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Texas Redistricting and the Midterms; Christian Manuel is Interviewed about Redistricting in Texas; Marc Maron is Interviewed about his New Special. Aired 9:30-10a ET
Aired July 31, 2025 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:30:00]
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: We are less than 24 hours away from the deadline that President Trump set for dozens of U.S. trading partners to cut deals or face stiff new tariffs. The president says that without these tariffs the U.S. would be, quote, "dead with no chance of survival." Wall Street insiders have expressed a lot of concern over the tariffs, which Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick says have now proven to be unfounded.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD LUTNICK, COMMERCE SECRETARY: I get all these phone calls from my Wall Street buddies, and they were going crazy. They're like, you don't know what you're doing. You're going to destroy the market.
And let me tell you who the experts are. Donald Trump and his trade team have proven the E.U. pays, Japan pays, Korea pays, Vietnam pays, the Philippines pay.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: With us now is Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida.
You just heard Howard Lutnick there, the Philippines pays, the E.U. pays, you know, Japan pays. What do you think that means for the U.S. economy? A, do you think they pay, or who is paying for these tariffs, and, b, what does it mean for the U.S. economy?
REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL): Well, John, thanks for having me. And I appreciate the chance to comment on Trump's, you know, frazzled, incoherent tariff policy that is really impacting our ability to make sure that we have certainty for our businesses and certainty in our economy. We can see that with the increase in tariffs so far, the -- the inflation is -- is starting to heat up. On -- on top of that, I mean, Trump is declaring victory in trade deals, when so far these are nothing more than frameworks. The so-called huge trade deal with China is starting to unravel and fall apart.
What this does, tomorrow, is slap massive tariffs on country's products across the globe. And that is going to cause nothing but pain for American's pocketbook and it's going to affect consumer confidence in a -- in a significant way. BERMAN: So, House Speaker Mike Johnson sent you all home early. I'm
sure it's nice to be home, but sent you all home a day early rather than take votes on releasing Jeffrey Epstein files.
House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke to Jake Tapper. Listen to what he said about he -- what he wants to see in the Epstein investigation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): I want everything to come out about the Epstein evils that is possible to be released.
We have to do it in a -- in a responsible manner. But, look, I'm pushing for -- aggressively for the full release of everything that is possible. And, by the way, so is the president. He has said the same thing. We're using every mechanism within our power to do that and to do it as quickly as possible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: How much do you think the House speaker is pushing? How much do you think the president is pushing?
SCHULTZ: I mean, if they were using every mechanism, they would be released. Donald Trump himself said that that was one of the first things that he was going to do, that he was going to, you know, finally make sure that the coverup was exposed. And now, instead, they are piling more and more on top of -- more and more weight on top of this coverup. They sent the House home early rather than have to vote on Democratic amendments and other pressure to release the Epstein files.
We're talking about teenage girls who were involved -- sex trafficked in one of the largest sex trafficking rings in American history. And, look, everyone knows that Donald Trump is in the files. It is very clear what this is about. They -- you know, I don't know, and think it's unlikely that Donald Trump did anything illegal. But he certainly doesn't want, whatever his involvement was, to be exposed. And -- and that's outrageous.
I have legislation that would make sure that the sweetheart deal that Jeffrey Epstein got where, you know, his felony -- his felony accusations were changed to misdemeanors and -- and changed in state court where he got -- he got work release in his office building and -- and that was by Alex Acosta, who Donald Trump rewarded with a cabinet post in his first term. So, I mean, the coverup is -- is absolutely unbelievable. These young girls, who are now adults, deserve justice. And we need to make sure those files are released so the sex traffickers and their accomplices are exposed.
BERMAN: Yes, our reporting is that Donald Trump was told he was in the files. And, of course, as you said, our reporting is also that there is nothing that implicates Donald Trump as far as we know in any way.
I want to ask you one foreign policy question, which is that now Canada, to an extent, has followed the U.K. and France, saying that they will recognize a Palestinian state if Israel does not move toward peace in Gaza and does not do certain things in that region. What's your view on the recognition of a Palestinian state by -- by these countries first?
SCHULTZ: My view is, we need to back up quite a bit to making sure that the hostages that are still being held captive by Hamas are released. We'll -- we'll, we have to keep going back to October 7th, when 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered by Hamas through an unprovoked invasion of Israel. There were, you know, hundreds and hundreds of women who were sexually abused, and they took 250 into captivity, and they still hold 50. It -- it absolutely has -- there has to be a deal to bring about a ceasefire where Israel's national security interests are protected, the hostages are released, Hamas is never again able to pose a threat to Israel's security. And then there has to be a conversation and a plan for a day after in -- in Gaza.
But Hamas could end this now by releasing the hostages. And I support a two-state solution, John, I always have supported a two-state solution. There should be two states living side by side in peace. And a Palestinian state, as well as the state of Israel, as a Jewish and democratic state, with guarantees for both security. And -- and that needs to happen in a negotiated, mutual -- diplomatic process, not imposed or unilaterally decided by any one country or by the U.N. That -- Israel's sovereignty and any nation's sovereignty has to be negotiated, not imposed.
BERMAN: Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, thank you for being with us this morning. Appreciate your time.
[09:34:59]
So, how Texas Democrats are planning to fight back as state Republicans unveil a new congressional map aimed at helping Republicans keep control of the House.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: All right, this morning, Texas Republicans are proposing a new map for congressional districts. Very rare mid-decade. Normally reapportionment happens at the beginning of a decade. They're doing it a second time now. Why? They want to win seats for Republicans to try to maintain control of the House of Representatives.
So, what does this all mean? How much would that take? CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten is here.
So, let's talk about these change lines that the Republicans in Texas are pushing for. What difference would it make?
[09:40:04]
HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, it could make a huge difference. This, in fact, could win -- or maintain control for the Republicans in the House of Representatives. What are you talking about? Well, Texas has 38 congressional districts. Look at those that Trump won last year by at least ten percentage points. Under the current lines, it's 25. Under the proposed lines it's 30. That's one, two, three, four, five. Five potential pickup opportunities for the Republican Party. They are playing hardball at this particular point. And right now it seems to me that Democrats are actually playing closer to little league pee wee.
BERMAN: So, five seats. What would five seats in Texas do for Republicans in Congress overall?
ENTEN: You might think five seats is just five seats. But keep in mind this, margin to spare for the House majority. In 2020, the Democrats had four seats. 2022, Republicans had four seats. This time around, two seats for Republicans out of the 2024 elections. Five seats can make all the difference in the world. And that is why Republicans in Texas providing five pickup seat opportunities could, in fact, make the difference between Republicans losing control of the House of Representatives and maintaining control of the House of Representatives.
And some voting shifts within Texas might be adding fuel to this.
ENTEN: Exactly right. They wouldn't necessarily be able to do this if, in fact, Republicans, Donald Trump did not do so much better among Latino voters last time around than he did in 2020, because four of the pickup opportunities are majority Hispanic seats. In 2024, get this, Donald Trump actually won Latino voters by ten points in Texas. In 2020, it was Joe Biden who won them by 17 points. That's nearly a 30 point switcheroo.
So, this, in my mind, is fueling these potential pickup opportunities for Republicans. As I said at the beginning of this, Republicans are playing hardball. It's going to be interesting to see if Democrats can actually answer this, or are they going to be stuck in the little leagues?
BERMAN: One thing we are watching is if Donald Trump maintains his support among Latino voters, but that is to come.
ENTEN: That will be to come. It will be answered soon enough.
BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much.
ENTEN: Thank you.
BERMAN: Kate.
KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Joining us right now to talk about all of this is the Democratic Texas State Representative Christian Manuel.
Thank you so much for being here.
CHRISTIAN MANUEL (D), TEXAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Thank you for having me.
BOLDUAN: It is -- it's very clear what Democrats in your state and around the country are trying to fight this Republican move. So, it's clear what you want to see happen. But what do you actually think is going to happen with these maps, with the congressional maps in your state?
MANUEL: I think if things continue the way they are, we'll have a heavily gerrymandered state. And that's why we are, as Democrats, are trying everything to stop to make sure that that doesn't happen, because we know that this is not just wrong, but we've seen it in the past with Tom Delay, who went to jail for this. It -- it just doesn't make any sense and it's happening so fast.
BOLDUAN: You're part of a group of state lawmakers that have been traveling to other states.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: You were just in a meeting in New Mexico with the Democratic governor there.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: What are you trying to do with these meetings?
MANUEL: We're just trying to make sure that people across this country understand how fundamentally important this is. If -- if the president gets five states by coming to Texas and just saying, do this, this is going to change the entire trajectory of the country.
This is literally gerrymandering at its worst. We're placing maps in. And all of a sudden they're going to be instantaneously on the ballot. We don't do things like this. And we're trying to raise the alarm, and we're trying to make sure people understand that this is bigger than Texas. This is about fighting for democracy. And we just want to make sure that people are aware and that they're -- they're doing everything they can to support us and to tell representatives in Congress to please not do anything like this. It -- it doesn't make any sense.
BOLDUAN: Some of your colleagues have said that they're considering evacuating the state, leaving the state essentially in order to stop the vote from being able to take place, denying Republicans quorum so that would, at least temporarily, literally block the vote from happening.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: Are you going to do that?
MANUEL: All options are on the table. This is not something that we're doing willy nilly or doing lightly. I've been going to multiple hearings. I've been at all three. I sit on the congressional redistricting hearing.
BOLDUAN: Right.
MANUEL: We are looking at every option, from legal options, to quorum breaks, to everything. This is an extreme situation. And yes, if -- if there is a moment where this is what we are going to end up doing, I think we're all going to do this. But this is the last thing, I think, on the table that anyone wants to do, or anyone is looking to do. But there's nothing off the table, especially when we're being pressed to such a horrible position like this.
BOLDUAN: There's precedent for it.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: I mean this -- this has been done in the state before. I think just even recently in, was it 2021, just a few years ago.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: So, it's a real possibility that you all will leave in order to hold this up?
MANUEL: And it's been done on the West Coast when the Republicans did it, I think it was in -- in Oregon, when they left their state legislature. We're not the only ones that are doing this. This is a part of a mechanism that is meant for there -- it's meant for us to be able to use this, especially when you have a party that is just literally trying to cause and sow divisions within minority communities across the country and as well as in the state of Texas.
[09:45:15]
BOLDUAN: Let's see what happens. A lot is -- the wheels are in motion right now.
MANUEL: Yes.
BOLDUAN: You are on, as you said, the -- the redistricting committee. And so let us see what happens in the coming days.
Texas State Representative Christian Manuel, thank you for your time.
MANUEL: Thank you so much. And we hope you're there for Friday's hearing. Thank you.
BOLDUAN: Thank you very much.
Coming up for us, new details about the severe turbulence on that Delta flight that sent 25 people to the hospital. One man is now saying that he was thrown out of his -- out of his seat, straight into the air.
Plus, comedian Marc Maron is panicked, and he's going to be joining us here on set to talk about his new HBO special.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARC MARON, COMEDIAN: I know the world we're living in is difficult and it's scary. So, I said to myself, Marc, why don't you just be entertaining? People need entertainment. I'm not sure I got into this to be entertaining.
(END VIDEO CLIP) (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:50:37]
BOLDUAN: Comedian and host of WTF, the podcast, Marc Maron is out with his new comedy special called Panicked this week on HBO MAX. Necessary and our favorite disclosure, CNN and HBO MAX are owned by the same parent company. Here is a sneak peek.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARC MARON, COMEDIAN, ACTOR, AND PODCAST HOST: My brain's just going all the time and people say, well, you have to rest your mind. And I'm like, I don't even understand what you just said. I don't even know what that means. If my brain rests for even three seconds, some other part of my brain goes, you want me to open the worry folder? I got a big list here. Let's do it. What do you want to think about all day long?
I have intrusive, catastrophic thinking. That's my problem, but I'm not sure it's a problem. I'm not sure it's not reasonable, but I have like -- I -- there's an argument to be made that if you think the worst is going to happen, anything shy of that is a victory.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BOLDUAN: Intrusive, catastrophic changes.
BERMAN: I was just thinking about that.
BOLDUAN: It's fantastic.
Also, so that's one thing that Marc is doing. He is also currently co- starring with Owen Wilson in the new Apple T.V. series Stick, and he announced last month that he will be ending his long running, very popular podcast, WTF.
Marc Maron is here with us now. It's great to have you here.
MARON: Thanks for having me.
BOLDUAN: I really appreciate it.
So, you on the special that you are dropping this week, you've called it your best work yet. I mean, we've listed out just some of the work that you've done. How do you measure that?
MARON: Well, you know, I've been a comic like all my life. So, the original, you know, the idea was to be a great comic and I've continued doing comedy my whole life. I've done I think this is like my sixth special. And I just feel that I've gotten better as I've gotten older, you know, more grounded, you know, more focused, more confident in the craft.
And I just feel like, and there's a lot in this special, I mean, it's 70 minutes. And I pack in a lot of stuff. A lot of it's intense, a lot of it's heartening, a little dark, but it's all pretty funny.
BERMAN: My favorite part is when you talk about the meaning of errands, how important errands are.
MARON: It's kind of true, right?
BERMAN: Yes.
MARON: And when somebody told me that, you got to live your life with purpose and meaning, I was like, oh, man, what gives my life meaning? Like errands, yes. I got two or three errands to ride. That's a big day of meaning.
BERMAN: Oh, like I see that. I'm with you. I'm with you right there.
BOLDUAN: Maybe Bed Bath and Beyond. I mean, it's all there.
MARON: Whatever. Just getting out in the world and looking at things to buy.
BERMAN: So, you were like an early adopter in podcasts.
MARON: Yes.
BERMAN: Like, you know, one of the first people out there and now you're getting out just when everyone's 100 percent convinced that podcasts are deciding American elections in the future of mankind.
MARON: Right.
BERMAN: So, why get out just when everyone catches up to you?
MARON: Well, I think that what we did at the beginning, when there was no podcast and no way to make money, we were really intent on creating a show that was unique. It was an interview show, basically a conversation show. I had done political talk early in my career at Air America, and we really chose not to do politics and just do kind of profiles and sort of candid conversation. And we were audio and we remained audio because we believed that's the most intimate, you know, form.
And after 16 years and 1,600 or so episodes --
BERMAN: That's a few.
BOLDUAN: That's so crazy.
MARON: Yes. It was like, I don't want to chase the cultural conversation through clickbait and garbage, you know? I don't want to be tethered to that. And also if we stop at this point, you know, we have a body of work that stands on its own. And in terms of, yes, podcast being the new medium, that means there's 10,000 podcasts. Everyone's doing one. And it's just the environment is a little cluttered and oversaturated.
So, we just thought like, you know, we did it. We did what we set out to do. It was never really about money. It was about creating a unique and interesting show and there's no reason to keep plugging along just because you can.
BOLDUAN: What's your view on podcasts today, then? I mean, you have this -- I mean, 16 years is bananas --
MARON: Yes.
BOLDUAN: -- having done it. How do you think it has evolved, and do you think -- do I gather from you, you think it's not evolved in a positive way?
MARON: Well, look, you know, we were there at the beginning and it is a medium that anyone can really do that can throw their hat in the ring. And I think as it's evolved and into video, you know, people have been able to set up their own little show business empires. So, I mean, like any medium, it can be used for bad or evil. So, I mean, you know, what are you going to do? But it is the way that the media landscape is working.
[09:55:00]
I -- look, there's a sort of cultural malignancy to it in some ways, but in some areas, people are doing really interesting stuff.
BERMAN: Okay. We have about 25 seconds left. I've been enjoying watching you on Stick.
MARON: Yes.
BERMAN: How much do you dig acting? And what -- how much more do you want to do in acting?
MARON: Well, it took me a while to kind of figure out how to challenge myself and take risks in acting. I've always wanted to do it. There's a lot of waiting involved in acting. You know, you do two lines and then you're like, all right, go to the trailer for three hours. So, that three hours is difficult. The moment that you're on screen is good.
So, it's really about building more confidence and figuring out how to make it challenging and interesting. But I like doing it.
BERMAN: You know what you can do during that break? Run an errand.
MARON: Yes.
BERMAN: Just a suggestion.
MARON: If your trailer is parked somewhere near a place where you can go.
BOLDUAN: It's really nice to have you.
MARON: Thank you, nice to see you.
BOLDUAN: Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it.
And we will plug it now. Panicked is on -- nope. Ellie, you always change the camera when I want to look at that one. Panicked is on HBO. You can stream it to Marc -- Ellie. Marc Maron, thank you so much.
MARON: Is that the camera?
BERMAN: Yes. It doesn't really matter.
BOLDUAN: The directors just switches it the moment you want to. Ellie.
BERMAN: You look anywhere.
BERMAN: That's it for CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "SITUATION ROOM" up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
