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Vance Grilled on "the View" as He Promotes His New Book; CNN Poll Shows Independents Now 47 Percent of the U.S. Population; Source Says DOJ Investigating Gov. Newsom's Wife, Others in Tax Probe; Key Primary Races, Runoff Elections in Four States & D.C.; B-52 Bomber Crash Kills Eight in California; Polls Finds 52 Percent of Parents Track Their Adult Children. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired June 16, 2026 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, (R) VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: -- things that are true, things that are false, and things that are totally missing context. Well, here's what I'll say. So number one, I am frankly kind of a conspiracy theory on the Epstein stuff. And that story says that that's one of the things that's true, is that some people called me a conspiracy theory on the Epstein stuff.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles called you a conspiracy theorist.

VANCE: And I love Susie, but absolutely, she thinks I'm a conspiracy theorist on the Epstein stuff because I think that it's crazy that you had this guy who is clearly a sex predator who is hanging out with a lot of very wealthy and powerful people, like that really bothered me. I don't know what's there, of course, nobody knows exactly what happened unless you were there, but that really bothered me, and I wanted to have full transparency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: The kind of answer -- that's the kind of answer that's going to be replayed all over social media. It's going to be clipped everywhere. And I think it matters going forward because, you know, frankly, what Vance says there, the way he talks about it, that's a 90-10 issue. Most Americans feel the way Vance feels. They think there's still a lot that's mysterious, a lot that's unexplained about Epstein.

So as Vance thinks about the 2028 presidential campaign, he's using this book tour to try to position himself, to try to take a majority stand on various issues, and to try to clean up some matters from his past that will be re-litigated in a future presidential campaign. Now, he'll be able to say, oh, that was in the book. That was years ago.

(LAUGH)

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Which he says he's not really thought about right now, a future presidential campaign, because he doesn't have to make a decision at this time. Interesting that he says that as he's on a media tour for this book, making appearances just about everywhere, including we should point out on CNN.

Brian, about the book, people have pointed out that the cover, it's called communion. It's about his turn toward Catholicism. It features a church. Turns out this church, not actually a Catholic Church.

STELTER: Yes, it's a Methodist Church. I grew up in a Methodist Church, looks a lot like the one on the cover. This is a beautiful cover, and I understand why the publisher went with it. It's a beautiful image. The publisher did have to come out and explain though why it's a Methodist Church, not a Catholic Church, on the cover. The publisher said the church comes from the part of the country where the vice president grew up and that is why the image was chosen.

But you know, it may be telling that even what's on the cover became a controversy as this book was rolling out. And you mentioned how he's been everywhere, that is really striking to me, everywhere, you know from Fox News and CNN, and NBC. But yes, even today, to "The View" and it's working for the vice president. His book is number one on Amazon on the new releases list. That almost never happens for any politician, so whatever he's doing right now, it's working a little bit.

SANCHEZ: We'll see if that sways him to run in '28. Brian Stelter, thanks so much for the update.

Some brand new CNN polling finds nearly half of Americans don't consider themselves Republican or Democrat, the highest number we've seen in more than a decade. So which party are they moving away from? We'll discuss next.

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[13:36:37]

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Right now, voters are making their voices heard in several key races across the country. Four states and Washington, D.C. holding primaries and runoffs today ahead of the November midterm elections.

SANCHEZ: Every vote of course is important, but now a new CNN poll shows an increasing number of Americans are dissatisfied with both major political parties. Those who consider themselves independents have grown to the highest level in over a decade, now at 47 percent of the electorate.

With us ,now CNN Chief Political Analyst, David Axelrod, a former Senior Adviser to President Obama. What is your reaction to this poll? It's not surprising. There's a widespread anti-establishment feeling within the electorate, right?

DAVID AXELROD, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: You're asking and answering the question at the same, Boris. (LAUGH)

SANCHEZ: Your answer would be better than mine, no doubt.

(LAUGH)

AXELROD: But that is my answer. I mean, when you look at the level of disaffection and dissatisfaction that people feel about the direction of the country, about our politics, about government, it's not surprising that the two major political parties are in disfavor and there are a growing number of people who are not willing to say they affiliate with either. At the same time, I think the poll is harder or worse news for Republicans than Democrats because they've lost more since 2024 and it particularly shows erosion among younger voters, among some element of white voters.

I haven't looked at the Hispanic numbers yet, but I would imagine that those are pretty profound. And so, it just underscores some of the problems Republicans have going into the midterm election. But look, for the institution of government and the practice of politics itself, there is a real thirst for something different, and I think that's reflected in these numbers.

KEILAR: So how should candidates be adjusting here when they're looking at some more people kind of saying, I don't really want to identify with a party, like what do what do voters want? What do they want from their candidates?

AXELROD: You know, Brianna, I think the first thing you should do is ask, why is this? Why do people feel this way? I think a lot of people look at Washington, and they see two political parties kind of scrapping for power and weaponizing problems instead of trying to solve them. And I think they see a great concentration of wealth and power that influences decision-making in this town and you know, that's why candidates who are from outside the system are, you know, popping up all over the country. And I think you're going to see more of that.

SANCHEZ: We've been speaking quite frequently about Graham Platner and mainly --

AXELROD: It's an example of that.

SANCHEZ: -- as the example of it, yeah. I wonder what you make of the story we were just talking about, J.D. Vance going on this media tour, sort of play acting that he's not thinking about 2028. Of course, he's thinking about 2028.

AXELROD: Sure, he's thinking about it. I'm not at all -- I'm not entirely convinced that he's running, I may be the only one in America who thinks that. You know, the history of vice presidents running to succeed the president they served in the next election is not very good and especially if the president is deeply unpopular, which this president is right now, we'll see where he stands, you know next year. But -- so it wouldn't surprise me if Vance was thinking, is this the right time? [13:40:00]

He's a young guy. What's interesting to me about watching him on "The View" and some of these interviews is, he's clearly going out there, you know, he has a very hard edge often when he's out there representing the president. But now, you know, you see the softer side, "The View" guy, and it's a reminder that J.D. Vance came on the scene as kind of a moderating figure when he wrote "Hillbilly Elegy."

That was his introduction to the American people, and I remember doing a podcast with him back then, and I listened to that podcast, and he sounds entirely different in many ways than what you hear from him often today. He sounds more like the guy sitting on the set with the ladies at "The View."

KEILAR: Yeah.

AXELROD: So, you know, he's a pretty effective code switcher.

KEILAR: We saw this sort of "View" J.D. Vance when he was behind the podium here recently, filling in as Karoline Leavitt is on maternity leave.

AXELROD: Yes. Also, by the way, in the debate with Waltz, you know, he sort of controlled that debate by being that kind of guy rather than the sort of MAGA warrior that he was before and after the debate.

KEILAR: Yeah, it's really interesting to watch. So, we learned yesterday, DOJ is investigating the first lady of California and Gavin Newsom, the governor, potentially running -- it seems pretty clear he's running in 2028. This is according to a person familiar with the matter. And the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of California is leading probes into people connected to Newsom over possible tax-related crimes.

Newsom is saying that it's politically motivated. There is still a lot for us to learn about this, but I just wonder how you're seeing this.

AXELROD: Well, look, Newsom saying that is sort of lies --

KEILAR: I need to correct myself. Just investigating his wife, just to be clear.

AXELROD: Yeah, but although he implied that he was the real target and they were using his wife for it.

KEILAR: That's right. Exactly.

AXELROD: Look, if people are asking questions about investigations like this, there's a reason for it. I mean, the Justice Department has been politicized in a way that we've never seen before. And there have been frivolous prosecutions.

You've got judges now doubting the federal prosecutors and their filings because of this sort of rampant kind of distortions -- distortion of facts. So, yes, he is pushing on an open door when he says this. And it may well be politically motivated. We don't even know what it is.

By the same token, it's very clear that he sees some political benefit in joining the battle. Remember, he came to prominence in this kind of period by being the biggest, baddest troll taking on Donald Trump. And I think that's the horse he's riding into 2028. So I'm sure he's outraged about his wife being a target if she is in fact a target, as he should be and he should be concerned about that. But I think he also understands there's gold in those hills.

SANCHEZ: David, quickly, before we go, we mentioned at the start, it is primary day in several states. Which races are you watching today?

AXELROD: Well, I think Georgia is the place people are watching the Senate race down there, Representative Collins versus Derek Dooley. And they're watching it because Donald Trump has endorsed Collins as of Sunday. He's a true blue MAGA or a true red MAGA guy, I guess you would say.

And Dooley is a candidate of the governor, Brian Kemp, who has not always been in sync with Trump, may be a candidate in 2028. Very powerful in Georgia, has a big political machine. We'll see whether that machine and his endorsement means more than Trump's when votes are counted today.

SANCHEZ: Yeah. David Axelrod, always great to see you. Thanks so much for being with us.

AXELROD: Great to see you guys.

SANCHEZ: Of course.

So what caused a B-52 bomber to crash shortly after takeoff, killing all eight crew members on board? We have details about the deadly incident at Edwards Air Force Base when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:48:16]

SANCHEZ: The investigation into a deadly B-52 bomber crash at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California is now underway. All eight crew members on board were killed yesterday when the plane went down shortly after takeoff. This happened during a routine test mission as part of a radar modernization program.

Joining us now is retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General, Dave Deptula. He has flown a B-52 bomber on a training mission to include aerial refueling. General, thank you so much for being with us. Walk us through what this investigation is going to look like, where investigators are going to look first, and what questions you might have about the crash.

LT. GEN. DAVE DEPTULA, U.S. AIR FORCE (RET.): Well, first, Boris, this is a tragic event for the Air Force, for the test community at Edwards Air Force Base, for Boeing, and most importantly, the families of the eight people who were aboard that aircraft. So before we talk about possible causes, we need to remember that these were professionals doing very difficult work in a very demanding environment.

With respect to the investigation, Air Force aircraft mishap investigations begin very methodically. They don't start with a theory and then try to prove it. They start by preserving the crash site, securing the wreckage, what remains of it, recovering flight data, video, witness statements, and other bits of information.

So the investigators are going to look at the aircraft, the crew, the mission profile, maintenance history, and as you mentioned, this was a test mission, so they'll look at test-specific modifications.

[13:50:00]

Now, one of the indicators that will cause them or allow them to zero in is this happened shortly after takeoff, which is a critical portion of flight. So the investigators are going to focus on those early moments of flight. And what they'll want to know is, and look for indicators, is did the aircraft have proper thrust? Did it rotate normally?

Were there any indications of engine malfunctions or fire, loss of control? This thing happened really quick, and indicators are that it rapidly collapsed from flight into the ground. So is there a structural failure, flight control issue? Did the hydraulics fail? So these are all issues that they're going to have to look at.

You mentioned that the aircraft was testing radar modernization.

SANCHEZ: Yeah.

DEPTULA: So one of the things the investigators are going to look at is whether the upgraded radar and associated avionics integration, the wiring, or the test instrumentation played any role. So that's a lot of stuff, but the bottom line is it's pretty early to say or have any indication what caused the crash.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, no doubt. And of course, the work of those investigators is important because it will hopefully provide some answers to those family members of the eight killed, which you mentioned our thoughts are with.

I wonder, if you're thinking about the B-52 generally, they were last produced in 1962. They've gone through several life extension initiatives to keep them flying. Generally, do you have questions about the reliability of this aircraft?

DEPTULA: Well, look, you're right to put your finger on it. One of the factors may be age. This particular B-52 was built in 1960. So it was 66-years-old. Think about that. I mean, it was built during the Eisenhower administration. And one of the challenges that today's Air Force has is the oldest and the smallest it's ever been in its history.

Matter of fact, it's got over 2,600 aircraft of 10 different types that had their first flights over 50 years ago. And that's the result of decades of underfunding, delayed modernization, and sustained operational demand. So at the same time, the Air Force is facing some significant maintenance personnel shortfalls.

SANCHEZ: Wow.

DEPTULA: So whether any of these realities played a role in this accident is only going to become clear after the formal investigation.

SANCHEZ: Yeah.

DEPTULA: And I would tell you that underfunding is generally manifest in lower aircraft availability rates, not safety of flight items. But I think it's important to highlight the fact that this incident is a stark reminder that America can't continue to ask an aging, shrinking Air Force to respond to its national security needs without the resources necessary to reverse its decline.

SANCHEZ: It's a very important point. Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, thank you so much for joining us.

DEPTULA: You bet.

SANCHEZ: Of course. Coming up, most parents admit to doing this one thing to keep their kids safe, but is it actually giving them peace of mind or potentially creating more anxiety? The habit that if you're a parent you're likely guilty of, next.

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[13:58:04]

KEILAR: It's 2026, and tracking a loved one's location, especially a child's, is nothing new. But what about when those kids aren't kids anymore? I mean, they'll always be your kids, right? But they're not kids anymore here. A new poll from the University of Michigan finds more than half of parents track the location of their adult children.

Some said they kept tabs in case of emergencies. Many others admit doing it to ease their own worries. A smaller number said they do it to ensure their adult child is in an acceptable place. Let's talk about it with University of Michigan Research Scientist and Co- Director of this poll, Sarah Clark, and Research Assistant, Leah Beel.

Sarah, this is fascinating. You say that none of these reasons mean it is necessary to track your kids. Why is that?

SARAH CLARK, CO-DIRECTOR, C.S. MOTT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NATIONAL POLL ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH: This is really a choice for these parents of young adults age 18 to 25, and it might be for some of these parents. They started this tracking when the young adults were still children, and it just carried through, and maybe it's just something they're accustomed to.

KEILAR: Yeah, maybe the child says, not now or not anymore, mom or dad, or they haven't had that convo. Nearly 25 percent of parents, Sarah, actually said that their adult kids, that tracking their adult kids, the monitoring could actually magnify their apprehensions rather than reassuring them. Why is that?

CLARK: So if you're maybe a little over-involved in your kid's life and you look at the location tracking and they're somewhere unexpected, or they're not at class when you thought they had class, that can make you feel a little bit worried about what's going on, even though the likelihood is that your young adult child is out there handling their business and it's just a different routine that day.

So I think that should make parents maybe wonder a little bit. If they're using location tracking and having times where they're getting anxious, they might wonder whether it's time to have a conversation --