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CNN Headlines: President Trump and Former President Obama Hit the Campaign Trail Over the Weekend with Just 8 Days to Go; The Threat of Ammonia Leak Contained at a Burning Seafood Plant in Oregon; At Least a Dozen People Including Children Injured After a Shooting Near FAMU's Football Stadium. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired October 26, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm here to keep a Jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States Senator.
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: People are so ready for something new. So hungry for something better. So sick and tired of being sick and tired.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD SMITH, ANCHOR, CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS: It is the final countdown to election day with just eight days to go. President Trump and former President Obama hit the campaign trail over the weekend.
And the threat of an ammonia leak is now contained at a burning seafood plant in Oregon. What we know about the fire this morning. And at least a dozen people, including children, were injured after a shooting near FAMU's football stadium. We're following the latest developments.
Good morning, everyone, I'm Brad Smith, this is CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, glad that you're with us today. Just over a week until the Midterms and it's all hands-on deck. President Donald Trump has another busy week of campaigning on tap, starting in Mississippi tonight, with stops in Texas, Ohio and Florida in the days ahead.
Now, over the weekend, both parties brought out the heavy hitters in battleground Michigan, with former President Barack Obama rallying the Democrats on Saturday and the current President taking aim at Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I'm here to keep a Jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member from becoming a United States Senator, and that's the fact. We're not going to let that happen. If Abdul and the Democrats win, they will open the floodgates and invite hordes of Jihadists to our shores, creating a nightmare of violence and terror until you cannot even have a Christmas.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: We should note El-Sayed is not a Jihadist. A day earlier in Detroit, Obama took a serious tone in addressing that line of attack, saying that he could relate after Trump called into question Obama's American citizenship and at times the Democrat took a lighter tone, too.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: Does anybody really think this guy is spending that much time thinking deeply on these issues?
(LAUGHTER)
OBAMA: I don't know if you've noticed, but he is very focused on home renovation. He should be on "HGTV". What's up with the goal? He's got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a cheesecake factory. Remember, roll back the tape, we're going to drain the swamp. The only thing they drained is the reflecting pool.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Obama also joked about what he called the, quote, "well known evil empire Canada", a reference to Trump's tariff policy and the mounting trade war with Michigan's neighbor to the north. We'll continue to track any developments there.
Plus, we're also tracking this as a federal appeals court is questioning the Trump administration's attempt to intervene in California's Midterm vote-count. The Justice Department wants the state to set aside ballots from suspected non-citizens.
But an emergency appeals court hearing Sunday actually had judges questioning the federal government's authority to interfere and the reliability of some of its claims that some 20,000 noncitizens are on California's voter rolls.
Judge Mark Bennett, who was appointed by Trump, was among those challenging the administration's position.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARK BENNETT, U.S. CIRCUIT JUDGE OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT: The United States executive is unhappy with what they're doing, and doesn't like the manner in which they have determined how they're going to conduct the election.
But it seems to me that under the Elections Clause, they have the right to determine the manner of the elections, including sorting out non-citizens. It seems to me you want us to issue an injunction that is entirely inconsistent with the law the California legislature has adopted, pursuant to the Elections Clause.
(END VIDEO CLIP) SMITH: There will be a hearing on the case in district court tomorrow. But the Justice Department is asking for a ruling before that hearing, because more than 300,000 mail-in ballots have already been processed.
[05:05:00]
Attorney General Todd Blanche is pushing back against criticism of a lawsuit filed by the Justice Department regarding Alaska's Midterm Senate race. The DOJ wants to block the certification of that race if the incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, loses.
He's running against Daniel J. Sullivan, a registered Republican who appears on the ballot with no party affiliation. Alaska is a critical state in the fight of control for Congress. Now, the lawsuit wants a court to step in if the incumbent loses.
But would have won if all votes for the other Sullivan had been cast for the Senator. So, Blanche basically defended the lawsuit's merits to CNN on Sunday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TODD BLANCHE, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES: The real wrong here is that Alaskans are going to be confused and will not have their vote heard. So, an Alaskan intends to vote for one candidate, but is confused because of the -- of a second candidate with exactly the same name who has voted Democrat his entire life, who donated money to the other Democrat opponent is running.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Now, last week, President Trump took credit for the legal challenge. Blanche would not say if Trump directly ordered him to file the lawsuit, but defended Trump's questioning of the ballot. Investigators in a small town in Oregon are trying to figure out what sparked a massive fire that threatened to become a hazmat situation.
Between 30 and 40 people were inside Pacific Seafood in Newport when flames broke out in the freezer facility Sunday morning, this all took place. Those within a one-mile radius had to be evacuated because the smoke contained ammonia.
But officials said that the tanks at the plant had been stabilized. Those evacuations have been scaled back and all employees have been accounted for. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Well, Six Flags is making a major safety change.
This after a man fell to his death from the Goliath roller coaster in Georgia. The company says it's adding seatbelts to Goliath and other coasters with similar restraints. And right now, Goliath and eight other rides at five additional parks are still closed while safety reviews continue.
We've got lots more to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, including this. Two attacks within minutes. More on the investigation into these alleged hate crimes in New York. And a high-profile election. But the Trump ally who lost says he's not accepting the results.
The latest on that developing story. Plus, a hunter stuck dangling upside down after falling from a tree stand. More video from this rescue that took place.
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[05:10:00]
SMITH: Right now, police in Tallahassee, Florida, are searching for the people involved in a mass shooting that took place near Florida A&M University's Bragg Memorial Stadium Saturday night. At least, 11 people were shot and injured including minors. CNN's Jenn Sullivan has the latest on the investigation.
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JENN SULLIVAN, CNN REPORTER (voice-over): Homecoming celebrations ending in horror at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee Saturday night after several people were injured in a mass shooting near the football stadium.
JAYDEN DUBOIS, FAMU STUDENT: We heard a couple gunshots, saw a crowd of people running. I got trampled a little bit, but as I was getting up, I turned to my right and saw a person laid out on the ground.
SULLIVAN: Tallahassee police say 11 people were shot and injured, including six minors, and a grandmother was also hurt while running away from the area. Authorities say one person is in critical condition and at least three were seriously hurt.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had our officers carrying victims to some of our ATVs and then transporting them to ambulances that were nearby.
SULLIVAN: The shooting took place just hours after a homecoming football game at Bragg Memorial Stadium, where the visiting Arkansas- Pine Bluff Golden Lions beat the Florida A&M Rattlers. But it's unclear whether the shooting was related to the football game. Police believe the shooting likely stemmed from an altercation between two to three people.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is incredibly troubling when violence of this magnitude occurs in the very community that I grew up in.
SULLIVAN: Florida A&M University releasing a statement saying in part, our hearts go out to the victims and all those affected. Tallahassee police say the department's Violent Crimes Unit would lead the ongoing investigation. I am Jenn Sullivan reporting.
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SMITH: Thank you, Jen. A woman has been charged with hate crimes after allegedly assaulting two men in what police say were anti- Semitic attacks in New York City. New video shows a second alleged anti-Semitic attack that took place October 21st. You can see the woman here following the other person around the car
and then confronting them near a store window. The 32-year-old suspect is now charged in two separate attacks with second degree assault as a hate crime, along with several other charges according to the criminal complaint.
And this comes as confirmed hate crimes in New York City are up nearly 13 percent so far this year compared to last year. Sources tell CNN that U.S. forces in the Middle East are ready to launch new and potentially major military operations against Iran if President Trump chooses.
Two U.S. officials say those strikes could be launched within 96 hours of receiving an order from the Oval Office. And according to multiple sources, that command could come any time before the end of the year, but most likely after the Midterms.
[05:15:00]
Flood waters are receding in northern New Mexico, but not before leaving this mess over the weekend. On Saturday, the San Juan River overran its banks, triggering evacuations and about 20 rescues across the region. Elsewhere in New Mexico, a confirmed tornado wrecked ten homes during Saturday's storms.
Right, continue to track the forecast out there. We'll have more updates as well from the region coming your way. Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, could rapper Nicki Minaj become the next White House Press Secretary? Yes, that's a real question. What set off that idea over the weekend?
And a major newspaper in Ohio changed its entire endorsement policy, all because of that controversial Vivek Ramaswamy ad targeting his opponent, Amy Acton. That is coming up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:20:00]
SMITH: Well, President Trump will be traveling to deep red Mississippi later today. It's the latest sign that Republicans are perhaps scrambling to shore up their base ahead of election day. Trump won Mississippi by double digits in all three of his presidential campaigns.
However, the Senate race is now drawing national money and attention with Democrat Scott Colom challenging Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde- Smith. Fredricka Whitfield spoke with CNN Politics national political reporter Fredreka Schouten, who has been covering the contest.
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FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: So, Mississippi has not elected a Democratic Senator since 1982. So, what has Scott Colom been doing to kind of build this profile and make this race so competitive? FREDREKA SCHOUTEN, CNN POLITICS NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER: He has been campaigning relentlessly. He's done more than 60 town halls. He's been very clever with some of his advertising. And I think part of the issue is that it's a bad environment for Republicans. And this really underscores it.
And he has really driven home the concerns that people have about high energy prices, high grocery prices. A couple of weeks ago, an ad of his went viral because he seized on a comment that Cindy Hyde-Smith, the incumbent Senator, said earlier in the cycle when asked about the high cost of beef.
She said, well, there are other proteins and he created an ad in which he had a bunch of people saying, well, instead of choosing another protein, I'll choose another Senator. And I think it got 2 million views very quickly on X. And he is really sort of taken that message around the state.
He was campaigning recently at a tailgate for a big homecoming game at Jackson State University. And he had his food truck there where he serves tacos with all kinds of protein that people can choose from. So, he's been pretty creative --
WHITFIELD: Impressive. In fact, you know, we've got a portion of that ad that you're referring to about the beef prices. So, take a look.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Callan(ph) price of beef continuing to go up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You know, you have so many proteins to choose from.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pick another protein, I'd rather pick another senator instead.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pick another protein, she don't(ph) lost her damn mind. I'd rather pick another senator.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh. So, how effective does it seem to be so far, at least, catching on.
SCHOUTEN: Well, he is drawing huge crowds and he's doing -- drawing big names. I mean, Vice President Kamala Harris was there last week, Raphael Warnock has been there. Jasmine Crockett has been there. And I guess the biggest sign that it's taking -- having an effect is that President Donald Trump is going to travel to Mississippi on Monday evening to do a rally for Cindy Hyde-Smith. I mean, as you --
WHITFIELD: Yes --
SCHOUTEN: Noted, this is a state that he won by 23 percentage points just two years ago. It's a sign of just how competitive it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Wow. Well, the largest newspaper in Ohio has reversed course and decided to endorse a candidate for governor. The editorial board of the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" urged people to vote for a Democrat Amy Acton.
Several months ago, the paper said it would not endorse a candidate, but changed course after Acton's Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy released a controversial ad featuring Acton's estranged mother.
The paper said it had to speak out against what it called indecency. The editor said that they were not just speaking out against Ramaswamy, they also believe Acton has shown she is ready to lead the state. Could we see rapper Nicki Minaj as the new White House Press Secretary?
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a video of himself chatting with Minaj and a caption saying they, quote, "may have found the new Press Secretary."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVEN CHEUNG, WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: The President is crisscrossing the entire country doing rallies, political rally a day. Is there anyone who works harder than President Trump on the campaign trail?
ONIKA TANYA MARAJ-PETTY, AMERICAN HIP-HOP RAPPER: Absolutely not. You have a man who's won three elections. You know, a legacy media continues to attack him left and right. And what does he do? He wakes up at 4 O'clock in the morning. He outworks people that, you know, are half his age.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Nicki Minaj attended the President's rally yesterday in Michigan, where the President had some unexpected comments about her appearance, but perhaps not unexpected if you've heard what he's recently commented on.
[05:25:00]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I said -- I looked at his ass, and I've never done that with a man before.
(LAUGHTER)
TRUMP: It's true. Off the record, women, yes, men, no, OK? By the way, I looked at one hell of a beautiful ass before, Nicki Minaj.
(CHEERS)
TRUMP: That's hard to miss.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Trump has frequently joked about Ohio Senator Jon Husted's physical -- well, his physique ahead of the election, but went a step further Sunday while invoking Minaj. Straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, evacuations from a massive fire that threatened to become a big hazmat situation. We'll tell you what happened. Also --
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Atmosphere was amazing. I feel like everybody got along, talked a little junk, but it was amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The NFL made history in Paris amid protests and lots of security. We've got the full story and the visuals coming up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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