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The Brief with Jim Sciutto

CNN International: Judge Denies Sean Diddy "Combs" Bail; Combs Convicted on Prostitution Charges; U.S. House to Vote on Trump Budget Bill; U.S. to Pause Some Weapons Shipments to Ukraine; Ukraine Says 30,000 N. Korean Troops to Help Russia; Kohberger Pleads Guilty to Idaho Student Murders; Trump's Trade Agreement with Vietnam. Aired 6-7p ET

Aired July 02, 2025 - 18:00   ET

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

[18:00:00]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. And you're watching

"The Brief."

Just ahead this hour, Sean Diddy Combs trial. Sean Diddy Combs is denied bail as he awaits sentencing now on prostitution related offenses. U.S.

House Republicans stall for time as they try to secure enough votes for Trump's budget bill. And Ukrainian officials say North Korea plans to send

up to 30,000 more troops to bolster Russian forces.

But first, a judge has now denied a request by Sean Diddy Combs to be released on bail ahead of his sentencing, citing his violent behavior and

disregard for the law. Earlier today, jurors acquitted Combs of the most serious charges he was facing, racketeering, conspiracy, and sex

trafficking. They did find him guilty of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Each of those counts carries a maximum sentence of

10 years in prison. Court sketches show the music mogul on his knees following the verdict. Here's what our Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig had

to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: I have said from day one of this case, they overcharged this. This is an inappropriate case for RICO. They

did not have the goods. They did not have the proof that this was a criminal structured organization, and it backfired on them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: For more. I'm joined now by former federal prosecutor Alyse Adamson. And, Alyse, good to have you. I wonder, first of all, do you agree

with Elie Honig's analysis there, that prosecutors, in effect, were too ambitious trying to prove this racketeering case?

ALYSE ADAMSON, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: I think the jury certainly agreed with Elie. And, you know, that's a tough question. I understand

Elie's analysis and I don't particularly disagree. However, I think it's important to note that prosecutors have limited tools in their toolbox for

situations like this. And by situations like this, I'm talking about. Individuals who have power in influence such that they are able to hide

their crimes for years. And so, once the crimes come to light, if they come to light at all, they have then the statute of limitations have then

elapsed, meaning they can't be brought to justice.

So, I think what we saw here was a novel use of the RICO statute to try to bring Combs to justice for -- as we did see coming out through trial, a

pattern of criminal activity over the course of decades. So, was this an overreach? Perhaps. But again, prosecutors have limited tools in their

toolbox, and I think this was done as a righteous prosecution in an effort to seek justice for these victims.

SCIUTTO: Now, to be fair, two counts -- conviction on two counts and quite serious counts is no small thing. Is that, in your view, a victory for the

prosecution?

ADAMSON: I mean, I think today's verdict can be headlined as a win for the defense because the most serious charges were -- the jury did acquit on.

Sean Combs was facing life in prison, and he is now facing maximum, a statutory maximum of 10 years on each count.

And let me be clear, that's the statutory maximum. There is something called the sentencing guidelines, and that is what judges follow and I

think the prosecution indicated that under their calculation, he's only facing 51 to 63 months, which is four years in three months, or five years

in three months for these charges. So, yes, a partial win for the prosecution, but five years pales in comparison to the potential life

sentence that he was facing prior to this acquittal.

SCIUTTO: Now, to just to be clear, would that be -- since it's two counts, would that be concurrently or a total potentially of those four to five

years times two?

[18:05:00]

ADAMSON: That was not clear to me. This was in the prosecution's detention recommendation. So, it was not immediately clear what they meant. I think

it's important to note that here, because of the time span between both of the counts that he was convicted of, there was a time window in between the

two and because they were against two separate victims, it is possible for a judge to run these counts consecutively, meaning back-to-back. So,

instead of running the time together, he would get more jail time.

SCIUTTO: I see. So, that -- I mean, that starts to bring you closer to double digits behind bars. Now, typically, with a case like this, what

percentage of that sentence would the convicted be likely to serve?

ADAMSON: That's also a good question. Let's remember that Combs has been in detention since September when the -- some the indictment came down. So,

he's going to get credit for the time he has already served. That's not free time. So, he's been imprisoned for nine, 10 months, a little under a

year. So, he'll get credit for that. And then, I believe they have to serve something like 85 percent of their time if they are behaving in prison,

essentially. He can't have any infractions. And then, he's going to be on a period of supervised release once he's released.

So, let's -- even after he finishes his prison sentence, and the viewers should know that he is not eligible for probation after these two

convictions, these do carry a term of imprisonment. So, it's not a question of if he will, it's a question of how long. And then when he gets out, he's

still going to be monitored for quite some time.

SCIUTTO: Understood. Before we go, I wonder, you know, given the testimony we heard in this trial and some of the videos we saw, right, of him, you

know, beating, right, one of his former girlfriends. Are you surprised that this is as far as the jury went?

ADAMSON: Yes, I can't say that I'm surprised. Because, once again, I think Elie's take on this entire case was shared by a lot of legal experts. I

think, you know, especially with respect to the sex trafficking, there was a thin line between consent and coercion. And when we're talking about a

criminal child where the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, if the defense is able to effectively cast doubt, then the jury is going to

find in the defendant's favor.

And I think when we saw Cassie Ventura being effectively crossed, in my opinion, on some of her text messages in particular, demonstrating her

willingness to participate, I think the jury may have felt like that was too much doubt. There wasn't any independent corroboration, which wasn't

then rebutted by the defense indicating that she was coerced.

Now, of course. In my view, because I was a prosecutor, I think that this case was definitely proved. I think that testimony was enough, but I do

understand how a jury, hearing all of this, may have felt that there was reasonable doubt.

SCIUTTO: Right. And ultimately, of course, it's up to them. Alyse Adamson, thanks so much for sharing your experience.

ADAMSON: Thanks so much for having me.

SCIUTTO: Well, the House of Representatives is set to vote on Donald Trump's megabill, that is if the U.S. president can win the support of

right-wing holdout. Some GOP hardliners have threatened to block the so- called big beautiful bill. It was narrowly approved by the Senate on Tuesday with Vice President J. D. Vance casting the breaking vote. The bill

would slash funding to programs such as Medicaid while increasing funding for border security, among other things.

Joining me now. Republican Congressman Don Bacon of Nebraska. Congressman, good to have you back.

REP. DON BACON (R-NE): Thank you, Jim. It's always good to be with you.

SCIUTTO: So, first, you defended Republican Senator Thom Tillis' criticism of the Senate version of the bill, particularly as it affects Medicaid.

Have you decided where you're going to vote?

BACON: Well, I wish they would've done the House version of the Medicaid bill. I think our bill is better. I know the hospitals preferred it. But in

the end, I have a choice to take what I thinks a mediocre or poor bill on Medicaid, which could be better. But I have an opportunity to vote to

protect taxpayers from middle class all Americans and protect them from a 20 percent tax increase.

In Nebraska, if you're earning $50,000, it'd be $141 a month tax increase. We don't vote for this. But I also want to fix the military. The military

is spending about 2.9 percent of our GDP. It's the lowest since 1940. And we're doing a very poor job. So, I have to weigh what's better here. And

so, if I have to take this choice, I'm going to vote yes. I do think the House version was a better bill.

SCIUTTO: Do you believe Republicans will get enough votes? Because as you know, several of your Republican colleagues in the House have said at least

publicly that for now they're nos.

[18:10:00]

BACON: Yes. I really don't know, Jim. I think it's going to be tough to whip, but we call them the whip. Tom Everts is working overtime right now

to get this done. I do think our bill would've been a better solution, but this isn't a -- unfortunately, I get a yes no vote. Do I vote to protect

people's taxes from going up? Do I get our military protected? Do I improve our border security? And take something that -- our hospitals, when I talk

to them, they say they could survive the Senate bill. And one of the cuts don't happen for five years. So, it's an opportunity to tweak these as we

go.

But you know, I got a choice. What is going to provide more benefit? What's going to provide more damage? And I think our economy would struggle if we

raised everybody's taxes by roughly 20 percent and lose a lot of the gains that we have in our tax code. And so, that's a choice I have.

SCIUTTO: Where does this leave Republicans' long very public promises to control or even reduce as opposed to add to the national debt, this is

going to add to the debt?

BACON: Well, there's two ways to look at it. If you look at it just from the CBO's perspective, if we did nothing, most people's taxes go up 20

percent. That obviously would reduce the deficit. And we don't want to raise people's taxes 20 percent, but the CBO that says, well, that's going

to add to the deficit.

Now, if you just look at our spending out of this bill, we're actually reducing spending. And we're reducing the growth in spending. But the fact

that we're not going to raise taxes 20 percent is why CBO says the dust is going to get worse.

But I would point out to you, Jim, what does our economy look like if we raise everybody's taxes 20 percent? I think it would take a hit and it

would not be good for our economy, would not be good for growth. So, that's the choice we have.

SCIUTTO: So, the elephant in the room, as it relates to you, as you've announced that you're not going to run for reelection. And I wonder what

drove you to it? Is it the nature of politics on the Hill today?

BACON: More than anything I was wanting to be with family more. I spent four days a week in D.C. I've been doing that for 10 years. We've spent

five years on a jet every week, two flights. And you know, I've been married 41 years. I did 30 years in the Air Force, a lot of deployments, a

lot of time away from home, and now 10 years in Congress. And I'm confident I could win reelection. But I mean, I couldn't guarantee it. I've been one

of the toughest districts in the country that's gone for the Democrat presidential candidates the last two times.

But for me to win this cycle, I'd have to do another 14-hour a day gig for five days a week, work most Saturdays at some Sundays, and I just don't

know if I want to put that effort in a winning reelection again. I'd like to spend more of that time with family. I got eight grandkids. And I just

thought it was time to look for something new, unless somebody else on the Republican side that is willing to put that 14-hour day grind in to hold

the seat.

But I just -- I wondered if I had enough gas in the tank. Because it takes a hundred percent effort to win this district. And I did it five times.

Literally, last election, the next day, I was sitting on a couch and I had zero gas in the tank. I was a depleted individual. I had worked 51 days out

of 52 going into the election last cycle. And I put it all on the line. And I just thought, can I do that again? I've done it five times.

SCIUTTO: Well, listen, I can understand the desire to spend more time with family. Fact is, as you know, there have been many times when you've been

at odds with your own party and even the president on issues of foreign policy, support for Ukraine, for instance, but other issues. Even the kind

of language President Trump uses to attack his opponents. Was any part of the decision a sense that the party has left you to some degree?

BACON: Well, it is a concern. I mean, it's not the reason I got out. I feel like we need people to defend, I would say more traditional Reagan

type Republicanism. That's -- and I was a Reagan fan at 13 when he ran in 1976 against Jerry Ford. But I would say it is a concern because it's --

you're not only defending yourself from attacks from the left, you're also from the so-called right. I think I'm actually the conservative with the

more traditional Reagan values.

But it -- you know, you get hard primaries. Literally, the last May, when I had the primary in 2024, one day I was a commie, democrat, rhino. And then

the day after the primary, I'm a Trumpian fascist threat to democracy, and that's sort of what -- that's sort of the environment of our politics

today.

So, I don't -- do I like that? No. But I like getting things done. I have passed more legislation than any other congressman in the last two years in

Congress, out of four -- out of -- number one out of 435. I think we've been able to get things done. We've been a bipartisan member of Congress,

rated the most effective in national security by the Center for Lawmaking Effectiveness.

[18:15:00]

So, I like getting things done. I like doing good things for the country. But to your point, the nastiness though, it's not a plus.

SCIUTTO: Yes, I get it. Before I go, I do want to ask you, because there is an element of news today, and that is the Trump administration has

paused weapons shipments to Ukraine, particularly weapons that it depends on the most, right, to defend Ukrainian cities from Russian missile and

drone attacks, these air defense missiles, Patriot missile systems. What's your reaction to that? Is that a betrayal of Ukraine?

BACON: I don't think it's right. I think it's wrong. Now, granted, they're saying we don't have enough missiles to share back with Ukraine right now,

that's going to deplete our own inventory. They owe us answers, in my view, on this. But we have an obligation to help Ukraine win. If Ukraine falls,

Moldova will be next. General Petraeus is saying the Baltics will be next. And if you don't stop a bully, the bully keeps coming at you. And that's

how I see this.

And so, if this assistant secretary or whatever the guy was that made this decision, did it without approval, he should be fired. But we want to dig

into it. I know it's not just me, Brian Fitzpatrick and others on the Republican side like to know why this decision was made. They got to defend

it. And frankly, from what I could see, it's a wrong decision for Ukraine and for our national security.

SCIUTTO: Well, Congressman Bacon, I'll miss our conversations and I'm not saying this is the last one because I've always appreciated your calm and

polite analysis of events in Washington. But certainly, wish you the best of luck on the other side.

BACON: Thank you. Well, we got a year and a half more. I got to finish strong.

SCIUTTO: Yes, no. I'm going to keep bothering you, trust me. I will. But when we get there. Thanks so much for joining.

BACON: Thank you, sir.

SCIUTTO: Still ahead, as we just mentioned, the U.S. suspending some whip weapons shipments to Ukraine, particularly defensive weapons.

Plus, North Korea sends even more troops to Russia's frontlines in Ukraine. How the Kremlin's summer offensive is heating up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:20:00]

SCIUTTO: The news today, U.S. will pause some weapons shipments to Ukraine, that includes air defense missiles that help it fend off

continuing Russian attacks, particularly on civilian targets cities. Pentagon is going ahead with the pause after conducting a review of

military spending and stockpiles. This despite President Trump suggesting just last week that the U.S. could make Patriot missile systems available

to Kyiv more of them. Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, responded by saying, Ukraine must now defend itself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): There were reports from the ministers of defense and foreign affairs of Ukraine, in

particular on relations with the United States of America. Currently, at the working level between Ukraine and the United States, all details are

being clarified regarding the supply of defense support, including the air defense component. One way or another, we must ensure protection for our

people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Well, Russia's getting yet more help from North Korea in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. According to Ukrainian intelligence, Pyongyang

is sending up to 30,000 more troops to bolster Russian forces along the frontlines. North Korea initially sent some 11,000 troops to Russian

territory last year. Officials say thousands of those North Korean fighters were either killed or wounded. Nick Paton Walsh has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): They brought near suicidal, ruthless tactics. The rumblings of a war going

global. 11,000 North Korean troops helped Russia expel Kyiv soldiers from its border of Kursk. But that it seems is just the start.

CNN has learned up to 30,000 more maybe headed to the frontlines, according to Ukrainian intelligence, for use in a summer offensive. With Moscow

hungry for manpower and Pyongyang keen to school its troops in a brutal trench and drone warfare.

They were first seen here in October, but recently, the roots used then could be active again. A troop carrying Reputa (ph) ship was seen here on

May the 18th. The same type of vessel at the same Russian port used in transports last year, experts said.

Ukraine also assesses Russia will refit transport planes like the ones seen on the tarmac here again in June at North Korea's Sudan airport to move so

many North Koreans. Likely air or rail will take them across Siberia to the frontline, 10 kilometers east of Kursk. This camp has enlarged in recent

months, further evidence of North Korean buildup.

CNN has geolocated to hear this six-minute video report from apart Korean, Russian correspondent. The report surfaced 48 hours after the Kremlin's

first admission of the North Korean deployment.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): Such a good bunker. Warm.

WALSH (voice-over): They're not only training, but appear to have new, long-term bunker accommodation and equipment. The tastes of home red,

Korean pepper, and homemade propaganda. It says, revenge for our fallen comrades. This Russian instructor says his new trainees are aged 23 to 27.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): The guys arrive in good physical condition. Their fighters are as good as ours. They enemy runs away first.

And the enemy does run, because it's afraid of a gun fight.

WALSH (voice-over): And there's a translation sheet to get over the language barrier, which meant the first units operated separately from the

Russians.

State media has shown videos of both countries now training together. Here, in the same training ground, a Russian shows how to use a shotgun to take

down a drone. Others practicing clearing buildings together.

More signs are open. Putin's top presidential adviser, Sergei Shoigu, visiting Kim Jong Un here for the second time in a fortnight, announcing a

thousand mine clearers, and 5,000 military construction workers to rebuild Kursk region. Perhaps a sign Moscow is indeed short of the manpower it has

sent mercilessly into the fight, but also that it is not short on allies who share their ruthless commitment.

Nick Paton Walsh, CNN London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: Joining me now is Volodymyr Omelyan, Ukraine's, former infrastructure minister. Thanks so much for taking the time.

VOLODYMYR OMELYAN, FORMER UKRAINIAN INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTER AND UKRAINIAN ARMY (RET.): Thank you, Jim, for inviting me, and it's a great honor for

me to be with you.

[18:25:00]

SCIUTTO: Given your job as infrastructure minister, you, of course, have great knowledge of the enormous damage to Ukraine from Russian missile and

drone strikes throughout the course of this war. What does it mean to Ukraine and its defense for the U.S. to suspend crucial air defense

munitions?

OMELYAN: Definitely we were very much frustrated from today's news from Washington, regardless the attempt of State Department to correct them and

to say that, look, it's not about the total postponement, but it's a kind of only one element of all supplies. It sounds very bad for us. And those

news were welcomed by Kremlin to the greatest extent. They are happy and closing to such decision of Pentagon.

I do hope that president of United States will do everything possible to correct the situation, because exactly what Russia awaits from the west,

that west is in chaos. West is not organized. West is weak. And it -- Russia will be allowed to occupy Europe together with China.

SCIUTTO: This is the second time the U.S. has suspended arms assistance to Ukraine. Of course, you have the suspension of intelligence sharing a

number of weeks ago. It is applied no new pressure on Russia. President Trump has threatened sanctions, never delivered new sanctions on Russia. In

your view, is President Trump favoring Russia over Ukraine? Is it being harder on Ukraine than Russia?

OMELYAN: I don't want to be negative in this situation because I still believe that Trump is the president of United States, is a leader of the

world. And he cannot favor Putin's massacre and murder and Kremlin, which is the only goal is to concur the west and to put their own not democratic

rules and to rule the Europe.

I still hope that there is some kind of game behind, as well as it was done by George Bush during the collapse of Soviet Union when he was cherishing

and hugging Gorbachev and asking Ukrainians to keep Soviet Union alive while watching that it's close to collapse.

So, maybe it's a wishful thinking, but I would like to think in this direction. And if truth is different, that Trump still believes that his

best friend is Putin, leader of North Korea, and China, we are all in big trouble.

SCIUTTO: Can Europe come to Ukraine's aid now and at least temporarily make up for the loss of U.S. weapons?

OMELYAN: Paraphrasing the NATO secretary general, I would like to stay the same, that we all aware that daddy left home. And we need some time to get

mature. And it all depends how much time do we get, to be ready for self- defense.

Right now, Europe is very much concerned about Russian threats. They finally realize that it's real, not inside of their capitals, and Germany

is not fighting back physically Russian invasion yet. But it may happen very soon. At least in Great Britain, they're very much concerned and put

all efforts to strengthen their army, to provide support to Ukraine to extent needed, because London definitely realizes that it's much better to

stop Russia in Ukraine, than do it once again in Dunkirk.

SCIUTTO: That discussion, the idea that Russia might attack Europe or NATO next, I hear it a lot in Europe, particularly Eastern Europe, certainly

from Ukraine. An America still, it is seen as an exaggeration or a distant threat. I'm giving you an opportunity here to speak to Americans. How

seriously should they take the threat from Russia, to Europe, and beyond?

OMELYAN: By 2014, before first Russian invasion, I would say that if you ask average Ukrainian, he will always replies to you that, look, we are

confident, Russia is friend of us, not an enemy of us. Reality changed radically. Unfortunately, we overslept the invasion of Russia into Georgia

in 2008. We thought it was kind of misunderstanding or something different.

[18:30:00]

Many politicians in the west would like to take situation in Ukraine, it's also the big misunderstanding. And it's a great wish of Russia that we

occupy Ukraine, put back business as usual, then concentrate our forces and strike West.

Definitely, United States are far away and divided by the ocean, but in nowadays world, you cannot feel secure, even if ocean lies between you and

the enemy. There are too many attempts of hybrid war to strike your state from the inside. So, my pure dream and sincere dream is that we keep our

strategic relationship with United States, that Washington takes the situation seriously.

And we did with Russia what recently was done to Iran. We can spend years for talks of fights, or we can end this story of Red Army with two weeks of

combat jets hitting red army lines and supplies.

SCIUTTO: Well, it's an apt warning. Volodymyr Omelyan, we do appreciate you joining today.

OMELYAN: Thank you for having me.

SCIUTTO: Coming up, back to the breaking news here in the U.S., as Sean Diddy Combs denied bail. What an attorney for victim one in the trial

wanted the prosecution to know during those bail hearings. Please do stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SCIUTTO: Welcome back to "The Brief." I'm Jim Sciutto. Here are more international headlines we're watching today. Sean Diddy Combs will remain

in jail after a New York judge denied him bail. A jury acquitted Combs of the most serious charges in the U.S. government's sex trafficking and

racketeering trial against him. He was convicted of two lesser prostitution charges. Combs has been in jail since last September. The judge has

proposed a sentencing date of October 3rd.

[18:35:00]

President Trump is keeping up the pressure on U.S. House Republican holdouts as a vote on his. Senate passed domestic policy megabill goes down

to the wire. Final vote could come as soon as today or Thursday. The president wants it on his desk by Friday, July 4th. However, some

Republicans are threatening to block the Trump agenda bill, one saying, quote, "There's no reason to bankrupt the country because you want to go

shoot off some fireworks."

A new proposal aims to keep Israel and Hamas involved in talks past a 60- day cease fire. That's if a deal to end the war in Gaza and release remaining hostages is not reached by then. The source familiar with

negotiations tells CNN that Israel has accepted that proposal and said top Hamas officials are now expected to meet on Thursday. If there is an

agreement, both sides would then enter so-called proximity talks in the same building, according to the source. That means messages could be passed

quickly between the two sides as they negotiate.

Returning now to our breaking news from the top of the show. The judge said he denied bail to Sean Diddy Combs because he demonstrated, quote,

disregard for the rule of law and a propensity to violence. The attorney for Cassie Ventura requested the court keep Combs in jail. She was victim

one in the trial. Her lawyer writing that, quote, "Mr. Combs is likely to pose a danger to the victims who testified in the case, including herself,

as well as to the community.

Kara Scannell outside the courthouse was inside as events unfolded. First, tell us what the atmosphere was like in the courtroom when that verdict was

announced.

KARA SCANNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jim, when the verdict was announced, we knew that there had been a verdict and Combs' legal team had

walked him out of the side room, which is where he was in a holding cell, and everyone had a very serious, almost grave expression on their face.

Once the jury delivered the verdict, the foreperson was asked for each of the counts, that first count of racketeering conspiracy, the foreperson

said not guilty, and then you saw the relief begin to wash over the family. Someone in the family section yelled yes. There was also some reaction from

Combs. He put his head in his hand. And then, when the second count, count two, sex trafficking of Cassie Ventura, not guilty, there was someone else

in the family section yelled, woo-hoo. They were -- there was a complete excitement and ambulation coming from that side.

Combs, at that point, had a small kind of subtle fist pump. And then he was looking at the jury once they were being told if everyone was unanimous on

those verdicts, including the two verdicts where he was convicted of the transportation for prostitution. The jurors individually said that that was

their vote and Combs was nodding at them, put his hands in a prayer position, looking at them all as they said that.

There were a lot of emulation. Combs then went -- spoke over to his family before he was let out of the courtroom, telling them that he loved them,

telling them to stay strong. And then, once he left, his lawyers were celebrating, hugging each other. His friends and families that filled two

rows, his adult sons were there, his adult daughters were there. Everyone was chanting, dream team, dream team. And they broke out into applause.

So, a lot of excitement, a lot of happiness at that split verdict because Combs avoided the most serious charges, charges that could have landed him

in prison for the rest of his life. He will be sentenced, and that date has tentatively been sent for October 3rd, although his lawyers are asking for

that to be sped up. But certainly, an outcome that was the best that they were hoping for to avoid those most serious charges, although he will

likely face some additional time in prison. Jim.

SCIUTTO: Was there reaction in the courtroom from family members or those tied to the plaintiffs in this case?

SCANNELL: The only person that I saw in the courtroom representing the victims in the case was Cassie Ventura's attorney. He has been -- he was at

the trial the first week when she was testifying. He's been there at other days, and he was there through the closing arguments and through the

deliberations. And as the verdict was being read, I glanced over at him, he was looking at his phone, typing into it, potentially relaying the message

out to Ventura.

You know, he has said that -- he issued a statement saying that, you know, it's still important that she came forward. It was her lawsuit that

prompted this criminal investigation. And so, you know, they obviously would've liked the decision to go the other way, but they are happy that

she was able to tell her story. She testified on the stand for the first week of that trial under cross-examination as well. And now, her side of

the story is publicly aired.

[18:40:00]

But there was no one else that I could identify that was representing any of the other victims or accusers in this case. But you know, it, it

certainly is something that he has found accountable for some of this, even if not the most serious charges.

SCIUTTO: That's right. Of course, convicted of those two charges of prostitution. Kara Cannell, just outside the courthouse, thanks so much.

Well, Bryan Kohberger has made a deal that spares him the death penalty. The 30-year-old former criminology student pleaded guilty Wednesday to

killing four University of Idaho students in 2022.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you honor about that same date in Moscow, Idaho kill and Murder Kaylee Goncalves, a human being?

BRYAN KOHBERGER, SUSPECT: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And did you do that willfully, unlawfully, deliberately, and with premeditation and malice of forethought?

KOHBERGER: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Quite a word to hear there, quite an answer. Some of the victim's families, however, condemned the plea deal, including the family of the

young woman you just heard Kohberger admit to killing, Kaylee Goncalves. The Goncalves family issued a statement which I obtained saying quote,

"Today was the day for answers, the day to find out what happened, to find out really anything about what the defendant did that night and why he took

the lives of four beautiful people. At least that's what we hoped. But hope is really all we had today."

The judge has set Kohberger's sentencing for July 23rd, but again, cannot face the death penalty as part of this plea deal. Life in prison is the

maximum.

Still ahead, the U.S. announcing a trade agreement today with Vietnam, a rare win for the White House just days before President Trump's tariff

deadline. Of course, there were many other trade deals promised that haven't come through. We're going to have the state of the trade talks

coming up.

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SCIUTTO: Welcome back to "The Brief." Checking the action now on Wall Street, U.S. stocks finished Wednesday's session mostly higher with the S&P

and NASDAQ hitting fresh new record highs. Stocks advance despite new concerns about the strength of the U.S. jobs market. The latest ADP report

shows that private payrolls shed 33,000 jobs last month. That is the first decline in more than two years. Economists were expecting an increase of a

hundred thousand jobs. We will know more about the state of the job market when official numbers come out tomorrow.

[18:45:00]

Stocks in the news include Tesla. Elon Musk's EV firm announced sales fell 13.5 percent in the second quarter compared to the same time a year ago.

That the worst year over year decline ever for the company. Tesla shares however rose almost 5 percent because investors had feared even worse

results. Shares of Paramount fell 2.5 percent after it announced a $16 million settlement with President Trump. You'll remember Trump sued the

company over a 60 minutes interview with Kamala Harris, which he claims was edited to make her look good. CBS News has denied that. Paramount is the

parent company of CBS, which broadcast the show, "60 Minutes."

President Trump has announced a trade agreement with Vietnam. That would make Vietnam one of only two countries, along with the U.K., to reach a

deal with the U.S. before Trump's 90-day pause on tariffs runs out. Here's how the president framed that deal on social media. The U.S. will levy a 20

percent tariff on Vietnamese goods, far lower than the 46 percent rate announced in April. Twice, however, the amount being paid now. Trump said

Vietnam will not charge any tariffs on goods imported from the U.S.

One other component of this deal could create new tensions with China though. As part of the agreement, the U.S. will charge a 40 percent tariff

on goods from China and other countries that pass-through Vietnam. One way that companies have attempted to avoid the higher duties.

Joining me now is Wendy Cutler. She's a former acting deputy U.S. trade representative, current vice president of the Asia Society Policy

Institute. Wendy, good to have you back.

WENDY CULTER, FORMER ACTING DEPUTY U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AND VICE PRESIDENT, ASIA SOCIETY POLICY INSTITUTE: Thank you.

SCIUTTO: So, take a look at this deal. Is this good for the U.S.?

CULTER: Well, first of all, we haven't seen the deal. So, we have to see the details. But I think it is good news. As you mentioned, it's the second

deal in 86 days. This is clearly not the 90 deals in 90 days. But perhaps this deal can provide important momentum for other countries to finalize

their negotiations in the next few days.

SCIUTTO: To your point, Trump and his advisers have repeatedly said that dozens of trade deals were just around the corner. I mean, we could play

the tape, but you're familiar with those statements. It's proven to be false. Why is it taking so long? I mean, listen, as you know better than

anyone, takes a long time to negotiate trade deals typically.

CULTER: Absolutely. And when I heard initially the goals for a 90-day period, I just thought as a former trade negotiator, what a huge task that

is. And I doubted that even a handful of deals could be reached. But look, progress is being made, but I think the administration had unrealistic

expectations and overestimated its leverage with many countries.

SCIUTTO: Does this indicate, this deal, where, at least if we take Trump's claim at face value, that the U.S. will still be imposing a significant

tariff on Vietnamese goods, but get nothing, zero tariffs in return? I mean, is that a realistic thing for the U.S. to expect from other trading

partners? It doesn't seem to be in their interest to strike deals like that.

CULTER: Look, we have a, we had a lot of leverage with Vietnam, Vietnam exports a lot to the United States, and has a huge trade deficit, which is

growing dramatically. So, it was assigned a tariff of 46 percent and 20 percent is better than 46 percent. But I think many other countries are

probably shocked that Vietnam agreed to a 20 percent tariff. They're all thinking 10 percent maybe we can live with, but now, 20 percent, I think

that is causing angst among other negotiating partners.

SCIUTTO: What exactly is the U.S. gaining from this trade war at this point? I mean, one of the things Trump and advisers promised was a massive

return of manufacturing to the U.S., which I'm not aware that we've seen any evidence of.

CULTER: Well, we haven't. And one thing, the administration has really overlooked that a lot of our companies that are producing in the United

States rely on inputs from other countries, and those inputs need are imported and high tariffs are being assigned. And so, there's just so much

uncertainty and high tariffs. As a result, I think a lot of companies are just putting off investment decisions until the investment climate is

clearer and they have more certainty.

SCIUTTO: Wendy Cutler, former acting deputy, U.S. trade representative, thanks so much for joining.

CULTER: Thank you.

SCIUTTO: Well still ahead, how a plush toy from Asia has become a global sales sensation. Everything you need to know about the Labubu phenomenon

right after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[18:50:00]

SCIUTTO: The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, announced Wednesday that a successor will be appointed to replace him after

he dies. He turns 90 on Sunday and had suggested in the past that he might be the last Dalai Lama. The new announcement ensures the centuries old

institution will continue, though it still could lead to a showdown with China. Beijing wanted to appoint the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The

Dalai Lama has urged his followers to eject any candidate that Beijing selects. Tibet is an autonomous region of China. Does it best -- does its

best to maintain its own culture.

Well, every decade seems to have its very own toy craze. The '80s, of course, ushered in the air of the Cabbage Patch doll. The '90s, kids went

crazy for Tickle-Me-Elmo. And razor scooters were all the rage in the aughts. We got a few of those at home. The most popular toy of the moment

though is without a doubt, the Labubu. These plush dos from Asia have set off buying frenzy around the world. Lynda Kinkade explains that phenomenon

for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They're cute, chaotic and now edible. This is Labubu, a mischievous elf that has taken

the toy world by storm. In Moscow, a restaurant has even turned the viral figurine into a dessert.

UNKNOWN (through translator): In the first two weeks after the dessert's introduction, there was a huge buzz. We had a lot of calls, maybe about a

thousand calls a day.

KINKADE (voice-over): And just a few weeks ago, a human-sized Labubu broke records at a Beijing auction house, selling for about 150,000 U.S. dollars.

Labubu is part of a blind box toy line called the Monsters, created and sold by Chinese toy company Popmart. The toy brand has seen explosive

growth in Labubu's sales, thanks in part to K-pop star Lisa from the music group Blackpink, who expressed her love for the doll in interviews and

online posts. But the high demand is making it harder for Labubu admirers to get their hands on the popular figures.

UNKNOWN (through translator): By the time I learned about them, they were already a price I couldn't afford. It became popular so fast.

KINKADE (voice-over): And in some cases, it's even causing fights. In May, Popmart stores in the U.K. temporarily suspended all in-store sales of the

Monsters after restock days drew crowds and saw reported altercations. Celebrities such as Cardi B., David Beckham, Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian

have joined the trend, showing off their Labubus on social media.

The founder of the International Yongle Auction House in Beijing says he thinks the Labubu prices will only continue to climb.

[18:55:00]

ZHAO XU, FOUNDER OF INTERNATIONAL YOUNGLE AUCTION HOUSE (through translator): I think the price will go even higher in the future because

it truly is a non-standard art piece. Collectors would have thought long and hard before offering such a price for this work of art.

KINKADE (voice-over): Whether in a box, on a pedestal or on a plate, Labubu isn't just a toy, it's a sensation.

Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCIUTTO: All right. In today's Good Brief, an unexpected site, truly unexpected, greeted beach goers in Rio de Janeiro. A magellanic penguin

showed up in the warm waters there swimming among the people. This kind of penguin native to the Patagonia region of Southern Argentina and Chile, and

was likely very much off course from its usual migratory route. Looks way too warm there for a penguin. Maybe just wanted a vacation.

Thanks so much for your company. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. You've been watching "The Brief." Please do stay with CNN.

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