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J.D. Vance Holds Rally in Texas to Support Ken Paxton; Democrats Hope to Fulfill Dream of Turning Texas Blue; WSJ Reports That Paxton Partied With Fugitives in Dubai Before Senate Run; Cornell Suspends Frat Social Events Following Gang Rape Allegation; Qantas Plane Grounded After Reported Bedbug Outbreak. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired October 13, 2026 - 13:30   ET

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

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[13:31:51]

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": We're now exactly three weeks out from Election Day, and Vice President, J.D. Vance is back on the campaign trail in Texas.

The deeply red state has become a battleground for a Senate race that could swing the balance of power on Capitol Hill. Vance just wrapped up an event supporting Republican Senate nominee, Ken Paxton, this, the fifth time that Vance or President Trump has held a rally in the Lone Star State since September.

Before leaving for Texas this morning, Vance explained why this race is getting so much of their attention.

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J.D. VANCE, (R) VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: It's the nature of a midterm election where you don't really know how things are going to go. And so you try to pick your targets. And, you know, Ken is obviously in a tight race. He's a new Senator, a guy or -- a new candidate for Senate, a guy where the far left has spent well over $100 million trying to destroy him. And so we're trying to build him back up a little bit.

But I think Ken's a great guy. He's doing a great job. I think he's ultimately going to win. But, you know, I know from personal history, when a lot of money comes against you, that can have an effect even in a red state.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: The GOP and its affiliated groups are outspending Democrats in the state overall by more than 5-to-1. And while polls show Paxton's opponent, Democrat James Talarico, with an early lead, Texas has been Democrats' white whale for decades. With this race on track to be the most expensive in the country, neither side is backing down.

Let's discuss with CNN's Patrick Svitek. Patrick, Democrats have not won a statewide race in Texas since 1994. Is it Paxton's many controversies that make them confident they could win this time?

PATRICK SVITEK, CNN REPORTER: Yeah, I mean, this is kind of a perfect storm for Texas Democrats, at least that's what they will tell you. I mean, some of the key factors here are, number one, it's an open Senate seat after Ken Paxton defeated the incumbent, John Cornyn, in their primary. Number two, you have Ken Paxton's own problems, a long history of scandals, scandals that have broken through not just, you know, with Democrats in Texas, but have drawn criticism from Republicans in his own party in the past.

And number three, you have a relatively strong candidate in James Talarico, who's been a very strong fundraiser. And yes, he does bring some of these political vulnerabilities because of the progressive liberal stances that he's taken in the past. But he was able to get through a competitive Democratic primary.

He was able his campaign was able to get up on T.V. early this summer and define himself in a positive light while Paxton was still recovering from his primary. And then, of course, you have this national environment, which everywhere right now favors Democrats. And so that's why Texas Democrats believe they have a recipe for success here, even though it's eluded them in the past.

SANCHEZ: Yeah, Patrick Svitek, thanks so much for that report.

SVITEK: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Paxton's campaign has been mired in controversy from the start, and now new reporting from The Wall Street Journal adds another layer. According to the report, Paxton is seen on video at a 2024 New Year's Eve party in Dubai. The journal says he was there with a woman who is not his wife, while also alongside two U.S. fugitives.

Paxton's campaign did not directly respond to the report, but told The Journal this, quote, "Like President Trump, Ken Paxton has been politically persecuted for years, and every time voters have seen through it and sent him back to office because they know he has always fought for Texas."

Let's discuss with one of The Wall Street Journal reporters who broke this story.

Elizabeth Findell joins us now. Elizabeth, thank you so much for sharing part of your afternoon with us.

So, you report that two fugitives from U.S. justice were present at that event. Talk to us about who they are and whether Paxton was aware that he was partying alongside fugitives.

ELIZABETH FINDELL, REPORTER, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: Yes, that's right, and thanks for having me. These two men, Anosh Ahmed and Sameer Suhail, had been indicted on federal health care fraud charges and had not returned to the U.S. to face that indictment. So they were federal fugitives.

We can't say directly what Paxton's involvement with them at the party was, but Ahmed had been a strong donor to Paxton in the past. He had given him about $190,000, including $25,000 after his indictment, just a few days after his indictment.

Suhail, on the other hand, is shown in the video standing directly behind Paxton and his girlfriend as they watched fireworks on the balcony, so seemed to be with them or in very close proximity to them.

SANCHEZ: It would be odd, right, if somebody gave you $100,000-plus and you didn't know who they were, but you just happened to be sharing a rooftop view in Dubai.

FINDELL: Well, I've never been in that situation myself, but it would seem odd, yes.

(LAUGH)

SANCHEZ: Soon, Elizabeth, I promise. So who is Tracy Duhon? Tell us about her and how she fits into all of this.

FINDELL: Yes, she is Ken Paxton's girlfriend at the time and presently. They met, we understand from sources with knowledge of the relationship, at the Kentucky Derby in 2024. And sometime after that, Duhon filed for divorce from her husband, Paxton became separated from his wife, and Paxton's divorce from his wife is still pending.

SANCHEZ: Yeah. One of the most fascinating aspects of this report is that President Trump apparently was warned months ago that damaging revelations about Paxton would eventually surface, and he endorsed him anyway. I wonder what sources told you about what Trump was told and how he responded.

FINDELL: Yes, the folks we spoke with who had knowledge of the situation said that Trump was shown information about both candidates, was warned that Paxton had this history of controversy, that more damaging things could come up. But he kind of dismissed it and said that he thought that more damaging things would come out about Talarico.

SANCHEZ: Well, that's interesting. As far as Talarico goes, he has hammered Paxton. And you're right that he's hammered him over, quote, "his jet-setting travels, accumulation of wealth in office, and his business associations." What has been the reaction to your reporting, not only in Texas, but also in Washington?

FINDELL: It's been very strong. We've been hearing from a lot of people today. And I think it is because this scene really does sort of show a lot of the things that Talarico has been trying to hammer Paxton for, exactly what you just said.

It shows him, you know, hanging out with people who he maybe shouldn't be. It highlights this ongoing divorce that was filed, alleging infidelity. It highlights, you know, this sort of travel and life of luxury that the Talarico campaign has tried to paint Paxton living.

And so, it is a somewhat vivid example of where Paxton's weaknesses are starting to emerge in this campaign. SANCHEZ: Elizabeth Findell, appreciate your reporting. Look forward to seeing you partying on a balcony in Dubai. Don't give up on the dream.

(LAUGH)

FINDELL: Thank you.

SANCHEZ: Of course. We have some Breaking News now out of Cornell University, where the school is now taking a drastic step in response to the lawsuit over an alleged rape at a fraternity house. The details in just moments.

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[13:43:48]

SANCHEZ: We have Breaking News into CNN. Cornell University announcing that it is now suspending all fraternity social events for the rest of the school year. This is in response to an alleged gang rape at one of the fraternities in 2024.

We're joined now by CNN's Jason Carroll, who's done extensive reporting on this incident and the fallout. So, Jason, walk us through what you're learning.

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, you're right, Boris. This is definitely a significant development. And it comes to us from Michael Kotlikoff, Cornell's President, who released a lengthy statement just a short while ago. The top of that statement, though, is fairly significant.

Again, banning all parties and social events at fraternity houses at Cornell for the remainder of the school year. Significant when you consider that nearly some one-third of students there are part of Greek life. So this is definitely going to impact a number of students there.

Some additional measures he also talked about, Boris. The campus will also enhance support for survivors of sexual assault by including staffing to its Civil Rights Office to help those who are reporting allegations of sexual assault. But when you consider that Ithaca's mayor had already called for a moratorium on student activities and special event permits up there in Ithaca at Cornell, but that is a moratorium that was going to last until early November, November 5th.

[13:45:13]

So when you look at what now Cornell is doing on its own by extending that moratorium, if you will, until the end of the school year, it is significant. And as you say, Cornell has come under a great deal of criticism for its response to how it handled the allegations that Jane Doe was sexually assaulted, that she was raped, gang raped she said, by fraternity members there at the Chi Phi house back in 2024.

There's been a great deal of criticism directed at the university, directed at Michael Kotlikoff, Cornell's President. And so he's been trying to do what he can to show that the university is being serious about these allegations, serious about its response. I also want to point out that Cornell did allow an independent investigation about the response to take place here.

But what is really significant, again, is that they are self-imposing this ban on all parties and social events at Cornell going forward for the remainder of the school year. Boris?

SANCHEZ: Jason Carroll, thank you so much for that update.

Now, a quick look at some of the other stories we're following. A newly released bodycam video shows NYPD officers rushing into an apartment after a 9-1-1 call about a baby who'd stopped breathing. The officers found the one-month-old unconscious and unresponsive. They began chest compressions and other life-saving measures while they awaited EMS. The officers got that baby boy breathing again. Fortunately, he was rushed to the hospital in stable condition.

Also, a Qantas flight from Italy to Australia canceled over the weekend because of a reported case of bedbugs. The Australian airline was forced to cancel after passengers on an earlier incoming flight reportedly complained about being bitten on board. Qantas tells CNN their engineers and maintenance teams carried out a deep clean of the aircraft. They are now investigating that incident.

Actress Selma Blair is now facing two counts of assault and could face additional charges following a violent disturbance on a commercial flight. Officials say that Blair injured two flight attendants during a flight from Los Angeles to New York, biting one, leaving the other with lacerations. After Blair was arrested at JFK Airport, prosecutors say the 54-year-old actress later kicked a law enforcement officer and a nurse.

Here's audio of traffic control discussing the incident with the Delta flight crew.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: One flight attendant and one passenger that sustained some minor injuries, a bloody nose as well as some bite marks as well. And then one additional add-on, it sounds like the disruptive passenger also bashed her head on the bulkhead or something like that.

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SANCHEZ: We should note this is not the first time that Blair has been blamed for a disturbance on board a commercial flight. CNN's Pete Muntean is following this story for us. So, Pete, what are you hearing about this latest incident?

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: What stands out in this radio traffic is that the pilots were reporting not just injuries to people on board the flight, but also a possible head injury to Blair herself. That's really become central to her defense. And CNN has learned that Blair had to be subdued with plastic restraints on board that Delta flight. One of the two flight attendants who reported injuries did go to the hospital. Her attorney says, though, that this was a medical emergency, not intentional violence. It's well documented that Blair has multiple sclerosis. But in court, her attorney disclosed that she had something called Parkinsonism. That's an umbrella term used to describe Parkinson's like tremors and stiffness.

And I want you to listen now to the defense in court, which told the judge, insisting that the head injury on board that flight that we previously discussed and exhaustion left Blair severely confused.

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SHAWN BARNES, ATTORNEY FOR SELMA BLAIR: Prior to the flight and issue, Ms. Blair missed several doses of Nuedexta, a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms. And Ms. Blair boarded this flight after being on set and working extensive hours and exhaustive hours in the days leading up to this flight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MUNTEAN: Blair pleaded not guilty to two state assault charges. Those involved allegedly attacking a police officer and a nurse after landing. She's now out on bail at $20,000 cash with bond alternatives. The judge also made clear that Blair could not receive and should not receive special treatment because she's a celebrity. The alleged attacks aboard the airplane are a separate federal matter, and the FBI has issued summons. Blair due back in court January 19th.

But some perspective here. This is only one of 1,300 reports of unruly passengers reported by flight crews to the FAA so far this year, far below the COVID-era peak when we saw 6,000 reports back in 2021, but just underscores that these type of incidents aren't really going away.

[13:50:00]

The numbers have gone down, but they still clearly continue to make headway.

SANCHEZ: Yeah. It's a headache for not only everybody on board, but also the crew and the flight attendants that have to handle that. What do we know about the incident in 2016 that I alluded to a moment ago? Blair forcibly removed from another flight.

MUNTEAN: Big parallel, different circumstances. That was in June of 2016, a Delta flight from Cancun to LAX. She was removed from the plane, put on a stretcher, later apologized for mixing alcohol with medication, something that we see repeatedly, a theme through these unruly passenger incidents.

No charges filed there. No real big court kerfuffle. But she did later apologize on T.V. back in October of 2016, saying that it was a horrible experience and that she felt bad for it. SANCHEZ: Pete Muntean, thank you so much for that reporting.

Still to come, Pope Leo in the hospital having a growth on his lung removed. We're live outside the hospital in Rome, where he's having the procedure, for the latest.

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[13:55:30]

SANCHEZ: 11 sailors are missing following a drone strike on a vessel off the coast of Bulgaria. And Bulgaria's president says that Russia is likely responsible. Bulgarian officials said two vessels were attacked in the Black Sea overnight. One of those ships sunk by a drone, leading to an urgent rescue operation.

Bulgaria has summoned Russia's ambassador for a meeting. Meantime, search and rescue efforts are also underway in Ukraine, after Russia launched waves of attacks that sparked fires, killing four people and wounding residents across the city of Kharkiv. Those strikes happening despite President Trump saying the two sides have agreed to an energy ceasefire.

Just yesterday, President Trump insisted there was a ceasefire between the two nations. Today, he said the U.S. is still sharing intelligence with Ukraine, but that the focus now is on ending the conflict.

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DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: We are helping them and we are sharing intel. We want the war to end. So we're working with them and with Russia on getting the war to end. I think Putin wants it probably -- I think they both want it to end.

You know, honestly, they both want it to end, and they don't know how to get to that point. There's a lot of hatred there between the two of them. They both want it to end. They don't know how to get there. We're going to get them there.

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SANCHEZ: We'll continue following this story and bring you any updates as we receive them.

Meantime, the Supreme Court has agreed to take up a pair of appeals from the Trump administration, including a case concerning the Department of Government Efficiency, the cost-cutting entity once run by Elon Musk.

A non-profit watchdog group sued DOGE, insisting it should be subject to federal Freedom of Information Act discovery requests. The other case the court will look at centers on a Nigerian national who was denied asylum over alleged ties to a terror group. The man claims he was forced to work as a cook for the group before escaping. A U.S. immigration judge still denied his request. Also, we have Breaking News into CNN. The Vatican saying that Pope Leo's surgery today was a success. The surgery on the Catholic leader was to have a small growth on the Pope's lung removed. This is his first hospital stay since the start of his pontificate. The 71-year- old said Sunday that the growth was detected at a very early stage and was well-contained.

CNN Vatican Reporter, Christopher Lamb is live outside the hospital. So, Christopher, what is the latest on the Pope's status?

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Boris, we just heard from the Vatican that the surgery on the Pope's lung went as planned. It was successfully completed and on schedule. The Pope is now back in his room in the Gemelli Hospital here in Rome.

I think this news will be greeted with a collective sigh of relief by people in the Vatican and across the church. When Pope Leo announced on Sunday that he was going to have this operation, that there was this small growth on his lung, there was a lot of surprise and shock. I mean, one cardinal said it was like a bolt from the blue. No one was expecting this because Pope Leo is generally seen to be in good health.

He's someone who remains active. And this was not expected, that he would be in hospital so relatively early on in his pontificate. But this news today, that the surgery has been successful, is something that will be welcomed by everyone in the Vatican and across the church.

The Pope is expected to spend about a week here in the Gemelli Hospital recovering following the surgery. This, of course, is a hospital with a long association with popes. There's a special set of rooms on the 10th floor of the hospital for Leo as he recovers.

But we will be getting more information from the hospital and the Vatican in the days to come, following this surgery that has been completed. Boris?

SANCHEZ: Christopher Lamb, just in Rome for us. Thank you so much.

A new hour of "CNN News Central" starts right now.

Money talks. And if you want to know what Republicans and Democrats think of the midterms, just look at where they are and are not spending their money. The election just three weeks away now.

And President Trump cutting ties with Kimberly Guilfoyle, his Ambassador to Greece, saying he didn't like what he read after a string of reports about alleged misconduct. How she is now responding.

And the fountain of youth in a shot? New research suggesting GLP-1 drugs may not just shrink waistlines, but possibly even slow down the aging process.

We're following these major developing stories and many more, all coming in right here to "CNN News Central".