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The Situation Room

New Taylor Swift Album; Interview With Rep. Warren Davidson (R- OH); Strategies to Help Ease Anxiety; Police Using A.I.?; . Aired 11:30a-12:00p ET

Aired August 14, 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]

CAPT. IAN WHITE, PUBLIC INFORMATION, CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, POLICE DEPARTMENT: They still need to make changes and add context, because, as you said, it's not the video, so it can't make statements, like a person took an aggressive stance, because it's not perceiving that.

It's just taking the audio. But one of the things I would say is, we're also not hiding the ball in this. Every report that is produced using this technology has a footer on it letting everybody involved in the justice system process know that the technology was used.

And I would also say that we're in a different place in time technology-wise generally. So when these reports go down, the video goes down almost immediately with it. It doesn't take hours to review video anymore, because the transcript is with the video and you can search to get to pertinent points of the call.

So as these things are being reviewed, the video is taking a larger and larger role in the -- actually, decision-making process around how this case works its way through the justice system. So I would just say that we're very aware of the fact that we need to be transparent about the use of this product.

And there are review steps internally throughout the process to double-check the work that's being done, as has been the case historically.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: And what do you say on that point to critics who argue that these police reports made by A.I., they could contain bias or inaccuracies? There are transparency issues.

Tell us a little bit more about what that process is like to make sure that doesn't happen, that those concerns don't come true.

WHITE: Yes, well, I think if we look historically at how police reports in law enforcement have been produced, again, we're early technology adopters. So this is not something new to us. We had body- worn cameras back in 2008, one of the first agencies to adopt those.

And there's been a gradual progression of how reports are done. And when we adopted body-worn cameras, there was a lot of officer time spent reviewing video footage now. Prior to that, reports were written off of a note card and onto paper based on the officer's best memory and sometimes 10 to 12 hours after the call that they took and took all of those notes.

So when we look at transparency and accuracy, we have automations now and when the body camera turns on. So if an officer draws their firearm or Taser, the body camera automatically activates. So we see this as just another level of transparency.

We recognize that there are pitfalls and we need to be careful. And, again, that's why we have those review processes. We have policies in place. The officer has to sign off a testing that the report is theirs. There's a supervisory review process, a records review process,and, again, ultimately, the district attorney's review process.

And then all of this information, including the videos, is shared with a public defender or defense attorney. And they have the opportunity to go through all the video evidence as well. So video has become very at the forefront of what it is that we do, especially in the realm of prosecutions.

And the reports are still very important, but they go to support what's on the video and other evidence that's collected.

BROWN: Gotcha.

WHITE: So what I would say is we're aware. We have put a lot of steps in place to try and make sure that we minimize any of those concerns and, again, keep the human involved in the process.

BROWN: All right, Captain White, thanks so much.

WHITE: Thank you.

BROWN: We will be right back.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Dr. Sanjay Gupta, host of CNN's "Chasing Life" podcast.

Let's face it, life can be hectic, but making sure you stay mindful can help keep you cool, calm, collected. So here's some quick and easy strategies to help ease your anxiety.

First, simply focus on your breathing, deep breathing, where you actually feel your ribs moving in and out. That's a great way to calm both your mind and your body. Just doing that for 90 seconds, or even just taking three long deep breaths can help change the rhythm of your breathing, which then slows your heart rate and lowers your blood pressure.

Another technique is just being self-compassionate, giving yourself a pat on the back or giving yourself a hug. Take 20 seconds to rub the back of your neck or squeeze your upper arms like a hug. It's a quick way to self-soothe and ease anxiety.

Finally, a daily one-minute meditation might help clear your thinking and slow your breathing. After just a few weeks of these short meditations, you might want to add more time to the routine.

You can hear more about how to optimize your health and chase life wherever you get your podcasts.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:39:41]

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Breaking news: Vladimir Putin is now praising the White House for its -- quote -- "energetic and sincere efforts" to end the war in Ukraine, the Russian leader even hinting that Moscow and Washington potentially could reach a nuclear arms deal at tomorrow's meeting with President Trump in Alaska.

Trump saying in an interview just moments ago that he believes Putin is -- quote -- "going to make a deal," while also predicting a 25 percent chance the summit fails.

[11:40:08]

Joining us now, Republican Congressman Warren Davidson of Ohio. He's a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us.

As you know and I know, throughout the 2024 campaign, Trump said repeatedly he would end the Russia-Ukraine war within a day or less after returning to the White House. Now that we're, what, about seven months into his second term, do you feel like he overpromised?

REP. WARREN DAVIDSON (R-OH): Well, I certainly know he's been frustrated. He's been frustrated with Zelenskyy, with Putin, and, frankly, sometimes with our own allies.

It seems sometimes that everyone's committed to keeping the war going. And President Trump has been very clear. He wants to restore peace. Or, as he said, he wants people to stop dying. And there's certainly been a lot of that. War is a terrible thing. And hopefully we can find a way to get the parties to agree to a peace.

BLITZER: Let's hope that happens.

Based on all the briefings you have received in Congress, and I know you're well-briefed, what is it that Putin wants the most out of this historic meeting that's upcoming with Trump?

DAVIDSON: Well, if you look, two things that he's been very clear on, he doesn't really want the Ukraine to be part of NATO.

He wants that in a permanent kind of condition. And, honestly, as long as the war is going on, he's pretty much assured that Ukraine isn't going to be added as a NATO member country. So I think that's kind of at play here. And I think the other thing is, he may not often verbalize it, but I think Russia missed the days that there was a chance that there was like the G8, and they were included in the community of nations.

They have been isolated, and they're definitely feeling some pain from the sanctions on their economy and their lack of engagement with the rest of the world. So what brought them to the table was really the heavy leverage against India, on one of their last big outlets for Russian energy.

BLITZER: Sources, Congressman, very familiar with the U.S. intelligence reporting on Russia tell CNN that Putin maintains the same maximalist territorial goals he has had throughout this war and would likely use a cease-fire to simply restore his forces and possibly even make another run at Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

Are you concerned at all that Putin could agree to a cease-fire or progress toward a cease-fire, only to go back on his word later?

DAVIDSON: Yes, I mean, look, he's not a trustworthy guy. And I think President Trump's experienced that. He's definitely said that Putin hasn't negotiated in good faith. He's basically running out the clock.

And I think that's where the frustration goes. And so it would definitely be a concern, hey, how binding is an agreement from Vladimir Putin? But that's the -- that's the challenge. I mean, I think it's better to get the agreement and better to get the effort to restore peace.

But then how do you get the conditions that guarantee that peace holds or more significant consequences in the event that it doesn't?

BLITZER: Congressman, under President Joe Biden back in 2024, when he was president, you introduced a resolution in the House titled -- and I'm quoting now -- No Unconstitutional Security Guarantees to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy says Trump agreed with Ukraine's desire for -- quote -- "truly reliable security guarantees" during their virtual meeting yesterday. Do you oppose that move by President Trump?

DAVIDSON: I mean, we can't pledge that the United States is going to go to war in Ukraine in a way that Congress doesn't authorize war. Let's be clear.The United States Congress is the body by the Constitution that declares our wars.

Even in the event of NATO, it says that we follow our constitutional process, which would engage Congress. So the idea that we're just going to be drawn into what would effectively be World War III, the American people should weigh on that, and the people's voices, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

So I look at that. I think the progress, though, from President Trump to President Biden, Biden never defined a mission. He said as much as it takes, as long as it takes, which is, hey, we're for endless wars. We don't even care what the end state is, as long as we keep cutting checks or finding a way to keep the war going.

And his administration was all over the place. Victoria Nuland wanted regime change in Russia. Biden would never even have a phone conversation with Putin. Trump's been very clear what he wants the mission to be, which is to restore peace. And so, hopefully, that can be achieved.

BLITZER: Let's hope there will be peace.

So, your legislation, and we went through it, specifically said the U.S. should not enter into any bilateral or multilateral agreement to provide security guarantees or long-term security assistance to Ukraine.

Why did you feel that way during the Biden presidency, but not necessarily now under the Trump presidency?

[11:45:03]

DAVIDSON: Well, I mean, the answer I just gave you is, I still feel that way.

Congress definitely should weigh in. And if we're going to enter into a treaty, treaties are ratified by the Senate. So this isn't something that could be unilaterally done by the commander in chief. And as much as I love President Trump and trust his instincts, if we're going to commit to something, the commitment comes through Congress.

And if it's a treaty, it comes because the Senate ratifies it.

BLITZER: Are you open to Ukraine one day becoming a full-scale member of NATO?

DAVIDSON: One day, very, very far in the future, when there's peace and harmony in all of the world, we won't need NATO.

So Dwight Eisenhower said, if NATO exists beyond 10 years, we have failed. So I think the idea that we keep building a European security force, against what? I think that's a line that's really caused a conflict than helped foster it.

And not to say that Putin isn't a security threat and a concern. He hasn't spent the last 25 years building the world's most lethal military. He spent his 25 years as president plundering the wealth of Russia. If you look at China, on the other hand, they have spent the last generation building a very strong and capable military.

And I think China is probably the party that's most interested in seeing this war continuing to be waged, because it distracts the United States and Europe and others from paying attention to the Pacific and the rising challenges of China.

BLITZER: Congressman Warren Davidson of Ohio, thanks so much for joining us.

DAVIDSON: Thank you.

BLITZER: Pamela.

BROWN: All right, Wolf coming up: Taylor Swift spills some tea all over the Internet. She shares details about her relationship and her new album, which comes out in 50 days. But who's counting?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TAYLOR SWIFT, MUSICIAN: It's the record I have been wanting to make for a very long time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:51:22]

BROWN: All right, so Wolf Blitzer over here has already cleared his calendar for October 3, because that is when Taylor Swift drops her 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl."

And Wolf said on our show the other day he is a Swiftie.

BLITZER: I am.

BROWN: Yes, you are.

And, Taylor Swift, I know you're watching this.

BLITZER: Because we're going to shake it off.

BROWN: We're going to shake it off. That's right.

She made the announcement in epic fashion alongside guy on the Chiefs Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason, on their podcast. Think podcasting Taylor's version.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SWIFT: My brand-new album, it's called "The Life of a Showgirl."

JASON KELCE, FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER: Love it. Love it.

SWIFT: It was something that I was working on while I was in Europe on the Eras Tour.

J. KELCE: So while you were on tour? OK.

SWIFT: I was working -- I would be on tour.

TRAVIS KELCE, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: How on earth did she do this on the tour is still blowing my mind.

SWIFT: I just love it. I just love it a lot. I love music.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: And the episode has already drawn nearly, get this, 10 million views on YouTube in less than a day.

For more and all of this, how Taylor broke the Internet, Emmy Award- winning journalist and media personality Segun. Segun is joining us right now.

So this new album that we're about to get the announcement, this is a big deal.

SEGUN ODUOLOWU, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: It's a huge deal. Wolf.

It's an enormous deal. She has 280 million Instagram followers. That's more than most continents or countries. She is an entity all to herself, for her fans, the way she's done it, controlling the narrative by doing it on her boyfriend's podcast, Travis Kelce, yes, she's a force, and we are all kind of in her way and around it and watching and enjoying it.

BLITZER: There's a lot more than just the music, right?

ODUOLOWU: A lot more than the music. She is a savvy, shrewd businesswoman.

And when you think about it, this was her first appearance on a podcast at all. She has controlled her narrative in such a way that she does it on her boyfriend's podcast. It boosts the numbers, as you said, 10 million views for a podcast that wasn't getting 10 million views, but was popular.

In that moment, she changed the whole geometry of that podcast, of -- she shows up at a football game and now the NFL is catering to Taylor Swift and women and young girls are going to football games. This is the power of Taylor. If you love numerology, which she does, 12th album, 12 songs released in the 10th month on the third day, 12, 13, 25, 2025.

BROWN: Wow.

ODUOLOWU: Like, this is the kind of stuff that her fans eat up. This is who Taylor Swift is.

BROWN: Yes. Do you think she dropped any Easter eggs during the interview?

ODUOLOWU: Well, not so much during the interview, but what she did drop was that her relationship is real, right, the affection. She touched Travis. They're doing this -- I touched Wolf. I love that.

(LAUGHTER)

ODUOLOWU: She touched...

BROWN: Wolf is very affectionate.

ODUOLOWU: Very affectionate, cuddly even.

(LAUGHTER)

ODUOLOWU: She touched -- they were laughing. They were joking. You could see that there was genuine love and even awe from Travis just about her work ethic. BROWN: Yes.

ODUOLOWU: And as someone who has a daughter, I can play Taylor Swift songs and we can dance in the kitchen. We can shake it off. We can talk about the haters going to hate, hate, hate, even though we don't use the hate word in our kitchen.

But you can't play everybody's songs.

BROWN: That's so -- it's so funny you said it, because I actually was doing this last night with my 5-year-old and my husband was like, well, make sure it's OK for her to watch it. It's Taylor Swift.

ODUOLOWU: Yes.

BROWN: Like, we're OK. We're in good territory.

ODUOLOWU: Yes.

BROWN: And she was so into the interview.It was really sweet how my 5-year-old was into it. And there was a part where I was really happy she was listening too, and that was when Taylor was talking about the business side of her career, specifically buying back her masters.

I want to play that moment.

[11:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SWIFT: I get a call from my mom. And she's like -- she's like: "You got your music.

T. KELCE: Yes.

SWIFT: And so sorry that this is -- it's literally been so long since this happened. It's every time I talk about it. She's like: "You got your music."

And I just, like, very dramatically hit the floor, for real, like honestly just started.

T. KELCE: It's been a long time coming.

SWIFT: Bawling my eyes out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ODUOLOWU: Look at that. Like, look at where his arm is. Like, he is comforting her. We live in a very cynical world. We talk about, oh, this celebrity relationship, it's got to blow up eventually.

They're comforting one another in real time. You believe it. When I was host of "Boston Globe Today" and her concert came to Boston, we changed the subways to accommodate the fans getting to her concert. Like, she is so big, but in that moment that you just showed, she was human.

And I think that's what endears her to her fans. The emotion that she puts out seems genuine. This relationship seems genuine. Her business sense is out of this world, for sure. But it's that she's real. And when was the last time we really saw someone that we believed in?

BLITZER: And we're going to invite her to join us here in THE SITUATION ROOM.

ODUOLOWU: Please let us do that.

BROWN: I wish she would.

(CROSSTALK)'

BLITZER: You will be watching, right?

ODUOLOWU: I will be watching. I will be at the door.

(LAUGHTER)

BROWN: Yes, you -- a lot of people would.

Segun -- Segun Oduolowu, thank you so much.

ODUOLOWU: My pleasure.

BROWN: Did I do OK with that? OK.

ODUOLOWU: You did it so good that no one will know. I will shake it off.

(LAUGHTER)

BROWN: OK, shake it off.

BLITZER: He's good.

BROWN: He's good.

All right, well, thank you all for joining us this morning. You can keep up with us on social media @WolfBlitzer and @PamelaBrownCNN. See you back here tomorrow morning and every weekday morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

BLITZER: "INSIDE POLITICS WITH DANA BASH" is coming up next right after a very short break.