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CNN This Morning

Jimmy Kimmel Back on ABC, Trump Threatens to Sue; Trump Now Says Ukraine Can Win. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired September 24, 2025 - 06:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EMMANUEL MACRON, FRENCH PRESIDENT: How are you? Guess what? I'm waiting in the street, because everything is frozen for you.

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[06:00:12]

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: So, President Macron there, taking the incident in stride, literally, as he continued his trip on foot.

Thanks so much for joining me here on EARLY START. I'm Erica Hill. Stay tuned. CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.

AUDIE CORNISH, CNN ANCHOR: Jimmy Kimmel back on TV with an apology and a promise not to back down. CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.

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JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, ABC'S "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE!" He tried. He did his best to cancel me. Instead, he forced millions of people to watch the show.

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CORNISH: The plea Kimmel made to his supporters and his critics.

And President Trump now suggests Ukraine can retake all the territory it lost to Russia. Will his latest shift stick?

Chaos in the courtroom. A would-be assassin tries to stab himself after a jury finds him guilty of trying to kill the president.

The comeback. Hundreds of federal workers fired by Elon Musk now asked to return to their jobs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Don't take Tylenol. Don't take it.

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CORNISH: Unfounded claims about acetaminophen and autism. How doctors are pushing back.

Six a.m. here on the East Coast. A live look at Nashville. It's actually one of the many markets ABC stations around the world, around the country that could not watch Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night.

Good morning, everybody. It's Wednesday, September 24. I want to thank you for waking up with me. I'm Audie Cornish, and here's where we begin: Jimmy Kimmel.

He made an emotional return to ABC after a sudden suspension, drawing praise from his fans and a new threat from President Trump.

So, in his long opening to the show, Kimmel thanked supporters and even those who disagree with him for speaking out on his behalf. He also addressed the original comments which got him kicked off-air.

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KIMMEL: The truth is, I don't think what I have to say is going to make much of a difference. If you like me, you like me. If you don't, you don't. I have no illusions about changing anyone's mind.

But I do want to make something clear, because it's important to me as a human. And that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man.

I don't.

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CORNISH: And anticipating an angry White House, Kimmel seemed to preempt the president's response to his return, with some help from Robert de Niro, going full "Goodfellas."

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KIMMEL: Is this how things are going to go from now on?

ROBERT DE NIRO, ACTOR: We've also got a new motto at the FCC. Sticks and stones may break your bones.

KIMMEL: And?

DE NIRO: And?

KIMMEL: Well, the rest of that is, but -- but I think, "But words can never harm you."

DE NIRO: Well, they can harm you now.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: Joining me now, Nia-Malika Henderson, CNN senior political analyst and political and policy columnist at Bloomberg.

So, Nia, before kind of the partisans come in and people start weighing in on this performance, I want to hear from you, especially being at Bloomberg and understanding the kind of business at play.

So, first of all, not everyone will have even seen this.

NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Right.

CORNISH: And not for the usual reasons, which is that they're not watching television, but because it was not being aired. Right?

HENDERSON: That's right. It wasn't aired in, what, something like 20 percent of the stations across the country. These are stations that have ownership -- ownership that is more conservative, that wanted to continue this protest against Jimmy Kimmel.

Protests that we saw in reverse after ABC said that they were going to pull it from -- from their stations. There was lots of outrage from lots of people, including people like Ted Cruz, who thought that this was --

CORNISH: Yes. Who we heard in the speech last night, in the monologue. You had Kimmel referencing Ted Cruz.

HENDERSON: Yes.

CORNISH: The reason why I bring this up is because I think even maybe "The Wall Street Journal's" editorial page talked about this. Is the reason why this turned on the Trump administration the fact that Republicans spoke out?

HENDERSON: I think that certainly has -- has something to do with it. The fact that you had this real kind of uproar about the First Amendment.

This idea that the administration, in the form of the FCC commissioner, essentially, saying, That's a nice program you got there. And their reaction, having been to pull it.

So, you did have this real moment of the country saying, Maybe this isn't a great idea. And conservatives.

[06:05:08]

Listen, not everybody in the country thinks this, necessarily.

CORNISH: No. I was going to ask you. You have this moment where you're having lots of people say it was Disney's decision to pull Kimmel.

HENDERSON: Yes, yes.

CORNISH: It is Disney's decision to bring him back.

HENDERSON: Right.

CORNISH: And that's not fascism. That's business.

HENDERSON: Yes. Yes, yes. So -- so sure. I mean, the argument, essentially, from the White House was, listen, the ratings aren't what they used to be. This is, of course, across the board with television in general. There's a real splintering of audiences. And that was their decision.

But for the fact that you did have the commissioner basically say, "We can do this the easy way or the hard way" in reaction to -- to what Jimmy Kimmel was saying.

And the other thing is, there has been a pattern of this, right, of this administration, Trump, going after ABC, going after CBS. Every time he mentions ABC, he talks about this settlement --

CORNISH: Right.

HENDERSON: -- of $60 million that he got from them and saying, Listen, maybe I'll get more.

So, the idea that this was just a business decision, we see from this administration something that we haven't seen from other administrations, which is interfering in businesses and particularly you heard Donald Trump himself say --

CORNISH: Yes.

HENDERSON: -- on Air Force One, you know.

CORNISH: Let me jump in here, because overnight, this is something. As you're Googling the Kimmel monologue, you're waking up and you're wanting to know what's going on, you also have Trump responding.

And one of the things he said on Truth Social is that the White House was told by ABC that the show was canceled: "Something happened between then and now, because the audience is gone and his talent was never there."

The part people are pointing to now is saying, "I think we're going to test ABC out on this. Let's see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 million."

HENDERSON: Yes.

CORNISH: The two things that struck me here was saying, Hi, we, the White House, were involved in these conversations, not just the FCC. And second, By the way, I've gotten money out of you before.

HENDERSON: Yes. And this is a test. And -- and perhaps he will do it again. You see him suing all sorts of media entities, including "The New York Times." That, of course, was tossed out. We'll see what happens with that.

But listen, this has worked. Him coming after these news outlets --

CORNISH: Yes.

HENDERSON: -- has worked, and he's going to see if it works again.

CORNISH: And Kimmel addressed this overall free speech conversation. Let's play a section of that for folks.

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KIMMEL: This show is not important. What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes!

KIMMEL: I mean, I've had the opportunity to meet and spend time with comedians and talk show hosts from countries like Russia, countries in the Middle East who tell me they would get thrown in prison for making fun of those in power, and worse than being thrown in prison. They know how lucky we are here. Our freedom to speak is what they admire most about this country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HENDERSON: Listen. And I think Donald Trump did not help the situation when he went on Air Force One. He's continuing with this now. Went on Air Force One and said, Listen, these broadcasts are 97 percent against me.

I don't know where he got that figure of 97 percent.

But essentially, They should be silenced, because they are saying things that are critical of me.

And I think that was a real turning point in this whole discussion. And we saw, I think, the end result last night. But there could be more, given what the FCC commissioner said about this and given what we know that the president wants to do, which is crack down and threaten these outlets, that he doesn't like.

CORNISH: OK, I want to end on one more note, which is Kimmel talked about how he wanted his original comments to be received. He acknowledged they didn't land well.

But he also spoke about Charlie Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, who gave her eulogy at the memorial on Sunday. Here's what Kimmel had to say.

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KIMMEL: On Sunday, Erika Kirk forgave the man who shot her husband. She forgave him. That is an example we should follow.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes!

KIMMEL: If you believe in the teachings of Jesus, as I do, there it was. That's -- that's it. A selfless act of grace. Forgiveness from a grieving widow. It touched me deeply. And I hope it -- it touches many.

And if there's anything we should take from this tragedy to carry forward, I hope it can be that.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CORNISH: Jimmy Kimmel last night, in his opening comments on his return to air on ABC.

[06:10:00]

I want you to stay with me. Nia-Malika is going to be here to help me. We've got a lot to talk about on CNN THIS MORNING.

For example, it's a message Americans may be familiar with but not world leaders. President Trump told them what's destroying their countries.

A House Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee joins me live to discuss.

Plus, what changed Trump's mind? Why does he now believe Ukraine can win the war with Russia?

And the Republican hold on the House shrinks. Arizona just elected its first Latina congresswoman.

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ADELITA GRIJALVA (D), ARIZONA REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT: Together we broke the glass ceiling.

I might be the first, but I will not be the last.

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[06:15:12]

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TRUMP: I thought that was going to be the easiest one because of my relationship with Putin, but unfortunately, that's -- relationship didn't mean anything, unfortunately.

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CORNISH: A stunning reversal by President Trump on Russia's war with Ukraine.

For the first time since taking office, the president is suggesting Ukraine could win back all of the territory Russia has taken since 2014. And then, he took it a remarkable step further.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, do you think that NATO countries should shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their airspace?

TRUMP: Yes, I do.

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CORNISH: And Ukraine's president is sensing a shift.

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BRET BAIER, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: Are you surprised to hear that?

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT: A little bit. I was very positive signals from the side that -- that Trump and America will be with us to the end of the war.

I think he understands for today that we can't just swap territories. It's not fair. It's -- it's not real.

BAIER: So, you think his position has changed?

ZELENSKYY: Yes, I think so. And God bless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: Joining the group chat now, CNN global affairs commentator and former deputy Pentagon press secretary, Sabrina Singh. Sabrina, thanks for being with us.

So, there's two reasons why I wanted you here. We're going to get into the politics of all this.

But I also was noting this idea about how to respond when Russia breaches the airspace of European countries. What, to you, is notable about how the president talked about this?

SABRINA SINGH, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS COMMENTATOR: Yes, that was a.

Remarkable response. Essentially, Trump giving the go ahead for NATO countries to shoot down Russian aircraft if they enter their sovereign airspace. And of course, that is always an option for these NATO countries. But there's many steps in between, including interceptions and firing flares at these aircraft.

CORNISH: For someone who's not been that excited about NATO --

SINGH: Right. And I think Trump, the way he describes it as, like, NATO can do this, as if the United States is not part of NATO, which I think was -- is, like, very jarring.

Because the United States, if a NATO country does shoot down a Russian aircraft or drone, that could bring that country into a larger war, which means NATO countries enter that war, which triggers Article V, which of course triggers U.S. commitments.

And I think in some world, maybe Trump thinks that the United States would not be part of those commitments. And that is exactly the opposite. In fact, the United States would-be drawn into a larger war, which we, of course, don't want to see happen.

But it was a remarkable statement to make. And one that, certainly, I think, many European countries were surprised by.

OK, I want to play for you, the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, kind of following up on some of the ideas that we heard, but also leaning into the idea that this doesn't end militarily. Here's what he had to say.

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MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We have had meetings in Turkey, meetings in Saudi Arabia, meetings in Alaska. Countless phone calls, doing everything possible to bring this conflict to a resolution and to an end, a war that cannot end militarily.

It will end at a negotiating table. That's where this war will end.

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CORNISH: So, we know that people have been talking about talks for so long. Do the comments by Trump stick? Do you feel like, Oh, you're laughing. Do you -- I'm sensing some skepticism here.

HENDERSON: That's the -- that's the big thing. I mean, we'll see. You know, tune in tomorrow to see if he's changed his mind.

CORNISH: But why say that? Zelenskyy himself goes on FOX, because he knows the audience he's got to convince to maintain support for Ukraine, and says this is an inflection point. Pay attention to this.

SINGH: Yes. I think it was a remarkable turnaround from where we were in February, where Trump is basically berating Zelenskyy and saying, You don't have the cards; to rolling out the red carpet, quite literally, at the Alaska summit; to now saying that Ukraine can somehow take back the Donbas, the Kherson region, and Zaporizhzhia.

These are regions that Russia has really controlled and dominated since the beginning of the war, and it's going to be very difficult, even if he says Ukraine has the ability to take it back. How?

Is the United States going to provide more military equipment to Ukraine, more military intelligence? It's going to be very difficult.

And so, what I was looking for in that U.N. General Assembly address that Trump gave are commitments, and I saw none. I mean, I saw a lot of empty words being said. Of course, a dress down of other nations at the U.N.

But I saw no commitments to Ukraine. And so, remarkable turnaround. But where's the teeth behind those words?

CORNISH: So, what are you guys going to be listening for going forward?

HENDERSON: Well, listen, I think in that moment, when Donald Trump was speaking, he sounded like he was mad at Vladimir Putin, right? He has this idea that they're pals, and it seems like they've had some sort of quarrel. CORNISH: So, less support for Ukraine than annoyance at Russia?

[06:20:02]

HENDERSON: I think that's right. I think that's right. And so -- and I think that's why I'm skeptical of it, because it seems temporary. It seems so at odds with everything he said.

SINGH: Right.

HENDERSON: Everything. You know, if you think about Pete Hegseth's initial comments about Russia and Ukraine, it was that, of course, Ukraine was going to have to cede some of its territory. That was just a given.

And so, this idea that now, Oh, they're going to claw everything back. And it's not even going to require war, apparently. It's going to be at the negotiating table.

SINGH: I actually do think Rubio is right. I mean, this war does end at the negotiating table, as most wars do.

HENDERSON: Exactly.

SINGH: And so -- and I think -- I think he was stating the obvious. And that was something that, even in the Biden administration, we stated: that it is going to end at the negotiating table.

But we have to give Ukraine the most leverage when they come to the negotiating table, which was part of the reason why Ukraine was able to create that pocket in Kursk.

CORNISH: Yes. But was this a bit of leverage? I mean, Trump didn't say very many positive things to the U.N.

SINGH: Yes.

CORNISH: But he went there, and he did say this where everyone could hear it.

SINGH: I think it was certainly a messaging opportunity. And he spoke to, you know, Vladimir Putin directly and -- and on the world stage.

But again, it came in a Truth Social post after.

CORNISH: OK.

SINGH: And I think --

CORNISH: That's often where the truth comes.

SINGH: Right. Exactly. I think, to Nia's point, as well, you know, tomorrow we could -- Vladimir Putin could call Trump and say, and I had this portrait, you know, made for you.

CORNISH: Yes. That's fair. SINGH: And it's all totally different.

CORNISH: I'll add that, you know, if he does, that's a sign he heard the message.

SINGH: Yes. Yes.

CORNISH: So, we'll see what happens, you guys.

OK, everyone, stay with us. After the break on CNN THIS MORNING, morning, we've been hearing the president warn people against using Tylenol.

Now, his administration says, well, not never.

Plus, robot umpires called up to the big leagues. Is this a step towards consistency or does it take away the human factor of the game?

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[06:26:12]

CORNISH: It is now 25 minutes past the hour. I want to give you your morning roundup.

President Trump's would-be assassin tried to stab himself in the neck after being found guilty on all charges. As the verdict was being read, a sketch artist in the front row said Ryan Routh grabbed a pen and tried to stab himself.

That's when his daughter screamed, "Oh, my God, he's trying to kill himself! Someone stop him!"

He was tackled by marshals and dragged out of the courtroom.

Routh faces life in prison.

And House Democrats are adding to their ranks. Adelita Grijalva has won the special election in Arizona, a seat vacated by her late father back in March.

She will become the first Latina congresswoman from Arizona.

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GRIJALVA: It's hard to describe how I feel in this moment, but I see it in the eyes of my family and all of you. And I promise I might be the first, but I will not be the last.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CORNISH: Now, this win makes House Speaker Mike Johnson's job a little bit harder. He can now only lose two Republicans on any party-line vote.

And if you've ever yelled at an ump, this next story is for you. The MLB is calling up robots to the big leagues.

A committee made the decision Tuesday to use the automated ball strike system starting in 2026. Now, human umpires aren't going away. This will only be used when the teams challenge a call.

It's been used in the minors for a couple of years now.

And straight ahead on CNN THIS MORNING. Don't call it a comeback. We'll get a comedian's take on Jimmy Kimmel's return to late night TV.

Plus, a deadly storm batters Southern China, forcing nearly 2 million people to flee the coast.

And good morning, Virginia Beach. You've got a pretty sunrise.

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