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One World with Zain Asher
Military Families Hit Hard by Effects of Government Shutdown; Trump Administration Orders Airlines to Cut 800+ Flights Today; Sudan's RSF Agrees to Humanitarian Ceasefire Proposal; RSF Accused of Massacres After Seizing El Fasher; Trump to Meet Hungary's Orban to Discuss Russian Oil; Music's Big Night: 2026 Grammy Nominations are Out. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired November 07, 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]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ZAIN ASHER, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Right President Trump is set to welcome his close ally, Viktor Orban of Hungary to the White House.
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: "One World" starts right now. Hungary's insistence on buying Russian oil, despite U.S. sanctions is
expected to top their agenda today. We'll take you live to the White House for the very latest.
ASHER: Plus, Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces agreed to a proposal from the U.S. for a humanitarian ceasefire. Our guest this hour is the head
of the mission at the Sudanese Embassy in London.
GOLODRYGA: And as the U.S. government shutdown reaches day 38. We'll look at how members of the military are struggling to feed their families. Hello
everyone, live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga.
ASHER: And I'm Zain Asher. You are watching "One World". Hungary's authoritarian prime minister is a longtime ally of President Donald Trump.
GOLODRYGA: And in about 30 minutes from now, the president will welcome Viktor Orban to the White House in what could be a major test of Trump's
tougher line on the Kremlin. After making threats for months, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest energy companies last month.
Now, Orban is expected to seek an exemption from any secondary sanctions for buying Russian oil. The far-right leader has kept close ties with
Moscow despite the war in Ukraine, and his country relies heavily on Russian energy.
ASHER: And today's meeting will be the first between the two leaders since President Trump returned to the White House in January. CNN's Alayna Treene
joins us live now from the White House. One of the biggest asks that Viktor Orban has the Prime Minister of Hungary when he meets with President Donald
Trump today, is this idea of not being subject to the punishing U.S. sanctions for importing Russian oil, especially after the U.S. blacklisted
two of Russia's largest oil companies. Just walk us through it, Alayna.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, that is the key question is whether or not President Donald Trump will actually grant that exception.
Actually, last week, the president addressed this and acknowledged that Orban, he called him his friend, had to ask for an exemption from those
sanctions. He said he had not granted it yet, but was still making that decision. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: He has asked for an exemption. We haven't granted one, but he has asked. He's a friend of
mine. He has asked for an exemption.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TREENE: Now, part of the reason this is such a big deal is because Hungary relies very heavily on Russia for its energy, and it's also -- Hungary is
also going through a pretty tough time with their economy right now. The economy has been pretty sluggish, and Orban is facing reelection come this
spring, April 2026.
And so, it really will be a test, I'd argue, of Orban's foreign policy pro us. However, of course, he does have one thing going for him, and that is
that him and President Donald Trump have been very close allies for a long time now, even dating back to the front's first Trump Administration, the
president often.
You heard him on the campaign trail, a lot, at least I did when I was going to all of his rallies last year, talking about Orban in a very warm way,
saying he's a strong leader. Of course, many other people would argue strong means actually authoritarian, but citing the familiarities and the
similarities that they share, including, you know, Orban is also someone who is big on Christian faith.
He's been had a hard line on immigration. He's been kind of anti-LGBTQ issues and things like that. And so that's where they often talk about some
of those similarities when they're together. And look, I think that you know, the president wants to do right by Hungary.
I'd remind you that actually, when Trump had gotten on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and they had talked about potentially
meeting for a second summit, the place where they were going to have it was going to be in Budapest, and Orban said that he was welcoming that with
open arms.
Of course, that fell apart, but it also talks to Orban's relationship with Putin, and I'd argue that Trump and Orban actually share some similarities
as well, in their approach to the Russia and Ukraine war particularly in their differences when it comes to Europe. Hungary is part of the European
Union, but they have been the most kind of openly warm to Russia throughout that entire process.
So, there's a lot of different things I think that could potentially come up in this meeting. And when I talk to people at the White House, when I've
asked them, do you think this exemption that Orban is likely going to ask Trump for? Again, is that a possibility? They tell me, you know, it's
unclear. One of course, we have to see how this meeting goes.
[11:05:00]
It really, you know, if it goes a good way. Potentially, he'll be more obliged Trump to do so, but it also could create in the future, some
potential difficulties if other countries want similar exemptions, and Trump is not able to do so. And so, there's a lot at stake here,
particularly for Hungary.
We're just going to have to see how it goes, but I will say overall, it will likely be a meeting of mutual admiration, despite that big question of
whether there will be this exemption for sanctions.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, because these two men, as you've noted, Alayna, do get along quite well. President Trump, on many issues, is ideologically aligned
with Orban, and it is notable that there's going to be a fine line for him to balance here.
TREENE: Yeah.
GOLODRYGA: On the one hand, he's going to be responding to pressure from Orban, given his increased frustration with Vladimir Putin, canceling that
meeting that was scheduled to be in Hungary, and obviously putting on those sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies.
At the same time, the Biden Administration had put sanctions on Hungary given what it deemed to be democratic backsliding. We know President Trump
had walked back some of those sanctions. Just talk about, at least publicly, how the president is expected to present the relationship between
these two countries, given how ideologically connected they are?
TREENE: You know, I think one of the best examples that your question has reminded me of Zain and Bianna is when President Donald Trump, then
candidate Donald Trump, last spring, in March of 2024 he had Orban come to his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, and he hosted him outside.
There was a big concert. It was a snazzy event, and the two just shared multiple back and forth, kind of heaping praise on one another. And I
remember at the time Joe Biden was then president, and he was saying he was not welcoming Orban to the White House, and that he didn't believe that it
was a good idea to do so.
And he thought that Orban being at Mar-a-Lago and having such this kind of warm and fuzzy relationship with the president, the former president then,
was not a good idea. And so, I think that is kind of how we're seeing the big difference from the term before Donald Trump to his second term now.
Look, I think it's going to be difficult for the president. I still think, of course, they are friends. You're going to see that friendliness. We'll
just have to see whether that friendliness means that he'll give in to some of what Orban is asking for.
ASHER: Right. Alayna Treene, live for us. Thank you so much. And we're going to bring everyone that meeting between President Trump and Hungary's
Prime Minister Viktor Orban, as soon as it begins in about roughly around 20 minutes or so from now. 24 hours ago, there was real hope that an end to
the U.S. government shutdown might be closed today. Those hopes are rapidly fading.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, the Senate is scheduled to vote soon on a funding bill that Democrats will likely reject because it does not do enough to ensure
Americans will be able to afford health insurance. It is unclear where negotiations will go from here, but the Senate majority leader says that he
will keep the Senate in session over the weekend to keep pressure on Democrats.
Democrats say voters sent a clear message earlier this week in state and local elections that they want Democrats to continue to fight the Trump
Administration. Well, the impact of the shutdown is really hitting home at the biggest airports in the country today.
ASHER: Yeah, the FAA has ordered cutbacks in flights at 40 of the nation's biggest airports. It says it must cut back to ease stress on air traffic
controllers who have faced staffing shortages and no paychecks during the shutdown. The Trump Administration plans to increase the cutbacks over the
next week.
The transportation secretary visited a Washington area airport this morning and said travelers are certainly frustrated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN DUFFY, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY: My message is enough. You've inflicted enough pain on the American people. What I hope those who vote to
keep the government shut down will come to an airport and they should introduce themselves to the travelers and ask them if it's worth it, is
their delay worth it?
Is there cancelation worth it? And I think the resounding answer to that will be no. And so, open it up, and go through the process that our
founders set up for us, which is debates and votes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: Let's go live to one of the busiest airports in the country, Chicago O'Hare. That is where CNN's Whitney Wild is today, and Whitney, the
Department of Transportation, said that they're not going to be implementing 10 percent cut to flights just yet, but we are seeing a
significant number of them cut back and delayed.
Air traffic controllers are calling in sick. We heard from the head of their association earlier this morning on our air says that a number of
them have actually quit. Things look like they're pretty smooth behind you there. How much should we read into that? Is this just traveler's heeding
some of the concerns and getting there earlier or changing their flights? What are you hearing?
[11:10:00]
WHITNEY WILD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Here at O'Hare, the impact is just not that big. I mean, we're not seeing the same disruptions that you're seeing
at like Newark and some of the other airports where you're seeing this FAA staffing shortage here, there's only a handful of delays. There are 80
cancelations for flights that are either coming into or out of O'Hare altogether.
That is a very small fraction of the overall landscape here. I mean, we know that there are more than 800 flights in the United States, coming into
or leaving the United States that are canceled. 1300 delays for flights again, coming into or out of the United States. So, when you look across
the board here, the impact isn't that big here.
I mean, I think really, what's going on here is people have seen the news about the cancelations. They're adjusting their plans. They're getting here
early. But also, the security lines are just -- they're just not that long. I mean, look, we see it's five minutes to get through security.
If you come and look at the board right now, I'll show you that there just aren't that many delays. I mean, for the most part, this is looking pretty
smooth. It is about what you'd see if there was some disruptive weather pattern across the country. And the thing that's interesting about when you
think about Chicago in this context, when you think about cancelations and delays in Chicago, that's usually because there's some kind of massive
weather event here.
There's a big snowstorm that's just slamming the area. That is not the case today. This is a bluebird day. This, in theory, should be the most perfect
day to fly. But instead, there is this man-made problem putting pressure on O'Hare International Airport. We also know that there are challenges at
midway as well.
But for the most part, you know, we have not spoken with anybody who said that there, you know, their flight was canceled or their flight is
suffering a major delay, but they are frustrated. Here's what one couple told us about how they're feeling in the midst of all of this shutdown
stress for travelers.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SAMIR DARRAS, CHICAGO TRAVELER: Yeah, we know about the cuts and potential cancelations of flights, but we're just hoping to get lucky on both trips,
each way. Reopen the government. Yeah.
KIRBY DARRAS, CHICAGO TRAVELER: Yeah. I think the airlines are handling it well, though, as best as they can give the circumstances. So, I appreciate
them keeping us all safe. And yeah, they should come to an agreement and reopen the government and avoid all of this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WILD: Remember, it is not just FAA workers who are in these high-pressure jobs and not getting paid. It is also TSA officers. And what we saw at
Houston within the last few days was there were major lines because TSA workers called in sick. Earlier this week, we spoke with a representative
for the union that represents TSA workers.
We spoke with a former TSA officer, and what they both said was that there's this concern that as this drags out, that people are just not going
to be able to afford to come to a job that doesn't pay them. They can't pay for the child care. They can't pay for the gas.
And so, the concern is that more TSA officers may feel like they just can't come to work as this drags on, or they might find that TSA officers, like
some FAA workers, are being forced to quit, because this is the longer these drags on, the more difficult it becomes. And even though they will
still be paid back, that doesn't do anything for the bills that have to get paid right now.
So that is the major concern, especially when you look at. We are getting very close to that very busy travel season between Thanksgiving and
Christmas. Back to you.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, just three weeks away Thanksgiving, and you talk about this being a manmade problem. We're used to flight delays because of
weather. This is one that technically could be solved any time, if the two parties get together and do so. Whitney Wild, thank you so much.
It's going to be a busy day for you. And we'll look at another impact of the government shutdown later in the show when we speak with Monica
Bassett. She's the Founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry.
Still ahead for us. Witnesses fleeing a besieged city in Sudan describe the horror as a paramilitary group accepts a ceasefire proposal. We'll talk to
a top Sudanese diplomat when we return.
ASHER: And happening any moment now, the U.S. President hosting close ally, Viktor Orban, the authoritarian leader from Hungary. The agenda just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:15:00]
GOLODRYGA: Sudan's RSF paramilitary group says that it has agreed to a humanitarian truce, more than two years into a civil war that has sparked
one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
ASHER: On Thursday, the group known as the Rapid Support Forces, accepted a proposal by four countries, including the United States. The Sudanese army
has not yet responded. The RSF faces mounting international pressure less than two weeks after it took over a city in Western Darfur.
GOLODRYGA: Witnesses say the rebels killed and abducted hundreds of civilians during and after the capture of El Fasher, the two-year conflict
has devastated Sudan, killing tens of thousands of people and displacing millions. Civilians say they just want to end the fighting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MUJAHID BAHR AL-DIN, DISPLACED SUDANESE CIVILIAN: We hope that things would go back to what they used to be, and for people to go back to their lands.
War is not good. I swear to God, people were destroyed. Youth were lost, and families were lost. We don't have anything to say.
We just want the country to be fixed. We wish the country would be fixed for people to return to their lands and to live in peace and security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ASHER: The U.N. Human Rights Council says it will hold an urgent session next week to discuss the situation in El Fasher. Our next guest has been
warning that the world is turning a blind eye to the killings in Sudan. Babikir Elamin is the Head of Mission at the Sudanese Embassy in London.
He joins us live now. Thank you so much for being with us. I mean, I just want to start with the atrocities that we have seen taking place in El
Fasher which obviously beggar believe this idea that the Rapid Support Force is essentially going door to door murdering over 1000 people.
When it comes to this sort of welcome news that the RSF has now agreed in principle to the possibility of some kind of humanitarian ceasefire, some
kind of three month pause in the fighting. How confident are you that this potential ceasefire is actually going to last and also, I think, more
importantly, lead to a lasting peace, especially considering that other previous attempts at a ceasefire have fallen through.
BABIKIR ELAMIN, HEAD OF MISSION AT THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN, LONDON: Thank you very much for having me. And also, let me thank the CNN
for its coverage of the tragedy in El Fasher. And actually, CNN has contributed greatly to alert the entire world of the security what is
happening there, because the atrocities that currently taking place in El Fasher has been unfolding for quite long time.
And for us, for this announcement by the terrorist militia of accepting a humanitarian truth. I think this announcement, merely -- the mere
announcement, is too little, too late, and because since June 24 on the 13th of June 24 the Security Council passed a resolution demanding the
militia to lift the siege on El Fasher and to disclose to stop attacking El Fasher and to allow the humanitarian assistance to get to the city.
[11:20:00]
But they refused this, and they kept instead actually, they responded by tightening the siege and by escalating and intensifying the shelling of the
city of the civilian sites. So, and also in June from this year, on 27th of June of this year, the U.N. Secretary General has called for humanitarian
pause, and my government has readily accepted that.
But the militia refused to that call and continue. And now, after committing genocidal in El Fasher, which is actually still going on, they
said, if they accepted in principle, this is -- this human truth -- the humanitarian truth. And I think, given our experience of our in the past,
since May 2023, the militia usually use this kind of stresses to regroup into resupply, to reorganize itself, and it is publicly said that they use
truces.
There was a series of human truces in 2023 which has been used actually to occupy more civilian sites and to invade new areas, opposite to the essence
of that declaration of gender declaration which was signed on the 11th of May 2023.
GOLODRYGA: Mr. Elamin, I spoke earlier this week with Nathaniel Raymond, who's the Executive Director at the Yale Research Lab, which had just
released its first report on the mass killings in El Fasher through satellite images and analysis. And here's what he told me about what he
saw.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NATHANIEL RAYMOND, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE YALE HUMANITARIAN RESEARCH LAB: We're just over a week out, and the picture that the imagery is
providing for us is unfortunately, very clear and very grim. By the time we reached Monday of last week, we could see Rapid Support Forces vehicles
engaged in house to house killing.
They were blocking alleys with pickup trucks with large machine guns on the back. And we could see objects throughout the last neighborhood that was
holding civilians called --We could see objects that were between 1.3 to 2 meters in length, which is the average size of a human body seen in imagery
lying horizontally on the ground.
Around some of those objects, we started to see red discoloration, and we believe that is consistent with blood.
GOLODRYGA: When you saw those images, the blood, the bodies, the red discoloration across the city. What went through your mind?
RAYMOND: I was horrified. I wanted to throw up. Unfortunately, I wasn't surprised. We've been warning the international community since July 2023
that this was going to happen. It was arguably the most accurately predicted mass killing in history. We briefed the U.N. Security Council six
times.
None of this was shocking. We had it down to the day almost the hour. What the only thing that's shocking is the lack of international response.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: They briefed the U.N. Security Council six times. He said, this was the most predictable of all atrocities. Has the international community
failed Sudan? And what do you say now to world leaders and those at the United Nations?
ELAMIN: Yes, exactly. This has been unfolding for 18 months. It wasn't uninventable, it wasn't unstoppable, it wasn't unavoidable. Had the
Security Council been more serious and more morally responsible, this could have been avoided, and the Sudanese people feel that they have been let
down.
They have been failed by the entire international community. But it is not too late. Now, still, there is a possibility, because if the international
community adopted a united firm position against this militia by designating the terrorist militia, by putting a pressure on the enabler of
the ongoing genocide.
Things might change. Otherwise, if they are still continuing the same approach trying to engage the militia and dealing with -- as if it is a
rational or responsible organization that they can make peace that will lead no way.
ASHER: You know, there's so much to discuss here in terms of Sudan's future.
[11:25:00]
I mean, obviously when it comes to what we've been discussing in El Fasher, there has to be some accountability, of course, when the war is over,
there's a discussion that my colleague Bianna just talked about, this idea that the international community has failed Sudan.
But when it comes to eventual civilian rule, as you know, since Omar Bashir left in 2019 the Sudanese people have been really fighting, really fighting
hard, and sacrificing for the potential for one day being able to have a true democracy after the war is over. And I know that I'm talking about
potentially, what could be a long time in the future.
Do you see that as a realistic possibility in the short term, that the Sudanese people, because they have been fighting for civilian rule for so
long, that dream could one day turn into reality for them?
ELAMIN: Of course, the leadership of Sudan, even the Sudanese Armed Forces, the government are all of them are committed to hand over the power to
civilian led government. After the country is stabilized, and through having general fair and free election. And, by the way, Sudan one of the
fairest African countries that known democracy and election.
So, there is no any desire on the side of the Sudanese Armed Forces or the current government to stay in the power after the country stabilize and
after achieving the consensus, the necessary consensus to hold the election. But now what is at stake is the survival of the country is
integral, the territorial integrity of the country, the peace of the people, to protect the people, to stop this external aggression, to stop
the atrocities, to stop the genocide.
And after the country is stabilized, I think that there is a consensus that there should be a civilian led government.
ASHER: Right. Babikir Elamin, thank you so much for your time. Appreciate it.
ELAMIN: Pleasure.
GOLODRYGA: Thank you.
ASHER: Military families already sacrificed so much, but with the government shutdown, that sacrifice is growing ever greater. We'll speak to
the head of an organization trying to change that, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
ASHER: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Zain Asher.
GOLODRYGA: And I'm Bianna Golodryga. Here's some of the headlines we're watching today. We are in the 38th day of the U.S. government shutdown, and
lawmakers are no closer to a resolution than on day one. The Senate plans to vote today on a proposal, but its chances of passing are slim.
Democrats are still holding out for commitments on dealing with rising health care costs.
ASHER: The shutdown is being felt at airports across the country. Today, the FAA has ordered airlines to cut 4 percent of flights at 40 of the
biggest airports in the United States. The FAA plans to increase the cutbacks over the next week, as it deals with staffing shortages among air
traffic controllers.
GOLODRYGA: Authorities are investigating who sent a suspicious package containing white powder to a prestigious U.S. military base. At least seven
people fell ill and had to be taken to the hospital after the passage was opened at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The base is regularly used by the U.S. President for travel on official business. Well, any moment now, President Trump is set to welcome his
longtime ally, Hungary's authoritarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, to the White House. Prime Minister Orban is expected to ask for exemptions from
U.S. sanctions on Russian energy.
Hungary relies heavily on Moscow for oil, and has kept close ties with the Kremlin throughout its war on Ukraine. CNN Political Commentator and Former
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary, Sabrina Singh joins us now. Sabrina, in a sense, the president, President Trump, has leverage here going into this
meeting with Viktor Orban.
Orban is coming in with a big ask. Some 90 percent of their oil imports are bought from Russia. Now that there are sanctions on two of Russia's largest
oil companies. There's a big concern in Hungary and by Orban about being at risk for secondary sanctions. What do you think the president should do in
response, if he does exempt Hungary here?
Should he pressure Hungary to be more open to cooperating with other EU countries in aiding Ukraine, and perhaps, one day, even setting a path for
Ukraine to join the European Union?
SABRINA SINGH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, that's a great question. I think you know, if Donald Trump were to, as you said, you know, he does
have a lot of leverage here. If you were to pressure Orban into releasing some military support or financial aid to Ukraine, that could go, you know,
a long way in showing good faith efforts towards Ukraine's war.
But at the end of the day, I really don't see Orban moving on this. I mean, this is something that he sort of has staked his reputation on, in terms of
being someone that has really closely cozied up to Vladimir Putin, and throughout the war in Ukraine, in fact, they've increased their dependence
on Russian oil.
I think, since 2022 and have, you know, he has a very warm relationship with Putin. So, you know, I think it's While Donald Trump does hold a lot
of leverage here. I don't see Orban moving that like more towards Ukraine. I could see Orban trying to use his status right now, with his relationship
with Putin and Donald Trump, to try and broker some sort of meeting between them, as we know, that fell apart.
But it remains unclear how much more, you know, latitude the Hungarian leader is going to give Ukraine.
ASHER: Want to talk about the most important ask that Viktor Orban has here, this idea of getting an exemption from those crippling sanctions,
because obviously the U.S. has blacklisted two of Russia's largest oil company, Rosneft and Luke oil. But just in terms of what Orban's argument
is.
He's saying that his country is essentially at a disadvantage because they have lack of access to the sea. They only have one pipeline. But there are
a lot of other countries that depend heavily on Russian oil who are also very dependent for different reasons. So, if Donald Trump makes an
exception for Hungary, won't other countries look to him and say, well, you have to make an exception for us as well.
[11:35:00]
SINGH: Absolutely right. And I think this is a double-edged sword, because if you are carving out a space for Hungary to get that exemption from U.S.
secondary sanctions, absolutely that's going to make other countries come to the United States and request relief or reprieve from any sanctions, and
possibly exemption.
And you know, we've seen Donald Trump waiver on the sanctions before. And certainly, you know, when it comes to China, we know China has dependency
on Russia, and we've seen him waver on some of the tariffs. So, you know, these are two leaders that have a very close relationship or bond.
Visited Mar-a-Lago last year when President Biden was in the White House, he did not come to the White House and meet with President Biden. And so,
you know, it remains to be seen if Donald Trump will give Hungary that exemption, but that's certainly something that I'm going to be watching for
out of this meeting.
And then the second thing is, is that Orban is facing a very tough reelection at home, probably the toughest one he's faced in 15 years. So,
he really needs to look like a world leader, a strong man on the world stage, and being close to Donald Trump today gives him not only that
visual, but potentially the argument that he can make at home to his domestic audience, that he's fighting for Hungarians at home.
GOLODRYGA: And hypocrisy, I mean, to Zain's point, hypocrisy isn't something that President Trump has really been focused on too much, if
that's what ends up happening, if he exempts Hungary and others say, but listen, what about these other countries? I mean, he is somebody who is
very much focused on relationships, and he has a very close relationship with Viktor Orban.
He is one of the only European leaders to have publicly supported Donald Trump during the last presidential election. And he also, as we noted, even
during the Biden Administration, visited President Trump at Mar-a-Lago. How much can we expect to see President Trump just reward him from their
personal ties and affection for each other and his support for the president alone?
SINGH: Yeah. You know, I think we know Donald Trump is someone that really thrives on loyalty, and Viktor Orban has given it to him. I mean, just by
him cozying up. In fact, you know, before he left to come visit to the United States, he actually issued a statement that, you know, sort of
trashed the previous administration, and, you know, really espouse effusive praise over Donald Trump.
And so, I think what you're going to see on display today is that close friendship again, really, you know that cozying up of two leaders that
share a very similar worldview. I mean, when it comes to immigration policies, when it comes to their nationalist ideologies, these are two
people and to leaders that are very aligned.
And so, I think Orban is going to use that to his advantage and pressure Trump to get that exemption from the U.S. secondary sanctions. And I think
that will send, of course, a huge message to countries around the world that you know, once again, Donald Trump is giving an exemption to a country
that is close to Vladimir Putin that hasn't supported Ukraine in its war.
And at the end of the day, you know, this is not where the EU or NATO countries are, and so that's where Orban really differs from his
counterparts in Europe.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, I think it's fair to say that Viktor Orban was not a fan of the Biden Administration, the administration that you worked on, for a
number of reasons, not least of which is the sanctions that the Biden Administration leveled against Hungary for what they deemed as democratic
backsliding with some of the legislation passed Donald Trump then subsequently took away some of those sanctions as well. Sabrina Singh,
thank you so much.
ASHER: Thank you, Sabrina. Right, pay them now, and in full. That's the order from a federal judge the Trump Administration to make food aid
benefits payments right now.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, the White House is already appealing this as President Trump tries to use the program, and by extension, hunger itself is a
negotiating tool to end the government shutdown. The vice president says the judge overstepped his authority.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JD VANCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: It's an absurd ruling, because you have a federal judge effectively telling us what we
have to do in the midst of a Democrat government shutdown, which what we'd like to do is for the Democrats to open up the government of course, then
we can fund SNAP and we can also do a lot of other good things for the American people.
But in the midst of a shutdown, we can't have a federal court telling the president how he has to triage the situation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: And here's the result, food banks and charities are scrambling to provide food for those who aren't being paid. It is a lifeline for
millions of Americans, including military families. That's in addition to the significant sacrifice that already comes with serving in the U.S.
military.
ASHER: Monica Bassett is the Founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry in Leavenworth, Kansas, which is home to Fort Leavenworth. Monica, good to see
you. We spoke to you a couple of weeks ago, just when the shutdown started. I did not, honestly, I did not think that I was going to see you again to
discuss this issue, unfortunately.
[11:40:00]
You know, I'm from the UK, and one of the things that I immediately noticed upon moving to the United States about 20 years ago is this idea that
America really, really values its veterans, values service members, armed - - members of the armed forces, whether it's through public holidays, whether it's through monuments, whether it's even through, you know,
everyday sort of discounts and perks.
You know, you get on a flight and the flight attendants will say thank you to our veterans. It's something that we just don't do in the UK or in other
countries, I think. But when you have military service members in this country now resorting to community food banks because of this government
shutdown, it sends a very, very different message to members of the armed services.
Give us your take on that, because you come from a military family yourself.
MONICA BASSETT, FOUNDER & CEO OF STRONGHOLD FOOD PANTRY: I do. Thank you so much for having me back on. I like you, did not think we would be here yet
again, and unfortunately, we are. And what you just mentioned is a heartbreak, right? We do honor our veterans.
You said the perks, right? We get discounts at places. We announced that we are honored to be part of an organization, a community, a nation, that
honors their veterans. And right now, they are asking for a lot of help, especially when they are currently serving veterans that have fought in
foreign wars, and they are still actively serving and they are trying to make ends meet by coming to a food pantry.
And that is very disheartening. It is heartbreaking. They know that they do this because of love of country. The military service is composed of the 1
percent of the nation that protects the entire nation and they can't make ends meet. So that is heartbreaking. It is something that we're here to
stand in the gap for.
That's why I, as the daughter of a Vietnam veteran and as the spouse to an active-duty service member, was launched and propelled into doing something
to stand in that gap for these veterans, for these military families that are currently struggling.
GOLODRYGA: And we should also know we have a volunteer army. We are fortunate enough to know that those that are serving in the military aren't
forced to, they choose to, and it's one thing to pay lip service and to thank them for their service and to even allow them to step on a flight
first before everyone else.
It's quite different, though, when it comes to even providing the aid and the food that they so desperately need and deserve and shouldn't even be in
a situation like this. I know that you are working at food pantries near military bases, as we're seeing the shutdown now at a historic high long
time, 38 days.
How close are you to the tipping point. I mean, we have wonderful volunteers in this country, and we're a very benevolent country. I know
people are contributing. They shouldn't have to, but what is that tipping point for you?
BASSETT: So that tipping point, I just spoke to a few different directors around military installations this week. How are we all doing? What are we
seeing? Where can we support each other? Where can we combine forces? I'm very fortunate that with stronghold back in 2023.
I launched an ambassador network that allows us to reach military families across the nation and help them directly with services that they need. And
so, I'm arming myself with those directors at different brick and mortars to say, how can we support you? How can we help?
And we're exhausted, but so are our patrons living in this age of are we going to get paid? Are funds going to be shuffled and enough time for us to
get the next paycheck? We're still sitting in a government shutdown. What is going to happen the next pay period? Even that emotional exhaustion
takes a toll.
And our food pantries, our directors, myself, as I logistically serve military families across the nation, 26 states. We're trying to shuffle
around. How can we support these families? What are they seeing? We have families that are reporting that the spouse is currently working as a
mandated civilian but not getting paid.
Their daughter is terminally ill, and now they can't get their medications and prescriptions on the installation pharmacy, so they're paying a
compounded amount of co pays, and so those second and third line effects are now things that we as food pantry directors and volunteers are really
listening to, because that's going to dictate our surge.
Are there going to be more families that are coming in line? Because, those second and third line effects are now being compounded. We're now seeing
the ripple effects of going into day 37, 38.
ASHER: You don't think about those ripple effects. Thank you so much for saying that, because, you know, there's an avalanche of problems that come
with this. It's not just one. And I think so much about the military families, who essentially pride themselves on being self-sufficient, of
being able to manage despite tight budgets, and now they find themselves in the situation where they're asking for help, which must be very, very
difficult for a lot of people, because they never expected it.
[11:45:00]
Monica Bassett, we have to leave it there. Thank you so much. We'll right back after the short break with more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: All right. Global Superstar Tems is turning her authenticity into action. She's using her platform to elevate and empower women across music
and beyond.
GOLODRYGA: CNN's Larry Madowo sits down with the singer, songwriter in this month, "African Voices Changemakers".
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TEMS, SINGER: Authenticity is everything to me. I feel like that's the one thing I cannot compromise on, because that's all I have who I really am.
And I started doing music to share my story and to share like, how my emotions and I feel. Doing anything else is just like what's the point?
LARRY MADOWO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When do you think the men started taking you seriously in this industry?
TEMS: People started taking me seriously when my music started getting to a place that they couldn't fathom without them.
MADOWO: What are some challenges that you went through in the music industry as a woman that you hope that these people you are supporting
don't have to go through?
TEMS: First of all, it was very hard to find support. Up until I met some of my -- some of the people on my team, I didn't really, I was kind of
doing everything myself. I was studio hopping, and it was really hard to get people to take me seriously. You know, not just as a producer, but just
as a singer period.
I really want to help women to create a tangible space in all industries, especially music, but not just in music, in entrepreneurship, in tech, in
business. I think it's important. And I want to give women the opportunity to redefine what people know, not just in music, but in our industries.
MADOWO: We're here in Lagos, when you're launching, you're leading the vibe initiative to support more women get into your industry. What sparked this
idea?
TEMS: To be honest, it's something that I've always wanted to do. Being in the music industry myself, I know firsthand how difficult it is for women
and how people view women, you know, and how hard it is to not even just to get a foot in the door, but to be respected as someone that is a leader.
[11:50:00]
And I feel like there definitely should be more women in leadership roles, not in music. And there's so many people, so many talented women that can
do not just like be singers, you know, be managers, be producers, be audio engineers, and they don't have the platform because they're not respected,
and they're not even visible.
So, I want to make them visible, and I want to create a space where we can define, redefine the perspective of women in music.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ASHER: All right, the nominations for the 2026 Grammy Awards are out.
GOLODRYGA: And from music legends to rising stars, hundreds of artists are competing for the coveted awards.
ASHER: Yeah, the nominations were actually announced by a host of celebrities, including Sabrina Carpenter. Here she is naming those in the
running for Pop Vocal Album of the Year. The Grammy Awards are set for February 1st. Let's bring in Lisa Respers France. There she is.
So, Lisa, listen. I looked at the names, and I love Kendrick Lamar. I mean, I just think in terms of being able to rap and just the sheer talent --
LISA RESPERS FRANCE, CNN REPORTER: You should hear her rapping -- during the commercial --
ASHER: I was rapping, during the commercial break. He's amazing. So, he's nominated. We also got Bad Bunny as well, and I think it's quite
interesting, because he's going to be headlining the halftime show. So, he's got a stacked sort of first half of the year, just in terms of the
Grammy nominations and then the halftime shows right after that.
FRANCE: Right, which is exactly where Kendrick Lamar found himself earlier this year, right? So, Kendrick is interesting. He led the pack with nine
nominations, including the big ones, the record, the album, the song of the year. And last year he won. I can't -- I keep wanting to say last year, but
really it was this year. It was February for 2025.
ASHER: -- very long year.
FRANCE: Yeah, it was been a very long year. He won for Record of the Year for his Drake diss, "Not Like Us". And he's truly "Not Like Us" because
he's now three-peat it, which is funny to me, because he, raps. He has one of his lines where he basically says, you know, there's not, you know, the
three of us is just the one of us type of thing, and one of his lyrics.
And he's now done the three-peat of being able to be nominated in record album and Song of the Year, and he may pull it off again with the Record of
the Year, because he's nominated this time for his song Luther with SZA.
[11:55:00]
So, you know, he could possibly pull off a second win. And when it comes to bad money, he's making history by being, you know, the first Spanish
language artist. It looks like to be nominated in those big categories, because he's also nominated for song and record and Album of the Year.
So really, the year. So, it's going to be interesting to see if he, you know, does the same thing that Kendrick did in terms of having like an
incredible halftime performance, only to then go to the Grammys and maybe snag some awards.
ASHER: And Bianna, what's your favorite Bad Bunny song or Kendrick Lamar song?
GOLODRYGA: I don't --
ASHER: -- you know, she loves Tupac.
GOLODRYGA: I'm an old --
ASHER: -- Tupac. OK, so -- she -- rappers --
FRANCE: -- I can beat you. I can beat you on the old school thing. I actually, I knew Tupac back in Baltimore, so that's how old school I am. I
absolutely did, I absolutely --
ASHER: -- took offline.
FRANCE: Yes.
GOLODRYGA: Maybe walking around singing thug life and thug fashion. You can imagine what people the looks they gave me, but I was a die-hard fan. But I
do appreciate talent, and perhaps the president does too. We're waiting for this meeting with Viktor Orban for maybe he was just waiting for these
nominations to come out --
ASHER: -- Trump and Viktor Orban to Tupac. There you have it.
GOLODRYGA: All right --
ASHER: -- "One World" for you.
FRANCE: Thank you so much.
ASHER: "One World" -- Lisa, thank you, my dear. Have a great weekend.
FRANCE: Thank you. You do the same.
GOLODRYGA: Stay with us. We'll have more "One World" after the break. Thank you for saving me, though, because I honestly --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
