Return to Transcripts main page
CNN This Morning
Soon: Trump Heads to Alaska for Summit with Putin; Nations Mark 80 Years Since Japan's Surrender in World War II; Border Agents Crash Newsom's 'Big, Beautiful' Event. Aired 6-6:30a ET
Aired August 15, 2025 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GAO QIAN, DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, BEIJING DANCE ACADEMY (through translator): -- terra cotta warrior, including its appearance, color, and material texture.
[06:00:05]
At the same time, we have to take measurements for the robot. Since the robot wears the costume with added weights, it cannot exceed three kilograms.
We also had to address heat dissipation on its back and ensure the robot's 40 degrees of joint flexibility. Our costume cannot interfere with the robot's joint movements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN ANCHOR/CORRESPONDENT: The game is going to be featuring about 487 matches before they wrap on Sunday.
From the entire team, and I want to thank you so much for joining us here on EARLY START. Our coverage of today's historic meeting in Alaska continues with CNN THIS MORNING.
AUDIE CORNISH, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump and Vladimir Putin, about to meet. Will the war in Ukraine come to an end? Or could a new war begin?
CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We're going to find out where everybody stands, and I'll know within the first two minutes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: Two presidents with two very different agendas. Can they see eye to eye on ending a bloody war? Ukraine's leader left out for now. But could President Zelenskyy head to Anchorage to join the talks in the coming days?
Living in squalor. ICE slapped with lawsuits over conditions in holding facilities. Now a federal judge is stepping in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. GAVIN NEWSOM (D), CALIFORNIA: Donald Trump, you have poked the bear, and we will punch back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: So, the gloves are off. The race to redistrict gearing up. But will it be the voters who ultimately lose?
And Trump versus Biden? No, not Donald and Joe. Why the first lady, Melania, is threatening to sue Hunter for $1 billion.
The world remembers the heroes of the greatest generation, 80 years after the end of World War II.
Six a.m. here on the East Coast, here is a live look at the White House. Good morning, everybody. It is Friday, August 15th. I want to thank you for waking up with me. I'm Audie Cornish, and this is CNN THIS MORNING.
And here's where we start, because we're just hours away from the summit between President Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska. Ukraine's fate hangs in the balance, and it all hinges on the self-proclaimed dealmaker in chief going one-on-one with the Russian leader.
The White House has repeatedly downplayed the meeting as a listening session and an opening act for a future meeting between Putin and Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
But Trump's own words in the lead-up to the meeting have Europe on edge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP (via phone): I believe now he's convinced that he's going to make a deal. He's going to make a deal. I think he's going to. And we're going to find out. I'm going to know very quickly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: Zelenskyy has rushed to rally Europe against the idea of the U.S. cutting a side deal with Putin, including a meeting with the British prime minister, Keir Starmer, Thursday.
In a statement this morning, Germany's chancellor said Russia should agree to an unconditional ceasefire at today's meeting, so formal peace talks can begin.
Putin seems to be preparing for the summit, complimenting Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): The current American administration, which, as everyone knows, is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis, and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: Joining me now in the group chat, Eugene Scott, op-ed writer at "The Boston Globe" and a visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University Agora Institute; Rob Bluey, president and executive editor of "The Daily Signal"; and Sabrina Singh, CNN political commentator and former deputy press secretary.
So, I want to talk about the kind of overall concerns that Europeans have right now. Obviously, they've been boxed out of a lot under this administration.
And the German chancellor actually just put out this statement, I think, that gets at the heart of what we're talking about.
Basically, he demands, quote, "the -- the goal must be a summit in which President Zelenskyy also participates. A ceasefire must be agreed. Ukraine needs strong security guarantees. Territorial issues can be decided with the consent of Ukraine."
That's a long list. And most of these things are not on the list for the president right now.
EUGENE SCOTT, OP-ED WRITER, "THE BOSTON GLOBE": They're not. And there's real concern among European leaders because President Trump about two weeks ago said that he needed a ceasefire from Putin by a deadline. That deadline came. A ceasefire did not come, and there were no economic consequences.
And so, Europeans have very reason, real reason to believe that this may not move things in the direction they're hoping.
CORNISH: Thank you for pointing that out. I actually forgot about the deadline.
SCOTT: Most people have. Yes.
CORNISH: Like, that we're -- we didn't even get the obligatory "in ten days" extension.
And Rob, that does get at something, which is Putin has not faced consequences for how he's dealt with Trump. Meanwhile, like India is on the struggle bus, because they've got, like, sanctions. Ukraine had to give up mineral, you know, access.
[06:05:12]
So, how do you look at him sitting down with Putin?
ROB BLUEY, PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE EDITOR, "THE DAILY SIGNAL": Well, Putin is facing pressure. I mean, the casualties are mounting in Russia. And I think the Russian people are probably losing patience with this war as it -- as it continues to go on. There are probably economic effects that we don't know about, because Russia is not going to tell us directly what they're facing.
At the same time, I do think that it's important for President Trump -- and I agree with the German chancellor -- that one of the outcomes that I hope to see today, and I think that we should pray for, is a ceasefire. And then having that next step where Zelenskyy is part of the conversation, and Ukraine can actually be at the negotiating table.
SABRINA SINGH, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, on that note to -- you know, today's meeting is so significant, because it ends diplomatic isolation for Putin.
CORNISH: Yes.
SINGH: And that is something that he really wanted and pushed for. And the fact that he was able to move the chess pieces on the board to get this one-on-one meeting, something that clearly Steve Witkoff misunderstood when he first met with Putin, you know, last week.
They don't want that trilateral meeting with President Zelenskyy. They want to have a conversation with President Trump.
And they also want to talk about things that are not related to the war. As you mentioned, they did not put on that additional sanctions package. They want to talk about trade.
So, I think what you're seeing here today and the biggest takeaway, I think, that we, you know, as Americans really need to see here is this is really Putin reentering the world stage with the United States' support in the United States. And that's really important.
CORNISH: Can we talk about that just one more second?
SINGH: Yes.
CORNISH: Because that is an interesting point. Putin was isolated. And now he's getting a handshake on a plot of land in the U.S. that he, like, still thinks is his, probably: Alaska.
SCOTT: And the ball is in his court. Even Trump has called it a listening session, giving him the power to perhaps even control the conversation.
This isn't what Trump campaigned on. He made it very clear that he would end things very quickly. What is there to listen to at this point that has not been said that could change how Trump is approaching the situation?
CORNISH: Yes, but the flip side is, if you want a war to end, you've got to have a conversation.
BLUEY: It's the first time in ten years that Putin will -- will set foot in the United States.
I think back to Putin's interview with Tucker Carlson from, I think, a couple of years ago, where he filibustered and basically talked the whole time. I hope Trump doesn't let him do that today. Trump needs to be in control of that conversation and setting the terms.
SINGH: Well, Trump is also sitting across from one of the most talented, smartest, gifted intelligence officers that, you know, Russia and the world has seen. I mean, he is a master manipulator.
And I think Putin knows how to play to Trump's ego. We've seen Trump parrot Kremlin talking points in the past.
So, I think this is Putin's way of trying to get, you know, Trump back on his side. And basically say, you know, we'll -- we'll do these things that would potentially end the war, but it's really Ukraine that's the barrier to peace.
And Trump has said that before. So, I think this is a way to bring Trump back into the fold a bit.
CORNISH: OK. You guys stay with me. We're going to talk a lot about this today as everyone is getting ready for this conference -- this conversation to take place in Anchorage.
Coming up on CNN THIS MORNING, marking a moment in history. Eighty years ago, Japan surrendered, ending World War II. How the world is remembering that.
Plus, rewriting the maps. California's ready to fight for control of Congress.
And more on President Trump's one-on-one with Vladimir Putin. Here's what people in Alaska say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I found it ironic that we were going to be here when my two favorite dictators were going to be in the city. No, I just think it's a distraction to alleviate some of the other issues Trump is facing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:13:21]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARRY S. TRUMAN, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The Japanese have just officially laid down their arms. They have signed terms of unconditional surrender.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: The words of President Harry Truman after Japan's surrender in 1945 ended World War II and 2,194 days of bloodshed.
It's been 80 years since that fateful day, which has come to be known as V.J. Day. Around the world, those who fought and died for peace are being honored with moments of silence, from the U.K. to Australia.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY ALBANESE, AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER: Eighty years ago today, Prime Minister Ben Chifley began his address to the nation. It was a sentence of perfect simplicity, but infinite power: "Fellow citizens, the war is over."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: CNN's Salma Abdelaziz joins us live from Southampton in the U.K.
Salma, to begin, good morning. And how is V.J. Day being commemorated there?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Audie. I want to start by explaining the very unique role that Southampton played 80 years ago.
As you can see, I'm right here on the English coast. This is a port city, and that's why it was a military base for Allied forces.
And especially around D-Day, you had 3.5 million military personnel pass through this port city onto different theaters along the war.
And Southampton is important also for what it was able to provide in the conflict. It is here that the very famous Spitfire single passenger plane was created, produced, and there was a production site here for it, as well.
[06:15:05]
That's why Southampton believes it was targeted during the blitz. Some 3,500 homes were destroyed or decimated during the blitz. More than 600 people killed.
But what people will also tell you here is that this city played a role not only in sending Allied forces, in sending those soldiers to the front lines. It also played a role in bringing people home after the conflict.
After V.J. Day, some 22,000 prisoners of war were returned through these shores. Their first touch of home was right here in Southampton.
So, what's taking place today? Well, just a few moments ago there was a wreath-laying ceremony. We do have images to show you of that. We were there.
And it was a really somber occasion. There was [SIC] veterans there that really took a moment to reflect.
I think one thing that stood out to me from a local official who said, this is a somber reminder of the cost of war. So many times we, as journalists, of course, are in the here and now, but it was very impactful to hear how that continues. The lessons of that conflict to be carried today and the remembrance of those who paid the ultimate price, of course -- Audie.
CORNISH: That's CNN's Salme Abdelaziz. Thank you so much.
Now, after the break on CNN THIS MORNING, lawmakers on the run, ready to return to Texas. Their conditions to end the standoff.
And a tropical storm intensifies in the Atlantic. How quickly could it strengthen into a hurricane?
Good morning to New York City.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:20:56]
CORNISH: Dozens of Texas Democrats are ready to return home. They fled the state earlier this month to block Republicans from redrawing congressional maps, but they have two demands.
First, that the Texas legislature has to end its first special session on Friday. And second, that California lawmakers introduce their gerrymandering proposal to offset the GOP gains in Texas.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a special election in his state. But as he and his allies were laying out their own redistricting plan yesterday, masked federal agents were outside the venue and even made an arrest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEWSOM: You think it's coincidental?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
NEWSOM: Donald Trump and his minions. Tom Homan, tough guy. Coley decided, coincidentally or not, that this was a location to advance ICE arrests.
Wake up, America. This is a serious moment.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.
NEWSOM: Wake up to what's going on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem insists it was a coincidence that those agents happened to be there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KRISTI NOEM, HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY: Every single one of our ICE and Border Patrol operations is built on information, on investigative work.
It's a case and an operation that has been planned because of who they think could be in that area and what they have for information that shows that there are illegal criminals there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CORNISH: Want to bring back the group chat.
There's sort of two things going on here. One, there's the issue itself, redistricting and the power of our vote.
And then this other thing has to happen, where it feels, like, very common these days. ICE is there, right? Like, kind of inserting that part of the story.
Rob, I want to start with you. Like, it feels -- not an unforced error. But even if it's not a coincidence, does it help?
BLUEY: The ICE piece of it?
CORNISH: Yes.
BLUEY: Well --
CORNISH: Right outside a Newsom event. What -- like, what's the message there?
BLUEY: The message is that the border is secure and that the Trump administration is moving full speed ahead with deportation plans. They're not going to let anyone, whether it be the California governor or any other Democrat politician, stand in the way of what they have promised the American people.
And that is --
CORNISH: Does it look like an armed response to a political conversation?
BLUEY: I don't know whether Kristi Noem or Gavin Newsom is telling the truth here, but I will say that these raids are happening all over the country.
So, it could have been a pure coincidence. It could have been an opportunity to send a message to --
CORNISH: Yes.
BLUEY: -- to those who had gathered to see the Newsom speech.
CORNISH: As we heard the tape, Newsom took advantage of that. Right? To say, like, look.
What do you see in how he is responding, inserting California into the redistricting effort in Texas, basically saying, like, look, we're going to step into the breach and somehow create balance in Congress. How do you think about that press conference and his performance?
SCOTT: We're talking about Texas and California, but this is about America right now. And this is about midterms, and it's about optics. And that's why we saw ICE out there. That's why we saw Gavin Newsom with this image. Like it came out of this -- the series "Scandal."
People are trying to get more attention on this issue from respective sides, so that people can figure out what's the best way to move their party's respective agendas forward. And that's the way you do it. You --
CORNISH: But the language is so different. Like, he's posting these tweets, like, in the style of Trump.
SCOTT: Yes.
CORNISH: Like all caps and jokes. And then here's how he's been talking about this.
"They want to rig these elections. They want the power that gerrymandering provides, because they know what Donald Trump knows. He's going to lose. Why else? Why else would you try to rig the system?"
And what's interesting to me is this is not lofty language about democracy, which is what we heard in the sort of Biden era.
SINGH: Yes. You know, I think what Donald Trump is seeing is that his numbers are going down. He's unpopular on the economy. The Big, Beautiful Bill, the more people hear about it, the less popular it is.
And so, he knows that the midterms are at stake. And so, what he is doing is he's putting pressure where he can -- and that's in states like Texas -- to redraw their maps mid-cycle.
I mean, not even, you know, we're years out from a census being done. And he's trying to steal those seats back.
[06:25:03]
So, there is a -- they maintain the majority.
And California -- and Governor Newsom is saying, well, no, we're not going to do that. And we're going to fight fire with fire.
Now, we were talking about this earlier. Both sides are ratcheting this up. And, you know, it continues to keep going nuclear. At the end of the day, gerrymandered partisan maps are bad.
CORNISH: Yes.
SINGH: But we cannot unilaterally disarm as Democrats.
CORNISH: I think as a voter, though, sometimes I have a voter say to me something like, my vote doesn't even matter. And when I have to report to them this story, I'm kind of like, oh, it does. You know, until someone puts it in another district.
Like, it feels -- both parties are undermining their position with us, the voter.
BLUEY: Sure. And I think it's important also to point out that we're talking about two different sets of facts. The whole situation in Texas stemmed from a lawsuit and a decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
SINGH: But that's caught up in the courts. But that's still caught up in the courts.
BLUEY: That's what Trump --
SINGH: Governor Abbott is -- is taking a -- well, a Sharpie pen and just redoing the maps. That's not from the lawsuit that's been brought.
BLUEY: Texas has also had 2 million new residents move into the state since the last census.
SINGH: Yes, that's when the census was drawn.
BLUEY: The census made errors. Texas was cheated out of a seat and an electoral vote. And Florida was cheated out of two, because the census made errors.
There were a number of problems that have happened over the last couple of years that could lead people to that conclusion, Audie, that you just made, that their vote is in some ways not being counted.
CORNISH: Because what they hear is, like, don't like the numbers? Call a new census. Don't like the map? Draw a new map.
BLUEY: I think states should do their own census. Maybe -- maybe each state and the federal government can do this in collaboration.
By the way, in the 1970s, they amended the law. And they said that you could do a mid-decade census. So, it's not that Donald Trump's doing anything unusual. It's just that the federal government hasn't done it before.
SINGH: Each state has their own different constitution. But the lawsuit that you're referring to is not why Governor Abbott decided to draw the map -- redraw the maps. He decided to do that because Donald Trump put pressure on him.
The lawsuit is still in the Texas courts, and it has not risen to the state level to redraw the map.
SCOTT: California voters said in 2008 that they want an independent commission redrawing their states. And so, their districts should -- I say, in their state.
And so, this whole partisan thing that seems very popular with the bases on each parties [SIC] is helping neither of them with the independents, who decide who wins elections now.
CORNISH: All right. You guys, stick around. We've got more to discuss.
Next on CNN THIS MORNING, we're live from Anchorage, where the stakes are pretty high for that Trump-Putin summit. Can these two leaders reach an agreement on a ceasefire in Ukraine?
Plus, confusion in D.C. See what happened when federal agents gathered to take down homeless encampments overnight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
