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Laura Coates Live
Platner Faces Intensifying Pressure to End Maine Senate Bid; Michigan Senate Candidates Clash Over Future of Democratic Party; U.S. Strikes Iran. Aired 11p-12a ET
Aired July 07, 2026 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN ANCHOR AND SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: I mean, I don't know why you should be like running the country.
BRIANNA LYMAN, REPORTER, THE FEDERALIST: I think --
ANA NAVARRO, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Or in the Supreme Court.
LYMAN: I think cognitive tests are good. You also risk, though, losing people who are experts in certain areas, which is very needed for newcomers.
PHILLIP: True. But, I mean, there's always --
JASON RANTZ, SEATTLE RED RADIO HOST, AND AUTHOR: Not 75 anymore.
MIKE NELLIS, FORMER SENIOR ADVISER, KAMALA HARRIS CAMPAIGN: They can move to think tanks or somewhere else.
PHILLIP: There are plenty of things they don't know about, like technology.
LYMAN: Sure, and that's why there are so many different -- so many different committees.
KMELE FOSTER, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, TANGLE: The specialization is in the staff. Like, the staff stick around, they move around. I think we'll be fine.
PHILLIP: All right. We got to run here. Thank you for watching "Newsnight." "Laura Coates Live" starts right now.
LAURA COATES, CNN HOST AND SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: Well, tonight, another Graham Platner accuser speaks out as Democrats urge him to drop out and let someone else take over. One of the Democrats considering whether to replace him will be my guest. Plus, a progressive and a party favorite face off in Michigan. Abdul El-Sayed, Haley Stevens, and a Senate debate with one huge question: What direction will the party go in? And breaking news out of the Middle East, new U.S. strikes pounding Iran. And one official describes it this way: Punishment. Tonight on "Laura Coates Live."
Well, if the calls for Graham Platner to step aside were loud last night, tonight, they are deafening. More top Democrats are calling on their nominee for Senate in Maine to drop out, including one of his biggest backers, Senator Bernie Sanders. Party officials are already making moves to figure out who exactly would replace him, but they have a huge problem: Platner is still in the race.
He has not bowed out even as another woman is speaking out for the first time on camera. Now, her name is Lyndsey Fifield. She had previously accused Platner of violence from when they dated more than a decade ago. Her allegations were detailed in "The New York Times" just last month, including an instance where she says he twisted her arm behind her back, shoved her into a bedroom, and held the door shut so she could not leave.
Now, Platner denied the physical allegations. Some of his supporters pointed to Fifield's history of working on Republican campaigns, and Platner went on to win the primary. But now, now she says she wanted to come forward after hearing Jenny Racicot speak out just yesterday. Remember, Racicot accused Platner of raping her when they were dating in 2021, a claim he denies. Fifield says parts of Racicot's account feel painfully familiar. She talked with CNN's Jake Tapper about what she experienced. And a warning, some viewers may find this interview disturbing or triggering.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN LEAD WASHINGTON ANCHOR: What, if anything, aligned with your experiences?
LYNDSEY FIFIELD, GRAHAM PLATNER ACCUSER: The eyes.
TAPPER: The dead eyes where he couldn't hear your protests?
FIFIELD: I just know exactly what that looks like. I know exactly what it looks like. And it's -- that is something that I feel like people need to understand, is it was almost like looking at like a pit bull. There is -- it is nothing. But not just nothing, but like a capacity for violence, and you see it. And you know it is there, and it is terrifying. And I -- but also, yes, a deafness to anything that --
TAPPER: Present?
FIFIELD: Yes. Like I'm going -- like this is going to happen. And I think that was the hardest part. Oh, I'm sorry.
TAPPER: Jenny also talked about unprotected sex. It is something she didn't want to happen that he did -- that he made happen. Is that something you --
FIFIELD: Yes. So, that was something that was really, I think, the worst and most violating part. This is a relationship that went on and on and on and even after my roommates and people were like this has to stop. Then it continued in secret, where we continue to see each other even after I had told people like no, I'm really -- I'm really done, like we're really broken up this time, like I'm not -- they'll be like are you sure. And then, you know, that -- it's -- it's -- it's humiliating. It is embarrassing that I continue to go back despite --
TAPPER: But a lot of -- a lot of -- a lot of what you're motivated by was trying to protect him.
FIFIELD: I was trying to help him, yes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COATES: Platner's campaign gave CNN this statement today: This claim is categorically false and comes from a person with a well-documented political agenda. Democrats are already planning for a race without Platner. That's because he only has until Monday to drop out, which triggers a two-week window to figure out who his replacement is. And the question Democrats in Maine are facing right now, if he ends his campaign, who replaces him?
[23:05:00]
Three people who previously ran to be Maine's governor looked like they are in the hunt: Troy Jackson, a former state Senate president; Shenna Bellows, Maine's secretary of state; and Dr. Nirav Shah, a former top CDC official. Now, all three came up short in the Democratic primary for governor.
And Dr. Shah is my first guest this evening. He was a Graham Platner supporter. That was at least until yesterday. Dr. Shah, welcome. I'm eager to get your take because, I wonder, have you even spoken with Platner or his campaign since the sexual assault allegations surfaced yesterday?
DR. NIRAV SHAH, FORMER MAINE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Well, good evening, Laura. Thank you for having me on. And I have not spoken with Graham nor have I spoken directly with his campaign. Like so many others, when I read and my wife and I read the horrifying and appalling allegations yesterday, we both simultaneously developed a pit in our stomach. And I went to Twitter and other social media platforms as quickly as I could and called for him to withdraw his name from consideration in this race. What I'm forward -- what I'm looking to now is how we fill this void and ultimately defeat Senator Collins come November.
COATES: Now, obviously, the allegations, extremely disturbing. He does deny them. But Platner, at least in this campaign, has been no stranger to controversy. I mean, there has been questionable conduct for women. That has been out since before the primary. Lyndsey Fifield accused Platner of domestic abuse to "The New York Times." Now, he has denied that as well. What was it about this latest allegation for you to withdraw your support as opposed to the prior controversies?
SHAH: Absolutely. That's -- that's the exact right question to focus on.
There were a few things that are different here. Number one of them is the severity of them, alleged forcible rape. The other is the documentation that accompanied it. And, of course, there's also this phenomenon of more. At some point, becomes the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. There were too many lines here that were crossed. And for me and for so many other Democrats, this was not a direction we continue to want to go. That's because, Laura, the stakes are incredibly high. We have an obligation, in service of not just Mainers, but in service of the entire country to defeat Senator Collins this upcoming November, and it was clear that Mr. Platner would be unable to do so. That's the -- that's the course that I'm evaluating right now.
COATES: There are so many Platner voters who are feeling incredibly let down, we remember, after the last set of allegations concerning sexting and beyond. He talked about how, essentially, he was being targeted. He was -- they were weaponizing campaigns against him. The supporters behind him spoke about their ferocious support for him.
But if he steps down now, and that's an if because he is still in the race as we are talking right now, but if he steps down and if, say, you jump into this race, you aren't just asking for their votes, you're asking for their trust. How do you prove to Platner supporters that you might be able to deliver on those promises that he has so readily made?
SHAH: You know, that will be --- that will be a challenge, facing whoever the next nominee is. And I believe, as you note, that I am --
COATES: Do you want it to be you?
SHAH: My family and I, as well as my team and I, are evaluating the options right now. We want to make sure it's the right decision for our family, as well as the right decision professionally, in part because of how much is at stake right now, as I've mentioned. And, as you know, Laura, job number one for whoever the next nominee will be, will be to unify the party, including many of Mr. Platner supporters.
In the recent gubernatorial where I came in second -- in second place, we had a significant number of crossover voters who were voters of mine as well as voters of Graham. Graham and I share a lot of the same progressive ideals like Medicare for all, taxing billionaires. But make no mistake, there will be a challenge to make sure that the party is unified. Without a unified party, Senator Collins will win reelection, and that will be to the detriment of all Mainers.
COATES: Is it too late for unification given the -- what's at stake right now and the timeline? I mean, time waits for no one. And you've got -- if he stays in the race, what do you think it will -- (INAUDIBLE) scenario because then what, if he says, I'm going to just try to hope that Mainers compartmentalize, like they have, for other controversies surrounding myself? What if he does that?
SHAH: First, I fully expect him to withdraw his name from consideration from this race. His campaign is not viable at this juncture. If he were to remain in the race, we would have to examine other options. But my focus right now is on figuring out how to best prosecute the case against Senator Collins. She has been in office for decades.
[23:09:59] At a time when the challenges in space (ph) centers and our country have only exacerbated themselves, she has not solved whether it's affordability. Being an ally to the Trump administration or confirming justices who have significantly stripped away the rights of women, for example, on abortion. The list goes on and on. Confirming Secretary Kennedy to RFK. The list of challenges facing the United States and Maine right now are significant. And many of them -- for many of those, there is a straight line that can be drawn, and all of those lines lead to Senator Collins.
COATES: You spoke about the party unification and, obviously, the stakes. Let's say you do become the nominee, doctor, would you welcome Graham Platner either on the campaign trail or with you for his endorsement?
SHAH: I welcome anyone who supports my values to endorse me. But at this juncture, I don't foresee -- if I were to enter the race and become a -- become the nominee, I don't foresee campaigning with him.
COATES: Dr. Nirav Shah, thank you for joining.
SHAH: Thank you, Laura.
COATES: I want to turn to CNN senior political commentator, Scott Jennings, and former chief of staff to the Biden White House press office, Yemisi Egbewole, is here as well. I'm glad to have you on set. I haven't had you here before. Welcome. Nice to have you back, Scott.
Let's begin with you because Maine's Democratic Party, they are drawing a line in the sand. We talked about this. We know that there have been other controversies, multiple ones. It's really not this severe in terms of a rape allegation. And they have drawn this line on whether Platner has any sway on a potential replacement in his own race. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DEVON MURPHY-ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MAINE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Graham Platner's team has repeatedly reached out to us in an attempt to put their thumb on the scale of what this process looks like. We have repeatedly reiterated to Graham Platner's team that they have no role in determining our next Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate nor in determining what this process looks like.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: They don't normally give statements like this. What does it say to you that they decided to come forward and say he does not have a say? What does that tell you?
YEMISI EGBEWOLE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF AND ADVISER TO BIDEN WHITE HOUSE PRESS OFFICE: Maine is finally speaking for Maine. Graham Platner was handpicked by out-of-state consultants, Morris and Rebecca Katz, the Fight Agency. They tried to get somebody that could fit into the idea of what a true, good, upstanding character is, and they failed at that. And it is complete narcissism at this point when you have credible rape allegations to hold the party hostage and to create this much of a fuss. The second that the story came out and he created that video saying that he was going to take time to rethink was the mistake. And real consultants and people who are adults in the driver's seats leading a real campaign would have told him that, would have told him to drop out for the better of the campaign.
COATES: The fact that he is not is probably music to the ears of Susan Collins. They are able to campaign against this and, of course, point this not only to Maine, but they've tried to extrapolate to other states as well and the quality of Democratic candidates. Is that -- is that the Republicans, though, being a little too confident by trying to campaign against the idea of the whole national races?
SCOTT JENNINGS, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, FORMER SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH, SALEM RADIO HOST: Well, if Platner doesn't drop out, Susan Collins is certainly going to be reelected. I mean, he's as damaged right now as any candidate could possibly be.
I got to tell you, I find this attitude, though, from the Democrats about picking the nominee and telling Graham Platner what he has to do a little strange for the party of democracy. They seem to have forgotten that he won the Democratic Party primary. He got the most votes. And other than this latest allegation, all these other things that we know about Graham Platner were known at the time. Nobody seemed to have a problem with it. I don't --
COATES: They had problems with it. There was -- there was a lot of --
JENNINGS: What percentage of the vote did he get?
COATES: -- criticism. There -- you said they had no problem with it. There was -- I understand your point, but there is criticism about the tattoo, about --
JENNINGS: Of who?
COATES: People in the party didn't even endorse him overall.
JENNINGS: Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren --
COATES: That's two senators.
JENNINGS: -- Ro Khanna.
EGBEWOLE: They are representative of a faction of the Democratic Party.
JENNINGS: All these people coming -- coming forward --
EGBEWOLE: Congresswoman Madeleine Dean --
JENNINGS: -- coming forward and defending every single thing until now, which leads me to believe they don't actually care about this rape victim. They just care that his poll numbers have fallen to the point where they don't believe he's viable any longer. He won a primary. He has chosen not to drop out yet. Maybe he will drop out. If he had any shame or decency, he wouldn't have run in the first place. But this is where we are, not because of anything Susan Collins has done or anything anybody else has done. This is what the Democrats did to themselves.
And whether they pick Nirav Shaw who -- by the way, I was shocked. He just started his campaign for the Senate by saying that he condones Democrat candidates for the Senate committing domestic violence as long as the victim is a Republican woman. That's what he said.
COATES: Hold on, Scott, because I have the same ears that you do, but maybe my hearing was better during that segment. He did not say that he condones --
JENNINGS: You asked him point blank.
[23:14:59]
COATES: And he did not say, I condone domestic violence because --
JENNINGS: He stuck with him.
COATES: But even more than that --
JENNINGS: What would you call that?
COATES: Well, you -- I'm -- you told me that he just said that, right? He did not say that. And so, if you're going to be honest about it --
JENNINGS: Laura, I listened to the interview.
COATES: Scott, you've got to be honest about it.
JENNINGS: You asked him -- you asked him the right question. Why didn't this other stuff give you any pause? And it was only this most recent allegation. So, Nazi tattoo, domestic violence against Lyndsey Fifield. She was a conservative, which they raked over the coals at the time she came out. You know, the masturbating in porta potties, wishing death on fellow military service members, self-described communist. All of that is fine with the Nirav Shahs of the world.
But this latest victim, her politics were correct. And his poll numbers were falling. So, now, they are able to get some courage when they had none before. They knew he was a scumbag before, and they stuck with it.
COATES: So, to be clear, if there is a credible allegation of either womanizing, domestic violence or sexual assault, no one in the party should ever stand by the candidate? Because if that -- if that is your statement, and I'd love to hear from you on this, if that is your assertion, I got to tell you, Herschel Walker should have been out, Donald Trump should have been out of the race, you've got Roy Moore shouldn't have been running. I could go on candidates. And I know that's not the ultimate test. But there's a hypocrisy to it. I'm not in any way -- just so we're clear, I have been a rape prosecutor. You know, I'm not condoning any allegation of sexual assault.
But the question I have politically for you, Yemisi, is the idea of the state of our politics right now, that it would take this in order to have this person be asked to step down. They still have not stepped down. And yet the conversation has not been -- you've said that Democrats don't care about rape victims. That's not true. But the conversation has been about why the party is being held hostage. What does it say to you that he was a viable candidate in Maine and in a time when they're trying to take over the Senate for Democrats? Is there a quality problem here, even aside from these allegations?
EGBEWOLE: It says we have a gross misunderstanding of what the working class actually wants. And we thought that they wanted somebody who was a dog. And, basically, if they laid down with a dog and got up with fleas, they'd be OK with it. And I think the working class proved, and we know from the polling because he didn't get college-educated voters, that they actually want somebody of better quality. And I do think it is an issue --
JENNINGS: I agree.
EGBEWOLE: -- that there were people like Senator Elizabeth Warren who said, that's my kind of guy, before the -- before the sexual assault allegations. But after the Nazi tattoo in October, there were a lot of Democrats --
COATES: Yes.
EGBEWOLE: -- a lot of Democrats that look like us that said, hey, I'm uncomfortable with a Totenkopf because of what it represents, and I don't want to associate myself with Graham Platner, and people did not listen. And so, I do think that there is a faction of the party that are progressives and are pushing their idea of a candidate. But if they want to sit at the big boy table, then they need to bring candidates that can pass a simple vet, and they're not ready for that.
COATES: Let's talk quickly about the vetting process because I think that has been for many people a huge issue in terms of being able to vet candidates. But also, compartmentalization keeps coming to my mind. You have a lot of people in years gone by. We talked about this, pearl clutching, that this would never happen, and politics ought to be something, and then there's reality of what it is. Do you think there is a world where Maine voters are still going to say the stakes are so high, I am just trying to fight Donald Trump, the stakes are too high, I don't like Susan Collins, I'm going to pick my poison, even if it contaminates the party?
JENNINGS: Well, I think some partisans will always vote for their party or some Democrats will always vote for the person who's perceived to be going to fight Donald Trump. That's absolutely true.
I just think Maine, it's kind of a purple, independent-minded state. They have the most moderate, bipartisan, independent-minded senator in the Senate already. And they're weighing what they already have, someone who's, you know, for instance, on the Supreme Court, voted to confirm justices from presidents of both parties versus being forced to take something like Graham Plater, who doesn't have one problem or two problems, he's got a thousand problems. And, you know, if he doesn't drop out, that will ultimately be the choice as well. And I -- and I think Collins would be in an advantaged position, of course. She may be in one, anyway, because it seems to me the voters are processing this as well.
The Democrats here tried to pull one over on us. And now, they're going to put somebody in that didn't even have to go through a primary. That doesn't seem very democratic to me. All of that inures to Collins' benefit. And that has nothing to do with the debate over the issues. It's just a debate over people looking at it and thinking, man, this political party cannot be trusted, even with a simple process like nominating somebody.
COATES: Final quick word because I am curious about the idea that if he's not dropping out, how much power is the National Democratic Party even have?
EGBEWOLE: Not that much. And they're running out of money, too. And we need to divert it to states that we really need to win.
COATES: Scott, Yemisi, thank you so much. Really good to have you both. Remember, you were part of this show. I want to hear from you. Text us your questions and comments, 818-972-7272. They're going to be back later to answer them in this hour. Just make sure you include a first name, your city or state. Love it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABDUL EL-SAYED, MICHIGAN SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: Chuck Schumer desperately wants one of us to be the next senator, and it's not me.
[23:20:00]
So, if you want your politics dictated you by AIPAC or Chuck Schumer, then I'm not your guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: Democrats trading shots at the high-stakes Senate debate in Michigan as it becomes a proxy for the fight roiling the party all across the nation. We've got highlights from the debate and the big questions it's raising with former DNC chair, Jaime Harrison, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COATES: A hundred and nineteen days to go before the midterms. And tonight's Senate debate in Michigan offered a clear fork in the road moment for Democrats. Which direction are they going to go? Will voters support the establishment choice, Congresswoman Haley Stevens, or will Michiganders back the progressive pick, Abdul El-Sayed? During tonight's debate, neither candidate wanted to talk much about the future of the Democratic Party.
[23:24:58] But if you listen between the lines, and we do, you can hear the battle lines being drawn, whether it's about establishment leadership.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EL-SAYED: Chuck Schumer desperately wants one of us to be the next senator, and it's not me. So, if you want your politics dictated you by AIPAC or Chuck Schumer, then I'm not your guy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. HALEY STEVENS (D-MI), MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE: There are many who want to make this run for U.S. Senate about Washington, D.C. insider deals and what's going on with our party leadership. Friends, this is about the future of Michigan.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: Or which candidate is more, here's a word, electable come November?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EL-SAYED: If you want somebody who's electable, the last three polls in a row show that I'm the most electable Democrat in November. Why? Because you've got to actually fight for something.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVENS: I worked really hard to make sure that Kamala Harris was going to get elected and that Donald Trump would be stopped. And my opponent did nothing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: Let's talk about it with the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison. He's also the host of the "At Our Table" podcast. Jaime, it is good to see you. Look, Michigan is a purple state.
JAIME HARRISON, FORMER CHAIRMAN, DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE: Good seeing you, Laura.
COATES: It voted for Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020, back to Trump in 2024. So, what would a victory by the progressive candidate say about the state of the Democratic establishment?
HARRISON: Well, listen, Laura, the bottom line is this: We need a Democrat to win and hold a seat because if Democrats are going to take back the Senate, we have to win states like Michigan. This is a seat that is currently being occupied by a Democrat. So, one of these two candidates have to win in November. And that's the bottom line for me and so many others.
It's about 51 and 218, 51 seats in the United States Senate in order to get the majority and 218 to get the majority back in the House. And so, that's the -- that's the real end goal for us. You know, folks can have the debate of whether or not you're moderate or progressive or this and that but, for many of us, it's all noise. If we don't take back the majority in the House and in the United States Senate, then chaos will continue to reign through this country and there will be no check, absolutely no check on Donald Trump.
COATES: That's part of the concern people has, though, that circular firing squad of sorts. If people don't know whether the party can be unified, how could they be, even with the majority, an effective majority against Republicans or against the incumbent president? But I'll leave you to try to parse through that.
El-Sayed focused his attacks on corporate donations, you heard him, and how big money could corrupt politicians. We've heard this in other races across the nation. You know and I have spoken about this. But he specifically called out Stevens for taking AIPAC's money, an attack line that we have seen over and over again in races all across the nation. Are you surprised at just how dominant an issue this has become for your party in these races?
HARRISON: Yes, I hear a lot, I hear it often, I hear -- you know, all online, everybody is slapping the AIPAC label on various folks, and even though some of the statistics are just dead wrong. But it's -- you know, listen, I think it's all fair and good. If AIPAC wants to get involved in these races, then they're going to have to take the heat from getting involved in these races.
But I think we've got to be very, very careful not to let this sort of going after AIPAC and going after folks who support Israel to become antisemitic-type tropes and languages. That has no place in the Democratic Party, and we've got to be very, very clear with that. You don't have to go after political packs, but you really have to make sure that we are not going into who people are.
COATES: You know, El-Sayed also attacked Stevens for being supported by Senator Chuck Schumer. And, as you know, he's not the most popular figure right now. In one poll, a third of Democrats, I learned, had an unfavorable view of him. Do you think that Senator Chuck Schumer has become a liability for the party as it's trying to move forward?
HARRISON: Well, you know, sometimes, when you're around for a while, you know, you're going to get some arrows. There are going to be people who aren't happy with your direction or your leadership. And I think Leader Schumer understands that. And for some of these candidates, he may be, you know, an anchor on their leg.
But the one thing that I do want to say, Laura, is I'm very concerned with this -- tossing around this word establishment because I really think it has become sort of an anti-trope. What do we mean by establishment? Do you mean the people who've spent years organizing? Are those people establishment? Are they people who've spent years raising money or recruiting candidates or building up state parties or knocking on doors or making phone calls?
Here in South Carolina, the establishment are Black women. You know, folks like my grandma, my aunties, right, because they are the ones that always go to the polls.
[23:30:04]
And they encourage other folks to go to the polls and support those people. They determine who wins the primaries here in South Carolina. And so, I think we really got to dig into who are we talking about when we say establishment because it means very different things in different places.
COATES: Certainly, if you view the establishment as the voters who get incumbents into office, that is a very different take than how people have been attacking it. And you've seen several Democratic socialists winning primary contests, Jaime, in the nation where more are running in the next few months as well. I mean, you blasted DSA members who, in your words, hate the party but still use party resources to get elected in a lot of this anti-establishment rhetoric. Do you think the party should block these candidates from the ballot?
HARRISON: Well, actually, Laura, if you look at my tweet, I don't mention DSA or anybody, I mention folks who go out and throw mud on the party every single day. So that could be DSA folks, but it also could be some of our conservative folks in the Democratic Party, too. It has become en vogue, in fashion, you saw it with Graham Platner, in fashion to always beat up on our party.
And the thing that I say is you've got a lot of people working very hard each and every day, that this party is the brick wall that is holding back the flames of chaos from the other side. And if it falters, then all hell breaks loose across this country.
And so, I think we as Democrats need to be constructive. That's not to say we can't criticize the party, that is not to say that we can't hope for the party to be better, but as long as we're constructive with those criticisms and not destructive in terms of trying to tear something down, and then not having some real alternative ready in the wings in order to take its place because we know that many communities, like my community and your community, are the first ones that are going to suffer if there is no Democratic Party to fight back against some of this hate that we are seeing right now coming from MAGA.
COATES: Former DNC chair, Jaime Harrison, thank you for joining.
HARRISON: Thank you. And PSA, Laura, tell your folks to get your shingle shot or, otherwise, your face looks like mine, a parking lot.
(LAUGHTER)
COATES: Oh, no. I would never criticize a smile like that. Thank you so much. But OK, get your shingle shot, everyone.
(LAUGHTER) All right.
HARRISON: Get the shingle shot, you all.
(LAUGHTER)
Thank you, Laura.
COATES: Breaking news, up next, the U.S. back to striking Iran in a major way, punishing them for hitting commercial vessels. Is the ceasefire about to fall apart? Plus, all of this happening as Trump gets ready to sit down with NATO leaders that he's already putting on notice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars and they're not there for us? We've always been there for them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[23:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COATES: The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is facing a serious test tonight. Iran now says it's going to deliver a -- quote -- "crushing response to new U.S. strikes." Central Command just announced the completion of those strikes a short time ago. It says it hit more than 80 targets and that they were in retaliation for Iran attacking three commercial ships that are moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
All this is happening with President Trump in the region tonight to attend the NATO summit in Turkey. Hours from now, he is set to attend a meeting with the leaders of NATO allies who he criticized for not doing enough to help the U.S. in the conflict with Iran.
Joining me now, former State Department official, Ned Price. Ned, thank you. Is this even a ceasefire at this point? Are we already in a new escalation cycle?
NED PRICE, FORMER SENIOR OFFICIAL AT CIA, FORMER SPOKESMAN FOR U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, FORMER DEPUTY U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: Laura, this is by definition certainly not a ceasefire. My fear here is that we're entering what could be an endless cycle of escalation followed by, we hope, de-escalation that will just continue. This is essentially war by another name.
And so, I think we have to ask ourselves, how did we get here? And I think the answer, to me at least, is obvious. This is the inevitable, I think, consequence of starting a foolish war without achievable or even clearly defined objectives and certainly no exit strategy. And look, Laura, here's to me the most pressing concern. The Trump administration, in citing the need to go into Iran, cited all sorts of concerns with the Iranian regime: The nuclear program, ballistic missiles, support for terrorism, proxies, and yes, human rights.
So, if we went in with the nuclear program at the top of the list, that is to say, to prevent Iran from obtaining a thermonuclear weapon, we've now essentially handed Iran a geopolitical nuclear weapon that's the root of this.
Iran has de facto control now of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran did not control the strait before the United States went in. By going in, we have essentially allowed them, positioned them, to wrest control of what should be an international waterway. I think that's the consequence and that's what we're seeing igniting these continuous escalations.
COATES: Speaking of international contacts, I mean, at the NATO summit in Turkey, Trump is criticizing allies for not helping with Iran strikes, and he's renewing calls for the United States to control Greenland. But listen to what the NATO secretary general said about the president.
[23:40:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK RUTTE, SECRETARY GENERAL, NATO: I just like the man. I think what he is doing for NATO is great news. This is President Trump basically achieving what, since Eisenhower, American presidents tried to achieve, which is to equalize the defense spending between the U.S. and Europe. Trump is now achieving that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COATES: How much of that, do you think, is flattery, and how much is a real admission that Trump has changed NATO?
PRICE: I think it's almost all flattery. Hearing that, I can't help but think back to what the first secretary general said when asked to define the ambitions of NATO. As he put it, it's to keep the Russians out, to keep the Americans in, and to keep the Germans down.
Seventy years later, much of that, but not all of that, is different. Yes, we're still trying to keep the Russians out, but so much of what Mark Rutte is trying to do right now is to keep Trump in and to keep the alliance together.
But I do have bad news for the secretary general. That strategy, the strategy of what's been called flattery diplomacy, doesn't seem to be working. And why do I say that? I say that because rather than show up conciliatory, ready to deal, ready to focus on the pressing issues facing the alliance and our allies and partners around the world, President Trump showed up today and, just as you said, focused in immediately on the most divisive issues, Iran. And what he sees is the alliance's failure to come to the aid of the United States even though he said we didn't need NATO's help, issues of defense spending, issues of Greenland that we thought had been put to bed.
This strategy of flattery diplomacy has diminishing returns. I think so many of our European counterparts have recognized the very simple fact that Trump likes flattery, but he respects strength. And the leaders that have had the most success with President Trump have dealt with him from a position of strength. That is not what we're seeing from this NATO secretary general.
COATES: I wonder if there's a combination that some are trying to get to as well. I mean, the president said he is considering selling F-35 jets to Turkey despite there being a congressional ban. We've seen a number of lawmakers, Ned, as well as the Israeli prime minister, come out against this very thing. And Trump claimed that Turkey is -- quote -- "much more loyal than other countries that we think would be loyal" -- unquote. Would this be a mistake?
PRICE: Well, it would be a mistake without measures to protect that F- 35 technology. Look at the history, Laura. The Congress passed this restriction in 2020 owing to intelligence that was provided to them by the Trump administration, the first Trump administration that was in office at the time.
This is about Turkey's possession of a Russian air defense system, the S-400, that could imperil the F-35 technology that we use, that some of our closest allies and partners use. And as long as the Turks have this system in their possession, our most sensitive flying technology should not be in their possession.
So, there's a very clear remedy. And the Biden administration was actually very close to securing this remedy. It is to get Turkey to relinquish this technology, to give it back to Russia, to provide it to a third country, perhaps.
And then, of course, let's talk about the F-35 system. I understand that President Trump admires President Erdogan because he's a strong man, he likes strong men, he's transactional, he doesn't worry about things like human rights that's really inscribed in our values, but that's not a reason to provide such a large concession without the Turks themselves changing the dynamic with this Russian air defense system.
COATES: Ned Price, thank you.
PRICE: Thanks, Laura.
COATES: I've got a legal update for you on a story that we have been following closely. Remember the DOJ's efforts to get the names of election workers in Fulton County, Georgia, the ones who worked on the 2020 election? Well, today, a federal judge blocked that attempt, specifically quashing the DOJ's grand jury subpoena for their names, their numbers, and other personal information. The judge said the statute of limitations for bringing any charges had run out and called the request unreasonable and staggering in scope. The DOJ wanted this information as part of their investigation into Trump's baseless claim that voter fraud cost him the 2020 election. Up next, it's your turn to drive the conversation. Text us your questions and comments, 818-972-7272. We have had a lot come in already, including several on what's going on with one senator, Mitch McConnell. Well, Scott Jennings said he talked to him today. He's back with Yemisi to answer that and more, next.
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[23:45:00]
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COATES: All right, my favorite part, it's how it goes on your mind. And if you have a question for me or my guests, you can always text us at 818-972-7272. You're already watching with your phone in bed. Just go ahead and text me. Include your first name and city or state. Scott Jennings and Yemisi Egbewole is here to answer the questions with me.
And R. Walker from Key West, Florida, has a question, asked this question on everyone's mind. What is Mitch McConnell's condition and why isn't the Republican Party reporting it? Constituents deserve to know. Scott?
JENNINGS: Well, I did talk to him today, and I'm not his physician or, you know, in his immediate family, so we didn't have any conversations about his medical records. All I can tell you is that I did talk to him on the phone for several minutes. He was pretty chatty about world affairs. He clearly had been tracking the news on Iran, on the NATO meetings, and what was going on possibly with peace talks with Ukraine and Russia. He talked a little bit about Teddy Roosevelt Library, which I visited last week. It's pretty common for him to chat with me. I mean, I've known him for over 30 years.
COATES: He has called you out of the blue?
JENNINGS: Yes. I mean, I've known him since I was a teenager and worked on most of his campaigns since I was 18 years old. And, you know, we have an ongoing dialogue about politics and public affairs.
[23:49:59]
So, from that perspective, the topics that we discussed today were pretty much in the vein of what we would normally chat about. So, look, I can't speak to any timelines or whether he plans to come back to work or -- I'm not -- maybe he doesn't know. I can just tell you that I saw some people postulating that he was deceased or, you know, not capable of having a conversation. That certainly wasn't my experience today.
COATES: Well, Glenn Beck posted this. Quote -- "We need the truth about Mitch McConnell now. It is unacceptable that the party who spent four years criticizing Joe Biden's health is now silent on McConnell's." You led part of the charge demanding that transparency. How is this different?
JENNINGS: Well, I do think there's a difference between being a legislator and the president of the United States and the commander- in-chief of the armed forces. Anybody who doesn't know that difference, I think, is maybe grinding a political ax. However, I actually am not opposed here, and I'm sympathetic to the call for transparency. I get it. I think it's a fair criticism. It's a valid question.
Look, each of these politicians, you know, it's up to them on how much they want to disclose. I think people of that generation tend to be a little more guarded with their health than maybe younger generations. But then, again, when you take on public office, you take on additional responsibility. So, look, I think some people have had some valid questions about this, and it's a valid opinion about how much we should know about our elected officials. I don't discount that criticism or those questions at all.
COATES: Did you ask what was wrong with him?
JENNINGS: I asked him how he was doing. He said he was feeling better.
COATES: Did he tell you what happened? Would you share it with me if he did?
(LAUGHTER)
JENNINGS: You know, I'll be candid with you. Look, I've never really had detailed questions with him over the years about any health issues. I tend to leave that to his family and his physicians.
EGBEWOLE: Speaking of family, is Elaine coming back?
COATES: Well, that's how -- yes, that's how you know we're not friends. I mean, Mitch McConnell, because I would have been all in your business on behalf of people.
(LAUGHTER)
Stacey from California asked this question. Democrats shouldn't have to be pure. They should be allowed to be human. Graham Platner should stay in the race. The Senate needs his policies. Yemisi?
EGBEWOLE: What does the Senate actually need from him? There are 100 senators. You get two from each state. That is a coveted position. And we used to demand things out of our lawmakers.
I'm not really sure what policies from Graham Platner's background that he would have brought that would have been a positive. I think he would have hired really smart people. I used to be a Senate staffer. I think he would have gotten some good direction from people who were in Washington, D.C., the establishment that he seems to dislike. But I'm not really sure outside of the Yahtzee game of buzzwords that are oligarchs, billionaires, corporations, that he really had anything he was truly standing on.
COATES: What about the point they're making about the purity test for Democrats as opposed to Republicans? EGBEWOLE: I think that, for me, my purity test was always going to be a Nazi tattoo. I think that Graham Platner should focus on his personal life and staying out of jail. But I also think that I don't want to be lectured about it by anybody else because I know where I stand on my morals and my values, and I've got the voting record to back it up.
COATES: Justin in New Hampshire asked this question. Could Platner be arrested based on the comments that have been made by the victim? I'll take it. Depending on the nature of whatever charges might be considered. The 2021 allegations, they may fall within the statute of limitations period. But prosecutors don't actually need the consent of a victim to pursue charges, although the cooperation would be pretty crucial. And delayed reporting can lead to some evidentiary hurdles as well as statements that were made about his consciousness or level of intoxication. So, we'll have to see what they might choose to do in that case.
Another viewer asked this question.
JENNINGS: Can I ask a follow-up question?
COATES: Yes, sure.
JENNINGS: In a case like this, if this information becomes public, would you expect the police to at least make a phone call to Graham Platner and say, hey, we need to talk to you about this, even if they don't know if they're going to be able to arrest him or not?
COATES: If somebody is a potential defendant, they'd be the last call I would make as a prosecutor. I'd want to talk to the people who maybe she spoke to, anyone to give corroboration in real time and beyond. And ultimately, he can answer himself in court if I chose to charge him. But, certainly, there will be questions.
Scott, Yemisi, thank you both so much. We'll be right back with a rare move by the Emmys, what they just announced that we have not seen in 15 years, next.
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[23:55:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COATES: It's almost midnight here in Washington, which means it is time to talk with our friend in L.A., Elex Michaelson. Good to see you, my friend. Hey --
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT: Good to see you, too.
COATES: -- tomorrow is big. The Emmys are trying something a little different this year, I'm hearing. They just announced "Law and Order" star Mariska Hargitay will host the show, which usually is done by a comedian. She'll be the first woman to host in 15 years. I'm excited. Are you? MICHAELSON: I'm excited, too. I mean, what a year for her. She's a huge Knicks fan.
COATES: Yes.
MICHAELSON: We would see her at all the games. So, she just got the Knicks championship. And now, she gets this.
COATES: If Jalen Brunson does not make a cameo, I don't know if I want to watch the show.
(LAUGHTER)
I mean, he has to, right? Like, he has to.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
COATES: All right. Benson and Brunson saying (ph) the nominations are going to be announced first thing in the morning. So, what is at the top of your wish list, my friend?
MICHAELSON: So, best show of the year was "The Pitt," and I think it's going to be honored that way. I also really loved "Pluribus." I said, for comedy, I love hacks, loved hacks, and love shrinking. And the "Rooster" also is great as well, on HBO.
COATES: OK.
MICHAELSON: And I just realized a lot of those are plugs for our own company.
COATES: I know. I was like --
MICHAELSON: I do not do that on purpose.
COATES: -- good job, Elex.
MICHAELSON: But if they want to give me a raise, they can.
(LAUGHTER)
That was not on purpose.
COATES: I love them all.
MICHAELSON: What about you?
COATES: "The Pitt," I have to watch with, like, one eye closed because I'm like -- this is why I went to law school.
[00:00:01]
I cannot -- I can't do it alone. But I love the show. Well, here are mine. "Abbott Elementary" because I love, love, love the show. I love, of course, "Widow's Bay," which I'm not normally into comedy thrillers and gore, but I love it. And then, of course, "The Bear" because I can't watch food when they eat. I love them all.
MICHAELSON: OK. But the reason I didn't put "The Bear" is because I still don't think it's a comedy. And the fact that it's in the comedy category, I think, is absurd.
COATES: Well, I think that's funny you think that. Have a great show, Elex.
(LAUGHTER)
MICHAELSON: Thanks, Laura.
COATES: Bye.
