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Interview with Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL): Justice Department Releases New Batch of Epstein Documents; Rare High Risk of Flash Flooding in Los Angeles Area; 60 Minutes Report Pulled in U.S. Streams in Canada. Aired 8:00-8:30a ET

Aired December 23, 2025 - 08:00   ET

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

[08:00:00]

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: ... continue at least for a bit. GasBuddy is projecting that the national average on Christmas Day will be just $2.79 a gallon. That would take out the low from last year, which was previously the lowest since 2020.

And GasBuddy says this will save drivers about a half a billion dollars over what they spent last year.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Not each, collectively.

EGAN: Not each collectively, collectively. And so look, this hopefully will help people kind of feel a little bit better about their wallets. You know, they're hurting elsewhere, hurting the grocery store, electric bills, home heating bills. But again, gas prices. This has been a good, good news story all year.

BERMAN: Yes, this can make a difference. Certainly on your average spending. Matt Egan and great to see.

EGAN: Thank you.

BERMAN: Have a wonderful holiday.

EGAN: You too.

BERMAN: Brand new hour of CNN NEWS CENTRAL starts right now.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, breaking news this morning. Another enormous batch of Epstein files released overnight, including a new e-mail that claims Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's plane at least eight times, more times than had previously been revealed.

Plus, new evacuation orders underway as dangerous flooding threatens California. Some areas could see a month's worth of rain in just days.

And three Children between the ages of eight and 12 accused of stealing and then crashing a car. Police say they learned how to hotwire it from YouTube.

I'm Sara Sidner with Kate Bolduan and John Berman. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: To the breaking news this hour. We are still digging through a massive new trove of files just released in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation from the Justice Department. And they are revealing new details about Epstein's one time friendship with President Trump, including a memo, a 2020 e-mail from an assistant U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

You're looking at it here, who wrote that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet, quote, more times than previously has been reported -- at least eight times between 1993 and 1996. And according to this e-mail on a flight in 1993, according, according to this, there was just three passengers and described as Trump, Epstein and a 20 year old woman.

And this also just in the Justice Department put out a statement about this latest batch of documents. And I want to read for you what they literally wrote in part without context, really.

"Some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election. To be clear, the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already."

The statement going on to say that, though, in the in the spirit of transparency, they are putting all of this out. What's not clear is what claims exactly they are referring to in this pushback statement.

CNN as a team, again, working through the documents. I'm going to bring you the findings as they come -- John.

BERMAN: All right. With us now is Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Democrat from Florida. Congressman, thanks so much for being with us.

I just want to start where Kate just ended there because it's unusual given that we don't yet know. We haven't been able to go through these documents piece by piece yet that were just released. But this statement, some of these documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election.

What does this tell you that the Department of Justice is putting this statement out this morning?

REP. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ (D-FL): It tells me that Trump and his cronies who have been protecting him for years now to avoid the release of these files are in full damage control mode. I mean, John, if they're referring to the memo that Kate just read the summary of, plane logs are very direct evidence. Who was on -- they keep records of who where on -- who are flying on airplanes.

And so there's no getting around that, that that memo points to airplane logs that show that Donald Trump was on planes with Jeffrey Epstein and obviously victims who were underage and who were in an abusive situation. I can't imagine why Donald Trump would have been OK to be on an airplane with, with teenagers and, and very young adults, young, very young adult women other than nefarious circumstances.

[08:05:00]

Nothing has obviously pointed to Donald Trump, but that is why we need full transparency.

BERMAN: What we know about the documents that were released so far -- and I don't know if that's what the DOJ statement is referring to or not -- the information about the private jet. Let me just be crystal clear about what they do say -- these documents. That Trump travel on have seen as private jet many more times than previously has been reported or that we were aware. That was written by an attorney from the Southern District of New York in January of 2020.

Trump was listed as a passenger on eight flights between '93 and '96. And at least four of those flights Ghislaine Maxwell was also present. The only other individual we know of who was on that flight was then 20 years old.

On two of the other flights, two of the passengers were women who would be possible witnesses in the Maxwell case. So at least in the documents that I've seen or that in front of me right now, Congresswoman, just to be clear, I don't know that the documents say that Donald Trump flew on the plane with underage girls. I just -- I'm not aware of them saying that the one I have in front of me doesn't say that.

But that aside, what's the significance of Donald Trump traveling -- this evidence now that he did travel on a plane more than was known with Jeffrey Epstein in the 1990s before Epstein was charged with anything?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: The point here is that Donald Trump and his administration are breaking federal law now by not fully releasing what the law requires all of the documents related to the Epstein case.

Look what we absolutely still need to do. We have missing and, and, and large gaps of information about, you know, why Acosta decided to give him a sweetheart deal. And what were the circumstances that led to that?

And I mean, at the end of the day, we need to make sure that the law is followed. Congress will likely need to take action to ensure that that happens.

And at the bottom line here, John, though, is that we need full disclosure to make sure that the men that took advantage of these women are held to account. And we need final closure for the victims, the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's, you know, criminal conduct. And we need to make sure that there's final closure so that sweet hair, sweetheart deals like this can never happen again, which is why my Courtney Wild bill needs to be taken up in Congress and signed into law.

BERMAN: Yes, to be clear, we have spoken to many of the survivors over the last several days. They are not at all pleased with the way that this release is happening. I had one last night tell me it was a game.

To your point about what to do now about this. Talk to me about your legislation, because it is interesting. This has to do with the first deal that was struck.

Well, the only deal that was struck between Jeffrey Epstein and federal prosecutors that basically relegated this to a to a state issue down in Florida, where you are. What would your law require or change?

WASSERMAN SCHULTZ: My law, the Courtney Wild Crime Victims Rights Restoration Act would ensure that a sweetheart deal like Acosta gave to Epstein could never happen again. The Crime Victims Rights Act, which was federal law at the time and still is says that victims have the right to be able to be present in court, to be there for the sentencing phase, to be able to offer their commentary. And that was not -- that did not occur in the case of the Acosta decision on the sweetheart deal.

They essentially ignored the law or maybe took advantage of a peephole that that they could avoid it. So this bill would ensure that all victims in situations like this would be able to have their day in court, be able to ask for the nullification of the proposed plea deal and avoid -- and make sure that a sweetheart deal like this could never happen again. That absolutely needs to be a part of this discussion.

And we need to get that bill to the floor of both houses and on the president's desk and he darn well better sign it.

BERMAN: Give survivors a voice, which of course is what so many of these survivors have been clamoring for and fighting for for so many years. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz from Florida. We appreciate your time this morning as this is all developing before our eyes.

You know, we only have limited information at this moment. So thank you very much. Have a wonderful new year -- Sara.

SIDNER: All right, this morning, the report CBS tried to keep off the air has now been seen by many, and it's all because of a streaming slip up.

And evacuation orders in effect for parts of California as severe storms threatened to dump record rainfall over the Christmas holiday.

Plus a mother stops a group of would be burglars by crashing into their getaway car. More of that dramatic video ahead.

[08:10:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) SIDNER: This morning it is shaping up to be a dangerous day for

holiday travelers across Southern California. In a Los Angeles area, a rare, high risk of flash flooding is prompting new evacuation orders. Overnight, the LAPD going door to door in some neighborhoods to warn residents.

Joining me now is Fire Captain David Dantic with the Los Angeles County Fire and Rescue. Thank you so much for being here with us this morning.

CAPT. DAVID DANTIC, L.A. COUNTY FIRE AND RESCUE: Thank you.

SIDNER: What are what are you warning residents about? What are you most worried about in this impending storm?

DANTIC: Oh, you know, it's Southern California, especially here with the recent burn scars. We're concerned about the January wildfires and the impact that it has on the communities of mud and debris flows. So we're worried and we want to advise all the residents just to be careful in these situations like you said.

[08:15:00]

I mean, that you did mention traffic and traffic is a big concern, too. When we're driving on the road, it is more prevalent to get into accidents in the rainfall because of -- it hasn't rained very often here in Southern California, so you get the oil slicks. So be very cautious when you drive.

And then as it pertains to the water, make sure you do. We just want to advise the public to stay away from those water drainages and and just be safe around those water areas.

SIDNER: Just explain to people who are not familiar with what happens in these areas where there are burn scars in California, what can happen when it rains? And it doesn't have to be a ton of rain, but you are going to get an enormous amount of rain.

DANTIC: You know, and you're correct. So these burn scars. So after any wildfire, vegetation may be burned away, leaving behind the bare ground that tends to repel water. So areas scarred by a burn or more prone to mud and debris flows, which can destroy homes, wash out bridges and roadways and knock down trees.

That's why it's more prevalent for people that live in these areas to be prepared, have a plan and get sandbags, put them in place and make sure that there's you protect your home from any flooding.

SIDNER: What is it that you are telling people to go out and do? We are looking at some pictures of some major flooded areas. What are you what are you telling people to do to prepare as this rainfall comes?

And we're talking, you know, enormous amount of rain for southern California, as you mentioned, which doesn't get that much rain. But this is sort of the rainy season. DANTIC: You know, and we like to tell everybody, everybody have an emergency plan. Make sure all your family members understand your emergency -- your plan. And if you are told to evacuate in early areas, make sure you tend to follow that.

Always monitor your radio and your TV news. And you can also follow our website at fire.LAcounty.gov, follow active alert. Active alert, it's alert.LAcounty.gov. That'll give you more up to date information too.

And be prepared to leave immediately if you need to if evacuation is ordered. Have alternate evacuation routes because some might you -- might be blocked off due to flooding in some air certain areas. And then have your identify important items you need to take.

And this goes in wildfires and in this type of time to as well. Know what you need to keep with you, your photos, your important documents, medications, any essential items that you need, your families and pets. And the most important thing is don't attempt to cross flooded areas and never enter moving water on foot or on vehicle -- in vehicle.

SIDNER: Yes, I've been there, lived there for a long time and seen devastating mudslides that can be really dangerous and deadly. So those are things that I know that you all are watching because of the there's so many areas that were burned in those fires this year. Captain David Dantic, thank you so much from the L.A. County Fire Rescue. Try to stay safe out there and try to have a decent holiday as you're dealing with all of this -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: CBS pulls a "60 Minutes" report just hours before it was set to air claiming the story wasn't ready, needed more reporting. But it wasn't pulled fast enough, apparently. It was posted online and has now gone viral. How did this happen?

And the FDA gives the green light to a pill version now of a very popular weight loss drug.

[08:20:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BOLDUAN: The "60 Minutes" piece pulled by the head of CBS News has now been seen around the world all because of a streaming slip up. The story is a deep dive into treatment of Trump deportees at a notorious prison in El Salvador.

CBS News editor in chief Bari Weiss decided to shelve it, saying that it was not ready, but the already approved episode was published by a streaming platform in Canada all the while, and it's now gone viral.

CNN's chief media analyst Brian Stelter has been tracking this one. He's got more. Brian, what happened here?

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Isn't the internet amazing? That's my takeaway about this story, because this video clip has spread all across the internet. It's on sites like Reddit and Blue Sky and X and even YouTube, although CBS has been trying to get it taken down.

What happened is that it's actually pretty common in television. When a piece is taped, when a show is taped ahead of time, it gets transmitted, it gets delivered to various computer servers. In this case, the finished episode on Friday was delivered to a Canadian TV network called Global TV, because Global TV has the rights to air "60 Minutes" in Canada.

So the episode was done as we talked about. People inside CBS thought it was ready to go. So it was delivered to Global TV, and then it popped up on Global TV's streaming app, I think probably automatically and inadvertently on Monday.

Some smart Canadian viewers noticed this on the app. They started recording it off their TV sets, and boom, now the thing is viral and now the whole world's able to see what all the fuss is about. And when you do watch it, and again, these are bootlegged copies, but when you do watch the report, you see it's a pretty common, pretty ordinary "60 Minutes" investigation.

It is notable that several of these detainees are interviewed describing torturous conditions at the prison in El Salvador. And I want to make sure we continue to center those perspectives, because that was the point of the report in the first place. Here's what one of those deportees said to correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi, quote, "The torture was never ending, interminable. There was blood everywhere, screams, people crying, people who couldn't take it and were urinating or vomiting on themselves."

So that's the kind of testimony that's included in this "60 Minutes" report that was shelved over the weekend but not shelved soon enough. It is to be fair to Bari White, who has said this report was not ready and did not push the ball forward.

A lot of these testimonies have been out there before. People can look at the Human Rights Watch report that was released in November. The New York Times, CNN and other outlets have reported on these testimonies.

[08:25:00]

The notable part about "60 Minutes", though, was that these interviews were on camera, on the record, part of a taped piece that was going to be seen by more than 10 million people since "60 Minutes" is the most watched news magazine in the country. So that's really at the crux of the dispute now.

And we don't know if CBS is going to go forward and actually broadcast this officially. But thanks to the stream, it's out there now, Kate.

BOLDUAN: Are you hearing anything from CBS just about kind of this development?

STELTER: Yes, about this development in Canada? No, no comment from CBS about it. I think this was certainly embarrassing for the folks over there because they did try to shelve the segment.

But look, internally, there's been a lot of turmoil about this. Scott Pelley, other correspondents speaking out at a meeting yesterday. "60 Minutes" correspondent Tanya Simon defended the Sharyn Alfonsi piece, said she believed it was ready for air, but she had to follow her boss's orders, her boss being Bari Weiss.

So this is something that's still very much alive and controversial inside CBS. And as one person there said to me overnight, this leak in Canada was the best thing that could have happened, because at least now the reporting is out there.

BOLDUAN: Brian, thank you for your reporting, appreciate it -- John.

BERMAN: All right, thousands of new Jeffrey Epstein files just released over the last several minutes and hours, including some that the Justice Department says contain unfounded and false claims against President Trump. So what has them so upset or so nervous?

And we're standing by for a new report on economic growth. We've been waiting for this for some time as it was delayed. What will it tell us about where things are headed?

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