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Secret Service Prepares for Second Press Dinner; Polls on Support for Israel; Seven Million Under Flood Watches along the East Coast. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired July 24, 2026 - 09:30   ET

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

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[09:30:41]

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: The White House Correspondents' Dinner is happening again for the first -- after the first one ended in gunfire. Tonight in Washington, the event celebrating the First Amendment and the press that covers the White House is set to take place at 8 p.m. And you better believe there is bolstered security measures and a different venue. You will remember the dinner in April was abruptly canceled after a gunman opened fire, rushing through a Secret Service screening checkpoint on the floor above where the dinner was being held and just getting underway. President Trump is scheduled to speak tonight at the event. Both the first lady and vice president, though, will not be in attendance.

With me now is CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter and CNN's senior national security analyst Juliette Kayyem.

Juliette, first to you, just to look at what's happened. They have moved venues. What do you expect the Secret Service needs to do, and other agencies, to secure this? I'm assuming it's going to be in a different way.

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Yes, it is. It's smaller. They have the, you know, example of the previous event. So, they know that this is -- has to be secure.

Look, we're in a threat -- a heightened threat environment. We are in the middle of a war. I mean we just essentially are. And whatever the White House calls it. So, the threat environment is higher. So is -- so is tension, energy, anger towards the White House or towards Trump's critics.

So, this is just sort of a prime focus of what the security apparatus is looking at. So, you're going to increase the number of people that are -- the number of agents that are there. You are going to have pre- event screening much earlier. So there's all sorts of stuff going on at the hotel now that we're not seeing. And I think that the -- this -- I don't want to call it security theater, but it's going to be just a heavy hand of security.

Look, we're going to talk about narratives. I know Brian will talk about, you know, should they have it and the Trump administration's attacks against the press. There's another narrative, which is, it's important to hold these events if they're disrupted by a lone wolf or a terrorist, to certainly assert that the American presidency is not going to be fearful or scared of these -- this kind of violence. So, in that sense it's good that they're having it again.

SIDNER: Yes, and the press as well, who was in the room, including our Brian Stelter. I was in there with you. Brian managed to get a signal out and start reporting directly from the floor. I think the first person to do that.

The dinner now moving to the Waldorf Astoria from where it has historically been.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Yes.

SIDNER: We now know that there's just going to be fewer people from the administration. What are you hearing from people about this event and what it will be like?

STELTER: Right. It's going to be more sober. It's going to be more subdued. That's the right thing. But gunmen don't get a veto. And Weijia Jiang, who was the head of the Association for the past year, she said, we can't let violence have the last word. So, I think the theme Juliette mentioned is very strongly -- very strongly felt among the attendees, the people who do want to be there tonight. There's a lot of folks, frankly, who were there in April, who are not going this time around because the event is much smaller in scope. But giving out the awards, presenting the scholarships, recognizing the staffers who were there back in April, all of that is important.

And I think probably most importantly, the association is trying to get back to normal. You know, the White House press corps has had such a strained relationship with the White House. There have been such severe tensions. And no dinner is going to change all of that overnight. But the association is trying to repair those relations by getting Trump to show up, by giving him the stage, by also having a chance to be on stage, talking about the power of the First Amendment. You're going to hear speeches from journalists tonight about the enduring power of the fourth estate. So, it's an attempt to get back to a little bit of normalcy.

Now, is that possible? You can tell I'm skeptical. Lots of folks are skeptical. But we will see what happens tonight. The White House is saying that this speech will be vicious and hilarious. And I'm not sure that's possible. It will be vicious and entertaining, and we'll see if it is or not, Sara.

SIDNER: Yes, we will. And, as you know, there are -- there are some journalists who don't think this should happen be it that the White House has, for example, subpoenaed journalist and sort of gone after some journalists for their reporting. We'll see what happens in the room tonight.

[09:35:00]

Juliette, I do want to ask you about where we are when it comes to the threats that we're seeing. You -- the Secret Service had said that the threats against the people that they protect in the political world are, you know, the threats are huge. They're higher than they've seen them ever. What does that mean for the security apparatus here?

KAYYEM: Look, the Secret Service, as we know, has been under stress and has been criticized for some of their policies and behaviors, in not just the Trump administration, but certainly the Biden administration. Lay on that two factors under the Trump administration. One is this increased threat environment against Trump specifically, but against politicians more generally. And secondly, you know, let's not -- we -- there is a war. And any war, whatever you think of this war, is going to increase the threat environment for the leadership.

I tend to be a little bit different than most counterterrorism experts in this regard. I don't -- wouldn't see the motivation for Iran to actually attack a political figure in the United States simply because they're sort of winning the narrative abroad. But there are people in my field, and I'll give them, you know, voice through me, who think that the Iranians might be targeting senior political leaders. So, all of that is going to play out in one room in D.C. tonight.

So, I am pretty confident in terms of just what I've seen publicly and talking to Secret Service agents, both the number of agents that are going to be there and the way that they're working with D.C. in terms of this protective ring, which seemed a little bit porous at the last one, is going to be a lot better. But, obviously, tensions are high to protect the president.

SIDNER: Yes. Juliette Kayyem, Brian Stelter, who will be there alongside John Berman to report on what happens there. Look forward to seeing your coverage. Thank you to both of you. Appreciate it.

All right, just ahead, soon, the CDC expected to release new numbers on the growing number of measles cases across the country, which is at a 35-year high. What we could learn as the U.S. nears a grim milestone.

And 20 years after the group broke up, a new Destiny's Child album could be released. Really? What Beyonce's dad, the group's former manager, has to say about the surprises that are in store for the fans.

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[09:42:15]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we've been watching Democratic primaries all summer long, and there are some big ones coming up. And one of the key issues in many of these races has been Israel, how supportive Democratic candidates want to be of Israel and U.S. aid to Israel. Over the summer it's been largely seen as a Democratic issue. But it might not just be a party thing.

With us now, CNN chief data analyst Harry Enten.

And when we're talking about Israel's favorability in the United States, in general there are some big changes.

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: There are some absolutely huge, mammoth changes, generational changes that we're talking about. And I think there are a lot of Republicans, oh, we'll be able to run against these anti-Israeli Democrats once we hit the general election because the general electorate feels very differently from the Democratic base.

But the general electorate, look at these numbers on Israel. The net favorability. They're all negative. They're all negative. Ipsos, minus ten points. Fox, minus 11 points. MU, Marquette University Law School -- School of Law poll, look at that, minus 20 points. Pew Research Center, minus 23 points. Negative, negative, negative, negative. And Gallup earlier this year was also negative. We're not just talking about the Democratic base anymore. We're talking about the general electorate as well. The general electorate has turned against Israel. This is not just a left issue, it is an American issue when it comes to opinions on Israel.

BERMAN: What's the trend line here?

ENTEN: What's the trend line here? The trend line is unbelievable. Look at the trend line here. Compare this to Donald Trump's first term. At this point in Donald Trump's first term, Israel's average net favorability.

BERMAN: Wow.

ENTEN: If you go back here, look at this, it was plus 51 points. Wow, Johnny says. Wow, Johnny says, because this is, wow, plus 51. It's minus 16 points in the average poll now. That is what a 67 point shift against Israel in just eight years. Israel used to be a consensus issue in American politics, and that was a pro-Israeli position. Now the consensus has actually shifted. And now when it comes to the general electorate, it is a minus. Israel is now seen negatively. And we're seeing it in poll after poll after poll.

BERMAN: You just had this vote in the House where 100 Democrats voted against military assistance to Israel. How is that specific issue seen right now?

ENTEN: Yes, you said wow, right? How about wow again? Take a look here. I never thought I'd see the day. Military assistance to Israel, say U.S. should reduce or end it. Overall, 55 percent say they should reduce or end it. And it is true across the educational spectrum, 51 percent of non-college graduates, 62 percent of college graduates. So, this isn't just an issue, right, among white liberals and Democratic primaries. No, no, no, this is true across the educational divide. Even when we are looking towards a general electorate, the majority of Americans believe that military assistance to Israel should either be reduced or ended.

[09:45:05]

BERMAN: I guess what the numbers are showing is we shouldn't just presume that opposition to Israel or aid to Israel is a political loser now.

ENTEN: Correct.

BERMAN: And the numbers just don't seem to suggest that.

There is a big senate race in Michigan, right, for an open seat. There is one candidate who is seen as being more opposed to aid to Israel, Abdul el-Sayed. What are the prediction markets saying about that race?

ENTEN: Yes, I think -- yes, I think a lot of Republicans said, oh, we want to run against Abdul el-Sayed. We can beat him. Israel, one of the reasons. You know, he's too far out of the mainstream. But take a look at the Kalshi prediction markets. Chance to win the Michigan Senate race. Look at this, el-Sayed, as the lone candidate, 59 percent chance. The majority chance of winning that. And, of course, this slide still includes, he still has to beat Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary. She's at 14 percent. Mike Rogers, the Republican, a 32 percent chance.

So, the idea necessarily that Abdul el-Sayed is unelectable, completely false, because the bottom line is this, Israel, as an issue, is not the cudgel that I think that a lot of Republicans believe they can use in order to beat Abdul el-Sayed or these other anti-Israel, or at least wanting to reduce aid to Israel candidates.

BERMAN: Something worth watching, I think, over the next couple of weeks and months, and maybe when the Israeli prime minister comes to the United States as well, how the politicians act.

ENTEN: If you want -- if you want to see someone who's really seen negatively, he is really seen negatively.

BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much.

ENTEN: Thank you, my friend.

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

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[09:50:59]

SIDNER: On our radar for you this morning, new video of a frightening scene near Houston. An 18-wheeler dangling over a highway overpass after a crash. Highway lanes were shut down for hours as crews worked to try to safely clear this truck. Two people were -- ended up in the hospital with minor injuries from that incident.

All right, a frightening rollover crash inside a tunnel in Boston. Look at it there. Oh my gosh. It backed up traffic for more than an hour. Massachusetts Department of Transportation just released this video. See the car there careening into another vehicle before ending up upside down. Everyone survived this. First responders took a person, though, to the hospital just for a precaution. Yes, that's in your town. That's in Beantown, John. All right, an Arizona man says he was seriously burned after a fish

and wildlife officer tased him at a gas station and sparked a fire. Take a look at what happened during the encounter

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All I'm asking for is your license right now to identify you --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What am I being arrested for?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You are not cooperating.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get on the ground.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (EXPLETIVE DELETED).

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SIDNER: Good grief. The man says the officer followed him to a gas station after accusing him of trespassing at a fishing spot. He says he was pumping gas when the officer tased him and sparked a fire that left him with first and second degree burns and nerve damage. He was not charged in the incident, the man. And our affiliate reached out to the Fish and Wildlife Service and did not get a response in this case.

All right, I don't think you're ready for these remixes, y'all. Former Destiny's Child manager Mathew Knowles, yes, Queen Bee's dad, says fans will be getting a new album of remixes from the Grammy Award winning group Destiny's Child. Knowles says fans could expect the album within the next month, and it will include some guest rappers, including Missy Elliott.

John.

BERMAN: Maybe Sara will sing along, like you just did right there. I didn't realize it was like a musical voice over there.

SIDNER: I love me some Missy. It's good.

BERMAN: All right. Thank you very much.

This morning, severe flood threats across the East Coast, fueled by the remnants of Bertha. Flood watches in effect for more than seven million people.

Let's get to CNN meteorologist Allison Chinchar for the latest forecast.

What are you seeing?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes. So, Bertha is dead and gone, but we still have the impacts. A lot of that moisture from the gulf is still surging up into this stationary front that's right here. And that's where a lot of the flooding concerns is really going to be focused, not just for today, but even as we head into the weekend, because the stationary front is just that, it's stationary. It's not really expected to move all that much in the coming days, which means a lot of these same areas are going to continue to get more rain day after day.

Here's a look at the radar. The heaviest rain right now across portions of coastal North Carolina. We've also got some heavy clusters across areas of north Georgia. This is going to continue not only through the morning hours, but even into the afternoon, as that system as a whole continues to slide off to the east.

It's also why you have a lot of these flood watches in effect. Again, not just because of the rain we're getting today, but many of these areas have had rain the last few days. Now we're going to continue to add more to it. So, it's that compounding effect that's really going to lead to the big flooding concerns in these areas.

There's that first wave. As we go into Saturday, we get a secondary wave. And even into early Sunday, we do still have some remaining showers, especially moving across places like Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, some of the same states that have been dealing with the heavy rain the last few days.

Most of these areas likely to pick up an extra one to two inches on top of what they've had. But you will notice there's a few pockets here of the orange, the red, even the pink color, indicating some of these areas could pick up four to even as much as seven inches of additional rain on top of what they've already had. And so that's going to be a big concern for a lot of these areas.

The best chance for a lot of the flooding concerns is going to be in this red shaded area you see here. But anywhere in the green and yellow also has that risk for flooding, not just today, but even as we head into the weekend.

[09:55:02]

BERMAN: Yes, so stay tuned over the next few days.

Allison Chinchar, thank you very much.

One last thing here. Cleveland Pitcher Gavin Williams was immaculate last night. Not just because he had excellent hygiene. No, it's because in one inning he threw just nine pitches, nine strikes, three strikeouts. That is what an immaculate inning means. You can see most of it right here. He's just the sixth pitcher in Guardians' history to do this. He did strike out 11 Twins over seven innings yesterday. The Guardians, though, they didn't hit so well and needed to go to extra innings. And they did manage to win there, or not. I don't know what happened, actually.

SIDNER: Wait.

BERMAN: The Twins.

SIDNER: The Twins won.

BERMAN: The Twins won.

SIDNER: Minnesota won.

BERMAN: Oh, a twist. A twist. A dramatic twist.

SIDNER: A twist on the plot. The game was not immaculate. He was.

BERMAN: Yes, he was.

SIDNER: That's basically it.

BERMAN: I guess that's the moral of the story. And make sure you wash between your ears and stay clean.

Look, we managed to get through. Kate said we couldn't do it. Kate said we couldn't do it.

SIDNER: We couldn't and we didn't.

BERMAN: And we didn't really, right?

SIDNER: We didn't really.

See you later. "SIT ROOM," up next.

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