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Matt Mahan is Interviewed about Running for Governor; Special Election in New Jersey; Gerrit De Vynck is Interviewed about Chatbot Morality. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired April 15, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Tuesday a super PAC backing you launched an ad campaign in pretty much every state media market after getting about $12 million in pledged donations over the weekend. Why do you think that money is coming in?

MAYOR MATT MAHAN (D), SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA AND (D) CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE: Well, Kate, we're seeing great momentum. I'm actually going up with my first ad today. I'm very excited to introduce myself to Californians.

And here's the bottom line. Before I got in this race just a couple of months ago, Californians were faced with a choice between MAGA on the one hand and more of the same on the other. And I think this Swalwell case is just the latest example that our political system is broken. It's insular. It's an insider game of folks with big egos. I'm running to deliver the kinds of results that we've delivered in San Jose and offer a very different kind of campaign.

BOLDUAN: While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, obviously, his name can't be removed from the ballot at this point. Is that a problem still for your campaign?

MAHAN: No, it's great that he's off the ballot and that he's out of Congress and he should be held accountable for his actions. But I jumped into this race to offer people a different approach than what you've seen from the rest of this field. As a mayor of a big city, I'm accountable every day for making people's lives better. In my time as mayor, we've made San Jose the safest big city in the country, reduced homelessness by one-third, gotten thousands of new homes under construction.

And I jumped in the race some would say a little late. I think people are just starting to tune in. But I jumped in because nobody else has a proven track record of delivering those kinds of results for Californians. And I think that's what we want right now, not the hyper partisan politics or the empty promises, but somebody who's actually delivered for people.

BOLDUAN: I've -- there's been quite a bit written about support that you're getting from the tech industry, tech executives. You could describe -- some describing it as the billionaire class. I want to read something that "Bloomberg" has just put out.

"California billionaires are stepping up their efforts to boost San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan in the race for state governor, rushing into the vacuum left by Eric Swalwell's abrupt exit amid allegations of sexual assault. Donors including real estate magnate Rick Caruso, Netflix co- founder Reed Hastings, venture capitalist Michael Moritz are pouring millions into Mahan's campaign in a last-ditch effort to revive his struggling bid.

With that reporting, how do you respond to, if there is a view that if you win you'll be beholden to those interests?

MAHAN: First of all, Kate, I just jumped in this race and I'm just having an opportunity to introduce myself now. I grew up in a small farming town on the central coast. A working class community. My mom was a teacher. My dad was a mailman. We were paycheck to paycheck growing up. We relied on public services, like our libraries, our busses, to just do the basic things we needed in life. That's who I'm running for, people who are living in the kinds of neighborhoods I grew up in.

I'm the mayor of the largest city in Silicon Valley. The reason people are excited about the campaign is how much progress we've made. In my three years as mayor, we've made San Jose the safest big city in the country, the only one that has solved 100 percent of homicides. We've started building housing. We've had net new small business creation every single year that I've been mayor. I think the people in my backyard see how much progress we've made, and they want to see that level of focus and accountability in Sacramento.

But I'm running against the entrenched interest in our politics. And there's no way I'm substituting one special interest for another one. I'm running to make peoples' lives better in California by holding government accountable.

BOLDUAN: I was quoting, when this segment began, some new reporting into CNN about top Democrats kind of leaning on Governor Newsom to get more involved, if you will, kind of in this moment. And I also -- part of that reporting is, is that according to people who've spoken to Newsom, he "feels just as blase as many Californians about their choices for a larger than life job once held by Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger."

It has also been very clear you have had a contentious relationship with the governor. You have been critical of him. What do you think of Governor Newsom getting more involved in this race now, if he -- if he does?

MAHAN: Well, look, I wouldn't call the relationship contentious. The governor's done a number of important things. I was proud to stand with him on Proposition One that will build 10,000 treatment beds, on care courts which will get people off of our streets and get them the help that they need.

We've also disagreed. Proposition 36, which mandates treatment for repeat offenders, was an area where we just disagreed. I've had a cousin who spent time on the streets with addiction. I'm for more intervention there.

[09:35:00]

But, you know, I think that that's the kind of politics we should want. You know, adults should be able to disagree. And members of the same party in public can have different opinions on things.

But it's always been substantive, never personal. I have a lot of respect for the governor. I think he's done some very important things for our state. I'd be honored to earn his endorsement.

But, look, it's a -- it's a big decision for all of us. I jumped in because I thought Californians deserved a choice that wasn't just going to be more of the same politics, of just, you know, the big egos, the folks promising, as so many of my opponents are, promising things they can't deliver.

I know what it takes to deliver results in peoples' lives, and that's why I'm running for this -- for this seat.

BOLDUAN: Quite a moment in what has already been a very interesting race for governor there, and how it is all even more of a scramble and quite a moment for you at this moment.

Thank you very much. I appreciate it, Mayor. Thanks for coming in.

It is worth more than $1 million, but one lucky winner has walked away with a piece by Pablo Picasso for just $117.

And a man whose 1969 Camaro was stolen in 2009 just got his car back. Now there's a social media push to restore the car to its former glory.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At the time, when I was 16, I didn't know how important this car was.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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[09:41:11]

BERMAN: It is Election Day in New Jersey tomorrow to fill the congressional district that was held by now New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill.

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

So, there is a special election tomorrow and what are the prediction markets saying about this race?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: What are the prediction markets saying about this race in New Jersey's 11th district? Home to McCool's in Madison, I will note. Great ice cream there. A blowout is brewing. It seems like a blowout is brewing according to the Kalshi prediction market.

Take a look here. Chance that the Democrat wins in the New Jersey special election by at least 24 points. Look at this, a 79 percent chance in a district that Kamala Harris won, but just by nine points. So, we're thinking at this point, at least according to those who are putting their money where their mouth is, that the Democrat's going to outperform by at least 15 points. And the chance of an overall victory, at least 99 percent at this point.

BERMAN: OK. So, if the outcome isn't so much in question, Harry, why do we care about this?

ENTEN: Why do we care about this? Well, one of the big reasons we care is because, in my mind, if, in fact, the predictions hold true, it is emblematic -- it is emblematic -- New Jersey 11 is emblematic of what is going on in the suburbs and Donald John Trump.

Take a look here. OK, let's take a look. Suburban voters on Trump. In October of 2024, according to Fox News, he was leading among suburban voters over Kamala Harris by two points. But look at his net approval now. Down he goes into the New Jersey swamps. Look at that, negative 20 points. An over 20 point shift away from Donald Trump among suburban voters. Very much like the suburban voters in New Jersey's 11th district.

BERMAN: What are the burbs saying about some of the big issues, like say the economy?

ENTEN: OK, what are the burbs saying? Why is Donald Trump struggling so much in the suburbs right now? And I will note that the plurality of voters are in the suburbs. That's why they're also so important.

Well, it's about the economy. Look at this. Suburbanites on Trump and the economy. John, with that whistle. What a shift this is. Harris versus Trump. Harris was behind Trump. Trump led by six points when it came to who voters trusted more on the economy back in 2024. Look at him now. Look at Donald Trump. Now down he goes again, minus 32 points. A nearly 40-point shift when it comes to the economy and suburban voters and Donald Trump. Suburban voters have turned on Donald Trump. And I will note, if this holds for the midterm elections that are going to be happening in November, there is no way on God's green earth that Republicans will come anywhere close to holding the U.S. House of Representatives. They will, in fact, get blown out if these numbers hold.

BERMAN: On the subject of holding the House of Representatives, how close is it after tomorrow probably?

ENTEN: Yes. Yes, OK, there's a lot of math that's going on here. People are dropping out of the House left and right. Joining the House left and right.

But if we take a look at this, the GOP House majority. If, in fact, the Democrat wins, look at this, we see Republicans with 218, Democrats with 214. Democrats plus two Republicans could sink any bill. That means that Mike Johnson can only afford to lose one Republican vote on a party line vote.

BERMAN: And it means that next November the Democrats don't have to gain a lot of seats to retake control.

ENTEN: No, they do not.

BERMAN: All right, a lot of news this morning. We'll be right back.

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[09:48:44]

BOLDUAN: So, some pretty incredible video and courage. This is out of Oklahoma. Just watch this. Pauls Valley High School, gun in hand. Students are seen feet away. Apparently he tries to fire, but the gun doesn't work at first. Then Principal Kirk Moore bursts through a door, tackles the man, giving a student there on the bench time to escape. The principal is shot in the leg during the scuffle, was able to keep the gunman subdued, though, while another school employee then grabbed the gun until police arrived. The suspect is now in custody, was identified as a 20-year-old former student. According to court documents, he reportedly told investigators he was hoping to pull off a Columbine-style shooting.

I want to play for you, though, the school superintendent talking about Principal Moore.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRENT KNIGHT, SUPERINTENDENT, PAULS VALLEY SCHOOLS: He's been in the district, I believe last year was 35 years. He really -- and I know the word gets -- word gets thrown around quite a bit, but he is a hero.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: An incredible man.

Let's go to Massachusetts now. It's finally warm enough for those massive snow piles to begin melting. And for the Somerville Department of Public Works, it's revealing their own fleet of cars, which had been crushed under snow piles for months. So, the backstory here is, the city says that the cars were actually broken down and awaiting disposal when back to back historic winter storms hit and they didn't want to use city resources to move the cars before the storms hit.

[09:50:04]

So, the easiest solution, let them get buried and pile more snow on top of them and just deal with it later. Quite a thing.

Then there's this. A man in Paris is now the proud owner of an original Picasso worth $1 million, and he paid $117 for it. What he paid for a single raffle ticket.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ARI HODARA, WINNER OF "ONE PICASSO FOR 100 EUROS" RAFFLE: I was surprised as I've said. Actually, when you -- when you bet on the -- on this, you don't expect to win.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: I'd say so. It's also a beautiful piece. Picasso painted the piece titled "Head of a Woman" in 1941. The money raised by this raffle will go towards Alzheimer's research.

And an emotional reunion more than a decade in the making. A California man has now been reunited with his prized 1969 Camaro that was stolen back in 2009. The car was given to him by his late father for -- on his 16th birthday, and he owned it for years before it was stolen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: At the time when I was 16, I didn't know how important this car was, you know? But, yes, I -- especially losing it. I mean, I'm -- it's more important to me now than ever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: So, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department found this now vintage car in someone's backyard. Reunion, though, bittersweet, as you can see from this video. The car had been just picked apart for its parts. But the owner says he now plans to restore it.

John.

BERMAN: All right, new this morning, "The Washington Post" reports that the A.I. company Anthropic is turning to maybe an unexpected source for guidance on building a moral chatbot. Religious leaders.

With us now, the reporter behind that story, Gerrit De Vynck.

Gerrit, great to see you.

And you wrote a story, basically there was a conference -- Anthropic had a conference. They invited these religious leaders for what?

GERRIT DE VYNCK, TECHNOLOGY REPORTER, "WASHINGTON POST": So, they invited a group of Christian leaders. Now, there are plans to bring on religious leaders from other religions as well, which I think, obviously, you know, people would find important. But essentially, you know, we've all heard stories about chatbots essentially doing things that we might not want them to do. You know, obviously, some of the most terrible examples are encouraging teenagers to take their own lives. But, you know, they still making mistakes. They sometimes struggle when you kind of, you know, grill them and ask them questions that might be of a more ethical nature.

And so, Anthropic is, you know, reaching out to people outside the company, including these Christian leaders, to say, you know, when you try to raise a moral being, how do you do that? What are the principles that you try to instill? And then how would you test that? Put it in different situations to see if it actually answers in the way that we, as a society, might want it to.

BERMAN: So, these Christian leaders who were there, you know, were they into this? I mean, what's in it for them?

DE VYNCK: Yes, I mean, I think some of them were a little bit skeptical going in. They were saying, you know, does this company just want to sort of have some positive PR or, you know, find some allies within a community that isn't necessarily traditionally seen as very close to the tech industry or to Silicon Valley.

But the ones I spoke to came away saying that this company was, you know, very earnest and serious about it. Anthropic is a bit of an interesting company, a bit of a unique one in Silicon Valley where, you know, its founders, its leaders are very serious about the potential for A.I. to become self-aware, conscious, superintelligent, within just a few years from now. That's not necessarily the mainstream view among all A.I. companies. But the people who started Anthropic, you know, they definitely take this very seriously.

Now, of course, they're also making a lot of money. And so, that question about PR and marketing does become very relevant for them.

BERMAN: Yes, my friend Kara Swisher, our friend here at CNN, always basically teaches us to question some of the moves from these big tech companies. That no matter how sort of, you know, philanthropic or moral they seem, it's all about making money. This could be both?

DE VYNCK: Yes. And I think the other issue here is that these A.I. companies are sort of locked in a race for the best A.I. researchers, right? There's a small number of people who can really push forward this technology and get to the next level. And there is an immense amount of financial pressure to outcompete OpenAI, that's the maker of ChatGPT, to compete with Google, other tech companies. And so, you know, the A.I. companies also like to sort of present themselves as the most moral or sort of the best place to work. The one that's going to have a positive impact on the world so that those people actually want to work there.

BERMAN: So, this question came up, right? Can an A.I. chatbot be a child of God? So, why did they ask this question and what answer did they come up with?

DE VYNCK: Yes, I mean, this kind of gets to the idea of, is there something going on inside of these A.I.'s that could be considered self-reflection, self-awareness. Now, of course, if you ask a chatbot to describe itself, I mean it can do that, but that's not necessarily because it's conscious in the way that you and I are conscious. That's just a bit of a trick in terms of how the software itself works.

[09:55:03]

It's trained on all of human language. And so, it's read all the sci- fi stories about, you know, A.I.s that become sentient. And it kind of inculcates that into its own knowledge base. But there are more and more people who are saying, OK, well, maybe is

there a way, maybe it's not conscious in the way that you and I are conscious, but it's such a complex piece of software. Maybe it has some kind of theory of mind or self-awareness in a way that an animal might. And does that mean then that we have some kind of moral responsibility to it?

Now, this is still a very fringe question, even in Silicon Valley, but there are people who seriously believe this, and some of them are very powerful at the A.I. companies.

BERMAN: Yes, I think the one entity I think maybe doesn't get a say in answering that question would be the A.I. chatbot. But it is an interesting notion to think about.

Gerrit De Vynck, thanks so much for being with us. I really appreciate it. Your story is terrific and it raises a ton of new questions.

BOLDUAN: I mean, fascinating.

BERMAN: Yes.

BOLDUAN: Fascinating.

And good to see you.

BERMAN: Nice to see you.

BOLDUAN: Oh.

BERMAN: Will I see you tomorrow?

BOLDUAN: We'll see.

BERMAN: OK.

BOLDUAN: Thanks for joining us. This is CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SIT ROOM" is up next.

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