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Trump Announces $12 Billion Farm Aid Package; Zelenskyy Meets Europe Leaders As Trump Accuses Him Of Not Reading the U.S. Proposal To End War; Brian Walshe Jurors See More Grisly Evidence In His Murder Trial; Paramount Launches Hostile Takeover Bid For WBD Amid Netflix Deal; Netflix Responds To Paramount's Hostile Bid For WBD. Aired 3- 3:30p ET

Aired December 08, 2025 - 15:00   ET

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

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: The panel's updated recommendation now calls for mothers who test negative for the virus during pregnancy to consult with their doctor before vaccinating their infant.

The Archdiocese of Boston says a local church should remove its nativity scene. St. Susanna Parish set up their Christmas display with the usual wise men, animals and shepherds, but there's no Jesus, Mary or Joseph. In their place is a sign that reads, "ICE was here," along with a number that people can call if they spot immigration agents in their community.

A new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: President Trump pledging a $12 billion bailout for American farmers using what he's describing as tariff revenue. Some farmers, though, say they're in this predicament because of the administration's tariffs.

Plus, Volodymyr Zelenskyy turning to Europe today, seeking more support in Ukraine's war with Russia. One leader says they're skeptical about the peace proposal from the U.S. and that the coming days could be a decisive time.

Plus, not so fast, Netflix. Paramount launching a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. Ahead, we're going to bring you Netflix's new response to this latest bid.

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

We start this hour with a potential lifeline for farmers struggling to make ends meet. Just moments ago, President Trump announced a new $12 billion aid package called the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program that would distribute one-time payments worth $11 billion to crop farmers and another billion dollars to farmers whose crops fall outside the program's parameters.

The bailout comes as many farms are getting crushed by rising costs and plummeting prices brought on by Trump's trade wars. Bankruptcy filings have seen a steep increase this year after years of trending downward. Today, after nearly a year, the President blaming his predecessor for the current issues facing farmers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In the last year, Biden bankruptcies rose by 55 percent, having to do with farms. So, farm bankruptcies under Joe Biden went up 55 percent. That's not good. But now we're once again in a position where a president is able to put farmers first. But unfortunately, I'm the only president that does that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Joining us now, the President of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd, Jr.

John, thank you so much for being with us.

So, how is this $12 billion bailout potentially going to help you?

JOHN BOYD, JR., PRESIDENT, NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION: Well, first, I want to comment on -- on the President. He said something about this or this happened on the Biden administration, which is totally false. Agriculture in this country has been in a complete turbulence and turmoil in this country since the President got elected. He didn't talk about farm suicides, farm suicides, farm bankruptcies, farm foreclosures are all up under his watch. And I want to remind the President that we're in the position that we're in, in such a bad -- a devastated position in this country because of his tariffs. So -- so I wanted to clean that up from just listening to his -- to his comments.

And what the President has been talking about is something he talked about back in October. And this isn't something new. It's just something that the farmers have not received. And I just downloaded a reading on this and said, this proposed $12 billion will not reach farmers until February. And we need the aid now. He has promised to aid back in October. He said he couldn't do it because the government was shut down and all of these things.

He had a meeting today with farmers at the National Black Farmers Association with 150,000 members, wasn't even invited to, you know, and we're farmers, too.

SANCHEZ: I wonder what it means for you in practical terms that that money is not going to get here until -- not going to get to you at least until February.

BOYD: Well, we're in trouble here, and -- and, you know, my farm is no exception. During that whole government shutdown and during the -- the issues with the tariffs and China not buying soybeans from -- from the United States, I had to stop harvest, you know? And, you know, when I should have been completing harvest just because the grain elevators was not taking soybeans. I don't have storage capabilities on my farm, so I was out there in limbo.

And, you know, while the grass is growing, the cows are starving. I was losing income because the -- the soybean -- soybeans began to pop out of the pod. These are things that I can't correct. But we were looking for this revenue back in October. And I would like to hear more clarity about how the farmers are going to actually receive this money in February. And we want to make sure that all our members are October. And I would like to hear more clarity about how the farmers are going to actually receive this money in February.

[15:05:07]

And we want to make sure that all our members are at the table, you know, get invited and actually receive some of this $12 billion that the President is talking about.

SANCHEZ: The Ag Secretary, Brooke Rollins, has said that this is really just a bridge ...

BOYD: The Ag Secretary ...

SANCHEZ: ... to help farmers like yourself get through the next few months and that something more substantial will come down the road. I wonder what you think is needed and how soon you think they'll actually get it in front of you.

BOYD: Well, the first thing that is needed is a complete farm moratorium. No American farmer in this country should be losing their farm because of the inactions or the wrong decisions that this administration had made in the form of tariffs. We shouldn't be penalized being at the farm auction -- auction block because of the President imposed tariffs. So, that's the first thing that should happen.

And, you know, they're -- they're saying this is a bridge. You know, a bridge to where? You know, who's going to receive the money? That's the questions that we have and -- and we haven't heard it -- you know, real clearly from this administration, because at first it said it was $15 billion back in October and now it's down to -- to $12 billion. And the money that I received -- to be honest with you, was $1,800, which is enough to buy a ton of fertilizer during the last payout. So, there wasn't a whole lot to help my farm, but hopefully it helps some other farmers out there.

But this administration has to do better and it has to do better by making sure that all farmers in this country receive some help, you know, not just certain farmers here that are at the table. Some farmers have to look like me and, you know, they -- they Ag Secretary, Brooke say all this stuff about DEI and all -- you know, all of these things. None of that takes place on my farm. I had to go out and feed my cows this morning.

They -- they didn't ask me what color I was or where I was getting help from. I have to be able to make it and compete out here on the farm like everybody else. It has nothing to do with color, but this administration is leaving us out. When they have meetings at the table, we're not invited. And -- and they say because we have, you know, primarily an organization that represents black farmers. And I think that's, you know, very appalling in this country. SANCHEZ: John Boyd, Jr., thanks so much for sharing your story. We

appreciate it.

BOYD: Thank you for having me.

SANCHEZ: Of course. Brianna.

KEILAR: In a show of solidarity, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy met with European leaders in London today, where he says security guarantees and territory remain the biggest roadblocks to any peace plan with Russia. As the meeting got underway, the German chancellor said he was skeptical of the peace proposal by the U.S. This high- stakes moment that's playing out as President Trump is voicing his frustrations with Ukraine. He says he's disappointed with President Zelenskyy accusing him of not even reading the latest version of the U.S.-backed plan. CNN's Kristen Holmes is joining us now on this.

Kristen, how is the White House viewing these talks in Europe?

KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Brianna, I mean, talk about the talks overall, right, when it comes to Russia and Ukraine. We are in a very different place now than we were two, three weeks ago when we were reporting that the White House was increasingly optimistic that they thought that they could get this done, that they believed that there had been a sign off. We had seen these multiple meetings with Ukraine and then this conversation that we knew was going to happen between Witkoff and Putin at the time. And everyone was incredibly optimistic.

Now, we're looking at a much different scenario. We're hearing from White House advisers who say there's a chance the U.S. walks away. I will remind you that President Trump has said he doesn't want to be involved this time around until it is a done deal. Despite the fact that we've heard from the Ukrainians that President Zelenskyy stands ready to meet with President Trump at any time. President Trump is kind of trying to let this play out outside, except for, as you noted, these comments that he made, who said he was disappointed in Zelenskyy.

And we've seen this before, Brianna, this kind of blame on Ukraine for the way that negotiations are going. I will remind you when it comes to security guarantees, as well as ceding territory, these are the same concerns that have been on the table, the same sticking points with any peace proposal really since this war began and since President Trump started trying to find common ground here.

So, it's not as though these are new things that have come up, but it does appear that there is no way around them right now when it comes to what Russia and Ukraine will agree to. Again, right now from the White House, from officials I'm talking to, they do seem to be placing the blame more so on Ukraine and Zelenskyy.

KEILAR: Very interesting. Kristen Holmes live for us at the White House, thank you.

Still to come, the second week of testimony is underway in the Brian Walshe trial, and we'll have details about the newest surveillance videos that jurors were just shown in court.

Plus, a manhunt is on for an escaped inmate from Louisiana. How bedsheets were used in this breakout.

And then later, we'll take you into the brand-new extreme weather center to track this week's threat of flash flooding and landslides in the West.

[15:10:06]

We'll have that and much more coming up on CNN NEWS CENTRAL.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:14:38]

KEILAR: Day six of testimony in the Brian Walshe murder trial and jurors are seeing more evidence, photos and surveillance video of his activities around the time of his wife, Ana's disappearance back in 2023. The jury is also hearing from her former co-workers who spoke with Walshe and encouraged him to report his wife missing. The Massachusetts father admits to disposing of his wife's body, but denies that he killed her.

CNN's Jean Casarez is following the latest developments.

Jean, what's happening now?

JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, Matthew Sheehan is on the stand. He's a forensic scientist with the Massachusetts Crime Laboratory. He did the initial testing of items in the home and on the floor of the basement in the home. But one thing that really stands out, there was a kitchen knife that was on top of the refrigerator and he did preliminary testing of the blade of the knife and preliminarily it tested positive for blood. A kitchen knife, which is very interesting. There it is right there. That's a kitchen knife.

Now, the -- the morning started off with the deputy chief medical examiner, Dr. Richard Atkinson, who is going to be an extremely important witness because they don't have a body in this case. And he testified that he doesn't normally do it. But he went out to the scene where the trash had been compiled and he selected different areas to actually look forensically to see what was there. And he determined and I think we have some shots of the rugs, just some of the items they found in the trash.

He believed he saw blood clots at -- in -- in parts of the rug and he collected those blood clots. There's the rug. That's a rug right there. That is a -- a section of the rug. That's the blood clot right there is what he determined he believed was a blood clot for further testing. Also, there was a clump of hairs on all of there.

Then, at one point, and this could be very important for the prosecution. There was a piece of a necklace. That's it right at the measuring tape. He found a piece of it on it and it said Gucci. And Robert (ph) Fastow, who was the -- the woman -- that Ana Walshe was seeing in Washington, D.C., testified last week, but he identified through a picture of a necklace. And he said she loved that necklace. She wore it all the time. And they found a piece of that necklace -- allegedly a piece of that necklace on the -- the carpeting where the red and brown stains were intermixed with a blood clot and hair. And that's so important.

I think we have, though, sought from -- some sound from the cross examination where the defense made great inroads on premeditated murder, listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And is it fair to say, doctor, that without a physical body, the office of chief medical examiner cannot make a finding of either manner of death or --

DR. RICHARD ATKINSON, MEDICAL EXAMINER: What? Sorry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With a body -- with a physical body.

ATKINSON: Without a body? Generally, we don't do that, no.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CASAREZ: And that's what prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt for premeditated murder conviction, the cause of death that he caused the death, the defendant. In other things. Brianna, today there was video of him going to Home Depot, purchasing so many cleaning supplies. It was over six hundred dollars in one trip. And that video, the jury saw it and they are now learning that he went to great length to -- to cover up his wife's demise, whether it was instant, spontaneous death without any reason whatsoever or murder. That's the pivotal question before this jury.

KEILAR: Yes, there isn't a body because of actions that he took, even as he denies killing her.

CASAREZ: Yes.

KEILAR: And yet the jury would have to buy his -- his defense, which is just that he panicked. And so, then he sort of dismembered with so many -- you've shown all the tools to do it. It's going to be really interesting if the jury is actually going to buy that. Could he take the stand? That's a big question here, Jean.

CASAREZ: Absolutely. He could take the stand. And the defense hinted at it in their opening statements. I listen -- listen very carefully to the words. You will hear evidence of the panic that he experienced when he realized his wife is dead. Well, who could talk about this but him?

But Brianna, if he takes the stand, so much is going to come before this jury that has not come before this jury. They know about the federal art fraud conviction, but there are other things that will come out when he takes the stand because the door is really opened here. So, they've got a big decision to make whether to put him on the stand. But nobody else was in that bedroom to witness that spontaneous, unexplained death but him. So, he's the only one that can testify to it.

KEILAR: Yes, that spontaneous, unexplained death that he alleges happened if the jury will buy that. Jean Casarez, thank you so much. Really appreciate your continued reporting on this.

Still to come, a blockbuster battle. Paramount launching a takeover bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery out from under Netflix. Netflix just responded. We'll have that next.

[15:19:54]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:24:32]

SANCHEZ: A clash of media titans is now underway. Netflix is now signaling that it is not deterred by Paramount launching a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, the parent company of CNN. Netflix announces buying WBD in a deal worth $72 billion dollars. Now, Paramount CEO David Ellison is going straight to WBD shareholders with an all-cash offer that says -- that it says, is better than Netflix's deal. Here was Ellison today on CNBC.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID ELLISON, CEO, PARAMOUNT SKYDANCE: But again, I think the most important thing to go back here is, look, we're sitting on Wall Street where cash is still king.

[15:25:07]

We are offering shareholders $17.6 billion more cash than the deal they currently have signed up with Netflix. And we believe when they see what is currently in our offer, that that's what they'll vote for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: A short time ago, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said that the Paramount move was, quote, "entirely expected," adding, "we're super confident we're going to get it across." The current deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery would merge two of the largest video streamers in the United States, Netflix and HBO Max.

Let's discuss with CNN Chief Media Analyst Brian Stelter. Brian, great to see you as always.

So, does this now boil down to the WBD shareholders versus the WBD board?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Yes, you know, something like this happened on HBO's "Succession." And now here we are talking about the actual future of HBO. Paramount's appealing directly to shareholders in order to try to assemble a majority stake of Warner Bros. Discovery, basically trying to get investors to sell their shares for about $30 a share. Then, Paramount can install its own board and take over the company. And all of a sudden, David and Larry Ellison get a whole lot bigger. And David Ellison becomes a true media mogul in a way that he is not yet today, even though he is running Paramount.

Notably, Paramount does have backing from a number of investment firms from sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East that has raised some eyebrows today. Warner Bros. is probably going to advise shareholders, though, not to take Paramount's deal, not to sell the shares. Maybe Paramount will offer even more than $30 a share. Maybe they'll try another maneuver. Maybe the WBD board will change its plans and get in bed with Paramount. We just don't know what will happen at this point.

SANCHEZ: So, do you believe Ted Sarandos, when he says that Netflix is going to get this deal across?

STELTER: Well, I believe that he believes it. Netflix agreed to a $5.8 billion breakup fee if this deal doesn't work out. That means a huge penalty if Netflix doesn't follow through. Netflix and Paramount both see this as a once-in-a-generation chance to own a really valuable movie studio, streaming brand, HBO library. So, it's no wonder why they're going to fight it out for these assets.

And Sarandos, in the last hour, he said, look, Paramount -- he said, Paramount's going to cut jobs. They're going to -- they're going to hurt jobs. We are going to protect jobs. That's the Sarandos-Netflix argument. Paramount's argument is that Netflix doesn't care about movie theaters, doesn't care about the old-fashioned movie industry, that the theaters are going to suffer and that Hollywood's going to suffer as a result of this.

And honestly, it's hard to say what happens with consumers at the end of the day, because consolidation will be happening in either combination or in either scenario, Boris.

SANCHEZ: And either purchaser is going to have regulators ahead of them that they have to essentially get across to finalize this deal. You wrote recently that President Trump is the x-factor in all of this. Explain.

STELTER: Because for the last few months, there's been a perception out there and a reality that Paramount has cozied up to President Trump, has struck up a mutually beneficial relationship with President Trump. And there's also been a concern, including inside Warner Bros. Discovery, that maybe Paramount and Trump are working together to try to take control of CNN as well as his other assets.

Now, that's in the realm of theory or speculation. It's not something that's backed up with -- with facts on paper, but it is a concern that's been out there. Now, you have Paramount making a hostile bid showing just how eager it is to own all of Warner Bros. Discovery, including CNN. So, the question becomes how Trump will weigh in on this.

Well, earlier today, he posted a screed against Paramount on Truth Social. He was mad about 60 MINUTES last night. Trump also expressed some skepticism about Netflix's bid.

SANCHEZ: Brian, I hate -- I hate to interrupt you. I have to interrupt you, but --

STELTER: I'm sorry. Yes.

SANCHEZ: -- President Trump actually just spoke about this moments ago. So, let's play that sound and -- and hear from the President.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Paramount bid for Warner Bros. (INAUDIBLE) ...

TRUMP: I don't know enough about it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You -- you spoke about Netflix last night saying you have concerns about them.

TRUMP: Yeah, I know -- I know the companies very well. I know what they're doing. But I have to see. I have to see what percentage of market they have. We have to see the Netflix percentage of market, Paramount, the percentage of market. I mean, none of them are particularly great friends of mine, you know? I just -- I want to -- I want to do what's right. It's so -- it's so very important to do what's right.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President, if the Paramount deal is supported by Jared Kushner, Mr. President, would that impact your decision?

TRUMP: If Paramount is -- I don't know. I haven't -- I've never spoken to him. He's really trying to work on gossip -- gossips. He's (INAUDIBLE) gossip.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE) ...

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: Notable there from the President saying that he wants to see what the market share of a potential Netflix deal is going to be. He was also asked about Jared Kushner. You mentioned Paramount's financial backing. Jared Kushner, the President's son-in-law, is part of that.

STELTER: That is right, Kushner, a part of this deal. Now, when I've studied how democracies have slid toward autocracy, one of the moves you see are people in power, state figures, friends or relatives of the President or the power broker, trying to buy up media companies, trying to buy up news outlets.

[15:30:07]

We have seen that in countries like Hungary.