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The Source with Kaitlan Collins
King Charles & Queen Camilla Join Trump For State Dinner; DOJ Indicts Former FBI Director James Comey For A Second Time; FCC Targets ABC Licenses As Trump Demands Kimmel Be Fired. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired April 28, 2026 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[21:00:00]
ADAM KINZINGER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, (R) FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE - ILLINOIS: Look, it's never enough. I mean, you can buy a little time with Donald Trump. But if you get close to him, he will always throw you under the bus. You'll always end up on the outs. I can't think of anybody actually that's been close to him that, in the long run, has ended up still in his inner circle.
So, buy yourself time. That's what they're trying to do. But look, in the long run, we're going to look back and say, This was as silly as it feels right now.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST, ANDERSON COOPER 360: Yes. We'll see how the passport renewal business goes right now.
Adam Kinzinger, thanks very much.
That's it for us. The news continues. I'll see you tomorrow. "THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS" starts now.
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, CNN HOST, THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS: What President Trump just said he thought about that speech from King Charles, as his Justice Department has just indicted James Comey for a second time.
I'm Kaitlan Collins at the White House. And this is THE SOURCE.
And we are here on the North Lawn for a historic night here at the White House. It is a state dinner for King Charles and Queen Camilla, that is happening right now inside the East Room, as you can see here.
The King and Queen have been greeted today by the President and the first lady, all dressed to the nines this evening, white-tie and - tails for men, which is a sign of the prestige of this dinner.
Earlier today, President Trump hosted the King, inside the Oval Office, where it's safe to say the decor has changed just a bit since he was last here in 1970, to visit with President Nixon. It's actually kind of remarkable to see the difference in the Oval Office decoration from then and now.
One new addition that the President is also quite fond of showing off inside the Oval Office is that early copy of the message that this nation's Founders sent to the King's great, great, great, great grandfather, George III, 250 years ago, the Declaration of Independence.
On Capitol Hill today, King Charles delivered a memorable message of his own in an address to a joint meeting of Congress.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III, KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: It is here in these very halls that this spirit of liberty and the promise of America's Founders is present in every session and every vote cast.
Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many, representing the living mosaic of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The speech was warm and humorous at times, he got multiple rounds of applause. But it also had some polite yet pointed remarks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: America's words carry weight and meaning, as they have since Independence. The actions of this great Nation matter even more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Now, as a head of state, not the head of government, the King is bound to remain politically neutral. But if you were listening closely, as he spoke today, there were some subtle rebuttals of comments made by this President.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: The commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other's defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: I think NATO is making a very foolish mistake. And I have long said that, you know, I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us. So this is a -- this was a great test, because we don't need them.
KING CHARLES III: Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed for the defense of Ukraine and her most courageous people.
(APPLAUSE)
KING CHARLES III: It is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.
TRUMP: You got to be more thankful, because let me tell you, you don't have the cards. With us, you have the cards. But without us, you don't have any cards. KING CHARLES III: So as we look toward the next 250 years, we must also reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard Nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.
TRUMP: Climate change. It's the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: You can see how at times, the King's speech felt like a carefully crafted commentary on this administration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: Our common ideals were not only crucial for liberty and equality, they are also the foundation of our shared prosperity. The Rule of Law: the certainty of stable and accessible rules, an independent judiciary resolving disputes and delivering impartial justice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[21:05:00]
COLLINS: Now, that comment there, that celebration of an independent and fair legal system, happened on the same day that the Justice Department, here in Washington did, again, as the President has demanded, indict the former FBI Director, James Comey.
This time, Comey is now facing charges over that social media post showing seashells on a beach, writing out the numbers, 86 47.
Now, the Justice Department is arguing the 86 part of that was a threat against the President's life. Will that fly in court? A former Justice Department official told me this tonight, pretty bluntly, saying, quote, This might be the worst case the Justice Department has filed in my lifetime.
For his part, we saw James Comey himself respond tonight, saying this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES B. COMEY, LAWYER AND FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, they're back, this time about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won't be the end of it. But nothing has changed with me. I'm still innocent, I'm still not afraid, and I still believe in the independent federal judiciary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: The independent federal judiciary. Kind of sounds like what we heard from King Charles today.
I should note, he is not the first British monarch to address Congress. That honor actually belongs to his late mother. In Queen Elizabeth's address in 1991, as the United States and Britain were aligned on the use of force, military force in the Middle East, take a listen to what she said, Her Majesty, back then. And how the King today said this, trying to bridge the current tense divide.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUEEN ELIZABETH II, FORMER QUEEN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM: Both our countries saw the invasion of Kuwait in just the same terms: an outrage to be reversed, both for the people of Kuwait and for the sake of the principle that naked aggression should not prevail. Our views were identical and so were our responses.
KING CHARLES III: Ladies and gentlemen, we meet in times of great uncertainty; in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which pose immense challenges for the international community and whose impact is felt in communities the length and breadth of our own countries.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Now the White House's official Twitter page today posted this image with the caption, TWO KINGS. It's notable that it came not long before the King got a standing ovation today, on Capitol Hill, for this comment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: Our Declaration of Rights of 1689 was not only the foundation of our constitutional Monarchy, but also provided the source of so many of the principles reiterated -- often verbatim -- in the American Bill of Rights of 1791. And those roots go even further back in our history: the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society has calculated that Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Standing ovation followed there.
With me here tonight, on the North Lawn at the White House, as this dinner is underway this hour:
Bloomberg White House correspondent, Jeff Mason.
And also, our CNN International Anchor and Royal Correspondent, who is based in London, been joining us here tonight, Max Foster.
Also here with us on the Lawn in spirit, the former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Tom Dupree.
And Tom, I got a lot of questions for you about this James Comey indictment in just a moment.
But Jeff Mason, you know the President and the King just finished speaking inside the East Room, truly as we were coming on the air just now.
And the President actually was clearly watching the King deliver that speech, and get those standing ovations today, because he said this about them.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Before we really begin, I want to congratulate Charles on having made a fantastic speech today at Congress. He got the Democrats to stand. I've never been able to do that.
(LAUGHTER)
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I couldn't believe it.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: I couldn't believe it.
(APPLAUSE)
TRUMP: They liked him more than they've ever liked any Republican or Democrat, actually.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: You know, there were some questions coming out of the President's -- out of the King's speech today, wondering how the President would respond to that. But maybe the criticism lands differently when it's coming from a King?
JEFF MASON, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT, BLOOMBERG: And I just don't think the President heard it as criticism. I think the Democrats stood up for a reason. They heard it as criticism. And your compilation tonight really made the contrast very clear.
It was clear to me too, as he was talking today, that a lot of that was a very polite rebuke to President Trump's foreign policy and domestic policy.
[21:10:00]
I mean, one of the things that he also said was that the executive branch, or the executive power needs to have constraints. That, along with the judiciary, along with NATO, along with the many other things that we've already listed, or that you listed earlier, are just examples of just polite attacks on the way President Trump has governed. And yet, doing it in a way that got bipartisan support, and that maybe even landed with the President in some way.
COLLINS: Yes.
I mean, Max, what did you make of the speech, as someone who obviously watches the Royals as closely as you do. MAX FOSTER, CNN ROYAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think it's fascinating. I think your compilation was absolutely brilliant, because it really speaks for itself.
But looking at that and the reference to Magna Carta, I think actually what the King was doing here was showing, If you go back to that point, we were the same. You built your constitution out of the Magna Carta. And he's worried that the two worlds are going in different directions. So, he's expressing a world view.
And he's talked about the concerns of being inward-looking. So, he wants America to be the leader on the world stage with those roots in European culture. But if you go inward-looking, and you step away from NATO, and you step away from Ukraine, you step away from these really big issues? Then he's concerned that the world will separate, and the West needs to stay the same. And that's how I read what he put there.
And just on the political issue. I had lots of people coming to me today saying, he's meant to be above politics.
I think if you watched that speech from Europe, it wouldn't look political, because he's representing mainstream views on climate change and Ukraine, for example.
But from an American point of view, he's speaking to current political issues. So, it did feel political. But he wasn't speaking to -- he's -- he doesn't undermine his constitutional role, if he's not getting involved in European, British politics, or Australian or Canadian politics. He wasn't doing that today. Didn't cross the line. But he clearly feels he's got a role, as a global statesman, and he's almost representing the world order, the post-World War II world order. He wants to defend that. He feels--
MASON: If that -- I'm sorry to interrupt you.
FOSTER: Yes, go ahead.
MASON: I was going to say, it felt almost like he came with some moral authority.
FOSTER: Yes.
MASON: And that was one thing that the lawmakers were responding to with their applause.
COLLINS: He seemed surprised by the standing ovation--
FOSTER: Yes.
MASON: Response.
COLLINS: --at some points.
MASON: Yes, agreed. He also, I mean, as you both rightly said, he's the head of state, not the head of government, but he was -- he's here at a time of pretty, pretty high tension between the two governments, and between the President and the Prime Minister as well.
And both he and Trump today talked about how this relationship was forged out of disagreement, and how -- and the President very graciously, I think, probably talked about a tree on the South Lawn that was planted by his mother, decades ago. They both talked about the fact that this relationship came out of tension. And I think the King's point in talking about that today was also to say, Let's get over the tension and move on.
COLLINS: Yes.
And we actually have some new comments from the King that he just made a short time ago. This is what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: If I may say so, it is a particular pleasure to be back in this wonderful building, the heart of your democracy. On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President.
(LAUGHTER)
KING CHARLES III: Following your visit to Windsor Castle last year.
(LAUGHTER)
KING CHARLES III: And I'm sorry to say that we British, of course, made our own small attempt at real estate redevelopment of the White House in 1814.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: He has had some humorous moments there out today.
FOSTER: Yes, he's also a good joke. And I think actually during the speech, he was -- you know, he stopped mid-sentence almost, because he was getting that unexpected reaction to his jokes, but also to some of the more pointed remarks.
COLLINS: I mean, when they were doing the 21-gun salute, the review of the troops today on the South Lawn. I mean, the cranes are swinging overhead. You can't really ignore the construction here at the White House, Jeff.
MASON: No, it almost seemed quite deliberate to me that those cranes were moving. I couldn't quite figure out why, but -- if there was a flag on them or what. But yes, you can't escape the cranes. And interesting that he's jumping right into that, very delicately, because, of course, the destruction of the East Wing is pretty controversial in this city.
COLLINS: Tom Dupree, you're here. And obviously, you heard what the King said today about the importance of an independent judiciary. There have been a lot of questions today about what he was going to say, about the questions facing his own family, when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, and the British government, and the impact that we've seen there.
Obviously, that happened, and then now -- a few hours later, we found out that the Justice Department had again indicted James Comey.
Do you agree with what I heard from a former DOJ official tonight, who said, This might be the worst case that the DOJ has ever filed?
TOM DUPREE, FORMER DEPUTY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Well, it's not in the top 10 of the best cases they've ever filed. I'll put it that way.
[21:15:00]
And look, anyone who reads that, what is a, fairly skeletal two-page indictment, is not going to come away from reading that document and thinking, They got him.
The reason why this is going to be a very difficult case, in my view, for the Justice Department to win on, is because they're not dealing with a threat that was communicated in explicit language. This is not a case where a defendant says, I'm going to kill you. Instead, Comey communicated through a code, through a slang, through a shorthand, that, on its face, doesn't communicate a threat.
What the Justice Department is going to have to do is to come up with evidence, to come up with witnesses, to persuade a jury that this is what Comey meant. He meant to communicate a threat to the President's life, things that he told other people, things he's said, things he's emailed, they're going to have to establish Comey's intent. And I think that is going to be a tall order for the prosecutors to prove.
COLLINS: Do you think it even makes it to trial?
DUPREE: If they don't have more than just that arrangement of shells and that image, I don't see how this gets that far. I think a judge is going to look at this and say, It's not a threat on its face. There are First Amendment concerns at play here too.
So, unless the Justice Department has cards that it has not yet played, I think this case very well could get thrown out, long before it reaches a jury.
COLLINS: We heard from Todd Blanche. He held a press conference today here in Washington, and was talking about this. He's now the acting Attorney General. And as he was arguing here, he said, this case is no different from the other threats that have been made against the President.
I mean, some people would see, obviously this, what happened on Saturday night, these other instances, where, when you're talking about that intent, and people can see what a former lifetime law enforcement official, like James Comey, has said, maybe to post you think is stupid, but not something that is criminal. And looking at this and saying, Well, this is very clearly what the President wants. I mean, he pushed Pam Bondi to do this. Now she's not in the job because she didn't go after his opponents enough in a way that he felt. And now it's falling to the acting Attorney General.
DUPREE: Right. I think that this indictment today is a direct result of the change in attorneys general that President Trump made. I think Blanche got the message loud and clear that he needs to deliver results, and those results come in the form of these types of indictments of Comey and, very well, others.
And look, I think that the timing of this, the fact that it happened after that horrific episode on Saturday night, I think, probably gave the Justice Department maybe a little extra courage to move ahead with this, because the Attorney General did make, what I think is, the right point, that we cannot tolerate any level of political threats, political violence, anything like that. So, he has that point in his favor.
And I suspect that what happened on Saturday night, coupled with Blanche, knowing that he has a mandate from the President to move ahead with this, probably gave him kind of the final push that he and the team needed to move ahead with today's indictment.
COLLINS: Yes.
Tom Dupree. Jeff Mason. Max Foster. Great to have you all here.
Max will be back with us later, on the King's visit, the state dinner that's happening now. We're listening very closely for comments that are being made from both parties inside that room.
Also, next here, Senator Cory Booker is going to join me live as the questions now loom over, what is Congress' plan, with this war in Iran now approaching 60 days.
Also, the FCC is now putting pressure on ABC stations, after Jimmy Kimmel's latest joke about Melania Trump. What Disney is saying tonight.
[21:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: And welcome back to THE SOURCE. We are live, on the North Lawn of the White House tonight, as the President right now is hosting King Charles, for an official state dinner.
In his toast, just a couple of moments ago, the President actually referenced something, that he says the King told him behind closed doors about the war with Iran.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: And we're doing very well. We have militarily defeated that particular opponent, and we're never going to let that opponent ever -- Charles agrees with me, even more than I do -- we're never going to let that opponent have a nuclear weapon.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Now, I should note, there was no press in the room beyond photographers, when they met behind closed doors. We did not hear King Charles say that to the President. They did meet earlier, privately today, not only at the Oval Office. They had tea.
Also today, King Charles, as he was on Capitol Hill, gave a not so subtle reminder to lawmakers, in Washington, about the crucial alliance that has benefited both the United States and Europe, which is NATO.
Tonight, he repeated it again, with the President just a few feet away.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KING CHARLES III: At a most critical time in the darkest days of the 20th century, American leadership helped rebuild a shattered continent, playing a decisive role as a defender of freedom in Europe. We and I shall never forget that, nor least -- not least as freedom is again under attack, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Today, our partnerships in NATO and AUKUS deepen our technological and military cooperation, and ensure that together we can meet the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Joining me tonight is Democratic senator, Cory Booker of New Jersey, who's a member of the Foreign Relations and Judiciary Committees.
Senator, what do you make of, of the President saying there that King Charles agrees with him, on Iran not being able to obtain a nuclear weapon.
SEN. CORY BOOKER (D-NJ): I think the President has a knack for lying, exaggerating and just fibbing. So, again, I put nothing to that. He has insulted our allies. He has undermined NATO.
[21:25:00]
He actually pulled us out of a nuclear deal, in which Iran had shipped out of their country, their highly enriched uranium, were allowing spot inspectors to come in. He tore that up. Iran raced to enrich. And unfortunately, that was the President's one of the many pretexts for going to war in the first place, was to solve a problem that he caused.
COLLINS: You know, the unspoken part of this state visit is Trump's fury with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, over this war. He doesn't like that he didn't get involved to help the United States to the President's liking.
But here in Washington, we're now approaching the 60-day deadline that is set out. The War Powers Resolution, it says the President needs to terminate the use of armed forces if he doesn't have congressional authorization, say, for a 30-day extension from Congress.
Here is what some of your Republican colleagues have said about that deadline today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): 60 days is a trigger. After 60 days, in my view, the President has to obtain congressional approval, or Congress can block it. Those are the two choices.
MANU RAJU, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Is it time for Congress to check the President on this?
SEN. MIKE ROUNDS (R-SD): Well I think the expectation is that he has the ability to extend it for 30 days. I'd be surprised if he didn't ask for a 30-day extension.
SEN. THOM TILLIS (R-NC): It just can't go on forever. If they don't want to have a discussion about AUMF, then we need to have a discussion about an extension under the War Powers Resolution. That's going to require details.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: If he asks for that. How would you vote, sir?
BOOKER: Well, first of all, remember that the War Powers rule that they're talking about, law, is only triggered if America is under imminent attack, and the President acts to defend the country. That never happened.
Remember, the President had many options to deal with the crisis in Iran at his behalf. Not the one that cost American taxpayers $50 billion, $60 billion, $70 billion, caused a global oil shock, raised prices for all Americans. So, the fact that they're invoking this War Powers Resolution is problematic to me in the first place. And so, let's see if he comes back and asks for 30 more days.
Clearly, he's not resolving this conflict. But I say time and time again, what Congress has failed to do is to call for open hearings. Ask how much this is costing American taxpayers. Ask the tough questions about the impact it's having on American costs for consumer goods, for gas and more. And ask specifically, what is the President trying to achieve?
Because by every independent scorecard, Iran's regime is more radical than less. The highly-enriched fissile material is still in their country. And now, they have caused a shock by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which has caused global instability, shocked oil markets and higher prices. So, again, I'm happy to hear some Republicans starting to say things. But it's very frustrating to me that their modus operandi so far, is to do nothing, while the President is driving up costs for American taxpayers, putting more American lives on the line, and making a bad situation in the Middle East far worse.
COLLINS: But if he does come for that 30-day extension, would you be a yes or a no?
BOOKER: I would probably be a hell no. This is the wrong thing for this President to do. That's why I've been working with a group of senators to lead the effort to, every single week, force a debate on the Senate floor, and force Republicans, who won't even call an open hearing, force them to have to confront this awful war that's costing Americans so much money at home.
COLLINS: You know, right now, there is obviously the situation you just mentioned, energy prices. If the Strait of Hormuz isn't reopened? Iran is obviously blocking it right now. If they don't give up control of the enriched uranium? What do you think the President should do, now that we are in this situation as a country?
BOOKER: Well, I mean, that's the idiocy to begin with. It didn't take a genius to realize -- in fact, presidents of both sides of the aisle knew it and listened to their own advisers that said, If you go into a war with Iran, you will push them to do this. This is a president that made a massive blunder that didn't surprise anybody. We knew this was one of the tools in their tool box, and now we find ourselves in this trap of Donald Trump's making.
So remember, the nuclear situation, they still have that enriched uranium. They've now discovered that they can, with low-cost drones, inflict a lot of damage. And now we have this problem of a closed Strait of Hormuz, and then Iranians who are saying they're not going to open it unless they get certain concessions at the negotiating table.
So, again, this President has screwed this up royally. And unfortunately, taxpayers and in fact, because he's running this war on a credit card, our grandchildren are going to be paying for it. And right now, because of that closing of the Strait, Americans are paying staggering costs, not just at the gas pump, but remember anything that's trucked to us, delivered to us--
COLLINS: Yes.
BOOKER: --the cost of all consumer goods are going to be going up for Americans, already are going up for Americans as well.
[21:30:00]
COLLINS: I have to ask you about the other breaking news, though, because you're also a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. I mean, you're also just a Senator, period.
And if you look at what happened today with James Comey, this second indictment that has now been brought against him, this time over the social media post with the shells. When you look at that, what's the first word that comes to your mind, when you see that indictment?
BOOKER: Our Justice Department we rely on to keep us safe from threats at home and abroad, we need serious people that are running that agency.
We just had the acting head become a ridicule of all serious people in America that know this case is meritless and baseless. He is doing this, because he's trying to signal to one man that, By doing ridiculous cases at your behest, maybe you'll make me permanent. This is ridiculous. It is a farce. This case is going nowhere. And he has lost all shreds of integrity he might have had, if should he try to come before the Senate for confirmation.
COLLINS: When he says a grand jury approved this, what do you say to that?
BOOKER: Everybody -- most people know, I've fought in criminal justice reform for a long time, even partnered with Donald Trump, to liberate thousands of people from unjust incarceration. Everyone knows the old saying, and I say this as a vegetarian, that, you can indict a ham sandwich.
And so, this is -- this is ridiculous. There's not a serious lawyer in America, on both sides of the aisle, that know that this case is meritless. It is ridiculous. It is about yet another person, practicing an advanced form of yoga, trying to bend over backwards and contort their integrity, just to try to impress Donald Trump and maybe get his favor.
This is not what the Justice Department of the United States of America, using millions of dollars of resources, should be doing. They should be protecting the American people from dangerous criminals and from threats from abroad.
COLLINS: Senator Cory Booker, thank you for joining us tonight.
BOOKER: Thank you. Thanks for having me.
COLLINS: Up next here from the White House. There's an extraordinary escalation by the Trump administration, when it comes to the FCC, Disney, and that latest joke by Jimmy Kimmel.
Also, something pretty extraordinary came from the Justice Department today. It sounds more like a social media slam than a weedy legal filing.
[21:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Tonight, the Trump administration is taking new action against ABC to try to get the late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, off the air. Federal regulators with the FCC are now ordering a review of all station licenses that are owned by ABC, which is owned by Disney, just a day after the President and the first lady blasted Kimmel for a joke that he made last Thursday, two nights before the White House Correspondents' Dinner. That's when Kimmel said the Melania had the glow of a, quote, Expectant widow. Of course, the joke landing and happening two days before that attempted assassination attempt, as authorities now say in court charging documents, against the suspect, on Saturday night.
The President says that is a call to violence.
And Kimmel, though, disputed that and responded to the President, last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIMMY KIMMEL, HOST, "JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE": It was a very light roast joke about the fact that he's almost 80 and she's younger than I am. It was not--
(LAUGHTER)
KIMMEL: -by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassination. And they know that.
I agree that hateful and violent rhetoric is something we should reject. I do. And I think a great place to start to dial that back would be to have a conversation with your husband about it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: I'm joined tonight by CNN's Chief Media Analyst, Brian Stelter.
And Brian, as you look at this, the FCC is not mentioning Jimmy Kimmel in the statement today. They're talking about reviewing Diversity and Inclusion policies. Do you believe though, or can you explain to us how this is related to what's going on right now between this White House, the President, the first lady, and Jimmy Kimmel?
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Almost every source I have, and certainly sources at Disney -- yes, my sources at Disney say, they say this is definitely related. They see through this cover story that the FCC chair, Brendan Carr, is telling, where he is claiming this is all about an ongoing investigation into Disney's DEI practices.
This is the comment though, from the FCC, in the letter this afternoon. ABC hereby directed to file license renewals for all of their stations within 30 days.
That's never happened before in my lifetime or your lifetime. This has never happened at the FCC, the way it's being weaponized right now. So, we're in uncharted territory.
But even Senator Ted Cruz has criticized this today. It's not just Democratic politicians coming out against the FCC. Cruz telling Punchbowl, It's not the government's job to censor speech, and I do not believe the FCC should operate as the speech police. Most Americans agree with Ted Cruz.
But President Trump has threatened TV station licenses dozens of times. You and I have talked about this before. It's very hard to revoke a station's license, but Carr seems intent on trying. As a source said to me today, Carr is following the President's instructions to the T.
COLLINS: So, what happens next here? I mean, what should we be looking for, in terms of, of what this review of these licenses looks like?
STELTER: Well, number one, if you look at Disney's statement, we can put it up on screen, Disney is clearly signaling, it is going to fight this. They're using the phrase -- they're using -- they're mentioning the First Amendment. They're saying, We are confident that our record demonstrates that we are complying and we're prepared to show that through the appropriate legal channels.
So, what happens? Well, there's lots of paperwork, lots of back and forth, probably some administrative hearings. If Trump's FCC friends say that ABC's licenses should be revoked? Which, again, has not happened in decades. ABC has multiple ways to appeal, and ABC will likely win.
[21:40:00]
Legal experts tell me that the court review would take years. It would last longer than Trump's time in office. But the process is the punishment here. It actually sounds a lot to me like the experience that James Comey is going through right now.
And this is not just about ABC and Disney, although Disney is under the pressure right now with "The View" and Jimmy Kimmel. This is also about other station owners. Paramount, which is trying to buy CNN. Comcast, which owns NBC. Comcast and Paramount have lots of station licenses as well.
So, what we're seeing here is how the Trump administration is trying to weaponize government to pressure media companies. The good news tonight, Kaitlan, is that Disney is standing really strong. They believe this is a First Amendment fight that's worth taking, and they believe they'll win.
COLLINS: We will see.
Brian Stelter, thank you for the update on that.
My political sources are also joining us tonight.
Paul Begala is a Democratic strategist.
And Shermichael Singleton is a Republican strategist.
Shermichael, I wonder, you know, you're someone who tries to argue a commonsense approach. When you hear what Ted Cruz is saying about this, and Republicans who say they don't want a government that is weaponizing its powers. Do you believe that's what's happening here?
SHERMICHAEL SINGLETON, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I mean, look, as a conservative, you certainly want to restrict and minimize an encroaching government that's utilizing compulsory force to dictate what a publicly traded company can or cannot do.
On the flip side, we certainly wouldn't want a Democratic president attempting to censor Newsmax, or Fox News, or The Daily Wire, or any other conservative outlet.
So, I certainly look at it that way. I agree with Senator Cruz and other Republicans. That said, I do also understand the critique coming from the first lady. I wasn't a big fan of the joke.
I get freedom of speech, First Amendment, I'm a big advocate of it. But I think sometimes, considering the moment that we're in, Kaitlan, maybe you can walk things back and say, Look, this is just not the right timing for this type of joke. I apologize. It wasn't my intent. And then you just move on.
COLLINS: Yes.
I mean, Paul, when you look at this, and the way that, you know, Brian connected it to not only the other executives, and how they look at this.
I should mention, I mean, as we're looking at the guest list for the state dinner. David Ellison is in the White House. There's other huge executives that are there tonight, Tim Cook of Apple.
He made a connection, not only between how those executives watch something like this, but also when it comes to the Justice Department and its indictment of James Comey. Maybe it doesn't ultimately go to trial. But in the meantime, he's going to likely turn himself in and deal with that until a judge weighs in.
PAUL BEGALA, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, this is a multi-front attack on freedom, on freedom of the speech, freedom of the press. James -- and by the way, breaking news, Hell has frozen over because I'm agreeing with Ted Cruz. Ted Cruz is right.
This is -- what Jim Comey did, putting seashells to use a old -- I used to work at a bar, old restaurant, term 86 47. That's not a threat of violence. It's not a call to kill someone.
What Jimmy Kimmel told a joke about the age gap, between the President and the first lady? That's not a threat of violence.
You know what threat of violence is? Hang Mike Pence. These animals were chanting that on January 6th. While our Vice President, Mike Pence, was in the Capitol, performing his constitutional duties, these rioters who had beaten and attacked cops, stormed the Capitol with murderous intent, chanting, Hang Mike Pence. And Trump pardoned them. Trump says that was a day of love.
So, be really clear, this is an all-out attack on freedom of the speech and freedom of press. Anybody who criticizes Trump is going to be prosecuted or persecuted. And anybody who attacks, even threatens violence, against people Trump doesn't like? They're going to get a pardon.
COLLINS: Shermichael, can I get your take on something else? I mean, we heard the King mentioned the construction here at the White House today--
SINGLETON: Sure.
COLLINS: --for the ballroom that's happening, not too far behind me.
There is a Justice Department filing tonight on -- a legal filing over the fight over this. They basically want him to go to Congress to get authorization for this.
But this latest filing from the DOJ maybe sounds more like a Truth Social post than a typical legal filing. But it says, quote, "The National Trust for Historic Preservation" is a beautiful name, but even their name is FAKE... They were asked by the United States Military not to bring this suit because of the Top Secret nature of the important facility being built... But this did not deter them because they suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome.
Does that sound like a compelling legal argument to you?
SINGLETON: I mean, look, I think the compelling legal argument, one, they probably are building a bunker underneath the facility. I'm almost certain of that, at least, according to some folks who are familiar with this type of a building process.
Second, I think it's time for presidents and world leaders who visit the United States for state dinners to get out of a tent. I mean, I think it's embarrassing for the country. I do think there's a potential national security risk there. I know other presidents in the past have attempted to contemplate maybe building something. Some have walked it back.
[21:45:00]
We do have a Republican-controlled Congress. I mean, it would be great to see the Congress, House and Senate, support the President, approve this. They should be able to easily do this, appropriate the proper funding. I'm not sure why they're not doing it.
But with that said, I just don't see the negative in having this built, not only for this president, but for future presidents.
COLLINS: Paul, do you think, politically speaking, as someone who's obviously been around a lot of politicians, do you think after the President has said repeatedly that it's being paid for by private donations, that it would fly, if they do go to Congress and it's done through taxpayer dollars, which is what some lawmakers, some Republicans, are advocating for?
BEGALA: When you're paying over $4 a gallon for gas, and over $6.70 for hamburger? No. As we say back home, Shermichael, the brother of Texan, That dog don't hunt.
But even more than that, even if it is special interests funding it, or Arab sheiks, or whoever the hell might be funding it, this is not about security. It's about vanity.
I worked in the White House. I worked for a President. The threats are real, and the threats against this president are real, and he must be protected. He must. But the ballroom doesn't solve that problem. Thank God it was -- it was -- it failed.
But there's an assassination attempt against President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania at a rally. He still has rallies. There was another one at one of his golf courses in Florida. He still plays golf. By the way, I think it's a good thing. I think presidents should be getting out -- getting out there.
But this -- this is not about security. It never was. It's about one man's vanity, the same guy who's put his name on the Kennedy Center, on the U.S. Institute of Peace, on every bus bench and sewage treatment plant he can find.
The only good is, in 997 days, thanks be to God, Mr. Trump will retire from the presidency. And when that happens, we'll be able to pay off the national debt -- just by charging people five or 10 bucks to take a chisel and take his name off all of that crap, because every bit of it will be gone in 997 days. You watch.
SINGLETON: Yes, I got to just push back against my good friend here, Paul. I don't know how you can look at a hardened facility as opposed to a movable one, that being a tent, and not say that there isn't a difference in terms of security capabilities and the mechanisms that can be placed for prolonged periods of time versus movable ones.
I mean, just being a gun guy, spending a lot of time around law enforcement officials, I can absolutely tell you, there is a big difference, and I would not ignore that merely because of one's dislike of Trump. And it's not as if the ballroom was going to leave with Trump. Other presidents will also benefit from the ballroom, Paul. And so, I think we should keep that in mind.
COLLINS: Paul Begala. And Shermichael Singleton.
BEGALA: Well, and he should just keep in mind, it's not his house. The people should vote on this.
I'm sorry, Kaitlan, I'm sorry to interrupt.
COLLINS: No. Go ahead. Finish your thought.
BEGALA: The people should vote on this through Congress.
SINGLETON: I agree with that, Paul. BEGALA: It's not his house. It's not his house. He's a temporary occupant, as all presidents are. And by golly, he ought to act like it. He ought to have some--
(CROSSTALK)
SINGLETON: And all presidents make modifications, as you and I both know, Paul.
COLLINS: All right. Paul Begala. Shermichael Singleton. We'll have to leave it there.
If you just listen to what Paul said though, about the President putting his likeness on something, you're going to want to stay tuned for what we have coming up here for you.
Also tonight, the King's pointed message that he brought with him to Washington. And what's next on his agenda?
[21:50:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: We're back live on the North Lawn of the White House, as the state dinner for King Charles and Queen Camilla is underway right now, after we heard from the King and the President exchanging toast earlier tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Ladies and gentlemen, I offer a toast to 250 years of American freedom and very importantly, to a great man, His Majesty, King Charles III.
KING CHARLES III: Tonight, Mr. President, I am delighted to present to you as a personal gift, the original bell which hung on the conning tower of your valiant namesake. May it stand as a testimony to our nation's shared history and shining future. And should you ever need to get hold of us, well just give us a ring.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: CNN's Max Foster is back with me.
He's quite on a humorous applause--
FOSTER: He's good as there.
COLLINS: --here.
FOSTER: But a serious message underneath that. You know, there's been criticism of the of the British Navy, famously from President Trump, and he's basically giving him a link to the British Navy. You know, this isn't your part of this British Navy. I think that's quite smart. COLLINS: Yes, the President said they just have a bunch of little toys when he was angry about Keir Starmer not sending them to help.
FOSTER: Absolutely.
COLLINS: The other comment the President made tonight that was off script, it seemed, was, he said the King agreed with him that Iran can't have a nuclear weapon. Not totally a revelatory position for someone like the King to have, I guess.
But I mean, would we ever hear from the Palace, had the King not actually said that?
FOSTER: No.
COLLINS: They'll just never correct it?
FOSTER: There's a protocol that you never share private conversations with the monarch always, it goes back in history. I mean, the President isn't bound by that custom. He's not -- you know, the King isn't his head of state. So, he doesn't have to stick with that.
And do remember that the King went into these private conversations with previous experience. So, when he was Prince Charles, Trump had a meeting with him, and Trump came out and said it was a very boring conversation about climate change.
COLLINS: Oh, really?
FOSTER: So, he's shared those conversations before. He's actually shared conversations he had with the late Queen as well. So, they went in, knowing that.
I don't think it's a shock that Charles would have those views. His Father, Prince Philip, had talked about nuclear deterrence possibly playing a role, but it should be kept to a bare minimum. So, he comes from that. So, I don't think it's a shock.
But the Palace would never confirm or deny what was said in that meeting, because whether Trump sticks to that protocol is one thing, but the King will certainly stick to it.
COLLINS: So, it's basically just a he-said--
(CROSSTALK)
FOSTER: But we're -- it is what it is. You know, we go with what Trump says, and you believe him or not.
[21:55:00]
COLLINS: Max Foster, it has been so fun, having you here at the White House.
FOSTER: Thank you for having me. Wonderful.
COLLINS: Thanks for joining us on our makeshift set here on the Lawn tonight.
Up next. Of course, we know there's TrumpRx. There's Trump Gold Cards. There's Trump Accounts. Now the President's face might be on your new passport. I'll explain right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: There's the stern look that is engraved on to the commemorative gold coin. The official White House portrait that is now alongside President George Washington on those annual National Park passes. And now, President Trump's likeness on items said to be celebrating America's 250th birthday is growing, now extending to official U.S. passports, starting this summer.
[22:00:00]
A State Department official has confirmed to CNN that it will be the default passport out of the Washington Passport Agency when available, for all who renew in-person at that location. You can see a mockup here, the President's face and his gold signature will appear on the inside cover of anyone who gets their passport, here in Washington, during this time. The official also said that the classic passport design will still be available at other locations, and online.
Thanks so much for joining us here tonight from the Lawn of the White House. It's been great to have you.
"CNN NEWSNIGHT WITH ABBY PHILLIP" starts right now.
