Return to Transcripts main page
One World with Zain Asher
Questions Mount Over Venezuela's Official Death Toll; Pope Leo to Visit Migration Hot Spot, on July Fourth; About 1,000 Guests Expected at Swift-Kelce Wedding Celebration; Woman Disguised as Main Suspect in Monaco Bombing; Jack Smith: "I'm Very Concerned" About Midterm Elections; Late Disallowed Goal Sees Portugal Edge Croatia 2-1. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired July 03, 2026 - 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)
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Iran is paying tribute to Former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei with a week-long funeral across five cities.
"One World" starts right now. Iran is preparing to bid the final goodbye to its slain Supreme Leader and sent a blunt message to the U.S. in the
process; we'll have the latest from Tehran.
Plus, on the eve of America's birthday bash, U.S. Democrats accuse Trump of hijacking the 250th birthday celebration. And it's a love story, the
speculation, the anticipation. Our Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce getting ready to walk down the aisle today. We'll have all the details outside
where the two might be getting hitched.
Live from London, I'm Christina Macfarlane. Bianna and Zain are off today, and this is "One World". Diplomacy is on hold as Iran prepares a multi-day
farewell to its slain Supreme Leader. Foreign dignitaries have been paying their respects at the massive event shrouded in religious symbolism.
Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran back in February. His casket, as well as those of his family members, are
on display in Tehran. Funeral ceremonies begin Saturday, with millions of mourners expected to attend, and ending on Thursday with his burial.
Iran's President is calling on his nation to turn out in large numbers to portray a united front to the world. CNN's Fred Pleitgen has this preview
of what's ahead from Iran, and we should note that CNN operates in Iran only with the permission of the government, but maintains full editorial
control of its reports.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This could possibly be the largest event in the history of the Islamic Republic of
Iran. The funeral ceremonies for Iran's slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Now those are set to happen here at the gigantic Mosalla (ph)
religious complex in the center of Tehran, where big events are often held.
And just to recap, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.- Israeli air strike in the early stages of the U.S. and Israel's attacks on Iran on February 28th. The burial and funeral ceremonies, however, were
held up, first of all, because, of course, combat operations were still going on, but then also because the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran was
so very fragile.
Millions of people are set to come here to Tehran that's why the security here is extremely tight. There's a lot of posters of the Supreme Leader
that have already been put up here throughout the city. And what's going to happen is that the body will lie here in state, but not just the Supreme
Leader, also other family members of the Supreme Leader, who were also killed in that air strike, including one of the granddaughters in a tiny
casket.
Some of the video of that has already been shown on Iranian State TV. As far as the timing and all this is concerned, first of all, the body is
going to lie in state here for several days, then there's going to be a big funeral procession here in Tehran. But then the body will be taken to
several holy sites, both in Iran, but also in Iraq, and then finally brought to its final resting place in one of Shia Islam's holiest sites in
Mashhad.
MACFARLANE: Well, thanks to CNN's Fred Pleitgen for that report. Now, more than 1000 days after the Hamas-led attacks on Israel plunged the region
into war, the fate of more than 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is since then the damage and
loss of life has been immense.
Gaza's Health Ministry says more than 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, including nearly 22,000 children. And despite a ceasefire, the death toll
continues to rise, with Israel carrying out almost daily strikes on Gaza. Hamas, meanwhile, has refused to disarm. Now, Venezuela's government is
facing questions about its earthquake response. We'll get that to you straight after this quick break. Stay with us.
[11:05:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Venezuela's government is facing questions about its earthquake response and the official death toll. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez says
that nearly 2600 lives have been lost. However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates tens of thousands likely died in last week's back-to-back
earthquakes.
Meanwhile, one forensic pathologist tells CNN that the makeshift morgue, where she works in La Guaira, processes around 400 bodies a day. She adds
that refrigerated trucks are full, forcing them to leave body bags out in the sun. Well, Venezuela's Acting President is denying the accusations that
the government was slow to respond to the deadly earthquakes. CNN Contributor Stefano Pozzebon was at her latest news conference in Caracas.
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We're coming to you from the International Press Center in Caracas, where the Venezuelan Acting
President Delcy Rodriguez has just concluded an international press conference with members of the media here in the country.
And the responding to a question from us, by the way, from CNN she said that the new death toll has been updated to 2595 victims. In the press
conference, Rodriguez was asked several times about the frustration and anger by thousands of Venezuelans over the slow pace of the search and
rescue, and now the recovery operation.
Rodriguez said that the government has done everything they could, that they deployed more than 19,000 members of the armed forces and civilian
officers to the state of La Guaira, which is where majority of the damages have been confined.
And that they opened the international borders to allow rescue workers from countries with whom Venezuela doesn't even hold diplomatic relationship
with in order to speed up the process. Rodriguez also concluded in saying that the Venezuelan government has already reached out to international
organizations, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, in order to obtain funds to start the reconstruction process. As this
country tries to turn.
[11:10:00]
The page from the most catastrophic natural disaster and tragedy in almost 30 years. For CNN this is Stefano Pozzebon, Caracas.
MACFARLANE: For more about how you can help the earthquake victims, please go to cnn.com/impact. Now, on the eve of America's 250th birthday bash,
Pope Leo is taking center stage in Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence. The first American Pope is accepting the Liberty Medal
virtually from the National Constitution Center.
Event organizers say the Pontiff was chosen for what they call his lifelong work promoting religious liberty and freedom of conscience and expression
around the world. Well, the award comes as Leo is expected to visit Lampedusa on Saturday to focus on one of Europe's biggest migration hot
spots.
Our Christopher Lamb is in Lampedusa, Italy, ahead of the Pope's visit. But before that, Chris, an American Pope back on American soil, just talk to us
about the significance of this Liberty Medal.
CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think Christina, it's a very important speech that Pope Leo is going to deliver, because it's the
first time that we have seen him address the U.S. form of government, the principles that inspired the founding fathers.
And of course, it comes almost 250 years after the U.S. independence, which, of course, is being marked on July 4th. And we are expecting Leo to
cover a range of topics, particularly religious freedom, human dignity, really the ideals that inspired the founding fathers.
Leo is, of course, the first American Pope, and there is a lot of interest in what he has to say about the United States, given that there has been
this tension, too, between him and President Trump. The president has launched some extraordinary attacks against the Pope.
Because Leo has, in recent months, been very outspoken on questions such as war, peace, and migration, is also a topic where he has spoken out. And
where there has been tension with the Trump Administration, Leo has criticized the crackdown in the United States on immigration, describing
that as inhuman.
And of course he's coming here to Lampedusa on the Fourth of July. Lampedusa is the Southern Italian Island and a major entry point for
migrants into Europe, so that sends quite a strong message, Christina.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, and I mean, of course, we will watch out for that speech in the coming hour or so, and watch to see how he uses this moment. But he
is not choosing to stay in Philadelphia, as you point out, Chris, for July 4th celebrations. He's coming back there to Lampedusa, which is known as a
major migrant landing point there in Italy, I mean it's a highly symbolic trip, really. What has the Pope said about that already?
LAMB: Well, the decision by the Pope to come here to Lampedusa on July 4th sends a strong message. And I spoke to two senior figures in the U.S.
Church, and they both said that his decision to come here is about highlighting the importance of treating migrants humanely, about welcoming
people.
Leo, of course, was recently in the Canary Islands, another entry point for migrants into Europe, and he made the remark that God does not see
passports, that there is, despite however someone enters into a country, there is inherent human dignity in each person that should be respected.
And I think that is what he is going to be highlighting here in Lampedusa. Then the route from Africa into Europe that many people take is one of the
deadliest in the world. I have been around the island today speaking to people and they have emphasized how thousands have died trying to make the
journey.
We don't know the precise numbers but it's over 32,000 over the last decade. And I think the fact that Leo is here is highlighting the
importance that he is placing on protection of migrants that he is willing to speak out on this topic.
And of course, he also follows in the footsteps of Pope Francis his predecessor who came here in 2013 for a highly symbolic and emotional
visit, where he, again, you know, he highlighted, like Leo, the plight of migrants, Christina.
MACFARLANE: Yeah. Well, we'll continue to closely watch that trip with you, Chris, there in Lampedusa. For now, though, thanks very much.
[11:15:00]
Now, wedding bells are ringing, or maybe that's just the sound of New York traffic at Madison Square Garden, where sources say Pop Icon Taylor Swift
and NFL star Travis Kelce have kicked off their wedding celebrations. Earlier, crews were spotted setting up black screens to prevent any details
from getting out.
As sources tell CNN the highly anticipated event is set to be an extravagant affair, with around 1000 guests expected to attend. Brynn
Gingras is outside Madison Square Gardens now. And I really hope you're a Swiftie fan (ph), Brynn, otherwise, the next couple of days could be quite
laborious. Tell us what you've been seeing or not seeing in the preparations that are going on there.
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, actually that's the perfect way to frame the question Christina, is because there's literally a
lot that we're just not seeing, because they won't let us. There are screens being put up, there are streets that are being closed off all
around Madison Square Garden, curtains being pulled.
There's a lot of this they don't want to see. But we try to see whatever we possibly can. And what that mostly is, is liquor, food. We saw Krispy Kreme
donuts truck just go in. We saw stuff to make pizzas, so we're trying to get little peeps at what is going to be happening later tonight.
Obviously, this is going to be a huge bash, and that's all the signs of what we're seeing. It's going to -- it's going to be quite the party. Now,
what we've learned from sources is that this is all going to kick off at about 04:30 this afternoon, and then the wedding, some sort of ceremony, is
expected to take place, according to our sources, on the floor of the Madison Square Garden Arena, which has been transformed into a garden
party.
And then, like any good party, there will likely be dinner and dancing, probably some musical acts, as she's hinted to some of her friends
performing, like Stevie Nicks and Ed Sheeran, and that's expected to go all the way into two in the morning.
We're hearing about 1000 guests are expected to turn out for this big bash, the union of these two superstars. We're hearing also that they're going to
arrive in tinted SUVs, 500 of them, and likely go down the street where we are not far from and be sort of under the veil of a giant tent.
So, I'm sure, Christina, as you can imagine, we will learn all about this, and some sort of documentary, or some sort of special. But as of now, we
don't have any good visuals of who is going? What exactly is going to? What it looks like inside? What Taylor's dresses? I wish I knew all those
details, but those are all under wraps for now.
But it is, we can tell the excitement, you can feel it, the excitement is building for this big event, as we're starting to see a lot of change
throughout the afternoon as we get closer to that start time.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, it does feel like wait for the Netflix docket to drop, doesn't it? Brynn, we hope you get a peek of something out there the next
couple of hours. Thanks very much.
To discuss, let's bring in Harvard University Professor Stephanie Burt. She teaches at the university -- teaches a university course on Taylor Swift.
And she's the Author of the book "Taylor's Version, which follows the pop star's journey to becoming the highest grossing touring artist in the
world".
We have spoken before. It's so nice to have you back on the show. And you know, just reflecting there what we were hearing from Brynn about, you know
the secrecy, we don't quite know what we're going to be seeing? From what you know of Taylor Swift what are you expecting, and what do you think the
kind of cultural impact of this wedding is going to be?
STEPHANIE BURT, ENGLISH PROFESSOR, HARVARD UNIVERSITY: I am expecting a big party where everyone, or almost everyone, who's invited has fun. And
journalists and critics and fans like me don't get to watch. I also expect that we will get photographs, and I would not be surprised if afterwards we
could watch a video recording or couple of TV specials with edited curated parts of the event.
I would certainly watch that. But I'm expecting everyone there to have fun, and a lot of famous people who understandably would rather celebrate their
social group, and their friends, big day with some break from people like us, whose job is to watch them.
So, I'm excited. I'm also expecting the very large universe of Swifties to keep being kind of normal about it. I don't like using normal as a word of
praise, but here I will, because compared to some of her past relationships and her past well-publicized romances, the fandom has been very -- let's
not be jerks about this wedding, at least the corners of the fandom that I see.
[11:20:00]
Taylor is going to show us what she wants us to see, and among really all of the -- sorry, go on, go on.
MACFARLANE: No, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to jump in, because you know when you're talking about -- sorry, go ahead.
BURT: Yeah, one of the many things she's good at, besides writing songs, which is the basis of everything else, is managing some kind of line
between the way that she dramatizes her life in her works of art, which is one of her great talents. And exactly what she's doing at 12:03 p.m. on
Monday two years ago, where that's not something I want to know. I want the songs.
MACFARLANE: So, you don't expect then as a Swiftie that we're in for a surprise here, because there are some, I guess, skeptical Swifties who are
expecting that this might all be a ruse, that in fact she is. They are already married, or that you know something surprising might come out of
this weekend.
You don't think so. You think this is an intimate, private affair, or as intimate as you can be with 1000 people. We're not going to know until it's
all done.
BURT: I would not be surprised at all if they were already legally married. Honestly, if I were planning this, which you know I couldn't and wouldn't.
I would get officially legally married in a ceremony with ten people the day before, so that the party planners didn't have the headache of making
that part of the celebration.
Taylor's fans also come from many, many religious traditions, and if they do the legal stuff and whatever religious stuff they would like to do in a
private ceremony the day before, then she won't have to make people think about whatever religions they grew up with.
The people who get to watch this later, which I suspect fans will, will just get to enjoy the celebration of their love and romance and social
groups. So, I rather hope they're already married, and I think that's pretty normal for large event weddings. So, that wouldn't surprise me, but
I bet it's happened. I would be surprised --
MACFARLANE: Yeah, if it is a question --
BURT: -- wedding turned out. Yeah, I would be surprised that parts of the wedding turned out to be live streaming for the fans. Yeah, I wouldn't
mind, I'd watch it. That'd be kind of cool, but that would be a surprise. I'm rather expecting that we'll get to watch.
MACFARLANE: I think we'd all enjoy. Yeah, we do all enjoy watching it, of course, live streaming it. But I wanted to ask you, actually, about the
rumored A-list singers who are going to be part of this event. I think so far, we've got Stevie Nicks confirmed, Tim McGraw, someone saw Jon Bon
Jovi's sort of, I don't know, vans outside the outside the arena, so does that speak to her tastes or his? How do you -- what do you make of those
line ups -- that line up?
BURT: I suspect it speaks to both of their tastes. I think that she thinks about music more often than he does, just as he thinks about, you know,
oval-shaped thrown objects more often than she does. I certainly would expect Stevie Nicks. I think that would be great. I would expect at least
one singer and songwriter who she's close to, who's younger than her.
If I had the bet, I'd say Gracie Abrams, but who knows, it's up to her, and it probably depends on who's in New York and how close she feels to these
people, as well as how much she admires their music. I would like to see a set of people from multiple generations and multiple traditions.
I would love to see someone who's known as an R&B performer in that lineup, since that's a musical tradition that has really influenced her. I love the
idea that Tim McGraw, who is certainly part of her career, has been invited. I am excited to see who she invites?
And I'm quite aware that a hallmark of Taylor's public life has been trying to make sure that people don't feel excluded, that means her fans. That's
why she stopped doing these advanced listening parties. It also means musicians she likes and people she feels friendly toward.
If the guest list were released in advance, everyone who was expected to be on it and isn't on it would have to spend the day dealing with unwanted
media attention. And I suspect that's one reason the guest list has not been announced, and good for her.
MACFARLANE: Yeah. And just one quick one for you to end on, because we've been musing over this. Is Taylor's wedding date do you think a nod to her
favorite number in that one -- we know it's 13, right? One plus three equals four, because we've been a lot of speculation around this July 4th
date.
[11:25:00]
BURT: So, before the current president got in office the first time, Taylor loved the Fourth of July. For several years she held very well-regarded,
prestigious Fourth of July parties at her house in Westerly. She stopped doing that for very understandable reasons, but she does like the Fourth of
July.
And she likes the number 13 and does number 13 things where possible. I think that doing the math on 7/3, which is today, and trying to make that
into a 13 is a bit of a stretch. I also think that if you're going to marry an active NFL player and you want time for your honeymoon, you pretty much
have to do it in late June or early July.
So, he can go back to training camp. So, I think she's got good reasons for picking this range of dates. And I don't think it's primarily about trying
to upstage anyone or do fun number math. When she wants 13, she gets thirteens.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, that is a very common-sense answer, Stephanie Burt. It's so great to speak, always great to speak to you.
BURT: Yeah.
MACFARLANE: Thank you so much. Enjoy the next 24 hours.
BURT: You too.
MACFARLANE: And thank you. The happy couple has donated 26 million at charity this week, and among the recipients, Dolly Parton's Imagination
Library. The library donates books to kids in rural areas. The Queen of Country Music thanked the happy couple and sang her famous song; I Will
Always Love You.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DOLLY PARTON, AMERICAN SINGER-SONGWRITER AND ACTRESS: Taylor and Travis this is Dolly. And I was just told that you two are making a donation of $2
million to my Imagination Library. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm blown away and overjoyed with that gratitude.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: And alongside the wedding celebration excitement, Brothers Travis and Jason Kelce announced they will drop a special episode of their
"New Heights" podcast in about 30 minutes, and their special royal guest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Our guest today is the six foot three, Prince from London, England, Henry, the President of the English Football Association,
the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Cornwall, the Lord of the Isles, Prince of Great Steward of
Scotland, Earl of Chester, and the Prince of Wales. Please welcome His Royal Highness, Prince William.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: I don't think Prince William has ever been introduced quite like that. And if I wasn't on air, I'd be listening to that. On top of the
many questions surrounding the Swift Kelce wedding, that announcement, and another one. Prince William -- is Prince William going to be invited to the
wedding, and will he attend? We're going to have more on that in the next hour. We'll be right back. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
MACFARLANE: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Christina Macfarlane in London. Here are some of the headlines we're watching today. Millions of
mourners are expected to attend the funeral for Iran's slain Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which begins Saturday. Foreign dignitaries have been paying
their respects at a mosque in Tehran today. The country is at a virtual standstill, as are negotiations with the U.S.
In Venezuela, growing concerns over the official death toll, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez says that nearly 2600 lives have been lost.
However, the U.S. Geological Survey estimates tens of thousands may have died in last week's back-to-back earthquakes.
The heat is cranked up high in the U.S. just in time for their Fourth of July celebrations. At least 20 cities along the East Coast tied or broke
record highs on Thursday. At one point in New York, some 200,000 homes were left without power. The high temperatures are expected to stick around
until at least late Sunday.
Investigators are looking into a Ukrainian woman who disguised herself as a man in Monday's bomb attack in Monaco. A manhunt is underway for the 39-
year-old woman who fled France, then to Italy in a rental car after the attack.
A prominent Ukrainian businesswoman was wounded, along with a woman and a child. Now with violence extremely rare, the bombing has shaken the small
city state of Monaco. CNN's Chief International Correspondent Nick Paton Walsh explains.
NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: An extraordinary development in the bombing in Monaco that injured a Ukrainian
millionaire. CCTV images have suggested the prime suspect for police was indeed a man, but they have ascertained they are now in fact looking for a
woman. She was in disguise, and they've named her as Anastasiia Berezovska, a Ukrainian national.
Now the detail of this investigation is fascinating. They looked at CCTV images in the days ahead and spotted what looked like the prime suspect, a
man in a hat and a hoodie, around the area, looking at the door of the residence where the bomb was left and hit Vadym Yermolaiev, the Ukrainian
millionaire and a woman and child in his company.
The same person conducted two separate recce missions to look at that door, but on the third day, the day before the explosion, a woman conducted
exactly the same path, leading to police to believe that indeed the man in disguise was in fact the woman as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MORGAN RAYMOND, DEPUTY MONACO PROSECUTOR: It was then noted that on June 28th, 2026 the only day for which no observations had been made by the
individual wearing the baseball cap, a woman followed the same route around the site of the explosion.
Her route was the same as that of the individual wearing the baseball cap, and her behavior was similar when she was near the site of the explosion.
This led to the conclusion that this woman, who had dark brown hair, was heavy set and had a prominent tattoo on her right arm, might be the same
person who had planted the explosive device.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALSH: Now they've retraced her steps. They believe she's resident in Germany, that she took a hire car from Germany into Monaco. And of course,
now she's the subject of a Europe-wide manhunt, a Ukrainian national herself.
They consider the device to have been relatively sophisticated, and it was carried in a shopping bag seen on the CCTV in the days ahead as well. So,
it was left there and then detonated by remote. The police say it was a homemade device, and they are looking, perhaps, too, to see if there were
any other perpetrators that assisted Ms. Berezovska, and indeed, who ordered that particular attack.
Why it's still unclear as to why Mr. Yermolaiev was the target here? He has no obvious links to the war in Ukraine, but this extraordinary attack has
rattled the otherwise tranquil and wealthy world of Monaco. But now a swift police investigation has led to this Interpol red notice seeking one
particular female suspect, Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, London.
[11:35:00]
MACFARLANE: Coming up, House Democrats are crying foul, claiming donor money went for the America's 250th celebration was secretly diverted where
they say it went after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: A celebration 250 years in the making, and heated political discussions are not the only thing concerning Americans this weekend.
Temperatures are expected to top 100 degrees fahrenheit, or nearly 38 degrees celsius, in parts of the Northeast, according to the National
Weather Service.
More than 160 million people are under major or extreme heat risks. And it's not clear how many people will venture out for the America 250
celebrations. Many cities, including New York and Philadelphia and Washington, are opening cooling centers and expanding public resources.
Well, Democrats and some watchdog groups are demanding that Trump-backed organizers of America's 250th birthday events make their identities public.
House lawmakers allege that donations to the bipartisan nonprofits that's organizing celebrations were redirected instead to a separate nonprofit
promoted by the president.
In the new report, Democrats claim donors were unknowingly giving banking information for Freedom 250 a White House initiative to advance Trump's
priorities. According to that report, if that's true, the actions may constitute potential wire fraud and charitable solicitation fraud.
CNN's Kevin Liptak is with us now from the White House. And Kevin, I mean, alongside the president's reported crypto windfall this week, the run-up to
these July 4th celebrations are increasingly controversial. What more are you hearing about this?
KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Sorry, there is -- they're practicing some of the flyovers overhead, so it's quite loud, and that
actually underscore what we expect to see tomorrow when the president convenes this big gathering on the National Mall to celebrate the 250th
anniversary.
Even though it's expected to be over 100 degrees, and even though the president says that he will talk for quite a long time, which has led to
some health concerns about the individuals who will be out there waiting for hours and hours to hear him speak.
[11:40:00]
You know, this whole thing has become quite political. A bipartisan commission that was initially set up during the Obama Administration a
decade ago has really been obscured by the Trump-run organization Freedom 250 who, as you say, is now being alleged by Democrats to have rediverted
unknowingly to these donors some of the money that was going forward to some of the events that are set to take place this weekend.
It is all, I think, created quite a political atmosphere that is making it difficult, I think, for some people to look beyond the immediate
circumstances of today and more towards the historical backdrop of what exactly is happening.
You know, when it comes to the president's financial disclosures, he's continuing to downplay some of what we saw come out earlier this week. You
know, the billions of dollars that he made over the last year, the bulk of it coming from his crypto ventures.
He is also bemoaning in a lot of ways some of the scrutiny that his sons have come under for investing in companies that may be profiting due to
certain administration decisions and policies. Listen to what he said on that front.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Well, I feel badly in a way for my kids, because every time my kids do, if they invest in a
stock or if they go and do a bill, anything they do, because the presidency is so powerful, so big, everything.
If they buy a cupcake company, well, the energy to make the cupcakes, is you know, sort of like, how's my energy policy? So, therefore, you have a
kind of, like, almost anything they do, if they want to buy a truck, if they want to buy, you know, they buy an energy efficient truck, they have
inside information.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIPTAK: Now, to be clear, the president's sons aren't selling cupcakes, you know, the ventures that they've been linked to include a drone company with
Pentagon contracts, a tungsten mine in Kazakhstan that could benefit from a deal that the administration made with that country.
It is all Christina, a distant cry from when Jimmy Carter sold his peanut farm before coming into office. This is just a very, very different
administration.
MACFARLANE: Yes, in a very different time. Kevin Liptak, stay cool out there, Kevin, for the weekend. We appreciate it. Thank you. Now, the man
who investigated and charged Donald Trump with trying to overturn the 2020 election has a stark new warning.
Former Special Counsel Jack Smith says the U.S. is facing an attack on the rule of law under President Trump. He's sounding the alarm about what could
happen during the November midterm elections. Smith is speaking out for the first time since he resigned as Special Counsel just before President Trump
was sworn in for his second term.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you agree that we are covering in real time an assault on our elections the upcoming months?
JACK SMITH, FORMER SPECIAL COUNSEL: I'm very concerned of what's going to happen in the next election absolutely. A thing that all of us can do is
support election workers and election officials. The last time around, we saw that those people stood firm, and they were in many cases the
difference. It's clear to me, anyways, that what I've seen publicly, that those people are going to be put under great pressure.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MACFARLANE: Our next guest is Larry Sabato, the Director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia. He's also the Co-Author of
"Campaign of Chaos: Trump, Biden, Harris, and the 2024 American Election". Larry, so great to see you.
Look, this is as Kevin was saying, there becoming an increasingly politicized July 4th celebration, 250th anniversary celebration. And I just
want to start by picking up on the point Kevin was making there when talking about the president's windfall and the idea that you know he's
trying to excuse his son's involvement in this.
Because it's not long ago that Republicans were hammering Joe Biden's son, Hunter, for profiting from the presidency. But of course, they've been very
silent on the profiting of Donald Trump's sons. It's generated quite an outcry from Democrats, as you expect, but no one else, it seems. So, what
can they, or anyone, do about this financial windfall the president seems to have benefited from?
LARRY SABATO, DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA: Well, under current circumstances, they can do nothing, because the Republicans
control the White House, the bureaucracy, the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and to a great degree, the Supreme Court.
So, there you have it. But there's an election coming up, although Jack Smith was absolutely validly warning people about what might happen this
November. Remember, Jack Smith is the chief investigator who said just a couple of days ago, and has said consistently that he had hard proof, clear
proof that Donald Trump had prepared for the overthrow of the American Republic.
[11:45:00]
He was stealing the election of 2020. He and others around him knew quite clearly that the claims of vote fraud were bogus. And now Trump is even
more firmly in charge, and Smith, and thousands of others who watch this closely, are very concerned about what Trump may do.
I do want to say, as far as the comparison between the Trump kids and Hunter Biden, it's like comparing the size of the universe to the size of
the moon. The Trump Family and Trump himself have demonstrated a degree of corruption and graft and greed that is absolutely unprecedented in American
history.
And it will be written about forever, depending on who wins the 2026 and 2028 elections, it may be investigated before forever.
MACFARLANE: And as you point out, I mean, it doesn't seem like in the short term, anyway, this is going to have any sort of political ramification for
Donald Trump. But I am interested in how this is playing out politically, you know, in an Election Year where the average American is struggling with
the cost-of-living crisis.
Donald Trump's approval ratings are in the 30s. I mean, how big a perception problem is this for Donald Trump right now?
SABATO: It's a big perception problem. And look at survey after survey after survey in America. Americans have caught on to what is happening. And
while affordability is the central concern in the midterm elections, and probably the war with Iran, whether it's hot or cold.
I would say in third place is corruption, because it is so prominent. And you can't ignore it, even if you only read the headlines or look at the
headlines on TV. It's everywhere, and Democrats will capitalize on that to the extent that they can.
MACFARLANE: And looking ahead to this weekend, the president has billed the July 4th rally upcoming as one of the most consequential moments of his
presidency in his takeover, because that's very much what it feels like this has been of America's 250th celebrations. How high now are the stakes
for the president if you know no one actually shows up?
SABATO: Well, it's going to look bad, and the president never likes to look bad. He was very upset with the turnout to his state fair just a few days
ago. The temperatures here today, where I am, are about 104 degrees, and in DC they're supposed to be higher, so you can see why the turnout might be
low, but it's not going to look good.
The optics of this really matter to Trump. But you know what? I was around for the bicentennial. I was already well into adulthood in 1976. And then
again, the contrast between how President Gerald Ford, also a Republican, conducted that during a presidential election year?
It was a nonpartisan bipartisan effort that I think gave the country great credit, and also were credit to Ford for not politicizing it. The contrast
between that and what's happening this year, in which Trump has politicized every aspect of this to the point where Democrats and independents aren't
even watching it.
You know he could have helped himself, but instead he gave in to his baser instincts, very partisan instincts, and they're hurting him.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, and he's very intent on leaving his mark, isn't he? Even perhaps on Mount Rushmore as well, which he's visiting later today. Larry,
always great to have your analysis on days like today. Thank you.
Now, last night's Portugal Croatia match kept fans both -- on both sides shaking until the end. Today, the last six teams battle to advance to the
round of 16 of the World Cup, we have a preview coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:50:00]
MACFARLANE: Well, the FIFA World Cup round of 32 ends today. And we'll find out which of these six teams will advance to the last 16, which starts
tomorrow. And who will be heading home. Cape Verde are the ultimate underdogs facing defending champs Argentina.
Let's bring in CNN World Sport Don Riddell for more on the action-packed games yesterday. And let's begin I think, Don, with that hugely
controversial Portugal-Croatia game, where technology played a very outsized role. Just explain what happened.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: It's just amazing, isn't it, Christina? I mean, when it comes to offside, there has to be a line somewhere, and the
advent of technology means that line is getting thinner and thinner and thinner, almost to a microscopic degree.
And we're now at a stage where it feels like if a player did or didn't cut his or her toenails, or if their boot size was one too big, that could be
the difference. In the case of last night, it was a header that was so faint that nobody could have perceived it. It was only thanks to a
microchip in the ball that made all the difference.
So, I mean, here's what happened. It was an absolutely bonkers game between Portugal and Croatia. Right at the death, Croatia thought they'd scored an
equalizer. FIFA very kindly tweeted this image out. Take a look at that box in the graph in the bottom.
That spike represents the moment the ball hit the head of Igor Matanovic, and because of that contact, Mario Pasalic became offside. If the header
hadn't happened, Pasalic would have been onside, because we would have wound it back to when the pass was initially put in.
But he was now offside, so when he played it back to your Oscar Guardiola, who scored the goal, that is why it was disallowed. Croatia were absolutely
heartbroken. Portugal, though, maintained that it was fair and square. They won the game, and afterwards their coach, Roberto Martinez, explained why
he was OK with it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTO MARTINEZ, PORTUGAL COACH: Need to tell them that the message is very clear. The balls now, they got a chip, and it's very clear that's why
the VR intervened. There are two touches, there's the touch of Matanovic and the touch of Renato Viega.
The touch, the sensor of the ball shows that the ball was touched, and at that moment Pasalic is on offside. So, before the refereeing decisions were
so difficult, I don't think this is one of those examples that technology helps the game, because it was offside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RIDDELL: So, Croatia go home, Portugal go through. And we got this wonderful scene later on at their team hotel on the balcony in Toronto.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a penalty in that game, celebrating with hundreds of the team's fans who came out to cheer for them.
Portugal advancing, thanks in part to Ronaldo's penalty. It was the first time he'd ever scored a knockout round goal in the World Cup. Remember, he
is playing in his sixth World Cup tournament. Portugal advance to an Iberian derby against Spain, that is going to be an absolutely huge game.
[11:55:00]
Ronaldo's arguably his best ever World Cup game happened against Spain back in 2018 when he scored a hat trick. As you mentioned, Christina, we are now
looking ahead to the games today. Kick off in the first one, Australia, Egypt is just over two hours away. These are the final games in the round
of 32.
We are waiting to see whether the Egyptian legend Mo Salah will be able to play in that game. There are injury concerns for him. Then I think we have
arguably the most intriguing game of the day, Lionel Messi and the defending champions Argentina against the minnows of Cape Verde, who are
somehow still in this competition.
Nobody really gives them a chance, but what a story it would be if they can somehow do something in this game. And finally, Columbia against Ghana,
we've got three African teams in action today. So far, only one African team has made it into the round of 16, so the African teams will be hoping
to represent their continent better today.
MACFARLANE: Yeah, I think win or loss -- win or lose for Cape Verde today, it will be a victory either way, wouldn't it? Who would have thought
against Argentina in the knockout rounds? Don, appreciate it. Thank you.
And a quick programming note before we go: be sure to join CNN for America's 250th birthday with the biggest fireworks and stars. Anderson
Cooper is hosting, and it will be live Saturday, July 4th. You can also stream it on the CNN App. And do stay with us. I'll be having more "One
World" after this quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
