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Donald Trump Wasn't Worried During Correspondents' Dinner Shooting; White House To Meet With Secret Service And DHS For Security Review; Iranian Military Parades Shahed Drones In Tabriz City; CNN's Stelter On Hand To Witness Press Gala Chaos; Trump Slams CBS Over Question On Suspect's Writing; King Charles Set To Arrive Un United States For Historic Trip. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired April 27, 2026 - 10:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:36]
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN London, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Welcome to the second hour of the show from our Middle East programming headquarters here in Abu Dhabi. I'm
Becky Anderson.
Time just after 6:00 in the evening, and after dramatic scenes out of Washington over the weekend, a gunman entering a venue packed with top U.S.
officials and journalists at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, we are learning more about the suspect and what may have driven that attack.
Meanwhile, diplomacy under strain, despite delays to in person talks. Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran are still moving. Iran's foreign
minister is in Russia today, signaling a deepening alignment with Moscow.
And King Charles arrives in Washington soon, a high stakes visit there, landing at a moment of deep political tension and increasingly strained
ties between two key allies.
In the coming hours, the suspect in the White House Correspondents' Dinner shooting is expected to make his first appearance in court. Cole Thomas
Allen is facing at least two federal charges involving the use of a firearm and an assault of a federal officer.
Now, a law enforcement source says that it is believed he opened fire one to two times after charging through a security checkpoint. Secret Service
returned fire. All of this happening outside the ballroom where the event with the president was being held. Loud bangs were caught by CNN's cameras
on the red carpet.
Well, U.S. President Donald Trump was, of course, rushed off stage. We now know that the suspect sent some anti Trump writings to his family ahead of
the attack. Here is what Mr. Trump had to say later in an interview with CBS.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I read a manifesto. He's radicalized. He was a Christian, a believer, and then he became an
anti-Christian, and he had a lot of change. He's been going through a lot based on what he wrote. His brother complained about him, and, I think,
reported him to the police, and his sister likewise complained about him. His family was very concerned. He was probably a pretty sick guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Kevin Liptak back with us from the White House. CNN's Holmes Lybrand, also in Washington today. It's good to have you both. Thank
you.
Kevin, let's just get up to speed on what we have heard from the White House today. It's Monday morning, of course, this event on Saturday night.
What's the -- what's the talk there?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Right, and there has now been time, I think, for what happened to really kind of settle in among the
president's top advisers and with President Trump himself.
And what we're learning this morning is that they do plan to have meetings between senior White House officials and members of the Secret Service
later this week to discuss both what they believe went right on Saturday evening, but also areas that could be improved.
And what a White House official told us last hour was that there will be a meeting convened by the White House Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, Secret
Service Department of Homeland Security, operational individuals here at the White House to discuss, "The processes and procedures that worked to
stop Saturday's attempt while exploring additional options to ensure all relevant components are doing everything possible to secure the many major
events planned for President Trump."
And you do now hear a growing amount of skepticism about some of the security posture that was in place there at the Washington Hilton on
Saturday evening, there was a security perimeter established around the ballroom itself, but not around the hotel. And of course, now we've learned
that the suspect had checked into that hotel, had a room on the 10th floor, had been staying there for one evening, and of course, was able to rush the
security.
Now, there are Secret Service officials who insist that this was the system working as planned. He was demobilized well before he made it to the doors
of the ballroom, which was on a lower level from where he was. President Trump, of course, bundled off stage as well as the Vice President J.D.
Vance, they were unharmed. Individuals in the ballroom itself, well, were unharmed as well.
[10:05:18]
But you do hear certainly some rumbling, someone the president's advisers that perhaps some of the security posture needs to be rethought.
Of course, this was the third potential assassination attempt on the president since he was running for president last year, and he does have,
as referenced in the statement, a number of major high profile events over the next several months, starting today, really, with the president of --
or with the visit of King Charles III, Buckingham Palace said yesterday that there would be discussions between the palace and the White House
about changes that would or would not need to be made to that visit.
What we understand is that all of the events will go forward as planned, mostly unchanged. If there are changes, they would be on the operational
level.
The other major event that's coming up that White House officials are going to look at now is the 250th anniversary celebrations of American
independence. There are a number of major events with major crowds that the president had been planning to attend that I think they'll now go back and
look to ensure that all of the security that needs to be in place for those will be in place.
Now, President Trump said himself, and what we heard from the White House today is that they retain the utmost confidence in the leadership of the
Secret Service. The president said in that interview with "60 Minutes" that he believes he is well protected, and if there was any delay in getting him
off that stage. It was essentially his own fault.
But you know, in the video, you see him sort of falling to the ground. J.D. Vance is off the stage much quicker than the president himself, but in his
own telling, President Trump says that that was due to his own desire to sort of see what was going on.
And so, you know, as this week begins, and as people really begin to digest what exactly occurred there at the Hilton on Saturday, that I think is
where this is all headed, is to question and perhaps revamp some of the security protocols that are in place here, Becky.
ANDERSON: Right and Holmes, let me bring you in at this point. What do we know about the suspect at this point?
HOLMES LYBRAND, CNN REPORTER: Well, we know his name, Cole Thomas Allen. We also know that he traveled from California to Chicago, then to D.C. in the
days before the White House Correspondents' Dinner.
Now, he also, as Kevin mentioned, was staying at the hotel where the dinner was going to take place. That was before he ran through the magnometers
near where you could access that ballroom before being taken down.
Now, we know he was armed with a pistol as well as a shotgun and several knives. And those firearm possessions, as well as firing and shooting, a
United States Secret Service officer who was hit in the protective vest will be OK. Those will be part of the charges that are expected today
during his arraignment in federal court this afternoon.
Now, those charges will, or are expected to, include assaulting a federal officer using a dangerous weapon.
Now, he also wrote this document that you referenced earlier. Now, this document kind of explains his anger toward the administration, how he
wanted to target administration officials, but it's not very detailed. It is very detailed in terms of how he thought the Secret Service's security
at the hotel was lapsed, and other criticisms he had of security that day. We expect to see him in court later this afternoon.
ANDERSON: And how long should all of this take at this point? Just walk us through the sort of TikTok we should expect from now on in.
LYBRAND: Well, today we'll have at least according to U.S. D.C. -- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro will have the arraignment, so he will be brought in
with those formal charges. They will be announced. He will have an opportunity to enter a plea. It also could just be an initial appearance
where he's brought in, they go through some of these charges, but we don't have that formal plea.
Now, later on, we will likely have what's known as a detention hearing, which that will reveal a lot more details in terms of what we know about
the investigation.
ANDERSON: Good to have you both. Thank you very much indeed.
Well, that incident on Saturday night the White House Correspondents' Dinner is drawing some sharp criticism from lawmakers on both sides of the
aisle. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Here in America, we can have strong disagreements, but it's important for us to agree to strongly disagree
without being disagreeable with each other, and it is certainly the case that violence is never the answer, whether it's targeted at the right, the
left or the center.
[10:10:02]
We have issues that we have to work out amongst each other. That's embedded in the first amendment that was being celebrated last night. But what is
also embedded in the First Amendment is the right to peacefully protest and to petition the government peacefully.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, some politicians are condemning political violence in America, others are voicing concerns over the security breach near a room
filled with top ranking government officials.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL (R-TX): The thing that really take away I got was that the line of secession, you had the president and the vice president at the
head table, both of them together and the speaker of the House had an explosive device gone off. You would have knocked out the president, vice
president, speaker, the three in line of succession.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you saying they shouldn't be in public together?
MCCAUL: Well, I think the Secret Service needs to reconsider having both the president and vice president together, like something like that, you
know.
Chuck Grassley would be the president had they all been taken out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Right. CNN's Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem, has been digging into the questions of security in the wake of this attack.
She joins us again this hour.
Juliet, what is the usual security set up for an event like this, what do you make of what you've now learned?
JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I think right now, it is still unclear whether there were changes made to the security
alignment for this event from previous year, so that's going to be where you want to focus. Or was it -- was it so regularized now that people let
their guard down?
But basically, how you look at this is on the prevention side, is, do you have a secure room for the President and the constitutional line of
succession? I will say, though it doesn't seem like it right now, that proves still successful, right? In other words, that that room where there
were greater checks, greater security was never breached.
But then you're going to have outer rings right outside the room, the hotel itself, the streets outside the hotel, those all have different layers of
safety and security. It's clear now that those were too vulnerable. Someone could just check in, a bad actor can have access close enough. So I do
think that that's what's going to be looked at in particular, is this the right place to have this facility.
I will say, on the other side, after the bad thing happens or there's a breach, at least as far as we know right now, the response by the Secret
Service and the -- and the local and state and hotel security was very, very quick once they realized that there was a bad actor that he caused no
harm. I know that doesn't seem like good news, but it actually is.
ANDERSON: It's wild, isn't it? I mean, to the extent -- I mean, to the extent people talking about the lack security there. The shooter himself
seemed to call it out in this manifesto, which he seems to have written, sort of, you know, once he was through security, putting his guns together,
it seemed before he actually carried out this act. It does seem remarkable
He will be arraigned in federal court today. What are we learning at this point? I mean, I think we know what charges are expected, but I think the
idea is that we could expect to hear more, correct?
KAYYEM: That's exactly right. So, essentially, here we file very quick charges, sort of obvious ones, to have the ability to detain him and then
begin the criminal proceedings. So, what we've seen so far is pretty minimal and pretty obvious intent to harm the use of weaponry.
Those charges will increase as the investigation unfolds, and whether they might be terrorism related charges or other charges, we will find out. The
manifesto is part of that case, because it goes to intent, right? This wasn't just any random gathering. This was a gathering, and apparently the
focus was the President of the United States and a political assassination.
So, all of that will be -- will unfold, but these charges right now are telling us very, very little. For me, as I look at this as someone who
worries and thinks and plans for political violence, I think this case, like many that we have seen before, is one in which you have a person
showing almost no political interest for most of his life.
He's an engineer. Goes to CalTech. Something happens, perhaps he isn't the having the successes that he wants, or some mental illness, and becomes
radicalized very, very quickly, in this case of what appears to be sort of left-wing violence, left wing hate towards the president and then quickly
acquires guns and then plans and attack.
[10:15:23]
That quick radicalization process is a huge challenge here in the United States because of the prevalence of political -- violent political
discourse, simply just a bad political environment right now that breeds this kind of violence.
ANDERSON: And the suspect referring to himself as, "The friendly federal assassin" in this manifesto that he seems to have shared with family
members. I mean, they've had him in in custody effectively since Saturday night.
Just briefly before I let you go, what will have been the process of, sort of speaking to him, pinning him down on detail. Will he be talking? I mean,
what's the -- what's the process here?
KAYYEM: Yes, we don't know if he's talking or we haven't seen any reporting on that. He would be offered an attorney, would be a public defender, and
he may or may not be speaking at this stage, he'll probably plead not guilty, as they almost always do today, and then the sort of more regular
process of how do you bring a criminal conviction will lay out and his defense will also be laid out by the defendants.
So, this was a spectacular in the sense of everyone was watching event on Saturday night, it then will start to look much more regular vis a vis the
criminal justice process here in the United States.
ANDERSON: Yes, good point. Always good to have you. Thank you very much indeed for making the time for us today and a lot more to come on this,
including the viewpoint of the media. This time, of course, at the center of the story, our chief media analyst, my colleague, Brian Stelter, shares
his video from the Correspondents' Dinner moments after the attack.
Plus, Tehran's top diplomat talks to Russia's president about the U.S.-Iran war. I'll be talking to a top expert from the Institute for National
Security Studies about Iran's latest demands or asks and those stalled -- currently stalled peace talks.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Iran's foreign minister is making the diplomatic rounds during weekend visits with key mediators in Pakistan and in Oman, Iran's top
diplomat offering up a list of what Tehran is calling red lines for Washington State media, saying these include nuclear issues and the Strait
of Hormuz, very specifically, Abbas Araghchi now in Russia, meeting with President Vladimir Putin. He took a moment though to discuss these stalled
peace talks in Pakistan. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[10:20:12]
ABBAS ARAGHCHI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (through translator): Developments have occurred in the negotiation process, and the incorrect approaches and
excessive demands of the United States caused the previous round of talks, despite some progress, to fail to achieve its goals. Therefore, it was
necessary to consult and review the current situation with our friends in Pakistan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: All right, well, we're also hearing from sources that U.S. President Donald Trump does plan to meet with top advisers today about
these stalled talks.
I want to go to Tel Aviv now, bring in Danny Citrinowicz. He's a senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel,
and he's importantly, the former head of the Iran program in the research and analysis division of the Israeli Defense Intelligence.
You and I have talked a lot over the past sort of three months or so. Danny, it's good to have you on again. I've found your perspective really
important. Iran, then with a new proposal, a couple of red lines very specifically on the nuclear file and the Strait of Hormuz. Seems as if the
Iranians are looking to start with the Strait of Hormuz, postponing the nuclear conversations or discussions for later, this is according to Axios.
In the first instance, how do you expect the U.S. to respond to that, given what we know about where these negotiations have got so far?
OK, I don't think we've got any audio from Danny, which is a shame. We'll see if we can sort that out and see if we can get back to him important
stuff. And I'd like to get his perspective today.
Lebanese officials say Israeli strikes killed 14 people, including two children on Sunday. This marks the deadliest day in Lebanon since what is a
fragile cease fire a week and a half ago.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said an IDF soldier was killed by an Hezbollah drone attack in Lebanon, Israel warning the residents of several
towns in the south to head north and west of the Litani River as it expands its forces expand operations in the area.
OK, let me get you back to Danny Citrinowicz. It's who I know is very likely to have a view on what is going on between Israel and Iran as well.
Sorry, Israel and his following Lebanon as well.
I don't want to start there, though, Danny, let's start with the question that I posed to you, what you make of this sort of, you know, the what we
believe to be the new offer for discussions from Iran, starting off with the Strait of Hormuz and how likely is the U.S. will accept this offer?
DANNY CITRINOWICZ, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW, INSTITUTE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY STUDIES IN ISRAEL: Yes. So again, we back to square one. We're back to 27th
of February, meaning that we have the choice in the U.S., whether to return negotiation or escape into a war. I think what the Iranians are trying to
do, they're trying to break the deadlock by offering something that sounds like a winning feature for President Trump, lifting the blockade for
opening Hormuz Straits, I have serious doubt that the U.S. will accept this offer, because then the U.S. will lose the leverage on the nuclear file.
And I think the Iran knows that very well. So, I'm very doubtful it actually leads to something. I have to say that two sides are actually
presenting very maximalistic positions, and I don't think that will be a breakthrough right now, unless the U.S. will change its mind. I don't think
it will happen. Definitely will be interesting to be -- to see what will happen in the White House today, but we are in a complete stalemate. No one
is able to move. And I think without some sort of a progress on the political side, the chances of escalation are extremely high.
Regarding Lebanon, it's another complex situation because of the fact there was no cease fire from the beginning, given the fact that Hezbollah decided
to retaliate to any Israel activity Lebanon, and we know how the Iranians want to reach in the ceasefire in Lebanon.
So, what's happening in Lebanon right now? Together, with the stalemate negotiation between Iran the U.S. actually pushing the sides to work in
ethics solutions.
ANDERSON: How do you see -- just as we're on to the Israel-Lebanon story, how do you see this cease fire sitting within the wider body of these U.S.-
Iran talks at this point?
CITRINOWICZ: Well, we know that a ceasefire actually was driven because of the fact that President Trump wants to give an opportunity for negotiation
with between Iran and the U.S. It was the first demand of the Iranians, given the fact that they want to create the linkage between Hezbollah and
Lebanon, and they are there.
[10:25:09]
And of course, the Iranian front, and the fact that he forced Israel to do so is actually I was indication that President Trump wants to move forward
in negotiation with Iran.
I have to say that it was forced on Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu didn't want that, but he knew that eventually, if you're not going to move forward
with the Lebanese Government, then eventually it will be forced to stop the war.
The problem is right now, because of the linkage of the two sides, of the two arenas right now, everything happened in Lebanon actually complex the
situation regarding Iran and the U.S., because Iran won't forego its demand for ceasefire Lebanon.
So, what we have now is a statement to one front, escalation on the other front, and I don't think they will see in the near future, some sort of a
breakthrough on the political side. And this is actually, as I said, pushing the sides to war, maybe kinetic solutions in that regard.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. The Iranian foreign minister meeting with Putin today in St. Petersburg. How would that -- Russia clearly, sort of joining
Iran's diplomatic push, or at least Iran looking for some support. How would that key player change the calculus, if indeed that is what Iran is
looking for and gets on this trip?
CITRINOWICZ: Well, definitely the Iranians want to add more elements into the equation. We had the visit of Araghchi in Oman, probably discussing the
ways to find a solution, a legal solution, to the Iranian control over the Straits, because Oman is the other side, of course.
And secondly, of course, Russia, it's a very interesting meeting. I think we a couple of things will be discussed over there. First is maybe the
issue of the nuclear. I don't think the Iranians are planning to take out the nuclear, enriched uranium to Russia, but there is a possibility. So
maybe they're being discussed.
And second thing, maybe they're discussing the opportunities or the developments on the ground, meaning that the possible escalation of the
U.S. We know that the Russians are sending Intel information to the Iranians. So maybe the Iranians want to understand better where they stand
right now and maybe they think that they can use a leverage Russia as a leverage regarding the U.S.
So, definitely, it's a very interesting meeting, especially when Iraq is not meeting only with Lavrov, the foreign minister, but also Putin, while
giving Putin a message for Mojtaba Khamenei.
So, this is a very important meeting. We'll have to see how the Iranians or the Russians will be better involved in a situation right now. But
definitely, the Iranians are trying to expand the number of mediators, knowing that escalation may be inevitable, trying to think how they can use
those leverages with their moneys and the Russians to prevent the war, and if war occur, maybe to use them in order to pressure the United States to
stop the escalation.
So, definitely, it's a very interesting developments that we have to watch closer to see what's happening (INAUDIBLE).
ANDERSON: I think it's fascinating. Yes, it's fascinating. And, you know, there may be, at some point, you know, a decision, certainly by the
Iranians, if not the Americans, that Pakistan isn't the dateline necessarily for this next phase of talks. And perhaps, I'm not sure that
Muscat is going to suit the Americans these days, but we may be looking, I don't know, Qatar, you know, and other places for the next talks.
I mean, President Trump has canceled his envoys trip to Pakistan. It seems like we're moving away from this sort of big moment, performative
diplomacy. Nobody around the negotiating table at this stage. Danny, as you've said.
I mean, I wonder whether we are now not moving towards some kind of sort of sequencing. You know, we discussed starting with the Strait of Hormuz,
moving on to the nuclear fight. Is that how you sort of read things going forward?
CITRINOWICZ: Well, there are basically three options. We can find ourselves in a no war, no peace solution. I think for President Trump that he wants
to see some sort of decisive act. It's not going to hold. I think that blockade, as we see right now, definitely has some advantages, but it's not
forcing the Iranians to capitulate. And think the U.S. understand that right now, you have the other options, or reaching some sort of a sequel
agreement that you mentioned. I don't think that the U.S. should agree to that, but it is a possibility.
And the third option, of course, is, while the statement is there, the U.S. will try to do something kinetically, whether to attack in the Hormuz
Straits, maybe to take out the uranium, maybe to decapitate some senior leadership, but they think that actually, they're preventing some sort of a
deal.
Those all the options on the table. It's returning back to square one. Both sides think that they have the leverage in negotiation. Both sides are not
willing to show any compromise right now, and both sides stuck in a stalemate that will be break -- will be breaking -- it will break in the
other day because of the fact that I don't think that for the U.S. and this administration, they will wait for months until something will happen in
Iran, and things will happen before that.
[10:30:01]
ANDERSON: Yes. And there is, of course, the prospect, then, of a renewed escalation at this point. And we shouldn't -- we shouldn't, you know, knock
that back has, sadly, a prospect.
Thank you, Danny, for that.
And that prospect of the renewed war with Iran, of course, does loom over the Middle East.
It is nearly impossible to imagine the pain of each individual family, suffering loss and grief wherever they are. In a new memoir titled, "When
We See You Again," Rachel Goldberg-Polin gives an intimate account of losing her son, Hersh, after he was abducted in the October 7th attacks of
2023, and later killed by Hamas.
She spoke to my colleague -- my colleague, CNN's Bianna Golodryga, about finding the strength to deal with her grief.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RACHEL GOLDBERG-POLIN, AUTHOR, "WHEN WE SEE YOU AGAIN": The real origin of this was simply that my soul was buckling from the weight of the pain of
this loss that is very universal.
All of us are going to suffer loss and suffering and grief and mourning at different points in our lives. This is part of the human enterprise when we
come to this, this world, this strange, mysterious, messy place that's also full of beautiful, joy, and blessing. And there are going to be points that
are challenging for all of us. And I was having real -- a real crisis of shouldering the weight of this loss of my only son, Hersh, and it started
to pour out in these packages of words.
And I thought actually this morning, about how effective giving over our words can be in alleviating tremendous suffering.
I don't think this is a memoir. It's certainly not a tell all. It's not a he said this and she did that. It is, I think, a love story that is
swaddled in pain, or perhaps a pain story that is doused in love.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And you can watch that full interview today at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. That is 9:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi.
Well, you are watching CONNECT THE WORLD, with me, Becky Anderson. A lot more news ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:35:04]
ANDERSON: Welcome back to CONNECT THE WORLD, with me, Becky Anderson. The headlines for you.
In just hours, the man suspected of opening fire outside Saturday's White House Correspondents' Dinner will face a judge. Cole Thomas Allen is set to
be arraigned in a Washington federal court. He is expected to face charges of using a firearm during a violent crime and assaulting a federal officer.
Well, Iran's foreign minister is in Russia, meeting with President Vladimir Putin to discuss the U.S. Iran war.
Earlier today, Iran's top diplomat announced some agreements with Oman, part of which sits along the Strait of Hormuz. We are also hearing from
sources that the Trump administration plans to huddle over the stalled peace talks in Pakistan later today.
Well, Britain's King Charles is set to arrive in the U.S. to begin a four- day visit there. The U.S., president and first lady will greet Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, at the White House later today.
The royals will also visit New York and Virginia.
The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents Dinner is set to appear before a federal judge for his arraignment in the coming
hours.
Authorities say the 31-year-old Cole Allen sent a note to his family members just before the attack, expressing political anger and plans to
target members of the Trump administration.
We'll CNN's Brian Stelter was at the gala on Saturday night. He reported on the chaotic aftermath. Just have a look at what is really quite chilling
video that Brian shot. Have a look -- have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: I'm going to be honest. Nobody knows what's going on. But you will see there are people literally hiding
under tables inside the ballroom of the Washington --
We have seen many different security officers, some of them climbing over the chairs in order to get through this room. There are some people
starting to stand up. I see some people walking out. You can see, this is the center of the ballroom, the center hall, people walking out.
This commotion happened very suddenly. People dropping to the ground, some still hiding behind tables, some chairs, and people now getting up. One
person injured, it appears limping with a, you know, something on his leg, maybe from the commotion. OK. People that were very shocked as they were
falling into the ground, trying to seek shelter under the tables.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: I'm sure, somewhat less than 48 hours on 36 hours on.
Let's get the sort of reflections from Brian. He joins us now. You are our chief media analyst. You are at the big supper. I mean, it's the annual
event, of course, first time that President Trump as president has been. A big event Saturday night. Just walk us through your experience, if you
will.
STELTER: The reason I started live streaming that on to CNN was because I thought it was important to see the perspective from the floor, literally
from the ground.
I knew that the C-Span cameras in the room were showing the wide angle, you know, the bird's eye view, but you had journalists, politicians, CEOs
taking shelter under the tables. And the point of that is not that there was an alarm, there was no alarm, there was no warning that there might be
a shooter. It was the uncertainty that sensed -- that cast this kind of wave of fear through the room. And within a matter of seconds, everybody
sought shelter, wondering if it was a shooter or a stampede or a bomb or something else.
The point is that people didn't know, and that's why all of these media elite types and all these politicians now have something in common with the
millions of Americans who have been through this in their schools and their malls, in their -- in their churches. I think that's really important to
underscore.
You know, the people in that room on Saturday night are not special. We are ordinary. We are a part of an all-too-common American story, where you are
in the middle of a lockdown and you think your life might be at risk.
So, now, yes, people are processing that. They are trying to make sense of it, and President Trump's talk about trying to hold the dinner again. Well,
it's fallen on kind of deaf ears. I've heard from a number of folks who say they are very skeptical that he could actually help organize this and have
a do over.
He might want another opportunity to get up in front of the cameras and attack the press, but I'm not sure there is much of an appetite for another
dinner anytime soon. Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. And I totally understand.
Look, there is a swarm of conspiracy theories around all of this. Anybody who's been looking at social media over the past 36 hours will see those.
What do you make of -- what is, effectively, let's be quite frank --
(CROSSTALK)
STELTER: Yes.
ANDERSON: It's the public's reaction mostly. I mean, there is, you know, there are people employed, you know, in the -- in the -- in the business of
conspiracy theories as well, making money out of it. But what do you make of what we are seeing?
STELTER: There is two things going on here, I think. Number one, the Luigi Mangione effect. That alleged gunman taking out the United Healthcare CEO
on the street in Manhattan. That cold blooded assassination.
[10:40:00]
We saw some people celebrating. That wanting to see corporate America challenged, and that just reflects such a deep societal breakdown in
America, such deep distrust of institutions, a rejection -- a rejection of the social safety net. I believe that it's frayed beyond repair.
We are seeing a little bit of that in this case as well, where there are some people online, mostly anonymously, wishing that the gunman had been
able to get inside the ballroom. And I think more broadly, you're seeing these conspiracy theories claiming that this very real incident, it was
somehow staged, maybe to help Trump gain power or to build a ballroom at the White House.
These theories, they just reflect a complete breakdown in trust, and it's very, very hard, very sad to see.
I think it's a dangerous phenomenon. But, you know, I don't want to overly be judgmental of it, because I'm talking about my fellow Americans. Right?
Fellow citizens, who they've just so fully given up on the system. Given up on, yes, the news media, but also political leaders, given up on all the
institutions in America that they don't believe a word of what they are hearing.
And if I could sit here and tell you how it could be fixed, I would, but I don't know.
ANDERSON: Yes. I want to play just a little bit of Donald Trump's interview on "60 Minutes" at the weekend. Let's stand by.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NORAH O'DONNELL, CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CBS NEWS: I'm no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with
his crimes. What's your reaction to that?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would. Because you are -- you are -- you
are horrible people. Horrible people.
Yes, he did write that. I'm not a rapist. I didn't rape anybody. I'm not a pedophile.
(CROSSTALK)
O'DONNELL: Oh, you think -- do you think he was referring to you?
TRUMP: Excuse me. Excuse me. I'm not a pedophile. You read that crap from some sick person. You should be ashamed of yourself reading that, because
I'm not any of those things.
O'DONNELL: Mr. President, these are the gunman's word.
TRUMP: And I was never -- excuse me, Excuse me. You shouldn't be reading that on "60 Minutes." You are a disgrace. But go ahead, let's finish the
interview.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Norah O'Donnell is referring to some words that were written by the suspect in his manifesto. What do you make of that sort of interchange
there between the CBS' seeing the anchor and Donald Trump.
(CROSSTALK)
STELTER: President Trump is not going to change his view of the press. He is not going to change. He wants attention, but he's never going to accept
accountability. So, relationship between the press and the president is always going to be tense. And it's notable that interview came from CBS,
owned by Paramount, trying to buy CNN. There is been a lot of talk about how close Paramount is the Trump administration, schmoozing that's been
taking place.
There was even a private dinner between Trump and the heads of CBS just the other day. But you see, the journalists from CBS asking sharp questions.
The president not wanting to hear them. I think, that's a good sign about the journalism out of CBS News, for anybody wondering about Paramount
trying to buy CNN.
ANDERSON: Yes, I know you make a very good point. Thank you very much indeed. And of course, Paramount getting the merger through, certainly, the
shareholders and the board, recently, and that is a deal between Paramount and WBD, CNN. Owned by WBD.
Right, thank you.
Security has been top of mind then for the imminent royal visit to the United States. Britain's King Charles' set to arrive in Washington in just
hours. CNN understands minor operational changes have been made to the trip after Saturday's shooting. U.S. President Donald Trump will host King
Charles and Queen Camilla at the White House for bilateral meetings and a state dinner.
The king will also address a joint meeting of Congress. Well, ahead of their arrival, our CNN royal correspondent, Max Foster, normally based in
London, live at the British embassy in Washington this hour. What can we then expect from this visit, Max?
MAX FOSTER, CNN LONDON CORRESPONDENT: Well, a glorious setting. As you can see, this is the ambassador's residence next to the embassy, one of the
most amazing residences I've seen. And the King will be here later on for a garden party. So, that's one of the highlights of the first day. He will be
meeting a cross section of people, who represent that U.K.-U.S. relationship.
He is very keen to meet people, talk people to people, not just king to president. But he will be arriving and he'll fly in. I'm told he is in the
air.
Thankfully, he is due here later on. We can't give the specific time, but he's on time, and he is reading his speech on the way over. And I think it
will be unexpected if he doesn't mention what happened on Saturday night, make some sort of reference. And that is the speech, of course, to Congress
tomorrow, which is really the highlight, diplomatically speaking, of this tour.
And there will be a meeting. They'll stop into the White House first thing today on their way here to meet the president and first lady. But the
formal welcome, Becky, will be tomorrow, where we'll see some pomp and pageantry, I'm told.
ANDERSON: Yes, and you were at that dinner on Saturday night. You are not from D.C., you are not from the states. So, a slightly different lens, I
think, that you sort of viewed and experienced that, you know, pretty frightening event through.
[10:45:08]
Just to -- just to explain your experience, or your reflections, if you will.
FOSTER: Yes. In the corner of the room, bit of a commotion, and everyone around me basically dived under the tables, or the Americans, basically.
And I didn't have that reaction. It was just a different instinct. I just assumed, you know, it might be a protester who'd come in, and the Secret
Service were responding to that. But very quickly, I was dragged under a table by one of our colleagues, Becky. So, very thankful to her for that.
But then, you just saw the Secret Service leaping across the tables, surrounding the president and heading back in -- heading off-stage.
But I think, you know, a lot of the Americans were much more shocked in the moment, simply because they live with this sort of thing as a reality, not
just that these incidents happen with guns, but because all of the security teams have got guns as well. And, you know, you have to get under the table
because they are looking for a threat in the room, and you don't want to be seen as a threat.
So, it was a completely different lens.
So, strangely, whilst I realized the sort of seriousness of it afterwards, in the moment, it didn't feel as dramatic to me as the people around me,
but they live with this all the time, of course.
ANDERSON: Yes. I'm glad somebody dragged you under the table to keep you safe. Good on them. Thank you, Max.
FOSTER: Yes, absolutely.
ANDERSON: Still to come. Oil jumps as hopes fade for a quick end to the Middle East conflict, following what a stalled peace talks at this point.
We are going to take a look at how high some big banks are expecting prices to go.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Oil prices back on the rise, after U.S. officials canceled a planned trip to Pakistan over the weekend for peace talks with the
Iranians.
Excuse me, deeming hopes for a swift end to the conflict in Iran.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark setting its highest level in three weeks. That says disruptions, of course, continue in the Strait of Hormuz.
Our senior reporter, Matt Egan, covering this for us from New York today. Give us an idea of where oil prices are currently sitting then, and why?
MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, Becky, look, this is a historic energy crisis, and it is really dragging on. I mean, as of tomorrow, it
will be two months since the war started. And at the time, there were some hopes that there would just be a fleeting, a temporary impact on the supply
of energy out of the Middle East.
Of course, that has not happened, and that's why prices, yes, do remain very high. Brent crude trading up by almost three percent today to $108 a
barrel. Some context, before the war started, Brent was trading at just 70 bucks. So, this is a massive increase.
WTI, trading at $96 a barrel. You can see the trend for Brent crude, and there was just this huge spike at the end of February as the war started.
[10:50:04]
And while prices did dip when that cease fire was announced, you can see they are starting to go up again on the right side of that chart. And yes,
you know what? Some analysts on Wall Street, they are starting to throw in the towel and really push back when they see a full recovery.
For example, Citigroup put out a new research report last night where they warned to clients that they now see Brent crude averaging $110 a barrel
this quarter. That's up by $15 from their previous call. They see $95 Brent, next quarter. That's also up by $15 and that's because they now see
the Strait of Hormuz remaining largely closed until the end of May.
Previously, analysts had hoped that there could be a reopening around now. But, of course, that has not been the case. Despite that cease fire, the
traffic through this waterway remains very much limited. And what's interesting is, Citigroup is warning there is a significant risk of what
they are describing as their bull case. They see a 30 percent chance that the Strait of Hormuz and the flow of energy out of the Middle East remains
largely constrained through the end of June.
And they say if that happens, then you could be looking at Brent, not at $100 but at $150 a barrel. Look, the situation is fluid. We know that Iran
has submitted a new proposal to the U.S. to possibly reopen the Strait of Hormuz, without tackling those thornier issues, such as the nuclear deal.
But look, Becky, the clock is ticking. Right? The longer the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, the higher prices will go, and the greater
the risk of energy shortages around the world. Back to you.
ANDERSON: Yes, absolutely.
Good to have you, Matt. Thank you.
EGAN: Thanks, Becky.
ANDERSON: You are watching CONNECT THE WORLD with me, Becky Anderson.
A formidable race that ultimately broke records on the world stage. And we get the details all about what was the history making London Marathon this
weekend. That's just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: A stunning record-breaking feat for Kenya's Sebastian Sawe, who won the London Marathon on Sunday.
He didn't just win it. He made history, becoming the first athlete to run just over 42 kilometers in under two hours.
A sub-two-hour marathon has long been one of athletics major barriers. Let's get more on this. CNN "WORLD SPORTS" Coy Wire is in Atlanta.
I thought free -- I've wondered for years when this would be -- this will be done. I mean, move over machines, humans just hit turbo mode, right?
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Yes, it's incredible.
If ever, would it be done. Right? Becky, Sebastian Sawe, making history there at the London Marathon. As Becky said, first human to run a marathon
under two hours in an official race condition. One hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds, shatters the world record by more than a minute.
That 26.2 miles was run at a four minute, 33 second per mile pace. The 31- year-old must have been like an inspirational pace car, because moments later, Yomif Kejelcha, also broke the two-hour mark.
So, what was one thought was impossible, just happened in London twice within seconds.
Now, the women's winner is now back-to-back London Marathon champ, Tigst Assefa from Ethiopia. Also, a new world record. Breaking her own previous
record that was set here last year, two hours, 15 minutes, 41 seconds.
[10:55:08]
If that weren't enough inspiration, Becky, Cynthia Erivo, star, actor in "Wicked" was one of the nearly 60,000 runners. She left fans stunned,
finishing in three hours, 21 minutes, 40 seconds. That's a seven minute, 42nd mile pace. Here she was after the win.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CYNTHIA ERIVO, ACTRESS, STAR OF "WICKED": It is home in it. It just feels really good to be beyond that cause. And my mom -- my mom is here, my
sister was on that course. She always meets me at mile 21 and yells my name and screams, I know, and has a big old card. So, just feels like a -- it
feels like a homecoming.
I don't know how many times I had my name screamed around the course. It was wild and insane, and there was a little rough moment where I thought I
wasn't going to make it, but then, I found a little bit of strength and had a friend helping me. So, I'm here, and I'm really proud.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: All this inspiration, Becky, because reminds you of back with the sub-four-minute mile was thought to be impossible. Then, in 1954 Roger
Bannister came along and broke it. Within three days, it was, was it --
No, within 46 days, another broke it. Within the year, three more would break it. So, they kind of opened the floodgates here for what might be
possible moving forward for us, humans.
ANDERSON: Yes. And they look like they were sprinting it. I mean, they were absolutely giving it some all of them at the end of it. I find that
absolutely remarkable. Hats off to them and everybody who competed, of course.
Coy, always good to have you. Thank you. That's it for CONNECT THE WORLD. Stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
