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America's Debt Nears Record $40 Trillion; Interview with Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL): Florida Voters Head to the Polls in House, Senate, Governor Races; Opening Statements Today in $1.4 Trillion Social Media Trial Against Meta; Feds Halt Border Security Work in Big Bend National Park. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired August 18, 2026 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

ERICA HILL, CNN HOST: ... finger pointing, I think we can predict. Realistically, when we pull back from this, right, just I am stuck on that $931 billion just in interest. What are the real world implications here?

I mean, is there potentially a moment when the U.S. can't meet those bills?

MATT EGAN, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, the bond market is starting to wake up to these concerns, right? Because we've seen bond prices sell off in recent weeks and months because of concern about high inflation and high deficits. And so we've seen that the 10-year Treasury now at 4.7 percent, that is one of the highest levels of the President's second term. The 30-year at 5.3 percent, that's the highest level since 2007. Erica, this matters because the higher these Treasury yields go, the more expensive it is to borrow, right? The more expensive it is to get a mortgage, a car loan, a small business loan.

The more expensive it is for the federal government to borrow. And remember, every billion dollars that the government spends on interest is a billion less that can be spent on repairing roads and bridges, or building schools, or investing in the future. And yes, Erica, the concern is that at some point, the bond market just says, no more, and really revolts, and you end up having some sort of a debt crisis.

Now, hopefully that doesn't happen, but the longer that this fiscal mess continues, the greater the risk that it does happen -- back to you.

HILL: Yes, absolutely, and important to stay on top of it. Matt, really appreciate it. Thank you.

Still ahead here, opening statements today in a high-stakes trial in California involving the social media giant, Meta. So, Meta's actually accused of designing its platforms, Facebook, Instagram, to be addictive to children. Bring you up to speed on that case next.

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BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: In just over three hours, the first polls close in Florida's closely watched primaries. The state has become a Republican stronghold, but today's races mark a key test for President Trump and the candidates that he supports across his adopted home state. Joining us now, someone who's deeply invested in the results, Republican Congressman Jimmy Patronis, who is up for reelection in Florida's first congressional district, the most western part of the panhandle region.

Congressman, thank you so much for being with us. I want to start with an issue that is front and center for voters. One of your opponents, John Frankman, has been critical of the war with Iran.

He told CNN in a statement that he doesn't believe it was justified and that continuing it doesn't serve America first. I'm sure you've seen polling on this showing the conflict is very unpopular. There was a Reuters and Ipsos poll that found that more than six in 10 Americans do not approve of how President Trump has managed it.

Do you think this war is going to hurt Republicans in November?

REP. JIMMY PATRONIS (R-FL): Well, look, my opponent hates President Trump. Matter of fact, both my primary opponent and my general elect hate President Trump because I've got the endorsement and he doesn't. So this is just sour grapes on behalf of Mr. Frankman. It's just dumb that he doesn't want to support the president, but I do support the president as we cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

SANCHEZ: Congressman, I'm not sure if you've looked, but I saw Mr. Frankman's website. President Trump is all over it. So I don't know that he would agree that he dislikes President Trump.

I think he takes issue with the war, which many Americans do. Six months after the White House said it would take four to six weeks, at least 18 service members have been killed. More than 600 have been wounded.

The MOU, which expired yesterday, went nowhere. Floridians are paying about a dollar more for gas on average because Tehran is threatening the Strait of Hormuz. There's zero indication right now that Iran is ready to give up its nuclear program.

Do you think this war has been a success?

PATRONIS: Look, I know that you cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Look, you're talking about a country for 50 years has hated the Western world. They've been a shakedown artist to the Middle East, to our allies in Europe.

And then you got President Obama that does nothing but continue to pay them off in his administration. So you know what? The Middle East came together.

They talked to President Trump and enough was enough. They were all sick and tired of being shooken down by Iran. At the same time, having to sleep with one eye open because these terrorists and these thugs that live there hate the Western world and they can't be trusted. So again, the president said, you know what, I'm with you, enough's enough. But you know, I'm on the ground here in Northwest Florida. I've seen what my opponent said.

My opponent does not like President Trump. Neither one of them do. So whatever he puts on his social media is one way to try to appease, but the guy out there just hates the president.

It is what it is.

SANCHEZ: I want to ask you about something else that he has come out in support of. He's argued that while Israel is an important ally to the U.S. and has a right to defend itself, that American taxpayers should not indefinitely finance its defense. He says, John Frankman, that he would vote against continuing funding for Israel.

You talked about Middle East partners coming together to decide what to do about Tehran. Would you consider voting against funding for Israel's defense?

PATRONIS: Well, look, in my years of service, I've been in a few elections over the years, you know, Frankman is the most pro-Hamas, pro-Palestinian candidate I've ever run against. So I mean, this guy is trying to do anything to grab at straws to try to find a way to hurt my ability to win this race. So yes, his desperate attempts here at the end are just exactly what that is.

[15:40:00]

Desperate attempts to try to differentiate me, to try to find some way to catch fire. And it's unfortunate, because I do think he's a good person, but he is just severely misguided with whoever's putting this crazy stuff in his head.

SANCHEZ: To call him a Hamas candidate, I mean, this is a former Green Beret. Despite what he may say, just on your end, from your point of view, would you consider voting against funding for Israel's defense or putting conditions on funding for Israel's defense?

PATRONIS: Israel is our strongest ally in the region. I know when we go into different conflicts, we lean on Israel for intelligence when it goes in the Middle Eastern world. So there's an alignment there where we have intelligent sharing between our two countries.

I think it's critical that we be able to have the best eyes and ears all around the world. So again, you know, I think we have the ability to make sure that we are getting the type of exchange with our allies and partners around the world, but it takes work. You have to be engaging.

And this is exactly what President Trump is doing. He's engaging. Sometimes his engagement gets people stirred up, but that's OK.

This is why the man got elected by the largest vote count in the history of America with his most recent election back in 2024. SANCHEZ: I do want to ask you about another contentious race in Florida, a contentious primary. Your Republican colleague in the Seventh District, Congressman Cory Mills, he's being investigated by House Ethics for alleged assault, campaign finance violations, also an accusation of a revenge porn threat. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.

He's been endorsed by President Trump, but several Florida Republicans have endorsed his opponent. And Governor Ron DeSantis said that he would not be supporting Mills. Do you support his candidacy?

PATRONIS: Look, Cory is a good man. Let me tell you, Cory's district was hit by -- when I was CFO, I dealt with nine hurricanes. My office does more through the hurricane process with urban search and rescue, recovery than any other office in the state.

When those hurricanes went through the Big Bend in Florida, the first person, the first person to show up of the congressional delegation, was always Cory Mills. He was passing out water, electronics, batteries. He was passing out things out of his own pocket, his own expense to get those communities back on their feet.

Cory is a good person. He tries hard and he cares about the people that he represents. You know, I personally, I hope Cory's successful in this election.

SANCHEZ: Congressman Jimmy Patronis, we have to leave the conversation there. Appreciate you joining us and sharing your point of view.

PATRONIS: Thanks for having me. Take care.

SANCHEZ: Of course.

Coming up, Meta is facing its biggest social media addiction trial yet. Opening arguments just wrapped. We'll break down what we heard next.

[15:45:00]

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SANCHEZ: Right now in a California federal court, Meta is on trial in a case that could cost it more than a trillion dollars. 29 states alleged that Meta designed its platforms to get kids, quote, hooked, profiting while it harmed the mental health of young users. In opening statements today, California's deputy attorney general said quote, "Meta hid its own research, showing how often kids had bad, even traumatic experiences on the apps."

HILL: Meta, for its part, defending itself in a statement writing, "The AGs offer no proof for anyone in their states with misled." Going on to say, "Rather than sticking to the facts or the law, the states have instead decided to chase an outlandish payout."

Joining us now, psychotherapist Tom Kersting, who wrote the book Disconnected, How to Protect Your Kids from the Harmful Effects of Device Dependency. It's good to have you with us. So, look, Meta, other companies have repeatedly argued there is no such thing as a social media addiction. Meta says, though it has invested heavily in different features to protect young people on its platforms.

I was struck by that claim, right? This idea that there is no such thing as social media addiction. What do you make of that?

TOM KERSTING, PSYCHOTHERAPIST: Oh my God, of course they're going to defend themselves like that. I mean, I think it was seven or eight years ago, the World Health Organization came out and finally designated gaming disorder as a diagnosable condition, meaning gaming is addictive. And it is.

This stuff, this social media, especially when you're taking a young mind, an adolescent or pre-adolescent, and all of the strategies they use to keep these kids glued to these social media sites has traumatically affected the mental and emotional wellbeing of our kids. And it's been going on for many years. I've been lecturing about it, writing books about it, and here we are.

So now they're on the hot seat, and I think this is a good start.

SANCHEZ: Part of what is at the core of this case is also a question about personal responsibility and parental responsibility. Where is the line in your mind over oversight and something that these companies should be liable for when it comes to harming young minds?

KERSTING: You know, that's the debate too, Boris, right? So, you know, we could point fingers at parents. We could say, well, the parents give them the device.

You know, there's truth to that, but it's a quandary because you have a whole society where let's say you take a kid that's in middle school, and that's the last kid. Your kid is the last one that doesn't have a device or social media. It's very difficult for a parent to disallow their kid to do what all the other kids are doing.

And this is the dilemma that we're in. However, when you look at, you know, how these social media sites target these kids' brains, you know, with likes, with things like streaks, with endless scrolling, right?

[15:50:00]

That prefrontal cortex, that part of the brain that doesn't develop until 25, these kids' brains are getting lit up. They're getting a tremendous amount of dopamine, which is tied to every addiction.

And above all, they're adolescents and pre-adolescents, and they're trying to figure out where they fit in. They're seeking approval. They're seeking attention.

And there it is, right in their hand, 24 hours a day.

HILL: You know, as we pull back from this too, there is a question about what actually is the end result here, right? So, you know, Meta pushing back specifically on the number that these 29 states are suing for, $1.4 trillion. The reality is Meta is also facing a number of lawsuits, claiming addiction, harm to young people, has lost two of them.

Other social media companies facing similar suits. Do you see any of this legal action resulting in a tangible change to these applications?

KERSTING: I do. I really think just the fact that there's 29 states, and I think New Mexico just won their case for almost a billion dollars. Just the data alone is going to open up a can of worms.

And I think state to state, depending on what each state does, is going to have an impact on the decision-making of other states. So I think we're going to see the dominoes start falling. And I think changes are going to have to come, whether that's parental restrictions.

You know, I know one of the things they're fighting for is getting rid of likes. Every time you get a like, you get a little dopamine in your kid and you're being noticed. You know, those sorts of things, that's their business model.

But I think they're going to have to pivot and they're going to have to use their brains. They're smart people behind the curtain in terms of how they're going to now function and operate their business so that it doesn't do this to our kids moving forward and into the future.

HILL: Yes, we'll see what the pivot is. Tom, good to have you with us this afternoon. Thank you.

KERSTING: Yes, thanks for having me. Appreciate it.

HILL: Still to come here, facing backlash, the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection preparing to meet with local officials in South Texas just one day after all construction work in Big Bend National Park was temporarily halted. What we can expect from that, next.

[15:55:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: This just into CNN. The state of Minnesota is suing Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino trying to force the extradition of an ICE agent, Christian Castro, back to Minnesota. Castro is charged with four felonies and one misdemeanor in connection with the January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Trump administration's immigration surge in the Minneapolis area.

HILL: Now prosecutors say Castro fired through the front door of a Minneapolis home, striking Sosa-Celis in the leg, then endangering others. ICE has said two agents made false statements under oath about the incident and were placed on administrative leave. Minnesota officials argue Texas policies mandate Castro's release as early as August 26th.

Minutes from now, the head of Customs and Border Protection is expected to meet with local Texas officials over controversial border security construction in Big Bend National Park.

SANCHEZ: Bulldozers and other heavy machinery have already begun clearing land along the U.S. border with Mexico when the CBP announced it was temporarily pausing the project amid growing opposition. The controversial project is also the subject of multiple lawsuits seeking to stop construction.

CNN's Priscilla Alvarez is here with more. What can you tell us about today's visit, Priscilla?

PRISCILLA ALVAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all, this was a pretty remarkable about-face from the Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, Rodney Scott, when he announced yesterday that temporarily they were going to pause the construction activity in the area because of this pushback. Now, this, of course, is one of the priorities for President Trump. So to make that decision, it was an example of the type of tensions on the ground from everyone, including Republicans.

And those tensions have really picked up more recently because they were starting to see the construction happen here. Now, we are talking about a quarter of the U.S.-Mexico border. It only sees about 1 percent of border apprehensions, in part because it is incredibly difficult terrain for people to cross.

So the question has always been, why does there need to be a wall at all? Well, CBP says that this project would be approximately 200 miles of patrol roads and detection technology, and that it'd be 17 miles of vehicle barriers in strategic locations, that it would not be the ball or wall that many people may think of when they think border wall. This whole project, of course, would be $7 billion.

Now, today, we expect that the commissioner is going to hear from all of those local officials on the ground who have been concerned. This is a meeting that would include sheriffs and judges, bipartisan group of them, and one sheriff in particular, a Republican sheriff, who said this when learning about Scott's visit. Quote, "I appreciate his willingness to see the terrain firsthand." Going on to say, "There is still an opportunity to make this plan better and to tailor it to the realities of this part of the border."

What the sheriff said here is what I often hear from local officials along the U.S.-Mexico border as the administration pushes forward with its border barrier projects, because they do feel that there could be more surveillance, there could be more technology, but their question is, why does there have to be construction, particularly at a park like this one?

So we'll see what comes of that meeting. I will tell you that Scott has said that he promised the president in the past that his border barrier projects would be done by the end of 2027. So how they decide to move forward in this particular instance is going to be interesting to watch, and it's going to be interesting also for many other cities along the U.S.-Mexico border that are taking issue with some of these construction projects.

HILL: Yes, I'm sure they're all watching this very closely, right, to see what ultimately comes of it, whether it is finally halted or not, or if they move forward.

ALVAREZ: Right, or whether they decide to do more of the smart wall technology, which is very technology-based and not so much construction.

HILL: Yes, a lot to watch there. Priscilla, thanks.

SANCHEZ: Thank you so much, Priscilla, and thank you so much for sharing your afternoon with us. Erica, always great to be with you.

HILL: Always a pleasure.

SANCHEZ: All week, so we have that to look forward to.

HILL: You're stuck with me.

SANCHEZ: "THE ARENA" with Kasie Hunt starts right now.

END