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The Situation Room

MLB's Top Draft Pick Speaks Out; MAGA Reaction to Epstein Files?; CBS Cancels Colbert. Aired 11:30a-12p ET

Aired July 18, 2025 - 11:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OR LEVY, FORMER HOSTAGE OF HAMAS: That his mom loved him from the bottom of her heart. I'm showing him picture -- pictures of her every day, of us three, telling the story behind this photo.

This is something that I promised to myself, even when it's hard, to get him to know her, because it's harder for him.

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): But Or's ordeal won't be over until all the hostages are home.

LEVY: The fact that people are still there haunts me in the night, for sure. I think that nothing is worth more than getting those people home. I know that we need to push on to get a deal that gets everyone home and finish everything.

DIAMOND: Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Givatayim, Israel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:35:33]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: And turning now to "Your Voice."

On Fridays, we ask radio and podcast hosts across the country what their listeners are saying about what's going on in the world, especially right here in Washington.

Today, we have Andrew Cooperrider, host of "The Andrew Cooperrider Show," out of Lexington, Kentucky, and Zerlina Maxwell. She's the host of SiriusXM's "Mornings With Zerlina."

All right, thank you all for coming on.

So, Zerlina, I want to kick it off with you about the story that has dominated this week, the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case. Tell us about your audience and what you're hearing from them about this. ZERLINA MAXWELL, HOST, "MORNINGS WITH ZERLINA": Our audience is

progressives from all over the country, literally people calling me from every state in the union.

And what they are focused on is transparency. I think it's a little bit entertaining for folks on the left to see the base of the MAGA Republican Party freaking out right now. But I think where they agree with some of what the MAGA folks are saying is that just release all the information that you have.

I mean, they have watched Donald Trump feed the base of conspiracy theorists and feed these conspiracy theories. And then, when the base was ready to eat, he handed them an empty plate. And so progressives also agree that transparency is important, because these are very serious allegations.

The victims and the survivor stories are important. And so the more information the public gets, the better.

BROWN: So, Andrew, tell us about your listeners. Do they feel like there are unanswered questions related to the Epstein case? How much do they care about this?

ANDREW COOPERRIDER, HOST, "THE ANDREW COOPERRIDER SHOW": They care a lot.

And as far as unanswered question goes, absolutely. I think what's important, though, is the handling of it. Two days ago, I was in an X space with Thomas Massie, who has legislation here on releasing these files, several other conservative influencers, thousands of people listening. All the comments, all the listeners felt the same way, that the handling of this has been a big issue.

Now, as far as do they believe there's more to this or less to this, there's a little bit of a splintering going on, on the conservative side. As far as that goes, one thing that we all know is true is that it's not like the -- if Kamala Harris had won, we would have gotten clarity on this either. So I don't see a whole lot of heartburn coming down due to those who have voted for Trump and regretting that choice.

BROWN: Right.

And, Zerlina, in terms of the progressives, your listeners did you sense that they cared about this issue this much before now or is how they're seeing Trump handling this really ginning up how they're feeling right now? And do they want Democrats to be more aggressive with their attacks?

MAXWELL: There was no one calling me about the Jeffrey Epstein files before the MAGA base freaked out about this. They were mostly concerned with the dismantling of our federal institutions, the layoff of thousands of federal workers, the threats to American democracy and the rule of law and immigration enforcement, Pamela.

And so now what they see is an opportunity for Democrats and for more transparency overall. And, again, at the end of the day, this is something that Donald Trump has to deal with. He's the one that Fed these conspiracy theories.

And so our listeners just want transparency the way the MAGA base does. I think that the distinction is that the progressive base does not think that there is a conspiracy. What we're seeing is, Donald Trump fed these conspiracy theories, and now he's coming up empty. But there's not a cabal of Democrats or Republicans.

There are people in power all across the political spectrum, that's the allegation, that were engaged in misconduct. And transparency and the truth matters. And that's what my listeners care about.

BROWN: So, Andrew, President Trump says he wants to now release the grand jury testimony in the Epstein case. But that's just a sliver of the investigative files on Epstein. Do you think that's enough to satisfy the base, those people who are questioning this?

COOPERRIDER: I don't think so.

And the problem here is how Pam Bondi has handled it. And that's leaving a lot of questions to be asked. I mean, at one point, she stated thousands of images and child pornography and horrible things, and nobody's asking to release the videos. However, is the assertion from Pam Bondi and others that Jeffrey Epstein is the only one on these videos engaging in thousands of acts of child rape?

[11:40:09]

Or is there other people who are involved in this? And you have these videos. You had these images. Just start releasing names of, hey, we're investigating who these people are. Here's some of the names of individuals that we're arresting or we're looking at, because you can't have thousands of images of child pornography and nobody other than two people are going to jail for it.

BROWN: So to follow up on that, are the listeners that are upset about this and want to see more, are they directing their ire predominantly just to Bondi or are they also directing it at President Trump? Are you seeing less of that with Trump?

COOPERRIDER: I think that it was -- what I was seeing was, it was directed at Pam Bondi. It still is mainly directed at Pam Bondi

However, with Trump coming on and defending and obviously making the statement of saying, look, if you still care about this, you're an idiot and I don't want your support anymore, obviously, there's been a lot of heartburn as far as that goes, because this is an important issue.

And it's not just because of the Epstein files themselves, but keep in mind the Republican base has looked at the last four years of a lack of transparency, a lack of clarity. We're coming off COVID as well. Belief in government institutions is at all-time lows. And electing Donald Trump was meant for many people to bring that transparency and hopefully trust back into their government, where we can function as society trusting that, if somebody does something wrong, they're held accountable for it. But that's not what we're seeing going on. And I think that's more the Epstein problem. Now, we are seeing progress in some other issues where we like to see it. But I think that's really -- it's not just about Epstein. I think, for many people, it's about, I want to see somebody held accountable. I want to see people going to jail. Terrible things have happened over the last four years. Let's see some justice.

BROWN: All right, Andrew Cooperrider, Zerlina Maxwell, thank you both.

COOPERRIDER: Thank you.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: And still ahead: CBS is canceling "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert." The network says it's a -- quote -- "financial decision." We will have more on the surprising announcement and its timing.

Stay with us. You're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:46:31]

BLITZER: A stunning announcement.

One of late night's mainstays, Stephen Colbert, told his audience that, starting next year, there will be no more "Late Show."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STEPHEN COLBERT, HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": The network will be ending "The Late Show" in May.

(BOOING)

COLBERT: And, yes, I share your feelings.

It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of "The Late Show" on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: The announcement comes days after the host took direct aim at CBS' parent company, Paramount.

CNN media correspondent Hadas Gold is joining us live right now.

Hadas, what do we know about Paramount's decision to take Stephen Colbert off the air?

HADAS GOLD, CNN MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: Yes, so CBS and its parent company, Paramount, are denying that the decision to end this 32-year- old institution has anything to do with the surrounding issues that have been going on. They said in a statement: "This is a purely financial decision against

a challenging backdrop in late night." They say: "It is not related in any way to the show's performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount."

But you cannot ignore Wolf, the other matters that are happening all around Paramount and CBS. Nothing happens in a vacuum. CBS, of course, is part of Paramount, which is trying to have an eight billion dollar merger with Skydance. And that needs approval by the Trump administration. They are currently in talks for that potential approval.

And just a few weeks ago, CBS settled for $16 million, a lawsuit with President Trump. He sued over what he thought was edits to an interview with Kamala Harris, although every -- almost every single legal scholar you would talk to said that this was a bogus settlement and -- or this was a bogus case.

And Stephen Colbert has been one of the biggest critics of President Trump, and he criticized his own network, calling this settlement a big, fat bribe. And also what's interesting is that they completely cut the show. They didn't give the show any chance to potentially cut costs, just take it down to once a week or anything like that. They're just completely cutting it down in May of 2026.

And that's why you're seeing so many questions raised, also because Stephen Colbert is the ratings leader for his hour. He's beating out Jimmy Kimmel. He's beating out Jimmy Fallon, and yet they still decided to cut the show. And that's why we're seeing some questions being raised, even by members of Congress.

Senator Adam Schiff, who by chance was actually on the show the night that Stephen Colbert announced that it was canceled, said, if Paramount and CBS ended "The Late Show" for political reasons, the public deserves to know. Even Senator Warren getting in on this, saying: "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."

And even Stephen Colbert's direct competitors, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel, posting on social media in support of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, saying that he's just as shocked as everyone else -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Hadas Gold reporting for us.

Hadas, thank you very, very much.

Coming up: He's not even old enough to buy a drink, but that didn't stop my Washington Nationals from taking 17-year-old Eli Willits. Here he is, Eli Willits, the top pick in Major League Baseball, in the Major League Baseball draft. He's standing by. He's right here with us in THE SITUATION ROOM. We will talk about his very young career.

That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:54:13]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With the first pick of the 2025 MLB draft, the Washington Nationals select Eli Willits, a shortstop from Fort Cobb- Broxton High School in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: So, that right there, that was the moment Eli Willits' life completely changed forever. The youngest player in this year's Major League Baseball draft class became the league's number one overall draft pick.

BLITZER: The 17-year-old was selected by my Washington Nationals, my favorite team. According to the Major League, he's the third youngest player in history to be drafted as the first overall pick.

And he joins us here right now.

Eli, thanks very much for coming in. Congratulations to you.

ELI WILLITS, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NUMBER ONE DRAFT PICK: Thank you. I appreciate it. Thanks for having me.

BLITZER: What would you like to hear that announcement that you're not just the Washington Nationals' first round draft pick, but Major League Baseball's first round draft pick?

[11:55:08]

WILLITS: It's just a dream come true. I'm just grateful for the opportunity that the Nationals gave me.

I'm just excited to get out there and get -- build relationships with new coaches and new players and get out there and get to work.

BLITZER: Was it a surprise to you or were you expecting this?

WILLITS: It was definitely a surprise. I was just excited and ready for the opportunity. And the Nationals gave me a chance and I'm just grateful for that.

BLITZER: I know your dad is a former professional player, now coaches at Oklahoma. What has the reaction been like amongst your family?

WILLITS: Just super grateful for the opportunity. We got to fly the whole family out to D.C. So we're just excited, taking the moment in and enjoying this last three days as a complete family together.

BLITZER: You said that you wrote down this goal to become the first overall pick two years ago. What was it like to actually see this come to life? WILLITS: I think it's just the power that God possesses. It's just

grateful that he can do that for people. I wrote down in my Bible that I want to be the first overall pick. And to see that come true is just the power of him.

BLITZER: Give me some advice for young boys who are watching right now. What should they be doing to become a Major League player? Forget about being number one draft pick, but a Major League player.

WILLITS: Just be who they are. Just continue to work hard. Continue to play. Enjoy the game. Have fun. At the end of the day, it's just a game and you're there to have fun.

BROWN: I just want to follow up with you because, in the break before this, you were talking about how ever since you could stand, you have been playing baseball. Tell us about being a little boy, playing, and then getting to this point in your life, this dream.

WILLITS: Yes, I have grown up around the game. My dad's had the privilege to play and then coach in a great organization. So just being around such great players and enjoying the work and how I go about my business, I enjoy doing that and I'm just grateful for this opportunity.

BLITZER: What was the phone call like from the Washington Nationals? What did they say to you?

WILLITS: They just told me I was going to be a National, and I couldn't help but cry and I was there with my family. So it was just a never-forgetting moment. So I'm just excited and thankful for the opportunity.

BLITZER: So what happens next? Walk us through the next few weeks and months.

WILLITS: So I will sign my contract tomorrow. I will officially become a National. And then Sunday I fly down to Florida and start getting to work and building a relationship with coaches and start meeting new players.

BLITZER: Spring training.

WILLITS: Yes.

BLITZER: Did you ever think you would be doing spring training in Florida?

WILLITS: It was always a goal of mine when my dad was down there in Florida, he was in Tampa. So to see what he did and the players down there, it was always a goal to go down there and play.

BROWN: I want to just ask you more about your dad because he's been such a big role model for you. Tell us more about that.

WILLITS: Yes, my dad, he -- I wouldn't be here without him. He's taught me how to work hard. He's showed me how to play the game the right way. I'm just thankful and grateful for him to be here and helping me throughout the whole situation.

BLITZER: What position did you play in high school and what position do you hope to play for the Washington Nationals?

WILLITS: In high school, I played shortstop, and I see myself as a shortstop. And I hope to see myself playing in Nationals Park as a shortstop as well.

BLITZER: What about your hitting? How's your hitting?

WILLITS: I'd say my hitting's pretty good. I feel like my power's up and coming. I'm still a 17-year-old kid so I'm still maturing and getting stronger. So I feel like getting into a great organization like the Nationals, they're going to help change that and take that to the next level.

BLITZER: Have you been over to Nats Park yet?

WILLITS: I was there earlier this summer, but we go tomorrow and get everything finalized and get to hit B.P. on the field, so it'll be good.

BLITZER: You're going to love this. This is going to be great. And we're all so excited for you as a role model for a lot of young boys out there who are playing baseball. They're 7, 8, 9, 10 years old, and they're thinking about you.

BROWN: Yes.

WILLITS: Yes, I'm just thankful that I have such a support system. They showed me how to play the game the right way and how to carry myself off the field. Just I'm very grateful for that and thankful for the opportunity I have got from the Washington Nationals.

BLITZER: Eli, I will leave you with these words. Go, Nats.

(LAUGHTER)

WILLITS: Oh, absolutely.

BLITZER: All right? I'm with you.

BROWN: Go, Nats.

WILLITS: Thank you. Thank you.

BLITZER: I will be watching all those games.

WILLITS: Thank you.

BLITZER: I'm a huge fan.

WILLITS: Good.

BLITZER: You're a huge fan too, Pamela.

BROWN: Best of luck, Eli. Huge fan.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: And I know your grandson Ruben, my son Benny love baseball.

BLITZER: We all love baseball.

BROWN: They're big fans too.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: So...

WILLITS: Awesome.

BLITZER: Yes.

BROWN: Best of luck.

WILLITS: Thank you.

BLITZER: And, to our viewers, thanks very much for joining us this morning. You can always keep up with us on social media @WolfBlitzer and @PamelaBrownCNN. We will see you back here Monday morning and every weekday morning 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

BROWN: "INSIDE POLITICS" with our friend Dana Bash is next.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

DANA BASH, CNN HOST: Today on INSIDE POLITICS: new details from "The Wall Street Journal" on the friendship that once existed between President Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Trump says their story isn't true.