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What We Know with Max Foster
Senior Hamas Official: Response To Trump Peace Plan Coming Soon; Israel: Four Flotilla Participants Deported, Others To Follow; UK Police: Two Victims In Synagogue Attack Hit By Police Gunfire; U.S. Carries Out New Strike Against Vessel Near Venezuela; Journalist Deported After Months In ICE Custody; Sean "Diddy" Combs' Sentencing Hearing Underway; Taylor Swift Releases "Life Of A Showgirl" Album; U.S. Government Shutdown Likely To Last Into Next Week. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired October 03, 2025 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:00:28]
MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: President Trump gives a Sunday deadline for Hamas to agree to a ceasefire.
This is WHAT WE KNOW.
Tonight, we're hearing from a senior Hamas official. He tells CNN the group is planning to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's Gaza peace proposal
soon.
The news comes after a Trump ultimatum he's warning the militant group must accept his deal by Sunday evening, eastern time, or face what he calls "all
hell". Mr. Trump has been waiting since Monday for the Hamas response to his peace plan. It was unveiled alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu at the White House. Mr. Netanyahu has publicly backed the plan, but his cabinet hasn't voted on it yet.
CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more from Tel Aviv.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: President Trump has just given Hamas a new ultimatum, telling them that they have until 6:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on Sunday to reach an agreement with Israel for a ceasefire that would lead to an end of the war in Gaza. This comes just days after President
Trump gave Hamas three to four days to respond to his new 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza.
And now, he has basically upped the ante, changing it from three to four days for a response to an agreement must be reached by 6:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on Sunday. That would be around 1:00 a.m. on Monday morning here in Israel or in Doha, Qatar, where we know that Hamas chief negotiators are
located.
And this adds a ton more pressure to an already pressure filled situation to try and get Hamas to agree to the terms of this 20-point plan.
Previously, we had been told that there would likely be negotiations off of this 20-point plan. This was the understanding of many of the Arab
countries involved in this, including the key mediators Qatar and Egypt. A source involved with the U.S. plan also told me that the United States
understood that there would be negotiations here, although they specified that they would not allow for protracted, drawn-out negotiations while
President Trump has just come into the equation and basically short circuited that process all together, giving a very, very short timeline for
Hamas to not only respond to this plan, but for any kind of negotiations that would need to happen back and forth in the wake of that, to actually
reach a successful conclusion.
Our understanding is that Hamas is likely to respond with requesting some changes. It's unlikely to be a kind of straight yes or no answer to this
20-point plan, which would likely mean that you would need some time for negotiations. But once again, it seems that President Trump is short
circuiting that process. We also see that in this Truth Social post, President Trump is making quite clear what the alternative would be here,
saying that if Hamas rejects this proposal, then, quote, all hell will break out against Hamas.
The president has previously said that if Hamas rejects this proposal, he would give basically a blank check to Israel to continue and perhaps even
intensify its military operations inside of the Gaza strip, where we know, of course, that many of those who are bearing the consequences of those
military actions are indeed Palestinian civilians.
In this post, the president says that he is asking all innocent Palestinians to immediately leave this area of, quote, potentially great
future death for safer parts of Gaza. Of course, what we have found out over the course of two years of war is that no part of Gaza is truly safe.
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Israel says four Italian nationals who took part in the Gaza flotilla have now been deported, and others will follow soon. It comes as
the last remaining boat from the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on Friday. Officials say 473 flotilla participants are being
held in prison as they await deportation. Israels actions have triggered global condemnation.
Now turning to the synagogue attack here in the U.K., in Manchester, England. Police there are saying that one of two people killed in
Thursday's assault was likely hit by the police with their gunfire. A third individual who was injured was also wounded by police gunfire. Officials
say the officers were aiming at the suspect but apparently hit two people huddled behind a door in the synagogue.
[15:05:01]
The British prime minister was in Manchester today where he praised law enforcement for their quick response. But a Jewish charity says the
community is feeling increasingly targeted.
Here's CNN's Nic Robertson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: You had to deal with things on the ground as --
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Manchester Friday after Thursday's deadly
synagogue attack, promising better protection by police just as police announcing they had accidentally killed one of the congregation sheltering
behind the synagogues doors, hit by a bullet fired at the attacker. Firearms officers had surrounded the alleged attacker, who was wearing a
hoax bomb, as he tried to break in through the synagogues front door. They shouted at him to stop, then shot him.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's got a bomb!
ROBERTSON (voice-over): Josh, a local journalist, lives opposite the synagogue, witnessed the police response.
JOSH ARONSON, JEWISH WORLD AND DIASPORA CORRESPONDENT, MAARIV NEWSPAPER: On one hand, I want to thank the police. They came extremely, extremely,
extremely fast. But there must be lessons to be learned.
ROBERTSON: In this community, Jews live side by side with Christians, with Muslims. It's middle class quietly aspirational. But all of that has hit a
speed bump now.
(voice-over): Fault lines quietly ignored now seem like chasms.
ARONSON: Keir Starmer said straight out we need to put more. Security in the synagogue. I'm saying straight out to Kia. Kia? No, we don't need more
security. What we need is dialogue. What we need is projects for interfaith that people know about each other's faith.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): At a rain drenched vigil, a sea of multi-faith sorrow first soothed by the attacked synagogue's rabbi, remembering the two
men killed, 53-year-old Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, 66 years old.
RABBI DANIEL WALKER, HEATON PARK SYNAGOGUE: My friends, my community members Adrian and Melvin, died as Jews for being Jews. And so, I beg all
of the Jewish community here to please strengthen not your -- not the opposite, but strengthen your lives as jews. The only way to defeat
darkness, the only way to defeat unholiness is with goodness.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): But the somber mood shifting to anger as the deputy prime minister took the mic.
DAVID LAMMY, BRITISH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER: That is why we stand in defiance of those terrorists who seek to divide us who want to pit neighbor
against neighbor, to weaken the bonds that bind us together as one nation, one people, one United Kingdom.
UNIDENTIIFED MALE: Please let me, let the Deputy Prime Minister speak, please?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every Saturday --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please?
LAMMY: We cannot -- we must not let them divide us.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): If rain alone could wash away the anger and heartache, Manchester would be on the road to recovery.
Instead, the pain is slowly soaking in, seeping into places no one wants it to go.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Manchester.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: And we're tracking a developing story for you in the Caribbean, where the U.S. says it carried out a new military strike on a boat carrying
illegal drugs. In a social media post, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the attack took place in international waters off Venezuela. He says
that for, quote, narco terrorists were killed.
The administration may be seeking legal justification for those attacks. In a letter to Congress obtained by CNN, the president says the U.S. is in
armed conflict with drug cartels.
CNN contributor Stefano Pozzebon joins us from Bogota, Colombia.
What's the reaction from the region then, Stefano?
STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, they're actually from the region is well, frankly, of shock. Once again, we've seen a tweet from the
Colombian president, Gustavo Petro, calling these action murderers, calling this an extrajudicial execution. It's a position that Colombia, which is
another country very involved in the drug trade, has taken in the past, saying that the United States do not have the authority to simply take out
boats that are allegedly carrying -- carrying narcotics. And, of course, we need to remind our viewers that at least 21 people we understand have been
killed in these latest escalation since it happened for the first time last month.
[15:10:01]
Most interesting reaction however, Max, is probably coming out of Caracas, where Nicolas Maduro already yesterday had called for military drills to
take place in the eventuality of a strike. Take a listen to what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NICOLAS MADURO, VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT: We are not going to move weapons. It's a drill for our organization to prepare all the mechanisms that defend
the fatherland because Venezuela must be respected.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POZZEBON: Now, maduro had previously passed the last Tuesday, if I'm not mistaken, he passed a law that automatically calls for the imposition of a
state of emergency in case of an attack from the United States on Venezuelan soil or in Venezuelan territorial waters. We understand from the
secretary of defense up in Washington that -- well, this attack earlier today did not take place in Venezuelan waters, but rather in international
waters. That means that probably Venezuela will not be subjected to a state of emergency as of now.
However, of course, the tensions remain extremely high and especially, I think, Max, the potential for things to go wrong in in this escalation. One
thought, for example, that not many people are spending on this story is that Venezuela is a country that was built on migration back in the days.
It's very easy if you travel there to meet nationals of other countries, so I wouldn't be surprised if further down the line, we understand at least
some one or several of those 21 people that have already been killed might be foreign nationals as well. It wouldn't be surprising.
And of course, the implications of that would be -- would be even more serious to consider. So, a very serious situation developing on the
Caribbean waters. A lot potential, a big potential for things to go wrong. Not -- we're not there yet, perhaps, but of course, tensions are still
rising along the tide -- Max.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER: Of course. Stefano, thank you so much for joining us from Bogota.
Now, a Spanish language journalist has been deported from the U.S. to El Salvador after spending more than two decades in the country. That's
according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Mario Guevara was arrested while covering a No Kings protest near Atlanta in June. The criminal charges against him were dismissed, though the
government argued his live streaming of law enforcement presented a risk. As a result, he spent months under ICE custody.
Gustavo Valdes joins us from Atlanta.
What was his status in the U.S. then?
GUSTAVO VALDES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Max, he's -- the website that he started, MG News Report. He's already in El Salvador, deported. We're
trying to get more details of his arrival, but that is three months after he was on these streets covering that No Kings protest. The crime he was
accused of was simply walking through a closed street.
Those misdemeanor charges were dropped, but once he was arrested, immigration authorities placed a hold on him because he had a previous
case. In 2012, his case for asylum was denied. The government had suspended that case, which meant that at the discretion of immigration authorities,
he could stay and work in the United States. But that discretion went away once he was arrested, and in spite of the attempts by his lawyers, his
attempts to remain in the country were denied.
Now, this is a case in which journalism institutions say it was a case against the First Amendment. The 11th District Court of Appeals said that
they only based their decision not on his work, but in his paperwork to remain in the United States. In spite of all of that, his family say now
that they are glad he's free, even if he is in another country.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OSCAR GUEVARA, SON OF MARIO GUEVARA: The fact that our family will would be separated, it hurts. It hurts. It's good to know that -- and that in a few
years, that he can come back to me. So, at least there's that hope.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
VALDES: So now he's back in the country. And he told me I spoke with him right after I spoke with his son on Wednesday. He called me from the
detention center. He says that he was ready to go back, and he has one regret. He says that in the past couple of years, he had spent all this
time trying to build up the new business, trying to keep the viewers informed.
But that took him away from time with his family. He hopes that now he can regain some of that time, but he's going to be obviously in another country
now. Why it's significant that Mario leaves.
[15:15:01]
Well, like I said, many journalism organizations recognize the type of work he did. He was often the first one at an immigration raid, and immigration
activity. He was the first to inform. Sometimes he was criticized by the community, who felt that he might be in cahoots with immigration
authorities. He obviously denied that.
But now that voice is missing in the metropolitan Atlanta area, in the nation who had seen his work as an example of how to report on the issues
affecting the Hispanic community.
FOSTER: Gustavo, thank you for bringing us the background to that.
Coming up, the fall of a music mogul. Our team is outside a Manhattan courthouse where the Sean "Diddy" Combs sentencing hearing is currently
underway. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FOSTER: We are tracking the high stakes sentencing of disgraced music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Back in July, Combs was convicted of two counts of
transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted on more serious sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of more than 11 years, while the defense argues for no more than 14 months. So quite a difference.
Former state and federal prosecutor Dave Weinstein joins us from Miami.
Thanks for joining us.
We have heard from the judge today. He appears to be looking at a sentence of more like six or seven years, because that was recommended to him. But
clearly the defense, the prosecution trying to sway him in this last-minute attempt.
DAVID WEINSTEIN, FORMER STATE & FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: That's right, Max. That's the advisory range that the sentencing guidelines have proposed. And
that was proposed by the probation office.
Prosecution is seeking the maximum penalty. Closer to 11 years. Defense wants credit time served, which at this point is about 12 to 14 months. I
think that based on the comments the judge has made so far, we're going to see a sentence somewhere in the neighborhood of about six years, which is
not what the prosecution wants and certainly not what the defense is asking for.
[15:20:06]
FOSTER: And there's a debate here, isn't there, about remorse? Has he shown remorse? Hasn't he shown remorse? How much remorse has he shown? Am I -- am
I right in saying that's been a central argument today.?
WEINSTEIN: That is clearly something that's at the center of what the judge is considering. Early on, he felt that Combs had not shown any remorse for
what he was actually convicted of. He has shown remorse for his family, the way that he's left them for what he did to some people, and for choices
he's made in his life.
But early on, the judge indicated, based on the papers he's seen so far, that Combs had not shown any remorse for the actual victims for whom he'd
been convicted of in these two counts of conviction. So, the defense is trying to convince him that that's wrong and that he is remorseful. It will
remain to be seen when he gets up and stands in front of this judge whether he can show that remorse.
FOSTER: He showed a video, didn't he, showing his charity work. He's talking about speaking engagements where he's going to do good. Is that
going to sway the judge at this late stage?
WEINSTEIN: It's something the judge should consider and rightfully will consider. They play the this is your life video for him that's become a
trend in many sentencing cases here in the U.S. to present to the court. Don't look at what you saw in the trial that just took place, the testimony
that you heard, but rather look at the life of this individual, the good, the bad, the ugly.
Here's the person who's really in front of you to some degree, what he's done over the course of his life is certainly something the judge is going
to consider when he decides at what end of the range he's going to sentence him.
FOSTER: What is the exact charge here? What's he been found guilty of? When you talk about transportation to engage in prostitution, what does that
mean?
I mean, for people that are outside this case, they've, you know, they've heard about these freak-off parties, but there were serious charges. These
were slightly less serious, weren't they? But what do they actually mean? What was he convicted of.?
WEINSTEIN: These were certainly far less serious charges, but still serious charges of conviction. Essentially, in plain English, what it means is that
he solicited or encouraged individuals, helped and assisted with and brought them across state lines to engage in acts of prostitution with
them. Whether they were willing or unwilling, that's not really at the core of what the jury decided was he did, in fact, commit those violations. The
penalty is far less than it would have been had he been convicted on the RICO charge. But it is a criminal conviction nonetheless.
FOSTER: Okay. Thank you so much, David Weinstein, for your analysis. And we'll bring you the outcome of that, which could come any time, I guess,
from now. Thank you.
Now, a new era is here for Taylor Swift and her fans.
Cue the fans. Around the world eagerly lined up for the first chance to hear the pop star's newest album, "Life of a Showgirl". Many fans say it's
easy to hear the influence of Swift's romance with fiance Travis Kelce on the album.
Back in August, swift announced the albums cover and title during her appearance on Jason and Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast. In fact, her
new song "Life of Ophelia" seems to reference his public pitch for a date on that very podcast.
Okay, joining us now, Anna Cooban. I don't know if she's a fan, but she's amongst them -- Anna.
ANNA COOBAN, CNN BUSINESS & ECONOMICS REPORTER: Hi, Max.
Yes, so I'm currently in Leicester Square in London. It's a pretty momentous event for many Swifties tonight. In fact, most of them are now in
the cinema watching this film, which is a screening of behind the scenes footage from the making of the "Fate of Ophelia" music video. Some more
lyric videos. And I've been speaking to fans about what Taylor Swift really means to them.
And this, as you've mentioned, is a pretty momentous album. It's coming off the back of a heartbreak album that was released last year. But as you
said, Taylor Swift is in a very different personal position. She recently got engaged to NFL player Travis Kelce, but I will defer now to some real
life Swifties.
If you can just come here and tell me why you're so excited about this, about this screening.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that -- speaking for myself and my sister, I wouldn't be able to handle any experience that I've ever had throughout my
entire adult life without the input of Taylor Swift. And I think this album is so exciting because its so happy and so upbeat. It's so nice to have
such a change of pace. And have more, more ways to handle adult life, I think.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think, I mean, everything that she's been through, I feel like we've been through similar things. Yeah, like I think she writes
about being a woman so. Well, it's just -- she's very relatable.
[15:25:01]
So, it's so lovely to have that, and I mean, it's just great music. She's so fun.
COOBAN: So do you approve of Travis Kelce then.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yeah.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
COOBAN: You seem to have some reservations about that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love Travis for Taylor, but I do miss Joe Alwyn a little bit.
COOBAN: Controversial stuff here tonight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He has my heart, unfortunately. I love a London boy as well. So, it is hard to let go. But I think Travis is great for her and I
love them together, so I'm happy for her.
COOBAN: Thank you. Thank you so much. Clearly, you can see there are some strong feelings here. Taylor Swift is nothing short of a phenomenon, Max.
FOSTER: Really is. We were talking actually, Anna. I'm going to talk to you in your business reporter guise, that she is an incredible character, isn't
she? Because she's got this amazing following.
They're so loyal as you've just shown, but she's also the brains, the business brains behind this multibillion dollar business now. And is that
part of the inspiration here that she -- she's doing her own thing in her own way, and she's immensely commercially successful.
COOBAN: Yes. I mean, the Eras Tour was a record-breaking tour. She toured around 21 countries, 100 -- 21 countries, 149 shows. Her tours were
reported to have boosted the economies of the cities that she visited, because so many people were flocking to those neighborhoods, you know, in
hotels, spending money in restaurants.
The sort of the empire that is Taylor Swift is quite incredible.
FOSTER: Yeah, I agree. Anna, thank you so much. Stay tuned for more on Taylor Swift's album. We can't get enough of it in about 15 minutes, a
self-proclaimed Swiftie will be giving me her thoughts. Where's the evolution in the album, we wonder?
Still to come, the U.S. government shut down day three where things stand, what its impacting, how long it's actually going to go on for.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:30:14]
FOSTER: We are in the final moments of trade on Wall Street. Let's have a look at how stocks are doing. The Dow up largely because of this idea that
interest rates might be cut, but they're going on very little data because of the shutdown. And they're not getting these reports from the federal
agencies that are all used to. So, a bit of guesswork going on.
This is our business breakout. Huge flames igniting overnight at a Chevron oil refinery just south of Los Angeles. Officials urged residents to stay
indoors as fire crews scramble to put out that blaze. Officials say it's now being contained, though the facility is the largest oil refinery in the
U.S. -- or on the U.S. West Coast. No word yet on what started that.
U.S. restaurant and gift store Cracker Barrel has dumped the team behind a disastrous rebrand. The southern country themed store was forced to reverse
course over a proposed logo change last month. Design agency Prophet has now been kicked to the curb, and the iconic logo remains.
And taps of Japan's favorite beer, Asahi, may soon run dry following a crippling cyberattack. The brewer, forced to halt production at 30
factories across the country with reports inventories could run out in just a matter of days.
The U.S. government shutdown now on day three and likely will drag into next week now. In the last hour, Senate lawmakers failed to pass short term
funding proposals from both Democrats and Republicans.
The stalemate centers largely on extending enhanced health care subsidies. Democrats say they won't pass a proposal without it, even under threat of
mass firings, and canceled federal projects from President Trump.
Kristen Holmes is at the White House.
No update then effectively, Kristen.
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: No. And there were questions specifically about these mass layoffs. We had a press briefing
earlier today with the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, who really danced around the idea of whether or not they were going to start as early as
today. Originally, we had been told that they could start today.
There seems to be some cracks on both sides. We've obviously seen some of these moderate Democrats warning Democrats against stopping a clean C.R.
from going through, trying to get them to reopen the government, but we're also starting to see cracks on the other side as well, from Republicans. In
particular, a response to two things.
One, those mass layoffs. You're hearing a lot of skepticism now, particularly among senate Republicans, starting to say that they don't
think that's a good idea, urging the White House to consider another tactic. They're also pushing back on what we've seen from the White House,
which is these canceling or pausing of federal funding to specifically Democratic cities. We've seen two infrastructure projects essentially be
put on halt that is, both in Chicago and New York to blue -- very blue cities and cities that, of course, President Trump has had issue with the
governors of.
So, where this goes from here, a lot of questions. It does seem that with the pushback from Republicans, the White House might, might be a little bit
more hesitant to pull the trigger when it comes to those mass layoffs. There's also some concern around the legality of cutting these programs
that, quote/unquote, don't align with President Trump during a government shutdown.
We know there's already been pushback from the union on that. But on the other side, there are a lot of Democrats who are concerned that the longer
this goes on, that this could hurt them, particularly if the Republican messaging stays the same, essentially saying, this is what you already
passed and now, you're refusing to do so. It's unclear again, Max, where it goes from here. We had heard two days ago that White House officials
thought this was going to be a much shorter process, but it doesn't seem to have an end anytime in the near future.
FOSTER: Okay, Kristen, thank you so much. We'll keep across it.
Still to come, Taylor Swift's new album is out. Fans are reacting. We'll speak live to one Swiftie to get her thoughts.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:37:23]
FOSTER: Getting first reactions on Taylor Swift's new album "Life of a Showgirl". It's the pop stars 12th album and reunites her with producers
Max Martin and Shellback. The duo previously worked with Swift on hits such as "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space". One track getting noticed is "Father
Figure". It's a song that borrows a melody from the late George Michaels 1987 hit, and gives him a songwriting credit as well.
(MUSIC)
FOSTER: So what we want to know is, how is the new Swift album being received, and who exactly are the spiciest lyrics about.
Joining us now, Alice Johnson, a certified Swiftie.
I mean, it is -- I mean, we've chatted earlier. I mean, a big shift in this album is more sexual, right? I hate to ask, but I mean, she speaks to her
audience so well, but just explain that.
ALICE JOHNSON, "SWIFTIE"/INFLUENCER: Yeah. I think maybe that word, I feel like it's definitely a bit more grown up.
FOSTER: Yeah.
JOHNSON: But I feel like she always I know a lot of people relate to her a lot, and we obviously had a conversation about that. I feel like she lets
her audience kind of grow with her, and she always talks about things that people need to hear. And now, she's talking about, you know, finally
finding love and being a lot happier in herself and being more comfortable. And, I feel like that's quite beautiful, really.
FOSTER: She's, you know, her anxiety of relationships has been a theme, hasn't it, throughout which a lot of people related to how do they relate
to being happily married?
JOHNSON: Well, do you know what I first listened to her when I was eight years old, went to the first ever Fearless Tour. And yeah, when I needed to
hear those breakup songs, she was there for me, cried my eyes out to the smallest man who ever lived. But I feel like now, as we said, like her
audience is aging with her. Like we're all growing up. And so, I feel like a lot of us are finding love and finally finding our feet. And she's almost
letting us grow up and experience it all with her, you know?
FOSTER: Does Kelce make a good news? Is he a muse on it actually?
JOHNSON: I think -- I think he makes a fun one. I think her lyricism is definitely, like better when she writes about her heartbreak and
storytelling and stuff like that, but I feel like this is her first really fun, fun album, you know? And I feel like it's the first time she's really
experimented. And I feel like Travis has brought that out in her.
FOSTER: Well, it's done well, hasn't it? Theres been some criticism, but there always is, I think. Isn't there, because she always shifts things on.
But that's actually how she remains relevant. Presumably.
JOHNSON: Yeah. I mean she's such a big figure that everyone has something to say. And sometimes, like you need to be able to say things back and give
your opinion. And I feel like she knows who she is and she gets that point across very well.
FOSTER: Showgirl -- I mean, from what I've been told about the songs and what they're saying, it's a bit of a clash with the cover. Is that right?
JOHNSON: I do understand because I thought that the album was going to be more like her life on the road. Yeah, kind of like how the Eras Tour was
going. But in all honesty, again, I think it's just her shedding the we've done the lover and we've done the folklore and things.
I think it's her now being like, yes, this is who I am. I'm a showgirl. I'm like, in this relationship. And I feel like it's just her really being
confident and bold.
FOSTER: Is there one song that stood out to you or a lyric or something that sticks in your head? Having heard it earlier?
JOHNSON: I really loved "Fate of Ophelia", I did. I know it's track one, but I really loved it and I just loved how it's so romantic. But also so
still modern with how Travis, you know, has, while she was in her tower, he was honing his powers to come and save her and but also at the same time,
she's this strong woman and I just love her. I just love her.
FOSTER: Yeah -- the Eras Tour was mega, wasn't it? Does this say to you she's about to have another one?
JOHNSON: No, I feel like this is her going all out on an album because she literally said in an interview she's tired.
FOSTER: Yeah, well, you would be.
JOHNSON: You would be.
FOSTER: Tired and rich.
JOHNSON: Yeah. I mean, they're two very good things to be, aren't they? But yeah, I went twice and I was tired.
FOSTER: Yeah.
JOHNSON: But yeah, I think I would love a tour from her in the future. But yeah, I want her to, you know, take some time, let her creative juices flow
again.
FOSTER: And she's got a wedding to organize.
JOHNSON: Exactly. Imagine the album that's going to come from the wedding.
FOSTER: Yeah.
I mean, she's going to have to step back a bit, isn't she, around that presumably.
JOHNSON: Yeah, but yeah, to be fair, but I feel like Taylor's not someone who -- she is a lover girl at heart, obviously. I feel like we all are, but
she's very much still such a strong businesswoman and a creative, and I don't feel like she is someone who's going to stop creating anytime soon.
FOSTER: Could she sell a bad album because you're all so in love with her?
JOHNSON: I don't think so. I mean, first of all, I don't think she'd make a bad album. I think this one maybe isn't. Personally, it's not my favorite
one of hers. I'm very much a folklore girl.
FOSTER: Yeah.
JOHNSON: But I don't feel like she'd ever put something out into the world knowing how many people love and, you know, spend their money and their
time, and put something out in the world that she's not proud of.
FOSTER: Well, she's amazing, isn't she? The consistency. And she just grows all the time. And it's already record selling from the early sales. So
amazing.
JOHNSON: It's absolutely incredible.
FOSTER: I need to get my hand on a vinyl.
(LAUGHTER)
FOSTER: Alice, thank you so much for joining us on a Friday night, on a big day for you. I know.
JOHNSON: Honored to be here.
FOSTER: Still to come, she became a priest in 2002 and now Sarah Mullally is the first female archbishop of Canterbury. A vicar joins us for more on
what Anglicans and the world can expect from her.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:45:41]
FOSTER: Stress, we've all been there, including the heir to the British throne, it seems. During a rare glimpse into his private life, Prince
William has been talking about what overwhelms him and it comes in an unexpected way as well, on a travel program hosted by Eugene Levy.
I spoke to him about it. Have a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FOSTER (voice-over): At Windsor Castle, history and ceremony are everywhere, but for the Canadian actor Eugene Levy, the royal encounter
that awaited him was anything but traditional.
EUGENE LEVY, ACTOR: This is your mode of transportation. It is round here on the grounds.
FOSTER: It was meant to be part of a bucket list filmed for his travel series on Apple TV+. They were looking for someone to give them a tour.
They aimed high and got a yes from the future king, who, it turns out, has seen Levy's classic movie "American Pie", who knew?
The tone was set in a way, wasn't it? By Prince William turning up on a scooter?
LEVY: Yeah.
FOSTER: Then you go on this tour and he admits he doesn't really know his way around. And then you go into the history part.
(voice-over): And what follows is a vulnerability the prince rarely shows in public.
LEVY: Do you ever get overwhelmed just by the sheer history of the place?
PRINCE WILLIAM, GREAT BRITAIN: When you say it like that, it sounds like I should say yes.
LEVY: Okay.
PRINCE WILLIAM: But I wouldn't say history overwhelms me. Other things overwhelm me, but not history. No, because I think if you're not careful,
history can be a real weight and an anchor around you. But also, I think if you're too intrinsically attached to history, you can't possibly have any
flexibility. And I like a little bit of change.
LEVY: I guess what you're saying is you want to open up some --
PRINCE WILLIAM: I want to question things more.
LEVY: That's it.
PRINCE WILLIAM: That's what I'm saying.
LEVY: Okay.
Do you miss your grandmother?
PRINCE WILLIAM: I do actually, yeah, I do miss my grandmother and my grandfather. Yeah. It's been quite a bit of change. So you do -- you think
about them not being here anymore.
LEVY: Yes.
PRINCE WILLIAM: And particularly being in Windsor. For me, Windsor is her. So, she loved it here. She spent most of her time here.
Showing you around today is very much the case. I'm trying to make sure I'm doing it the way she'd want you to see it.
FOSTER (voice-over): Inside the nearly 1,000-year-old castle, William spoke of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, his school days, and his
children racing through its halls, but also the stresses that come with being a father and a husband.
It does take this turn into something. I'm not sure if you expect it to go there. He talked about being overwhelmed by the family stress, and then you
go deep. You talk about the princess's cancer diagnosis and how last year was the worst year of his life.
LEVY: Yeah.
FOSTER: Do you think he's changed coming out of that?
LEVY: It changes what's kind of truly important. And he seemed to indicate that it did kind of alter his --
FOSTER: Yeah.
LEVY: -- way of thinking.
FOSTER (voice-over): We learn the prince and princess juggle their jobs with the daily school run and kids waking up in the night. The conversation
turned more personal, still at a Windsor pub over a pint, talking about learning that his wife Catherine and father King Charles III, both had been
diagnosed with cancer.
PRINCE WILLIAM: I'd say 2024 was the hardest year I've ever had.
LEVY: Are you optimistic?
PRINCE WILLIAM: I am optimistic. I'm generally very optimistic person, especially when I'm with someone like Eugene.
You know, life is sent to test us as well. And it definitely can be challenging at times. I'm, you know, I'm so proud of my wife and my father
for how they've handled all of last year. My children have managed brilliantly as well.
LEVY: Well, I'm hoping every other prince I run into is as nice, open and human as you.
FOSTER (voice-over): A remarkably candid glimpse into life behind castle walls and the very relatable pressures that its inhabitants experience.
(END VIDEOTAPE0
FOSTER: Now, Sarah Mullally has been appointed the new archbishop of Canterbury. Her new boss will be the king, becoming the first woman to hold
the top clerical spot in the Church of England. She becomes the spiritual leader of 85 million Anglicans worldwide. King Charles III, a supreme
governor of the Church of England, has approved her nomination.
And while there are followers who applaud her appointment, some are more conservative. Congregations in Africa and Asia are less happy about it.
[15:50:02]
But what we don't know is how will the new archbishop impact the church and its parishioners?
Joining us now is Martine Oborne. She's the vicar as well as the chair of the organization, Women and the Church.
Thank you so much for joining us.
I mean, it is an exciting moment. I mean, how old is the church and how long hasn't there been ever a female archbishop?
MARTINE OBORNE, CHAIR, WOMEN AND THE CHURCH: Well, the Church of England is nearly 500 years old. And well, I would say that gods been calling women to
leadership roles in this church over that whole time. But it's taken until now to have a woman at the very top of our church. It took to 30 years ago
for us to have our first female priests. And ten years ago, we had our first female bishops.
But this is a real milestone to have the most senior position in the church filled by a woman.
FOSTER: We're interested in her global role here. Just explain what the archbishop's role is in the global Anglican communion.
OBORNE: Yeah, well, as I understand it, it's not so much she's the head and in charge of the Anglican communion, which is, a family of 85 million
Anglicans in about 165 different countries. The role of the archbishop of Canterbury is more to be a point of focus for those separate churches that
all call themselves Anglican. So, we have sort of shared roots, but were different churches. And so, it's a kind of fairly gentle holding together
of those churches.
FOSTER: So a symbolic head and is now a woman. So that is symbolic in itself, isn't it? But there is a divide in the church, isn't it, from the
conservative side that we see in Africa, growing actually, in the U.S., you could argue, and a more liberal end to it here in Europe.
You know, knowing her work, how is she going to handle that? I mean, what changes here?
OBORNE: Most provinces in the Anglican communion do now accept female priests and bishops. But there are some very significant and large areas
that do not. I think generally her appointment has been welcomed, and I think people from those different provinces are keen to make it work.
Some have expressed reservation. I think GAFCON has expressed sorrow, but I feel positive and I think most people feel positive that she can make this
work.
FOSTER: It's about growing the church, isn't it? I mean, an archbishop seen as successful. If they leave a church with a bigger congregation than
before. The big growth, though, is in many of those conservative countries, isn't it?
So -- and then it's -- am I right in saying its declining in, in Europe? What's her -- what's her record on growing congregations?
OBORNE: Well, she's been bishop of London for the last seven years. And I think that the church is doing pretty well in the capital city. It has been
it is a -- an area where there is quite a lot of polarization, particularly on the subject of women's ministry and on, same sex relationships.
So, she has had to hold together pretty diverse group of churches. And that has been challenging. I mean, one in five churches in London limit women's
roles in some way.
And, you know, she's having to be head of a church in this country where even seven of her bishops won't receive communion from her because she's a
woman. And there's still about 440 churches. No, actually, 590 churches in total who limit women's roles in some way.
So, but she has quite a lot of experience of handling that. She's got -- she's quite a small person, but she's actually got quite broad shoulders
I'd say. She's a strong and, determined person. So I think that she knows what she's going into, and I think shell handle it well.
FOSTER: She's also, you know, a hugely symbolic figure now in the United Kingdom, isn't she? She will crown the Prince William if that happens
during her tenure. A huge amount of pressure coming into anyone in that position, you don't actually know how they're going to perform until
they're doing it.
But having worked with her, just describe a bit more about what she's like. Give us some of the -- an insight into her character because she's going to
were going to get to know her pretty well, aren't we, in the coming years.
OBORNE: Yeah, she is. Everyone I know who's met her has found her absolutely charming. She is a genuinely kind person who is very interested
in caring about everyone she meets. And, she's very generous. She's wise.
I mean, I think that she is has the personality, the perfect personality to take on this role. I hope that she'll have --
FOSTER: We're going to have --
OBORNE: -- courage to take her --
(CROSSTALK)
OBORNE: -- direction. That's all right.
FOSTER: Okay. Well, you're very excited, and I'm pleased for you. Thank you for joining us.
That's WHAT WE KNOW.
"QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next.
END
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