CNN This Morning

We begin today's show with a look at South Carolina's critical runoff between Darline Graham, the political newcomer and sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, and Ralph Norman, the ultra-conservative congressman who backed President Trump's agenda but did not earn his endorsement ... Michigan's Abdul el-Sayed is still trying to distance himself from Hasan Piker. Was it worth the political risk to pal around with him in the first place? ... AI threatens to disrupt Texas politics. Could the rural revolt over data centers turn parts of the Lone Star State blue?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The buzz continues this morning after we learned about a secret, face-to-face meeting between Jared Kushner and Hakeem Jeffries. So, who should be more concerned, Democrats or Republicans? ... The White House says today is economic D-day for Iran. But haven't years of sanctions and isolation already failed? The father of a sailor serving an extended deployment aboard the USS Lincoln has been detained by ICE for deportation. We discuss how voters are responding to that.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have Donald Trump and his former fixer Michael Cohen reunited? Or is the renewed flattery just a very public push for a pardon? ... The Navy may strip a Black war hero's name from an aircraft carrier and replace it with Donald Trump. What's behind the latest vanity project? ... Key midterm races in Texas and Iowa are now considered tossups. Is the GOP in real danger of losing the Senate this fall?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The national debt is soaring, while the war in the Middle East keeps raging. Yet at the White House it was show and tell day for a new driveway. Are the president's priorities in need of an upgrade? ... Georgia Senator John Ossoff's quip about one of Trump's most trusted aides is still making headlines days later. Is it prompting a strategy shift for Democrats.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not even a Trump endorsement could save scandal-plagued Florida Congressman Cory Mills, who lost his House primary race last night to former local TV news anchor Ryan Elijah. Mills has been facing a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations including sexual misconduct, campaign finance violations, and misuse of congressional resources, all of which he has denied.  Also: A Democratic Socialist upset the Florida establishment. Are Republicans the real winners here? .... A debate stage blunder for political newbie Darline Graham ...Trump aide Natalie Harp's brother talks to CNN about his sister and the president.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Ossoff slams the president, and Trump predictably fires right back. Did the Georgia senator cross the line or just hit a nerve? ... Primary voters head to the polls today in Florida. Can a scandal-plagued congressman ride a Trump endorsement to victory? ... Pete Hegseth talks politics in the all-important primary state of Iowa. Could he be thinking of running for the White House in 2028?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asked yesterday if he could promise to be independent from the White House, new US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, "No." Was it naive to think he would? ... Democrats finalize their 2028 calendar, scheduling racially diverse states first. How does that help the party find its strongest candidate? ... Looking for a deal for Gaza, Trump son-in-law says he's got Hamas on board. But what about Israel?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a Russian-born American citizen named Ilya Beloozerov is gunned down by the FBI in 2024, the authorities refuse to say why they'd killed him. CNN's Isabelle Chapman embarks on a sprawling investigation that takes her from the Mississippi parking lot where he died to Washington, D.C. to unravel the mystery: Why did Ilya abruptly leave his family and his job and head for the border with laptops and cash? Why is there still no official explanation of his death? And maybe most importantly: Was Ilya a spy?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the man accused of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson plead guilty in court today? And what kind of deal would bring justice in the court of public opinion? ... Gen Z voters want younger candidates, but will it deliver real generational change in the midterms? ... JD Vance says Republicans should blame themselves if socialists win in November. Is the Vice President a little socialist curious? ... And the University of Michigan skips letter grades in the name of mental health. Is this basically a participation trophy?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, one of Donald Trump's most loyal soldiers, announces she'll step down at the end of the month ... ICE plans to give agents electric shock gloves ... Backlash against AI surveillance cameras.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN projects moderate David Crowley will defeat Democratic Socialist Francesca Hong in the gubernatorial primary. Hong was hoping to ride the progressive wave we've seen in other parts of the country. Was it the "cancel Thanksgiving" socialist thing? Was it all too far left for the Midwest? We discuss in this morning's group chat.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's security team reportedly smuggled him onto a secret plane to dodge would-be assassins last month. How are we just learning about this now? ... The president says nothing bad can happen related to his order to cut recommended vaccine schedules for kids. But what do doctors say? ... The "cancel Thanksgiving" candidate could score a huge win for progressives today in Wisconsin. But where would that leave moderate Democratic party voters in that state?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recent comments from President Trump beg the question: Is the US even looking for an off-ramp to the war with Iran? ... Will red scare tactics help Republicans win the midterms, or could a GOP civil war over cheap food cost them big come November? ... Nearly 30 years after Tupac Shakur was gunned down, the only suspect heads to trial today.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Despite SCOTUS thwarting his efforts to abolish birthright citizenship, President Trump isn't giving up his fight, pivoting to an executive order targeting "alien enemies" and proclaiming "the practice of birth tourism is banned." Will this hold up legally?  Also on today's show: Dr. Fauci is held in contempt, and a criminal prosecution could be next ... The race to contain the wildfires in Washington state is about to get harder ... AI bots are now designing viruses. What could possibly go wrong?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says progressive Democrat Abdul el-Sayed's primary win in Michigan is "good news for Republicans." Is he right? ... A passenger plane got a little too close to the Marine One helicopter while the president was on board. How close is too close? ... Yet another tech giant admits that its AI model went rogue. How many times does this have to happen before something is done about it?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we hit the air today, the Democratic Senate primary race in Michigan is still too close to call. Will progressive Abdul el-Sayed prevail? Or can moderate Dems stop the socialist surge? ... The US military's stockpile of a key defense system is "dangerously low" ... An immigrant held at an ICE detention facility in New Jersey has died. Now his family is demanding answers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will voters in Michigan follow other states and go with the far-left candidate, or will the establishment win out? ... An embattled congressman is refusing to step aside. Could this put a red state at risk come November? ... Furious over the DOJ's decision to drop the reflecting pool case, could President Trump make Jeanine Pirro his scapegoat?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todd Blanche, President Trump's pick for attorney general, walks back that anti- weaponization fund. But will it be enough to get the Republicans who are against him to approve his nomination? ... Have the president's repeated threats against Iran lost their impact? ... Dangerous wildfires spread in Washington state.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two outgoing GOP senators block Donald Trump's nomination of Todd Blanche to attorney general, but the president has a plan to get around it. Will it work? ... The risk of a widening war in the Middle East seems more like a reality. Is the conflict in Iran expanding faster than the White House can stop it? ... Anthropic admits its AI engine hacked competitors, following OpenAI's similar revelation. Should this be a warning for the industry?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New CNN polling shows Democrats now leading Republicans in the midterms. So what's behind the surge? ... The brief pause in the Iran war appears to be over as the resumes strikes and the war now expands to Egypt ... A Senate hearing on Covid quickly turns confrontational. Why were the attacks on Dr. Fauci so personal?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could what the US is calling a "surprise" missile attack by Iran reignite a full-scale war? ... A brand new CNN poll shows nearly three out of four American say President Trump is not paying attention to the country's most important problems ... Dr. Anthony Fauci returns to Capitol Hill today after the release of his secret diary.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The war in Iran putting a strain on one of the world's closest alliances. So will today's meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu reveal? The president is also set to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky today. Could the White House be changing its approach to the war in Ukraine?  Also on today's show: Europe's wildfire crisis worsens ... Will a new photo and doctor's note from Senator McConnell's office quell concerns about his health?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A family event turns tragic after a shooting leaves three people dead at a food festival in Seattle ... More than 300,000 people are forced to evacuate as wildfires scorch across Europe ... As the Pentagon revises the number of injured in the Iran war, are Americans getting the full picture of this war?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we begin with President Trump's new method to impose tariffs. Will it hold up? If so, does it mean you are going to pay more ... The White House says the Saudi nuclear deal is off unless the kingdom recognizes Israel. Could that kill this agreement before it even starts? ... Laura Loomer is now a believer after going to Ukraine to meet Zelensky. Can she now change minds inside MAGA on Russia and the war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says Americans are not against the war with Iran, but polls tell a different story. Is the GOP prepared to own this war heading into the midterms? ... Could the new nuclear deal between the US and Saudi Arabia lead to a dangerous arms race in the Middle East? ... An independent autopsy raises more questions about the death of Nolan Wells. When can his family get the answers they seek?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Pentagon is sinking billions into the war against Iran, a war the president told us we had already won. Should Congress write another blank check? ... New Jersey's governor reveals a glitch that allowed hundreds of noncitizens to cast votes. Does this validate the president's election claims? ... New rules in the works on Capitol Hill would ban lawmakers from dating staffers.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces lawmakers today for the first time since the US went back to war with Iran. How will he answer for the latest troop deaths and injuries? ... A lawyer for the Tate brothers thinks Marco Rubio could save them from facing rape and sex-trafficking charges in the UK. But what does the State Department say? ... Lindsey Graham's sister wants to run for his Senate seat. Will President Trump's support be enough to carry the first-time candidate?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is the day that Andy Burnham will officially replace Keir Starmer as UK prime minister, the country's seventh PM in just over ten years. CNN's special coverage begins with Max Foster outside Downing Street.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump used a primetime White House speech to sound the alarm over US elections. But did he deliver the goods? ... Sources say the man who rolls the teleprompter at the White House is now under investigation. Did he place bets on the president's speeches? ... Democratic Senator John Fetterman draws a line in the sand about Israel. Is he laying the groundwork to become a Republican?       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Given criticism by JD Vance, and a stunning new vote by House Democrats, is Israel's right-wing government losing America? ... President Trump promises big news in a primetime address tonight, but will it actually be old gripes about the 2020 election? ... The Pentagon plans to test the troops for low testosterone. Is this really a problem in the ranks?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Police forces all over the country have body cameras. Why not ICE? ... Todd Blanche grilled on Capitol Hil. Could the Epstein files derail his nomination? ... Thousands more people are sick as a stomach parasite spreads to multiple states. Are cutbacks at the CDC and FDA making these outbreaks harder to track?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Homeland Security says the ICE officer who fatally shot a man in Maine was" fearing for public safety." So, what happened in the moments right before the gunfire? ... President Trump offers to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz for a 20% fee. How exactly would that work? ... Senator Mitch McConnell posts a recovery picture, but many are skeptical it's real. What's a guy got to do to prove he's alive in the age of AI?    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The sudden death of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is sending shockwaves through Capitol Hill. It could shake up not only the Senate, but the midterm elections.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New video just into CNN shows the moment Mitch McConnell was taken to the hospital a month ago. It's bringing up more questions about transparency surrounding his health ... Israel shares intel of an Iran plant plan to assassinate President Trump. Does that explain the plane switcheroo and the renewed strikes by the US? ... Urgent work continues to save that buckling building in New York City from partial collapse. Is the timeline too ambitious?     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The big question this morning: Are the US and Iran about to return to full-scale war? The US hit more than 90 military targets last night. And Iran is hitting back, claiming to have targeted US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump says the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iran is over, adding, "As far as I'm concerned, it's just a waste of time dealing with them." His comments come after the US military hit more than 80 Iranian targets on Tuesday. Trump also reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil in retaliation for attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said it would deliver a "crushing" response.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Democrats are jumping ship on the Senate candidacy of Maine's Graham Platner following the latest allegations against him ... President Trump will land in Turkey soon, where he'll test how far he can push NATO allies ... Intense flooding in New Jersey causes a roof to collapse at a supermarket ... The US men's soccer team's World Cup dreams are dashed by Belgium.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US soccer team's showdown with Belgium tonight will include a key player whose suspension was unexpectedly lifted by FIFA, apparently at the behest of President Trump ... The nation's 250th birthday celebration on July 4th included white nationalists marching through the streets of DC ... The White House says the reflecting pool may beed to be drained this week for yet another round of repairs.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On the eve of America's 250th birthday bash, extreme heat is setting organizers scrambling to adjust ... The Empire State Building climbers are now facing federal charges ... Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly set to get married tonight at Madison Square Garden.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new disclosure report shows that President Donald Trump pulled in billions last year. Is he profiting too much off of the office? ... A couple climb to the top of the Empire State Building, get engaged, and then get arrested ... A historic win for Team USA keeps their World Cup dream very much alive.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another Democratic Socialist knocks out a moderate. Is this something establishment Dems need to start worrying about ... Western wildfires explode, scorching thousands of acres ... Lebron James will become a coveted free agent, but some Lakers fans aren't so sad to see him go.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Supreme Court enters the final day of its current session with several key decisions still to be revealed, most notably birthright citizenship ... Miracles emerge from the devastation in Venezuela, with both people and even pets being rescued from the rubble ... A rising star on the left answers for her old social media posts praising communism.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices