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Trump Mideast Trip Overshadowed by Proposed Qatar Gift; Menendez Brothers Eligible for Parole after Resentencing; Today: Cassie Ventura Returns to Stand in Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial. Aired 6- 6:30a ET

Aired May 14, 2025 - 06:00   ET

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

[06:00:20]

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: It is Wednesday, May 14. Here's what's happening right now on CNN THIS MORNING.

Any moment now, President Trump set to land in Qatar. Overshadowing his trip, though, the controversial offer of a free luxury jet that may not be so free.

Plus.

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SCOTT KIRBY, CEO, UNITED AIRLINES: What we're doing is matching the number of flights at the airport to the amount that the FAA tells us they can handle.

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HILL: Today, the FAA will ask airlines to cut flights in and out of Newark's airport as travelers wonder whether it's still safe to fly there.

Also, one step closer to freedom. The Menendez brothers resentenced and now eligible for parole. But will they actually walk free?

And later.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well-deserved. Should have been done a lot sooner.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got a little teary-eyed.

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HILL: Major League Baseball reinstating the late Pete Rose after he, of course, was banned for gambling on his own team. So, will this historic decision now open the doors to the Hall of Fame?

Six a.m. Here on the East Coast. Look at that cloud bank in New York City. I'm here in D.C. It's just raining. So, there you go. Maybe the cloud bank isn't so bad. Good morning, everyone. I'm Erica Hill, in for Audie Cornish. Nice to

have you with us this morning.

President Trump is at this hour on his way to Qatar as he continues the first overseas trip, major overseas trip of his second term, wrapping up that first stop in Saudi Arabia in just the last hour.

On the sidelines of that visit, Mr. Trump also met with Syria's president and discussed normalizing relations with the new regime.

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance. It's not going to be easy anyways, so it gives them a good strong chance. And it was my honor to do so. So, we've -- we will be dropping all of the sanctions on Syria, which I think really is going to be a good thing.

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HILL: As he now makes his way to Qatar, the criticism swirling around that proposed gift of a $400 million luxury jet from Qatar to President Trump is growing louder.

He, of course, has been touting the plane as free from the beginning, though it's been clear that is not the case. Security experts telling CNN it would cost hundreds of millions of dollars just to repurpose the plane as a new Air Force One. Not to mention, of course, the legal and ethical concerns.

Lawmakers from his own party continue to question whether the president should even accept the plane.

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REP. DUSTY JOHNSON (R-SD): I haven't looked through exactly what the Constitution says. I would tell you, I don't like it.

SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD): There'll be plenty of scrutiny. There are lots of -- lots of issues around that that I think will attract very serious questions, if and when it happens.

SEN. MIKE ROUNDS (R-SD): It seems to me that the Greeks actually had something like that happen one time, a long, long time ago, and somebody happened to have brought a golden horse inside of a community.

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HILL: Ah, the old trojan horse. Joining me now in the group chat, Eli Stokols, White House foreign affairs correspondent for "Politico"; Charlie Dent, former Republican congressman from Pennsylvania; and Hyma Moore, former chief of -- chief of staff to DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison. It's nice to have all of you with us here.

You know, we ended on some sound from our friends there on the Hill. So, I'm going to throw it to someone who used to spend a little time there. Where does this go? Is there any chance, right, now we're, what, 48 hours into this? All the concerns are being raised. Price tags are actually being put on what it would take to literally strip the plane down to the studs to make it secure.

CHARLIE DENT, FORMER PENNSYLVANIA CONGRESSMAN: Well, there are a number of problems. Let's start with the ethical, legal and constitutional ones.

The Emoluments Clause is pretty clear that, you know, that elected officials cannot receive gifts from foreign governments unless Congress approves them.

Members of Congress are -- basically, they're held to a strict ban on any gifts.

And so, I think that this is clearly problematic on many levels. I can't imagine that this deal is going to go through. And -- and basically this lowers the ethical bar.

Now, I get why the Qataris are doing it.

HILL: Sure.

DENT: I mean, I get it. I mean, you know, during the first Trump administration, remember what happened? There was a blockade imposed by the Saudi Arabians and -- and the UAE against Qatar. And -- and Trump backed the Saudis and the UAE. And we were supposed to play Switzerland in that fight. You know, we got involved.

And here the Qataris are trying to position themselves better. I don't blame them.

But that said, you know, you -- you simply cannot accept gifts like this on this scale.

I mean, as a chairman of the Ethics Committee, I used to have to deal with members, you know, who would get tripped up. You know, you go overseas, and some foreigner would give you -- some foreign government would give you a trinket or whatever. And you were allowed to receive it, but then you had to turn it over, disclose it to the committee, and the committee would dispose of it in some way. That's -- that's how strict it was.

But where are the guardrails here?

HILL: Yes, I have to say, I've enjoyed all the stories over the last day or so of everybody on our air talking about being in some of these moments.

DENT: yes.

HILL: Gifts that they were given that they obviously didn't keep. But, you know, the --

DENT: A couple hundred bucks, maybe, or 50 bucks or whatever. That's what we're talking about.

HILL: Yes. It is fascinating.

You also have Chuck Schumer who's saying, Look, we're going to hold up now. So, we're going to hold up DOJ appointees. We're going to -- is that going to be effective? And can he make it happen in this moment?

HYMA MOORE, FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF FOR DNC CHAIR JAIME HARRISON: I think the word effective has a whole new definition in this new Trump world. So, I don't know.

I think look, it was very -- it's very clear Democrats want Chuck Schumer and other Democrats to do something. And it is -- this is an egregious break of ethics. So, I think Democrats all around the country, independents want Chuck Schumer to do something.

And so, I'm not sure this will be the most effective tactic, but it does show that Chuck Schumer and his Democrats are not going to roll over and allow Donald Trump to do things like this that are clearly unethical.

And so, I don't know. I think we have to see what happens. But I do think that Democrats are happy Chuck Schumer is doing something.

HILL: Yes. As we look at what else is playing out, the fact that there was this meeting in Saudi Arabia with the new president of Syria, the -- President Trump, talking about removing sanctions. What does this do moving forward, in terms of that foreign policy from the U.S. towards Syria?

ELI STOKOLS, WHITE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT, "POLITICO": I mean, it potentially has a big effect on opening up investment in -- in Syria. And that's a big reason why regional partners, why Turkey, why Saudi Arabia have been pushing the president to do this.

And the people that I talk to say, look, that's a positive step. The U.S. hasn't had relationship with Syria in 25 years. And so, maybe there's been some tentative steps. At first, the administration was wary of this new leader who ousted Assad. But they are going to give him a chance.

And, you know, to do that, to be sort of more open-facing to Iran about nuclear talks. This is a different foreign policy, in some ways, than it was in Trump's first term, when he was making maximalist demands of Iran, saying, you'll never get a nuclear weapon, you know, ripping up the JCPOA.

For all the focus on the plane, he has, you know, like it or not, made inroads in this region in terms of the personal relationships that he has with people and a willingness to engage there that we don't see, say, in Europe and other parts of the world.

He likes the way these people operate. And so he is, you know, carrying forth a foreign policy there that is substantively different and will have an impact in the region. HILL: I think you bring up a really good point, too, in that shifting

foreign policy. I just want to play a little bit of what the president had to say in Riyadh. Take a listen.

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TRUMP: Everybody at this table knows where my loyalties lie. Always have. They'll never waver. Never. And we'll stand with our friends and partners, and we'll confront the aggression that threatens us all.

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HILL: That stood out to me, sort of on the point that you were making, too, and that talking about, "You know where my loyalties lie."

But also, what this signals is, I think, in many ways, that shift away from more traditional allies and partners. Right? Maybe the more traditional route of looking at Europe. Donald Trump is now clearly focusing on the Middle East.

And as we've heard over the last several hours, right? This is not just about oil anymore. And that's what the Middle East wants it to be about. We're expanding, and in many ways, so is the U.S.

DENT: Well, when you look at the foreign policy of this administration, it used to be that, you know, we used to try to base our foreign policy based on shared values and interests. And that was often the case with Europe. You know, in Europe and Asian allies, you know, democratic countries, free.

And with the Middle East, these relationships tend to be much more transactional. And it's clear that Trump is in the transactional camp. He likes that much better. He -- he doesn't like to have all this talk of democracy and freedom and rule of law.

He much prefers this conversation that he can have with authoritarian rulers, even ones who are friendly to us. That's kind of where he is. And you can see this is his comfort zone.

He'd much rather talk with these folks than maybe with the -- with the chancellor of Germany, or the president of France, or the prime minister of the U.K. or Canada, for that matter.

HILL: You make me think of one thing that our brilliant colleague Stephen Collinson pointed out in his piece. And I know we're out of time, but I'm just going to share this one.

That he noted comments from Donald Trump yesterday when talking about foreign policy. "In recent years, far too many American presidents, he said, have been afflicted with the notion that it's our job to look into the souls of foreign leaders. Right? And U.S. policy to dispense justice for their sins. I believe it's God's job to sit in judgment. My job is to defend America and promote the fundamental interests of stability, prosperity, and peace." Emphasis from me on prosperity, one would think.

So, great discussion. Much more to come. Group chat, stay with us here.

Still ahead on CNN THIS MORNING, escorts, blow-up pools filled with baby oil, Blue Dolphin ecstasy. Cassie Ventura, Diddy's ex-girlfriend, testifying in the federal criminal case against him.

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Plus, how Google plans to stop those unpaid toll text scams blowing up your phone.

And a new book reveals the extent of President Biden's decline and how the White House allegedly hit it.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Were you being straight with the American public?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): Well, look, we're just looking forward.

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HILL: Fourteen minutes past the hour now. Here are five things to start your day.

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Marathon sessions in the House today, as key committees have more debates on a budget bill, some of them working late into the night on this. One of the main issues: state and local tax deductions, SALT.

House speaker Mike Johnson meeting with a group of Republicans who have expressed concerns about that. He says the final numbers for the deal, though, will likely come today.

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REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): It's a process, right? So, step by step by step, we're getting there. And the time is of the essence. And everybody knows that.

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HILL: One of those other steps, a sticking point is Medicaid. Capitol Police arrested 26 protesters during a hearing about that on Tuesday.

A Wisconsin judge has been indicted in federal court for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant slip past ICE agencies at a courthouse last month. Prosecutors say she obstructed justice.

Her attorney says she is innocent and looks forward to being vindicated in court.

Rescuers saved 200 children and adults stuck in an elementary school in Maryland as floodwaters began to reach the second floor. In the parking lot, cars were floating around.

The flooding threat, too, it's important to note, is not over for some parts of the state.

If you've gotten a text lately warning of an unpaid toll balance, No. 1, hopefully, you didn't click on that link. because it's likely a scam.

The good news this morning: Google is trying to do something about it, updating Android phones to alert you when an incoming text is likely a scam, and also give you the option to report it.

And they are ready to spread their wings and fly. Now, trust me in this. I know it's a little dark, but on that screen there, Big Bear's Bald Eagle chicks in California. They could take flight any day now.

This is a live look at their nest. The ten-week-old chicks are on -- they're on what we call fledge watch. Sonny and Gizmo fledge, which is what happens when their wing feathers are large enough to help them take flight.

Coming up here on CNN THIS MORNING, Sean "Diddy" Combs's former girlfriend back on the stand in just a few hours today. Ahead, how her testimony figures into the criminal trial.

Plus, the president's trade war may be cooling as some tariffs roll back today, at least temporarily.

And good morning, St. Louis. What a gorgeous shot there. The arch framing a beautiful sunrise on this Wednesday morning.

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HILL: A stunning turn to tell you about this morning in the Menendez brothers' case. They now have a chance at parole after a judge resentenced them to 50 years to life in prison.

Now, remember, they had been serving life without parole for killing their parents in 1989. Now, their attorney says there is a real chance they could go free if -- and here's the "if" -- California's governor and the state parole board sign off.

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MARK GERAGOS, ATTORNEY FOR THE MENENDEZ BROTHERS: I'm hopeful that, now that they -- that the right thing will be done and they'll walk out.

Their trauma has become kind of the subject of prurient interest. But they are a real family, real people who have lived through unimaginable horrors. And I'm hopeful and glad that we're one -- one huge step closer to bringing the boys home.

(END VIDEO CLIP) HILL: Joining me now to discuss is Dave Aronberg, former state attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida.

Dave, nice to see you this morning.

When we look at this, how likely, at that next hearing, do you think it is that, in fact, you could see the Menendez brothers released?

DAVE ARONBERG, FORMER STATE ATTORNEY FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL: Good to be with you, Erica.

I think it is likely. There are two ways to do it. The governor moved forward with clemency, and that goes before the same parole board next month. And now the judge has said, yes, they're going to be resentenced. So, it's up to the parole board.

So, I do expect them to be set free. This shows you the power of celebrity. That's why it got to this stage. You had Kim Kardashian and a lot of others who got behind this cause.

And I was actually surprised yesterday at the level of apology that the Menendez brothers gave to the court. We have never seen this before, where they said they took full responsibility for their actions. They didn't rely on the abuse excuse. And I think that's going to pave the way for their release.

HILL: We'll be watching. As you know, that hearing, I believe it may be June 13th next month. So, we'll watch for that.

I also want to get your take on what we heard yesterday on the stand from Cassie Ventura, the Sean Combs case, as she was testifying for several hours. She'll be back on the stand today.

Just put into context, if you would -- take the graphic part out of it for now, because much of that was not only emotional, but disturbing.

How important is she? How important is her testimony, ultimately, to this case?

ARONBERG: Her testimony means everything for the prosecution. She connects all the dots.

And it really helped the prosecution that, not only was she credible with her words and graphic with her statements, but also, she was eight months pregnant. And that's why the defense did not want the jury to see her walk to the jury -- the witness box. And they asked the judge, please, keep the witness in the jury box when the jury -- in the witness box when the jury walks in.

But the judge said no. And so, the jury saw Cassie, eight months pregnant, give this graphic, detailed recount of what happened. And that is devastating.

That's why I think the prosecution is ahead. She is the one who ties all the dots together. She's the reason why the prosecution got this far. Because it was her civil lawsuit against Diddy that was settled one day later by Diddy that set this all into motion.

HILL: There's also what she referenced in terms of the involvement of other people, and that is key to the charges here.

ARONBERG: Yes, racketeering is tough to prove, because you have to show a criminal enterprise, that other people were involved. You don't have to show that Diddy did this all himself. You just have to show that it was for his benefit.

And that's why you're going to see a bunch of witnesses that will detail that. And I think that means that they all cut deals with the prosecution. You didn't see anyone else charged in this case except for Diddy.

[06:25:11]

And so, racketeering can be a prosecution's best friend, because it brings in a whole other sort of crimes. You can go way back into time, beyond the statute of limitations.

And so, that's going to be crucial.

But it's also the hardest charge to prove. It's easier to prove human trafficking here, I believe, than the racketeering. But we saw with the -- the R. Kelly case, that racketeering isn't just for the mafia anymore.

HILL: Dave Aronberg, good to talk to you. Thanks.

ARONBERG: Thanks, Erica.

HILL: Still to come here on CNN THIS MORNING, what's in store for the rest of the president's high-stakes tour of the Gulf region? Could we see another agreement? Another major economic deal today?

Plus, a former pilot shares his thoughts on the problems at Newark's airport and some of the issues facing air traffic control.

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