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One World with Zain Asher
Trump Talking to House Republicans as Bill Faces Key Vote; Trump Presses Republicans to Back his Sweeping Policy Agenda; Officials: Overnight Israeli Strikes Kill 49 People in Gaza; Trump Pressures Republicans to Pass his Budget Bill; U.S. Congresswoman Charged with Assaulting an Officer; Thunder Host T-Wolves Game 1 of West Finals Tuesday. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired May 20, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: -- as usual. And remember this, we were losing $5 billion a day under the past
administration. I have to be a little careful the way I talk, because there's a lot of anger about that administration. And by the way, you're --
the real question, who ran the -- OK?
Who ran the -- because the things that were signed were signed illegally. In my opinion, I think we've just proved that. But our country is respected
again. All over the world were respected. We were laughed at seven months ago. Then you had November 5th, and our country is respect again. Thank
you.
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: All right, you've been listening to President Trump standing there with Speaker Mike Johnson as he has been
meeting with Republicans trying to press them to vote for his mega bill, a beautiful bill, as he's been describing it. A spending bill, which,
according to independent sources, would add some $3.3 trillion to the deficit over the next decade.
Obviously, there are some holdouts among Republicans, both moderates and some of those more conservative about some of the items in this bill. And
this president can only afford to lose three House Republicans at this point. The vote is expected later this week. Let's go to CNN's Kevin
Liptak.
And Kevin, just from what we've been hearing, the president has made clear that he told and threatened Republicans not to use colorful language here,
not to F -- with Medicaid, according to reports, and again, Republicans, among those in different caucuses within the party at odds over the
package, the size of this bill and what may or may not be included in it? Just walk us through where things stand now.
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, and it's clear that President Trump's overall message in this meeting was that he does expect
every Republican to get on board and to vote for this package. But it's clear that both President Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are trying
to thread a needle here.
There are a variety of different sticking points on all different sides of the Republican Caucus in the House when it comes to this bill. And you
mentioned that message that the president had, specifically when it comes to Medicaid -- you know the health program for low-income Americans, not to
F -- with it. But the issue, I think, for President Trump, is that the bill in its current form already does F -- with Medicaid in a lot of ways that
includes new work requirements.
There was one estimate that said as many as 8 million Americans could see their health insurance gone at the end of a decade if the bill in its
current form passes. And so that is an issue for a lot of moderate Republicans in the House, people from blue states that the House Republican
majority sort of relies on to get these bills across the -- across the finish line.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have -- you know fiscal hawks who are concerned that this bill adds a lot to the American deficit, who want
further cuts to Medicaid. And so how they sort of bridge that gap remains to be seen. You know, President Trump, when he was running for president,
never necessarily presented himself as a major fiscal hawk.
And in the White House's perspective, this bill really does contain all of the domestic priorities and all of the domestic promises that he made on
the campaign trail, whether it was extending tax cuts for Americans, whether it was including -- you know this promise for no tax on tips, no
tax on overtime pays; that's all included in this bill.
And it really underscores why the president has put so much attention and put so much focus on getting this through the House. This really is sort of
the last opportunity, potentially before the midterm elections, to really accomplish all of the things that he told voters that he would accomplish
when he came into office. And so now is really the crunch time. The hope among the House Republican leadership is that they will have a floor vote
on this bill before --
ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Kevin I have to interrupt you because the president is speaking again. We'll come back to you in a minute.
TRUMP: Everybody is going to get a 68 percent tax increase. I don't know how you beat that. Also, one other thing, you're going to get an 85 percent
reduction in drugs. 85 percent reduction, not one quarter of a percent, not an increase. The Democrats, you're going to pay 25 percent more for drugs
with me because of what I've instituted, Favored Nations, the people of America, it's about time going to get an 85 percent reduction. They're
going to be paying the lowest price in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How important is this for your agenda? You've been able to do a lot through executive action. How important is it to have this
piece of legislation for your agenda legacy?
[11:05:00]
TRUMP: It's important for the country. It's not important for me. It's important for the country. This is the greatest bill that will ever I think
it's the most important bill this country just about has ever done in terms of size and scope. That's why we call it the great, big, beautiful deal. I
mean, it really is. The bill is -- I think it's going to be one of the most important.
It's the biggest tax reduction in history, biggest regulation reduction in history. Incredible for Medicaid, Medicare, the only thing we're going to
leave it exactly as it was, other than for, obviously, waste, fraud and abuse. We're strengthening it. We're going to make these things even
stronger.
The Democrats are going to destroy Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. And we're going to keep them, but even make them stronger.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How are the -- slowing --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- these things --
TRUMP: Well, we're looking at a lot of things, but we'll see. I had a very good talk yesterday with President Putin. We'll see how that comes out.
They're talking. They're talking right now. We'll see how it comes out.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Inaudible).
TRUMP: Say it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What about Pope Leo -- of the participants, sir, for the negotiation, why you suggested that?
TRUMP: No, Pope Leo suggested it, and if he'd like to have the talks at the Vatican, I can't think of a better place. This is a pretty good place to
come to --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- here --
TRUMP: But I think I like them. Yeah, I like the Pope. And I like the Pope's Brother. You know, the one of the Pope's brothers, actually both of
them. But one in particular is a major MAGA fan. Did you know that he lives in Florida? He's got MAGA. He's got Trump, and I look forward to getting
him to the White House. I want to shake his hand. I want to give him a big hug. Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you all.
ASHER: All right, President Trump, speaking there alongside Speaker Johnson. Kevin, you know, one of the most important things as you touched
on about this particular bill is, of course, the massive tax cuts. But I think as you were touching on the sort of more controversial aspects is the
way these tax cuts are being paid for, potentially with dramatic changes to Medicaid, food assistance programs and, of course, clean energy tax
credits.
Part of the issue for Republicans right now is not just the fact that they don't agree necessarily with these -- with this budget proposal, but that
they can't even agree on what is wrong with it. So how does the president get those Republicans on board?
LIPTAK: Well, I think you're starting to see him do that today. Now, what we have heard is that he will -- you know start applying pressure on some
of these Republicans in more one-on-one settings. You know, this is often the first step a president heads up to Capitol Hill and tries to present
his vision. Then comes the hard work of sort of bending arms behind the scenes.
And so -- you know I think we'll probably see that going forward. But it's clear the president sees this as a loyalty test for Republicans. And
certainly, when you heard him heading into this meeting, he said that he won expected every Republican to vote for it, and that Republic -- and that
people who don't sort of get behind it wouldn't be Republicans for very long.
So, very -- making pretty clear that he will use whatever political power he has to make sure that these Republicans get in line, and if they don't,
potentially raising the stakes of primary challenges, of trying to ensure that they're no longer in office come the midterm elections. And that is, I
think, you know, a powerful cudgel that the president has.
He obviously wields an enormous base of voters in the Republican Party. To a lot of these people the president's will is the president's way. So how
he goes about trying to whip votes, I think, will be very interesting going forward.
I think the problem for him and for a lot of these Republicans is that -- you know, while the president made the case as a candidate for lowering
taxes and for eliminating taxes on all of these various items, he didn't necessarily talk about cutting Medicaid and he didn't talk about
potentially cutting food stamps.
And so, this could be a difficult sell for Republicans as they head out over the next year, over the next year and a half, to try and campaign for
re-election. And so how this happens politically, I think, remains to be seen, but it's clear that the president is placing an enormous amount of
stakes on this bill getting passed.
It obviously contains really everything that he hopes for when it comes to domestic policy, and there is sort of a closing, narrowing window for him
to get through in Congress, what he hopes to get through before the midterm elections next year.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, and this bill, no doubt, is the centrepiece for his domestic agenda a lot riding on it, hence him actually showing up there and
meeting with some of those holdouts. Kevin Liptak, thank you so much. And we're joined by a Republican member of Congress from Florida, Cory Mills,
who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees. Congressman, thank you for taking the time to talk to us.
[11:10:00]
Obviously, some pivotal days ahead, a lot of -- a lot of different views within your own party and disagreements on this bill and piece of
legislation. And we'll put Medicaid aside for a second. But I do want to ask you about the issue of state and local taxes, because you do owe some
of your majority thanks to Republicans who have won vulnerable seats in recent elections in Democratic states that do have higher state and local
taxes.
And they are arguing that they are jeopardy of losing those seats if the cap to salt is not raised. I believe now it's debated at around $60,000 you
are in the school of thought that the cap should not be raised. I'm wondering, what do you say to your Republicans from those vulnerable
districts that say to you, we helped get you to the majority, please don't leave us hanging? What is your response to them?
REP. CORY MILLS (R-FL): Well, again, this is really on the blue states like New York who continue to try and increase taxes. And I think that the
constituency and the citizens of New York should be doing better to elect governors and to elect those who are actually physically conservative and
understand that increasing taxes, you're not going to be able to try and somehow increase taxes to offset all their overall debt.
And I certainly don't think that great states like we have under Governor DeSantis in the State of Florida should be paying for those who are in
higher tax states. I mean, we have about 900 New Yorkers a day who come to New York I joke that when I talk to a New Yorker, I just act that they're
an actual future constituent give them six months.
But the reality is that we can't cut our way to prosperity in this. We can't cut our way to an actual GDP to national debt offset. We have to grow
our way out of this. An economic growth strategy and ability like the REINS Act to help with permit reform, to help small businesses with market
liquidity in capital, is the way that we're going to do this.
Now, I agree full heartedly with the president, the tax cuts are necessary. We cannot allow the tax cut jobs act to sunset. That would take businesses
from a 21 percent to a 43.4 percent increase. That's devastating for businesses, not to mention the amounts of jobs that they would have to cut.
So that actually resulted, believe it or not, in $5 trillion in federal revenue, which is the highest we've ever seen. So, for all the Democrats
who are saying that this is a tax cut for the rich, I would ask them to go look at what our federal revenue had increased to, because if it wasn't at
$5 trillion our $36 trillion deficit would be even higher.
So, there's a lot to talk through. But again, I support the president's agenda. I support the America First Agenda for innovation and for
rebuilding the nation economically. But I think we have to do it in a smart way that doesn't grow our debt too fiercely.
GOLODRYGA: So, on the issue of raising salt caps, you are still a definitive, no?
MILLS: I think that we need to be able to negotiate it. I wouldn't vote for a $60,000 increase to every single Floridian. I think that there's
something that could be negotiated. But for me, I think that's far too high to saddle the Floridians with a salt tax that's going to help the offset.
You know, blue states, who just should do -- that should be basically doing better.
ASHER: So, just in terms of Speaker Johnson's strategy, I mean, obviously - - you know you're in favor of the tax cuts. But of course, a lot of Republicans are concerned about what it means for the federal deficit. What
is going to be the right strategy for Speaker Johnson to win over some of the deficit hawks here?
MILLS: Well, I think the easiest way to offset the deficit hawks and the fiscal hawks is to go ahead and say, look, here's what we're going to grow
with our GDP to offset the national debt ratio. Here's how we're going to invert that ratio through economic growth strategies. We're going to grow
at a 2.5, 3.5 percent rate.
We're going to look at cutting a trillion dollars thanks to DOGE and the waste, fraud and abuse that's going on. We're going to look to basically
have a savings of 2 trillion over 10 years. You know, there's little ways that we can basically look at growing our way out of this. And I think
that's the way to look at this.
You know, we're increasing our defense spending by $100 billion that's important for us to be able to ensure that the INDOPACOM flight is going to
basically be prepared and ready, that our military and our war fighters going to have what they need to be successful, that we can give them a
better quality of life, not just for the actual service member, but for their spouses as well.
So, there's certain things in there which is necessary to an increase. But again, we have to grow our way out of this. It's not just the fact that
D.C. has a spending problem, which they do, and we do need to cut the wage fraud and abuse, but we have to have economic growth strategy has to be
energy based. So again, as the president used to say, drill, baby, drill. We can offset this through the true global currency, which is energy.
GOLODRYGA: If I could switch to foreign policy, because I know you were just recently in Syria, and the president surprised a lot of people by
announcing in his visit to the Gulf region last week that he would be lifting all sanctions on Syria and meeting with the Interim President there
Al Sharaa, the first face-to-face meeting between a U.S. President and a Syrian Leader in some 25 years.
[11:15:00]
I want to counter that with some of the assessments now in testimony we're hearing from Secretary of State, Rubio, who said that it is the State
Department's assessment that this transitional authority, given the challenges they are facing, are maybe weeks months away from potential
collapse and a full-scale Civil War. So, A, do you support lifting all sanctions at this point? And how concerned are you about those statements
from the Secretary of State?
MILLS: Well, look, I was the first member of Congress to travel over to Syria after the fall of the regime. And I can tell you, having met with Al
Sharaa, having met with the Foreign Minister, Al Shabani, the telecommunications ministers in his cabinet, that there is an actual
strategy to move forward, and there is a historic chance for President Trump.
I mean, this is a Nobel Peace Prize in itself if you look at what could occur if we can actually stop the 50 plus year reign of Russia being the
preferred vendor and the preferred partner. This allows us to guarantee that Iran does not turn Syria into a proxy state as they've been pushed
out.
This allows us to continue to look at what Al Sharaa is doing, working with Iraq CTS and the Americans to help combat ISIS. But also, Al Sharaa is
helping the Israelis by preventing proxy militias like Hashd al-Shabi out of Iraq from using Syria as a transportation hub into Lebanon of weapons to
be able to use for counter attacks.
And so, there's a lot that's going on. And as I talk to President Al Sharaa, there is a transition from the battlefield to governance, and he
needs to be focused on things that are like municipalities, water, sewage, trash, helping to rebuild infrastructure, helping to ensure that
telecommunication ministry can change out the Iranian emplaced data capabilities.
And so, these are all steps for us to build trade and economic partnerships. But again, Syria cannot build if they're under these strict
sanctions, and we must give it a chance to survive and thrive as they want to actually join the Abraham Accords, or to help expand out the ability to
support allies on the borders with Israel.
They want to have good economic trade with the West. They want their ports to be able to be thriving once again. They've already pushed Russia out of
the Port of Tartus, as you know, or in the process. They want to have a peace agreement with the SDF. And they want to address the foreign fighters
that's been there for 6, 7, 8, years.
There's a lot that we've discussed in my private meeting with Al Sharaa for about an hour and a half in the old Assad Palace. But also with Shabani,
where we put together our notepads and wrote down what needs to happen to see a free, democratically elected Syria that has plurality and has
inclusiveness.
And you see that in his cabinet with the minister of special programs, who is a Christian Woman who I spoke with and said, I have full rules,
responsibilities and authorization. This is not window dressing. And so, we're seeing where he's putting his money, where his mouth is. I think that
we have to take the chance to give them the opportunity to go forward and build an Arab coalition that leads to Middle East stability.
GOLODRYGA: That is so fascinating to hear about your hour and a half meeting with Al Sharaa, especially knowing that the president just spent
about 30 minutes of time with him last week. So, we'll have to have you back on to delve deeper into this important subject matter. Congressman
Cory Mills, thank you so much.
MILLS: Thank you.
ASHER: Reporters just asked President Trump about negotiations to end Russia's war in Ukraine. He said he had really good talks with President
Putin yesterday. The two spoke for nearly two hours, but that phone call still failed to produce any sort of tangible results, especially when it
comes to silencing the sounds of war in Ukraine.
Kyiv and Moscow accused each other of launching attack drones on one another overnight, Ukraine says that more than 100 drones rained down in
various locations.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, President Trump also spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, both before and after his call with President Putin.
President Zelenskyy says Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war.
ASHER: Yeah, Ukraine and its European partners are pushing for a 30-day ceasefire. The EU and the UK unveiled a fresh wave of sanctions against
Russia to ratchet up the pressure. The Kremlin says it wants to discuss a memorandum about a future peace accord. CNN's Nick Paton Walsh joins us
live now from Kyiv.
So, just in terms of what's next, if Russia refuses to yield, or rather, Ukraine refuses to yield to Russia's ultimatums about whether or not can
join NATO and also withdrawing its troops from parts of the East? And Russia is refusing to move forward without concessions. Its concessions
being met. Just walk us through what happens next, Nick?
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. I mean, there's no suggestion that Ukraine is about to give up the right to
join NATO as part of its constitution. It's a far-fetched prospect at the moment. There's no suggestion that Ukraine is going to withdraw troops from
areas along the front line that Russia has yet to take through occupation.
That is a one potential part of what seems to be some of the more maximalist demands we've heard from the Kremlin.
[11:20:00]
And in terms of Russian concessions, well, we've not heard of any proposal from them in terms of what they're willing to yield. They have said they
might be willing to exchange documents about the possibility for a ceasefire. But what we've ultimately seen over the last 48 hours is a
failure of the phone call with Vladimir Putin from U.S. President Donald Trump to yield a palpable result.
And so today, we've heard from the Europeans sanctions the 17th rounds targeting the shadow fleet that Russia uses to sell oil around the world to
evade sanctions and other parts of what they refer to its hybrid warfare structure. But also talk to from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
about the need for an 18th package of sanctions from Europe and indeed the United States as well that could potentially target banking, energy
infrastructure as well.
That is something that President Trump said yesterday. He wasn't necessarily wanting to go along with us today, I believe he said we'll see
in response to that. He also used this opportunity to suggest another venue, potentially for Russia, Ukraine, direct talks of the Vatican, which
again seems to suggest that he's possibly palming off this process elsewhere.
When asked about it, he doesn't want to sound like he did potentially five days ago, as the man who broker a personal meeting between Zelenskyy and
Putin that seems to be parked to one side. He kept referring yesterday to the big egos involved in all of this, I presume, not referring to himself
in all of that.
And so, I think we're facing a moment here where the United States is questioning the effectiveness of its role here. Maybe they're questioning
whether the Kremlin wants a peace deal at all. They're certainly, I think if they look at this boldly, seeing that Putin is not making any concession
at all and is consistent around diplomacy and peace process, scheduling has been dictated by Putin himself.
And I think frustration too, from European allies as well. One European Official I was speaking to saying, you know, it's hard to keep track of
what the policy is in this administration, it seems to change every week, and quote, keeps everyone on their toes. So, a lot moving in terms of
diplomatic noise, but no actual diplomatic progress.
And it may be that the noise and the sense of talking, or the sense of Putin and him getting along well, is enough for U.S. President Donald
Trump. But it also seems to have made him feel that maybe this is something that his White House needs to get a bit of distance from, potentially,
that's going to cause enormous alarm here.
It's going to cause enormous alarm across Europe, traditional American allies. And I think we are likely to see a significant push by the Russians
in the coming months along the front line.
ASHER: Nick Paton Walsh live for us Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: Well, Israel may face sanctions as its onslaught on Gaza continues after the break, who is threatening to punish Israel and the
latest on aid deliveries to Gaza's starving population.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:25:00]
ASHER: Overnight, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed almost 50 people as Israel's latest offensive continues. According to health officials in Gaza
over the weekend, Israel's assault forced the last functioning Hospital in Northern Gaza to close.
GOLODRYGA: Meanwhile, the leaders of the UK, France and Canada are now threatening concrete actions if Israel continues its offensive and keeps
blocking aid. Those actions include targeted sanctions. Israel says five aid trucks entered Gaza on Monday, but a UN official called that a drop in
the ocean of what is urgently needed today, more trucks are expected in.
And Jeremy Diamond joins us now live from Tel Aviv with more. And Jeremy, we are seeing some reports from the UN that additional, maybe even as many
as 100 trucks have been allowed in by Israel. What more are we learning?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, they have been authorized. We don't yet have confirmation that they have actually entered
the Gaza Strip in a similar situation unfolded yesterday, where nine trucks were expected to go in, only five actually did.
So, we will see by the time we reach nightfall here how many of those aid trucks have actually cleared through the Kerem Shalom crossing and made it
into Gaza? But certainly, humanitarian aid officials are continuing to call for much more aid to be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip.
Because while the Israeli Prime Minister yesterday said that this move is due to international pressure, and in order to avoid a -- avoid a hunger
crisis in Gaza, what we know, of course, from our reporting for weeks now, is that there already is a hunger crisis in Gaza, and this aid is being
brought in to alleviate that hunger crisis and to avoid all out famine that could strike the Gaza Strip within a matter of months, if not enough, aid
is indeed let in.
All of this is happening as the Israeli military is ramping up this new ground offensive in Gaza, Operation Gideon Chariots, and it is indeed
drawing condemnation from some of Israel's key allies, France, the United Kingdom and Canada, penning a joint statement calling this escalation,
quote, wholly disproportionate, and calling on Israel to cease this renewed and expanded military operation or face, quote, concrete actions in
response.
We have now seen that the United Kingdom is suspending its negotiations with Israel over a new trade agreement, as well as summoning the Israeli
Ambassador to the United Kingdom for what seems to be a reprimand over the expansion of this Israeli military operation in Gaza.
And of course, beyond that, we can't forget about the 58 hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. And indeed, their families are also speaking
out this week, raising concerns about this escalation of military operations and the risk that it will put their loved ones who are still
held in Gaza as the bombs begin to fall at a quickened pace Bianna and Zain.
GOLODRYGA: All right, Jeremy Diamond, thank you for joining us, and we'll have much more from Jeremy in the next hour, with his reporting on the IDF
ramping up their operations in Gaza.
ASHER: All right, still to come here on "One World" can Donald Trump convince reluctant Republicans to back his budget? We'll go back to Capitol
Hill to find out the very latest next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ASHER: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher.
GOLODRYGA: And I'm Bianna Golodryga. Here are some headlines we're watching today.
ASHER: Ukraine and Russia are accusing each other of launching attack drones on each other overnight hours after a lengthy call between the U.S.
and Russian Presidents. The nearly two-hour phone call between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin failed to lock in a ceasefire.
GOLODRYGA: Sean "Diddy" Combs, Former Assistant is back on the stand today at the Music Mogul's sex trafficking trial. David James told the court
about a conversation he had with Combs' Ex-Girlfriend, Cassie Ventura when he suggested Cassie leave Combs, he says Cassie replied that she couldn't
get out.
ASHER: The Federal Aviation Administration says air traffic control is responsible for New Jersey's Newark Airport suffered a two second radio
outage on Monday. It happened at the Philadelphia control center. The FAA is investigating and says all aircraft remain safely separated.
GOLODRYGA: Donald Trump was just on Capitol Hill trying to win over Republicans reluctant to back his budget bill. Many Republicans are worried
about the spending plan that is projected to add trillions of dollars to the nation's debt over a decade. It would only take a few House Republicans
voting no to scuttle the budget bill.
ASHER: All right, let's talk more about the challenges facing Donald Trump and Republican leadership in terms of getting this budget passed. Joining
us live now is Todd Belt. He's a Professor at George Washington University and the Director of that School's Gradual Political Management Program.
A couple of factors at play here, the fact that you have a lot of Republicans disagreeing with this bill, but interestingly enough, for
various different reasons. Obviously, you have some people who are deficit hawks. You have others who have issues with the Medicaid problem because of
their constituents. They don't want to lose their seats.
People are concerned about midterm elections and elections. But I think what's interesting is that obviously Donald Trump was giving a lot of them
pep talks. What do they risk by saying no to Trump? What do they risk by saying no to this bill that Donald Trump has touted as pretty much the most
important, calling it, of course, a big, beautiful bill. Walk us through that.
TODD BELT, DIRECTOR, POLITICAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY: Well, thanks for having me on it's great to be with you again.
Yes, there are risks to voting with Donald Trump. Even though a lot of these representatives were elected on Donald Trump platform, there are
effects that would affect some of the people who live in their districts and their states in a way that will make it difficult for them to get re-
elected.
That's why we've seen some of these cuts delayed until after the next election, things like Medicaid cuts and some of the other provisions that
might harm some of their constituents. So, the number one concern of Representatives is always re-election. And for a long time, Donald Trump
has been their key to re-election, but remember, he can't run again, and so they're sort of on their own now.
GOLODRYGA: Regardless of where this vote ends, let's say it is approved and the majority of Republicans do support this bill, assuming obviously, that
no Democrats do, and it's passed on to the Senate. The president himself even says that he doesn't care what changes the Senate may impose on this
bill. So, talk to us about what the final bill is most likely to look like.
[11:35:00]
BELT: Right. Well, Donald Trump did say that before, but again this morning, we're hearing that coming out of that meeting he used some rather
profane language about protecting Medicaid, which is actually one of the biggest segments of savings that is in this bill the cuts to Medicaid and
the work requirement for Medicaid, which would push a number of people off of that.
And so, the Senate, of course, is waiting for the House to work first, and the Senators have said maybe they might pass this in a couple of different
versions. And so, it remains to be seen what's going to be there, because for every dollar that they want to spend on defense and on deportations,
they have to cut $1 somewhere else, and if they're already cutting dollars with the tax cuts, then that's going to mean that there's other cuts that
they can't make.
ASHER: So, just in terms of Speaker Johnson's goal, and he wants to get this passed by Memorial Day, that is a really tall order. What's going to
be the strategy in terms of winning over these holdouts they can only afford to lose what, three Republicans max?
BELT: That's right. And Donald Trump is the closer here. He's the one who's going to try to really seal the deal. But before we get there, Johnson is
going to have some negotiations over the other issue that's been real sticking point is what's called the salt cap, and that is the amount of
state and local tax that can be deducted from federal income tax.
That was reduced and a lot of people from the states in high tax states like California, New Jersey and New York, there's a lot of Republicans from
those states, because they're big states, they want that increase, but again, that would mean that you would have to find savings in other places.
And so, Donald Trump is going to come in, after we get some brokerage of that deal from Speaker Johnson, then he's going to be the closure. He's
going to use the carrot and sticks. He's going to offer some assistance on re-election and other things, and he's also going to threaten people with
having somebody else run against them in their primary election.
And for a lot of these representatives, that's the really important election. Is the primary election, where they run against people from their
own party, not the general election, because their districts are drawn in a way that really benefits their party.
GOLODRYGA: Well, to that point, on the issue of salt caps, the president reportedly told Republicans to not let that stand in their way of agreeing
on this bill, which essentially would throw Republicans from more moderate and liberal states like New York, like California that have high state and
local taxes under the bus.
These are people who won vulnerable seats and gave the Republicans, their slim majority is the president's right to send a message to these
Republicans that basically your seat doesn't matter. And as he said to Mike Lawler, if you're losing over salt, you'll lose anyway?
BELT: You're exactly right. I mean, Donald Trump thinks that they have to take a real principled stand and stand behind him, because he controls the
voters. But again, there's a lot of people in their states, potential contributors to their campaigns, who have high incomes and want these-sort-
of-things, so they're really torn.
And of course, you have Speaker Johnson, who's sort of in the middle here, because he knows that he have -- has representatives who are very aligned
with Donald Trump, and come from districts where he's extremely popular, and other ones, like those districts that you were talking about, maybe not
so much, and he wants to save his job, and if he can't retain the majority, he won't be able to do that either.
ASHER: I mean, it's a big risk for a lot of Republicans who have constituents that they know rely heavily on Medicaid, right? So, what do
they do here?
BELT: Absolutely, what they're -- looks like they're doing is trying to push it off for a couple years and maybe try to revisit it later on. I
mean, this is what we sometimes see with these very large bills that are strung out over 10 years or so, is you get amendments to the bills in later
years once some of the subsequent policies might have negative effects that you might see.
I think they're just trying to push that down the road for the Medicaid not to kick in until after the next election, and then try to get some fixes to
it. But of course, there are some members who really like that provision as well, and they think that that's an area where we do need to cut so again,
this could be a problem down the road.
GOLODRYGA: All right, Todd Belt from George Washington University. Thank you so much.
ASHER: Thank you so much. All right, six inmates still on the land, ten of them broke out of a prison in New Orleans through a hole in the wall. The
latest on the man hunt just ahead.
GOLODRYGA: Plus, it was either a legitimate protest or an assault on law enforcement, the story of a confrontation that now has one member of
Congress facing charges.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
GOLODRYGA: A short time ago, an employee of the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office was arrested over last Friday's major prison break in New Orleans.
An urgent manhunt has now expanded to track down six inmates who are still on the loose. 4 of the 10 who escaped have now been captured. All of the
men who remain at large are considered armed and dangerous.
ASHER: On Monday, Louisiana State Police caught a fourth escapee who is being held on a charge of attempted murder. The prisoner has escaped
through a hole in the wall behind a toilet, leaving behind a message saying, too easy lol. The local sheriff said she believes the escape piece
had the help of someone on the inside.
All right, U.S. Congresswoman has been charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer for confrontation outside an immigration detention
facility earlier this month.
GOLODRYGA: There you can see Congresswoman LaMonica McIver in the red coat in this video, she was in a group of protesters and politicians who
scuffled with Federal Officers as they were arresting the Mayor of Newark - - New Jersey, accusing him of trespassing at the facility. The charges against the mayor were soon dropped. Congresswoman McIver spoke to CNN a
short time ago and said the charges were absurd.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. LAMONICA MCIVER (R-NJ): The entire situation was escalated by ICE. They caused the confrontation. Homeland came and -- you know caused this
chaos that we see, it was a very tense situation, but it could have been -- you know easily not. It could have easily not happened. They had every
opportunity to not allow this to happen.
It was very unnecessary, and it just once again, we were there to do our jobs. And you know, if I'm going to be charged with a crime for doing my
job, it just speaks to -- you know where we're headed in this country and what we're dealing with as Leaders and as Congress members you know here in
this country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: CNN's Omar Jimenez is tracking this story for us. So where do things go from here Omar?
OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, so right now we just had the criminal complaint filed officially. She's been charged with two counts of
assaulting, resisting and impeding certain officers or employees tied to some of what we saw on video there.
Now the Congresswoman has denied pushing or shoving some of these officers or assaulting them in a way that warrants charges. But as you can see from
some of this video, in the lead up to this arrest, she does appear at various points to push some of these officers in trying to get to the
Newark, New Jersey Mayor, who, at that point, was being led away in handcuffs. You see her in that red jacket, sort of trying to force her way
onto that property.
[11:45:00]
Now this protest, or this scrum, really started outside of an ICE Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, and these Congress members herself
included, she was one of three that showed up. Were there to have some federal oversight, or to have a visit of federal oversight, I should say,
alleging that this facility didn't have permits that were up to date, and it's part of why the Newark Mayor was there as well.
Now the Newark Mayor tried to visit this facility and was on private property at one point, then was asked to leave. Eventually he left, and
then was arrested on the public side of the fence, and that was sort of what created this scrum that you're looking at here. His charges of
trespass, though, were eventually dropped. I want you to listen a little of what he said on this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR RAS BARAKA (D-NJ): I didn't see any of the things that were stated. I didn't see any of those things happen. So, I think that the Congresswoman
will be vindicated, and the videos are clear. Everybody can see those videos. They'll see the whole thing, and it'll be clear to me, and it'll be
clear to her in court.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JIMENEZ: Now, obviously what plays out on video and what plays out in the court process is completely different. She has previously said that the
charges against her are purely political and that they are mischaracterizing and distorting her actions.
And while there does seem to be clear contact on video, based on what we've seen, some shoving to get some hands off of her, whether it rises to a
criminal charge or conviction, clearly the Acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey, Alina Habba, thinks so. But of course, it's a process that will
play out in court.
ASHER: Yeah. And McIvor, as you point out, is saying that these charges are purely political. And you mentioned Alina Habba, who we of course know
because she used to be Donald Trump's Personal Attorney, and now she is Interim U.S. Attorney.
Just talk to us about what she said, because she said in a statement, I have persistently made efforts to address these issues without bringing
criminal charges. And I've given Representative McIver every opportunity to come to a resolution, but she has, unfortunately declined. What do we know
on that front, Omar?
JIMENEZ: Yeah, so sources have told CNN that there was some sort of opportunity for some sort of agreement prior to these charges actually
being filed. The Congresswoman did not think the terms were good enough to her -- for her to actually agree to those and so that's likely why we've
ended up with charges being filed themselves.
Look the Acting U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba, she has made clear, even with the arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, that no one is
above the law is sort of what the phrase that they've been using here. And obviously, when you look at the personnel involved here, this was at an ICE
Detention Facility where we know the Trump Administration has placed a large emphasis on trying to find more places to put immigrants, detained
immigrants and more.
And so, there are a lot of different factors in politics playing out here, where clearly, Habba knows that someone like President Donald Trump will be
watching how this plays out and how this is handled. But also, it is an opportunity for the Trump Administration, clearly, to make a statement on
how they are going to handle resistance coming from a Mayor, Democratic members of Congress or otherwise?
And I should mention eventually, Congresswoman McIver and the two other members of Congress from New Jersey that were there to visit and inspect
this facility were eventually allowed to visit the facility, but that was long after what you saw play out on video there.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Omar Jimenez for us. Thank you so much.
JIMENEZ: Of course.
ASHER: All right, WNBA Star Caitlin Clark is standing by her top opponent, Angel Reese and against the racist incident Reese may have counted during
their game.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
GOLODRYGA: The WNBA is investigating allegations that fans made racial comments directed at Chicago Sky Star, Angel Reese. Now the incident is
alleged to have occurred during Saturday's game between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. Fever Star Caitlin Clark joined the league in condemning
racism and hate, saying there's no place for that in our game or in society.
ASHER: Well, let's bring in CNN's Andy Scholes. Andy, what more do we know about what happened there?
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Well Zain and Bianna, no one on the Indiana Fever say they heard any hateful comments from their sell-out crowd on
Saturday, but someone on social media claims there were hateful noises directed at Angel Reese after she was fouled by Caitlin Clark and was
fouled here.
It was upgraded to a flagrant, and it was the latest episode to the rivalry between Clark and Reese that dates back to their college days, as WNBA says
they're looking into the allegations of hateful fan behavior during this game in Indianapolis. Here's what Clark had to say when asked about it
after practice yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAITLIN CLARK, INDIANA FEVER GUARD: There's no place for that in our game. There's no place for that in society. And you know, certainly, we want
every person that comes into our arena, whether player, whether a fan, to have a great experience.
So, I appreciate the league doing that. I appreciate you know the Fever Organization has been the forefront of that since, you know, really day
one, and what they're doing so well. You know, hopefully the investigation will leave that up to them to find anything and take the proper action if
so.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: Yeah, Caitlin Clark and the Fever, they're back on the court for their second game of the season tonight, hosting the dream.
GOLODRYGA: That was really just unfortunate to watch, given all of the talent there on the court, for things to turn so ugly. Meantime, Andy,
there's big showdown in the NBA playoffs this evening. Tell us more.
SCHOLES: Yeah, so, the Western Conference Finals it tips off tonight. Should be a great series between the Thunder and the Timberwolves. Thunder
trying to get back to the finals for the first time since 2012. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, they're trying to make it to their first ever NBA
Finals.
And these two, they split their regular season series two games apiece the Thunder are the favorites, but Anthony Everett says, don't count out this
Timberwolves Squad was back in the Western Conference Finals for a second straight year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY EDWARDS, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES GUARD: You want a team. You want a team full of guys that can go out there and create for others. I think
that's the main thing that we tried to build this year, like we got eight guys that can go out there and create shots for everybody else on the
floor. It's not just me and you create. So, I feel like that's the best thing about us.
MARK DAIGNEAULT, OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER COACH: They're a team we respect. They're playing exceptionally well right now. Since really March 1st,
they've been outstanding both ends of the floor, and their playoff runs been very impressive. So, it's tall task, and going to require great, you
know, energy focus, all the things that we need to bring.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: Now the Eastern Conference Finals, meanwhile, between the Knicks and the Pacers, that tips off tomorrow night. Knicks fans, they cannot be
more excited about being back in the East finals for the first time in 25 years. But a mob of Knicks fans, though, got a little carried away after
their game six win over the Celtics attacking this Pacers fan who was walking the streets of New York rocking a Tyrese Halliburton Jersey.
Hans Perez is his name. He's a firefighter, lifelong Pacers fan. Fortunately, he's getting rewarded after getting pelted with those trash
bags. Tyrese Halliburton himself surprising Perez on the Pat McAfee Show yesterday, and he invited him to game four in Indianapolis. So, guys, I
mean, it was a rough night for him walking through those streets of New York wearing that Pacers Jersey, but in the end, at least he's now going to
get to go to game four in Indianapolis and support his team.
ASHER: Gosh.
GOLODRYGA: Not cool --
ASHER: Not cool --
(CROSSTALK)
GOLODRYGA: -- spirit at all.
SCHOLES: Yeah.
GOLODRYGA: Andy, you know what? Maybe there's next year for our Houston Rockets to -- there's always hope man.
SCHOLES: I know, I so disappointed that game seven loss. I was there as in tears, but yeah, we'll see next year.
[11:55:00]
GOLODRYGA: What it is to be a Rockets Fan.
ASHER: All right. Andy, thank you.
GOLODRYGA: All right. Finally, this hour -- it isn't look like is usual, favorite cookie.
ASHER: But it's quite clear -- very excited about to Netflix.
GOLODRYGA: This is a big win for Netflix.
ASHER: Come on the end --
GOLODRYGA: There's more on Monday, the streaming platform announced that the 55-year-old PBS Show has found a new home at the Netflix neighborhood.
The good news comes after Warner Brothers Discovery, our parent company opted out of renewing the show on Max in December of last year. The beloved
children's program will bring back popular residents on Sesame Street like Elmo Abby and yes, cookies.
ASHER: Can you tell me how to get how to get to --
GOLODRYGA: I can't sing. So that was a really --
ASHER: I had to really my comfort zone just to do that.
GOLODRYGA: That was beautiful.
ASHER: Thank you.
GOLODRYGA: Good for Netflix.
ASHER: Yes, my husband got me singing lessons for one birthday because I'm not the best singer.
GOLODRYGA: -- keeps on giving. All right, stay with us. We'll have more "One World" after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
