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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Xavier Becerra Weighs in on Issues Affecting Governor's Race; Colbert Bids Farewell on Final Episode of 'The Late Show'; Protestors Clash with Authorities at Ebola Treatment Center; L.A. Mayoral Candidate Nithya Raman Speaks Out on the Race; Trump's Arch Moves Ahead after Key Agency Approval. Aired 12-1a ET
Aired May 22, 2026 - 00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He didn't know what love was. I never hesitated in telling my children I loved them.
[00:00:16]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were so grateful to be alive. I guess we were all trying to make up for what happened during the war.
More babies were born in the years right after the war than any other time in American history.
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ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Elex Michaelson, live in Los Angeles. Welcome to THE STORY IS.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON (voice-over): THE STORY IS the last show. Stephen Colbert's run on CBS is ending right now. With us, CNN's Brian Stelter and comedian Maz Jobrani, a veteran guest on "The Late Show."
THE STORY IS the race for California governor. Recent polls show former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra as the Democratic front runner. He's live on our set.
And THE STORY IS the L.A. mayor's race. One-on-one with Nithya Raman as she takes on both Mayor Karen Bass and Spencer Pratt.
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ANNOUNCER: Live from Los Angeles, THE STORY IS with Elex Michaelson.
MICHAELSON: And welcome. The final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" is airing right now on CBS on the East Coast. On the West Coast, it will be on in a couple hours.
Tonight, he began by saying it's been a joy to do the show and said he was here to feel the news with the audience. Kicked off with a mash-up of clips from all the classic late-night hosts: Carson, Letterman, Ed Sullivan, Jon Stewart, to name a few.
We'll be covering that throughout the hour. But now, let's get to some of our other top stories.
And we head to Washington and what President Trump's critics are calling a galactic blunder and, quote, "stupid on stilts."
Senate Republicans revolting against several controversy -- moves by the White House by ditching plans to vote on a $72 billion funding bill that President Trump desperately wants passed.
But lawmakers have left for the long holiday weekend, so the bill will not get a vote before June.
The measure would fund the controversial Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that's in charge of carrying out the president's massive deportation effort.
Senate Republicans are angered by the administrations' plans for nearly $2 billion so-called anti weaponization fund, meant to benefit his allies. That could put money in the pockets of January 6th rioters. And that is not going over so well, even with some Republicans.
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SEN. THOM TILLIS (R-NC): These people don't deserve restitution. They -- many of them deserve to be in prison. Some of them deserved the pardon, because they were over prosecuted.
But this is -- I mean, this is just stupid on stilts. I mean, this is beyond the pale. This is not good for my colleagues. There's no one positive thing that could be spun out of this between now and November.
This is bad policy. It's bad timing, and it's bad politics.
SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME): I do not believe that individuals who were convicted of violence against police officers on January 6th should be entitled to reimbursement for their legal fees.
SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-L.A.): I just don't know how this puppy-dog will work. I'm not sure where the money's coming from.
MANU RAJU, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And you think this weaponization fund is wasted taxpayer dollars?
REP. KEVIN KILEY (I-CA): I think that would be putting it mildly. Very unclear what, if any, oversight there's going to be as far as how this money gets disbursed.
And so, yes, I'm going to be using every tool of oversight I have to, you know, make sure that this does not go forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MICHAELSON: Lawmakers also frustrated about the president's demands
that taxpayers pay another billion dollars for extra security for the president's new ballroom.
Senate Republicans are bristling over his decision to break with tradition by refusing to endorse two incumbent senators.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you losing control of the Senate, Senate Republicans?
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I don't know. I really don't know. I can tell you, I only do what's right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: No diplomatic breakthrough. That is the message from Iran's foreign ministry as reports swirl about peace talks with the U.S.
This as tensions rise between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over how to proceed with the war. The president has paused attacks to focus on diplomatic efforts, while Netanyahu is pushing for strikes to resume.
Meanwhile, Iran is taking steps to solidify control in the Strait of Hormuz. It has published a new map defining the area under its oversight, including the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
But the president still claims the U.S. controls that vital waterway.
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TRUMP: We have total control of the Strait of Hormuz, as you know, with our blockade. The blockade has been 100 percent effective. Nobody's been able to get through. It's like a steel wall. It's our Navy.
[00:05:04]
We have the greatest military anywhere in the world. We wiped out their navy. We wiped out their air. I think they're down to about -- I would say we knocked out 85 percent of their missile capacity. It's very hard for them now to build missiles, to build drones.
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MICHAELSON: Despite the president's comments, sources citing U.S. intel say that Iran is rebuilding its military capabilities faster than expected and is already producing drones.
Now, as millions of Americans get ready to hit the roads for the Memorial Day weekend and the busy summer travel season, gasoline prices have climbed to the highest level in almost four years, and they keep rising, even in traditionally low-price states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Indiana.
AAA says this is the first time in almost four years that all 50 states and Washington, D.C., are at or above $4 a gallon. On the West Coast, it will cost more than 5 or $6 a gallon. California, the highest prices in the nation.
Now, when the war with Iran started, the national average was $2.98 for a gallon of gas. Now the average price is $4.56.
Speaking of California, let's talk about California politics. The gubernatorial primary, which is being watched all over the country, is less than two weeks away from being wrapped up. Remember, in California, people have been voting for weeks. June 2nd is the last day to vote.
On that time, California will choose their next governor from a slate of candidates. The top two vote getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party.
Recent surveys have shown two front-runners neck and neck in the polls: British-American Republican commentator Steve Hilton, who is endorsed by President Trump, and Democratic former secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, who also served as California's attorney general and as a member of Congress.
Becerra just released a new campaign ad emphasizing his extensive resume.
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XAVIER BECERRA (D), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: The governor's office is no place for on-the-job training. Vote for experience.
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MICHAELSON: Xavier Becerra joins me live right here in Los Angeles. Mr. Secretary, welcome back to THE STORY IS. Good to see you.
BECERRA: Good to see you.
MICHAELSON: So, polls seem to indicate you and Steve Hilton in 1 or 2, depending on the poll; also shows Tom Steyer potentially within striking distance. He's spent more than $200 million on this campaign.
How do you see the state of this race? And do you see it as most likely to be a Republican and Democrat in the top two or two Democrats?
BECERRA: Californians are paying attention. And if you -- if you believe that and believe the polls, then I've got the momentum. I'm the one that's climbed. Most of the other candidates have remained pretty stagnant, even Steve Hilton.
And so, what we're seeing is that now I've caught up to Steve Hilton. And if this sticks over the next two weeks, it's Steve Hilton versus me into the November runoff. MICHAELSON: Which would be a Republican versus a Democrat. And I'm
sure Steve Hilton would talk a lot about Democratic rule, as he talks about over and over again. The Democrats have basically run this entire state for the last 16 years.
Katie Porter was on with us last night, talking about who would be the candidate of change. Here's what she said about you.
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KATIE PORTER (D), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I think he's the most like Sacramento, the most. He's been a politician for 37 years. He's been doing this since -- he was elected, I think, the first time when I was in high school or college.
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MICHAELSON: So, California right now has the highest poverty rate in the country, highest gas prices in the country, the most homeless people in the country, and among the most affordability issues when it comes to homes in the country.
Do you think that the Democrats in this state, who have been in charge of it and the supermajority, are doing a good job?
BECERRA: We could do better, no doubt, but we are the fourth largest economy in the world. We are the place where the new economy engines, the industries are coming, tech and so forth. We still are the place where people want to come visit, whether it's Disneyland or the beaches. And what we have to do is just make it more affordable.
But people want to come to California. People would like to stay in California. We have to make it so they can afford it. And that's -- that's a big task, but we'll work on it.
MICHAELSON: She's making the argument that, essentially, things stay status quo with you, that you're the Sacramento guy. What changes from a policy perspective? What's different with you than what we've seen over the last four years with Governor Newsom?
BECERRA: We'll get things done. I think --
MICHAELSON: You're suggesting he hasn't?
BECERRA: Oh, he's done quite a few things. But we'll get more things done, and we'll get them done a lot faster because the crisis is -- is upon us.
And it takes someone who's actually had to deal with crises to know how to get us out of them. And that's one area where, whether it was the COVID pandemic, whether it was trying to finally decrease prices for prescription drugs, which I did for the first time by negotiating against some of the largest pharmaceutical companies, or whether it was taking on the biggest menace that we face in California, Donald Trump. I did it as attorney general. It helps to have someone who has experience. [00:10:07]
Katie Porter can say a lot of things, but one thing I won't need are training wheels when I walk into the governor's office.
MICHAELSON: But in terms of a specific policy for the state going forward, you didn't mention any. Is there a specific policy that you would change that we've seen over the last four years or something that needs to be done better?
BECERRA: Better. I mean, we are the -- we are one of 50 states, but we are the fourth largest economy in the world. Something's going on that's not bad.
The difficulty is we have too many families who aren't seeing the prosperity reach them, and we have to do a better job of making sure that we keep that engine going. But make sure the engine is humming for everyone.
MICHAELSON: And so how do we -- how do we do that? I mean, in terms of the affordability issue, which you say is issue No. 1, which voters say is issue No. 1, the rent is too damn high for a lot of people, and prices are too damn high for a lot of people.
What changes with you? What will you do differently than what we've seen now, which is why we have all of those challenges?
BECERRA: We build more. We build more housing, so we can reduce that demand that causes prices to go up. Because there aren't enough good places to live. And that means everyone's seeking that one place, and they drive up the price.
Build more so there's not such a great demand. We also make sure that we don't go anywhere near where Donald Trump would like us to go when it comes to health care. We don't start kicking people off of their health care simply because Donald Trump gutted $1 trillion out of the healthcare system.
MICHAELSON: Well, some of that is the question of what to do in terms of health care for the undocumented. That's been something that Steve Hilton has pointed out. He says he wants to take the undocumented off of health care rolls.
Why do you want to keep them on there? And how much is that going to cost the state?
BECERRA: Clearly, a place where we differ. He looks at them as people who don't have documents. I look at them as hard workers. I look at them as people like my parents. I am the son of immigrants.
To me, I want you to build. Help me build California. If you're working hard, I want you to have health care. I guess Steve Hilton doesn't care if they work really hard. He looks at their status and that's about it.
MICHAELSON: Well, he says that they broke the law. He says that he immigrated here legally and that -- and that spending money to give somebody health care is incentivizing bad behavior.
BECERRA: Yes. He doesn't seem to mind that the price of food is a little lower, because they're -- these are the folks who are picking the crops.
He doesn't seem to mind that the places that you can buy to live in are places that these folks built. He doesn't seem to mind that they're the folks that are taking care of probably one of his relatives, probably taking care of his -- his yards. he seems to mind that they don't have documents, but he doesn't seem to mind that they do so much of the work in California.
MICHAELSON: What's the price tag for health care for -- for illegal -- or for people that are here without documents? What's the price tag for that?
BECERRA: It's no different than it is for you or me. It's just that, because they're undocumented, they don't get any assistance from the federal government.
And we ultimately will make sure that we provide health care to everyone who works, doing it the right way, and we'll make sure that we don't leave anybody out.
Because when you leave them out, they still will get health care, except they'll enter through the most expensive doors in the health care system, the emergency room.
MICHAELSON: Yes. But do you have a cost estimate for what that means for -- for --
BECERRA: There are cost estimates, estimates. The -- the governor, Governor Newsom, has done the right thing. He's moved the state closer to being able to provide health care to everyone who works in this state. That includes the undocumented.
And we've seen the numbers. It is expensive, but it's more expensive to let people go without care.
MICHAELSON: OK, let's talk about something else that Governor Newsom talked about today, which is A.I., which is going to be a huge challenge --
BECERRA: Yes.
MICHAELSON: -- for the next governor, especially of California, where so many of these companies are based.
I want to put up on the screen some of the plan that he talked about today. He wants to mandate state agencies to participate in study of subsidizing companies who basically aren't using A.I., keeping their workers.
He wants an expansion of job training for A.I. impacted workers, and to explore the idea of universal basic capital, which is the idea that people should be automatically potentially invested in companies, especially A.I. companies.
What do you think of this plan, and what does the Becerra plan look like?
BECERRA: So, I believe the governor is pointing out something that's crucial, and that is that prosperity comes when these industries create these new opportunities for wealth.
The difficulty happens when you don't share that -- that prosperity, and then you have the disparity that occurs. I believe the governor is saying, A.I. can be very good, not just for California but for the country, but we just have to do it the right way.
Because if you just concentrate the wealth, then you'll have a lot of people who are not able to exist in a great state where you have a tremendous economy.
MICHAELSON: So, you -- you back the plan that he put out today?
BECERRA: What I've seen, I do -- I do like. I think we do have to get aggressive and start moving quickly.
MICHAELSON: And in terms of you, how do you use A.I. in your daily life?
BECERRA: I -- I don't use it a great deal. I use it enough to make sure that I'm keeping tabs of what's going on. If I need some instantaneous review of what some of the issues are that, for example, I'm dealing with in the campaign, I'll use it that way.
I know my team will use it periodically. It'll get used more and more.
[00:15:02]
MICHAELSON: It's -- it certainly will. And it's going to be such a big challenge for whoever becomes governor next.
Thank you come -- for coming on and sharing your views. We appreciate it. I always enjoy the conversation. And best of luck out there on the campaign trail. We're almost there.
BECERRA: Two weeks to go. Momentum.
MICHAELSON: Almost, almost there.
BECERRA: Momentum.
MICHAELSON: And, of course, people -- millions of people have already voted here in California, as well. Thank you.
Let's talk about late night. THE STORY IS "The Late Show" and the final episode with host Stephen Colbert.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think he's changed the format for late night in a lot of positive ways, and really elevated the conversation.
The industry is shifting, and so I think that has to be accounted for. But I do think it feels unceremonious in nature.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I came all the way up from the Deep South to come witness the death of free speech.
Everybody knows you don't cancel the No. 1 show in late night because it's not making money. You do it because you don't like what he's saying. It just doesn't make sense. Its 11 million followers are going to set on fire.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. So, CBS cited financial reasons for the cancellation. But it sounds like you don't -- you don't buy it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, because it just doesn't pass the smell test.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: So, you see there some fans are outraged and disappointed over the show's cancellation. Others have questioned whether the decision was politically motivated, given Colbert's frequent criticism of President Trump.
But there are some real financial challenges for late night. Regardless of all of that, tonight, Colbert struck a positive and grateful tone.
Let's get some insight on the late-night comedy shakeup from CNN's chief media analyst, Brian Stelter, joining us live now from New York, staying up late for us.
Brian, first off, what have we seen so far in terms of this final show?
BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Well, No. 1, Colbert has shown exactly how to sign off with grace and dignity. He knew the show was canceled last summer. He's had an entire final season to enjoy it. And he has said in interviews he'd rather be grateful for the time he had on CBS, rather than angry that it's ending now.
He has also said he does not actually know why the show is ending. He has said two things can be true at the same time. Yes, the financial pressures are real, but so are the political pressures, and that is certainly true.
But Colbert is going out with a smile. As you said, he is enjoying this, trying to put on a regular show, but inevitably also bringing on some guest stars and celebrity cameos and that sort of thing.
Not really leaning into the politics, not talking a lot about President Trump. And I think that's a point I want to underscore.
"The Late Show" for decades has been about so much more than politics, right? First with David Letterman, now with Colbert. Certainly, Colbert's years were defined by the increasingly toxic,
politically polarizing environment we're in, and he contributed to that, of course, with his own commentary.
But what Colbert was doing is really valuable, and that's true for other late-night comics, as well: making sense of the crazy news environment, looking at a comment or a headline and saying, did that really just happen? What does that mean? What's going on in this world?
You know, when everything seems upside-down, topsy-turvy, these comedians have played a role that's a bit like a television journalist making sense of the world.
And I think the fans who are mourning the loss of "The Late Show" tonight, Elex, they're mourning the loss of having shows like that: places that can tell you and bring you back down to reality and tell you, yes, you're not crazy, but the world around us feels crazy right now.
MICHAELSON: Well, exactly. And you know, late night traditionally was -- was fairly down the middle. Johnny Carson, Jay Leno talked a lot about the fact to not try to alienate the audience, but the world and the media especially has changed so much since they were on TV every night.
STELTER: Yes.
MICHAELSON: And Stephen Colbert, let's remember, for so many years, he was on "The Colbert Report," talking politics on Comedy Central. Then he gets this job where we get to see him for the first time. And it was a ratings bomb.
STELTER: Right, right.
MICHAELSON: Because he wasn't talking politics. And then, when Trump started taking off, he started becoming more political, changed the nature of his show, and the ratings improved for him in a big way when he started doing politics, which would not have been rewarded, probably, a generation before.
STELTER: Right. Because here's what's changed in the media environment. Past late-night hosts tried to be something to everyone, something for everyone.
Nowadays, you win by being everything just to someone. Instead of broadcasting, narrowcasting.
Now, ultimately, the business model for that is very different, and it is falling apart. And those broadcast TV pressures are real.
But this does show how broadcast TV is shrinking and yes, is under political pressure. President Trump now trying to get ABC's Jimmy Kimmel fired.
But it's a safe bet that Colbert will reemerge somewhere if he wants to. And he has said he doesn't know what he wants to do next.
Political commentary is under pressure at broadcast networks, but it's finding new homes in other places all the time. You know, just -- just today. Earlier today, Netflix announced a deal for its first live daily show.
It's going to simulcast the radio show "The Breakfast Club," which has all sorts of commentary, including quite often, anti-Trump commentary from Charlamagne Tha God.
[00:20:04]
So, I found myself thinking Netflix is becoming more like CBS on a day when CBS is losing a little bit of its luster by getting out of the traditional late-night TV business.
MICHAELSON: Yes, it is a change. But that kind of production that Colbert is doing is very expensive. And -- and we've seen somebody like Greg Gutfeld --
STELTER: Oh, yes.
MICHAELSON: -- over on FOX News Channel, you know, on earlier than Colbert, do very well with a show that's much cheaper to produce.
Brian Stelter, thank you.
STELTER: Right. That's right.
MICHAELSON: We'll see you in the next hour with clips from the Colbert show.
STELTER: OK. I'll be back.
MICHAELSON: But we've got -- and we've got more coming up on THE STORY IS. In a few minutes, we're going to speak with comedian Maz Jobrani, who has been on "The Late Show" many, many times with Stephen Colbert. He's got some great stories about that.
We also want to get back to the serious news of the night. Growing Ebola outbreak in central Africa is prompting the U.S. to take new preventative action. We'll talk about that and health screenings being done at a specific airport for some travelers. Details next.
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MICHAELSON: The motor sports world is mourning the death of one of its brightest stars.
Two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch passed away suddenly on Thursday at the age of just 41. Earlier in that day, his family posted that he had been hospitalized with a severe illness but did not reveal what it was. Busch was a racing icon who had won more competitions than any other
driver throughout NASCARs three national series. He was scheduled to race at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte this weekend.
NASCAR called him "one of our sports greatest and fiercest drivers and a once-in-a-generation talent."
Kyle Busch leaves behind a wife and two children.
The U.S. is now requiring health screening for some travelers due to the Ebola outbreak in Central America [SIC].
The State Department says any air passengers who were in the Democratic republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Uganda in the past three weeks must land at Dulles International Airport outside of Washington, D.C., for a health screening.
The government says, to date, no suspected or confirmed cases of Ebola have been reported in the U.S.
Meanwhile, in the outbreak's epicenter, the DRC says at least 160 deaths are thought to be linked to the disease. There, protesters clashed with authorities on Thursday, causing a fire at an Ebola treatment facility.
CNN's Larry Madowo has more from Africa.
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LARRY MADOWO, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: A violent protest and a fire at a hospital --
MADOWO (voice-over): -- treating Ebola patients in the Northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, exposing the community sensitization challenges that Congolese authorities are facing.
Police had to fire warning shots and tear gas to disperse an angry crowd.
It all began when the family of a young man believed to have died of Ebola, demanded his body; forcibly tried to take the body away. But authorities would not allow them to do so.
It degenerated into a protest; other people demanding the bodies of their loved ones. It all comes down to the need to deliver a dignified burial for those who die in this community.
MADOWO: Here's one eyewitness explaining what happened while he was there.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): I'm at Rwampara Hospital. We're locked down here. Look at the protesters. They're angry. They're setting fire to the tents of Ebola patients, because they want to forcibly retrieve the bodies.
MADOWO: That man is a local politician. He told CNN that some in the community don't believe that Ebola is real. They think it's a white man's disease.
And yet, Ebola often spreads at funerals. In fact, this current outbreak is believed it could have started at a superspreader event that was a funeral.
It's only after local media and social media reported on deaths at this funeral that authorities, the World Health Organization, sent testing and determined that there had been an outbreak.
And that is why you see this action next door in Uganda, suspending all public transport between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda; suspending all flights between those two countries.
Uganda saying that they no longer have Ebola cases. The two that were positive in Uganda were both Congolese. One died and was sent across the border. The other has now tested negative, and they believe they should not be included in any of this current global conversation about Ebola.
Larry Madowo, CNN, Nairobi.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: Thank you, Larry.
The Cuban government plans to hold a rally outside the U.S. embassy in Havana in the coming hours. That is according to a post from the embassy as tensions grow between the two countries.
Cuba's foreign minister now accuses Secretary of State Marco Rubio of trying to incite military aggression. He spoke hours after Rubio said he doesn't have much faith that diplomacy will work with Cuba, and that the current regime is opposed to any changes that the country needs.
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MARCO RUBIO, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: Right now, there just doesn't seem to be people over there in charge of the regime who are in any way open to any of those changes.
And the things they talk about economically are cosmetic in nature. They're not real, because that's what they've gotten used to all these years, is just buying time and waiting us out.
They're not going to be able to wait us out or buy time. We're very serious. We're very focused. As I told you a moment ago, in the context of Iran, the president's preference is always a negotiated agreement that's peaceful. That's always our preference. That remains our preference with Cuba.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Earlier this week, the U.S. deployed the Nimitz carrier group to the Caribbean. President Trump says the move is not meant to intimidate Havana. The U.S. is also maintaining a crippling economic blockade and has
indicted former Cuban President Raul Castro.
[00:30:02]
Coming up here on THE STORY IS, from supporter of L.A. Mayor Karen Bass to her political opponent. My interview with L.A. mayoral candidate Nithya Raman after the break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MICHAELSON: All week long, we've been bringing you extended profiles on the leading candidates for L.A. mayor, one of the closest race -- watched races in the country.
[00:35:04]
Today, we have the third and final installment with L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman. She's a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. She once supported Mayor Karen Bass, but now says the city needs a change of leadership.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: What actually changes if you're in charge?
NITHYA RAMAN (D), L.A. MAYORAL CANDIDATE: Urgency, accountability, and focus.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): L.A. City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who endorsed L.A. Mayor Karen Bass in her last election, is now running against her.
RAMAN: We have a city that feels rudderless.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Recent polls show Raman and reality show star turned community activist Spencer Pratt battling it out for second place behind Bass. If no one gets above 50 percent on June 2nd, the top two advance to a runoff in November.
SPENCER PRATT (R), L.A. MAYORAL CANDIDATE: Degeneracy of the homeless drug zombies that Karen Bass and Nithya Raman let roam free.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Pratt is getting by far the most clicks on his social media content.
RAMAN: I don't want this kind of language in my city. I don't want this injected into my politics, and I hope Angelenos stand up on June 2nd and reject it.
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK CITY: Free childcare, cleaner streets, and safer neighborhoods.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Raman is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.
MICHAELSON: How do you see the comparisons between the two of you?
RAMAN: You know, I appreciate his urgency on making sure that the city is working for working people, and I share that urgency.
And I -- so I, you know, I appreciate that comparison, because I think that is a shared idea about what the city should be doing.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Raman is a mother of two who got her bachelor's from Harvard, a master's in urban planning from MIT. Her husband wrote and produced for ABCs "Modern Family." She's been on the city council since 2020.
MICHAELSON: Does the city get more progressive if you're mayor?
RAMAN: I think that the city -- you know, I am a proud progressive. But to me, I think the most progressive thing you can want is a city that really functions to help people.
And on every single metric that the city is supposed to be providing essential services, our city has gone in the wrong direction instead of in the right direction under her leadership.
Our streets are worse. We have more potholes. We have tens of thousands of streetlights out across the city.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Bass is also under fire for her trip to Ghana to represent President Biden in January 2025, despite high winds at the time.
While she was away, the Palisades Fire exploded, killing 12 people, burning nearly 7,000 structures. Bass says she did not get adequate warnings about the fire in advance but left Ghana early when she learned about the extent of the fire.
RAMAN: We -- the city knew. The mayor knew that historic winds were coming. There had been a fire there the week prior. Why weren't trucks pre-deployed to the Palisades? Why was an entire shift of firefighters allowed to go home?
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Raman filed to run for mayor in the final hours of the last day to submit paperwork.
MAYOR KAREN BASS (D), LOS ANGELES: First of all, it was a surprise.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Shocking many in L.A.'s political world, including the incumbent mayor herself.
MICHAELSON: What do you make of her campaign and what do you see as the biggest --
BASS: One of these days, I'll understand it, because I don't understand it now. This is somebody who endorsed me publicly.
MICHAELSON: She didn't really know why you were running. Why are you running?
RAMAN: You know, I share the frustration that I see across the city that so many Angelenos are feeling right now.
MICHAELSON: And did you feel like nobody else was stepping up? So, I've got to?
RAMAN: I mean, there wasn't. This was going to be a campaign that was going to be between our very broken status quo that everyone acknowledges is broken and moving in the wrong direction; and a MAGA Republican who is out of touch with the needs of Angelenos.
PRATT: This is unacceptable.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Pratt jumped into the race one year after his home burned in the Palisades Fire.
MICHAELSON: What do you make of Spencer Pratt?
RAMAN: You know, I'm deeply empathetic. He lost his home in the Palisades. He and his family have faced incredible trauma, and I think he's running because he's frustrated with the state of leadership here in this city. I empathize with that. I feel that, too.
But I don't think he is presenting realistic solutions to the problems that we're facing here.
MICHAELSON: What do you think is the biggest thing he's saying that's not realistic?
RAMAN: You know, I think he thinks that our response to our homelessness crisis is easy: that there is one thing that you can do that will eliminate homelessness across Los Angeles. There isn't. But we need to do all the things.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): On the council, Raman ran the committee overseeing homelessness. Bass says that means she's had the opportunity to fix the problem.
Raman says Bass should have appointed a homelessness czar.
RAMAN: We are spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year on homelessness, and right now in city hall, there is no one overseeing those dollars.
The cost of housing is immensely high here.
MICHAELSON (voice-over): Raman says she'd also appoint a deputy mayor of housing.
RAMAN: I would tell the departments that are right now taking years to approve new developments, adding millions of dollars in costs, that we simply cannot do that anymore. There is a deadline for permit applications for new housing that every department must follow.
[00:40:04]
MICHAELSON: If you had to pick one word that separates you from your opponents in this race, what is that? RAMAN: Courage. Because I've had the courage to stand up and tell it when it's wrong. And that is what I think the city needs right now is a courageous leader who is willing to stand up and fight for -- for the people.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAELSON: You can watch our full, unedited conversations with all three of the leading candidates for L.A. mayor right now on my YouTube channel. That includes my one-on-one with current L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, and our one-on-one with former reality TV star Spencer Pratt.
Hear him explain why he's running for mayor. Watch all three of those conversations in full. YouTube.com/ElexMichaelson.
It is the end of an era, as Stephen Colbert takes his final bow as host of "The Late Show" on CBS. After the break, we discuss Colbert's historic run on late-night TV with actor and comedian Maz Jobrani, who was a guest on Colbert's show multiple times, even on "The Colbert Report," even on "Curb Your Enthusiasm" with Stephen Colbert. They go way back. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:45:57]
MICHAELSON: Let's talk more now about the final episode of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert."
Comedian and actor Maz Jobrani appeared on "The Late Show" four times: three times in studio, once remotely during the COVID pandemic. There you see him with Jon Batiste, who was the band leader at the time, apparently stealing some SWAG.
And there, of course, is the Ed Sullivan Theater, an iconic landmark in New York City.
Maz is also the author of "I'm Not a Terrorist, But I've Played One on TV." And he joins us live here on set to talk about his friend Stephen Colbert.
Maz, what is it like to sit across from Stephen Colbert?
MAZ JOBRANI, COMEDIAN: Well, you know, you saw in all those pictures, I was giddy. I was everywhere, like with the -- with the -- with the -- the bag they gave me; in front of the theater lights; throughout the whole thing.
I was a big fan before I was able to get on there. And when I got on there, I actually went in and looked at some of the clips from when I was being interviewed by him. And I was just talking a million miles a minute. I was so excited, Elex, I'm telling you.
Because I looked up to the guy, and I look up to the guy. It's like -- it's like having someone that you -- you know, you -- it's like an older brother that you admire. And so, to have him almost -- almost like crown you by coming on the
show, right? You know, it was one of the highlights of my career, for sure. Hands down, hands down.
MICHAELSON: What do you think from a comedian's perspective? Because Stephen Colbert was not a stand-up like you. He was an improv comic and a writer for many years. Not necessarily the traditional path to one of those jobs. What makes him so good at what he does?
JOBRANI: You know, I just think he's a very smart guy. That's what we see when -- when we all see him. I mean, I watch him every night to get my news. No offense, but I -- he just makes it fun.
MICHAELSON: OK. We're on earlier here on the West Coast. You could do both.
JOBRANI: Yes, yes, yes. Exactly, exactly.
So -- no, he just is. You know, he -- anytime I've seen him interview other people in other fields, it feels like he is -- he knows, he knows. They say you've got to know a little bit about a lot, but he knows a lot about a lot.
So, sometimes I sit there, and I'm watching and I'm going, my God, how much did this guy read when he was younger?
MICHAELSON: Right.
JOBRANI: And I -- I'm jealous. I wish -- I should have read a lot more when I was younger.
MICHAELSON: Right.
JOBRANI: And then he does it in a funny way. I'm telling you, the monologues -- I've had time -- times when I was laughing out loud when he was doing monologues.
And, again, it feels like an older brother that's leaving now. It's like, I can't -- I can't believe it. I mean, I remember when he first mentioned it, and he announced it. And he said, May 21st, and I was like, oh, that's a long way away. And now, it arrived. And it's a sad day in many ways.
MICHAELSON: Do you think -- because folks on the right that are watching this are kind of celebrating this, right? They think that he went too political, that he was against President Trump. And they're sort of saying good riddance. What do you say to that?
JOBRANI: I totally disagree with them, because the fact is that we live in a democracy. And the whole point is that our comedians and late-night talk show hosts should be able to make fun of the leader of the country. That's what we need, because that's what a democracy is.
And when you have Brendan Carr of the FCC basically getting him off air, I mean, it's just so flagrant. The whole idea of it was a financial thing is such a joke, because if
it was really a financial thing, they could have gone to Stephen and be like, hey, Stephen, we pay you this much every year. Let's have a negotiation.
And I'm sure Stephen is the type of guy who would probably negotiate to keep his -- to keep his employees employed.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
JOBRANI: That's the other thing about him. I mean, he's very vulnerable. He talks about the loss of his family when he was young. Yes, I really -- I mean, I'm here to talk as a comedian, but in all honesty, I'm very sad tonight.
MICHAELSON: Yes. I mean, but there is truth that the finance of late night is not what it used to be. I mean, you think about how late night has changed from when Johnny Carson, every person in the country basically was watching -- who was watching TV at that time was watching him.
And talk about bringing somebody over to the couch. He made people's careers in a way that nobody has the power to do now.
[00:50:06]
But this really is kind of the beginning of the end of the late-night era.
JOBRANI: Yes. You know, I hope not, because I think late night was starting to shift. They all have their YouTube channels where you watch the clips, smaller clips.
You know, my son is 17. My daughter is 15. They just watch clips. Even with stand-up. Like stand-up specials now that are, you know, longer than 50 minutes, I get tired.
I was talking to my son the other day. He goes, listen, if I want to see stand-up, I'll go watch a five-minute clip of somebody, and then I'll watch the next clip.
And for me, in all honesty, I recently, because I've gotten older and older, I was watching Colbert's monologue on YouTube, our time.
MICHAELSON: Right.
JOBRANI: And then I wouldn't stay up till late enough to watch him. So, it's just the business has shifted.
So, I don't think that it's dead. I think it's shifted. And unfortunately, they used it as an excuse.
MICHAELSON: But how do you make this -- just from a business perspective, make the same amount of money that you would if somebody is watching an hour show or an hour and a half show with all of those commercials, 20 minutes of commercials a thing, versus YouTube? Maybe somebody watches a, you know, a ten second pre-roll. I mean, the -- the money isn't the same.
JOBRANI: Well, the question becomes, you know, what can you put in that time slot that's going to earn it the money that you want it to earn?
And that's, again, I go back to Colbert and how they should have negotiated with him.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
JOBRANI: Because whatever he's making, I think that he would -- he would have done it to make it more affordable for them. Because we're in an era that people aren't watching television at that hour, all -- you know, with their families. So, you know, that's -- that's the point.
MICHAELSON: And then what they're putting in that time slot. Byron Allen is paying for the time slot. He's going to pay them to run his show.
JOBRANI: Yes. Yes. So, Byron Allen, as well as being a comedian, is also a great businessman.
MICHAELSON: Yes. Unbelievable.
JOBRANI: Unbelievable. So, I think he made a smart decision, because the -- the slot is there. So, you know, more power to him.
But again, if you ask me, how do these guys make money at that hour? I don't know.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
JOBRANI: But -- but I do know that if you -- you know, Colbert was the hottest late-night show.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
JOBRANI: You know, it was -- ratings-wise, it was the hottest late- night show. And we need something like this, you know?
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, Byron Allen's going to be doing five shows a day, churning them out like this; doesn't have to be topical. And he's paying them to run it.
So, they're, from a financial perspective, going to be making more money, but probably won't have the prestige or the cultural relevance or all the rest of that, as well.
Maz -- or the, or the jokes or the laughs. Quite the same.
JOBRANI: Listen, I was on "Comics Unleashed," so, you know, you better watch.
MICHAELSON: Yes, yes, yes. Maz Jobrani, thank you so much. We appreciate it. Great to see you. JOBRANI: Thank you for having me.
MICHAELSON: We'll be back with more right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[00:57:14]
MICHAELSON: Special tradition Thursday took place at Arlington National Cemetery to honor America's fallen heroes. The annual flags in ceremony. The Army tradition involves placing about 250,000 small flags on each headstone.
It takes nearly 1,500 soldiers about four hours to complete. The flags are removed after Memorial Day, which is this coming Monday.
President Trump is one step closer to building his triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery after a key agency approved its design plans. But the arch isn't a done deal just yet.
CNN's Sunlen Serfaty has the latest on the project's design plans as it faces legal hurdles ahead of construction.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TRUMP: So, we're building what's called the triumphal arch.
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president's quest to build the largest arch in the world, securing a key approval.
TRUMP: We just got approval from Fine Arts. That's fantastic.
SERFATY (voice-over): The Commission of Fine Arts, a committee Trump stacked with hand-selected loyalists, approved plans for the massive 250-foot arch today.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All in favor?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Aye.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Aye.
SERFATY (voice-over): The latest plan, however, is getting a makeover. The arch got wider but lost four gold lion sculptures, a change that the committee pushed for, given that lions are not native to the U.S.
And the overall height of the structure is now smaller, with the removal of an eight-foot-tall base. Though the arch itself remains 250 feet tall, a symbolic height to align with the nation's 250th anniversary.
TRUMP: It will be substantial. I'd like it to be the biggest one of all. SERFATY (voice-over): The arch is facing a legal challenge from a
Vietnam War veterans group, who argue the size and location will obstruct the view of Arlington National Cemetery nearby.
The project has also faced fierce public criticism over its design and for not getting proper approval from Congress.
But the Trump administration is angling to move without Congress, readying to use this obscure century-old authorization, which was used to approve a pair of 166-foot columns at the same location in 1924, to go around Congress.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You need Congress to sign off on it.
TRUMP: No, we don't. No, no, we're doing it. It's -- the land is owned by secretary -- by the Interior Department. We don't need anything from Congress.
SERFATY (voice-over): Meantime, another pet project of the president's, the reflecting pool that Trump is painting blue and making other fixes to, is also facing a legal fight as the price tag keeps rising.
TRUMP: I originally thought I'd do it for 2 or $3 million. Just do a base, but now we're fixing up the exterior of it. We're doing. So, we'll probably be in there for less than $20 million.
SERFATY (voice-over): That less than 20 million figure is up from a recent estimate the president gave of 13 million.
Federal Judge Carl Nichols today heard arguments from a nonprofit suing to stop the project. The judge didn't issue a ruling, but did say, "It seems -- "
