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Trump Admin Not Sending Any U.S. Officials To Climate Summit; White House To Provide Partial Food Stamp Benefits This Month; USDA Warns SNAP Recipients In Some States May Not See Their November Benefits For Weeks Or Even Months; Dems Have Very Early Enthusiasm Edge Ahead Of 2026 Midterms; Travel Misery Ramps Up As Government Shutdown Nears Record; Trial Resumes In $40M Lawsuit Filed By Teacher Shot By 6-year-Old. Aired 3-3:30p ET

Aired November 03, 2025 - 15:00   ET

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

GINA MCCARTHY, FORMER EPA ADMINISTRATOR: We have a chance to go to Belem and let people know that America is all in.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BILL WEIR, CNN CHIEF CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT: Even in the first Trump administration, they sent embassy staff down there to help Americans present at the -- at -- the cops there, not this time around. Everyone who goes, like Gina McCarthy and others, they're pretty much on their own trying to make the case that America is still all in on climate.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Bill Weir, thank you so much for that reporting.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

Food Funding: The White House now says it will provide some food stamp benefits for American families, but it will not provide the full amount, and the money may not be paid out for weeks, even months.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: Making Their Voices Heard: For some voters, an election tomorrow could be a referendum on President Trump. As the new poll shows, many Americans are not at all pleased about how he's handling his job.

Even the impersonator known as the Chinese Trump takes a CNN reporter on a tour of his city and talks about using his Internet fame to bring the U.S. and China closer together.

We're following these major developing stories and many more, all coming in right here to CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

We're following some major developments on a critical federal food program that millions of Americans depend on to feed their families. The Trump administration now says it will tap into a contingency fund to pay for November SNAP benefits during the government shutdown, but will only provide about half the normal amount of funding.

SANCHEZ: Adding to the uncertainty for the 42 million SNAP recipients, the USDA is warning in court that it could take weeks or even months for states to make all the system changes required to send out reduced benefits. CNN's Alayna Treene is live for us at the White House.

Alayna, what more are you learning?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, look, I mean, this is a major announcement that the Trump administration is going to be able to give any more money to this food stamp program because -- I mean, what we had been hearing from the administration, what everyone had been anticipating before these judges' rulings was that they wouldn't be able to continue funding SNAP on November 1st. And, of course, that's because of the government shutdown.

However, that all changed after two judges ruled that the administration had to continue this program and continue funding what is the nation's largest food aid program that serves one in eight Americans and, of course, is a major part of the nation's social safety net. So, what we learned today is that the Trump administration, as you mentioned, is going to partially fund these SNAP benefits.

We learned that dollar figure is around $4.6 billion that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is going to be pulling from, really kind of in an emergency way, a contingency fund. And essentially, that is only half of the money that is typically needed in a month in order to continue to get this important aid to these families and to hungry people across the country.

A question, though, of course, is when can they expect these November benefits, as many people, of course, rely on this on a day-to-day basis. We did hear from the agency. They said they are going to provide guidance on the partial payments to states as soon as today. However, the agency noted that recipients in some of these states might not see some of this aid for weeks or months.

And so, of course, this is a major issue that the government itself, the Trump administration, of course, but also Congress is having to really grapple with, as there's no end in sight to some of these shutdown negotiations.

SANCHEZ: Alayna Treene live at the White House. Thank you so much. We're on the eve of a big political day. Tomorrow, some key off-year elections are set to give us a new gauge

on how Americans are feeling. A new CNN poll, though, gives us a sneak peek, and the data finds that President Trump's approval rating has now dropped to 37-percent, his lowest this term.

KEILAR: Democrats also showing a very early advantage when it comes to motivation. Sixty-seven percent of Dem and dem-leaning Americans say they're extremely motivated to vote in the next election, compared to 46-percent for Republicans.

With us now is pollster and communications strategist, Frank Luntz. Alright frank, how much of tomorrow's election is going to be about Donald trump, and how people feel about the first nine months of his second term? FRANK LUNTZ, POLLSTER AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST: Well, you're

going to decide that. The media is going to decide that. I don't believe many voters are going to be casting their votes based on what they've seen. These are primarily local races, governor's races, or mayoral race.

The one I want to focus on, because I do believe that Republicans are going to have a bad day tomorrow, but the one that matters the most for the country is the vote in California, whether or not they're going to change the laws for redistricting. And that could mean as much as a five-seat Democratic gain, five-seat Republican loss, if Gavin Newsom is successful in his ballot initiative.

[00:05:05]

At this point, I think he will be. And that's going to send shockwaves across the country as people begin to look at what's going to happen a year from now. I do believe Democrats win the governorship in new -- in New Jersey and Virginia. A socialist is going to be elected mayor of New York.

But the one that I'm going to be watching most carefully is California.

SANCHEZ: Frank, on that New York race, we've spoken to a number of political experts that make the clear argument that New York city is a bit of a anomaly when it comes to elections and the kinds of candidates that'll be elected there. I do wonder though what you make of an argument from comedian, Andrew Schulz, who suggests that Zohran Mamdani has taken a page out of Donald Trump's book. He suggests that they're both rich kids taking on the problems of the working class, that they were both sort of rejected and then campaigned against by their own party, but saw a boost in support because of that, because they're both against the status quo. And they also take well to new media.

First it was Trump on Twitter or X about a decade ago. Mamdani on TikTok and Instagram. Do you see that as a playbook that other Democrats can learn from?

LUNTZ: It's a playbook that every candidate can learn from. And the focus of that campaign has been affordability since day one. And make no mistake, that was the number one issue in 2024. It's still the number one issue in 2025. And unless inflation comes down and gets under -- truly under control, because it has reduced in some areas, and by the way, it's not inflation, it's affordability.

Can I have the housing I want, the health care I need, and the food and fuel I deserve? That's the core message. And candidates that have been focused on affordability tend to be doing better right now. And that's exactly what he's done. It has not been a campaign about whether or not he's a socialist, whether or not he supports more mainstream issues. He's offering New Yorkers the chance to pay less, and it's a very expensive city. And they like that. And they appreciate it. And he's scoring points that way. And I do believe that in the end he will be successful. KEILAR: How do you think this could affect, the outcome tomorrow might

affect the shutdown? I mean, two big things that are happening with lots of political dynamics. It's just a crucial time as people are suffering, Frank. How do you think that could affect things?

LUNTZ: You're correct. And this is the breaking point. You don't pay our men and women in uniform. They have to go without their -- their weekly paychecks. And you start to have people who cannot afford their food and fuel. Then it starts to have an impact. And then people start to say, why is this happening.

I believe that the shutdown is politically motivated. I believe that if they wanted to, they could find common ground, but they choose not to. And that has hurt the Republican brand, the Republican reputation. Their numbers are down, as you point out in your own polling of Donald Trump. But the numbers that are falling the worst, to my surprise, are the Democrats.

Everyone is being hurt by this. Everyone's credibility and respect. And looking at the government, and the public just looks at this and says: Why? Why can't you find some agreement? Why can't you give? Can you -- why can't you cooperate? And that's going to be a very big question Wednesday and Thursday when this election is over. It is hurting the Republicans, but it seems to be hurting the Democrats even more.

SANCHEZ: There are a lot of variables in place that make the 2026 midterms more difficult than usual to predict. I mean, you -- you sort of look at history. The incumbent party always sees losses during midterms. But then you have the issue that you brought up, Frank, with redistricting.

What Texas does, what California is apparently set to do, what other states may wind up doing. New CNN polling finds that Democrats have a five-point advantage if the midterms were held today. You see it there on -- on your screen. How do you see all of this playing out going into next year?

LUNTZ: I think it's -- I'm going to be direct with you. The idea of changing the rules midway is abhorrent. That these districts -- the lines are drawn and they're supposed to sit for 10 years. And the fact that Republicans have changed the rules in Texas, they changed them in Ohio, they changed them in North Carolina, Democrats are trying to do the same. They've filed -- filed lawsuits in New York. They're trying to win in California. It's going to undermine the faith and trust that we have in democracy.

And I think it's one of the worst things that could be happening right now. So, you've got a government shutdown, you've got inflation, affordability, and now you have redistricting.

[15:10:02]

And I look at this objectively, as someone who measures public opinion, and it is frightening how low these institutions, their credibility, how much they've fallen, and how the lack of belief, and faith, and trust in our democracy seems to be hitting an all-time low. And I am concerned. And I'm hoping that the people who are engaged in this process pay attention, because we're reaching a breaking point, and it's coming.

And after that breaking point, who knows? Who can predict what happens when the public finally says, to hell with you all, and that's where we're heading right now.

SANCHEZ: Yikes.

KEILAR: Yes. I'm starting to see that. Look at that poll. It's ticking towards the to hell with you all percentage, I think.

Frank Luntz, thank you so much for being with us. Always great to have you.

And still to come, the shutdown is causing some long lines, really long lines, hours long. Flight delays as well at some of the country's biggest airports, and officials say it's only going to get worse.

SANCHEZ: Plus, the Trump administration says it will use contingency funds to provide partial food stamp benefits after two judges ruled they would be violating the law if they didn't. Millions of Americans, though, are already missing crucial benefits that they use to feed their kids. We're going to speak to a SNAP recipient about the impact they're facing with their family.

And later, we're following testimony in a $40 million lawsuit filed by a first-grade teacher who was shot by a six-year-old student. The details on that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:15:54]

SANCHEZ: This week, the government shutdown is on track to become the longest in U.S. history. And that is putting major pressure on airports because of staffing shortages. TSA officers and air traffic controllers have been enduring weeks with no pay. And many are not coming into work.

Earlier today, the head of the ATC union told us how hard life has become for some members.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK DANIELS, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS ASSOCIATION: Air traffic controllers are waking up to a headline that says there's no end in sight. And that leads to a level of hopelessness as well. I have no money for gas and to be able to get to work. They're over one month at this point without a level of compensation.

We're seeing air traffic controllers for their first time starting to resign. We have trainees that are resigning, and we have certified controllers. And we're getting reports of them resigning over the course of this past week. (END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Today at Houston International Airport, there were warnings that security wait times would last up to three hours. Plus, airports in Albuquerque, Austin, and Newark are all reporting a shortage of air traffic controllers. This weekend actually saw the worst air traffic control staffing levels since the shutdown began some 34 days ago. And it is expected to get worse.

Joining us now, CNN Transportation Analyst Mary Schiavo. She's a former Inspector General at the Transportation Department.

Mary, thank you so much for sharing part of your afternoon with us.

I wonder what you make of transportation secretary Sean Duffy saying that right now the department is looking for pots of money to pay essential workers. Though there are really strict rules, he says, around what money can be used and how it can be used, and they have to follow the law. Take us through the -- the dynamics there.

MARY SCHIAVO, CNN TRANSPORTATION ANALYST: Sure. Well, that's very -- he's right and it's very interesting. So, in the federal government, there's one way that you can rack up a criminal charge, and that is spending money in ways that is not appropriated. And what's interesting about aviation is most of what the Federal Aviation Administration does is covered by the aviation trust fund.

Almost a hundred percent of the equipment and 83.5 percent of air traffic controllers are covered by this trust fund. But this trust fund, which you and I and everybody else who flies in the airlines and the taxes all pay for, it can't be spent unless it's appropriated. Because in that year, I mean, several decades ago, it was lumped into the federal budget.

So, while it is paid for by the users of the system largely, it's part of the federal budget. And so, he's looking for pots of money. There's $20 billion in that, but they are not allowed to spend it unless Congress and -- and, you know, the Senate actually approves it. So, he can find the money. What he's got to get is the approval.

And he's also right to sound the warning alarm because we've all heard about the 13,000 air traffic controllers. But there are 33,500 FAA employees on the job. Those other people keep this antiquated system running, the radars, the communications, all the various things. And we were already behind the eight ball before this shutdown ever started, which Secretary Duffy also warned about before the shutdown. The equipment is 20 years overdue for replacement. So, it's really a perfect storm.

And besides just the FAA, the DOT, the Department of Transportation, has 41,000 people work without -- working without pay. And they all work together to make the system work. So, it's a lot of people and not surprising. After you miss the first full paycheck, and I saw this when I was inspector general, that's when people start calling in sick. They can -- you know, they can get by with a partial, you know, paycheck, the previous one. But the first full one that they don't get paid, that's when you really see the sick leave and the stress leave go up.

SANCHEZ: Many flyers are undoubtedly going to face inconveniences like long lines and -- and delays. But do you foresee issues with staffing that impact safety?

SCHIAVO: Yes. Now, Secretary Duffy also said in that same press conference that he won't allow the safety to be impacted because what's going to happen is if they don't have the personnel, they have to increase the separation, literally the space, between aircraft.

[15:20:09]

And space is time, and time is money in the aviation biz. So, what's going to happen are these long lines and these delays. And, of course, once the government shut down, people can't run to make up for, you know, to get the other things that might help speed up the line. They can't go get the pre-check now. They can't go sign up for clear because all those clearances will be backed up. So, they're really stuck at this point. It's stand in the long lines or look for alternatives to other airports.

Now, for example, all airports are not affected in the same way. If the airport or the aviation facility or the air traffic controller, the TRACON, the -- the -- the traffic systems, if they had a shortage before the shutdown, well, that's only multiplied now. And so, some people might choose to avoid New York, where this weekend, I think it was an 80 percent callout. Eighty percent of the people were not there.

And so, people are going to be looking for alternatives just to, you know, get their families and themselves where they need to go. But by spacing out the traffic, Secretary Duffy says that safety will not be at risk. But, I mean, we continue to have near misses all over the system ...

SANCHEZ: Yes.

SCHIAVO: ...even after the horrific accident in DCA. So, the Secretary and the FAA has to be very careful during this period. And the weather is about to get bad. Winter is coming.

SANCHEZ: That's a really good point. Mary Schiavo, thank you so much.

SCHIAVO: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: So, the civil trial brought about by a teacher shot by a six- year-old student in Virginia is now back in session. Why the case could set a precedent in holding school officials accountable for campus shootings.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:26:24]

SANCHEZ: Right now, court is in recess in the case of a Virginia teacher who was shot by her six-year-old student back in 2023. Abby Zwerner is suing her school's former assistant principal for $40 million, claiming that Ebony Parker failed to act despite concerns that the boy brought a gun to school.

KEILAR: Let's talk about this with CNN Correspondent Jean Casarez.

Jean, what are we learning from Dr. Amy Klinger?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Dr. Klinger, very aggressive on the stand, saying there was no legal duty for the assistant principal to do anything at this moment. She did not violate her professional responsibility. She focused in on, number one, on the credibility of the threat. And she said if this was a junior or senior high school, then to have students say that they saw a gun in the hands of a student, that there could be some credibility to that, so you would have a duty to act.

But when you're talking about elementary students, kindergarten through fifth grade, when an elementary school student says that another elementary school student has a gun, that you just can't say that that is a credible threat at the time this happened. And furthermore, it could be a toy gun, it could be just nothing at all.

And then, she talked about the lack of specificity in what the students were saying to their teachers, that they saw that another had a gun, that -- that maybe the gun went from the backpack into a pocket. And then, she talked about the foreseeability in general of a six-year-old student coming to school with a loaded gun. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. AMY KLINGER, DEFENSE WITNESS: The actions of everyone involved indicate that they were doing an analysis, but yet that they did not perceive this to be a plausible, imminent threat, both the behaviors as well as the actions, because it is a six-year-old bringing -- having access to a weapon and bringing it to school, and it is largely unthinkable and certainly unprecedented in terms of the outcome.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASAREZ: And the defense has now rested.

SANCHEZ: Jean, the defendant not taking the stand, do we know why?

CASAREZ: Well, they don't have to take the stand, but here is one reason possibly why. Ebony Parker, vice principal, she's facing felony criminal charges, and that is going to trial next month. Eight felonies in regard to the eight bullets that were in the 9-millimeter gun. We know one bullet went into Amy's hand, went into her chest, missing her aorta by just millimeters. The bullet's still in her chest, but the seven other bullets were still in the gun.

A teacher went and grabbed him coming from another room when they heard the shots. He wasn't able to do anything else, but there is felony child neglect and possible abuse, and that is why she's up for eight felony charges. So, anything she had said in this trial could have been used against her one month from now.

KEILAR: Oh, that is a very good point.

Jean, a lot of eyes on this trial. Thank you so much for telling us what's going on there in the courtroom.

Tens of millions of Americans who rely on federal assistance now face growing uncertainty as the government shutdown is in its 34th day. Next, we'll talk with a mother who's no longer receiving the food stamps that she relies on to feed her family. Stay with us for that.

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