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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Pres. Trump To Welcome King Charles For State Visit Monday; King Charles To Meet With President Trump In D.C.; State Media: Iran Gives "Red Lines" To Be Conveyed To U.S.; U.S. Strikes Alleged Drug Boat In Eastern Pacific Killing 3; Russian Defense Minister Meets Kim Jong Un In Pyongyang; WH Says Suspect Wanted To Target Trump Admin. Officials; Severe Storms Continue Into Tuesday Across Central U.S. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired April 27, 2026 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: There rang out and people in the room realized something was wrong just before U.S. President Donald Trump was rushed away by Secret Service agents.

And King Charles III and Queen Camilla will still visit the U.S. on Monday despite Saturday night's shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Buckingham Palace said the decision follows advice after security discussions between American and British officials.

The royal couple's visit will celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. The King is expected to meet privately with President Trump and then later King Charles is scheduled to address Congress and attend a state dinner.

CNN's royal historian Kate Williams is joining us live from London now. Kate, a pleasure to have you join us and give your expertise.

I first want to discuss the security aspect of this visit because even if Saturday was a normal Correspondents' Dinner here in Washington, there's still an immense amount of logistical planning that goes into an event like this visit. How does that change or maybe stay to the plan given what happened on Saturday?

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN (on-camera): Yes, we understand there were a lot of discussions yesterday between the palace, between the White House, between security services about the schedule for the King and President Trump because it is a very packed schedule. They're in New York. They're in Washington. They're in Virginia and many meets and greets, many receptions, many occasions.

So, there are a lot of conversations about how to keep this safe and secure. We've been told that it's going ahead as planned but with some minor modifications. I think what we can expect to see is a little bit less public meet and greet than perhaps had been talked about because certainly I think when the King received this news, the terrible news of what went on, on Saturday night, he expressed his private concern for everyone there but also expressed his concern that he should continue to do this.

He should -- I've seen a source saying his thoughts were that long, sort of overdue phrase, but keep calm and carry on because this is at the request of the government. It's very important for U.S.-UK relations.

And of course, the King himself is no stranger to experiencing violence against members of his family over the years. So he is, I think, ready to conduct this state visit.

And I think as we saw on Saturday night, the security services were incredible in what they did to keep everyone safe. So, the King knows he's in very safe hands in the United States.

ABEL: I am certainly grateful to the Secret Service and everybody else for Saturday night. Let's turn to the diplomacy side of this visit.

In a piece for CNN.com, my colleagues highlighted a quote from President Trump talking about this special relationship between the U.S. and the UK, saying, we are like two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem, each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together.

Well, that was September. And I guess we could say a lot has happened since then. And President Trump's words haven't been as kind, shall we say. Britain, he said, was no longer, quote, the Rolls Royce of allies.

So, give us a sense of King Charles's mission now. Is it one to repair this relationship?

WILLIAMS (on-camera): King Charles really has got a repair job on his hands. Now, President Trump said to a journalist earlier this week, he said, oh, yes, I think he could repair the rift. He's a fantastic guy. He's a great guy. But as you say, President Trump is very unhappy with the actions of our prime minister, Keir Starmer, with the actions of our parliament, particularly in relation to the Iran war. There has been lots of conversation about how Keir Starmer is not backing him up and how he really feels that Britain is no longer a good ally for him.

So there's this discrepancy going on that the President is very unhappy with the British government, but very happy with the King and thinks the King is marvelous and is looking forward to meeting him and greatly has enjoyed his state visits. We have to remember that most U.S. two-term presidents do not get two huge major state visits. The second one is actually a small affair.

Instead, President Trump has one with Elizabeth II and one with Charles last September. And the one with Charles last September was a real success. So the British government often use the royal family really as soft power, as a way of creating good relationships around the world.

The Elizabeth II, Charles's mother, went around the world about 42 times creating these relationships. She came to America eight times during her reign. And Charles, indeed, himself, first came 56 years ago when he was 21.

So, he is used to this role of diplomacy. And that is his role now to create goodwill, to create good relationships. And hopefully on top of that, the British government can build because America, the U.S. is such an important ally for the United Kingdom.

ABEL: You hit on it a little bit there, but I do want to talk a bit more about the historical context of this visit, because it has been a one-sided affair of sorts with President Trump at Buckingham Palace a few times now without an official state visit from the monarch to the states in quite some time.

[04:35:04]

WILLIAMS (on-camera): Yes, our last state visit was Elizabeth II coming to the U.S. in 2007. And the last time a reigning monarch addressed Congress, which Charles is going to do on Tuesday, that was in 1991. And it's really a long overdue visit. So that's why it's been so long planned. And everyone's determined to go ahead.

We're really celebrating the 250 years of independent that great moment when the U.S. America became independent of British tyranny. So that great moment, we're giving up to it in July, William and Kate are coming over in July for the big celebrations for independence. And this is what Charles really wants the focus to be on how that was a hard times difficult relationship.

But now it is a relationship of two allies, two friends, and a great historic history between us. That moment that America became independent of Britain set the new relationship, which Charles really wants to emphasize. And I think he really wants to be part of these great celebrations of independence.

ABEL: CNN royal historian Kate Williams, thank you so much for your time. Appreciate you.

WILLIAMS (on-camera): Thank you.

ABEL: We are following the latest developments out of the Middle East. Iran says it has submitted a list of red lines to Pakistan to be conveyed to the U.S.

We'll tell you what they are just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:41:05]

ABEL: We are hearing new information out of the Middle East. Iran's state media reports Tehran has given Pakistan a list of red lines to be conveyed to the U.S. not related to peace negotiations, and among those non-negotiables, nuclear issues, and the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, state media also reports that Tehran's top diplomat is now in Russia and will meet President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss war developments, among other things. So far, plans for another round of potential face-to-face talks between Washington and Tehran are unclear.

And let's go now to our correspondents. We have Paula Hancocks for us in Abu Dhabi.

And Paula, how will Iran's red lines impact negotiations with the U.S. going forward? Because President Trump's red line for Iran sounds contradictory to Iran's demands.

PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on-camera): Yes, Brian, I think it's fair to say that the two positions are still extremely far apart when it comes to what each side wants out of any kind of peace deal. So, we are effectively in this stalemate now with both sides waiting to see if the other blinks.

We have seen a lot of movement from Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. As you say, he has been in Pakistan. He then went to Oman, the previous mediators between the U.S. and Iran, before going back to Pakistan, and he is now in Russia.

So, the red lines that they talk of are dealing with the Strait of Hormuz and also the nuclear issue. We have heard, though, from the U.S. President Donald Trump that there is no point in sending a delegation to try and talk at this point. He said if they want to talk, they can pick up the phone.

Let's listen to exactly what he said.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES: We have all the cards. If they want to talk, they can come to us or they can call us. You know, there is a telephone.

So if they want, they can call us. But again, they know what has to be in the agreement. Very simple. They cannot have a nuclear weapon. Otherwise, there's no reason to meet.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

HANCOCKS (on-camera): And we heard from Axios reporter and CNN contributor Barak Ravid saying that he had been told there was a potential proposal where they would deal with the Strait of Hormuz first, and a peace deal, and then later they would deal with the Iranian nuclear program. That's at least what Tehran would like to see. No clarity as to whether that's something the Trump administration would be accepting at this point.

But we have seen more evidence that Iran is not going to let the Strait of Hormuz go back to the way that it was. I want to read to you a quote from the Deputy Parliament Speaker. And he talks about under no circumstances will the Strait of Hormuz return to its previous state, citing the Ayatollah, the Supreme Leader, wanting it to be that way, saying it is, quote, one of the divine blessings of the war that we realized that if we place our foot on the throat of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb, 25 percent of the world's economy would be affected.

So this really does highlight Tehran's stance at this point. What they want to see is the lifting of the U.S. blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, though. They have said that talks will not resume until that has happened, but there is no indication from the U.S. side that that will happen.

In fact, we heard from Central Command that some 38 vessels at this point have been prevented from entering or exiting Iranian ports. This is something that the Trump administration believes is putting a lot of economic pressure onto Iran.

So at this point, it is a stalemate, and it really is a sense of which side can withstand the greatest economic pain. Brian.

[04:45:04]

ABEL: All right, Paula Hancocks for us, giving us the updates in the region from Abu Dhabi. Paula, thank you.

The U.S. military says three people were killed during a strike on an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific on Sunday. In a post to X, U.S. Southern Command said no service members were harmed in this strike.

The post claims the boat was transiting, a known narco trafficking route and engaging in drug trafficking operations. According to official announcements and CNN analysis, at least 185 people have now been killed in U.S. strikes on suspected drug trafficking vessels.

Russia and North Korea have agreed to sign a five-year plan for long- term military cooperation. That is according to Russian news agencies. Analysts say the plan looks to prepare for the period after the war in Ukraine. Russia's defense minister Andrei Belousov, met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang on Sunday. He said Relations with North Korea are at a quote, unprecedented level.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDREI BELOUSOV, RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTER (through translation): Dear Comrade, Kim Jong Un, the close friendship between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is at an unprecedented high level.

I would like to thank you once again for a traditionally hardy welcome that the Russian delegation receives in Pyongyang.

After meeting with Kim, Belousov awarded North Korean troops who have fought with Russian forces against Ukraine in the Kursk region. Kim and the Russian delegation took part in opening a memorial and museum to the troop. North Korea -- North Korea has sent an estimated 14,000 troops to fight against Ukraine.

Back with more after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [04:51:26]

ABEL: Back to our top story now, the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Reaction has been pouring in from across the world. Western leaders expressing shock, relief and unease at the violence, as well as solidarity with President Donald Trump.

CNN's Clare Sebastian has the details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Western leaders were united in their condemnations of the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. And despite recent tensions over the Iran war, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quick to show his support, especially of course, ahead of King Charles' plan state visit to the U.S. on Monday. Expressing his best wishes to President Donald Trump in a phone call Sunday Downing Street said. Starmer also used the opportunity to discuss the urgent need to open the Strait of Hormuz.

French President Emmanuel Macron also offered his full support to Donald Trump in a post on X. And many, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nearly two months, of course, into a joint war with the U.S. against Iran, expressed relief that the President and First Lady escaped unharmed. Netanyahu addressed the incident at a cabinet meeting Sunday.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translation): My wife and I were shocked as you were to hear about this repeated attempt to assassinate President Trump and his wife. We were glad that both of them, along with senior members of the U.S. administration came out unharmed. There is no place for violence, not against political leaders and not against anyone.

SEBASTIAN: Although acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the suspect appeared to be targeting members of the administration there's no word yet on whom.

Now, Mark Carney of Canada offered support for those quote, shaken by this disturbing event. Many international journalists also of course attend the White House Correspondents' dinner.

And Ukraine's foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha also weighed in such violence, has no justification, he wrote on X, and must have no place in a democratic society.

Clare Sebastian, CNN London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: And to weather now, two people are dead after severe storms tore through North Texas this weekend, causing widespread structural damage around the Dallas-Fort Worth area, leading to a number of injuries as well.

And storms generated, these rare twin tornadoes Sunday spotted by storm chasers in Oklahoma. They look dangerous, but so far, no confirmed injuries or significant damage have been reported from them. Unfortunately, this severe weather threat isn't done quite yet.

CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar has the latest forecast.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: There were numerous severe storms across much of the central U.S. over this weekend. Here you're looking at damage from Springtown, Texas that is just west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but they weren't the only one. They've had kind of an ideal weather set up for severe thunderstorms, and that is going to continue as we go through, not only Monday, but also Tuesday of this week. You've got that warm, moist air coming up from the Gulf along with that cooler air coming down from Canada. It's the clash of those temperatures. That's what's really fueling that potential for severe storms.

Now, it's going to be two separate areas for the next few days, but both have just as good of a threat of those strong to severe thunderstorms. Monday, the main focus is really over areas of the Midwest. This does include places like Chicago, Milwaukee, down through St. Louis and Memphis. Tuesday, the main threat really stretches from Dallas all the way up to about Louisville and Cincinnati.

So again, similar threats, it's just going to be slightly different areas. So the timeline of this Monday morning, you can see it's really kind of focused here across portions of Missouri and Iowa that spreads eastward hitting places like Chicago, Indianapolis, as we head into the late afternoon and into the evening hours. But you still have some of those thunderstorms for a second round on the back edge there of a lot of the places that still got those storms in the morning.

[04:55:05]

So for some areas it's not one round, it's going to be two rounds of those thunderstorms. Then we start to see everything kind of congeal into this long line here, very late Monday as it slides even farther off to the east into states like Michigan, Ohio, farther into Kentucky and Tennessee. It will continue that way into the overnight and into the very early hours of Tuesday.

So this is certainly going to be something that kind of continues over the next few days, and this is typical for this time of year. In fact, April is when we really start to see tornadoes begin to ramp up across the U.S. They peak in May before starting to come back down as we head throughout the summer.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ABEL: Allison Chinchar, thank you. And thank you all for joining us. I'm Brian Abel.

Our live coverage continues with Audie Cornish after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)