Return to Transcripts main page

The Story Is with Elex Michaelson

King Charles Touches On NATO, Ukraine In Washington Remarks; Trump Claims King Charles Agrees With Him About Iran Not Having Nuclear Weapon; Eight Candidates for California Governor Debate Affordability, Healthcare; Authorities Arrest Alleged New Leader of Jalisco Drug Cartel; Sen. Alex Padilla on L.A. Dodgers' Success. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired April 29, 2026 - 01:00   ET

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

[01:00:00]

BODHANA SIVANANDAN, Some pattern recognition and I play the violin and I play a bit of piano. And in art, it helps with creativity so it links with that.

DON RIDDELL, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): The chess prodigy began by traveling tournaments with her father, who has encouraged her from the very beginning.

SIVA VELAYUTHAM, BODHANA'S FATHER: We just want to keep trying the best and keep going with whatever -- wherever she is reaching. As long as she is enjoying and playing chess, we want to support it and keep going.

RIDDELL (voice-over): She is fearless. And experts say that children are now the most feared opponents in tournament chess. Players are getting better and younger.

SIVANANDAN: I want to be one of the best chess players in the world and that's like my main long term aim. And yes, for now, I just want to keep improving and doing my best.

RIDDELL (voice-over): Don Riddell, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Amazing. Thanks for watching the first hour of The Story Is. The next hour starts right now.

The Story Is royal bonds after a day of pointed remarks from King Charles III.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KING CHARLES III: We've stood together through the best and worst of times.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: A toast to state dinner over the U.K. and U.S. s historic relationship.

The Story Is indicted again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES COMEY, FORMER FBI DIRECTOR: Well, they're back. This time about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Former FBI Director James Comey charged over an Instagram photo said to be a threat to President Donald Trump, the administration's second attempt to prosecute one of his biggest political opponents.

And The Story Is California's race for governor, a one-on-one conversation with Senator Alex Padilla about whether Gavin Newsom was urging him to run. And then my panel joins me to unpack tonight's debate. Melanie Mason and Mike Madrid with us live.

Thanks for watching The Story Is. I'm Elex Michelson reporting live from Washington, D.C. tonight. Tonight, the top story is right here in Washington. King Charles III's high stake diplomacy visit to the U.S. was here tonight. It will continue Wednesday in New York.

He and Queen Camilla will attend a wreath layering ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial where they'll meet with first responders and families of the victim. That visit follows their trip to Washington. You're looking at some of that there where King Charles made history as the second British monarch to address a joint meeting of Congress. In that speech, he pushed back on several points of disagreement with the Trump administration, including offering praise to NATO. Later, the king attended a state dinner at the White House where he gifted President Trump a World War II era British submarine bell.

He said the bell is a testament to the shared history and shining future of the U.S. and the U.K. The king also spoke about the importance of America's leadership.

(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, no 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)

MICHAELSON: For more, let's bring in live CNN Royal Historian Kate Williams with us from London. Good morning to you.

KATE WILLIAMS, CNN ROYAL HISTORIAN: Good morning. MICHAELSON: The king, as you've talked about in the last few nights with us, is not really supposed to be political, but yet he talked about NATO, he talked about Ukraine. What do you make of the choice? And sort of the king going right up to the line?

WILLIAMS: Right up to the line is exactly where the king was. As you say, as we've been talking about, the king's role is not political here. He's referenced his mother's visit in 1957 after the disaster in Britain, of Britain trying to take the Suez Canal, which angered President Eisenhower. The queen there smoothed over the relationship. She talked about old times with President Eisenhower.

But now we've seen something very different with the king. He spoke as we were talking about there. He spoke -- he spoke very clearly in Congress about NATO, about the importance of supporting democracy, about the importance of supporting Ukraine and protecting the natural environment. So really, a lot of these have been seen in the U.K. and across the world as rebukes to the Trump administration.

And certainly today at the state visit, the state dinner, which has been a grand and elegant occasion, there were similar conversations going from the king. The king also talked about, again, the importance of NATO, the importance of protecting democracy. Clearly, the king sees his role as aiding the special relationship, but also really, I think, fighting in his own subtle quiet way for causes for democracy and causes such as Ukraine that are close to his heart and those of the British government.

[01:05:17]

MICHAELSON: Yes, speaking of that state dinner, President Trump there said that they both agree that Iran shouldn't have nuclear capabilities. He said that, like, the king agrees on that more than he does. Do you think that the king and the president would have planned a message like that, or is that just sort of President Trump doing his thing?

WILLIAMS: Yes, Trump said that. And we don't know what was said behind closed doors. Charles and President Trump had a meeting behind closed doors, and anything could have been spoken about there, from the White House beehive to high politics. And I do think it's possibly very likely that if that this is the case, something was said there. But certainly we don't know for sure that the king would have said this to President Trump.

It's very unlikely. I think the king would have said, yes, I agree with you on Iran. Yes, they shouldn't get a nuclear weapon in the same way, because this is really not the king's role. The king is supposed to be representing the British government. What the British feelings are about Iran is supposed to be articulated by our Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.

So I think that's unlikely that the king would have said that. But certainly I think that President Trump has -- you know, we might see the speech as being rather harsh on some President Trump's decisions, but President Trump himself has said it was a great speech. I was jealous. He managed to get the Democrats to stand, and I can't do that. And he agrees with me on Iran.

So certainly, in terms of President Trump's viewpoint, this visit so far has been a great success, and he and the king are totally on the same page. That's not how it seems to those of us observing it.

MICHAELSON: Well, let's talk about the Democrats, because, you know, over the last few months, we've seen all these rallies that are literally called no kings rallies, complaining that President Trump acts like a king. We know we're in the 250th anniversary of America being founded as a way to fight back against monarchies. And then King Charles comes town and everybody seems to be fawning over him like, you know, fanboys and fangirls. What do you make of the way that both parties seem to be so drawn to this British monarch, even though it sort of goes against the entire basis of America?

WILLIAMS: Yes, the entire basis of America is, as you say, breaking away from British tyranny. The King's five times great grandfather, George III was in the Declaration of Independence as a tyrant who had destroyed the lives of the people. It was, you know, a terrible time of oppression of the U.K. onto the U.S. And the U.K. -- and the U.K., you know, the U.S. freed itself. And now we have this conversation in which President Trump was saying how marvelous that the greatness of America came out of the U.K. spirit, the noble spirit that the colonial ancestors sang, God save the kings and now America can sing about the sweet voice of liberty.

That was his speech at the White House. So matters seem to have changed. And now we have this -- we actually saw, you know, the White House saying it's two kings with President Trump and the king.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

WILLIAMS: But in the end, I think it's very clear that the king is popular with President Trump, that President Trump was keen to have a state visit from the king. He also had two state visits himself in the U.K. So President Trump, I think enjoys the pomp, the pageantry, the historical reference, the idea about the weight of history. He enjoys that. And I think many people across the world and in the United States and indeed in the Democratic House are hoping that the king's words might some -- you know, do some good in terms of working on President Trump's desires and activities.

The moment when the king said yesterday that executive power should have checks and balances received a large round of applause in Congress.

MICHAELSON: Yes, large round of applause. And by the way, that post that she referenced of two kings was put out by the White House with a picture of President Trump and King Charles clearly as a way to troll Democrats in the midst of this state visit.

Kate, you did a great job in all day coverage on CNN yesterday. Saw you throughout the day.

WILLIAMS: Thank you. MICHAELSON: And I'm sure there's going to be more of that today as the king moves to New York. Thank you for getting up early to give us your insight. We really appreciate it. And we'll see you later today on CNN.

WILLIAMS: Great to see you. Thank you so much. Great to see you.

MICHAELSON: The Justice Department has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for the second time since President Trump returned to the White House. A judge dismissed the first case which accused Comey of lying to Congress. This time he's charged with threatening President Trump. CNN Senior U.S. Justice Correspondent Evan Perez reports from here in Washington.

[01:09:56]

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: This all rises from a post on Instagram that Comey made back in May of last year where he showed a picture of some shells that were arranged with the numbers 86 47. Now, the Justice Department and president and some of his allies have insisted that that constituted a threat against the president of the United States. Eighty-six in some contexts can mean removing something. They say that that constitutes a threat against the president of the United States. And then 47 of course, refers to the fact that the president of -- that President Trump is the 47th president in U.S. history.

Now, Comey denies this. After he made the post, he said he learned that that was being taken as a threat, so he removed it and he apologized. And after these charges were announced, he responded here.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COMEY: 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.

So let's go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PEREZ: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche at a press conference here at the Justice Department insisted that this case is being handled just as any other would. We do know that the grand jury issued an arrest warrant for James Comey. We anticipate that there's negotiations going on between Comey's lawyers and the U.S. government for him to turn himself in the coming days. One of the issues here is that this charge is being brought in North Carolina. Comey lives here in the Washington, D.C. area.

So the question is whether he is going to be arrested. At this point, his legal team is trying to make those arrangements with the U.S. marshal service.

Evan Perez, CNN Justice Department. MICHAELSON: Yes, an arrest of Comey would be quite a moment. Evan Perez, thank you.

Global oil markets are facing another hurdle after the United Arab Emirates announced it will leave OPEC this week. Oil prices remain high after the news. Brent crude, global oil benchmark, rose to $111 a barrel on Tuesday. This is a live look at where it's at right now. Let's bring in CNN's Ivan Watson live for us in Hong Kong.

Ivan, this is a big deal. Lot of impact, right?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Sure. On long term oil markets because Abu Dhabi has been a member of this OPEC exporting oil exporting cartel for nearly 60 years and is -- has some of the largest capacity next to Saudi Arabia for the export of oil and now it's pulling out. You could argue that its membership and unity across the Arab world and across the Gulf is perhaps one of the casualties of this war with Iran because there have been prominent voices in the UAE who have criticized a perceived lack of support for the UAE amid an intense Iranian bombardment of the Emirates during the kinetic part of the war. After all, the UAE got hit by or was targeted by more than 2,000 Iranian drones and missiles. And there were some voices that were criticizing the fact that Arab countries didn't really step up, whereas Israel actually, we reported, sent part of its Iron Dome air defense system and European countries stepped forward to try to help the UAE.

But back to the oil, what happens here is this is perceived by many analysts and experts that it is going to dilute the market dominance that OPEC has enjoyed when it comes to oil. The removal of the UAE, which contributes, you know, 13 percent of all oil that OPEC controls, that's going to go away right now and it'll diminish the ability of OPEC to kind of control oil prices and oil export volumes around the world. It's not going to make a difference in the short term, however, as long as the export of oil from the Gulf is restricted by this double blockade that we're seeing since the war began. But longer term, many experts are telling me that this will likely help the consumer at the pump months, if not years down the road.

MICHAELSON: Ivan Watson, thank you for that report from Hong Kong.

[01:14:36]

Coming up, more of my interview with Democratic Senator Alex Padilla just ahead, including why he ultimately decided not to run for governor of California and some news about how Governor Newsom asked him to do it. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELSON: Here in Washington, King Charles reaffirmed Britain's special relationship with the U.S. during his historic address to Congress. Among the lawmakers in attendance, Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California. I asked for his thoughts on the royal visit and the race for governor back home in California.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: We are talking with Senator Alex Padilla of California as we are here on Capitol Hill, the king of England is here. King Charles is here and you had a chance to be at the British Embassy with him this week. He's also visiting Capitol Hill and spending time in New York as well. What do you make of the fact that this country was founded to get away from the king and yet so many people are drawn to the king?

SEN. ALEX PADILLA (D-CA): Yes, well, it's interesting, a little joke yesterday at the embassy when the deputy sort of acknowledged that in our national anthem, right, The Star-Spangled Banner, we talk about the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, those are the British bombs that were --

[01:20:12]

MICHAELSON: Yes.

PADILLA: -- being referenced there. But you know, here we're celebrating 250 years of a relationship of some sort between Britain and the United States. We wouldn't be here but for those bombs and the red glare --

MICHAELSON: Yes.

PADILLA: -- reference in the national anthem. I think the moment that we're in, given how many of our allies, not just in Europe but around the world, are really questioning the relationship with the United States because of the Trump administration, I think it's a reflection of efforts on both sides.

Some of my colleagues that have traveled to NATO gatherings, for example, or other E.U. convenings to reinforce the United States is still a reliable friend and partner when it comes to military, when it comes to the economy, when it comes to political alignment in the world. This is, I think, the United Kingdom come to the United States in response to that and saying, yes, we've been together for a long, long time. We're going to stay together for a long, long time. The politics of the moment are just that of this moment. It's temporary.

MICHAELSON: I mean, do you think that he has real political impact on your colleagues here and on sort of the American political system, even though he's not supposed to be a political figure? Does his presence here impact all of you?

PADILLA: To different extents, right? Different people have different constituencies, relationships, political beliefs. But I do think it is impactful, and it's not here from a partisan political standpoint. I think the political effect is really one of diplomacy and governance. The relationship between the United States, the U.K., the E.U. and other allies around the world, those alliances remain important.

MICHAELSON: Let's talk about some of the other stuff happening here on Capitol Hill. President Trump has been very focused on this idea of the SAVE America Act, this idea that there needs to be more sort of eyes on voting, that there should be more regulations, that there should be voter id. You were the Secretary of State for California. You oversaw California's elections. You expanded vote by mail in California.

What's wrong with the idea of voter ID? That's something that like 80 percent of Americans support.

PADILLA: Well, first of all, let's just be clear. When it comes to elections and election integrity in California, our elections are safe, they are secure and want to keep them as accessible as possible. So premise changes to how we administer elections based on the false narrative of massive voter fraud is simply wrong.

MICHAELSON: Right.

PADILLA: And so therefore, the SAVE Act, or the voter ID measure that looks headed to the November ballot in California are a solution in search of a problem, right? The SAVE Act is not a voter ID bill. It is a voter suppression bill. The way it is written, the ID that you and I would assume get -- would get us into the polling place, our driver's license is not sufficient. What they're including is original birth certificates or passports.

Half of United States citizens don't even have a passport. So they're creating problems for people trying to vote and exercise their right to vote. But the SAVE Act does a lot more than just that. It would hand over to Trump's Department of Homeland Security. Here we go again.

The information for every registered voter in the country, including the private information of every voter in California. Why? These test cases that they've run with states that have cooperated on a pilot basis ends up identifying eligible voters, United States citizens, them getting kicked off the roles. So the political context for all this is Donald Trump and a Republican Party desperate to hold on to power in November because their record has been so bad, their only hope is to rig the elections. That's why they're doing this.

MICHAELSON: But there is this effort in California that is focused more on voter id. What is wrong with the concept if I show up to vote at my polling place, that I have to show an ID? When I have to show an ID to buy alcohol, I have to show an ID to get on a plane, I have to show an ID through so many aspects of my life, what's wrong with showing an ID to vote?

PADILLA: Yes, again, they go back to -- it's a solution in search of a problem. In California, our elections are safe, they are secure. We want to keep them as --

MICHAELSON: But with this act it's safer?

PADILLA: Possible. Well, yes, but this could also keep eligible people from voting. If you forgot your ID, you've got to renew it, you know, the week before. Now it's all of a sudden it's expired and you're not allowed to vote. It's a solution in search of a problem. MICHAELSON: OK. In terms of voting in California, California is about to vote for governor and you chose not to run for governor. There was some reporting from CNN's Edward-Isaac Dovere that suggested that Governor Newsom was pushing you to run for governor. Is that true? Was he telling you should run?

PADILLA: We talked about it, and as you know, I actually seriously considered, and that included several conversations with the governor who I've known for a long, long time.

MICHAELSON: And what did he say to you?

PADILLA: He wanted to be as helpful as he could be through the decision making process, answering all the questions about what it was like and some of the key issues that he's been working through for years and years and years and, of course, what it means for an individual and for your family, because none of us does public service alone.

[01:25:10]

MICHAELSON: But he tell you should do it?

PADILLA: He was encouraging, that's for sure. We've known each other for a long time.

MICHAELSON: So what ultimately made you decide not to do it?

PADILLA: There was -- actually a lot of considerations both for and against running. Among the biggest, to be honest, was what's going on here in Washington, D.C. There's so much coming out of the White House on a daily basis. I couldn't imagine having to split my time and attention between campaigning for office right now versus responding to the constant attacks coming out of the White House not just against California, but especially against California when it comes to immigration, when it comes to our energy projects, when it comes to our water projects, when it comes to just fundamental federal funding.

MICHAELSON: Yes. Do you -- when you see the field now and you see this possibility of two Republicans advancing, are you thinking about maybe I need to endorse somebody? Maybe I should work with the governor to endorse somebody? Are you thinking about what you can do as a leader to make sure that that doesn't happen?

PADILLA: Look, I think -- all along I have not been inclined to endorse or get engaged in the race. Not really buying this theory of two Republicans coming in top two and Democrats being boxed out. If we get a little bit closer to Election Day and that seems like a real possibility, then that might change, you know, my thinking here. But for now, I'm confident letting the voters of California decide.

MICHAELSON: Anybody who's been pressing you?

PADILLA: I know the law. I've served with all different capacities. So all the Democrats, I think agree by and large on most of the critical issues. (END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: At the end of the show, we will talk to Senator about his favorite topic, the Dodgers, and whether baseball needs a salary cap. But up next, six Democrats, two Republicans vying to become California's next governor. Clearly not Alex Padilla. These guys who are running met up on the debate stage again. We'll discuss the biggest moments with our political panel, Melanie Mason, Mike Madrid live next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:31:26]

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks for watching THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson.

Let's take a look at today's top stories.

The FCC is going head-to-head with Disney calling for an early renewal examination of eight ABC station licenses. Trump officials argued the request is part of a larger, ongoing probe into Disney's diversity initiatives. But it comes amid President Trump's clash with late night host Jimmy Kimmel after he joked that the first lady had the, quote, "glow of an expectant widow".

Disney remains confident in its full compliance with industry standards. Filings are due by May 28th.

Elon Musk set to take the stand again in the coming hours in his lawsuit against OpenAI. Musk has accused the company he co-founded of, quote, "stealing a charity when it transitioned away from its nonprofit mission".

But OpenAI says Musk knew about the for-profit plans and is only trying to take down a rival company now that he has his own xAI.

California gubernatorial hopefuls have just battled it out on the stage once again, the debate stage. The eight top polling candidates -- six Democrats, two Republicans -- answered questions a short time ago on energy, housing affordability, the high cost of health care among some of the top concerns for California voters.

The top two vote getters in the June 2nd primary will head to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.

Let's bring in two of the smartest people in all of California politics for our panel tonight. Melanie Mason joins me now from L.A. She's the California bureau chief for Politico. Mike Madrid is the co- founder of The Lincoln Project, founder of the Latino Working Class Project. He's live in Sacramento.

Both of you were with us after the first debate. So we thought it would be fun to have you back for the second debate.

And Melanie, let's start with you. One of the big storylines in this race in the last few weeks has been the sort of out-of-nowhere rise of Xavier Becerra, the former HHS secretary, former AG, former congressperson. He has been surging.

And tonight he took on a Republican that he probably would like to take on in the general election. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

XAVIER BECERRA (D), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: The first thing we have to do is stop Steve Hilton's daddy, who has endorsed him and said, that's what we got to do from becoming the next governor of the state of California. We need someone who's going to fight Donald Trump, not agree with him.

STEVE HILTON (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: We've had the same people in charge for 16 years now, and because it's such a disaster and such a high cost of living for everyone, and the highest poverty rate in the country, and the highest unemployment rate in the country, and the worst business climate -- all these things going wrong, they can't do anything except blame Trump.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: What do you think, Melanie? Did Becerra sort of do a good job? And talk about his strategy.

MELANIE MASON, CALIFORNIA BUREAU CHIEF, POLITICO: Well, look, if the takeaway from tonight's debate is that it was Xavier Becerra versus Steve Hilton, then it was a good night for Xavier Becerra. Because I think what he wants to do is sort of take this momentum that has -- he's been experiencing over the last few weeks and sort of cement in the mind of voters like, yes, he is the Democratic frontrunner now.

And so if he's able to square off against a Republican, perhaps give people a preview of what a November matchup could look like and not have to worry about attacks from his Democratic rivals. I mean, I think that puts him in a very good position.

[01:34:42]

MASON: And so, yes, I would say, you know, Steve Hilton's daddy didn't exactly roll off the tongue, but it was clearly a planned sort of jab because I think that that was clearly the game plan tonight was let's make this a D versus R debate and sort of ignore the other Democrats in the room.

And the Democrats didn't really take too many punches at him so he emerged relatively unscathed.

MICHAELSON: Because as we know, Mike, in California, there's the top two that emerge regardless of party. And historically, there has been an approach by Democrats to try to lift up a Republican because they would rather run against a Republican in the general election, where they would start off with a 15, 20-point advantage, because there's just so many more Democrats.

We haven't seen that much so far of that, because the Democratic frontrunner hasn't emerged so far.

Somebody who's spent more money than anybody is Tom Steyer, who's now spending negative ads against Xavier Becerra, didn't really attack him on stage tonight. What did you make of Steyer's performance?

MIKE MADRID, CO-FOUNDER, THE LINCOLN PROJECT: I'm not sure Steyer got accomplished what he wanted to accomplish. I think he's really got to cut out the, you know, the feet underneath Xavier Becerra's rise.

He' certainly spending tens of millions of dollars to do that on paid advertising. But if the goal, and I think the goal should have been to kind of take on Xavier directly and undermine him from a policy or political perspective; not only did he fail to do that, he didn't even try to do that.

So I'm not too sure what the strategic objective was there. But moreover, I think he really needs to start positioning away from sort of just being this talking head commercial, ubiquitous presence in California right now that seems to have hit kind of the ceiling. He seems to be stalled in the mid-teens, right.

He's going to have to demonstrate a little bit more why he wants to be governor. These debates provide that opportunity to show a little bit of personality, to be a little bit more human and more relatable, especially if you're a billionaire.

And again, that didn't come across -- didn't come across tonight, but you can never count out another $200 million, which is rumored to what he may be able or wanting and willing to spend.

So there's still a long way in this race. I don't think this race changed tonight. The trajectory didn't change. We're just going to have to watch some of the polling over the course of the next few days to see if voters that were tuning in started deciding that this is the candidate they want to be with.

MICHAELSON: That is crazy to think about, the idea of another $200 million because there haven't been enough ads from him.

Meanwhile, you know, there's this fight between the top two Republicans, Chad Bianco, the Riverside County Sheriff, and Steve Hilton, who has been backed by Donald Trump. What did you make of the two of them? It seems like they didn't go after each other at all.

MASON: No, it doesn't seem like they were really engaging.

(CROSSTALKING)

MICHAELSON: Melanie, I'm sorry. I'll go to you, Melanie.

MASON: Yes, sorry about that. I think that he wasn't -- they weren't really engaging with the Democrats. Or I would say that the attacks did not seem very focused.

I mean, Chad Bianco was sort of talking about Democrat policies writ large. But when it came into sort of engaging with individual Democrats, it seemed a little bit unfocused.

Look, I think that we see the two lanes that these two Republicans have carved out for themselves. I think Chad Bianco really sort of appealing to the grassroots base. I think that Hilton wants to position himself as both, you know, MAGA-friendly, but maybe also appealing to more centrist Republicans as well. And they kept that up.

But I think that you had Hilton really again, going one on one in moments with Xavier Becerra, did feel more like a general election debate. Whereas Bianco was just sort of -- sort of damning Democrats across the board.

MICHAELSON: And he seemed frustrated by the format. And he wasn't the only one.

A lot of times, Melanie, what really matters are viral moments because not everybody watches this stuff live, but the amplification of one moment that could just stay with you and can define a race. Did anything like that happen tonight?

MASON: You know, nothing really popped for me. I'd be curious if Mike feels the same way. I will say that there was one Twitter clip that I have seen of Katie Porter, sort of like bowing her head down on the dais in kind of frustration. Maybe, maybe that sort of expressed everybody's views.

But yes, if you're talking about a real sort of snappy quip that people could package into TikTok or Instagram videos, nothing really comes to mind for me.

MICHAELSON: And meanwhile, Mike, coming into tonight -- Katie Porter, Matt Mahan, the mayor of San Jose, Antonio Villaraigosa, the former L.A. mayor all behind in the polls, all needed something to shake up the race because the status quo isn't working for them.

Do you think they did that? And if they didn't, what do they need to do in the next week? Because ballots go out next week?

MADRID: That's exactly right. We have to remind ourselves that in California, we really have a voting month, and it starts in a week from today, voters are more tuned in.

You can see the polling, the numbers, even though it is still kind of spread out amongst all these candidates. The actual numbers are starting to move up, which means voters are tuning in and the lanes are actually beginning to consolidate.

Katie Porter, I think, had some real -- I think she had a pretty good night, actually. I think she had a better night tonight than she did in her first debate.

I think some squaring off with the Republicans there, especially Chad Bianco. She seemed to have sort of a Kamala Harris moment talking to Mike Pence, saying, excuse me, I'm talking.

[01:39:50] MADRID: I was waiting for her to throw another, you know, kind of haymaker and throw that knockout punch. It never came. But I think she got the point across regardless.

Antonio Villaraigosa, I think a lot of people were reminded that this is a candidate who's really challenging some of the Democratic base. That's been kind of a core argument. It was his argument when he ran in 2018. He had a good night.

The challenge, I think, with Mahan is he's running literally in the same lane as Antonio Villaraigosa is, and that lane is in the single digits. It's just not a big lane.

And even though he's now spending, as his campaign was saying, Steyer- level money, they're not moving at all. Like the message that they've tried to run with does not resonate with Democrats right now.

This kind of our party is failing. It's not working, is not getting the traction that I think that they had hoped for, may have needed a knockout punch tonight. He needed to really, really deliver.

And I think any objective estimation would say that he probably not going to move the needle. And he's simply running out of time.

MICHAELSON: And it's interesting -- last word, Melanie, to you -- this idea of running against the Democratic Party at a time when it seems that the party base is most focused on the idea of fighting Trump. And the current governor of California, who Matt Mahan has often run against, is very popular at the idea of pushing back on the president.

MASON: Look, I think that that's been perpetually the big question about this race is what are voters going to want? Do they want somebody who's going to position themselves as the one to take on Trump, or do they want somebody who's going to say, look, we have a lot of problems back here in the state, and we're going to take them on.

And what I think is interesting is I've just seen consistently in polling throughout this race that people, at least Democratic voters, seem more concerned with this question about Trump.

And so I do think that, yes, Matt Mahan has been trying to differentiate himself by saying, you know, we can -- we can say that Trump is bad, but also focus on our problems back home.

But I just don't think that that's speaking to what is really stirring Democratic voters right now.

MICHAELSON: Melanie Mason, Mike Madrid, thank you both. We really appreciate your perspective.

You can watch the next debate for California governor right here on CNN next Tuesday, May 5th.

For our international viewers, "WORLDSPORT is next. In North America, I'll be right back. Thanks for watching. [01:42:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELSON: Jerome Powell is likely to hold his final meeting as the Fed chair on Wednesday. His term ends on May 15th. The Fed is not expected to cut interest rates.

President Trump nominated Powell for that role during the first term, which is easy to forget because in recent months, Trump has railed against him for not lowering interest rates faster.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, somebody (ph) else appointed by Trump will testify before the House Armed Services Committee in the coming hours. Hegseth says will be joined by the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff. They're expected to testify on the Defense Department's budget request for next year, but may also face questions, or will face questions on the war with Iran.

Mexican authorities have arrested a man identified as one of the alleged leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. This comes two months after the fall of the man known as El Mencho, considered for years to be the top leader of the drug organization.

CNN's Valeria Leon reports from Mexico City.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALERIA LEON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Burn out businesses, streets filled with smoke is the scene in the Mexican state of Nayarit after local authorities dealt what they're calling a second major blow to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the country's most powerful criminal groups.

CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, MEXICAN PRESIDENT (through translator): Because of what this individual represented in terms of extortion, theft and drug trafficking.

LEON: Audias Flores Silva, better known as El Jardinero, was arrested Monday during a military operation in western Mexico. Video released by authorities shows the moment Flores Silva was detained right after emerging from a drainage ditch, forces moving in, handcuffing him on the ground.

He's believed to be a key figure in the organization formerly led by Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, who was killed two months ago during another operation.

His detention has sparked a new wave of violence in tourist hotspots like Puerto Vallarta, the latest in a series of incidents that local officials are now trying to dismiss.

MIGUEL ANGEL NAVARRO, NAYARIT GOVERNOR: Educational, commercial and social activities are continuing in full peace.

LEON: With less than two months before Mexico co-hosts the World Cup, scenes of military operations and violence have renewed concerns worldwide.

NATALIA LOPEZ, JALISCO RESIDENT (through translator): How is it possible that more attention is being given to the World Cup that's coming, when insecurity among young people has already increased by 30 percent?

LEON: In Guadalajara, one of the host cities, insecurity is already a major issue. According to a national survey, more than 90 percent of residents say they feel unsafe.

CHRISTIAN DIAZ, JALISCO RESIDENT (through translator): Violence is definitely increasing. You can see it every single day.

LEON: And for the millions of visitors expected for the World Cup, it raises a broader question. How safe will this global stage really be?

OMAR GARCIA HARFUCH, MEXICAN SECURITY SECRETARY (through translator): Regarding the World Cup, all security protocols are ready. We've been working on them for over a year.

LEON: But as this war against the cartels intensifies, so does the uncertainty over what comes next.

Valeria Leon, CNN -- Mexico City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Ahead, some final thoughts from Senator Alex Padilla. I asked the Dodgers fanatic, is baseball unfair right now? Does the MLB need a salary cap?

[01:49:26]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MICHAELSON: Louisiana officials say LIV Golf is looking to reschedule its June event in New Orleans. LIV Golf called the postponement a, quote, "strategic decision".

The move comes amid speculation about the future of the Saudi-backed breakaway league. Multiple reports indicated that Saudi Arabia's public investment fund was considering pulling funding from the entity, which has struggled to catch on with golf fans.

While in Washington, I've been speaking with California Senator Alex Padilla about all sorts of serious political issues, but we also got to talk about what he perhaps likes to talk about most, America's pastime and the World Series champs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: We know you're a big Dodger fan. You are one of the pitchers on the congressional baseball team. There are some in other parts of the country that feel like the Dodgers have an unfair advantage. That baseball should have some sort of salary cap or something,

because they're too stacked, too loaded, too talented. What do you say to them?

SEN. ALEX PADILLA (D-CA): Well, I say, well, if you're making me go there, like the Braves had the option of giving Freddie Freeman, you know, the kind of contract he was asking for.

[01:54:47]

PADILLA: The Red Sox had the option of giving Mookie Betts, the kind of contract he was asking for.

So, yes, I think the Dodgers ownership are generously paying some of the players, but it's still incumbent on the players to stay healthy and to perform, right.

The World Series last year went to Game 7.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

PADILLA: Extra innings. It could have gone either way. It could have been the Blue Jays almost just as easy as it was the Dodgers at the end. So ultimately, there does have to be competition.

MICHAELSON: No -- so no salary cap for baseball.

PADILLA: Oh, that's between the players and the owners.

MICHAELSON: But what -- and how do you feel about the Dodgers this season?

PADILLA: So far, so good. Off to a good start. And the Padres are right on their heels.

MICHAELSON: And are you going to be playing in the congressional baseball game?

PADILLA: I am going to try, but we'll see what's happening on the ground in Los Angeles or anywhere in California, for that matter come June.

MICHAELSON: Ok. Senator, great to see you. Thanks for having us in D.C.

PADILLA: Thank you Elex. Welcome back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Our thanks to the senator.

We end with this. A Delta flight from Atlanta to Portland, Oregon had an unexpected arrival Friday night. Baby Briel Renee Blair (ph) was born mid-flight after mom Ashley unexpectedly went into labor.

Luckily, two paramedics happened to be on board and volunteered to help. Improvised by borrowing blankets from other passengers and a shoelace to tie off the umbilical cord.

The flight landed shortly afterwards, with an extra passenger on board. Both mother and baby are reportedly doing well.

Thanks for watching THE STORY IS.

I'm Elex Michaelson. We appreciate you being with us for a very long day here on CNN.

I've got to get some sleep. Sorry about the sound of my voice. Hopefully it sounds better tomorrow.

The news continues right here on CNN after the break. See you tomorrow.

[01:56:24]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)