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CNN Headlines: Senate Grills Hegseth On Iran War Additional Funding; Severe Storms Trigger Historic Floods, Damaging Winds, Tornadoes; French Lawmakers Approve Social Media Ban For Children Under 15. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired July 22, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:20]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit refresh on our top stories.
Fireworks on Capitol Hill as the Trump administration officials are asking for more money to pay for the war with Iran. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of staff -- the want tens of billions of dollars to fund the ongoing war effort.
Also, Tropical Storm Bertha is weakening as it slowly moves towards landfall in southeast Louisiana bringing heavy rain, gusty winds, and coastal flooding across the Gulf Coast from Florida to Texas. Forecasters say that Bertha's moisture will fuel -- will fuel a flooding rain threat hundreds of miles away in the Carolinas and in southeastern Virginia.
Also today, former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is due in court. This as his lawyers and U.S. federal prosecutors are seeking a June 2027 trial date. Maduro and his wife are facing narcoterrorism charges. They were arrested in their home in Caracas during a U.S. military raid in January.
Let's return now to Capitol Hill. Lawmakers grilled top defense officials yesterday about the war with Iran as the Trump administration tries to secure billions of dollars in additional funding. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chief chairman Gen. Dan Caine appeared before the Senate Appropriations committee. Now this was the first time lawmakers could ask them questions since the U.S. ramped up attacks in Iran earlier this month.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PETE HEGSETH, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: The amount of neglect, the amount of stale thinking and bureaucracy --
SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Proceed if I might before --
HEGSETH: -- it was staggering when we took over.
DURBIN: I hate to interrupt you.
HEGSETH: So one big, beautiful bill gave us a chance to get caught back up.
DURBIN: Let me interrupt you for a minute, Mr. Secretary. It's my turn to ask questions. Do you have a new estimate about what the war has cost us so far in this, the fifth month of the first year of this war in Iran?
HEGSETH: Senator, the estimate we have as of today is $37.5 billion.
SEN. JEANNE SHAHEEN (D-NH): And at what point do you stop asking Americans to foot the bill for a war they don't support on top of an inflated budget request and billions in reconciliation funds that you still haven't spent?
HEGSETH: Well Senator, I obviously don't agree with your characterization of that but ultimately --
SHAHEEN: I appreciate that, but you didn't ask -- but I want you to answer my question. I know you don't agree with my characterization. I don't agree with yours either.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The hearing also included some unexpected drama. Protesters interrupting testimony by waving signs and yelling out in the gallery. All of them were escorted out. And this is the video of the first demonstrator. Listen to the moments that the second person stood up to disrupt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HEGSETH: One point five trillion --
PROTESTER: Stop bombing our children in Iran and Palestine. This is illegal.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Secretary, please suspend until order is restored in the hearing room. We will begin the timing clock since you've been interrupted twice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The cost of the conflict beyond just its price tag has long been a sticking point with lawmakers too as we are now nearly five months into a war that President Trump initially said would last up to six weeks.
Here's a live look at Tropical Storm Bertha. Meteorologists say that the heaviest rains will stay offshore, though coastal flooding remains a threat.
As Bertha targets the Gulf Coast severe storms triggered historic floods and even damaging winds, plus tornadoes, from Kentucky to the mid-Atlantic. CNN's Reed Benyon has more for us.
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REED BENYON, CNN REPORTER (voiceover): Severe thunderstorms causing catastrophic flooding in West Virginia. Storms dumped upwards of five inches of rain in about six hours in parts of the state Tuesday inundating roads and leaving vehicles partially submerged. The National Weather Service noted reports of swift water rescues and significant structure flooding.
A life-threatening flash flood emergency, the highest level of flood warning, was issued in central West Virginia where the Lewis County commission declared a local state of emergency. The governor later issued a state of emergency for all 55 counties in West Virginia.
The storms powerful enough to leave a highway sign hanging off a bridge in St. Mary's. Police redirecting traffic amid roads littered with debris and damage.
Severe weather also hit parts of the Ohio Valley, including Kentucky where there were reports of tornadoes Tuesday. The state of Ohio also hit hard.
DENISE DAVIS, HOMEOWNER: I was in my living room with my two grandbabies, and we got the tornado warning, and then I heard a real loud bang.
[05:35:00]
BENYON (voiceover): Tornadoes were reported in that state as well. This video from Youngstown appears to show a twister reflecting in a driver's side mirror.
The northeast also saw severe weather Tuesday with two tornadoes observed in New Jersey and flash flood warnings in New York.
I'm Reed Benyon reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Thank you, Reed.
We now know about new allegations against social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate due to newly unsealed court documents. British officials say that the social media influencers are accused of sexual and physical abuse. They have denied all allegations and are fighting against extradition to the U.K.
CNN's Carolina Peguero has more about the case.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROLINA PEGUERO, CNN MIAMI CORRESPONDENT: While the Tate brothers remain in federal custody here in Miami and as they are challenging the extradition request from the U.K. we're learning about new unsealed court documents and new allegations against the brothers of physical and sexual abuse by additional women, including charges of sex crimes of rape and sex trafficking.
Now, these new allegations made by the additional women who have spoken to British officials are saying that they were choked. Some had lost even consciousness, nearly passing out, and later raped/
While the Tate brothers are saying and denying completely these allegations their lawyers are also saying they're vowing to fight extradition requests and even asking for the Trump administration to intervene.
JOSEPH DANIEL MCBRIDE, TATE BROTHERS' ATTORNEY: What I can say about the allegations in the United Kingdom, not a single solitary person has been identified. These are ghosts and these are phantoms. So we'd like to know who has accused Andrew and Tristan of what. And no innocent person can be punished while they're being held for any proceeding. Innocent until proven guilty. Solitary confinement is punishment.
PEGUERO: And together, the Tate brothers have faced 59 charges while the State Department has informed to CNN and sources familiar to the cases have said that they are not going to intervene, as well as President Trump.
And the next briefing hearing is expected here at this federal court next Monday.
Carolina Peguero, CNN, Miami.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Carolina.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says that he does not have the authority to arrest Israel's prime minister. The International Criminal Court has an outstanding arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of war crimes during the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has denied the allegations.
And here is what Mamdani said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI, (D) NEW YORK CITY: My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Mamdani says that Netanyahu is not welcome in New York.
The Israeli leader is expected to travel to the city when the U.N. General Assembly convenes in September.
The late Sen. Lindsey Graham will be laid to rest next week. A special ceremony will first be held at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, and he will be carried to Capitol Hill by an armed forces team. Then later, there will be a formal funeral service at the Washington National Cathedral.
The tributes will continue the next day in Graham's home state of South Carolina. A ceremony held at the State House followed by a funeral procession, flyover, and service at the First Baptist Church in Columbia.
Well, Hollywood is mourning the death of a young actress this morning. Kaylee Hottle, who starred in two Godzilla movies, died in a car crash in Maryland. She was only 18 years old. She was one of two passengers in the car when it went off the road and hit a culvert. The driver, also a teenager, was injured. Police believe that speed may have played a factor.
Kaylee was deaf and in her film debut for "Godzilla vs. Kong" she played a young girl who communicates with King Kong through sign language.
Well, the comeback is officially on as Olympic champion Suni Lee says that she's training for a shot at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The two-time Olympian is back in the gym near her hometown in Minnesota and she says that she's bringing a little extra swagger with her this time.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SUNI LEE, OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST: I have kind of gotten my flow back and I am just really comfortable with who I am as person. So I'm really excited to take that into training because I think I am a lot more confident.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Lee stepped away from gymnastics in 2023 to battle a rare kidney disease before winning the Olympic all-around gold in Paris.
[05:40:00]
The widow of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner is now suing his mom, alleging unmet terms of their prenuptial agreement. Warner died one year ago, and Tenisha Warner says that she is owed more than a million dollars. She says that the star from the 1980's sitcom "THE COSBY SHOW" agreed to purchase and maintain a $1 million life insurance policy with his wife as the beneficiary but failed to do so. She also says that the actor failed to make other payments to her as well.
And we're finally getting some more insights into Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. Jason Kelce revealed on the podcast that the two performed a duet during their celebration. Jason graded Travis' singing ability, saying that he did OK but paled in comparison to other performers that night. There were music legends, such as Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks also taking the stage at Madison Square Garden along with Swift.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Clip from Marvel "Spider Man: Brand New Day."
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SMITH: The latest trailer for "Spider Man: Brand New Day" features new footage of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk battling the Web-Slinger. You also saw Zendaya there. The movie follows a now-isolated Peter Parker, forgotten by everyone after no way home, all while he faces a dangerous new threat and troubling physical change. The movie opens in theaters on July 31.
And Ryan Reynolds is breathing new life into "Deadpool." According to Variety, the actor says that the wisecracking anti-hero is returning for another movie, although it's unclear when. Reynolds' last "Deadpool," featuring Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in 2024, became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time with $1.3 billion at the global box office.
Well next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS the Louvre reopens -- the world famous Apollo Gallery -- months after the crown jewels were stolen in a brazen heist. What's been done to make sure that never happens again. That's coming your way.
Plus, case dismissed. Why a judge tossed out a defamation lawsuit against actress Rebel Wilson. That's coming your way.
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[05:46:45]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe to see what else is making headlines today.
We start in Britian. That's where new Prime Minister Andy Burnham met with his new cabinet on his second day on the job. He's promising to cut taxes on energy bills. It's the first of several early moves signaling his effort to ease Britain's cost of living crisis.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY BURNHAM, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We need to, every day, think well, what can we do just to take that little bit of pressure off people's shoulders. Just to give them that little extra sense that help is coming so they can have that bit of -- bit of hope that things are getting better. And that's the mission that we've got to set ourselves together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The new prime minister is also promising to end homelessness in the U.K.
And in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy has fired the country's military chief. The decision comes after days of protests over the removal of the popular defense minister whose reforms clashed with Ukraine's military establishment.
France has become the first country in the EU to ban social media for children under 15. Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a bill that would restrict access and establish new rules for social media advertising.
CNN's Melissa Bell has the details for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: France has become the first EU country to ban social media for under 15s following in the footsteps of Australia, who had banned social media for under 16s and the United Kingdom, which had announced a similar project for children there.
The idea is that children under 15 will, from September 1, no longer be able to set up any accounts on social media. And from January 2027 any existing accounts will be discontinued. The idea was one of the ones that Emmanuel Macron had announced would be one of his flagship measures for his second term. It's expected to take effect from September.
We had a chance to speak to some schoolchildren at the International School here in Paris about what they thought.
STUDENT 1: I use certain apps to see what people are doing. To see where they've been and what the kind of things that they're doing are.
BELL: So do you think you're going to miss it?
STUDENT 1: Yeah, I think -- I think I would -- yeah.
STUDENT 2: With social media people often compare themselves with other people, and that's just unhealthy and it's bad for people's mental health.
STUDENT 3: I'll probably have a little bit more free time, which I might be able to spend with friends, which I think is, you know, a little bit better than on social media. I think I will be able to do, like -- I like gaming and I like social media. Like, I like doing those things. So it's a little bit sad not to be able to, like, share my accomplishments or not to be able to, like, update -- get updates as quickly on things, you know?
BELL: Other European countries, like Spain, Greece, and Denmark, are also looking at similar legislation. And EU-wide there is the possibility there may be a blockwide ban at some point. Ursula von der Leyen has set up a panel to look into the question of how better to protect children online.
Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[05:50:00]
SMITH: And staying in France, the Louvre Museum's Apollo Gallery is reopening today. That's where the precious French crown jewels were stolen in a shocking heist nine months ago. The act lasted just minutes, prompting intense criticism of the Louvre's security. Several arrests were made but the priceless jewelry has not been recovered.
And an Australian judge has dismissed the defamation case against actress Rebel Wilson. So the case was brought by the star of Wilson's directorial debut, a movie musical titled "The Deb." She had accused Wilson of spreading lies about her to millions of followers on Instagram, which she said hurt her career.
Well still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a suspect in a high-speed chase takes a leap, jumping off a bridge to try and get away from the cops. That's one way to try to evade. The story doesn't end there though. We've got the full one coming your way.
Plus, this is not the way you want to spend your day. How this guy got stuck in a huge sign. That's coming up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:55:18]
SMITH: In today's Money Express it is a healthcare industry brouhaha. Novo Nordisk is suing Eli Lilly, accusing the company of misleading consumers.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with more of these details. Maribel, what is going on with this lawsuit?
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Let's break it down, Brad. A drugmaker, Novo Nordisk, is suing rival Eli Lilly, accusing it of using misleading advertising to promote its GLP-1 drugs.
Now, Novo alleges Lilly used outdated studies and compared a higher dose of its drug with a lower dose of Novo's medicine. The company wants Lilly to pull the ads, run corrected advertising, and is also seeking financial compensation, including profits from -- Lilly made from the campaign. Lilly says it stands by its research and plans to fight the lawsuit.
Taco Bell is seeing fewer customers after being linked to an ongoing cyclospora outbreak nationwide. New data from an analytics firm Placer.ai shows store visits fell nearly 19 percent on July 17. That's the same day Taco Bell announced it was removing lettuce the FDA believed to be a source of the parasite. The FDA has since said the lettuce test was a false-positive, but a supplier recall remains in place out of caution.
The truth is out there only -- it's not only out there, I should say, it's coming to a store shelf near you soon -- Lego's new "X-Files." That set takes fans back to the characters and scenes of the '90s sci- fi series. It is more than 1,400 pieces. It includes eight figurines, including Fox Mulder, Dana Scully, Mr. X, and a gray alien. Mulder's FBI office, a forest clearing, and a hovering UFO set the scene. The price is $199.99 with Lego insiders getting early access August 1 and public release on the fourth.
I mean, Brad, I guess 2026 is seeing the '90s rewind in full effect.
SMITH: I cannot wait to pick this up, Maribel Aber. Our team knows that I can't do a show without a good Lego story or a good alligator story.
ABER: I know.
SMITH: We got one of those today.
Thank you, Maribel.
Let's take a look at some of the other stories making headlines across the country.
We start with some heart-stopping video in Missouri. This is where authorities say a man dove off a bridge to avoid getting arrested. Just take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Man jumps over bridge to avoid arrest.
POLICE OFFICER: Contact water patrol. He just jumped over the bridge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Yeah, running start, jump stop, and dive.
After the suspect jumped off the bridge police were able to find him. And then to avoid getting arrested again, police say that the man tried to headbutt two deputies. The suspect is being held without bond.
And look at this video out of Michigan. That blast landed a sanitation worker in the hospital with a concussion and eye injury. Officials say as crew members started to compact the trash the pressure caused two oxygen tanks to explode. Officials emphasized the importance of proper disposal of things like that.
And some absolutely dramatic video of the moment that a Boeing cargo plane attempted to land at an airport near Cincinnati. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Sparks flying as plane scrapes runway during landing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Whoa, indeed. You can see sparks flying from the tail as it dragged along the runway. Now, one witness says that he watched the flight circle the airport before finally landing safely. Our Cincinnati affiliate WLWT reports that there were no injuries. The FAA is investigating.
And in Illinois, a semitruck caught fire at a freight terminal. Now it's unclear what caused the fire, but the driver got out of the truck safely.
Let's stay in Illinois as a worker was stranded inside a gas station sign high up in the air. Officials say that he was doing some maintenance work when the lift that he used to get inside malfunctioned and he was stuck. Since there was no internal ladder, first responders used a crane to get him down.
All right. Let's take you out to Maryland now. A school bus crashed into this building leaving two adults and a child in the hospital with minor injuries. The bus was carrying students from the Maryland School for the Blind. It is unknown how many people were on board.
And staying in Maryland, this boat caught fire, causing thick smoke. Crews -- they worked to eventually put it out. No injuries have been reported. The cause there is still under investigation.
[06:00:00]
All right -- we've got to talk about this. Not your average traffic stop in Iowa. This is where the Sioux City Police Department rescued a runaway pig hamming it up on the interstate. Officials say that they believe that the animal fell off of a truck. They were able to corral the pig with the help of some nearby citizens, and it was safely taken to animal control. Good work there.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
