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CNN Headlines: Maine's Platner Under Growing Pressure To Exit Senate Race Amid Allegations; Hearing Resumes For Man Accused Of Killing Conservative Activist Charlie Kirk; Team USA Loses 4-1 To Belgium, Ending Their Dream Run. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired July 07, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:30:00]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: So explosive allegations rocking a Senate race that could decide control of Congress next year. The Democrat running to flip Maine's Senate seat, Graham Platner, is facing mounting pressure from his own party to drop out of the race. This is after a woman accused him of raping her in 2021. Platner categorically denies what he calls false accusations of nonconsensual behavior.
And the Supreme Court is allowing Texas to enforce a law aimed at protecting the safety of minors online. The new law requires mobile app stores to verify the age of users and obtain parental consent for minors who want to install programs on their phones. The high court's emergency docket decision does not resolve the case but will allow Texas to enforce the law while it's challenged in the courts.
Back to Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner. He has been accused of raping a woman back in 2021. Platner categorically denies what he calls false accusations of nonconsensual behavior, but a growing course of Democrats are calling on him to end his campaign.
Here is more from Jake Tapper's sit-down interview with the woman accusing Platner.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: This has obviously been very difficult for you to talk about for five years.
JENNY RACICOT, ACCUSES GRAHAM PLATNER OF RAPE: Um-hum.
TAPPER: And even when you're telling the story you don't use the word.
RACICOT: Yeah.
TAPPER: So let me just be -- and I apologize. Let me be as direct as I can. Did Graham Platner rape you?
RACICOT: By definition, yes, absolutely.
TAPPER: Because he had nonconsensual sex with you --
RACICOT: Yeah.
TAPPER: -- and force himself on you --
RACICOT: Um-hum.
TAPPER: -- even after you had told him no and fought him off.
RACICOT: Yeah. He violated multiple layers of consent that night by coming into my home when I asked him not to, and by advancing on me when I told him not to. And furthermore, another incident that I had told him not to do. And --
TAPPER: With protection.
RACICOT: Yeah, yeah. So yeah. By the way that my nervous system reacted to this experience, absolutely.
TAPPER: You say he was -- he was forcing himself on you. It was getting violent. You were pushing him off. You were kicking him off. Needles and sewing equipment was falling all over. And walk us through the process where you decided that the safest thing you could do was just let him --
RACICOT: To comply.
TAPPER: -- rape you.
RACICOT: Um, yeah. I had never been in that situation before and I realized -- I remember it being an instant where I had recognized that he wasn't listening to me. It wasn't just that he wasn't hearing me or whatnot. And then I recognized his level of intoxication, and I knew in that moment I wasn't safe.
And I don't think I was -- I don't think I was safe to physically fight back. He's big, he's strong. Um, and I just had to evaluate my safety and come up with the least, worst outcome to the situation. And so I felt like complying for my safety was the least, worst option.
TAPPER: But that's not consenting.
RACICOT: No. Complying is not consenting.
TAPPER: Complying is letting him rape you.
RACICOT: It is getting it over with.
TAPPER: So that he didn't hurt you even more?
RACICOT: I don't -- I don't know what this person is capable of. I don't -- you know, I don't think anybody does. And even people you know for years and trust, you don't know the depths of what they're capable of. And --
TAPPER: You were afraid for your safety.
RACICOT: Yeah, I was afraid for my safety. TAPPER: Beyond -- not that rape isn't a horrific thing, but beyond --
RACICOT: Right.
TAPPER: -- rape.
RACICOT: I didn't want to find out how unsafe I could get that night.
GRAHAM PLATNER, (D) MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE: I wanted to direct the -- address the troubling, serious, and false allegations against me. Any accusation of nonconsensual behavior is categorically false.
TEXT: He also said in the video that he would take time to "reflect" on how to proceed with his campaign.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: All right. Thank you, Jake.
Well, today prosecutors will continue laying out evidence against the man accused of killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This all centers on a multiday preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson. The judge is now weighing whether there's enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. It comes nearly a year after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed while speaking at a Utah Valley University event.
CNN's Nick Watt has the latest on the hearing as the first witness takes the stand.
[05:35:00]
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTOPHER BAGLEY, FORMER UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY OFFICER: Dispatch came back and advised me that there was a male individual on top of the roof, so I knew that there was possibly a shooter on the run.
NICK WATT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Today, in this Utah court just a few miles away from where Charlie Kirk was assassinated, one of the campus cops who was on scene that morning described the chaos, described hearing the sound of the bullet that killed Charlie Kirk, and said it was the violent crack of a rifle rather than the pop of a handgun.
He also described the chaos on the scene and word coming through on the radio that they already had somebody in custody, which turned out not to be true.
This cop also then went to the roof where he thought that the fatal shot had come from and says up there, he found what he described as a sniper's pad. Gravel on the roof and indentations where a sniper's elbows, knees, and feet would have been while they were lying in a prone position with a clear shot of Charlie Kirk.
Now in that courtroom today Tyler Robinson, the 23-year-old accused of being that sniper. Also Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow. She had to leave the courtroom when that cop described the sound of that bullet that killed her husband.
Also in the courtroom, Charlie Kirk's parents and Donald Trump Jr. and his entourage.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Nick.
More now on this top story. After thousands paid tribute to the slain leader of Iran yesterday in Tehran, the procession has moved on to Qom. It's an important holy city about 80 miles south of Tehran. Ali Khamenei will be laid to rest in his hometown on Thursday.
Also new this morning, a tanker was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile while sailing near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a trade group that operates in the region.
The attack occurred hours before President Donald Trump departed for the high-stakes NATO summit in Turkey. That's where leaders are expected to discuss security in the strait. The president is just hours away from arriving in the Turkish capital of Ankara. He has accused members of not meeting defense spending requirements, but NATO leaders plan to show him that they are spending money to defend Europe.
Russia's war on Ukraine is also sure to be a major topic at the summit just hours after Kyiv came under deadly attack in its conflict with Russia where at least 19 people were killed and dozens more were wounded. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also be in Turkey on the sidelines as he fights for more aid for his country.
Well, Team USA's World Cup journey may be over, but Belgium's is just heating up.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Belgian fans celebrating win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Those fans back home celebrating news that Belgium is moving on to the quarterfinals after a decisive 4-1 win over Team USA. And even more impressive, it was like 2:00 a.m. where they were watching the game.
CNN's Coy Wire has more from Seattle.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: Just like that America's World Cup dream is over after a Round of 16 loss to Belgium. And within just days, all three host nations -- the U.S., Canada, and Mexico -- have all been knocked out.
But what a ride for the U.S. This place was rocking. Fans could have used a seatbelt. From the opening whistle, pure pandemonium. Breakout star Folarin Balogun returning after FIFA overturned his suspension.
But Belgium struck first. Charles De Ketelaere bearing a goal in the ninth minute. The U.S. answered right back. Malik Tillman -- penalty shot terminator hammering home another rocket. Second-straight match with a goal making it one all. But before fans could even finish celebrating, Belgium punched back 60 seconds later. De Ketelaere becoming the first Belgian since detailed records began in 1966 to be involved in three goals in a single World Cup match -- two goals, one assist.
Then came the dagger. Hans Vanaken capitalizing after a costly giveaway, putting Belgium in command.
Final score 4-1. Belgium marches on to the quarterfinals to face Spain.
America's magical run comes to an end. We caught up with some of the players after the game that hurt so bad.
TYLER ADAMS, U.S. MIDFIELDER: I mean, the support was unbelievable. I think our initial reaction as a team was in this moment we let them down, but I think altogether people gravitated towards the team because we were relatable. We represented exactly what the U.S. was.
Today wasn't a good day. I think from a performance, you can analyze the performance. You can analyze a lot of things but the togetherness of the group and how we competed in large parts of the tournament I think was really good. So yeah, it's tough to judge right now the overall tournament obviously after a loss but I think overall there were positives that we're going to take away from it. It just doesn't feel we're here right now.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's boys and girls who were watching and being inspired, and it should be how incredible this journey has been with this group.
[05:40:00]
WIRE: The scoreboard says Belgium advances, but this tournament may have done something bigger for the U.S., showing America how beautiful this game can be. Bringing a nation together in divisive times. A nation that once hoped soccer would matter now expects it to and that may be this team's greatest victory of the entire tournament.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Now to Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
We start with a huge honor for George Clooney. The Hollywood star will receive the prestigious Golden Lion for lifetime achievement at the Venice Film Festival in September. Clooney has been nominated for six different Oscar categories for his work as an actor, director, and producer. He also recently earned a Tony nomination for starring in the stage adaptation of "Goodnight and Good Luck."
And Harry Styles just set a new Guinness World Record. It's for the longest run of concerts at London's Wembley Stadium with his 12 sold- out shows. During the final concert he talked about his former One Direction bandmates, saying he wouldn't be on that stage if it wasn't for them. He plans to do 30 shows a Madison Square Garden starting in August.
The 31st Annual Essence Festival wrapped up in New Orleans, but this year marks the last one under the event's existing contract with the city. The mayor says that they are working to get a new agreement in place so that the festival can continue there. Some of the famous names this year: former first lady Michelle Obama, Cardi B, and Teyana Taylor, fresh off some awards wins.
Well, next up CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, the apparent estrangement between Prince Harry and the rest of the royal family appears to be in full effect. How it's playing out as the Duke of Sussex visits his home country.
And another massive nationwide blackout in Cuba. Residents suffering through an energy crisis now worsened by the U.S. blocking shipments of fuel. More details coming up.
Stay with us. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
(COMMERCIAL)
[05:46:30]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe.
Cuba is working to restore power after suffering a nationwide blackout. Officials say that the national electrical grid has suffered a total collapse. The country's energy crisis worsened after the U.S. issued a blockade on fuel shipments. Cuba has experienced several blackouts as the country's aging electric infrastructure struggles to meet demand.
And in southern France a major wildfire disrupted one of the world's biggest sporting events. The Tour de France organizers banned fans yesterday from attending the finale -- the final stage -- the third stage, at least. The race had just returned to France from Spain with riders heading towards the Pyrenees where they are close to a wildfire that has already scorched thousands of acres.
And not only are parts of Europe dealing with wildfires but much of the region is still dealing with a heat wave. High temperatures are gripping western and central Europe making conditions especially tough in places were air conditioning is not common.
CNN's Pau Mosquera is in Madrid with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAU MOSQUERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thirty-nine degrees Celsius, around 102 degrees Fahrenheit. That's the peak temperature recorded in Madrid during this Monday afternoon. Quite a suffocating start to the week, right? Well, the responsible is no other than the second heat wave that is impacting the west of Europe. More specifically large parts of Portugal, Spain, and France that during the day have been under heat warnings because of the high temperatures.
This is why, for example, here in the Spanish capital many have been looking for climate shelters. Places where to cool off that are spread all around the city. Many of these climate shelters are located inside of public buildings but some others are located on the outside as, for example, the park of Arganzuela that you can see here behind me.
This place is called Playa de Madrid, Madrid's beach. As you know, here in Madrid we have no sea. There is no beach. We only have Manzanares River going around the city. But here the young ones and the others can enjoy the public fountains and have some fun under the water jets, as you can see here on image.
And this is quite a good way to keep cool from the heat because this second heat wave of the summer is going to last at least until Thursday. And that is why the authorities are asking the population not to get to the streets during the central hours of the day or to keep themselves very well hydrated.
Pau Mosquera, CNN, Madrid.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Staying hydrated. Keep those dance moves alive, too. We saw those.
The rift between Prince Harry and the British royal family does not appear to be closing over in the U.K. The Duke of Sussex is visiting the U.K. this week to participate in several charity events, but he will not be staying at a royal residence, nor will his wife Meghan and their two children join him.
CNN's Christina MacFarlane has all of the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Prince Harry is in London this week. Where he'll sleep is another question. His team said Monday a room at Buckingham Palace, courtesy of the king, but within hours the palace begged to differ. A royal source telling CNN that Harry missed the deadline to confirm and by the time a request came in for him the staff had already been stood down.
[05:50:13]
To add to the drama Tuesday brings a verdict in Harry's privacy case against the Daily Mail's publisher, and concerns were raised about him staying at a royal residence while that ruling is pending. His team isn't having any of it. Harry, they say, accepted once his own security had finally been sorted. And the palace, they note, had known about that judgment since Thursday. "It is therefore unclear why, having formally accepted the accommodation offer, it has now been withdrawn at the last moment." But that's not all. Duchess Meghan and the couple's children were meant to travel too. That trip is off for now, but British authorities confirmed there will be no publicly funded security for the family.
Prince Archie and Princess Lilabet haven't set foot in Britain together since 2022, and this was supposed to be the trip that changed that. That is until the perennial security battle reared its head.
The fight goes back to 2020 when Harry and Meghan first stepped back from royal duties. A memoir, a Netflix series, and a public rift with his brother Prince William all followed.
Then in 2024 came his father's cancer diagnosis. Harry kept fighting anyway and lost his case in the court of appeal. Still, he told the BBC last year he'd love reconciliation. In September, the two sat down for tea in London, a rare house that looked for the moment like a start.
Buckingham Palace, for now, isn't saying any more.
Christina MacFarlane, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Christina.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, more on that shocking and scary scene in a BJ's store when a roof collapses on shoppers. A scary scene playing out there. How weather was a factor.
And thousands of people are now out of a job as the latest tech company goes through massive job cuts. We'll have the details up next.
(COMMERCIAL)
[05:56:33]
SMITH: Microsoft is the latest tech company to cut thousands of jobs. The company is eliminating about 4,800 positions. Thirty-two hundred of those cuts coming from the Xbox division. The company's executive vice president and chief people officer writes the jobs are not being replaced with AI, but the technology is "changing how work gets done."
Let's get a check in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
More now from this video from Ocean Township, New Jersey. This is where the roof caves in and rain flooded into this BJ's Wholesale Club. Twenty-seven people were inside at the time, and officials say two shoppers were partially trapped by the collapse but were able to free themselves and get out safely. No one was hurt.
And heartbreaking news in Mississippi. Police recovered a body on Monday belonging to a missing teen. Eighteen-year-old Nolan Wells went missing on Saturday. His family says he went out with friends on an island to celebrate the Fourth of July. Wells is being remembered as a standout student and outstanding football player. The investigation is ongoing.
And the NTSB and FAA are investigating after a seaplane made a hard landing in New York's East River over the weekend. Eight people were onboard and no injuries were reported. A 16-year-old passenger was recording at the time. Here's a closer look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This was the view of the East River and the Manhattan skyline a teenage passenger captured 15 seconds before a crash landing appearing to hit the water three times before coming to a stop.
PILOT: Mayday, mayday, mayday!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sixteen-year-old Khloe Todd also captured the aftermath as the co-pilot instructs passengers to don life jackets as they prepare to exit the plane.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh my God.
CO-PILOT: I need everyone to put your -- put your PPEs on.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where are they?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where are they?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The seaplane ended up in the East River upright, but the landing caused a strut to snap, and the plane titled to one side.
Eight people were rescued from the plane, two of whom suffered minor injuries but declined medical attention at the scene.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No injuries? OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody is OK. No missing, no injuries.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: The NYPD shared this bodycam video showing the harbor unit approached the seaplane and pulled passengers to safety as well.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go. How many people you got? No injuries? OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everybody is OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You guys want to take them off?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, come on. Come this way. Come this way. (INAUDIBLE). UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anyone missing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Anyone missing?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Uh, no.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No missing, no injuries?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, we're good.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're going to go right in there, OK?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: All right. It is unclear what led to the hard landing, but the FAA says it caused the wing strut to snap.
Let's take you to Texas now. A boat flipped over trapping three kids, and an off-duty firefighter was in the right place at the right time as he was at the lake with his own daughter when he was called in to help. The kids were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
[06:00:00]
And 9-year-old Jack Sims held a plank position for a full hour and one minute and five seconds beating the Kids World Record by 10 minutes. A local news reporter challenged him to a little friendly competition with the reporter tapping out at two minutes and five seconds. Jack stopped at 10 minutes, saying he was only a little tired. It took him just six months of training. Well done, Jack.
That does it for us here on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
