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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz will Take Weeks to Months; Andy Burnham Wins U.K. By-Election for Makerfield M.P.; Pentagon Chief Lays Out New Rules at NATO Meeting; New York Celebrates Knicks' NBA Championship; Bush, Clinton, Biden Attend Obama Center Ceremony; Merlin the Duck Becomes Official World Cup Ambassador; High-End Private Social Clubs Thriving in London and New York. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired June 19, 2026 - 00:00   ET

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

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN ANCHOR: So, there's some criticism that came from WNBA great Becky Hammon, who basically said that you need a 1-A superstar player to win a championship. And she said he's not a 1-A. He's too small.

[00:00:17]

And he never responded to it. But clearly, on his mind. And it all came out there. It was very clear.

LAURA COATES, CNN ANCHOR: You should say, "Who's too small?" I mean, does the number 485 mean anything? Hmm.

Have a great show, Omar.

JIMENEZ: Good to see you, Laura.

All right, everybody. We've got a great show coming up. I'm Omar Jimenez, live in New York. Let's get into it.

What's going on, everyone? I'm Omar Jimenez in New York, in today for Elex Michaelson.

Coming up, THE STORY IS the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump says Iran has unconditionally surrendered. But what does that mean for tankers stuck in the Gulf? Ahead, what ship captains are saying about the negotiated deal.

THE STORY IS a shake-up in U.K. politics. Andy Burnham wins the by- election, elevating him as a possible challenger to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. We'll explain.

And THE STORY IS a home for hope. Three former presidents join Barack Obama on Chicago's South Side as he opens the Obama Presidential Center. Hear his message to all Americans.

The top story this hour is quote, unquote, "unconditional surrender." That is how U.S. President Donald Trump is defending that claim, or he's defending his agreement, I should say, with that claim over Iran against mounting criticism. He spoke with Axios in his first interview since signing the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What have you learned about not just the exercise of power, but the limits on your power as a result of the conflict?

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: There are no limits.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No limits.

TRUMP: No, none. I haven't learned that lesson yet. I know there are, but you know, there are no limits. We defeated them totally militarily.

I did a naval blockade where not one ship was able to get through. Some tried. They didn't, you know, didn't last very long.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And it certainly brought Iran to the table more than before. However, beginning of conflict, you had talked about you only wanted unconditional surrender. And --

TRUMP: Well --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- the MOU doesn't look like unconditional surrender.

TRUMP: Well, it really probably is unconditional surrender.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is?

TRUMP: I think so.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: Now, earlier on Thursday, the president posted on Truth Social, "The United States is committed to PEACE, and we encourage everyone in the Middle East Region to maintain their commitment to allowing our negotiations to beautifully unfold. Do -- we expect a complete Ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, Hezbollah and Israel."

But lawmakers in Washington aren't as enthusiastic about the agreement as the president. Even top Republicans are expressing their concerns.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): History demonstrates that giving billions of dollars to theocratic lunatics who want to murder us is an exceptionally bad idea. And I think, unfortunately, the president is receiving some -- some really bad advice on this deal.

SEN. JOHN CORNYN (R-TX): Everything I've heard about it causes me concern.

SEN. CHRIS COONS (D-DE): Literally everything that President Trump said he was trying to accomplish with this war, he's failed to accomplish.

SEN. JOHN KENNEDY (R-LA): Let's give this 60 days to give peace a chance.

SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC): Some of the criticism of the MOU is valid, I think. But here's the way I look at it. Without the MOU being signed, there's no pathway to diplomacy to end the nuclear ambitions of Iran.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: So, some are patient, but clearly, some fissures there. Vice President J.D. Vance is postponing his trip to Geneva in the mean -- in the meantime, for the U.S.-Iran signing ceremony.

The White House cites unresolved logistics for that and says Vance is ready to head to Switzerland at the first available opportunity.

The vice president answered questions from reporters at the White House on Thursday, telling skeptics to have a little faith in the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: They certainly recognize that the United States has great leverage. Will that ultimately lead to a change in behavior? I don't know.

You know, I've seen skeptics of the deal. People say the Iranians will never change their behavior. Well, maybe that's true. And if so, they don't get any of the benefits of the bargain. But isn't it worth trying?

The Gulf Coast coalition loves this deal, because they think that it makes Iran weaker. They hated the Obama deal, because they thought that it made Iran stronger.

They know more about this, and they have more to lose than anybody, including the United States of America. So, I trust their judgment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: I want to bring in CNN's Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. So, Kristie, what is happening with the Strait of Hormuz in all of this?

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'll tell you what ship captains are telling me. They're telling me this.

It is going to take a while for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen. They say it's going to reopen in a slow stream and not a rush, and that it could take weeks, if not longer, for maritime traffic there to return to pre-war levels.

[00:05:12]

And this comes down to two factors. No. 1, the issue of clearing the strait of mines. And No. 2, the logistical challenge of getting through the backlog of hundreds of ships and tankers believed to be still stranded in the Gulf.

Now, earlier, I spoke to Captain Samanth Bhaktavatsalam, and he is a ship master, a ship master of a tanker. In fact, I spoke with him about three weeks into the conflict. He and his crew were stranded inside the Gulf.

He has since been able to transit out of the Gulf. He's currently on leave and visiting family in India. But I want you to listen to what he had to say about the reopening of Hormuz. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. SAMANTH BHAKTAVATSALAM, MASTER, FLEET MANAGEMENT LIMITED: It is not just get up and go when the traffic light turns green. It's been mentioned, or it's not definitely known the dangers posed in the straits by the mines, which they claim to have laid, or -- it is always the everyone watching who will be the first to transit.

There have been some dark transits in the news. But once everything settles down, and it's official that ships can safely transit, then it will become a logistics issue, mainly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STOUT: Look, clearing the strait of mines is a long and complicated process. It's not known exactly how many mines are in the Strait of Hormuz.

And experts say once a minefield is detected, it will take weeks, if not months, to be able to remove the threat.

And then, as you heard just then from the captain, there's the additional issue of getting through the backlog of hundreds of ships.

According to data out this week from Kepler, there's an estimated over 700 ships that are still stranded in the Gulf, including about 200 tankers.

Now, I also spoke with a seafarer who is still stranded in the Gulf. He is also a tanker master. He and his crew of about 22 seafarers have been stranded on their ship in the region in an undisclosed location since even before the war began.

And I spoke to him by phone. The connection was very patchy, but I have the transcript. And this is what Captain Abhijit Chopra told me.

He said, quote, "Getting back to normal will take time. It will definitely get back to normal. I sincerely hope people will be behind us and that we can move forward, and that the blockade of Hormuz will be behind us, like the days of COVID," unquote.

And Omar, he and his crew, they are just one of the estimated 20,000 seafarers have been stranded in the Gulf as a result of this conflict, in a crisis that the United Nations has called, quote, "unprecedented."

Back to you.

JIMENEZ: And it's one where, as you point out and as these captains point out, that even if someone says, all right, the Strait of Hormuz is now open, the time that it takes to actually get back to normal operations is going to be quite some time.

Kristie Lu Stout, really appreciate the perspective and reporting.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer could soon face a challenge for leadership of the Labour Party. His potential rival made a first step in that direction by winning a resounding victory in the by-election for Makerfield M.P.

Andy Burnham is currently the mayor of Greater Manchester and one of the U.K.'s most popular politicians.

Generally, British by-elections are just like bellwethers of the public mood and don't impact the government. But Thursday -- Thursday's vote was triggered with the sole purpose of clearing a path for Burnham to the top spot in the Labour Party and the country.

I want to bring in Georgia Kernell, an associate professor in communication and political science at UCLA and author of the book "Inside Parties."

Let's unpack this a bit here, because this is kind of like the U.S. equivalent of a special election in a congressional district. And yet, it could directly affect Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Explain.

GEORGIA KERNELL, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN COMMUNICATION AND POLITICAL SCIENCE, UCLA: Yes, that's exactly right. So, in order to run for -- for the Labour Party leader, a person must be a member of Parliament.

And so, what's happening here is that the current member of Parliament resigned and stepped aside so that Andy Burnham could run, because there was a lot of popularity behind Burnham. And Keir Starmer is not at all popular.

And he was -- Burnham is the most likely person to challenge him, but he wasn't able to do so as mayor. So, the M.P. stepped aside, triggered a by-election, and this by-election became not really a bellwether on the state of the country's support for Labour, but really more of a bellwether on whether or not -- support and within the Labour Party for Keir Starmer.

And Burnham won in -- in a really more than we would have expected. He beat the next closest party by almost, I think, 20 percent, which is the Reform Party. And he also beat out another far-right party.

[06:10:03]

JIMENEZ: You know, I guess if you sort of take this one step further and say that that Keir Starmer is out of power, I mean, would a Burnham rise fundamentally change the -- the political power dynamics and government in the U.K.?

KERNELL: Yes, OK. So, in the U.K., the way it works, right, is that the members of Parliament select the prime minister.

And so, the Labour Party has a majority right now. They won a majority two years ago. And the next election must be held sometime before August of 2029.

But Keir Starmer is so unpopular that he might have to call an early election if he were to stay in.

If Burnham can take over and revive the Labour Party, there won't be calls for his resignation like there might be for Starmer. Then that could lead the Labour Party to continue to have support and wait until 2029 to have that election.

So, we saw this over the past 15 years in the Conservative Party. They stayed in power and had five different leaders that would take over power, not through general elections, but through things just like this, where there's a current person who's holding the prime minister. They became -- they become unpopular, and they face a challenge within the party.

And then a new person comes in, takes over the role, not just as party leader, but directly as prime minister.

So, when the party leader changes in the majority party that's holding the prime minister, that means that the head of the government changes not based on a vote of the public, but based on a vote of the party members.

So, in the Labour Party, the party leader is selected by party members. Those are people who pay a fee, join the party, may attend meetings, may go to rallies, but people who are Labour Party supporters. And that's who will vote for the next party leader.

JIMENEZ: And you talk about Starmer's drop in popularity. I mean, the Labour Party, as well, I mean, associated with him, suffered a big drop in popularity. But what have been the primary reasons for that?

KERNELL: Yes, I mean, the biggest reasons that people cite are the economy and immigration. And that Starmer is -- seems to be out of touch with everyday members of the public.

And so, Andy Burnham, he comes from the Northern part of -- of the country. He is really well-liked by working class. And he criticizes Starmer's close connections with politics and with London. And he really says, you know, I represent the entire country and working individuals.

And so, he has much more support. And it looks like from this election, some of that support might even come from working-class voters that tend to sometimes deviate and support the far-right party, the Reform Party, which has done really well in local elections.

So, if he can, indeed, cut away at support for the Reform Party, then that could be really helpful for -- for Labour, not just in he getting elected as the party leader, but in Labour keeping their support and keeping a strong majority.

JIMENEZ: You know, to your point, it seems globally, whenever there are economic headwinds, the incumbent leaders often suffer. I mean, in the U.S., for example, it's not just President Trump that's been polling low as of late, but also Republican and Democratic members of Congress, as people are obviously paying more than what they used to for everyday items.

And I know you talked a little bit about it, but do you get the sense that that was the primary driver of how things changed so quickly for Prime Minister Starmer? Because, I mean, he hasn't been in power that -- that long.

KERNELL: Yes. I believe so. I mean, he wasn't as popular as the conservatives were unpopular at the time when he was elected. And Labour has maintained more popularity but -- than his leadership has.

So, he has never been as popular as -- as his party, which is always a bad sign.

And that's not the case for Burnham, at least at the moment. Of course, we haven't seen him in that leadership role. And one thing that people are saying is that Burnham doesn't have the foreign policy chops that Starmer has. And so there is some uncertainty there.

In general, though, we certainly do see that leaders are blamed. Rightfully so often, but blamed for trouble in the economy and many other national issues.

But the difference, when you compare the U.K. and the U.S. is, it would be very unlikely for the Republicans, the Republican party to replace Donald Trump. There's no mechanism to do so.

Whereas in the Labour Party, as long as 20 percent of members of Parliament support another candidate, then there will be an internal election. And if that other candidate -- or there could be multiple candidates -- if another candidate wins and they take over as leader and as prime minister.

[00:15:06]

We can't even imagine, I don't think, that happening in the Republican or the Democratic Party here in the U.S. Right? The -- the idea of them changing the -- the president without a say from the public is -- is really unheard of.

JIMENEZ: That would be the only thing, I think, that would make U.S. politics a little crazier. Just a little bit of -- of British politics into it. And I think our homework goes out through the roof.

Georgia Kernell, really appreciate you being here. Thanks for taking the time.

KERNELL: Thanks, Omar. JIMENEZ: Of course.

Meanwhile, social media video captured a massive explosion at a refinery in Moscow during a Ukrainian drone attack. This was the largest drone offensive on the Russian capital since the war with Ukraine began.

A key oil refinery less than ten miles. You see some of that, what I believe is a drone in the air on that video. But this key oil refinery, less than ten miles from the Kremlin was damaged with the roof of one structure blown clean off. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(EXPLOSION)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JIMENEZ: Right into the sky. Sends it right into the sky there.

Moscow's mayor says the city's air defenses shot down nearly 200 drones.

And the offensive was part of a larger drone incursion over a broad area of Russian -- of Russia, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Thursday's attacks a fully justified response to Russian attacks.

Meanwhile, the United States defense secretary is talking tough at a NATO meeting in Brussels. Pete Hegseth announced a review of U.S. forces in Europe. He also scolded U.S. allies for not helping more in the war with Iran.

CNN's Sebastian Shukla reports from Berlin.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SEBASTIAN SHUKLA, CNN PRODUCER: Another day, another reprimand of NATO allies by the United States. This time, the U.S. Secretary of war Pete Hegseth --

SHUKLA (voice-over): -- attending a summit of NATO defense ministers at H.Q. in Brussels. He took the chance to once again remind allies that the United States is stepping back in Europe and announced that the Pentagon is starting a six-month review of U.S. forces in Europe.

PETE HESGETH, U.S. SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: This will be a real review. It will be designed to ensure that NATO is moving fast and irreversibly toward Europe, leading. Stepping up to take primary responsibility for the defense of Europe.

SHUKLA: The secretary equated this to being a new chapter in NATO's history, a NATO 3.0, in his words, where it goes back to being a hardline military alliance that has real military capabilities. And for too long, NATO has been a paper tiger and a one-way street. No

more.

And that's what the Hague summit is all about. That's what defense spending commitments are all about. Transforming NATO back into a real military alliance that's focused on hard power and real deterrence. A NATO 3.0.

SHUKLA: This reboot of the alliance was agreed, according to the secretary general, Mark Rutter, by all the attending defense ministers.

SHUKLA (voice-over): He reiterated that it was on European allies to try and turn dollars and euros into bullets and missiles --

SHUKLA: -- as fast as they can.

The secretary-general also confirmed that the U.S. had reduced contributions to the alliance's force model, an organization of forces that plans for wars, but downplayed the significance or impact of that.

But while the ink was still drying on the Iran agreement, there is still seemingly anger from Washington about the lack of help NATO allies offered.

HEGSETH: The United States has defended Europe for generations, and the president said all he said was that our jets would need to take off from bases in Europe or are shaped -- our ships from ports to strike targets in the Middle East. Iranian targets that threaten European interests even more directly than they threaten us.

But too many of our allies said no or tried to drown us in arcane legal debates, or criticized us publicly for doing what they aren't prepared or able to do themselves. It was shameful.

SHUKLA: A week that began with positivity at the G-7 in Evian --

SHUKLA (voice-over): -- where all parties appeared to seemingly be singing from the same hymn sheet. This NATO's latest issue, however, and the ire with which the White House still views the alliance, has been laid bare once again.

SHUKLA: All eyes now turn to the leaders' summit, which Donald Trump will attend in Ankara in early July.

Sebastian Shukla, CNN, Berlin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[00:20:02]

JIMENEZ: All right. Still ahead for us, a rare flood watch for millions across several states. And the growing threat Tropical Storm Arthur left behind. Up next.

And it was a celebration over 50 years in the making. After the break, how New York City honored the Knicks' first NBA title since 1973.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JIMENEZ: Remnants of Tropical Storm Arthur are battering parts of the South with heavy rain. You can see just how heavy in these images here. Rescuing what looks like a little cat there.

Several states are facing a rare level four of high-risk flooding.

[00:25:03]

Meanwhile, more than 7 million people across the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, and Georgia are under a tornado watch, as well. So, we'll continue to monitor some of those weather developments.

Meanwhile, in sports, though, the New York Knicks celebrated their NBA championship on Thursday with a ticker tape parade through the city.

An estimated 2 million fans turned out to celebrate the team, with some camping out overnight to get their spot. It's the Knicks first title since 1973, ending a 53-year championship drought. CNN's Shimon Prokupecz was there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a party 53 years in the making as the New York Knicks marched in their first ever ticker tape parade.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Historic. We had to be here.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was dope. It was magnificent.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): The NBA champions danced and cheered as they rode down the famous Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan.

An estimated 2 million emotional Knicks fans packed the streets and surrounding buildings, screaming for starters, Karl-Anthony Towns, O.G. Anunoby and loudest of all, the NBA finals MVP, Jalen Brunson.

Some fans even camped out all night on the parade route. Others arrived early this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Seeing this right here, this is just once-in-a- lifetime opportunity. That's why we're all out here right now at 2 a.m.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): The NYPD says it deployed more than 10,000 officers. Viewing areas were filled before 7:30 in the morning.

PROKUPECZ: You've been here since, what time?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four a.m., baby. Four a.m. My Knicks.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): The festivities lasted more than three hours. PROKUPECZ: We saw the mayor on the float with O.G. Just an incredible

moment to take in, and to see, and to watch the pure joy and happiness that people are experiencing at this moment.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): Many former Knicks joined the parade. Patrick Ewing and Larry Johnson and legend Walt Clyde Frazier, who played for the last Knicks team to win a title in 1973.

Knicks center Mitchell Robinson waved from the top of his custom pickup truck.

Celebrity Knicks fans also took part. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani released a hype video moments before the parade.

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK CITY: You are New York City.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, your 2026 NBA champion New York Knicks.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): Mamdani presented the team symbolic keys to the city.

MAMDANI: For 53 years, we watched. For 53 years, we waited. Now, we've won.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Damn. We really did it, dawg.

PROKUPECZ (voice-over): While Alicia Keys closed out the emotional day with her iconic New York theme song, "Empire State of Mind."

(MUSIC: ALICIA KEYS, "EMPIRE STATE OF MIND")

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: And we talked about how many people it took to get here. I took this video at, like, 5:30 in the morning. This was in the subway station. The line was so long you couldn't even get out of the subway station. It was that standstill.

But look, it was a great time. We had so much fun out on the parade route, talking to fans. I was out covering the finals throughout, as well, as they sort of got closer to getting to this mountaintop of doing something they haven't done in more than 50 years.

And the mayor maybe summed it up best when he said it made the biggest city in the country feel like the smallest town in the world. You could just go up to anyone, say, "Go Knicks," and you'd be best friends right there on the spot.

So, a little bit of joy in New York City as the Knicks celebrate their championship.

All right. We're following more news. Still ahead, hundreds gathered in Chicago to celebrate a new presidential center opening. We'll tell you who attended and who was left off the guest list.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:33:33]

JIMENEZ: Pictures here from Chicago, where hundreds gathered to celebrate the official opening of the Obama Presidential Center in the city.

Former presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton were there to celebrate the 44th U.S. president, and former President Obama used his special moment to urge Americans to fight for democracy.

CNN's Jason Carroll reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And our 44th president of the United States.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He rose to political prominence on a message of hope. And today, a reminder from former President Barack Obama of what can happen if that message is lost.

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When we lose faith in each other; when we stop believing that voting matters, that citizenship matters, that our collective voices matter, that how we treat each other no longer matters, and we give away our power to decide our own futures.

CARROLL (voice-over): This speech delivered at the dedication ceremony of the Obama Presidential Center, a 19-acre campus on Chicago's South Side, a project a decade in the making, with a price tag of $850 million.

Beyond the replica Oval Office and the former first lady's dresses, the sprawling campus includes a museum, garden, basketball court, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library.

It's located in the same neighborhood where Obama got his political start and met the woman who became his wife.

[00:35:03]

MICHELLE OBAMA, FORMER FIRST LADY: I'm going to take a little time to do something that I know my husband will not do today, and that is to fully sing his praises. Barack --

B. OBAMA: Yes.

M. OBAMA: You've got to look at me.

B. OBAMA: I know. I'm going to look down.

The exhibits in the center are not meant to evoke nostalgia for some gauzy, bygone era, some unattainable past that we can dream about and say, Oh, we miss you, Barack. They're meant -- they're meant to remind us of who we can be. M. OBAMA: You've proven that a lasting legacy isn't an award or a name

on a building, or a number of zeros in a bank account, but the difference we make in one another's lives.

CARROLL (voice-over): In attendance. All the living U.S. Presidents except one. President Donald Trump was not invited to the ceremony. Obama never mentioned his successor by name, but his message at times was clear.

B. OBAMA: There will be no kings or lords, no serfs or subjects, but only citizens.

CARROLL (voice-over): A number of world leaders, lawmakers, and celebrities were on hand to hear not just speeches, but also a star- studded lineup of musical guests.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, SINGER/SONGWRITER (singing): In a land of hope and dreams.

CARROLL (voice-over): Those without tickets to the formal dedication ceremony gathered at a park across the street.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's so exciting. You know, this feels like the 2008 election night, because I was here in Chicago, and just the vibe, the excitement. I -- I feel like people have hope.

CARROLL (voice-over): And while the music got some on their feet, it was the words of the former president that really moved many of them, including these two who drove up from Florida for the ceremony.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We drove up.

CARROLL: From Daytona?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. Daytona Beach.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We was not going to miss this for the world. I was here when he got nominated for president.

CARROLL: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And so, I knew that I had to be here for this historic moment.

CARROLL: So, a lot of emotional moments during today's ceremony. But that message of hope, that message was still here, as well.

And in fact, the center had handed out fans to some of those in attendance. And a message on that fan read "A Home for Hope."

Jason Carroll, CNN, Chicago.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: All right. Thank you, Jason.

Joining me now from Austin, Texas, is Douglas Brinkley, a presidential historian and professor of history at Rice University.

Thank you for taking the time, Professor. I just want to start with the significance of the presidential library or center. What does this moment typically represent for a former president?

DOUGLAS BRINKLEY, PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: It's always the big moment after you leave the White House. You write a memoir. And both Barack and Michelle Obama have written big, best-selling ones. And then you build your presidential library.

In this case, they're calling it a center. We don't have time to get into why that is. But it was a gigantic day for them. All of -- anybody who remembers how Barack Obama won so dramatically in 2008 and then got reelected. We had our first black president in America.

And all of the things that were accomplished during Obama's presidency: helping get our country out of the Great Recession, saving of General Motors, going forward with the idea of gay, LGBTQ marriage. You know, the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare. You know, it's a long list. Eight years of our country.

And Chicago loves the Obamas. And they're going to be in love with this extraordinary center, because it's multidimensional as both a community place to meet. It's got parks, recreation facilities, but it's killer good on the history of the Obama years and the civil rights movement.

And there's even documents from the founders and Ida Wells and women's suffragists and all there. It's one of the great, now, places to go in America for to understand the rhythms and flow of our country.

JIMENEZ: You know, we saw former presidents Clinton, W. Bush and Biden there, but President Trump was not invited. Maybe not a surprise to people. But from a historical perspective, is that rare to sort of have an odd man out, especially a current sitting president?

BRINKLEY: It is rare. You know, I think, though, we've all figured it out. I mean, there are all the other presidents, and then there's Donald Trump. He's kind of in a silo to himself.

I -- I have a feeling Michelle Obama would not have gone if -- even in her own center, if Donald Trump was there. After all, she didn't show up for his second inaugural.

[00:40:09]

There's, you know, her talk today. Michelle Obama was really strong, loving to her husband, but feisty in the ways that people love her. It's one of the most popular figures in the world.

And -- and then, you know, Barack Obama, who's got a different style. it was not a day for him to give the microphone to Bill Clinton, or Joe Biden, or George W. Bush, but their mere presence there meant that there was a unity to them about civility, decency, and, you know, the hope that people will vote and care about our democracy. When you pull off a big event like this -- and I give Valerie Jarrett

a lot of credit. It's been going on for years. I mean, think of the relief that this day's finally come there. And it was flawless, with Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen. It seemed to be wrapped around, today, the music of Chicago and the music of America.

JIMENEZ: Yes. I mean, you know, they wasted absolutely no opportunity in sort of bringing out the A-list of the A-list in terms of -- of music and trying to make this as big a ceremony as it deserved.

You know, it's interesting, just seeing President Obama speak there over the course of this, because when you look at his role in -- in this moment, it feels like, typically, former presidents sort of fade away from current-cycle politics outside of maybe rare circumstances.

And I wonder, what do you make of Obama's standing in the current political landscape and how he's wielding his influence?

BRINKLEY: It's a great question. You know, everybody in the Democratic Party is, Where's the new Obama? Well, these are -- you just can't create somebody like him. I mean, extraordinary orator, constitutional lawyer. An incredible up-from-poverty story: broken family, made it to the top. He's so cool under pressure.

He could -- the poll numbers show how much more popular he is than almost Trump and Biden combined.

But the Democratic Party never really was operable in the right way after Obama. Joe Biden was a placeholder, but he went for a second term and failed on that. And of course, Biden's age at 80, there's no really such thing as Biden Democrat right now.

So, the Democratic Party leans heavily on Barack and Michelle Obama, while people are talent scouting and seeing who's the new -- you know, here in Texas, Talarico, you know, can he be the guy or, you know, who's the new -- new Barack Obama?

But I learned long ago, writing about Martin Luther King Jr. Where's the -- after Dr. King was shot, where's the new Dr. King? People tried. Ralph Abernathy tried. Others tried. Jesse Jackson, but they're just not made or manufactured.

Obama is just an extraordinary retail politician. Nobel Prize-winning statesman and diplomat, and a figure that the world admires. He really was the first global president we've had. And he continues to matter in -- in not just Democratic politics, but in international affairs, writ large.

JIMENEZ: And we will see how his influence is wielded as we get closer to these midterm elections. But no doubt, looking at the ceremony today, it was a full spectacle. Celebrity music for the opening is a big moment, as you point out, for a former president, opening a presidential library or center in this case.

We'll talk about that part next time.

BRINKLEY: Besides -- besides the Obamas, the city of Chicago was the star.

JIMENEZ: Yes.

BRINKLEY: The love Chicago has for the Obamas, particularly in the South Side. It's palatable. And that was -- congratulations to the city for being able to have such a huge event without some mishap or something occurring, like sometimes does.

JIMENEZ: Yes.

BRINKLEY: It was a flawless, beautiful day.

JIMENEZ: Yes. And a big moment that was a long time coming for the city, since the announcement, to actually seeing it in action.

Douglas Brinkley in Austin, Texas, really appreciate your time and perspective. Thanks for being here.

BRINKLEY: Thank you, my friend.

JIMENEZ: All right. No doubt the World Cup brings people together.

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JIMENEZ: I mean, you just got to love it when cultures and countries come together. Mexican and Korean football fans soaking up the atmosphere in Guadalajara ahead of the match. We'll have the latest from the World Cup just ahead.

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[00:49:29]

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's amazing. I love this public viewing, I love it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The atmosphere is great here. Very good, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Even though it's a match between Mexico and Korea, I like that it's a good opportunity that we can really watch the match together here in Mexico or in Korea and just be friends, right? It's all about the fun. Yes.

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JIMENEZ: Mexico has become the first team to book a spot in the knockout round at the FIFA World Cup. They beat South Korea one-nil just a short time ago in Guadalajara. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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JIMENEZ: Meanwhile, on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, fans are celebrating their first win of the tournament. And it was a real doozy. The Canadians scored six goals against a shorthanded team from Qatar, which got two red cards over the course of the match.

Switzerland, meanwhile, had a dominating performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4-1.

And then -- I mean, the goals have been amazing. And then the Czech Republic led almost the entire match against South Africa in Atlanta. But a goal in the 83rd minute evened the score there.

I mean, the World Cup, just every single match incredible to watch. Cultures from all across the world.

And some cool new people and characters including Merlin, a 2-year-old duck who wears the Mexican national team jersey. You can see him here. So cute. He's become the tournament's ambassador.

CNN's Valerie Leon has more on the viral sensation.

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VALERIE LEON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wearing this perfectly- fit jersey, this is Merlin the Duck. He became so famous in the last two weeks, and he was waddling through the streets during the celebrations in the opening match in Mexico City.

CARLA IVETTE GOMEZ, OWNER OF MERLIN (through translator): We were just walking at the time. We never imagined it would go so viral. We were walking down Reforma Avenue when a young woman filmed us, and that's when everything took off.

LEON: And we're here with Christian, his owner. (SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

CHRISTIAN GOMEZ, OWNER OF MERLIN THE DUCK (through translator): I gave it that name, because it's magical to me.

LEON: You need to hold it like here. OK. Oh, he's so cute.

LEON (voice-over): But long before social media discovered him, Merlin was already a familiar face here in Mexico City's historic center.

OMAR TELLEZ, MEXICO CITY RESIDENT (through translator): It's surreal. It really represents the lifestyle of Mexico City. Mexicans always find creative ways to keep everyone happy and bring people together.

LEON (voice-over): Now he has millions of views and fans counted in the thousands. LEON: He draws smiles everywhere he goes. You can see: surrounded by fans from all over the world.

RICHARD GOLDSCHMIDT, GERMAN TOURIST: We have seen the duck in the city. Yesterday it was. Yes, we have seen the duck. Yes.

LEON: And what do you think about that?

GOLDSCHMIDT: I mean, when the duck has fun, it's OK.

LEON: This unofficial mascot is going to become the ambassador, named by FIFA today.

REBECA ARCOS, MEXICO CITY'S FIFA HOST CITY (through translator): Merlin is now Mexico City's official FIFA host city ambassador.

LEON: Merlin may not know much about football, but the timing couldn't be better for this duck. Once his video went viral, this duck became one of the most visible faces of the World Cup, proving that the biggest stars of the tournament sometimes aren't on the pitch at all.

Valeria Leon, CNN, Mexico City.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: See, this is why we love the World Cup.

Coming up for us, London nightlife is a booming industry for high-end, exclusive social clubs, but for ordinary nightclubs and pubs, it's a different story. Details ahead.

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JIMENEZ: After the pandemic, there are fewer places to go out for -- to go for a night out. In London, for example, high-end exclusive social clubs are thriving, but they've had to make some changes to draw in younger members.

CNN's Anna Cooban has the story.

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ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): If walls could talk, then these would tell over a century of stories starring London's elite.

COOBAN: I've been given a peek behind the curtain of this notoriously private industry.

COOBAN (voice-over): The Sloane Club is one of more than 130 private members' clubs in the British capital. Many charge thousands a year to sign up.

COOBAN: So, since the pandemic, this industry has been thriving in London and New York. And I just want to know why you think that is.

NEENA JIVRAJ STEVENSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, SLOANE CLUB: I think since the pandemic, people have emerged back into the world, and they're living life very differently. A.I. is wonderful, but it's also terrifying. And so, people are really seeking that human connection.

There aren't that many social spaces where you feel like you can find like-minded people. And I think that is the sort of priority and the privilege of private members clubs.

COOBAN (voice-over): And while the top end of city social life thrives, for the rest of us, it's a more complicated story.

According to the Nighttime Industries Association, there are 16 percent fewer nighttime venues in the British capital since the pandemic.

Cameron Leslie is the co-founder of Fabric, an iconic London nightclub going since 1999. He said the capital's nightlife is under pressure.

CAMERON LESLIE, CO-FOUNDER, FABRIC: I would say for the average working individual in London, it's a -- it's an incredibly expensive place.

You know, there are clearly people -- this is a global city -- who have a fair bit of money. And, you know, perhaps this is where this divide is now coming out, in that, you know, for many Londoners, being able to go out is -- is still a very expensive pastime.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Cheers.

COOBAN: Cheers. Thank you. So, the big question is, is city socializing increasingly members only?