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Erin Burnett Outfront
Trump's Name On $100 Bill; Air Force Major Arrested; Taylor Swift's Wedding. Aired 7-8p ET
Aired July 03, 2026 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[19:00:28]
ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: OUTFRONT next:
Marking America's money. President Trump now slapping his signature on America's currency as he heads to a national monument that he wants to be a part of.
Plus, a U.S. Air Force major arrested. The new details about the investigation into an active member of the military who called for Trump to be impeached. The organizer of that protest is my guest.
And never in their wildest dreams did Taylor Swift fans imagine a wedding like this, the star-studded event happening right now in New York City.
Let's go OUTFRONT.
(MUSIC)
HILL: Good evening, I'm Erica Hill in for Erin Burnett.
OUTFRONT tonight, Trump gives America's currency a makeover. For the first time in U.S. history, the president of the United States is putting his signature on U.S. legal tender. A short time ago, the president posting this new image of the $100 bill. Looks like a normal $100 bill until you zoom in. And there it is, right about the Treasury Secretary's signature, Donald Trump's signature.
Now, back in March, the Treasury Department, of course, announced Trump's name would be added to America's currency over the summer as a way to honor America's 250th anniversary. Keep in mind, U.S. currency has never featured the signature of a president, just the signatures of the treasury secretary and the treasurer.
This is just the latest, of course, in a long list of items that Trump has slapped his name on. Tonight, he's also making his way to a historic monument where he would like to see his face, Mount Rushmore.
He's there for an early Independence Day celebration to mark the country's 250th anniversary. Recently, though, he's posted or reposted numerous images depicting his face on the mountain, and for years, he's mused about being added to it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Now, here's what I do. I'd ask whether or not you think I will someday be on Mount Rushmore, but no.
THEN-REP. KRISTI NOEM (R-SD): I said, "Mr. President, you should come to South Dakota sometime. We have Mount Rushmore." And he goes, "Did you know it's my dream to have my face on Mount Rushmore?"
HOST: You'll be aware that's not really mouthful.
NOEM: Well, I started laughing, and he wasn't laughing.
HOST: No, I'm sure he's serious.
NOEM: He's serious.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Now, according to the New York Times, the White House reached out to then-Governor Kristi Noem about adding Trump to Mount Rushmore. While that clearly has not happened, the paper says Noem did present Trump with a four-foot replica of Mount Rushmore with his face on it back in 2021.
And there is still a bill, of course, in the House to put his face on Mount Rushmore, but it's important to note it's unlikely to go anywhere.
If you are going somewhere, however, your new passport just may have Donald Trump's face and signature on it.
Jeff Zeleny is OUTFRONT tonight, live at Mount Rushmore.
So, Jeff, the president has clearly been somewhat obsessed with seeing himself on Mount Rushmore for some time now.
JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Erica, he absolutely has. And a picture-perfect day here on Mount Rushmore has turned into anything but. We are experiencing a hailstorm at the moment and some rain and wind as well. That is expected to blow over, though, as President Trump is still planning on flying that new Air Force One over Mount Rushmore. Thousands of admirers have taken shelter as much as they can here, and we will shortly.
But there is no question that President Trump has been so fixated on Mount Rushmore, and it's why he wanted to return here.
You cannot see the presidents behind me because of the conditions in my umbrella, but Presidents Washington and Jefferson and Roosevelt and Lincoln now look like they have tears because of the rain.
So, there is no doubt that it's -- that the celebrations here have been changed slightly because of this. But showers here happen all the time. We do expect President Trump to continue with his speech this evening. And again, this is a prelude to the finale tomorrow night in
Washington. So, there'll be no heat here, but there is a bit of rain here at the moment. But Erica, I can almost be certain that President Trump will again talk about having his name or his likeness on this mountain.
He is in legacy mode. That is what he is thinking about as he changes monuments and talks about building things across Washington.
So, tonight's speech, should it go forward, is expected to be one for the books -- Erica.
HILL: Yeah, absolutely.
Jeff, thank you, and thank you, especially for braving the elements to you and your crew. We'll let you get somewhere dry. right now.
I've got everybody here at the table with me.
So, Maura Gillespie, when we see -- we see the president and how focused he is, as I think Jeff just put it really well, he's in legacy mode at this point. And when we look at what is happening around Washington, D.C., the redecorating, the renovating -- deep down, is this really what Republicans want to see in this moment?
MAURA GILLESPIE, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST; FOUNDER, BLUESTACK STRATEGIES: No, it'll be hard for them to defend that aspect of it. But I think for the president, he has long talked about his admiration for leaders who have full control over their country. I think he looks at his approval ratings, which are at record lows, and for someone who, like Trump, who loves having power, loves appearing strong and powerful, he's 80 years old. His decline is starting to really show physically, also cognitively I would say in some of his slurred speeches and things of that nature.
And so, he's starting to realize the best way for him to make a legacy is to put his name on everything. It's what he knows how to do as somebody who is in real estate and who does business and who puts his name and branding on everything. This is his way to make a legacy impact because he doesn't have -- all that time that many presidents do post-presidency for legacy at the age of 80. And so, it creates a challenge for him. But I don't think Republicans are going to be able to explain this to their constituents about spending constituent money on things like that when grocery costs are high, gas is high, and things of that nature.
HILL: We're also learning today the pool needs to be redone. And we have reporting from my colleague Sunlen Serfaty earlier today that part of the plan moving forward, once it is fixed, will be basically a regular maintenance plan for the pool to make sure that there's nothing in it.
In terms of having a legacy, typically when you're having a legacy, it's because you've done something and people want to honor you afterwards. It's not doing it for yourself, Jamaal. JAMAAL BOWMAN (D), FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE: Correct. I mean, Trump has always been about Trump, unfortunately, whether it's the Trump coin or something of that nature. It's, you know, if he wants a lasting legacy, how do we make our economy stronger in a way that works for all Americans, all working class people? How do we make our democracy stronger in a way where we have full participation for a future generation that moves this country forward?
He's -- what he's done, whether it's DOGE, whether it's ICE, whether it's a billion dollars a day on the war in Iran, whether it's gas prices, these things are negative aspects of his legacy. And people are going to remember him negatively, whether it's the insurrection or whatever it is.
And so, I think he needs to focus on making our democracy strong and works for everyone. And so, it works for everyone and making our economy stronger. Right now, those two things aren't happening.
GILLESPIE: I think he's interested in that. I think he really is interested about what it means to him. He's not a Republican or a Democrat. Donald Trump is someone who is ego-centrically focused. And so, it really just matters how it looks to him, not to anybody else.
HILL: There may be the ego part of it, but there is also -- there's an aesthetic portion to this, too.
And, Shelby, you have some new reporting this morning about what is driving, beyond seeing his name on things, what is driving some of these decisions and projects in Washington, D.C.?
SHELBY TALCOTT, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, SEMAFOR: Yeah, I think certainly part of it is legacy, but I also think you can't forget the reality that with many things, including this, Donald Trump has been thinking about it for a really long time. So, I was talking to a number of current White House officials, former White House officials, people who have been around him in the years before he ever ran for president.
And one thing that stood out to me was, you know, he, for one, proposed building a ballroom during the Obama administration. So that's something that has been in his mind for over a decade. In 2014, when he was considering a run for governor, some people in his orbit wanted him to run for president instead in 2016. And I was told one of the things that he lamented was, well, if I run for president in 2016 and I have two terms, I'm not going to be able to be president for the 250th celebrations. He always felt like the 200th celebrations were underwhelming for the U.S.
And so, these are things that have been in his mind for years now and sort of, you know, he's been, he's been weighing on it. And like a lot of his policies, when he was not in office, he was not just sitting at home. Him and his administration were thinking of what they were going to do and how they were going to do it. And that applies to Mount Rushmore to do this term.
HILL: Right. This is not just a spur of the moment. I mean, sometimes they are.
(CROSSTALK)
HILL: Let's be honest, because we know how that works. Sometimes it's the last person in the room --
TALCOTT: Yes.
HILL: -- right, who sparks an idea for the president.
The president actually sat down with the second lady with Usha Vance. She has a podcast where people come on and read picture books to kids. He chose a book called "President's Play". This is about past presidents playing sports, doing other forms of exercise. So here is what kids will see, right, and maybe their parents or their caregivers when they tune in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Ronald Reagan, he was in very good shape.
Lyndon Johnson wasn't into shape, but he was a very tough cookie.
And here's another, John Kennedy. He was a great guy. He was handsome. He was the second most good-looking president.
President William Taft, throw out the first pitch of baseball. He was a large man, very large, and he loved baseball. He'd go to baseball games, loved the hot dogs at the baseball games. He was our heaviest president.
And I have to be careful because I don't want to supersede his record. Anything like that would be possible if I allowed it to happen.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[19:10:04]
HILL: I'm not sure if that was part of the weave. Or it's fascinating because I mean, it's a lovely choice and you can talk about past presidents and how they're involved in their athletics and it just keeps veering off but sort of coming back to Donald Trump at the same time.
GILLESPIE: Always. I'm so fascinated. I would love to have seen the memo about what he was supposed to be doing there and what the conversation was supposed to be about because -- I mean, what was the plan? It's just very much in line with what you said, the aesthetics and having that kind of a focus on one, he looks at everything through his lens of me, me, and me.
But also, if you're somebody who is insecure about where you are in life, right? He is 8 years old. He has clearly gained some weight. We can see it in interviews where he's seated. I think he punches down because that's what he knows what to do. When somebody who's insecure, who tends to be a bully, they punch down
because it makes them feel stronger and more powerful. That's what we see with Donald Trump. That's what he tends to do.
So, this, unfortunately, doesn't surprise me. I don't think it's a great message for kids. I don't think that that's really what we want to teach them. And I'm not sure what Usha Vance thought that that was going to produce other than what we see.
So, I just would love to know what the memo said for the staff work. I'm very curious.
HILL: I would love -- I would love to get everybody to take two on. So, you know, we are expecting to hear a lot from the president tonight at Mount Rushmore. Obviously, tomorrow, he has a big speech/rally planned.
Today, we heard from New York City's mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who gave a speech to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the country. New York, of course, plays a big role on that. Here's a little bit of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK: At every moment in our past, those who led through exclusion and isolation have tried to win power and enrich themselves by turning us against one another. Division is the oldest trick in politics and the cheapest. But time and again, including 250 years ago, those forces of division have been vanquished by the forces of progress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: For people who didn't see the speech this morning, he's sitting at George Washington's desk. He has recently naturalized U.S. citizens around him. He never mentioned the president directly, but there were certainly not so thinly veiled references, if you will, in this speech.
BOWMAN: No, 100 percent thinly veiled references to the president, thinly veiled references to the people and the parties that continue to try to divide us, right? And it's not just the Republican Party. I think the Democratic Party has a lot of work to do in order to bring people together and make us a more united people of America, not just United States.
And so, we've been through a lot over the last several years. again, with what happened with January 6th and so many other things. And I'm excited by the mayor's speech today because I think that's the conversation we need to be having. Again, how do we make our democracy stronger in year 250? How do we make our economy stronger? What does real unity look like?
We've been segregated and separated into neighborhoods, into schools, into communities forever. What does it look like when we come together, when we work together, when we play together, when we live together, when we share ideas? And debate those ideas, that's what moves the country forward, not what we've been getting from Washington, Democrat and Republican, for the last several years.
HILL: That's what you hear in Zoran Mamdani's speech from earlier today. The White House hears something very different anytime Mamdani speaks, and they love this idea, actually, of him being out there at the forefront of the Democratic message.
TALCOTT: Yeah, genuinely, I talk to Republicans a lot, and sometimes they'll say something and they'll say something that's good for them, right? They'll say they're really excited about the midterms, but there's really, you know, maybe not entirely truthful, but I genuinely think with this situation, they want Mamdani out there speaking. They want to make him the face of the Democratic Party because they genuinely feel like his policies are too progressive to keep voters in the medium to long term.
And so, they are sitting there very willing to have this fight with Mamdani. You are seeing the president talk about communism, talk about democratic socialism. He loves this. He genuinely loves this. He is willing to have this fight.
Whether it works out for him is an open question, but they are very much excited to have Mamdani front and center, talking more and fighting with Donald Trump, even inadvertently.
BOWMAN: Yeah, I think that's going to work.
(LAUGHTER)
HILL: Well, we'll all be here watching. That's the good news. It'll give you plenty to talk about, right?
BOWMAN: That's right. Nice to see all of you. Thank you for coming in tonight.
OUTFRONT next, the breaking news. A remarkable image is coming to us out of Iran showing the funeral for the former supreme leader. One person, though, noticeably absent, his son, the new supreme leader. So where is he?
Plus, the former top U.S. general, fired by Secretary Hegseth, out with a stark warning tonight about the military.
And someone who once worked with a close Trump ally is now posing a serious threat to the president. That's special report ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:19:13]
HILL: Breaking news, what you're looking at right now is what is expected to be the largest state funeral in modern Iranian history. Millions are set to pack the streets of Tehran for Ayatollah Ali Khamanei's funeral four months after he was killed by the U.S. and Israel. Iran's Revolutionary Guard's chief making a rare public appearance to pay his respects, as well as a number of foreign dignitaries from dozens of countries, China and Russia among them.
Tonight, though, one person is missing. It's Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the slain leader who still has not appeared in public.
CNN is in Iran. We operate with the permission of the government there, but CNN maintains full editorial control.
Fred Pleitgen, the only Western television journalist allowed inside this event today, and tonight, he's OUTFRONT.
[19:20:01]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice- over): As the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran in late February, one of the first targeted assassinations, Iran's longtime Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed along with several family members in a massive air strike.
More than four months later, Iran is getting ready to hold possibly the largest funeral events in this country's history.
PLEITGEN: Final preparations are underway here at the gigantic Mosalla complex in central Tehran, and security in the city is extremely tight as millions of people are set to show up and pay their final respects.
PLEITGEN (voice-over): Tehran is plastered with images of the late supreme leader posters, billboards and even statues on buildings and in public squares, many vowing revenge against the U.S. and Israel for the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"We don't trust the U.S. for any type of negotiations," this woman says. "Trump is the most bloodthirsty enemy in all the world.
And she says, "It is our message from here to all the world that all people should stand up, everyone should rise and give the slogan of 'death to the oppressors, death to America'."
This man says, "We do not expect peace from the enemy. Our experience has proven this to us."
After the U.S. and Israel killed the supreme leader and parts of Iran's political and military leadership, Tehran regrouped quickly, naming Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new supreme leader who still has not been seen in public since taking the reins and only communicates by written statements.
Iran also launching powerful missile and drone strikes and effectively shutting down the Strait of Hormuz.
With a shaky ceasefire holding for now, Iran's political and military leaders were some of the first to pay their final respects at the coffins lying in state, including the president, foreign minister and chief negotiator. Among the caskets, a tiny one containing the remains of Ayatollah Khamenei's granddaughter.
"Without a doubt, this martyrdom has strengthened our resolve," this Revolutionary Guard general says. "Today, with even greater determination, we address the enemies of the Iranian nation, the United States and the Israeli regime," and say, "We will hold them accountable for the blood of our martyred leader and all of our martyrs."
Vows of retribution even as both sides negotiators aim to achieve a peace agreement looking to end the decades-long standoff between the U.S. and Iran.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
PLEITGEN: And, Erica, the Iranians say any further negotiations with the United States will have to wait until these funeral ceremonies are over after July 9th. They believe that up to 20 million people will be attending -- Erica.
HILL: Wow. All right, Fred, appreciate it. Thank you.
OUTFRONT now, Nazila Fathi, former and "New York Times" correspondent, who's based in Iran for 10 years.
Nazila, we haven't seen or heard from the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, yet. So, if he does not appear during these ceremonies, what is the message that sends?
NAZILA FATHI, FORMER NEW YORK TIMES CORRESPONDENT: Erica, I think that is the most striking absence that everybody's asking. Where is he? What is the reason that he has not made an appearance yet? Because even the head of the Revolutionary Guards, Ahmad al-Vahidi, who had not been seen in public since his appointment after Ayatollah Khamenei was killed, made an appearance at this funeral. How come he's not showing up for his father's, for his own daughter's funeral?
And the only way that he has communicated has been through written messages. And if this funeral is expected to project an image of resilience, strength, and also leadership transition, I don't think this messaging is complete without Khomeini's -- Mojtaba Khomeini's appearance during this funeral.
HILL: Yeah, it certainly raises so many questions, as you point out. As you're looking at some of these images, the leaders that we're seeing from different countries, these enormous crowds, as Fred just said, some 20 million people expected, when we look at these numbers, the portraits, the calls for revenge, what in all of this really stands out to you in this moment, and the message that Iran is trying to send?
FATHI: Well, you know the entire funeral is carefully curated to send a message. So -- and the delegations that are coming to pay their respect are very choreographed which is not something that we have seen in Iran before. This is the first time we are seeing this kind of funeral, which is all indicating that the Iranians want to send a special kind of message. [19:25:07]
But definitely, the ceremony is wrapped in very heavy Shiite symbolic symbolism, the fact that the coffin of the supreme leader is wrapped in a flag that says Ya Hussein, a reference to the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was also martyred while fighting against injustice, suggests that they want to compare the status of Ayatollah Khamenei with somebody much, much more senior and somebody who has a historic relevance in Shiite Islam.
And so, it is aimed at elevating the position of late Khamenei and also positioning Iran as a central hub for Shiite Islam. And the delegations who came there, they also were very telling. It was expected to see envoys from China and Russia, but to see delegations from Saudi Arabia that had been the target of some of the most intense attacks by Iran were very interesting.
HILL: Yeah. Nazila, really appreciate you joining us tonight. Thank you.
Still ahead here, we have new details about an Air Force major arrested and the possible punishment he is now facing after these remarks on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JASON WATSON, U.S. AIR FORCE MAJOR: The president and vice president must be impeached, convicted, and removed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: Plus, it may feel like a cruel summer out there. Anything but cruel. More of a love story, you might say, for Taylor Swift, whose wedding celebration is now underway, and we have new details just coming in about what is happening right now. We're there live.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:31:05]
HILL: OUTFRONT, learning new details tonight about the U.S. Air Force major arrested on the steps of the U.S. Capitol this week after calling for President Trump to be impeached and removed from office. The lawyer for Major Jason Watson telling us the military is investigating him for alleged contempt toward officials. Failure to obey, order, regulation, and conduct unbecoming of an officer.
All of this after he delivered this speech in uniform outside the Capitol.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: For all of these high crimes and misdemeanors, the president and vice president must be impeached, convicted, and removed.
(END VIDEO CLIP) HILL: Capitol Police tell CNN members of the public may not demonstrate on the Hill steps unless they are accompanied by a member of Congress. There is an investigation now underway by the military.
The secretary of the Air Force posting, quote, "Americans place their trust in us. We cannot and will not compromise the trust of the nation. The department takes allegations of misconduct seriously, including any that might undermine the nonpartisan nature of our military."
OUTFRONT now is Jessica Denson, who organized that protest where the Air Force major was arrested. She worked for the 2016 Trump campaign before speaking out against the president and starting this group, now calling for his impeachment.
So, Jessica, you livestreamed this event. We can actually see you in some of the video walking up there, walking up to the Capitol with Major Watson, Congressman Al Green with you as well. The major knew that he could be arrested. He talked about that, said he felt it was a risk he was willing to take.
Why did he want to take this risk?
JESSICA DENSON, ORGANIZED TRUMP IMPEACHMENT EVENT WHERE U.S. AIRMAN WAS ARRESTED: Absolutely. Erica. Thanks for having me tonight.
He wanted to make a stand in the most visible way possible. He understands that he is putting a 17-year military career on the line, essentially sacrificing it all because he understands the stakes are so high. And so, he came to me several months ago and I worked with him to make sure that this sacrifice was not in vain, to make sure that his message of impeachment, conviction and removal was lost on no one.
As you mentioned, I worked for the 2016 Trump campaign. I fought for years in the shadows to invalidate his illegal non-disclosure agreements, and my story was largely shadowed. I know what it's like to make a sacrifice that is ignored and not given the attention that it deserves when you have a vital message to bring. And there was no way that I was going to let this happen to Major Watson.
So, we organized this with care. We -- he understood the risks that were involved, but he wanted to take a stand in a way that showed that he was willing to make the sacrifice that so many of our complicit lawmakers, 99 percent of them, are not willing to make to demand that this criminal regime be removed from power.
HILL: He had come on your podcast prior to this event. One of the things you spoke about was the Iran War, which was clearly a red line for him. I just want to play some of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: I would underscore pointless. There are 13 service members. And who knows how many more that are injured, but 13 that are dead that have -- for what? What did we get out of that? (END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: You mentioned that he came to you some time ago. Was it the Iran war that prompted him to come to you, or was it something else?
DENSON: Well, he talked about in that interview, which I highly suggest anybody go and watch on my YouTube channel, Jessica Denson, the "Lights On" show. He is currently under a gag order, so he cannot speak for himself. That is his voice and his story.
But he described that there were so many red lines. And one of the things that really prompted him to even consider just the gravity of Trump's illegal behavior were the January 6th hearings, going back that far. And then he had some failed, some false starts in his attempt to reveal himself before he came to me and almost decided to give up.
But when he saw the protests in Minneapolis and how people were so willing to put themselves on the line to defend their communities and to defend each other in the Constitution against these ICE thugs, which are really a paramilitary force that constitutes treason, he decided that that was what really jolted him to find out again how he could come out publicly and really make something of this, that he had to at least have the courage of those people in Minneapolis.
HILL: We did reach out to Watson's attorney who told us, quote, you cannot imagine, as part of me, you cannot ignore, rather, the beautiful irony of an active-duty Air Force major being arrested in full uniform on the Capitol steps right before Independence Day. saying Major Watson took a courageous, nonviolent stand to defend the Constitution against an unlawful war in Iran, only to be detained at the foot of our nation's capital. It's a powerful reminder of what it means to truly honor an oath to the Constitution.
Have you been approached by other active-duty service members since Major Watson's arrest?
DENSON: I have not personally, but I do believe that other active duty service members are considering taking at least similar action. Whether they are specifically going to call for impeachment and removal as he did, I don't know, but I do believe that this is being considered. I think he has shown an example for so many.
He -- what Chris, Jason's lawyer, said to you is so on point, because we are literally witnessing, Erica, we are literally witnessing a counterrevolution against 1776. We are about to mark our 250-year anniversary with somebody in the Oval Office who is literally committing on a daily basis many of the violations that are cited in the Declaration of Independence.
No lawmaker has any right commemorating this anniversary without upholding their oath to follow Article Two, Section Four of the Constitution by immediately acting to impeach, convict, and remove Trump and every illegal member of this regime from office.
HILL: Jessica, we appreciate your time tonight. Thank you. DENSON: Thank you.
HILL: OUTFRONT is Democratic Congressman Adam Smith. He's the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee.
Congressman. You just listened to my conversation with Jessica Denson. I'm curious your reaction to the arrest of this U.S. Air Force major, which happened, of course, on the steps of the Capitol as he was calling for the president's impeachment and removal from office.
REP. ADAM SMITH (D-WA): Well, I think we need to do everything we can to shine a light on the illegal activities of President Trump and how he is violating the Constitution and, frankly, ruling more like a dictator than a constitutionally elected representative as -- sorry, our constitutionally elected president of a representative democracy.
So, I applaud the major for saying that. Certainly, the war is one example, but it's one of many ways in which the president has violated the Constitution, violated his oath of office, and is fundamentally threatening our representative democracy.
Again, he's ruling like a dictator that needs to be called out publicly in as many ways as possible. So, I applaud the major for doing that. And for the millions of people all across the country, frankly, who have done the same in a variety of different ways, through rallies and protests and statements, that message needs to grow louder.
HILL: You just heard some of the frustration from Jessica Denson about inaction by members of Congress. Major Watson said he was motivated to speak out in part because of what he saw as inaction by Congress. I want to play a little bit more of what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WATSON: We're in a dangerous place. I don't know how else to put it, but we have a pathway out of this. We're not going to get Congress to act unless we're willing to act, and Congress has the ability to end this today, tomorrow, any time of their choosing, why aren't they? Why are we still here?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HILL: How would you answer that question for him?
SMITH: Yeah, well, I think part of the problem with what he's saying is he conflates those who are enabling President Trump and those of us who are fighting him. And that makes it more difficult to be successful when he throws all of Congress under the bus.
When Democrats have stood up and spoken out against Trump from day one, Republicans have the majority in Congress. He's right in the sense that if Republicans were willing to come out and uphold their oath and hold the president accountable, this would happen. But when you throw the charge out the way he did and you condemn everyone in Congress, in many ways, that strengthens Trump, because those of us who are fighting him are lumped in with those of us who aren't, and it divides the opposition, and it makes it more difficult to be successful, so I wish when people were criticizing, And rightfully so.
Mike Johnson and John Thune, the majority, the leaders of Congress, could stand up. All the Republicans back after January 6th could have impeached him and barred him from running for office, and they didn't do that. But all those of us who did, to attack us in the same way, that undermines the opposition and makes it more difficult to defeat Trump.
HILL: I want to ask you about a new op-ed out tonight, which was co- authored by former top U.S. General C.Q. Brown, who, of course, was fired by Secretary Hegseth last year. In it, he writes, "The military must protect the respect that it has earned from American society by scrupulously following all lawful orders and by demonstrating every day that it is nonpartisan.
[19:40:02]
In so doing, service members honor the oath they swear not to a particular party or political leader, but to the Constitution itself."
How do you take that? Do you hear that as a warning from General Brown?
SMITH: A hundred percent. I know General Brown, consider him a friend, worked with him certainly when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs and other roles he played in the military.
Trump is trying to politicize the military. He's trying to politicize everything. He views it as his military, his Justice Department, his government, as opposed to the government that the people charged him to lead, our government.
Trump is using our Justice Department to pursue his political foes. He's using our FCC to try to silence people in the media who disagree with him. He's using the Department of Homeland Security to create this paramilitary force across the country that violates the due process and basic rights of Americans.
So, C.Q. Brown is right. He's also using the military. He's tried to politicize the military because -- he's making it about Trump, not about America. So, I think General Brown correctly points out that the special duty of the military that is serving in it have to stand up and not follow those orders that serve Trump instead of the country.
HILL: Congressman, I appreciate your time tonight. Thank you.
SMITH: Thanks for the chance.
HILL: OUTFRONT next, the breaking news. There is a new sign. You see it there, outside of Madison Square Garden, "Just married". See what they did there? The T and the T. Little clue about who might have gotten married. More details ahead.
Plus, he worked with someone in Trump's inner circle. Now he has become a potential threat to the president.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:45:48]
HILL: Just married and you've got the signs to prove it. How about that? These signs lighting up around Madison Square Garden, declaring Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially married.
The celebrations underway right now inside MSG, expected to go late into the night for the 1,000 guests who made the cut for the wedding of the year.
CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister is OUTFRONT now outside Madison Square Garden, and we are getting some details now.
We now know the dress. We even know the officiant. Fill us in.
ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so after months or weeks of everything being shrouded in secrecy, we have official confirmation. Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey are married. And as you said, Erica, there are signs to prove it.
Look behind me. These signs just went up outside of MSG in purple, saying JusT & T. Of course, Taylor and Travis married, illuminating across the city.
This is probably Taylor's way to show the fans to bring the fans in. Hey, we have this big public sign. Even though everything is private and secret inside, you now know what's going on at MSG, which is one of her favorite venues where she's performed for so many times over the years.
Now here's something that was not on my bingo card, Erica. Guess who the officiant was? Adam Sandler. I swear this is not when --
HILL: I saw that --
WAGMEISTER: -- comes from. This was -- this comes from an official press release from Taylor's representative Tree Paine who gives us these following details. I'm reading directly from this. "Right now, Taylor and Travis did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen." Instead, her brother Austin Swift served as Taylor's man of honor and Jason Kelce, of course, Travis Kelsey's brother served as his best man. The ceremony was joined both families together and was officiated by friend Adam Sandler.
Now the bride and groom both wore Christian Dior and Taylor Swift wore Cartier jewelry and both of their shoes were custom made by Christian Louboutin.
So, look, we have all the details again. Taylor bringing her fans into this moment by announcing this to the world again after weeks, months of secrecy, but there is still a lot being kept private. You can see behind me, or maybe you can, I'm not sure, but there's a lot of curtains outside of MSG. We did get some glimpses before of celebrities coming in, everyone
from Jennifer Lopez to Hugh Grant, Benson Boone, but we can't really see anything else inside, but they're married. Congrats to the happy couple.
HILL: Congrats, lots of big names as you -- as you know, coming in earlier and then hiding behind those curtains.
All right, Elizabeth, appreciate it. Thank you.
OUTFRONT with us now, Carlos Greer, senior reporter for "The New York Post's Page Six".
I got to say, Adam Sandler, I mean, are they close? I'm not close with Travis and Taylor, so I don't know how close they are with Adam. I'm not close with him either. But hey.
CARLOS GREER, SENIOR REPORTER, NEW YORK POST'S PAGE SIX: And listen, Taylor, you can't put anything past when it comes to celebrity friendships, that's for sure. But that sounds like a very fun wedding.
I mean, can you imagine Adam Sandler, them saying "I do" in front of Adam Sandler? There had to be a lot of jokes there.
HILL: I mean, it sets the tone, right? You're officiant really -- having full disclosure, I officiated a few weddings in my day. It really does set the tone, right? And they're obviously going to pick somebody. They want them to set the tone.
We know about the custom dresses. We know about the shoes. Were you surprised at all? No wedding party.
GREER: You know, I was not surprised, honestly, because they're doing this at MSG, and this is setting it up to be a big party. We know that they're going to be partying there until the wee hours, until 2:30 a.m., I'm told. The whole, the inside of it, it's a garden-themed event.
And, you know, Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, so many people, there's so many stars. It's an A-list star-packed party.
HILL: How many of those stars do you think are also part of the entertainment this evening?
GREER: Well, here's the thing. Taylor Swift is supposed to be a part of the entertainment this evening. Reportedly, she's going to be performing with Stevie Nicks and Paul McCartney for her husband.
HILL: Well, that's a fine trio right there. If you had to put your money on what they were singing, do you think it's an original song that she wrote?
GREER: I think there's going to be multiple songs. I mean, this wedding is at MSG, so you already knew that there was going to be some singing at this wedding. I'm sure Ed Sheeran will get on stage.
[19:50:00]
Yesterday, we saw piano being brought to MSG.
You know, I was down there earlier today with Elizabeth and the excitement surrounding this. This is something she truly wants to share with the public it seems. People flew in for this wedding.
HILL: Swifties flew in.
GREER: Swifties flew in.
HILL: Just to be outside Madison Square Garden.
GREER: Just to be outside. Just to see the cars.
HILL: In the heat.
GREER: In the heat. Just to see her drive up.
HILL: Into the sidewalk is something. That is a love.
So, we have the few details now, right?
GREER: Yeah.
HILL: So, a little bit of detail about what they wore, who officiated, who was in the wedding. The signs outside, as Elizabeth said, that lets the fans know what happened. How soon until we get an official image being released?
GREER: Well, you know what, here's what we learned. There are already, like, there's film release is set up inside of Madison Square Garden. So, we know that they're recording.
HILL: Sure.
GREER: Whether or not it's going to be for a documentary or music video, that's yet to be seen. But, you know, I predict that Taylor's going to announce this and release a photo on her own because she wants to share this with her fans.
HILL: Right. But do you think, I mean, do you think this weekend?
GREER: I wouldn't be surprised. I don't think we're going to get the whole --
HILL: No, no, I just mean --
GREER: -- a picture for sure.
HILL: Just to tide people over until the release of the official Taylor and Travis the wedding special live on Netflix.
GREER: The billboard is any indication I think we'll get it.
HILL: It could be. GREER: Yeah.
HILL: Really quickly before I let you go, any word on what's next? Meaning is there a honeymoon?
GREER: Oh, I mean, I would imagine that there is a honeymoon. I mean, it's Taylor. It's her first wedding. It's Taylor and Travis. I don't think we're going to know where --
HILL: Until after.
GREER: Until after. It's private as they've kept it.
HILL: All right, we'll see. Maybe she'll take everybody to Rhode Island tomorrow for her annual July 4th party. Who knows?
GREER: That's what I'm curious about. What's going to happen. Her favorite holiday.
HILL: Yeah, I appreciate it. Thanks, Carlos.
GREER: Yeah.
HILL: OUTFRONT next. Why Trump's support of A.I. could backfire for the president. A special report.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:55:54]
HILL: Tonight, the anti-AI message posing a threat to President Trump. It's coming from an activist with ties to Steve Bannon, and he's striking a nerve with Republican voters.
Hadas Gold is OUTFRONT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
STEVE BANNON, HOST, BANNON'S WAR ROOM: Joe Allen, you have introduced this show. I got to tell you, I'm going to thank you. The bet we made five years ago paid off. You've really become a star.
HADAS GOLD, CNN A.I. CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When one time concert venue technician Joe Allen first joined Steve Bannon's "War Room" show in 2021, his writings and warnings about technology and artificial intelligence may have seemed fringe and conspiratorial.
JOE ALLEN, ANTI-A.I. ACTIVIST: These are people who actively want to replace you.
GOLD (voice-over): Now he is firmly in the mainstream, on the cover of "Time Magazine" and traveling the country, rallying Americans to reject the A.I. revolution.
GOLD: Do you feel like the reception has changed over the years since you've come? ALLEN: I sound less crazy.
GOLD (voice-over): His message is resonating as more Americans expressed reservations about A.I.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go to the Lord in prayer, please.
GOLD (voice-over): Nearly every seat was filled for Allen's March speech at Dallas's First Baptist Church.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'd like to welcome Joe Allen tonight.
ALLEN: You have A.I. as a tool, yes, but a tool that uses you. A tool that learns from you. A tool that is oftentimes used against you and is being held up as an entity that knows better than you about what is true and good. And beautiful. Thank you very much.
GOLD (voice-over): This was Allen's third lecture at First Baptist, one of the largest churches in the country with 16,000 congregants, whose leadership and many of its members are Trump supporters.
But the president's largely hands-off approach to A.I. regulation is rattling even his most loyal supporters here.
GOLD: Do you think that this could be an issue for President Trump's political support at all?
ELIZABETH GOMEZ CROCKER, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH CONGREGANT: Trump does say some things that, you know, true supporters like myself are like going, whoa, what? Because we don't know. When you don't know, you don't want to be for it. So, we want to stop, and we want to know. So, we need more research.
GOLD (voice-over): And it could pose a problem for President Trump in the midterms and beyond.
BANNON: It's not going to just change work and our relationship work. It's going to change the very nature of human life. And as much as we support the president and love the president, to show the supports the president, we do on -- where we think he's getting bad guidance and advice, we're adamant that he's getting bad guidance and advice.
GOLD: Do you feel like that movement, your union of sort of the cautious about A.I. movement is growing?
ALLEN: Absolutely. I'm just one guy. There's this entire network, this whole cultural matrix that's already filled with this resentment. People are horrified by the imposition of technology.
GOLD: So, what are you advocating for? Should we all, you know, completely stop using these A.I. chat bots? Should we burn our cell phones?
ALLEN: The question shouldn't be, are you going to get left behind if you don't adopt the future that's being pushed at you from the wealthiest men on Earth by way of the most powerful government on Earth? None of this is determined, not yet.
And they have a choice. They have agency. They still have human freedom.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLD: Erica, few things seem to unite people across the political spectrum quite like their concerns over AI and what they want the government to do about it. In fact, a poll released just last month by Pew Research found that a majority of both Democrats and Republicans do not have confidence in the U.S. government to regulate A.I. effectively, despite the fact that poll after poll shows that they want regulation of A.I.
So between the booing of AI at commencement ceremonies we saw earlier this summer to these protests against the building of A.I. data centers, it seems very likely that AI will be top of mind as voters head to the midterms this November -- Erica.
HILL: Hadas, appreciate it. Thank you.
And thanks to all of you for joining us tonight. Stay tuned, CNN's special "INDEPENDENCE EVE LIVE WITH ANDERSON AND ANDY" starts right now.
