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U.S.-Iran Negotiations Stall Over Trump's Threats On Delegates; Trump Threatens To Take Over Strait Of Hormuz If Talks Fail; Israeli Strikes On Lebanon Today Kill Seven; Colombians Vote In Consequential Presidential Race; Research On How Devices At Dinner Impact Family Dynamic; U.S. Celebrates Juneteenth Holiday This Weekend; Tall Ships Sailing To NY For July 4th Maritime Spectacle. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired June 21, 2026 - 16:00   ET

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

[16:01:10]

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome. Thank you so much for joining us. I'm Danny Freeman sitting in for Fredricka Whitfield.

And we begin with breaking news. Critical talks between the U.S. and Iran that began today have stalled. that's according to an Iranian source, after President Trump appeared to threaten the Iranian delegates. The source added that backchannel efforts are being made to get everyone back to the negotiating table.

We're covering all of these breaking developments with Nic Robertson. He's in Switzerland and Julia Benbrook is at the White House for us.

Nic, let's start with you. We also heard from one of the Iranian delegates a short time ago who said, if the fighting in Lebanon is not dealt with, then the talks cannot progress to the next topics. Tell us, where do things stand right now?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yes, that was the position Iran came into the talks with. In fact, they came in with a sort of a big diplomatic stick, if you will. They had shut down the Strait of Hormuz again, and we're expected to use that as leverage inside of the talks here, saying that President Trump, as he was the one that signed the memorandum of understanding, has the responsibility to make sure he enforces it. And number one in that was a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The Iranians had committed to opening the Strait of Hormuz. They've taken that off the table. So it's a sort of a, you know, you do that and we'll do that. We'll reopen it again if you can push Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dial back the IDF's attacks inside of Lebanon. But everything has sort of gone off the rails it appears at the moment, at least in terms of sort of any kind of talks along those lines going on because the Iranians have pulled out of the talks, as we understand, according to Iranian sources.

I'm talking to sources inside the talks there as well, and it seems that they are suspended at the moment, that the Iranians are trying to consider what to do next. The president has threatened to sort of blow up Iran before these negotiators can get back there if they don't reopen the Strait of Hormuz. So the language has really become very intense. J.D. Vance had used very diplomatic language at the beginning.

And it's an open question at the moment if the mediators, Pakistan and Qatar, can get the Iranians back in the room to get the talks going. So in terms of what the Iranians are saying, what they came in here for was to get the Lebanon ceasefire locked in place. Instead, we seem to have taken a massive step sideways or step backwards. Certainly a delay in progress in the 14 points on the memorandum of understanding.

FREEMAN: Well, and, Nic, just before you go, certainly we know that the Iranians play a tactical game often, which is to delay whenever they can. But when President Trump makes some of these inflammatory comments, is that -- is there any sense that that's him playing his own strategy to try and throw Iran off their game? Is a lot of this just gamesmanship here?

ROBERTSON: I, you know, I don't know if it's gamesmanship. It's very hard to get inside the head of President Trump or the Iranians for that matter. I mean, I think the things that become clear over time is that President Trump will say things and has said things that inflame the Iranians. The Iranians we've seen believe that they can play a strong card on the Strait of Hormuz.

And it's also become clear through their language over time that they would be prepared potentially to go through another round of war, that they would be prepared to take the suffering. But as you say, the Iranians are getting a front loaded memorandum of understanding that from the get-go allowed them to get waivers to sell their energy products, oil, liquefied natural gas to sell them on international markets, to make money immediately. The commitment was if they went through with everything in the MOU, they would get access to a lot more money.

[16:05:00]

So, you know, it is in a way, in Iran's interest to delay the talks so they can spike their proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon to target IDF troops there. But the ceasefire agreement, original one going back, the IDF wouldn't be there. But you see, it becomes a very circular sort of argument. This is what J.D. Vance was saying, was saying earlier, to try to just separate both Hezbollah and the IDF so you get a ceasefire.

And I think the Iranians have a very clear way that they want to play this out. As much as President Trump will have a tactic with his rhetoric, the Iranians have tactics as well. And I think the takeaway perhaps to look at here is one of Iran's tactics is to go slow, salami-slice the problem, if you will. take it chunk by chunk by chunk to get what they want. They're very experienced and skilled at doing that. And we've seen them over the decades practice it to a fine art.

FREEMAN: Nic, thank you so much for that reporting, especially as night falls there in Switzerland. Let's go now to Julia Benbrook at the White House. Julia, tell us, what is the administration saying about the state of

the talks right now, especially as I understand the president is now back at the White House?

JULIA BENBROOK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, he just arrived back here moments ago. He spent most of his weekend at Camp David. But the comments that he has made, both on social media and in a phone interview, are front and center there in Switzerland, where his negotiating team, led by Vice President J.D. Vance, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's own son-in-law, Jared Kushner. They're there leading these negotiations. They're taking place at a very high level.

And then the plan is for technical teams to then stick around and work out more details, more specifics in the future. But this pause in talks does lead to a lot of questions. The memorandum of understanding that has been signed, that agreement, in many ways is just a starting point. It leads to a 60-day time period to then work on the details of some of the bigger issues, like Iran's nuclear program and the fate of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

When Vance spoke earlier today, he was alongside some of the key mediators from Pakistan and Qatar. He worked to push forward an optimistic view, but also to set expectations. He said that there had been a lot of great progress already taking place, but that he did not think they would be able to work through all of their disagreements immediately.

Now, these comments, they came shortly before Trump made some of those comments that we have been referencing. But I do want you to hear what Vance had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

J.D. VANCE, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: What the president has asked us to do is turn over a new leaf to transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and to extend an outstretched hand that says to the people of Iran that if your leadership is willing to give up being a driver of regional instability, if they are willing to give up nuclear weapons ambitions for the long term, then the United States is willing to fundamentally transform our relationship with that country.

That is certainly our goal. We've already made great progress over just the last few hours, and I expect that we'll make additional progress in the hours to come.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BENBROOK: Now, according to sources familiar with the talks so far, some of those key areas of focus include Iran's nuclear program, the conflict in Lebanon, and the Strait of Hormuz. When it comes to the Strait of Hormuz, specifically, Trump gave an interview to FOX News. He spoke for roughly 20 minutes, and in it, he said that the United States could take control of the Strait of Hormuz and potentially even charge tolls. He also appeared to threaten the Iranian delegation. And I want to

pull up these comments for you now. These are just as FOX reported them, that Trump said, quote, "You close it," referring to the Strait of Hormuz there, and you won't have a country," adding, "you won't even make it back to your effing country."

Now, Iran's chief negotiator appeared to push back against those comments, saying that any of those threats were desperate and warning that Iran's military would be ready to step up and take action if there was a need to do so.

FREEMAN: All right. Julia Benbrook and Nic Robertson, thank you both for your reporting. Again, as these talks stall, but we'll see what happens next.

And speaking of which, as we wait to see if these talks will get fully back on track, CNN's Oren Liebermann explains how the fighting in Lebanon could be the downfall of a potential deal.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN JERUSALEM BUREAU CHIEF: Even though the talks in Switzerland between the U.S. and Iran are supposed to focus on the nuclear program of Iran, as well as the Strait of Hormuz, we see Lebanon as at the top of the agenda and was one of the first issues that came up. And that's because it's central for Iran, and it's effectively one of their requirements for the talks to continue.

We have already seen fighting in Lebanon disrupt two days of talks. On Friday, Iran said they would delay their participation. On Saturday, Iran said they would close the Strait of Hormuz because of ongoing fighting in Lebanon.

[16:10:00]

We saw two of the deadliest days there on Friday and Saturday. Dozens killed in Israeli strikes, according to Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health. Five Israeli soldiers killed in a period of 24 hours, according to the Israeli military.

And even if Sunday didn't have that same level of fighting, it still has the potential and we will almost certainly see it with that potential to disrupt ongoing talks on what are a very limited window for the U.S. and Iran for that 60 days, unless they extend, of course.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the point on Sunday that he refuses to withdraw Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect the residents of the north who are dear to us and the citizens of the entire country. As prime minister of Israel, I insist on this unequivocally, and nothing will change that.

LIEBERMANN: As President Donald Trump has pursued diplomacy with Iran, he has several times now drawn boundaries and limits on what the Israeli military is allowed to do in southern Lebanon. It's worth pointing out that the first clause of the Iran-U.S. memorandum of understanding calls for a complete end to hostilities, including in Lebanon.

But even it seems any level of fighting there, and we have continued to see that fighting despite multiple ceasefires between Israel and Hezbollah, has the potential to disrupt the talks. And as these talks continue, as the fighting likely continues, we will see more of those disruptions.

Oren Liebermann, CNN, in Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FREEMAN: Oren, thank you very much for that reporting.

Still ahead, Colombians casting their ballots today in a consequential presidential runoff race. They're choosing between a left-wing lawmaker and a far-right outsider backed by President Trump. CNN is live in Colombia.

And later, it may be time to rethink family dinner. How technology during suppertime could be reshaping family dynamics in not the best way. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:16:32]

FREEMAN: Happening now, polls are open in Colombia for a crucial presidential runoff election. Voters will decide between a left-wing senator and a far-right outsider backed by President Trump. Now, a key issue on the ballot is Colombia's war on drugs and the climate of violence still plaguing the country.

CNN's Stefano Pozzebon is following this election for us from Colombia.

Stefano, great to see you. Tell us, what is the latest where you are and what are people telling you?

STEFANO POZZEBON, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, we're approaching the end of this voting day here in Barranquilla, Danny. The polls here at this school where we are at, are going to stay open for a further 40 minutes more or less, and then they will close at 4:00 p.m. local time, 5:00 p.m. where you are in New York.

And at that moment it will begin the counting of the vote, which in Colombia, by the way, is very fast. We expect it by 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. New York time. We will know who the next president of Colombia is starting on August 7th, which is when the presidents begin their mandate here in the country.

The day has been quiet so far. There have been small, minor incidents of vote fraud in selected locations throughout the country, but it's still overall a very quiet voting day with more than 40 million Colombians heading to the polls. And just like you said, yes, they will decide on the normal issues that many countries in this day and age are grappling with. We're talking about cost of living crisis, inflation, the state of the public health, and welfare, pension plans, public debts, all of that.

But then, of course, a lot of the votes will be decided on the issue of security, which, just like you said, when it comes to security in Colombia, you should not think about petty crimes and robberies in urban areas. Of course, those are parts of the conversation. But here we are talking about narco-terrorist organization, paramilitary groups, guerrillas that still control large swaths and chunks of land in this country.

And here is where the two candidates, Ivan Cepeda from the left-wing and the government, and Abelardo de la Espriella, the right-wing candidate supported and endorsed by President Donald Trump, have two stark different visions. And we've spoken with several voters around the city of Barranquilla today. And sometimes a conversation were animated because it's really something that touches everyone's life in this nation.

And we're really seeing in front of our eyes a high level of polarization. It's once again a parallelism with other elections that we've covered and seen in the last three to four years. Two very distinct ideas about the country that most Colombians will want to be living in. And of course, like I said, the specter of the shadow of Donald Trump, who has endorsed directly one of the candidates. So it is also part of the conversation, the relationship with the United States, I mean, Danny.

FREEMAN: Well, Stefano Pozzebon, again, so much going on in that country right now. And again, a crucial ally. So I know a lot of us are going to be watching what happens with that election very, very closely.

Stefano Pozzebon, always great to see you. Thank you so much.

And just ahead, most of us are guilty of it, being on our phones during meals. But new research is underlining the worrying connection between devices and our relationships. It's a talker. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:24:18]

FREEMAN: The FAA is investigating after two commercial airplanes had a close call at Boston Logan International Airport on Saturday. Flight tracking data shows Delta Flight 2351 aborted its landing as American Airlines Flight 3161 was accelerating for takeoff on an intersecting runway. A CNN analysis of tracking data from Flightradar24 shows the planes got within several hundred feet of each other.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Delta 2351 going around because of American.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: American 3161, where are you going?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You cleared us for takeoff, 3161.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: Now, a Delta spokesperson says their pilots performed an evasive go around maneuver before landing safely. American Airlines deferred questions from CNN to the FAA.

[16:25:05]

Switching gears now, packed schedules can leave families scrambling to find time to enjoy a meal together. You add devices to the mix and what should be meaningful family time often falls short. A new study published Monday in the "Journal JAMA Pediatrics" finds parents who use devices during meals tend to interact less with their children. Now, researchers surveyed more than 350 parents about their mealtime habits and found more than 75 percent reported using media during their last family meal.

Now, Cecilia Sada Garibay is one of the researchers behind the study. She joins us now to discuss the findings.

Professor, thank you so much for being here. I really do appreciate it. Let's start here. What are your thoughts on such a high percentage of parents being on their devices during meals?

CECILIA SADA GARIBAY, STUDY CO-AUTHOR AND PHD CANDIDATE, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA: Thank you very much for the invitation. So I will say like, we were surprised really to find these numbers. Of course, we know that media use is common during mealtime, but we didn't expect it to be so high, particularly among parents, because we always think that maybe it's a child issues, that children are really into their smartphones or into screens, and what we were seeing is that parents were the ones that using screen the most.

FREEMAN: Well, and I remember again, I was talking to my producers about this that it used to be parents were the ones telling the kids to get off their phones. But clearly something has changed. I'm just curious, what are some simple changes perhaps that families can make, though, to try and make mealtime more meaningful, or at least a little less connected?

GARIBAY: All right, so the first part, I would say like is to be intentional about media use during the meal time and that know that it's an important time to be with the family and that they need to get the best out of that time. So that means that try to set the screens away so that's like the easiest way to do it. So like, unless you're like a surgeon and you are waiting a very important call, don't have your smartphone with you.

If it's far away, it's significantly less tempting. Unless it's like a very important sport activity on the TV, turn TV off, and really try to focus on what is going on, on the table, try to focus really on what is going on with the different children, if there are multiple children in the table, what is going on with the different people that are seated at the table in that moment.

FREEMAN: You know, Professor, especially in this day and age, many families are super busy. They have, let's say, soccer practice, dance rehearsal, math tutoring, even some with multiple jobs. Are there any workarounds for families that have different schedules where they can't always be together at the same time?

GARIBAY: Yes, so definitely life is complicated for families and what is important is that they give priority to this mealtime. Of course, as you said, like in this busy life for many families, it's impossible to have this shared family meal time daily, but they can try to have it at least a couple of times a week. And if during the week is difficult because of all the scale, at least during the weekend, at least one time in a week, like to make that the priority.

And also maybe someday that there are less soccer games, there's baseball game, there's no dance practice, then that day should be like a priority of the family to sit down and really talk about what is going on with everybody and what has happened in that last week.

FREEMAN: Yes. Well said. Now let's bridge two things happening at the same time here. "Toy Story Five" just hit theaters this weekend. That movie tackles Woody and Buzz, other toys, competing with technology. Of course, very relevant to what we're talking about. But the creators say that technology is not the villain. Excess is.

Is that your same perspective, that getting rid of technology altogether is not actually the answer here?

GARIBAY: Yes. So I think technology are tools and tools can be used for good and for bad. And also the same happened here with media. So of course, media is a force that can help a family like stay together and strengthen the relationship. For example, if one of the member of the family like travels constantly, it's through media how you can keep in touch with them. However, the problem is how it's being used during mealtime.

So it's in that moment, in that place using media is -- may disrupt the interpersonal communication.

FREEMAN: Right.

GARIBAY: So using media in that moment is the issue or using media in excess as "Toy Story," I think like the --

FREEMAN: Right.

GARIBAY: The idea of "Toy Story Five" is the issue. Not really the technology in itself.

FREEMAN: Right. Exactly. Well, Professor Garibay, thank you so much for your research and for talking about I think an important issue here. Really appreciate your time.

GARIBAY: Thank you very much.

[16:30:04]

FREEMAN: All right. To this now, as we commemorate the Juneteenth weekend, there's a question at the heart of the holiday. What does freedom look like more than 160 years after Emancipation? After the break, what Black Americans feel needs to be done to protect the progress made so far?

Stay with us

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FREEMAN: To this now, growing outrage over how a family dog was killed by officers in Los Angeles. Newly released body cam footage shows the shocking moment Jameson, a two-year-old poodle mix, was fatally shot.

[16:35:00]

Police say officers were responding to a 911 call made by a neighbor, who says she heard screams coming from a nearby apartment.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

911 CALLER: I heard my neighbor, she's screaming, "oh my God", for 20 minutes, like something really bad happened. I just was wondering if someone could do a wellness check on them.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

FREEMAN: Jameson's family says they were celebrating the New York Knicks winning the NBA championship last week, before officers arrived.

Now we want to warn you, we're going to show you what happened to Jameson outside of that apartment. But the video is hard to watch, and some of our viewers may find this video disturbing. Here it is

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POLICE OFFICER: LAPD. It's LAPD

Hello?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi.

POLICE OFFICER: Oh, can you put your dog inside?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: James --

POLICE OFFICER: Can you put your dog away, please? Put your dog in.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I apologize.

POLICE OFFICER: Put your dog away.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sorry. POLICE OFFICER: (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

POLICE OFFICER: Jeez, that's a big ass do --

POLICE OFFICER: Dude.

POLICE OFFICER: Bro, what the (EXPLETIVE DELETED)

POLICE OFFICER: I ain't getting bit by that, bro.

POLICE OFFICER: Dude, that's a big dog.

POLICE OFFICER: Is the dog put away?

POLICE OFFICER: It's all good. It's all good.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sorry. He's not -- he's not aggressive.

POLICE OFFICER: We don't want --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's not aggressive --

POLICE OFFICER: He's a huge, you know what I mean?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: -- at all. I apologize.

POLICE OFFICER: You the owner, put him -- put him in.

(SHOTS FIRED)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: Okay, so in the video, a woman can be seen opening the door for officers. They ask her to put her dog away. She tells them her dog is not aggressive, but Jameson slips past her and into the hall towards one of the officers, who then fired his gun, as you saw right there several times, killing Jameson.

Now, a statement from Jameson's family reads in part, what began as a call for justice for one beloved dog has grown into a community united by compassion, accountability and a shared commitment to protecting animals.

The LAPD says there is, quote, "no incident more serious than when an officer fires a service weapon," adding, "a thorough, multilayered examination of this weekend's incident in Canoga Park is already underway, but it will take time to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability. The incident remains under investigation."

And to this now, California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to a massive fire at a warehouse also in Los Angeles. Video shows large plumes of dark smoke coming from the Boyle Heights fire that crews have been battling for five days now. Officials say the warehouse is a large cold storage facility with a complicated layout packed with frozen food, giving them, quote, "zero visibility inside". Residents in and around the area have been encouraged to follow local

officials guidance and monitor air quality conditions.

And Americans across the country are celebrating the Juneteenth holiday this weekend. June 19th marked the day enslaved African Americans in Texas learned they were free more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Now, while it is a celebration, it is also a time to consider what needs to be done to protect the progress made in the years since then.

CNN's Lynda Kinkade has the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What are you most proud of?

RASHAUN KEMP, GEORGIA STATE SENATOR: I'm proud of the fact that still to this day, folks like me are making history.

KINKADE (voice-over): For Georgia State Senator RaShaun Kemp, freedom means leadership.

KEMP: I'm coming in representing 190,000 people in my district, 11 million Georgians, and I get to be a voice for them.

KINKADE (voice-over): For others, it's the chance to build a business.

CHANTEL POWELL, FOUNDER & CEO, PLAY PITS: To be able to live without restrictions.

KINKADE (voice-over): And for students, it's the support to reach their full potential.

Ten years ago, Enrique says he barely spoke English and struggled with confidence.

ENRIQUE, BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS AWARD RECIPIENT: I felt alone, excluded.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The 2026 Southeast Youth of the Year is Enrique from the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County.

KINKADE (voice-over): Now at 18, he's the top youth leader for the Girls and Boys Clubs of America in the Southeast, an organization that helps young people succeed in school, prepare for careers, and develop leadership skills.

KINKADE: What has this club given you that other places couldn't?

ENRIQUE: The Boys and Girls Club really gave me a step forward. For the first time in a very long time, I saw a group of people who wanted to listen to me.

KINKADE (voice-over): Enrique was an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, a nation shaped by its own complex history of slavery. Today, he's a shining example of what's possible with the right support.

KINKADE: You're a boss. You're a brand maker. You're a business owner.

POWELL: Yeah.

KINKADE: What are you most proud of?

POWELL: I think -- the thing I'm most proud of is, one, my kids being able to see what's possible.

KINKADE (voice-over): For entrepreneur Chantel Powell, economic independence remains one of the clearest measures of progress.

POWELL: My kids can now go into stores like CVS and Target and see the product on the shelves, and they remember when I was making it in the kitchen.

KINKADE (voice-over): Her idea for a product began at home.

POWELL: Clay Fitz (ph) is the all natural deodorant. Because my son at six was a smelly little boy, I wasn't able to find anything on the shelves, and so I wanted something that was safe.

[16:40:00]

KINKADE (voice-over): Hustling hard, she grew that idea into a nationally distributed brand.

POWELL: This is our top seller. This one is Suga.

KINKADE: How many of these are you selling across the U.S. right now, on average a year?

POWELL: A year, we're probably selling around 150,000 to 200,000 units a year.

KINKADE: Wow.

POWELL: Yeah, yeah.

KINKADE: And you are potentially going to expand this overseas?

POWELL: Potentially, one day, maybe.

KINKADE: You've been pursued by at least two countries.

POWELL: Yeah, yeah.

KINKADE (voice-over): When a factory fire caused a setback, the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs stepped in to help.

POWELL: Having a space where I can take my meetings, connect with other people who've been able to help me in business has been really important. SHAWN GRAHAM, EXECUTIVE VP & COO, RUSSELL INNOVATION CENTER FOR

ENTREPRENEURS: There's a variety of products within this market for our stakeholders.

KINKADE (voice-over): Russell Center Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Sean Graham says it's working to help more entrepreneurs succeed.

KINKADE: So in the last five years, on average, how many applicants are coming to you for help?

GRAHAM: I would say on an annual basis, anywhere approximately 600 to 700 applications annually.

KINKADE: And each of those applicants get a grant, they get mentorship, and they get connection.

GRAHAM: That's absolutely correct. Not all stakeholders will receive a grant. However, they will have access to our facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

KINKADE: The story of emancipation is often sold through history, but its legacy still shapes debates here at the Capitol and in communities across the U.S. Advocates say progress is measured by opportunity, access to education, economic mobility, and representation.

KEMP: We are, as Americans, get to, you know, exercise our right through our votes, and I think that is the ultimate example of freedom.

KINKADE (voice-over): Yet many see the promise of emancipation as not fully realized. Senator Kemp points to renewed efforts to roll back voting access and modify election laws as evidence of the work that remains.

KEMP: With redistricting happening, you're seeing southern states rush to redraw maps, to erase black voices and representation.

KINKADE (voice-over): And bridging the inequality divide remains the biggest challenge.

KEMP: My Senate district is a perfect example of that. I represent Buckhead and Bankhead here in Atlanta, Georgia. You can drive a matter of seven miles and your life expectancy drops by 20 years. That is something that we have to address.

KINKADE (voice-over): From government chambers to classrooms and boardrooms, many say the next chapter of freedom is being written through opportunity.

KEMP: I am a perfect example of how far America has come, but I think that we have a great ways to still go.

ENRIQUE: There is so much power and help -- in giving a helping hand. I want to be that same kind of mentor for the next generation of club kids. POWELL: Expect the noes. And the noes -- don't let the noes stop you. Like, literally go and chase after your yes.

KINKADE (voice-over): Lynda Kinkade, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FREEMAN: Lynda, thank you so much for that reporting.

All right. Still ahead, the largest fleet of the world's tallest ships are headed to New York to celebrate America's 250th. We have the leader of the grand celebration joining us after the break with what we can expect.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:46:50]

FREEMAN: Right now, one of the largest flotilla of tall ships ever gathered in recent history is making its way to the New York Harbor to celebrate America's 250th anniversary -- birthday, I should say. It promises to be a spectacle not just by sea, but also by land and by air. Nearly 200 military aircraft will fly overhead as the ships sail along their parade, with festivals and events taking place all across the city.

Joining me now for more on this stunning display of tall ships is Chris O'Brien, president of Sail4th 250.

Chris, so good to see you. Tell us, what should we expect to see?

CHRIS O'BRIEN, PRESIDENT, SAIL4TH 250: Hi, Danny. Great to be here.

You're going to see something like you've never seen before in your life. These ships are coming from around the world to be here on July 4th, America's 250th.

So, we're going to have the international tall ships, which are the goodwill ambassadors for their countries. We're going to have the gray hull ships from around the world making up a fleet of 80 vessels. And so -- and as you said, leading into this, the Blue Angels will be leading an international aerial review, something we have not done for one of these events.

And so, it's really going to be incredibly -- it's going to be an incredible moment for the people who are watching it, but also for the city and for the nation.

FREEMAN: Now, I also understand that we can track these ships live on your website. So, tell us about some of the ships that we owe. And you can see right there, we're putting on screen kind of where these ships are and have been. Can you tell us some of the ships that we'll get to see? What ships are exciting you the most? O'BRIEN: Yeah. Well, you know, they're, you know, so many ships from around the world and some of them have been underway for literally months to get here. And you can track them on our tall ship tracker on our website, sail4th.org.

And it's really -- it's been so fun. Actually, my daughter got to sail on one of the ships and the German tall ship called Gorch Fock, and she sailed across the Atlantic on that ship. And that ship is one of four sister ships that will be actually racing from New York to Boston. After our event here after July 4th weekend. But, you know, we have -- we have the Amerigo Vespucci from Italy. We have the Sudarshini from India.

[16:50:01]

Of course, we have America's tall ship, the Coast Guard, Barque Eagle, which will lead the parade.

And every one of these ships has its own story to tell, but they're all just -- they're beautiful. And they're awe-inspiring. And they kind of the sight of -- these ships really brings you to another place. You know, it's almost like seeing a dinosaur. You know, you you're you feel this excitement when you see them. And but there's the connection to our maritime history there.

FREEMAN: Well, and by the way, to your point, I do recommend all viewers to go to the website and read up on these ships, because you're absolutely right, each one of them has their own in many times storied history, with so many adventures and different things.

But I wanted to ask you this question. Explain to us why celebrating this way with tall ships. Why is that important for this 250 celebration?

O'BRIEN: Well, you know, we're America's a maritime nation. And right here in New York, you know, the Port of New York and New Jersey, really the center of maritime commerce, really from the founding of this nation. And so that's a -- that's a big part of why the maritime celebration.

But also, you know, these ships, their official naval vessels from their countries. And so, they train their cadets on these ships, you know, making new leaders. But the ships have a dual mission, which is an international goodwill mission.

So, they're goodwill ambassadors, they're diplomatic ambassadors of their countries. So, when they come to your port, it's a very special thing. It's an official representation. So, gathering so many in this way to come together to mark the milestone of America's two 50th, there couldn't be anything more appropriate.

FREEMAN: You know, it strikes me there's so much coordination that has to take place to bring something like this all together. Can you just lay out some of the logistical hurdles your team has had to work through to make this possible? O'BRIEN: Yeah, boy, I don't know. Where do I start? We've been at

this for six -- we've been at this for six years. And you know, it's the partnership with all the organizations you can imagine that come together.

Of course, the Coast Guard, U.S. Navy for the international naval review, New York City, NYPD, FDNY, FBI. You can just imagine all of the agencies and organizations that need to come together, not only for the logistical planning, but also for the public safety and security. And, you know, all everything that needs to come to make it a successful, safe and fun, memorable event, you know?

But we've -- we've -- we can't imagine. So, we've literally had to build an 800-foot temporary dock here in New York. Logistical hurdles like that, that we've gotten over with this great partnership from, you know, all of all of our friends here.

FREEMAN: Well, Chris O'Brien, it's six years of hardship, but worth it because this is going to be a spectacular show. Chris O'Brien, thank you so much for taking sometime today. We really do appreciate it.

O'BRIEN: Thank you. Appreciate it. Yep.

FREEMAN: And tonight, an audacious plan to carve a canal to Lake Erie puts New York State on the map as a global trading superpower. Here's a preview of "THIS LAND".

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: The mayor of New York City is DeWitt Clinton. And DeWitt Clinton is one of those New Yorkers who sees the future.

KATE ASCHER, PROFESSOR OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT: DeWitt Clinton is one of the more fascinating kind of personalities in New York history. There is almost no political job that he didn't have. He ran for everything possible. And when he didn't win something, he went on to the next thing. And there are people like that who seek political office, to be able to change the world.

NAFTALI: He wants to accelerate the development of New York city by transforming the landscape into a great highway of commerce.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: Two new episodes of the CNN original series "THIS LAND", airs tonight at 9:00 on CNN and next day on the CNN app. Don't miss it.

All right. And finally, just after the break, Elmo has made his return to the sports world. And let's just say he has learned his lesson. You're going to hear from him directly, coming up, after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [16:58:51]

FREEMAN: Okay, here we go again. Another sports post from Elmo. But this time he is leaving no confusion about which team he is rooting for. Take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELMO: Just to be clear, Elmo wants Team USA to win. Okay, but Elmo loves everybody. Just to be clear, don't make this a thing. Thank you.

Elmo loves you and Elmo loves you and Elmo loves you and Team USA and everybody who's playing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FREEMAN: There you have it. Elmo has chosen Team USA to cheer for in the World Cup. After some heated backlash for his post during the NBA Finals, saying he wanted both the Knicks and the Spurs to have fun. Knicks fans, let's say, were not the happiest with Elmo.

Being a native New Yorker, of course, they thought it was a given that the Knicks was his team. Well, thankfully all beef has been squashed after the Knicks won the championship and final MVP Jalen Brunson extended an olive branch by holding up and kissing an Elmo plushie that had a sign saying, "Forgive me, please."

He's rooting for Team USA. Elmo, you are forgiven.

Thank you so much for joining me today. I am Danny Freeman. And before we go, a very happy Father's Day, not only to my father, Steve, but to all the fathers out there. Thank you for all that you do for all of us.

CNN NEWSROOM continues with Omar Jimenez right now.