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CNN This Morning

Extreme Heat Affects July 4th Celebrations Across U.S.; Trump Kicks Off July Fourth Festivities At Mount Rushmore; Iran Begins Multiday Funeral Processions For Supreme Leader; Taylor Swift And Travis Kelce Are Married. Record-Breaking Heatwave Sweeps Eastern U.S. During 4th of July; Medicare Now Covers Some Weight Loss Drugs in Pilot Program; Pope Leo Spends 4th of July on Italian Island Known as Stop for Migrants. Aired 6-7a ET

Aired July 04, 2026 - 06:00   ET

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

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[06:00:26]

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Welcome to CNN This Morning. Surprise. It's me. I know you don't usually see me at this hour, but here's what's going on and what's new this morning.

Happy birthday, America. From a tall ship parade in New York harbor to the bands and fireworks in cities across the country, we'll show you how Americans are celebrating the big 250.

Plus, the just married era, the dress, the guests, the party, new details on the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.

And Argentina survives a spirited challenge from tiny Cape Verde. The World cup Round of 16 begins today.

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST and dozens of records are set to take place today, even some more tomorrow. But we also have some storms in the forecast. We'll detail that timeline coming up.

WHITFIELD: And good morning. Thank you so much for joining us. It is Saturday, the 4th of July. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Victor Blackwell.

And we begin with the dangerous heat wave sweeping the east coast on America's 250th birthday. The intense heat is upending Fourth of July celebrations with more than 73 million Americans under extreme heat alerts today. Washington, D.C. is July 4th parade which was supposed to take place this morning was canceled due to the extreme heat.

And Philadelphia canceled its Friday Independence Day parade which was anticipated to be one of the nation's largest this weekend. CNN's Allison Chinchar is joining us right now. Allison, Good morning. Happy 4th. Oh my gosh. Brace for the heat.

CHINCHAR: Good hot morning to you. WHITFIELD: Yes, good morning.

CHINCHAR: Because it is, it is the feels like temperature, which is the air temperature combined with the humidity is already incredibly high levels this early in the morning, which is kind of scary to think about knowing it's just going to go up from here. So let's talk about some of those numbers. Again, you can see here we've got a couple of places that already feel like they are into the low 80s.

And folks, this is kind of the low point. We're not really expecting much more to drop at this point. So it feels like 80 in Boston, 84 in Washington, D.C. 80 in Raleigh, 75 in Indianapolis. Again, these temperatures here just kind of extreme for some of these areas.

Now as we go through the rest of the day, those temperatures are going to continue to rise. So this is why you have a lot of these heat alerts in place across portions of the Southeast, the Ohio Valley, the Mid Atlantic, the Northeast. It's really a lot of places. And again, not just 5 or 10 degrees above average, but record breaking heat. Every single one of the dots that you see here on the map has the potential to break or tie a record for today.

And some of them were broke records yesterday and the day before. So this is really day three for some of these areas of record breaking heat. These are the high temperatures, not the heat index. This is what the actual air temperature is expected to get to today. 102 In Washington, D.C. 96 in New York, 101 in Raleigh. Even places like Nashville and Atlanta are still expected to be well above their average for this time of year.

Now let's factor in the humidity. It is going to feel like it is 105 in Washington, D.C., 102 in Raleigh. Again, because when you're adding that humidity, that's where it's going to add that feels like temperature. The humidity is also what's going to fuel a lot of these storms. Yes. For places like New York and D.C. unfortunately for that 6 to 10:00 p.m. timeline tonight.

WHITFIELD: Oh my goodness. All right. Well, thanks for the warning, but we're bracing all day and really for the course of the next few days, right?

CHINCHAR: Yes.

WHITFIELD: All right, Allison, appreciate it. All right. The Salute to America celebration in Washington, D.C. today will be headlined by President Trump. It's organized by Freedom 250, a Trump backed nonprofit tasked with putting on a series of semiquincentennial events that caters the president's cultural agenda.

It will take place on the National Mall with the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial serving as backdrops. There will be military flyovers, performers, the president's speech and a 35-minute fireworks show that will feature more than 850,000 pyrotechnic effects.

Well, last night at Mount Rushmore, a spectacular fireworks show kicked off the festivities and the president spoke there telling the nation America's best days are ahead. CNN's Camila DeChalus is joining us right now from Washington with more on last night and what's ahead.

CAMILA DECHALUS, CNN REPORTER: Well, that's right, Fred. President Trump really used the backdrop of the Mount Rushmore and just the nation's 250th Independence Day to really make these celebrations, to deliver this speech that was a mix of the patriotic themes and also familiar political messaging.

[06:05:11]

During his remarks, he really argued that the communism represents one of the greatest threats facing this country and declared that America will never be a communist. And really drawing that sharp ideological contrast to what he describes as just the political left and just where he doesn't want this country to go. Take a listen to what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: Yet as we approach this magnificent anniversary, we see our American identity under a renewed attack. A generation after we fought and won the Cold War against the menace of communism, there is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land, including from newcomers to our country who embrace ideas totally opposed to our way of life and our great success. These are not mere political disagreements like differences over taxes or regulations. Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DECHALUS: And as you can see there, the speech really came as Trump is trying to frame this milestone anniversary, not only celebrating the country's founding, but also just a defining political moment that's happening in this country. And his administration has organized just in these past few days, a series of events really tied to celebrating the events in Washington and just the founding of this country.

And again, he's expected later today to address the crowds before the display of fireworks on the National Mall. But really, his comments are really underscoring a broader strategy that we've seen throughout his presidency and now heading into the midterm election season, and that is using really high profile patriotic events to argue that the country is in a ideological crossroads.

And his speech is really just linking the fact of making this clear that in the months ahead, especially with the midterm elections underway and coming up in a few months, that really the country is going through a defining moment at this time.

WHITFIELD: All right, Camila DeChalus in Washington, thanks so much.

All right. Vice President JD Vance will spend the Fourth of July in the Big Apple. He will deliver remarks and attend the Sail 4th International Parade of Tall Ships in New York Harbor. The New York Air National Guard will also participate in a 150 plane aerial review. The event is being touted as the largest military gathering of U.S. and international naval vessels, aircraft and tall ships ever assembled in U.S. waters.

And a live look right now at Earth Cam over New York Harbor. What a beautiful sunrise they're having there where the parade will be setting sail this morning. The U.S. Coast Guard's Cutter Eagle the lead. The ship's captain says it's an incredible moment.

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KRISTOPHER ENSLEY, COMMANDING OFFICER, COAST GUARD BARQUE EAGLE: This ship has been a commissioned Coast Guard cutter for 80 years. It is the oldest commissioned vessel in the U.S. Coast Guard. It is the only active tall ship in federal government service. And this ship is amazing to be able to be a part of that whole --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And being a part of it right there on a ship. Erica Hill, she's joining me now aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle. OK, you've got the best vantage point of all, but set the scene for us because, I mean, folks come out for, you know, this parade every year, but this year will be uniquely different.

ERICA HILL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is really something, Fred. I mean, I will say with our team here, we think we may have gotten the best assignment today. So we are on board the Eagle. I know we just heard from the captain here. I mean, what a way to start the day. You talked about that shot you just had of the beautiful sunrise. We were on the water just before 5:00 a.m. making our way out here, this tall ship.

So as you heard from the captain, the only tall ship still in use by the Coast Guard, this is actually a teaching ship. And this is going to be leading the parade of tall ships for sail for its 250 up the Hudson. And it is going to just be a remarkable day. So as I noted, we are leading the parade. There are ships running representing rather 32 different nations.

And I think our photographer, Ken, I think we can just get a shot of some of these other tall ships that are around us. It is going to be just an unbelievable event when you have this gathering of ships. So we have Italy, India, Argentina, the Dominican Republic, all represented a number of nations from South America as well with their boats.

We'll be getting ready just a little over an hour, about 90 minutes from now as everybody gets ready to then start to sail as we will be making our way, as you noted, up the Hudson.

Vice President Vance, of course, will be here for the review. There is also a big flyover that's planned with the Blue Angels and talk about a day for these cadets. So on board this ship you have about 60 crew.

[06:10:00]

There are 150 cadets from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. The superintendent of the academy going to be on this ship with us as well, as well as the admiral who is in charge of, as I was told, everything from the Rockies to the Arabian Sea, she is going to be on board as well. For these cadets it is part of a six-week training program. They just lucked out that they happen to be doing it here on the 4th for Sail250.

So every cadet who goes to the academy will spend six weeks on board this ship. And part of the reason, Fred, is they have to learn how to navigate without all the fancy modern bells and whistles. And they do part of that training on this ship between their first and second year at the academy. There are a few seniors, I'm told who are back this summer to help lead the way.

But what you're going to be seeing throughout the day is an incredible vantage point that will bring you from onboard the ship as we go by the Statue of Liberty. We're going to sail under the Verrazano Bridge. We're going to make our way all the way up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge --

WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh.

HILL: -- before we turn around. And it will really be a couple of hours for everybody there on the shores watching from New York and New Jersey to see these beautiful ships, ships and their sales go by. And we're going to bring you all the color from here. Talking to some of the cadets, the folks in charge as well.

WHITFIELD: Oh my God, you got the best vantage point. But of course folks at home in front of a television set, they too front row to what you are going to bring us throughout the morning.

HILL: They too.

WHITFIELD: I mean it's going to be incredible. And of course if folks can't enjoy it all today, there's still a few more days that some of these ships are going to stay in the harbor right all the way through something like July 8th.

HILL: Yes, it's great.

WHITFIELD: So there's a little time.

HILL: Which is great. Yes, it's an opportunity for folks to come these ships in person, come on board some of them and you can see it's not just of course the Eagle that's going to be but some of these other international ships as well, which is just a really cool sight to be a part of.

WHITFIELD: Awesome. Erica Hill, we'll check in with you again. Thank you so much.

All right, next after the break, a days long funeral for Iran's supreme leader. It's underway. What's next for negotiations between the U.S. and Iran during this time of mourning?

Plus, new plans for another round of repairs to the troubled reflecting pool on the National Mall. We'll explain the next round of renovations and Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce, now husband and wife. What we know about their star studded wedding at New York's Madison Square Garden.

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[06:17:02]

WHITFIELD: Massive crowds of mourners filled the streets of Tehran this morning as the country began a multiday funeral for its late Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Supreme Leader's coffin was displayed beneath a glass case at the Grand Masala along with the coffins of several members of his family. Video show some people wiping away tears as they wave Iran's flag and hold banners with the late Supreme Leader's image.

And in this country tragedy in Wisconsin, three children are dead after a boat capsized in Lake Geneva. Authorities say the boat sank after a sudden severe storm Friday. Crews first rescued six adults and a child from the water, then eventually found the other three children. But despite life saving measures, the three children were later pronounced dead. Authorities told CNN affiliate TMJ4 that multiple other injuries were reported in the wake of the storm.

And United Airlines is offering a new option for checking bags at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. See if you like this? It's called Twilight Baggage Drop. It allows passengers to drop their checked bags off curbside between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. the night before their trip. The program is for travelers, particularly with flights between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and allows them to skip morning check in lines and head straight through security to their gates.

All right. It's the moment their fans have been waiting for and talking about for what feels like forever, ever, ever. After weeks of speculation and secrecy, Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have officially tied the knot. The wedding is already the talk of social media with fans trying to piece together how it all came together. And now we're starting to learn a little bit more about their big day and night, which went on into the morning. CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister has details.

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ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially married after weeks of speculation over whether they would really get married at Madison Square Garden. Well, they did it and they pulled it off after the event was shrouded in secrecy. They got married in front of 1,000 people, according to sources who spoke to CNN.

And it was officially announced right behind me on a giant billboard that lit up that said just married. The just was spelled with T and T. That's of course, for Taylor and Travis. And shortly after it was lit up on the streets of New York City, I received a press release from Taylor Swift's representative, Tree Paine, which divulged some of the wedding details. Now, who was the officiant? Adam Sandler. Yes, that Adam Sandler. That

was not on my bingo card. Their press release also announced that they didn't have any bridesmaids or groomsmen.

[06:20:01]

Jason Kelce, of course, Travis Kelce's brother was his best man. And Austin Swift, who is Taylor's brother, was her man of honor. Now we saw a lot of celebrities going in, everyone from Benson Boone to Hugh Grant to Jennifer Lopez and some guests even leaving early. Chris Rock was spotted leaving early. Also Steven Spielberg, but who can blame them? The party was running late.

Yes, our sources tell us that the party was set to go until about 2.30 a.m. but the space was actually rented out until past 4:00 am. Now it remains to be seen when we might see any footage or photos from the event, but that will of course be up to Taylor and Travis. She is a mastermind after all.

For all the Swifties who have been waiting for years and years and years to see her love story come true, Taylor finally had her fairy tale ending. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks so much, Elizabeth. All right. Joining me right now is Page Six reporter Carlos Greer. Carlos, we are so lucky to have you because I know few have the scoop out there, but apparently you do. So what's up? What can you tell us about this wedding and the party that went on, I guess till just a couple of hours ago?

CARLOS GREER, PAG SIX REPORTER: Good morning. This was the wedding of era, pun intended. I was out there yesterday with Elizabeth and the scene at Madison Square Garden was out of control. And you spoke about fans piecing together the wedding last night on social media.

Well, CEO -- the CEO of AMC Theaters, Adam Aaron, he posted every detail and then quickly deleted it. And I'll tell you what he said happened last night. So there were blown up pictures at Madison Square Garden of Taylor and Travis from childhood. It did not look like a hockey game was played there or a basketball game.

Adam Sandler, as Elizabeth mentioned, he officiated the wedding and it was fun. Their love was on full display. He described it as, you know, they literally found their soulmates. And of course it was star studded violinists, cellos, anything that you would expect from a billionaire pop star's wedding.

WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh. So I'm envisioning, just from your words, I'm envisioning flowers like everywhere. I mean, you know, just erased whatever smells that might come with NHL or Knicks games, et cetera. And then it was aromatic and romantic. I mean, that's the picture that you're painting for me.

I mean, ultimate secrecy. But at the same time, this whole event was out in the open. So when do you think we're actually going to see some kind of pictures, video besides like the outside stuff that we're looking at right now.

I mean, she is masterful in her marketing. Surely she is going to, like, you know, drop a few photos here and there. But, you know, she'll be -- she'll be, you know, orchestrating the timing. Of course.

GREER: Of course. You know, Fredricka, she really has a strong connection to her fans.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

GREER: So I don't know when we'll see pictures, but I predict she'll release some kind of photo, at least. In her wedding dress, she wore Christian Dior. Both of them did. And custom Christian Louboutin shoes. And, you know, I think Taylor, she wants to share this moment with her fans. You know, I was surprised last night that they actually -- they put it on a billboard that they were just married at Madison Square Garden.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

GREER: So this is something that really wants to share. And if you were there yesterday, a lot of people flew here just to see them drive through Madison Square Garden. She couldn't even see her -- wanted to see the cars. So I'm sure she's going to want to share this moment with her fans. She's very connected to them.

WHITFIELD: She really is. And she has been from the very beginning, it seems, you know, and we know there were NDAs signed. We know that there was the banning of cell phones in the venue. So these guests are loyal to her, too. Clearly, they're not going to, you know, spill the beans until she says it's OK.

But explain to me a little bit more about why you say these Swiftie fans are really okay with this secrecy, this secrecy, but then they still feel like she is sharing this moment with them. Help me understand that.

GREER: Well, it's all in the music, you know, it really is. It's all in the music. People care about Taylor Swift because, you know, they've been invested in her since, you know, she was a young, folksy pop star, and she's grown into this savvy businesswoman, and she's so vulnerable in her music, and people are invested in her relationships. She writes about the ups and downs of all of her relationships, and now --

WHITFIELD: Yes.

GREER: -- she's finally found her perfect man. And people want to see that. People want to root for her and root for her love. That's how she's built this connection with her, with her audience.

WHITFIELD: Yes, I mean, the really -- the evolution of Taylor, right? I mean, it was the folksy country, you know, star before she became a pop star before. Now she's just global and everywhere, and everyone admire, admires her and loves her. And so it's very cool. We're happy for them both. Carlos Greer, you brought all the dish. Appreciate it. Good to see you. Happy fourth.

GREER: Thanks. Happy fourth.

[06:25:00]

WHITFIELD: All right. Despite the dangerous heat, most 4th of July events on the east coast will go on as planned. But the preparation begins before you even walk outside. What you can do to keep yourself safe in all of this heat next. And join CNN for America's 250th birthday with the biggest fireworks and stars CNN's 4th in America celebrating 250. Our coverage begins today at noon eastern right here on CNN and stream it on the CNN app as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right. The extreme heat and humidity sweeping the U.S. is fueling thunderstorms in parts of the mid-Atlantic and northeast. Here's a live earth cam picture of Philadelphia. I mean, it looks hot, doesn't it?

Even though it's a beautiful sunrise, shot some of the storms, could be severe and actually bring damaging winds and could also disrupt firework displays in a lot of areas. CNN's Allison Chinchar is back with us now. Allison, what can you tell us about these storms?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, METEOROLOGIST: Yes, they're not expected to be widespread. Which is the good news. The unfortunate part as we all know, it just takes a couple of bolts of lightning, and then everything shuts down for 20 to 30 minutes until they can resume.

The other concern is still going to be the heat. Again, you take a look at all of these areas that are under those heat alerts. It doesn't mean other areas aren't going to be hot. It's just that this is where the most extreme measurements of that heat are going to take place.

And every single one of these dots you see on the map, that is an area that has a potential to break a record temperature today. Keep in mind some of these, this would be day three of the record-breaking temperatures.

We still have at least one, sometimes a few cases of two more days of the heat before we finally start to see things dropping back off. Washington D.C., for example, 100 today, 96 Sunday, then finally dropping back down into the 80s Monday and Tuesday.

Raleigh, Atlanta, Nashville, also similarly, going to see some of those temperatures drop, but really not until next week. That feels like temperature when you factor in the humidity along with it. Still several areas looking at those triple-digit numbers, we talked about the rain.

A lot of it is really going to fire up later on this afternoon across the Great Lakes area, the Midwest and into the Mid-Atlantic. So, say about 6 O'clock tonight, you've got some in the D.C. Metro area, you've got some up around Buffalo, around Pittsburgh area, too.

Then by late tonight, now you start seeing it spread more into Philadelphia, into New York, into Boston. So, a lot of these areas still have the potential to have those storms.

WHITFIELD: All right, Allison Chinchar, thank you so much. All right, don't forget, CNN's new weather app has all the insight that you need on this 4th of July to help you plan your day and your entire weekend. You can get it right now in the Apple app store.

All right, let's continue this conversation about heat and the effects on your body. With me right now is Dr. Saju Matthew, he's a primary care physician and public health specialist. Good to see you. OK, it's hot in a lot of --

SAJU MATTHEW, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN: Yes, hot --

WHITFIELD: Places, but when is it too hot to go outside, and we want to be outside for the 4th holiday weekend --

MATTHEW: Yes, Fred, it's hot right now --

WHITFIELD: Yes --

MATTHEW: In my car this morning, driving to the studio, 82 degrees Fahrenheit.

WHITFIELD: Yes --

MATTHEW: And I think, you know, when I think about heat-related illnesses, it's two categories: heat exhaustion and heat stroke. It's almost like that car engine light that appears when you're driving. That gives you a warning. That's more heat exhaustion.

You can pull the car to the side. You can call roadside assistance, but when the engine fails, that's heat stroke.

WHITFIELD: Yes --

MATTHEW: Thirty percent of people can die from heat stroke.

WHITFIELD: So, help break down. What are the symptoms? What am I looking for to find out whether my body is succumbing to heat exhaustion? Because, you know, I step outside, it's hot. I might be sweating a lot more. People have different, you know, sensory experiences to heat.

But then when do I know that heat exhaustion is kind of my warning signal? What do I need to be looking for in my body?

MATTHEW: Yes, that's probably the most important question, Fred, because, you know, I tell my patients the way to prevent a heat stroke is to not get there in the first place. The second treatment is actually to recognize the symptoms.

And right there on the screen, heat exhaustion and the heavy sweating, nausea, headache, you feel tired. We've all been there. You're in the car, it's 85 degrees, you feel really hot. Your body is responding --

WHITFIELD: But your -- kind of excruciating because you're like, OK, it's hot, so, I'm going to move a little slower --

MATTHEW: That's right --

WHITFIELD: And you might think that's OK, when is it not OK?

MATTHEW: When you start having neurological symptoms, confusion, seizures, headache, you don't want to get there.

WHITFIELD: Wow --

MATTHEW: Don't be a hero. If somebody has symptoms of heat exhaustion, you want to call 9-1-1 and then proceed to help the person, take their clothing off, put them in a cool environment, ice packs. Once you get to those neurological symptoms of heat stroke, unfortunately, that engine has failed.

You know, our body is like an air condition --

WHITFIELD: That's ER material, yes --

MATTHEW: ER material, 100 percent. That's why, you know, I tell people, don't play the hero. If you find out someone is laying there, you know, at a cookout or something, you -- before you proceed to help them get somebody to call help, that way, this person may end up actually going to the emergency room needing IV fluids --

WHITFIELD: Oh, my goodness --

MATTHEW: And other measures.

WHITFIELD: This is all really important. So, say, you know, with the heat exhaustion, you're feeling a little bit, you're going inside, cool. I mean, anything like a -- you know, a cool washcloth. I mean, what additional things might you do to stave off, you know, taking your body to another level?

MATTHEW: Yes, so hydration, of course, rest, you know, maybe shut the blinds down so that the heat is not coming in and find a cool environment, ice packs, whatever you can do to get that temperature down expeditiously.

[06:35:00]

WHITFIELD: OK, now, let us switch topics for a moment. You know, also top of mind for a lot of folks, millions of people who are on Medicare will now get coverage for some GLP-1 drugs. Under this temporary program, recipients will pay just $50 a month for treatment instead of sometimes it runs people like a $1,000.

I mean, why is this kind of trial-run potentially important in your view?

MATTHEW: Yes, I think this is going to be a game changer. I just don't like that they call it the pilot program. So, for the first time, Medicare is going to pay for obesity-related drugs. So, that would be drugs like Wegovy Zepbound.

So, if you're 65 years and older, and you're obese, you are going to get these medications for $50, but only for 18 months, Fred. The question becomes what happens after --

WHITFIELD: All right --

MATTHEW: Eighteen months?

WHITFIELD: What just happened? I mean --

MATTHEW: Well --

WHITFIELD: Do -- generally, are you supposed to be on it for a long- term or is it -- I mean, originally, it was, you know, mostly prescribed for treating, you know, diabetes or staving off something like that. But you know, is 18 months going to be enough? Like if you're on this for, you know, your weight management. Is this fair?

MATTHEW: You know, hey, listen --

WHITFIELD: Or is it forever? How does it work?

MATTHEW: I'll take anything as a physician to get my patients at that stage in their life. They have not been able to lose weight on their own, $50 a month, I'll take it, 18 months is good enough of a time to see if the patient responds.

And remember, obesity is a chronic disease. It increases your risk for heart attacks for strokes, for diabetes. So, if we can get that weight down and then see what happens, I think Medicare is trying to see what will happen after 18 months?

If there are a lot of benefits, then you're going to save money. If you take care of a patient's obesity now --

WHITFIELD: Of course --

MATTHEW: Than a few years down the road --

WHITFIELD: All right, Dr. Saju Matthew, always great to see you.

MATTHEW: Happy 4th --

WHITFIELD: I always feel healthier and better.

MATTHEW: And stay cool.

WHITFIELD: I will do. Thank you so much. All right, next, what would George Washington make of America at 250? We'll be asking the founding father himself sort of, kind of, yes, it's true right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[06:40:00]

WHITFIELD: All right, on this 4th of July, as the U.S. marks 250 years of independence, the pope is drawing attention to a very different story. Pope Leo is spending the holiday on the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key gateway for migrants crossing into Europe.

The island has become a symbol of the global migration crisis, with thousands arriving there each year. The visit underscores tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over immigration policy. The pope is calling for compassion and a renewed focus on human dignity.

And work begins again soon to clean up and hopefully create a sparkling blue reflecting pool again. The National Park Service says it will start draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool after the July 4th celebrations. It has been plagued with algae and a damaged liner for weeks now, after a multi-million-dollar restoration effort, and now the search is on for a new contractor.

Bids are due to the Department of Interior on Wednesday. The renovations call for daily debris removal, manual disinfection and monthly pressure washes. And the pool will be drained two weeks every year for cleaning and inspection.

The bid request notes issues with the bottom of the pool saying it is, quote, "slick and nasty", and is a combination of wet leaves, duck and bird droppings. The cost of the renovations is now pushing past $14 million, more than initial estimates.

And separately, the Trump administration has installed a $1.7 million high-tech system to purify the water by shooting oxygen into bubbles that break down algae and other contaminants. All right, in Georgia, a sweet deal is drawing big crowds as families celebrate the 4th of July at a popular ice cream shop in Savannah.

Kids under 12 can earn a free scoop just by reciting the pledge of allegiance from memory. The shop says it's all about celebrating patriotism in a fun and tasty way. All right, celebrations are underway across the country to mark 250 years since America's founding.

And who better to talk about the country's anniversary is -- oh, founding father and first American President, George Washington. There he is, he's joining us from Mount Rushmore, of course, South Dakota. You peeled yourself kind of off the monument to be with us.

You look absolutely fantastic. How are you doing and how are you feeling about the nation celebrating 250 years?

BRIAN HILTON, GEORGE WASHINGTON INTERPRETER: Well, thank you so much for having me this morning. Profoundest gratitude. And I am absolutely, unequivocally elated about the semi-quincentennial celebration. And I am just positively optimistic about the future of this country.

Having made it a quarter of a millennium, and I -- words are -- it's just with inexpressible satisfaction that I am here with you today to discuss this semi-quincentennial.

WHITFIELD: Well, Mr. President, what makes you, you know, so thrilled about the 250 years? I mean, how do you assess the nation's progress over these many years? Is this what you envisioned where we are today?

[06:45:00]

HILTON: Well, I must say that based on my experiences as chief magistrate of the United States in the 1790s, there was cause for some pessimism. There was much in the way of party discord. One of the reasons I made a decision not to stand for re-election was the criticisms I was receiving.

But above all, the intestine discord, the -- you know, it was -- it was actually heart-rending to see what was happening to the country during its infancy and what you might even call or refer to as its toddler stage.

And the fact that you all have been able to make it to posterity, has been able to achieve a quarter of a millennium is absolutely remarkable, is quite extraordinary. And so, my hope stems from the fact that the longevity of this republic thus far marks it as one that can stand beside the Greek city states, Republican Rome, the Italian city states, the Dutch, as well as what they were able to do in the 1600s and into the early 1700s. So, the fact that you have made it this far is cause for optimism.

WHITFIELD: OK, hey, I didn't want to bring it up, but you did with party discord and all. There is a lot of discord, you know, across the country. And I am wondering, are you seeing then in a way, is history repeating itself or is this, you know, how do you assess things today? How do we get past it?

HILTON: It is, and it's a wonderful interrogative. It is one that I pondered and considered often. I endeavored mightily to remain or to stay above party discord. As a matter of fact, I was -- I never lend my name really, during my time of public service to either party or the development of the federalist party, the Democratic-Republicans.

And I strove mightily to continue to be what I always -- I think, believe myself to have been, a unifier. It was first and foremost about the country. I believed, and I was considered to be old- fashioned, even in my day as others left me behind and believe that, you know, the checks and balances and the separation of powers embodied in our constitutional design were more than adequate to deal with the problems that were arising going forward.

And I was of the belief that it was -- you know, if one had one -- if one had one's country's best interests at heart, there would be no need or cause to form a party or be a member of one. Parties in my time were considered quite parochial with respect to their interests.

Circumscribed, it was -- they were also identified as being selfish entities that it was about advancing what the members of faction parties so desired. And it wasn't really about the country as a whole. And so, I believe that I thought that party and faction had been the bane of republics.

And so, I -- the constitution makes no provision for parties, perhaps, but neither does it prohibit them. I was quite opposed to what was happening in the 1790s, and I resigned myself to the fact that the party and faction were becoming part and parcel of the republic. But again, my position was, I'm a unifier attempting or endeavoring to bring the country together.

WHITFIELD: Well --

HILTON: And if I could not do that, as I believe I could not, there was no third term for George Washington.

WHITFIELD: Well, wonderful, we so appreciate you, President George Washington, for helping to honor the history of America as we now celebrate the days and years to come. Happy 4th, happy 250th America, and thank you, President, Mr. President, for joining us. Back to your --

HILTON: Thanks --

WHITFIELD: Business at Mount Rushmore.

HILTON: Thank you so much. Thank you so much for having me.

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[06:50:00]

WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk some World Cup. Lionel Messi and Argentina narrowly escaped a huge upset against Cape Verde. Carolyn Manno is with us now. Carolyn?

CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. This was an incredible match between David and Goliath. The defending champs Argentina, the tiny, but mighty island nation tournament debutants Cape Verde and what was expected to be a routine match for the reigning title holders, turned into this instant World Cup classic.

The underdogs fighting their way back from behind twice in this match. Who else, but Messi opened up the scoring in the 29th minute, marking his record, extending 20th career World Cup goal, scoring in an eighth consecutive tournament match.

And then the African nation of Cape Verde stunning the world champions, Deroy Duarte squeezing in this driven effort into the far corner past Emiliano Martinez to equalize here early in extra time. Lisandro Martinez would restore Argentina's lead.

He had this brilliant curled finish into the top right corner, but the goal that everybody is talking about, the goal that took everyone's breath away.

[06:55:00]

One of the most brilliant strikes that you will ever see in the 103rd minute, Sydny Lopes Cabral unleashing this breathtaking long-range goal that left the entire stadium speechless, pulled the minnows level once again.

There was a decisive breakthrough arriving deep into extra time, Cristian Romero rising highest to connect with the Messi corner deep into extra time to save Argentina. The header deflected off of a Cape Verde player.

This heartbreaking own goal, Argentina surviving an incredible scare in Miami, beating Cape Verde 3-2 to advance to face Egypt in the round of 16. The smallest nation to ever reach the World Cup, Fredricka in the knockout stage, earning the world's admiration. Though such an incredible effort, even though Cape Verde couldn't quite get it done --

WHITFIELD: Don't tell me --

MANNO: Argentina breathing a big sigh of relief.

WHITFIELD: Oh, I mean, that was a killer match, but a killer run, yes, for Cape Verde. All right, Carolyn Manno, thanks so much. And don't forget to join CNN for America's 250th birthday and the biggest fireworks and stars. Our coverage begins today at noon Eastern right here on CNN, and on the CNN app.

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