 storm after briefly hitting Category 5 status yesterday. This massive hurricane is still moving across the Atlantic, north of the Caribbean.

For the latest track, let's go to CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar. Where is it now?

CHINCHAR: Right. So it's not very far from Puerto Rico, just on to the northern side there, but you talked about those rip currents just a moment ago from a different tropical storm, but rip currents are going to be one of the biggest concerns we have from this particular storm as well. So here's a look at where the storm is. Again, those winds still up around 125 miles per hour. We're likely going to get the next update here in about 45 minutes or so. Here's a look at where the track is. But notice a lot of these areas, even though it's not expected to hit, a lot of these countries still have tropical storm watches and warnings because those outer bands are still impacting them.

So flash flooding could be a concern, some gusty winds, as well as high surf and rip currents that we mentioned earlier. The continued track takes it kind of between Bermuda and the United States, but close enough that both of those areas will also get some very strong rip currents and some incredibly high surf. Again, all of those watches and warnings that are in effect are because of these outer bands.

Again, look at how widespread a lot of the rain showers are. So even as it kind of slides up the coast, you still have some of those outer bands that could even reach, say, coastal Carolina, even though it is incredibly far from shore.

Same thing for Bermuda. It's very far from the center of the storm, but still close enough that it's likely going to have some impacts from this particular storm. The area of tropical winds, it's very small now, but you're going to start to see, especially that yellow area, really expand in the coming days as the storm itself continues to grow in size.

BLACKWELL: All right, Allison, thank you.

Still to come, the Menendez brothers, they could soon be free men. They've spent decades in prison. We'll tell you what to expect at tomorrow's parole board hearing.

And more of us appear to be rethinking drinking, why a record number of people had given up booze.

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[17:19:02]

BLACKWELL: This is a pivotal week in the decades-long case of Erik and Lyle Menendez. A California parole board is holding hearings starting Thursday to determine if these men will be released. The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing their father and mother back in 1989.

Now, earlier this year, a judge resentenced them after a huge public outcry and opened the door for their possible release. Under California law, Governor Gavin Newsom will have the final say.

With us now, CNN Legal Analyst, Criminal Defense Attorney Joey Jackson. Joey, good morning to you.

So let's start with the parole process. Unusual circumstances here. The brothers were not eligible for this until a few months ago. What should we expect? JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: So there's a lot to expect, Victor. Obviously, this is a case of much public significance, but the parole board has a responsibility now for determining their suitability for release. Well, what does that mean? It means the parole board is going to consider numerous factors.

[07:20:05]

Of course, they'll consider the nature of the offense. We know it was a heinous murder of both parents involving them being sentenced, that is the brothers, to two consecutive life terms. But they'll consider what has happened since then.

What have they done in prison? Have they made efforts to rehabilitate themselves? Have they made efforts to rehabilitate others? Do they have any type of infraction history? What is the outcome or likelihood of them reoffending in any way or representing a danger to the public?

So there'll be many factors to consider. We'll know that the prosecutor, who certainly can be present or have a representative of his office present, is opposing their release, indicating that they are liars, doesn't believe the fact that they were sexually assaulted or abused, not believing they've accepted accountability.

However, the victim's families, their families, have really rallied around them and said enough is enough. And so that is going to be significant. They seem to have a lot of public support. They seem to have a lot of support from the prison. So there'll be both sides that are weighed in on, and ultimately the parole board will make a recommendation that the governor will have to act upon.

BLACKWELL: You mentioned the opposition of the prosecutor. L.A. County D.A. contested their potential resentencing earlier this year. How much weight does that hold over the decision from the board?

JACKSON: So I think it's significant. But remember, Victor, the board is appointed by the governor, and ultimately the governor has the last say. Having said that, we have a process. And in that process, prosecutors and their input into it are significant.

We should note that the present D.A., Hochman, was just elected. The prior D.A., Gascon, was the one who really brought all this up. The prior D.A. wanted them released. The prior D.A. made the recommendation. The incoming one saying, hey, that's a political stunt, enough is enough. They belong in jail.

And so the parole board will make the determination, again, having been appointed by the governor. And then the governor has a number of choices with regard to what the governor can do. The governor can affirm what the board does, meaning support what the parole board does.

Number two, the governor could modify it in any way, right, maybe a release date if they recommend release, lengthening it, shortening it, what have you. The governor, in addition to that, can reverse. The governor can do nothing. Or the governor can send it back to the full board of commissioners.

There's 21 of them and say, hey, I don't want two or three of you making this decision by a majority. I want everyone on board in terms of the parole board making the decision. So there's a lot that's going on here. And their release is not a guarantee, Victor, even if the parole board would say, hey, it's time and you can be released.

BLACKWELL: This obviously has been a high profile case since the murders in 1989. And, of course, with the recent podcasts and more information coming about allegations of potential abuse by their father, that attention has grown. Does, even though maybe it shouldn't, the notoriety of a case influence what happens in this board?

JACKSON: Yes, you know, that's a good point, Victor, because it shouldn't, but it absolutely, I would say, does. You know, the fact that you mentioned the podcast. There are a lot of eyeballs on this and there are a lot of people who believe, you know, and certainly there are detractors as well, and that's clear.

But there are many who believe them, that is the brothers and the allegations in terms of their father's physical and sexual abuse. There are many who don't. And because it's so public, remember, we're talking about politicians. We just talked about the prosecutor.

The D.A. is elected. The governor is elected. The governor points these boards. So I think the public sentiment certainly has a significant impact upon what happens. And remember, just going back very briefly, you know, they've been through two trials, right?

First trial, having two separate jurors deadlocked because they allowed that is the judge. All this information about sexual abuse. And then, of course, that's in '93, '94. They have this retrial where there's one single jury that's sitting. And the judge didn't allow the information about sexual abuse conviction.

And so there's a lot of interest, a lot of people watching. And I think politicians generally are swayed by public sentiment. And so I think the impact in terms of the notoriety to button up your question will be significant.

BLACKWELL: All right. We'll be watching this Thursday.

Joey Jackson, thank you. Enjoy this Sunday.

Still to come, the White House is taking aim at the Smithsonian Institute, reviewing exhibits and promising to change anything that does not fit the President's vision of America.

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[07:29:00]

BLACKWELL: Several Republican-led states are now sending their own National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. The White House is escalating its takeover of law enforcement in the city. For today's morning roundup, I'm joined by Tia Mitchell, Washington Bureau Chief of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Radio Host, Mara Davis and Dr. Jayne Morgan. Ladies, welcome to you all.

So, Tia, this is one that you're focusing on this week. West Virginia sending 400 National Guard troops, South Carolina, 200, Ohio, 150. Obviously, all now from red states.

TIA MITCHELL, WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF, ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION: Yes. I think it's interesting because D.C. is a big city. So, yes, there is crime in D.C. of -- a crime rate that surpasses most other moderately sized cities. Crime tends to be concentrated in places where people of poverty are concentrated.

And so, yes, there is crime in D.C. like any other major city. But a lot of residents of D.C. don't like the way that President Trump is addressing the crime. And I think that's what's being lost. It's not necessarily that residents in high crime neighborhoods don't want their local, state or national government to intervene, but it's how you intervene and it.

And I think there are a lot of residents of D.C. right now that are very unhappy with the federal takeover. They think it's heavy handed. They also think it's missing the local input. That could again help to really address what the people in the community say they need to address crime.

MARA DAVIS, ATLANTA RADIO PERSONALITY AND RADIO HOST, DAVE-FM ATL: It's interesting because I've been following a lot of this on TikTok. So, you see the residents and what it's like in a day in their life while this is happening and they're just saying, this is our community, these are our people. This is more intimidating than the crime that is alleged in their neighborhood.

I mean, certainly, there have been a couple of horrible things that have happened that prompted this, but I feel the biggest bummer for me living here in Atlanta when we had a shooting at the CDC and we lost Officer David Rose, and there has been nothing about the security at the CDC and so much focus on this when we have lost a beloved police officer in Atlanta and the intimidation to the CDC. So, I just think this is misplaced energy and it is very uncomfortable seeing those images. And it's even more real when you see people documenting this on their own.

Now, of course, you have to take that with a grain of salt because people who are citizen journalists are giving you their version of what's happening. But it's not great when you're seeing all of these trucks and law enforcement that you don't know which law enforcement group they're from right there in your backyard. It's uncomfortable.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes. Yes. You know, Mara, I'm going to stay with you for this. Ahead of America's 250th, the White House is now -- they are going to review the Smithsonian Institute, their 21 museums plus the zoo. They're starting with eight. Their goal, they say, is to ensure alignment with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions. This is your story of the week.

DAVIS: So, yes, this is a pretty slippery slope for a lot of reasons, like authoritarianism and -- but the Smithsonian is funded by the government. So, they're in a really sticky situation here. And I wonder with the Smithsonian, how much money it's going to cost them to make these changes, number one. This is not --

BLACKWELL: Especially in the era of Department of Government Efficiency cuts.

DAVIS: That's right.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

DAVIS: And. These museums in D.C. are free. So, people are attending them. I just hope that when we're in a different era, that they dedicate an area to this generation of showing them try to take this out as part of a moment in history. But I would recommend if you go to D.C. go to somewhere like the Holocaust Museum or the Civil Rights Museum, those are things that are going to stick. But yes, it's not great.

MITCHELL: Yes. Our museums are to tell us the truth. And our museums are forced to learn history. And when you find out that history could possibly be whitewashed or crucial, parts of our history be erased from museums, it kind of defeats the purpose of the museum in and of itself.

And, also expert -- expertise matters and who gets to make the decision now. If you're saying it's the curators of the museum, it's the academicians and the subject matter experts, then that's one thing because all museums should be refreshed and revised, right? As we learn more information, as you receive more research and more artifacts and more mementos get donated. But if it's just to serve as many things we've seen are to serve one person, which is President Trump, which brings in the concerns about authoritarianism, those are the concerns about the refresh of these museums.

DR. JAYNE MORGAN, CARDIOLOGIST AND VICE PRESIDENT OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS, HELLO HEART: And when we take another look at it and just look at sort of a younger and younger and younger demographic, they're actually getting their information from other areas and actually may step away from museums and move into areas of social media and the internet where they're actually getting this information. However, it's being filtered.

And, you know, that sort of brings to mind of whether or not that is continuing to drive people towards social channels that are increasing stress, decreasing neuron maturation and whether these types of things are continuing to drive people towards social media. And this is exactly what we see in younger and younger and younger demographics.

[07:35:00]

So, that information will still be there. It'll just be how you obtain it. And, you know, certainly, there's something to be said about being in-person and having tactile and touch and visual, but it's unclear how it's going to impact younger and younger demographics.

BLACKWELL: It might be enough to just drive us all to drink or not. Dr. Jane, we've learned there's a new Gallup poll that shows that just 54 percent of Americans said they consume alcohol at all. That is the lowest since Gallup started polling on the question in 1939. There's also the question of if alcohol has any benefits. I've heard in the past that it does. Is that changing?

DR. MORGAN: You know, it is changing. And we see a younger and younger and younger demographic also really interested in their health, really interested in preventive care. The American Heart Association just two days ago came out with brand-new recommendations since 2017, it's the first update we have had.

And so, as a cardiologist, I was really happy to see those on that list, is alcohol. The recommendation is zero amount of alcohol. Now, it doesn't mean that you can't drink for entertainment or for pleasure, but we are not recommending that you drink for your health. So, it's not a matter of I'm going to eat my vegetables, I'm going to eat my fruit, I'm going to get sleep, I'm going to exercise 150 minutes a day and take two glasses of wine. I'm sick.

BLACKWELL: Right, right.

DR. MORGAN: That's no longer part of your health regimen. And so, we are not saying not to drink. Now, so what happened in the past? In the past, red wines have a lot of flavonoids. Flavonoids are anti- inflammatory. They have a lot of positive properties in the body. The problem is we realize is that the amount of flavonoids in the wine is not sufficient to overcome the toxicity of the alcohol. So, even though the flavonoids are there, the alcohol is sort of diluting it. And so, it's really not going to be beneficial. So, listen, drink your wine, but do not include it as a part of your health regimen.

BLACKWELL: Well, wine wasn't on my list. Gin was on mine and I don't think that was ever recommended. All right. Dr. Jayne, Mara, Tia, stay with us. Coming up, sing it if you know it. Disco icon Gloria Gaynor is among this year's Kennedy Center honorees. More on the controversy surrounding institution in the second half of the Roundup.

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[07:40:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Listen, everybody knows that song, Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." Survived as a certified classic. And now, she's among this year's Kennedy Center honorees. Tia Mitchell, Mara Davis, and Dr. Jayne Morgan are back with me.

We were going to start with someone who's telling her not to accept, but there was a robust conversation during the break about the selection of Gloria Gaynor. Tia.

MITCHELL: Yes. I just -- I do believe, as much as the Trump administration has attacked DEI, I think they wanted a person of color on the list of Kennedy Center honorees. And to me, the fact that Gloria Gaynor is the one person of color on the list, indicates that they struggled to find a person of color who would agree to be on the list, because she doesn't have a huge body of work, which is what the Kennedy Center usually picks, is people who are icons in their genre of the arts. And she's basically a one hit wonder.

BLACKWELL: Mara?

DAVIS: I'm actually fascinated with the story on many, many levels, because the Kennedy Center, these honors, these are -- it -- a show is in production for a year, right? So, they are working on these honorees and they have fired the board, they have fired pretty much everybody who works within the Kennedy Center, honors.

And I'm a talent booker. So, I understand that If you want to book quality talent, you have to start working with publicists and managers a year out. You're planting the seeds because the idea of the Kennedy Center Honors is you have famous people covering music, doing poems, doing all kinds of things to make a full show. So, now you have President Trump as the host.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

DAVIS: In years past, you've had Queen Latifah host, you've had Gloria Estefan host. And so, I just wonder who they're going to get when they have -- they decided they're going to get Kiss. Kiss is an awesome band, right? But they are pyrotechnics, they are costumes.

BLACKWELL: They also have more than one song.

DAVIS: They have a lot of songs. I'm not denying that. I'm just saying I am very curious in the production value --

BLACKWELL: And which celebrities will come and perform?

DAVIS: Oh, well that too. I'm sure Sylvester Stallone is not going to have any problem getting people. I'm sure George Strait will have people come out.

BLACKWELL: Michael Crawford as well.

DAVIS: But I just think the booking of it all is going to be fascinating.

[07:45:00]

BLACKWELL: Dr. Jayne.

DR. MORGAN: And what concerns me, and you know, as a cardiologist, I'm just jumping from a doctor perspective here, is, you know, when we talk about stress and all the stress that it's causing. And what does that do to our bodies and what does that do to inflammation? And these are all the things that I think about. And even, you are like, listen, your blood pressure going up and --

BLACKWELL: Oh, what's your (INAUDIBLE).

DR. MORGAN: I mean, do I need to take everybody's blood pressure?

DAVIS: Gloria is going to need that.

DR. MORGAN: Whole blood pressure monitors.

MITCHELL: The producers who are behind the scenes, who, to your point, I didn't even think about this, there was probably a whole different show six months ago.

DAVIS: Totally.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

MITCHELL: And now, they've had to scrap everything. They probably had honorees they had in mind that they are now having to pivot. But that Kiss tribute is going to be amazing.

BLACKWELL: Let me ask you this, I got -- I'm going to yes or no right down the line. Ana Navarro, a CNN commentator, she says that Gloria Gaynor should reject the honor. She said on Instagram, I wish she wouldn't accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color, LGBTQ. The gay community in particular helped turn her signature song into an anthem. Should she accept the honor?

MITCHELL: I think it's too late. She's already accepted. She -- the points are made. And Gloria Gaynor already has decided to accept the award.

DAVIS: I think she's chosen her lane. I think there are artists who choose that land. Look at Carrie Underwood, right?

BLACKWELL: Yes.

DAVIS: She has decided. She's sang the inauguration. So, if she wants to do it, that's her prerogative.

DR. MORGAN: She has accepted. Yes.

BLACKWELL: OK. All right. So, let's talk about this last one. There really is no song of summer this year?

DAVIS: Yes, there is. Yes, there is.

BLACKWELL: OK, OK. So, you've got one.

MITCHELL: I don't think there's one.

BLACKWELL: We only have a minute left. Let's go down the line here. And the song of summer is what we're talking about now. Since there is not one this year, what is your song of summer?

MITCHELL: My song of Summer 2025 is "Outside" by Cardi B.

BLACKWELL: Oh, OK. All right. I'll take that. We couldn't play any this morning.

MITCHELL: That's OK.

BLACKWELL: Oh, good one.

MITCHELL: People know it.

BLACKWELL: Yes.

DAVIS: This is the easiest one ever. The hottest artist of our time, Taylor Swift, in August. And when it's August 1st, we all know salt air, we hear the first line and we're like, yes.

MITCHELL: But is it -- that's -- is that a song that was released this year?

DAVIS: This year? I mean, Taylor is eternal.

MITCHELL: But that's my point. There's no -- well, I'll keep going down.

DAVIS: Oh, Tia's going to nitpick.

MITCHELL: I'm into it.

DR. MORGAN: OK. So, for me, I'm going to go back. I like DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith in "Summertime." I always think that's just a smooth way to bring the summer.

MITCHELL: I agree.

BLACKWELL: You know, what's interesting is that mine is probably 40 years old. And I've been listening to Natalie Cole's, "La Costa." I mean, I find it because it's not -- it is a B side, but it is a classic and I've just been breezing myself through summer. But all great picks, even though they didn't come out this year --

MITCHELL: But that's my point, there's no -- song of the summer is supposed to be every summer is defined by --

BLACKWELL: I get that. But we didn't have one.

MITCHELL: -- a new song. We didn't have one.

BLACKWELL: So, we're filling it in this summer.

MITCHELL: Yes.

BLACKWELL: And we got to get up our blood pressure check during the break.

DAVIS: -- little seals and cross "Summerbreeze." Summer breeze makes me feel fine. BLACKWELL: Tia Mitchell, Mara Davis, Dr. Jayne Morgan. Thank you all. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:00]

BLACKWELL: Week two of the NFL preseason saw the New York Giants take on the New York Jets. CNN's Coy Wire is with me now.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: What's up, Victor? Love preseason football because you have these competitions, these battles. Giants quarterback -- Giants head coach Brian DaBoll says that he swears Sierra's (ph) husband is still the starting quarterback, but they'll continue to develop their first round draft pick Jaxson Dart. Russell Wilson though starting for the Giants. And on the opening drive, Wilson throws a bomb to Beaux Collins, an 80-yarder that eventually led to a touchdown there.

But the second quarter, oopsies, Qwan'tez Stiggers plays for the other team, bro. And an interception there for Mr. Unlimited. He finished at 47 on the day. And in the third quarter, here comes Jaxson Dart, the rookie. Greg Dulcich for the 20-yard touchdown there. Dart going 14 of 16, 137 yards, one passing TD and then he would punch one in on the ground too. No turnovers. Giants cruise to a 31 to 12 win.

MLB action. The Milwaukee Brewers are balling, facing the Reds. Chance to break the franchise's all-time win streak. Tied in extra innings. Top of the 11th, Andruw Monasterio hits a three-run home run to knock in what will become the game winning run. Six to five is the final. The Brewers now on a franchise record, 14-game winning streak. Monasterio's Jersey number, 14. Something's special brewing in Milwaukee. They're in the smallest market in MLB, they have the seventh lowest payroll, but they have the best record in baseball, 78 wins on the season.

Today's play of the Day from a par three on the 17th at the PGA BMW Championship. Akshay Bhatia from 227 yards out. That is money. A hole in one. His first ever ace on the PGA Tour. He is high fiving. Crowd is roaring. And his caddy John Limanti, he's pumped. That hole in one got Bhatia brand-new BMW SUV. It also improves his chances of making it into the tort championship field. Here's Bhatia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AKSHAY BATHIA, WORLD NUMBER 40: You know, when that golf ball goes in, it was the craziest thing in the world. My caddy was pointing at the car and I'm like, don't even know what to -- you know, to do. I couldn't even feel my body. And still even going to AT&T was pretty, pretty nuts how much adrenaline I had. I don't really necessarily need a new car. I'm pretty happy with what I got. So, I think either I'll give it to my caddy or figure something out to where I can donate it to charity or something.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[07:55:00]

WIRE: All right. Tell me what you think about this. Hundreds of robot athletes are preparing to power down after competing in the world's first humanoid robot games in China. The competition began Thursday in Beijing. It ends today. 280 teams, 16 countries competing in 26 different events, soccer, you had track and field, you had boxing.

During the opening ceremony, humanoid robots showing off their skills in martial arts. They play keyboards, guitars, drums, even dance to some hip-hop. Organizers say the games are a chance to collect data that help future development. Is this a celebration of human ingenuity or are we celebrating our eventual obsolescence is the question?

BLACKWELL: I think it's pretty cool. But did they have break dancing?

WIRE: Oh, come on now.

BLACKWELL: Did they have break dancing there?

WIRE: You know, they can do the robot.

BLACKWELL: Yes. See, see.

WIRE: There we go.

BLACKWELL: I was waiting for you to make the connection. There you go.

WIRE: I see what you did.

BLACKWELL: But I'm not -- let's put the video back up. I'm not mad at this. I know some people look at this and like kind of weirded out or scared by it, but I don't think it's that bad.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't think they're that good.

BLACKWELL: Well, that's true.

CHINCHAR: We only watched a brief clip. I know that.

BLACKWELL: It's the first time. These are the first games.

WIRE: If a robot stumbles, is it a malfunction or --

BLACKWELL: Thanks for watching.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:00:00]