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Three Charged With Making Threats in Nolan Wells Investigation; Trump Denies Munitions Shortage Amid Reports of Depleted Stockpile; Washington Wildfire Arson Suspect to Be Arraigned Today; Hot, Dry Weather Ahead Raises Washington Wildfire Risk; Air India Flight Suddenly Drops in Altitude During Turbulence; More Than 900 Million SpaceX Shares Unlock Today; FDA Approves First mRNA-based Flu Vaccine. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired August 06, 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]

RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: -- online as well, people asking why they are fighting so hard, but they're trying to keep that in focus. I also want to mention on August 19th, which would have been Nolan's 19th birthday, there is a rally planned there in the community to show support for that family. But, this is obviously taking on a whole another world of online sort of persona at this point with people on both sides fighting, even though the answers are not coming fast at all.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Yeah, that is a family dealing with so much, Ryan. Thank you so much for showing us that. We appreciate it.

Still ahead, President Trump railing against reports that the U.S. is facing a munition shortage. We're going to take a closer look at the president's pushback and the facts, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: President Trump is pushing back on reports that the U.S. faces a munition shortage.

[13:35:00]

In fact, we have some new reporting here that he's grown angry over reports on depleted munitions. He believes that it is weakening him in his negotiations with Iran. He has taken to social media to talk about this.

Here in recent days, there have been numerous reports about dwindling stockpiles of key air defense systems because of the war with Iran. And sources are telling CNN that the U.S. military has burned through roughly half of its Patriot interceptors since the beginning of the war, about 80 percent of its THAAD missile inventory. So those are really big, alarming numbers.

Let's talk about them with CNN Military Analyst, retired Air Force Colonel Cedric Leighton. I mean, break that down for us. What is happening with these defensive weapons?

COL. CEDRIC LEIGHTON (RET.), CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Yeah, so let's take a look at what we know about the Patriot system. So the Patriot system is, of course, kind of a workhorse of all the things that we do in terms of defending our assets. So before the war, we had about 2,200 intercept missiles, PAC-3 and PAC-6 missiles that were part of the Patriot system. So basically about half of the inventory, half of the inventory has now been depleted.

And that, of course, is a really, really big deal. Now there's another system called the THAAD system. This stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. And this is an even more accurate system. And we had about 452 of those before the war started, 80 percent, now this is a really big deal, 80 percent of this inventory has now been depleted. And when you look at how these systems work, they're very dynamic systems. They can handle things at a very accurate rate.

This video from the Missile Defense Agency and from CENTCOM basically shows us that this system, although it looks like it's a very small system, it is very, very accurate. It's a highly accurate system. And when you look at -- compare that with the Patriot system, you're looking at a system that is basically designed to shoot things out of the sky, but it's very expensive.

These weapons systems, you're talking several million dollars for a battery like this. And that particular system right here, as accurate as it is, is quite a large amount of money to throw at a $30,000 drone, for example. So what they're trying to do is they're trying to mitigate a lot of this, and they're trying to make it so that we're having a lot of systems that can actually be more cost effective. As effective operationally as this, but more cost effective when it comes to going after these kinds of systems.

KEILAR: Yeah. And to what end, right? I think that's kind of the question, because tactically, it seems like the military has kind of done whatever is requested of them, but strategically, you have many people looking at this, who know the region, who know military objectives, and they say strategically, so far, they're not really seeing a success. And I'm sort of understating that.

Now, the U.S. has a significant number of these long-range missiles as well, ATACMS, PrSMs, which are those Precision Strike Missiles. What about those?

LEIGHTON: So let's take a look at the ATACM system. This is basically an Army Tactical Missile System is what it stands for. This got a lot of notoriety in Ukraine, and it was one of the key things to remember about this, is that this is an offensive missile system. The ones that we talked about earlier, the THAAD and the Patriot, are defensive missile systems. So this was first used in the Gulf War, and basically, it was designed to provide the kind of offensive capability that you need to go after certain targets.

Now, this is the PrSM system. This is a follow-on to the ATACM system, and what it's designed to do is it's designed to go after targets that are a bit further afield, and it is also a more accurate system. And as you can see here, it is designed to be highly maneuverable, and it is a mobile system just like the Patriot is, but it's even more maneuverable, some would argue, than the Patriot is.

KEILAR: So Vice President Vance says that negotiations are going to go on for some time, right? So when you're looking at a dwindling supply of munitions, and you're thinking how much you have left for the amount of time you might be engaged in this thing, what is that doing to the timeline?

LEIGHTON: So that can really affect the timeline. Now, the one thing to keep in mind, Brianna, is that there are other systems out there besides these really expensive systems. This is a picture of a LUCAS drone, which was basically a knockoff of the Shahed-136 drone that Iran produced.

So they reverse engineered the Shahed drone, created the LUCAS drone, and it provides one of those cost-effective measures to go after the Shahed itself. So that's one thing that we're doing to basically equalize the financial problems that you have when you're throwing something like this, like the Patriot, against targets that really look more like this. So that's one of the things.

But when you look at this from a strategic standpoint, you can really see that in order to really achieve our objectives in a region like the Persian Gulf, what you need is a system that allows you to overlay and hit targets in areas like this.

[13:40:00]

And that becomes something that we need to do, and we need to do as cheaply and effectively as possible.

KEILAR: Yeah. He may not like this narrative, but this is one that's very important and no doubt is being discussed very widely inside the halls of the Pentagon. Cedric, thank you so much, really appreciate it.

LEIGHTON: You bet, Brianna.

KEILAR: Still ahead, fire crews in Washington State are making progress in their fight against three active fires in the Spokane area, but there's a new challenge on the horizon and that is high winds and intense heat. We're going to speak with someone on the front lines of that effort next.

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[13:45:09]

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Some new developments in the devastating Washington State wildfires. The man accused of starting one of the three fires in the Spokane area is set to be arraigned in court today. So far hundreds of homes have been destroyed and thousands of people have been evacuated, as fire crews say they made some containment progress during a short-lived reprieve from severe weather over the past few days. But they're now bracing for flame fueling winds and intense heat that could actually undo some of that very hard-won progress.

I want to bring in Major General Gent Welsh, Commander of the Washington National Guard. Really appreciate you being here. You know, a week ago Governor Ferguson activated 110 members of the Washington National Guard. What has been the priority for your team?

MAJ. GEN. GENT WELSH, COMMANDER, WASHINGTON NATIONAL GUARD: Actually, we're almost up to 400 now, so really kind of three lines of effort. So we've got about 110 folks actually out fighting fire in Central Washington, and then we've got about 210 folks that are actually assisting law enforcement in Spokane and Spokane County with traffic control points, and really ensuring these evacuation zones are free from people going in and out and you know, potentially looting and other things. But there's just a lot of safety hazards still in Spokane and will be for quite some time.

And the last area is really our heroes of this event, and those are our aviation crews daily dropping water on all the fires, not just Spokane, but really across the state, really credited with many saves of homes and a lot of property savings. So really proud of our team, but just about 400 folks on the lines right now.

JIMENEZ: Wow, I mean, so it gives you an idea of just the scale of response, again, on top of the resources deployed from the state and local jurisdictions as well. And you know, as I understand, you got a little bit of a reprieve from the weather. How are you expecting worsening weather conditions will impact responder efforts today through Saturday? Are you already starting to see that a little bit?

WELSH: I think we're very concerned, a couple things, I mean, we're going to get some winds, you know, flowing in from the coast. Thankfully that's going to be clearing out a lot of the smoke area from the Seattle area where I am now. But that's just bad news for Central Washington and Eastern Washington. Those winds are going to heat up. It's going to be very hot over the next couple days.

I don't know that the winds are going to be as strong as they were this past weekend, but it's certainly something that's very concerning for those fire crews, very concerned for the fire leadership that's out there. They want to get those containment lines in now before that wind hits.

JIMENEZ: And you know, one of the major concerns in any type of disaster response, especially one that's prolonged like this one, is trying to make sure that your crews have the resources they need as well to combat this effectively. Do you have any concerns at this point about crew exhaustion as these battles wage on against these fires?

WELSH: Like you know, you always do you. You're always looking out for your folks that are out there on the fire lines. You know, certainly, the Washington National Guard is not providing the majority of the firefighters.

JIMENEZ: Sure. WELSH: But the ones we are, we've got plans to replace those if they're needed, but really looking beyond. I just -- we cannot say enough good things about the response of the current administration. The president's team has been on things. They're just constant flows of offers of help coming into the state, so we feel very secure with what we've got and really very well looked after, both at the state level and the federal level. Can't say enough good things about just the offers of help flowing in.

JIMENEZ: And just give us a sense of that because Governor Ferguson did announce the federal government granted his request for an emergency declaration. What kind of support is the federal government currently providing?

WELSH: Well, I think that's still something that's being worked but, you know, think of it really as a as a as an open tool chest, you know. So right now, there are certain tools that the state can provide, there are certain unique tools that the federal government provides. Search and rescue is one, cadaver dogs if we end up, you know, with some missing people. There's just a number of other temporary housing, things like that that the Feds can provide.

But again, normally, these federal processes take weeks to do. You know, if you look at previous disasters a lot of questions about the speed of a federal response. This governor got on things very, very quickly. Phone calls with the president and within, you know, hours to a day or two, had all the approvals that he needed to get stuff going. So there's a lot of conversations now between FEMA, our team here, U.S. Northern Command about the types of things that we need.

I'll just give you just a quick example, I mean, 250 U.S. Army firefighters are showing up to the Colville Indian Reservation early next week to help out.

[13:50:00]

So that's a clear example of where the federal government is moving as quick as they can and really trying to help Washington out.

JIMENEZ: Well, any time you see fires, especially of this scale, you do see collaboration across local, state, federal. Of course, you all are out there as well in increased numbers in a support fashion, but also battling this directly as well. Major General Gent Welsh, I really appreciate you taking the time. Thanks for the insight.

WELSH: You're absolutely welcome. Thanks so much.

JIMENEZ: Brianna?

KEILAR: Now to some of the other headlines that we're watching this hour. A new video shows the chaos inside of an Air India flight as it hits major turbulence and suddenly loses altitude. You see that there, that is a crack in the cabin ceiling, apparently from a passenger's head. You see some of the overhead bins open there. So this was a flight carrying 137 passengers. It did land safely in Delhi. Air India says all 13 injured passengers are OK. Four injured crew members remain under medical care.

All right. Also, a new government report revealing the reality of President Trump's plans to build the largest battleship since World War II. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 15 of the so- called Trump-class ships will cost a total of $275 billion, and U.S. shipyards may not even have the capacity to accommodate vessels so huge. The Navy has said it plans to acquire these battleships between 2028 and 2056.

And a potential payday for employees and early investors in Elon Musk's SpaceX. 900 million shares of the company's stock unlock today and can be sold, allowing some insiders to cash in on their stakes. But the move could put pressure on the stock price as more shares hit the market.

SpaceX's stock price has tumbled since the IPO. It's down roughly 50 percent from its record high on June 16th. That IPO was the biggest in history. It raised $75 billion for the company and briefly valued it at more than $2 trillion.

This weekend, there is a new episode of the CNN original series "Decades in Sports." And the latest installment highlights the '80s, where sports became bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable. Revisit the decade of iconic moments and legendary rivalries from the Miracle on Ice to Larry Bird versus Magic Johnson. Here's a preview.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB COSTAAS, HALL OF FAME SPORTS BROADCASTER: Bird and Magic is one of the great, great rivalries in the history of team sports. And their rivalry had begun in college in the championship game.

MICHAEL MACCAMBRIDGE, SPORTS JOURNALIST: Indiana State and Larry Bird actually go undefeated through an entire season and they get to the national championship game. Meanwhile, Michigan State, with a lot more blue chip players, and Magic Johnson also get to the national title game. And Bird and Magic, one white, one black, one urban, one rural, are tied together.

DR. TODD BOYD, PROFESSOR OF CINEMA AND MUSIC STUDIES, USC: You couldn't have scripted this any better. It was the ultimate series of contrast and a rivalry was born.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: Be sure to tune in. A new episode of "Decades in Sports" airs Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on CNN.

And still ahead, a first of its kind vaccine just in time for flu season. We'll show you what we're learning about a newly approved mRNA shot, next.

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[13:58:22] JIMENEZ: This fall, millions of Americans could have access to the country's first mRNA-based flu vaccine. The FDA approved the new shot from Moderna yesterday for adults aged 50 or older, and it's made with the same technology as COVID-19 vaccines.

Clinical trials show it's about 27 percent more effective than standard flu shots. CNN Health Reporter, Jacqueline Howard has more.

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: The FDA has just approved the first mRNA-based flu vaccine here in the United States. This vaccine was made by the company Moderna, and here's what the company's CEO had to say in a statement just yesterday. Quote, "Flu remains a significant public health challenge, and mFlusiva provides an important new option for America's seniors. This approval also reflects the ongoing potential of our mRNA platform to help address important public health challenges through continued scientific innovation."

This vaccine has been approved for ages 50 and older, and it was found to be about 27 percent more effective than the traditional flu vaccines that we have on the market. This was in a Moderna study during the 2024 to 2025 respiratory virus season.

Side effects are what you would expect, pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, headaches, swollen lymph nodes. But what makes this vaccine different? Because it's mRNA-based, it can be quicker to develop compared with the more traditional flu shots. Because of this, vaccine makers may develop this vaccine closer to the actual flu season and tailor it to directly target the flu strains that are circulating at that time.

Now, the road to FDA approval was somewhat of a rocky one for --