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Trump to Speak with E.U. Leaders; Trump's Crime Crackdown Ramps Up; Quinton Lucas is Interviewed about the Trump Police Takeover; White House Orders Review of Smithsonian; W. Kamau Bell is Interviewed the White House's Review of Museums. Aired 9-9:30a ET

Aired August 13, 2025 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Have you found, affect JFK Jr.'s decision to launch this magazine, "George," and also, like, launch him even further into stardom?

TIM NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: Well, one of the really interesting challenges, and -- and this is a great series, and folks who watch it this weekend are going to notice this, that JFK Jr. had a hard time separating the Kennedy legacy from some of his challenges as the leader of a magazine. His father was first a journalist before he became a politician. His father left journalism when he went into politics. It's very hard to manage the two simultaneously.

And so young JFK didn't ever want to talk about the assassination. Everybody wanted -- in the 90s, because of the movie "JFK," --

BOLDUAN: Right.

NAFTALI: A lot of folks were interested, once again, young people who were too young to even remember JFK were interested in the assassination. JFK Jr. didn't want to talk about it.

So, I don't think that the assassination launched him. It's the mystique that launched him. He had a sense of being an heir apparent. I'm not suggesting that his mother, Jackie Kennedy, inculcated that in him. I think he understood that as a Kennedy he had a -- he had to give back and do public service.

If he had lived, he certainly -- or probably would have run for governor of New York, for example.

BOLDUAN: Just really quick. There are -- this -- what do you think when you look at politics today is kind of the lasting legacy of the Kennedy family and American culture and politics and kind of where American culture and politics is today?

NAFTALI: "George," the magazine, was a mashup of "People" magazine, of celebrity and of politics. That's the world we live in today.

Our politicians, our successful ones, are often celebrities. And our current president loves the celebrity of the Kennedy family. Thats why RFK Jr. is part of his cabinet. So, not only is it a Kennedy thing, but it's a mystique that we Americans give to certain families. The Bushs too. And that's part of our political culture. It's one of the contradictions of our political culture.

BOLDUAN: Yes.

NAFTALI: We got rid of royalty and we embraced nobility.

BOLDUAN: I was -- I was thinking it's like a -- definitely a contradiction that we all are sitting with.

It's great to see you, Tim. Thanks for being here.

NAFTALI: My pleasure. Thank you.

BOLDUAN: And the new episode of the CNN original series "American Prince: JFK Jr." airs this Sunday at 9:00 Eastern.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts now.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning, critics warning the Trump administration is trying to whitewash and rewrite history after the White House orders a wide ranging review of exhibits at Smithsonian Museums. The aim, to make sure they fall in line with the president's views.

And the president's plan to fight crime in the nation's capital now on full display as the National Guard and Border Patrol agents hit the streets of Washington, D.C.

And have you ever heard of a glacier outburst? Evacuations now underway in Alaska as officials warn this natural phenomenon could lead to record-breaking flooding.

Sara and John are out today. I'm Jessica Dean, with Kate Bolduan. And this is CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

BOLDUAN: So, at any moment, a critical meeting between European leaders and President Trump. They are rallying around the Ukrainian leader, President Zelenskyy, days before the meeting between President Trump and President Putin in Alaska. The leaders are hoping to leave a lasting impression on the president, shape President Trump's views, remind him of what's at stake ahead of Friday's meeting, and encourage him and remind him of what is at stake with Kyiv's future and fate.

Zelenskyy not expected to be at that summit in Alaska. It is raising worries that Ukraine could be forced into an unfavorable deal. A short time ago, President Zelenskyy issued a blunt assessment saying this, "pressure must be exerted on Russia for the sake of a fair peace." Also saying, "we must learn from the experience of Ukraine and our partners to prevent deception on the part of Russia."

CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is live in Kyiv.

Put -- just -- as this is going to all start getting underway, just kind of set the stakes here, Nick. NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I mean, it's the future of Ukraine, ultimately. And indeed dictates a lot of European security, probably for the remainder of our lifetimes here, if indeed Russia sees weakness in the transatlantic alliance and success here in Ukraine. Not to underplay what's at stake here.

Look, President Zelenskyy is thought now, along with his European allies, he traveled to Berlin for this virtual conference to be alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. According to the timings, we have that meeting possibly half an hour long, could already be underway with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.

[09:05:08]

Vance was in London over the weekend previously, essentially firefighting to some degree the confusion and unease, as one European diplomat explained it to me, stemming from U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's handling of his meeting with the Kremlin. A European diplomat said to me, it was amateurish on a matter of utmost importance, the way that Witkoff appeared to have not entirely grasped or correctly conveyed what Putin was indeed offering, or simply the fact it took days for many European allies to get a solid grasp of the potential proposal. That, I'm sure, will be part of the conversation now.

Europe has been very consistent on its position, which is a ceasefire first. That's something President Trump originally signed up to months ago as well, and that the current line of contact, the current front line is the starting point for negotiations. Zelenskyy himself has insisted that all conversations about Ukraine must be with Ukraine present. Europe has backed him up on that.

A quick reminder, though, a moment like today, a virtual conference with President Trump and European leaders and President Zelenskyy setting out positions does echo what we saw back in May when a ceasefire was demanded by Europe and Ukraine, and Trump was on the phone to his European allies saying he'd impose sanctions with them if Putin didn't go along with that suggestion. Putin didn't, and there wasn't sanctions, and there still aren't sanctions now. So, there's a sense of repeat here, potentially, but the stakes are remarkably high because for the first time the bilateral between Trump and Putin in Alaska will be the first time, potentially, these two men could hash out some kind of deal. Ukraine will not -- not accept it if they're not involved in its negotiation.

But I think many on that call will be deeply anxious. Whatever they say, however they think they've swayed the president, his impenetrable relationship with President Putin could result in any potential outcome from this Alaska meeting.

Back to you.

BOLDUAN: Nick Paton Walsh in Ukraine for us. It's great to see you, Nick. Thank you so much.

Jessica.

DEAN: New this morning, images from President Trump's federal crackdown at the nation's capital. FBI and DEA agents, some wearing masks and bulletproof vests, patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood. And the National Guard at the Washington Monument. The first contingent of roughly 800 troops being deployed in D.C.

CNN's Gabe Cohen is joining us now from the National Mall.

Gabe, what are you seeing there this morning? Normally, we see a lot of tourists and joggers out in the morning around these areas.

GABE COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Jess, that's right. It's a quiet morning, but that's exactly what we'd expect here. Quite different from last night when we saw those National Guard units out patrolling this area, interacting with the public.

And as you mentioned, you can expect a lot more of that, hundreds of those soldiers out in the days and weeks ahead here in the nation's capital as part of this effort from the Trump administration to bring down violent crime, what they have called an emergency here in Washington, although police data from the D.C. Police Department indicates that violent crime has been plummeting over the last couple of years.

So, certainly a lot of people refute that narrative. It is one of the reasons that we have seen D.C.'s mayor, Muriel Bowser, start to take a much firmer response when it comes to how she addresses this issue and what the Trump administration is doing. She called this an "authoritarian push" last night while speaking during a virtual town hall.

A lot of frustration from local officials here and there are real questions, Jess, as to who exactly is calling the shots right now within the district. If you ask the mayor, the police chief, over the last 24 hours or so, they have said that local officials are very much still in charge, and they are just reporting up to the executive branch. Although the White House has indicated that Attorney General Pam Bondi and Terry Cole, the head of the DEA, that they are the ones who are really in charge right now.

So, we are starting to see this back and forth play out. It is going to be very interesting, though, Jess, as more officers are deployed out to see how local officials handle it.

DEAN: Certainly. All right, Gabe Cohen there on The Mall for us. Thank you so much.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: And joining us now to talk more about this is the mayor of Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Mayor, thanks so much for coming in. It's good to see you.

D.C. is distinct, of course, from other cities across the country. But do you think he'll try to do the same in Kansas City?

MAYOR QUINTON LUCAS (D), KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: I think he will try to do the same in any American city that is good for politics. You saw the president have a list of cities he attacked, many of which have historic drops in violent crime. Baltimore among them. And I think what you are seeing here is nothing but rhetoric, political posturing, distraction from a domestic policy agenda where things may not be going the way of the administration, but it has nothing to do with saving lives on the streets of America's cities.

BOLDUAN: You and I have talked more than once in the past about how Kansas City has struggled against crime. 2023 was the deadliest year for the city, with 182 killings.

[09:10:05]

The homicide rate is going down. It is definitely trending down. We're showing the stats here on the screen for our viewers. But "U.S. News and World Report" still has Kansas City among the most dangerous places in 2024, 2025. Without federal help, what are you doing to bring that down?

LUCAS: So, let's be clear. First of all, I don't think mayors have ever said we'll refuse federal help. Indeed, we've worked with the ATF, the FBI on investigations for years. Usually, you need folks to help you get guns off the streets, to do investigations on crime guns so you can actually get the evidence to convict people. That is collaboration. Bringing National Guard forces or making FBI agents come out of their usual investigative detail and walk around parks in your community is actually not a solution for anyone. And there's almost no police chief in the country who's not being partisan in the situation, who just says that they want to have all control taken over by someone else.

And so, I think what most reasonable people would say is, there are certainly situations where help could be a great thing for America's cities, but threats of takeovers, just sending hundreds of forces, troops in some ways, into America's cities is not something that's making anyone safer, particularly if you think about what a lot -- what a lot of our urban violence is, retaliatory violence, gun-related violence, those sorts of things.

And so, you know, this is not helpful in what they're doing now. I think it is a political stunt. And that's what you'll continue to see as he looks to other cities.

BOLDUAN: It's -- it is an important distinction that we have -- we should -- we will continue to make going forward, collaboration versus a takeover. That distinction that I'm hearing from you.

I saw you also quoted saying that you don't think that Trump listed Kansas City amongst the cities that he was looking at because you're in a Republican controlled state. And I'm thinking about it, but couldn't that also make the case that it would be easier for him to move in, since you have a Republican governor? LUCAS: You would think it is, but where is the political intrigue and

fun in that? I mean, the last time we talked, we probably were talking about the Kansas City Chiefs or something of that sort. But we are not necessarily known as a big --

BOLDUAN: Of course we were.

LUCAS: We were not necessarily -- we are not necessarily a big, blue liberal bastion. No, it is easier to attack and sue cities like Washington, New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles. They have black mayors, like I am. But, nonetheless, those are cities that are often in political discourse.

President Trump is attracted to major cities. I think he should have run for mayor one day of somewhere. And I think that's a lot of where this focus is coming from, looking at places -- and I love all these cities, don't get me wrong, so I won't name them, but looking at major red state, big cities where perhaps there are public safety issues is not nearly as interesting as a partisan point, because then it is Republican governors who are dropping the ball, and it's not as interesting from just a broader political point because they're not cities that are discussed as much.

This is nothing but a wedge issue against American cities and against American mayors who largely don't have the same megaphone to respond.

BOLDUAN: Something you just mentioned as you -- the cities that he's calling out and the cities that he's focused on, as you mentioned, many of them black mayors. Do you think there is race driving this?

LUCAS: You know, I think there -- there is. I won't say that's like the totality of it, but I absolutely think it is. You're trying to create a counterpoint often in politics. And what is a better counterpoint than Donald Trump, in whatever way you see him, and a mayor, black women mayors have been the subject of lots of attacks. I think Karen Bass, from really the moment President Trump came to office, in L.A., is someone who's had to deal with that back and forth. He likes to pick fights. I think he sees the situation where there's that distinction.

And by the way, this is one of the best fights to pick because what I have to sit in front of you and say is, yes, there are homicides in my city, yes, there is crime, but we don't think the same prescription of help is necessary. It's a tough position, but I think, frankly, this is the situation we're in, and he's not really interested in trying to save lives for us, but just exploiting the political issue.

BOLDUAN: Very interesting.

Mayor, it is good to see you. Thank you so much for coming in.

This morning, President Trump is expected to announce the first Kennedy Center honorees since he took control of the institution's board. Also after he ordered a review of all of the exhibits at the Smithsonian Institution. And melting glacial ice in Alaska threatening to send a -- the river -- the river surging to record levels. The potential danger of what is called a glacial outburst.

And he's the villain everyone loves to hate. We're -- we're -- and we're going to speak with Tramell Tillman about his breakout role in Apple's hit show "Severance" and his Emmy nom.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:19:23]

BOLDUAN: We are standing by this morning to hear from President Trump as he looks to put his stamp on the nation's capital and reshape America's cultural and historical institutions while he's at it. His administration has now ordered an extensive review of the Smithsonian's museums, which have traditionally operated independently, to comply with the president's views on what should and shouldn't be displayed. Today, the president is also going to be appearing at the Kennedy Center, where he's expected to announce the first honorees since he seized control of that institution's board earlier this year.

CNN's Betsy Klein joins us from the White House.

Betsy, it's good to see you.

Let's start with the Smithsonian.

[09:20:00]

What do we know about -- tell us more about this order and this letter to the Smithsonian.

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER AND WRITER: That's right. The White House announcing plans to conduct what it says is a comprehensive internal review of the Smithsonian Institution's exhibits, as well as all materials. Now, this marks the latest move by the Trump administration to impose the president's views on cultural and historical institutions, as well as an effort to purge materials that they say are focused on diversity.

The Smithsonian Institution is the overarching organization that spans 21 of the nation's public museums, as well as the National Zoo. They had about 17 million visitors last year. And this will mark a first phase targeting eight museums. That includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Air and Space, the National History Museum, the National Gallery, amongst others. And they're going to be looking at all current and upcoming exhibitions. They're going to be assessing the tone and historical framing of those exhibits, as well as staff manuals, job descriptions, organizational charts. They say they will be taking a look at all internal communications about how work is selected. And there will also be an effort, they say, to replace what they describe as divisive language on things like placards and other public facing materials with what they say will be unifying descriptions. Now, a letter from the White House to the Smithsonian secretary says,

quote, "this initiative aims to ensure alignment with the president's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." The Smithsonian responding in their own statement, saying that they're reviewing that letter and plan to collaborate, quote, "constructively" with the White House.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: All right, Betsy, thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

Jessica.

DEAN: All right, joining us now is TV host, comedian and filmmaker W. Kamau Bell.

It's so great to have you here with us.

Let's start first -- I just want to get your response to what Betsy was just talking about there, the president's move to review the Smithsonian and -- and if you think -- what you think about this larger effort to reshape the telling of history.

W. KAMAU BELL, TV HOST, COMEDIAN AND FILMMAKER: I mean it's -- I learned in history class that this is how authoritarians operate. They take over the arts, they take over the culture, they take over the museums. And so this, to me, is a further effort for Trump to put his stamp on America, and not just for four years, but forever. This is another effort for him to -- he wants -- the museums are supposed to tell the story of America by Americans. And museums, over the course of history, get better at telling the story and involve more voices in those stories, which is why the Smithsonian opened the national American -- African American History Museum, to tell a -- to tell the black story of America. Clearly, he does not like the fact that these stories are diverse and tell bigger stories, and like authoritarians do, he wants to tell it from his perspective.

DEAN: We are also expecting the president to announce his Kennedy Center honorees today. This after he's really kind of taken over the Kennedy Center. He's -- he's gotten a whole new board that he's installed there. Several artists earlier this year decided to cancel their performances. You didn't. Tell us why and tell us more about your thinking around this.

BELL: I mean, obviously, I didn't cancel because I'm hoping to be honored today as a Kennedy Center honoree. Obviously, I was trying to get my name in the hat.

BOLDUAN: Obviously.

BELL: I'm a stand-up comedian. Yes, obviously. So, I'm a stand-up comedian. So, the thing about being a stand-up comedian is, I get to go into that room and say whatever I want to say as long as there's a punchline somewhere at the end. So, I got to go in there and speak very freely and criticize the president and his administration in a way that a lot of people who are performing at the Kennedy Center are not, don't have access to that because they're performing an act. They're doing a play. They're playing an instrument. So, I respect, like, Rhiannon Giddens for canceling her performance because that's what she needed to do. But I stand in the very large stand-up comedy footsteps of George Carlin, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Dick Gregory and others who -- who, when it's time to speak truth to power, that's what you do.

DEAN: Yes. And so, looking forward, I mean, what do you think with things like the Kennedy Center and the arts, as someone who is in the arts, what do you think is the best way forward in light of kind of what we're seeing in today's environment?

BELL: Well, the thing that people dent understand about the Kennedy Center is, we think it's a national institution, but it's really there for the people of D.C. And if he programs the Kennedy Center in a way that the people of D.C. don't want it, then it will be an empty center no matter what the name of it is. So, he has -- and that's why, with the cops rolling into D.C. right now and with him putting troops in D.C., it's about he -- he wants to take over the narrative of the city and take it away from the people of D.C., which is why we need D.C. to have not only just home rule, but statehood, so they can determine what their institutions and -- and police force do.

DEAN: All right, Kamau Bell, thank you so much for your time this morning.

[09:25:01]

Really good to see you.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Right now, President Trump is meeting in the meeting with European leaders, including Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. The high stakes of this pregame huddle before he heads to Alaska to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DEAN: Happening right now, President Trump meeting virtually with European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This, of course, coming two days before he has that face to face with Russian President Putin on U.S. soil in Alaska.

[09:30:02]

This is the first time, of course, Putin is setting foot on American soil in a decade. Zelenskyy himself not expected to be at that meeting on Friday.