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Zelenskyy Meets with European Leaders; New Video of Off-Duty Pilot who Tried to Cut a Flight's Engines Midair; Charlotte Train Stabbing Suspect Due in Court; Mangione Pretrial Resumes Today; New Episode of "Actors on Actors." Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired December 08, 2025 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR AND CHIEF NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: And then he said, "I am skeptical of some of the details in the document from the U.S. side.

Now, in diplomatic terms, that's some pretty strong pushback from Europe, to make clear their disagreement with some of the details in that Trump peace proposal. The key disagreement really is over pushing Ukraine to give up some of its territory to Russia to make peace.

It was also notable what Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in that meeting just a few moments ago. He said that they need a dignified peace and they need their security guaranteed. And that's the other issue, John, as you well know, is Ukraine and Europe, frankly, is looking for a genuine security guarantee for Ukraine and any peace proposal with U.S. involvement because they, frankly, don't believe that Russia will respect a security agreement that doesn't have some U.S. backing. To say that, OK, if we were to sign some sort of peace deal tomorrow, that Russia doesn't wait a year and then attack again. So, that's quite a notable meeting there at a time when Trump, as you were saying, is -- his language is showing impatience with Zelenskyy and not with Russia.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I have to say, to hear from Chancellor Merz, him call -- say that he's skeptical of parts of the deal.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

BERMAN: You're absolutely right, that's extraordinarily strong language for a leader, you know, sitting on camera when the whole world is watching.

SCIUTTO: Yes.

BERMAN: That was said out loud, Jim. What are you hearing behind the scenes?

SCIUTTO: So, on Friday, when the Trump administration announced their new national security strategy, OK, so this is a document most people aren't reading for fun, right? But it is a statement required by law for the administration to say, here's our view of the world, and here are our national security priorities. In this new, national security strategy, it singles out Europe as, if not quite a threat as being on a different path than the U.S. is, far more so than it singles out Russia, which, of course, started the largest and bloodiest war in Europe since World War II with its invasion of Ukraine. It puts a deep chasm between the U.S. and its allies in Europe, both on national security policy, it says that the threat from Russia, in effect, is exaggerated by Europeans, and it also takes shots at Europe for not having a tough enough immigration policy. It says that if they don't change and basically follow U.S. immigration policy, which is to say, greatly reduce it, that they face civilizational erasure.

So, as this comes out, John, I get messages from diplomats in Europe, multiple diplomats, who say, we're at an impasse with our -- traditionally our closest allies across the Atlantic, but we're not going to say it publicly because we don't want to, in effect, get in trouble with President Trump any more so than we are now. And they really fear that Trump is losing interest in and patience for Ukraine, and that at any moment he might just say, I'm out. And they don't want to get to that point because while the U.S. has greatly reduced its support, they still need U.S. support, intelligence, et cetera. It's a -- it's a perilous time between the U.S. and its closest allies.

BERMAN: Yes, very delicate moment, which you can almost see in the body language as Zelenskyy sat down in London with those three other leaders.

Jim Sciutto, great to see you this morning as all of this develops before our eyes.

SCIUTTO: Thanks.

BERMAN: Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Thank you so much, John.

Joining me now to continue the discussion is former national security official under President George W. Bush and -- we've got Michael Allen. And we also have Major Mike Lyons, retired U.S. Army.

Thank you both for being here.

I want to start with what we just heard from Jim Sciutto as he's watching this meeting underway. We just heard him say that Chancellor Merz said he was skeptical of the deal on the table. And he said so publicly. So, starting with you, Michael -- Michael Allen, since we have two Michaels, you know, diplomatically, how strong are these words and what do they signal to you?

MICHAEL ALLEN, FORMER MAJORITY STAFF DIRECTOR, HOUSE INTEL COMMITTEE: I think they're very strong. They're pushing back on the United States, which seemingly wants to put more pressure on Ukraine than Russia. I think this is a show of solidarity, as Jim said, and it's an indication that Europe wants to stand by Ukraine.

I think the best thing for the Trump administration, especially Trump wanting to win a Nobel Peace Prize, wanting a ceasefire, is to figure out new ways to pressure Russia so that Putin might make concessions. That's probably long-range precision strikes, if not Tomahawks, and something close to it. And it's additional sanctions. I would head in that direction and then you might be able to eventually get the ceasefire that President Trump craves.

SIDNER: Major Lyons, I do want to ask you about this. We saw Donald Trump Jr. on a stage and publicly saying that the U.S. -- that his dad may walk away from Ukraine if Kyiv doesn't accept the peace proposal.

[08:35:03]

But then he said the strength of his father is that you never know what he's going to do. When you hear this, does that sort of thing work in negotiations, being totally unpredictable and changing your mind a lot?

MAJOR MIKE LYONS, U.S. ARMY (RET):Well, Sara, that was an unfortunate comment. This is a high-level negotiation that's taking place. Very important for the security of our planet right now to get this thing right. And Donald Trump is all about leverage. And he doesn't think Ukraine has any of it. And to Michael's point, if he gave Ukraine leverage, gave them Tomahawk cruise missiles, gave them more means in order to fight this war, as well as -- and put sanctions on it, you'd get Russia to the table.

I think this is how they negotiate. They put these kind of things out. They've sent two real estate negotiators to Russia to do the deal. But again, it's going to take more leverage on the side of Ukraine in order for Russia to actually come to the table. Because the battlefield math hasn't changed. Russia continues to grind away. Ukraine continues to hold them down.

SIDNER: Michael, the Kremlin has been pretty open about how they feel about U.S. -- the U.S. national security strategy, saying it's consistent with their vision. Is there a concern here about how this actual negotiation is going here, which always seems to lean towards pleasing Russia?

ALLEN: Yes, there's definitely something to that. I mean, I think they -- the Trump administration looks at the two parties and thinks to themselves that Ukraine would be easier to push, to pressure. And I think when you read the national security document that the Trump administration is prioritizing, a strategic stability with Russia, which is fine as a goal. I think, though, in the short term, as we try to get to some sort of ceasefire in Ukraine, it might be better if the Trump administration showed fewer of its cards and was able to be more of a trusted interlocutor here to try and drag both parties to a ceasefire.

By the way, Ukraine is already for a ceasefire. It's Russia that's not. Its' Russia that has so many different concessions that they're demanding. So, I think they need to allocate pressure according to that calculus and then we might get somewhere and get to real peace negotiations.

SIDNER: Yes, I mean, to its credit, the Trump administration did manage to do a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. We will see what happens here.

But I -- but I do want to ask you, Major Lyons, about this situation in the Caribbean. We are seeing a lot of accusations flying, directed at Pete Hegseth, the defense secretary. What do you think about whether or not this video should be released? They have released many, many, many of these videos, but this one that involved a double-tap, which has now been admitted to, has not been released. Should it be released so that the American public can see what's being done in their name?

LYONS: It's probably a good idea it gets released. The question is context. We know from the administration that was 41 minutes between the first strike and the second strike. I think that they had a real problem thinking about that second strike. I think it likely still was legal, but they probably didn't wargame the situation out. We know that in future missions that rescuers were found and they were able to pull them out of those, those second strike. So, they thought about it and changed their policy.

It just gets back to the fact that there's just been (INAUDIBLE). Like, what's our means here with the military. What are we doing in the Caribbean? I guess, you know, at some point these performative strikes are impacting some of the drugs coming, but really nothing compared to the size and volume that they come at. And is this the right use of hard power for us?

So, right now, I'd like to see Congress dig in and get to the bottom of what exactly is the strategy for using our military for hard power right now.

SIDNER: Well, there certainly is a bipartisan agreement to do just that, and we're seeing it throughout. Many of the Congress men and women are asking for the release of the video. So, Major Mike Lyons, I do appreciate your analysis as well as you, Michael Allen. Appreciate it.

Kate.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, this morning we're getting a look at video and audio just released of what was a wild and dangerous incident aboard an Alaska Airlines flight. It happened more than two years ago, but you will remember this story. An off-duty pilot tried to shut down the plane's engines on the flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco. The flight crew managed to stop him, Joseph Emerson. And now, for the first time, you can hear for yourself police questioning him after the plane landed

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH EMERSON: I'm having a nervous breakdown.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.

EMERSON: I don't really know why.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, were you trying to kill yourself?

EMERSON: I was trying to wake up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Trying to wake up.

EMERSON: Cause I don't -- I don't -- didn't -- I don't feel like this is real. I didn't feel like it's real.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[08:40:00]

BOLDUAN: CNN's Pete Muntean has much more on this.

Pete, what more are you learning?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Well, this new dash cam audio, in addition to this new audio obtained by KGW in Portland, gives us the best detail yet of the struggle in the cockpit of Alaska Airlines Flight 2509. This was back on October 22, 2023. And I've been reporting on this case ever since.

Joseph Emerson is the off-duty captain who was riding in the jump seat of that full flight. He later told investigators he had a mental breakdown and wanted to wake up. Emerson says that is when he reached for the Embraer 175's engine fire suppression handles. Pulling them stops the flow of fuel to the engines, turning that 40-ton jet into a glider.

And what you're about to hear is Emerson telling the pilots that he was, quote, "not OK." And then you'll hear the scuffle that followed as the pilots tried to stop him from disabling the plane.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLIGHT CREW: What's that?

JOSEPH EMERSON: I'm not OK.

FLIGHT CREW: What's wrong?

EMERSON: I gotta get home.

FLIGHT CREW: YOU want to be home?

EMERSON: Yes.

FLIGHT: OK.

EMERSON: (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

FLIGHT CREW: What's going on?

FLIGHT CREW: Horizon, we need to make an emergency landing. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: I'm sorry, who was that?

FLIGHT CREW: It's Horizon 2095. We got a jump seater, just tried to shut our engines off. We need to go direct to Portland, now.

PLANE ALERT: Throttle. Throttle.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: The last portion you heard is the pilot's declaring an emergency to air traffic control. And Emerson did fail in cutting off the plane's engine power. But the pilots also made a successful emergency landing with Emerson restrained and flex cuffs in the back of the plane. He was charged with 83 counts of reckless endangerment, 83 counts of attempted murder, two charges for each person on board the flight. That case in court just wrapped up just last month, and the judge sentenced Emerson to time served, a pretty controversial decision, which means Emerson will not go to prison for his actions. The judge says pilots are not perfect, but rather human who needs help sometimes.

This whole incident kicked off a huge national conversation about pilot mental health reform and a bill that would make it easier for pilots to seek help for depression, has passed in the House, yet to advance in the Senate.

Kate.

BOLDUAN: Really hearing like the heavy breathing from that pilot as he's calling air traffic control is quite something when you really realize how wildly crazy that moment was and what they were dealing with in that cockpit. I mean, that's so wild.

Thank you so much, Pete, for following this, as always.

Sara.

SIDNER: All right, thank you, Kate.

This morning, a man accused of stabbing another man aboard a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, is expected to make his first court appearance. That 33-year-old suspect, an undocumented immigrant who was previously deported, was caught pretty soon after the attack. The victim survived, but this comes just months after a Ukrainian refugee was fatally stabbed on that same rail line. And both cases have drawn attention, of course, from the president.

Let's get right to CNN's Dianne Gallagher, who is in Charlotte this morning.

Can you just sort of take us through what exactly happened in this case and what's happening here as people remember the first incident, which was really terribly shocking.

DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And that's it, Sara, Charlotte finding itself in the national spotlight yet again. President Trump posted on Truth Social over the weekend, quote, what's going on with Charlotte? Now, the suspect in this stabbing, 33-year- old Oscar Solarzano, is due for his first court appearance in just over an hour. We're headed that way shortly. This is, as you said, the second high-profile stabbing on the city's light rail train in just a matter of months. Who could forget that chilling killing of 23-year- old Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee, back in August.

We are just a few weeks removed also from Border Patrol searching the streets of Charlotte. So, the focus of many, including President Trump, in addition to the location of this stabbing being the light rail train, is also the immigration status of the suspect.

This happened around 5:00 on Friday on the Lynx Blue Line. According to the arrest warrant, Solarzano allegedly attacked the victim with a fixed blade knife. They said that he appeared intoxicated. He cursed and shouted at others and challenged the victim to a fight.

Now, police said that victim was taken to the hospital in critical but stable condition. But that man, Kenyan Dobie, told CNN affiliate WRAL, he spoke with them from the hospital, that Solarzano had been yelling at an older woman. This is what led up to the altercation. In a TikTok post, he said that he wasn't, quote, "trying to be a macho man," but, quote, "what I won't allow you to do is attack random people for no reason, especially the elderly."

Now, we've reached out to him for comment as well.

So, ICE placed a detainer on Solarzano. The Department of Homeland Security, a spokesperson, said that he is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras who was issued a final order of removal in 2018 and deported.

[08:45:03]

He then reentered the U.S. illegally and was removed in 2021. He then reentered a third time at an unknown date and location.

Now, he is currently facing several charges related to the stabbing on Friday, including attempted first degree murder. Sara, this happened just hours after the city of Charlotte swore in its new police chief.

SIDNER: Wow. Dianne Gallagher, thank you for bringing us the details this morning. I do appreciate you.

John.

BERMAN: All right, two huge Hollywood stars sit down face to face and get to ask each other questions. Brendan Fraser, Dwayne Johnson getting along a lot better than they seemed to in "The Mummy."

And then for decades the only version of "Star Wars" you could see was the one updated and futzed with by George Lucas. All the edits and CGI. But no more. The original, the real original, coming back to theaters near you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [08:50:20]

BOLDUAN: So, minutes from now, Luigi Mangione, the man who has pleaded not guilty to killing the UnitedHealthcare CEO, he will be back in a New York courtroom. The 27-year-old is appearing in person after new evidence was released over the weekend. Very interesting evidence at that. Evidence that includes photos you're seeing right here. Photos that are of clothing, zip ties, a knife, items that prosecutors say Mangione had on him at the time of his arrest.

Also among the evidence, what appears to be a handwritten to do list that says "survival kit." Mangione's attorneys are trying right now to make sure some of this potentially key evidence is just never seen by the jury.

Joining me right now is former federal prosecutor Alyse Adamson.

It's good to see you again. Thanks for coming in.

I want to -- more on what is in those photos. We were showing some of it. A handwritten note with what appears to be a shopping list for a USB card, a digital camera, a hot meal, water bottles, a trash bag. Also, and that might be it right there, a hand-drawn map of Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was eventually arrested, and that to do list I had mentioned. How significant is it that these photos are being released?

ALYSE ADAMSON, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Yes, Kate, this is a very interesting question, because all that we are seeing has to do with what Mangione did after the offense. He's being charged with this premeditated murder of Brian Thompson in New York in early December. I believe it's December 4th. But if you look at that hand-drawn note, in particular, the dates are after the offense, December 8th, December 9th, where he's scribbling about a survival kit. So, the significance here is more of contextualizing what Mangione's state of mind was immediately following the incident then as direct evidence of the crime itself. It is clear from this evidence, at least to me in my experience, that he was planning on running away and not being found for some time. That survival kit.

I do want to point out that that USB drive that's written down on the note, there was a USB drive found around Mangione's neck at his time of arrest. That's one of the items that his attorneys are trying to suppress. And we do not know what is on that drive. So, it is possible that a piece of evidence that was recovered is actually directly bearing on the offense. We just don't know yet.

BOLDUAN: Yes, there's clearly tons of questions on this.

And let's talk about what his attorneys are trying to do. You talk about that USB card. Also including the murder weapon. They're trying to get this evidence thrown out. They're trying to make sure that it's never seen by a jury. Part of what they're arguing is that they -- that he was questioned before being read his Miranda rights upon his initial arrest. Do you think that they will be successful here? ADAMSON: Well, Kate, I mean, they have to try. So, what happened here

is what's called a search incident to arrest. It is very common. When somebody is being arrested on probable cause, like Mangione was, police officers are allowed to pat them down and search items that are in their immediate -- we call it wingspan or in their control for officer safety, to make sure there's not a weapon on them. And that is what police say they did. There was a backpack right next to Mangione where that firearm was recovered.

Now, the defense isn't making a meritless argument, Kate, because a lot of police officers responded to the scene during this interaction. So, there is a question as to whether or not they really needed to do this for officer safety. But I can tell you, it is usually routine to search an item that a defendant has post arrest. So, there is a high likelihood that ultimately this stuff would be admissible.

But just one quick note on that as well. This isn't really a whodunit. This is more of a why did he do it? So, even if all of that evidence was suppressed, Kate, the government may still be able to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, which is different than in other cases where they need all of that evidence to really prove it was the defendant who committed the crime.

BOLDUAN: I was -- I was actually going to ask you about that, Alyse, because the -- if what is contained in the backpack, let's just say the murder weapon, right. If that -- the way the prosecutors describe it is that what was in the backpack is the means and motive for the alleged crime. If that is not allowed in, is -- you're saying this isn't -- that is not make or break for the prosecution's case?

ADAMSON: I'm saying that in this particular case, it wouldn't necessarily be fatal. They caught -- they have the offense on video. And we know that there's a lot of other evidence that was developed after Mangione's arrest linking him to this crime. Now, that being said, it is certainly an uphill battle for a prosecutor to prove an offense when they don't have the murder weapon essentially. It's just not impossible.

[08:55:04]

And again, in this case, where seemingly, from what we know about the case, Mangione made a lot of missteps because they're able to piece this together, videos of him in New York, pictures of him in that hospital, and then, of course, the actual offense on video, prosecutors would still be able to proceed where in other cases, with a suppression like this, the case would ultimately have to be dismissed because there is no more evidence. Uphill battle, but not impossible.

BOLDUAN: Alyse, it's good to see you. Thank you so much for coming in.

John.

BERMAN: All right, this morning, plumes of smoke rising over Cambodia after Thailand launched airstrikes early this morning. A peace plan presided over by President Trump clearly in jeopardy. Both sides accused the other of launching strikes along the heavily disputed border. Officials say at least four Cambodian civilians have been killed, several others injured.

An Oklahoma state trooper helps deliver a baby on the side of the road. When the trooper pulled up, he planned on reassuring the mother that the ambulance was on the way, but the baby had other plans. He ended up delivering a healthy baby boy named Finley in the passenger seat of the Camaro. His take on the delivery, quote, "all I did was play catch." Both mother and baby are doing just fine.

All right, get in line now. "Star Wars" is coming back to theaters in 2027. The real "Star Wars." The original "Star Wars." You know, for decades, the only version we've seen have been the -- kind of the tinkered with, updated versions by George Lucas. This one is a restored version of the original print, which some enthusiasts think is the best version. Chris (ph), I need my toy. This -- the release of the film will, of course, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the original "Star Wars." And this is my original 50-year- old "Star Wars" action figure.

SIDNER: I want one, a, and, b, can we go? We should just go as a team.

BERMAN: Oh, absolutely.

SIDNER: Yes.

BERMAN: Absolutely.

SIDNER: I also --

BERMAN: It's in 2027. That's optimistic. I like that.

SIDNER: Oh, wow. Oh -- oh, that's true. We'll see if we're still here.

Anyway, now moving on.

BERMAN: Sara.

SIDNER: Yes, dear.

BERMAN: Enjoy.

SIDNER: Thanks.

BERMAN: And, yes, you can play with the action figure anytime you want.

SIDNER: I will.

All right, this week's "Actors on Actors" features Brendan Fraser and "The Rock." It's streaming exclusively right now on CNN All Access. New episodes of "Actors on Actors." The Emmy winning series pairs Hollywood actors together for candid conversations. We're seeing actor Brendan Fraser and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson just hanging out after working together on "The Mummy Returns" more than two decades ago. And just moments ago, we learned "The Rock" was nominated for a Golden Globe for best actor for his role in the movie "The Smashing Machine."

CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister joining us now.

Lots of facts that you always have in your head that I have to learn. This has been this is incredible that you were there talking to each of these actors and each of these pairs right after they did their sit down. What are you learning?

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Yes. And look, with "The Rock" and Brendan Fraser, as you said, they have known each other for decades. And it was really incredible to see them reunite in this raw and candid way. Also, we have to give a shout out to "The Rock." Congrats on your Golden Globe nomination.

But let's take a look at part of my conversation with them that came on set right after they filmed their "Actors on Actors" conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRENDAN FRASER, ACTOR: The funny thing when people say, you worked with Dwayne Johnson, you worked Dwayne Johnson. And I went, well, on paper.

DWYANE "THE ROCK" JOHNSON, ACTOR: Yes, on paper. On the -- on the poster.

FRASER: Exactly.

JOHNSON: It was --

FRASER: The first time that we met was on the red carpet at the premiere, I think.

JOHNSON: Crazy as that.

FRASER: Yes, it was. It was because you were a piece of tape on a stick for the bad boss battle at the end.

JOHNSON: That's right. Yes.

FRASER: And so we're always, you know, where's Dwayne, where's Dwayne? And, you know, reacting. Ah, the Scorpion King is very angry with us.

So, we didn't -- our timelines in the world of the movie didn't really coincide. No, they didn't.

JOHNSON: No.

FRASER: And then you came back as a supernatural effect.

JOHNSON: That's right.

FRASER: CGI effect, which, in hindsight, is -- its charming in its own way now, because doesn't it remind you of early video games, like --

JOHNSON: Dude, where you're like, that? FRASER: No, when I was at the premiere, I met the guys who were doing

the CGI of actors (ph). They're like, hey, congratulations, great movie. And they were like, we needed more time.

JOHNSON: Yes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WAGMEISTER: OK, so that right there was from their "Actors on Actors" conversation, which now is streaming on the CNN app. As you heard, they worked together on "The Mummy's Return," but they didn't really work together, Sara, because "The Rock" was literally like on a popsicle stick, like his face, and that is how they first acted together. But then afterwards, I chatted with them off the set and "The Rock" really credits Brendan Fraser for starting his career. Of course, "The Rock," one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

[09:00:00]

But at that point he was a pro wrestler, a big star. But Brendan said he didn't even really know who he was. And "The Rock" says, because this guy took a chance on me,