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White House 'Feels Good about Prospects of a Deal' with Iran; SantaCon Co-Founder Accused of Stealing from Charities. Aired 6-6:30a ET

Aired April 16, 2026 - 06:00   ET

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

[06:00:14]

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: Today in the group chat, the White House optimistic about a deal with Iran. So why are thousands of troops then being sent to the Middle East?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I think it's close to over, yes. I mean, I view it as very close to over.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: If the diplomacy does not work this time, what is the exit strategy?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I found it incredibly disrespectful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: A crisis of faith. President Trump can't seem to quit his Jesus memes, but should he be asking for forgiveness instead?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LETITIA JAMES, NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL: Enough of these individuals taking advantage of consumer and fans.

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HILL: The landmark ruling: Live Nation and Ticketmaster found to be an illegal monopoly. But will it have any impact on the ticket prices?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm 5'11", so the water is up here to me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Record rain, snow melt, rising rivers, and a state of emergency now in effect, as the floods worsen. CNN THIS MORNING starts right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: These conversations are productive and ongoing. Nothing is official until you hear it from us here at the White House. But we feel good about the prospects of a deal.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: The White House optimistic about talks. Also sending, though, more troops to the region.

Good Thursday morning, everyone. I'm Erica Hill, in for Audie Cornish.

We do begin with the new developments overnight in the war with Iran. Officials in Tehran set to meet with Pakistani diplomats today for the second day in a row, amid efforts to keep those peace talks going. Washington and Tehran have been exchanging messages through Pakistan as their intermediary.

And while the White House is expecting -- expressing optimism, as you just heard, it is not clear at this hour when or, frankly, if a second round of talks will be held.

The Trump administration is also increasing the U.S. military presence. "The Washington Post" reporting more than 10,000 additional troops are being sent to the region. That's 6,000 service members on the USS George H.W. Bush and roughly 4,200 with the task force that includes the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit.

We could learn more about their mission in a couple of hours. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to brief reporters at 8 a.m. Eastern Time.

Here to discuss, David Sanger, CNN's political and national security analyst and White House and national security correspondent with "The New York Times."

David, always good to talk to you. So, in terms of where things stand at this moment, we do know that after meeting with Pakistani officials on Wednesday, Iran's foreign minister said their "commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region remains firm and" that it's a commitment that's shared between us.

How does the U.S. sending additional troops to the region impact future talks?

DAVIS SANGER, CNN POLITICAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Well, I think at every moment here, Erica, the president's been looking for more leverage. That's what the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz was about.

He's already got 40, 50,000 troops in the region. So, this additional ten or so would be an indication that he could restart the -- the conflict or the active combat part of the conflict if the negotiations fail.

I think he's under great pressure not to do that, though. Obviously it's fracturing his own base. The rise in gas prices is doing no help to the Republicans as they think about the approaching election.

But I also think they're a little bit more stuck in the negotiations than they're letting on right now. They've got a few conditions before they will let Vice President Vance go back to Islamabad.

And one of them is -- is getting the Persian Gulf open. In other words, getting the Iranian threats over for that area. And the second is that the Iranians have to send out negotiators who actually are empowered to make a decision. And that's not usually how the Iranian system works.

HILL: You know, you mentioned, too, the challenge. So, there's both significant challenges. I was also struck by what we heard from Iran, now warning that if this blockade continues, warning that all exports and imports across the region-- so including the Red Sea, the Gulf of Oman -- could be impacted. That, in itself, would be a serious escalation. What is your sense of just how realistic, how possible that is?

SANGER: You know, I don't think the Iranians have the capability of shutting down traffic in the Red Sea. Obviously, that's where the Houthis have been active before and clashed with the U.S.

So, I didn't read a whole lot into that threat, other than the fact that it's not the kind of thing you want to say. If you think that in coming days you've got an agreement.

[06:04:02]

Now, it's also possible that the administration is just trying to put together the framework of an accord. Remember that the -- the agreement that President Obama reached in 2015 took two years. It was 150 pages long to avoid the Iranians, you know, getting out of different provisions.

And Iran, by and large, went along with all of its provisions until President Trump pulled out of it in 2018.

But to do something in a rush that does not really seal down questions of missiles, questions of inspection, that could be a mistake.

HILL: There's also the China element of this. And you wrote about this this week, how the blockade is impacting China. And certainly, China not very happy about it.

And as you write this, there are potentials for this to maybe derail the planned meeting between President Trump and Xi that is set for just a few weeks from now.

How much do you think China could be playing into the way that the U.S. is, in fact, approaching these talks with Iran? SANGER: Well, China is a big player in many respects. And the

president, as you say, Erica, is supposed to go in just four weeks, so they don't have a lot of time to sort this out.

First of all, 90 percent of the oil that Iran exports goes to China, and China relies on Iran for something like 8 or 10 percent of its energy needs. So, that's not a gap that the Chinese can't fill entirely, but they're very unhappy, as they've made clear, about the blockade.

There were also reports that the Chinese were beginning or thinking about sending arms to the Iranians during the combat phase of the war.

And President Trump said the other day he had sent a letter to Xi Jinping, the Chinese president; got an assurance back they wouldn't do that. But it shows you that Iran views China as their only real friend here.

HILL: Yes. Certainly. Certainly, an element as we continue to look at all of this. David, I appreciate it, as always. Thank you.

SANGER: Great to be with you, Erica.

HILL: Joining us now in the group chat, Sabrina Rodriguez, politics reporter at "The Wall Street Journal"; Mike Dubke, former Trump White House communications director; and Meghan Hays, former Biden White House director of message planning.

Let's pick up, if we could, on where we left off with David Sanger. So, the China of it all. How much is this starting to impact where things stand based on how much China gets in terms of energy coming through the Strait of Hormuz, based on concerns? And frankly, the first public comments that we heard from President Xi this week, also making very clear that he believes international law should be followed.

SABRINA RODRIGUEZ, POLITICS REPORTER, "WALL STREET JOURNAL": Well, Erica, I think what we're seeing here is the global ramifications of this all. This is not as simple as a conflict between the United States and Iran, or the United States and Israel and Iran.

You're seeing the fact that this is impacting global trade and that we've seen in this few -- past few weeks, more and more countries are coming and speaking out about just the implications that it has.

Now, out of every other country, to hear China speaking up on this, to hear, with the relationship that the U.S. and China have, to hear about President Trump's tensions with China over the years, this certainly is a factor to -- to take into consideration. And I think that we're going to be hearing more from China in the weeks to come if this continues to -- to drag on.

HILL: There's also, importantly, today, for the first time in decades, the leaders of Israel and Lebanon are set to meet. I mean, how important is Israel when it comes to any deal that may be done to bring an end to this war? MEGHAN HAYS, FORMER BIDEN WHITE HOUSE DIRECTOR OF MESSAGE PLANNING: I

mean, they're the reason we got into this, right? This is a war of choice. There was no imminent threat on the United States. So, we are here, because Israel -- we are now -- Israel had gotten Trump to go bomb Iran.

So, I just think that, you know, this is impacting -- to your point, this is a -- oil is a global market. This is impacting every step of the way down the supply chain from everything in every country now.

And so, I think that we need to figure out an off-ramp. And we need to do it quickly, because people in America are suffering. They can't afford gas. They can't afford -- they're not going to be able to afford their summer vacations or road trips or anything else.

And so, it's impacting us, but it's also impacting every other country that is dependent on oil coming out of the strait.

HILL: When you add all that up, right -- I thought David made an interesting point, Mike, when he was talking about -- which makes a lot of sense, right? You don't send the vice president back until you know that something is going to be happening.

But also, the fact that, you know, Iran is having to go back and check with their leaders before they can agree to anything. Based on the timeline that we know it took for JCPOA, for example, and the way that Iranians tend to drag things out, do you think there has been a miscommunication within this administration about how quickly a meaningful deal can get done?

MIKE DUBKE, FORMER TRUMP WHITE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: No, and here's why.

I think one of the takeaways I had from David's piece was we're adding 10,000 troops to the conflict at the moment. Iran is threatening the Sea of Oman or the -- and the Red Sea. I think both sides are escalating in order to -- to put their positions in a stronger stance before they go back to the negotiating table.

[06:10:07]

So, I personally see all of these movements from them right now as kind of an impetus to get back to the table.

This administration, somebody had a great line. This is not an interoffice memo crew within this administration. And I think they are always going to press forward in trying to get something done. So, I'm not surprised by any of that.

I think their timeline is whatever we can get done whenever we can do it. But right now, both sides are showing, I think, interest in getting back to the table and negotiating..

HILL: There is the political element of all of this, right, and how things are playing out here at home. This is not popular and is increasingly less popular as gas prices remain high for Americans. That is also weighing on these talks.

RODRIGUEZ: No question about it. I mean, we have the backdrop of a U.S. election this year, a really important, you know, U.S. midterm election this year.

And I just think of, you know, pre- this conflict playing out. I remember the end of last year. What you heard was Republican strategists, Republican officials really urging the president to emphasize and lean in on what he's doing to improve Americans lives, how he's helping, you know, tackle the issues of affordability in this country.

This has certainly hurt toward that argument. This is certainly set him back a few months in that argument.

But just today, we're seeing the president's going to be traveling to Las Vegas. He's going to be traveling to Arizona, trying to make some of that economic pitch that people have really been pushing.

I think as people are feeling the strain of this war, are feeling it every day when they go to the gas pump and all the downward implications this can have, of course it's going to be a hard pitch.

But I think that's something that people really want to see more of a focus on, and just how much this actually hurts people in the United States.

Yes. All right. Much more to come this hour, including the Swalwell scandal. So, Democrats flailing in this moment when it comes to California's race for governor. Should Gavin Newsom step in to help?

Plus, Katy Perry now under investigation in Australia. We'll take a closer look at those allegations.

And bad Santa. The organizer of SantaCon, arrested -- get this -- accused of stealing money from charities.

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[06:16:51]

HILL: Sixteen minutes past the hour. Here are five things to know to get your day going.

A third U.S. strike in as many days against an alleged drug trafficking boat in the Eastern Pacific. Three people were killed in that strike on Wednesday.

That brings the death toll in these strikes to 177, and 53 boats have been destroyed as part of the administration's anti-drug campaign.

Just days after vowing to stay in the Bahamas, where he would continue looking for his missing wife, Brian Hooker is now back in the United States, according to his attorney, who spoke with CNN. His attorney says Hooker had come back to visit his mother, who is ill. His wife, Lynette Hooker, went missing nearly two weeks ago. He says

she fell overboard in rough waters. He was arrested in the Bahamas but then released without charges.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor is apologizing for publicly criticizing her fellow justice, Brett Kavanaugh. Speaking last week about Kavanaugh's support for roving ICE operations in California last fall, Sotomayor said, "This is a man whose parents were professionals, and he probably doesn't really know any person who works by the hour."

Sotomayor has said she regrets the comments and that she has personally apologized to Kavanaugh.

Katy Perry is under investigation in Australia. Authorities looking into allegations made by the actress Ruby Rose against the pop star.

Earlier this week, Rose accused Perry of sexual assault for an alleged incident that happened in 2010 at a nightclub in Melbourne. Perry denies any wrongdoing.

Well, it turns out the organizer of SantaCon may actually be a little bit of a grinch.

SantaCon, if you're not familiar, is an annual bar crawl which takes over New York City, where people dress up as Santa Claus. All of it is done not just for the drinks, people. It's supposed to be to raise money for New York City charities.

But according to a new indictment, only a small fraction of that money actually made its way to the charity. The organizer has now been arrested and charged with stealing -- get this -- more than $1 million.

Our affiliate, ABC-7 in New York, tried to get some answers from him yesterday.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Any comments to the people that paid $17 to participate and do this bar crawl for the betterment of these New York City charities? Anything for the Brooklyn Development Project, Children's Heart Association?

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HILL: Not a lot to say there, apparently.

I mean, allegedly stealing from the charity.

DUBKE: Well, you already had the Grinch on your -- on -- you know, so I don't have that line. It's a candy corn thing. I don't know. This.

HILL: Candy corn. You mean candy cane?

DUBKE: No. Candy corn. No, candy corn.

HILL: Are you talking about the four food groups in "Elf"? Candy canes?

DUBKE: I am.

HILL: -- candy corns, maple syrup, and --

DUBKE: I was. I was going there. Yes.

HILL: I think there's one more. I'm missing the fourth one.

DUBKE: You are missing. And I don't know what it is.

HILL: OK. I'm going to come up with it by the end of the show. Don't worry. Back to SantaCon.

DUBKE: Actually -- I actually am interested in what bars they go to. I mean, what's -- so how are they raising money here?

HILL: So, you had to pay to be a part of it, right?

DUBKE: Right.

HILL: And then allegedly, he was -- the money was --

DUBKE: Just keeping the money, instead of --

HILL: -- supposed to go to these charities, and they're alleging that he kept the money.

DUBKE: Yes.

HILL: But I will say it does take over New York City. And you always have these sort of warnings leading up to it, like, hey, look out, it's going to be super crowded on the subway this weekend or it's going to be crazy.

DUBKE: Don't be creeped out by Santa. Yes. And it is like it does flood the streets. There have been some complaints in years past about behavior of some of the Santas.

[06:20:07]

HAYS: It is super fun, though, to see, especially right around the holidays, everyone dressed up as Santa Claus. I mean, it's just like a St. Patrick's Day festivities type thing. It is fun to see.

But I mean, clearly this guy shouldn't be stealing money from charities. That's kind of gross.

DUBKE: You know we were talking about this today.

HAYS: Yes, I'm red. Christmas red.

HILL: Right. Christmas red.

HAYS: And you guys are in green.

DUBKE: Oh, you guys are in green.

HILL: Right. So --

HAYS: You're the only one.

DUBKE: I'm the oddball.

HILL: There's so much advanced planning happening here. Just don't keep Mike in the group chat. Just kidding.

DUBKE: No. So sad.

HILL: Still to come here on CNN THIS MORNING, we are taking a closer look at the growing cost of the war with Iran. It's not just oil and gas. The ripple effects that are being felt on the world economy.

And if you think you paid too much for your Cardi B tickets, well, you probably did. A jury finding that Ticketmaster and Live Nation are, in fact, overcharging you.

And a good morning to our friends in Dallas this morning. Sun going to be rising there in just a few moments.

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[06:25:14]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But this is big. This is -- this is big. So, grab your popcorn. Enjoy the ride.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This result should have major implications for Live Nation entertainment. Emphasis on "should."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is great news because for the longest time, it felt like we as fans have been screaming into a void about how Ticketmaster be violating us when it comes to these concerts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: You heard it there, screaming into a void. You might be able to relate.

Music lovers are hoping there may be some relief coming your way after a jury found Ticketmaster and Live Nation operated as a monopoly and overcharged customers.

The six-week trial in New York included testimony from top executives. The company, though not admitting defeat at this point, saying in a statement the jury's verdict is not the last word on this matter. Pending motions will determine whether the liability and damages rulings stand.

So, there is now a second trial that will determine any remedies. The original suit was brought by the DOJ, 39 state attorneys general/ New York ag Letitia James, weighing in after the verdict.

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JAMES: What we are seeking is divestiture, which means a breakup between those two companies as well as divestiture from all of the amphitheaters that they own. They own 70 percent of the venues in our nation.

And as we move forward, fans and consumers and those who purchase tickets from live master, Live Nation and Ticketmaster, they may see some damages. They may see some relief.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Joining me now, Elise Adams and former federal prosecutor and host of the "Elise, You Heard it Here" podcast.

Elise, good to have you here this morning. I think most folks, myself included, you see this and your first thought is, OK, am I getting any money back? And will tickets actually be easier to get and cheaper? Will any of that happen?

ELISE ADAMS, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Yes, eric, I think most of us are asking that ourselves. I mean, this was a very significant first step.

But the answer is we have to wait and see, because what happened yesterday was just the initial liability finding. There is a second -- there is a second trial that is going to have to occur. It's the remedy trial.

And it's just what Attorney General James explained in that soundbite where now the -- what's next? Are they going to divest the companies? Meaning are they going to break them up?

That's significant because if they're broken up, that means there will be more market competition. And that is when consumers might feel some relief. When there is more competition in the market, it drives costs down.

And so, if that happens, I think we as consumers can eventually expect to see some more reasonably priced tickets on the market to all those shows you want to go see.

HILL: There was already a pretty high level of frustration, because, right, as we got in the ruling, because it was a monopoly, but it felt that way to a lot of people. The public image of Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, not great.

Some of what came out in the trial, though, also added to the frustration for consumers.

So, one of the message exchanges -- this was from 2022. Ben Baker, who's the head of ticketing for Live Nation venues, was talking about an increase in parking fees. This is some internal slack messaging.

And said, "Robbing them blind, baby. That's how we do."

His colleague responded, "LOL."

Now, Baker did testify the language was immature, unacceptable, indefensible. Um. But the fact that that was happening does add to the frustration.

The reality is they still control much of the market. So even as you're saying, we could see something down the road. How long are we talking?

ADAMS: Yes. Erica, that's a great question. And I do believe in his testimony, he said something like it was against public -- company policy to say what he was saying.

But it did illustrate the mindset of that -- that company in most of our minds.

We're talking about months. Again, we have to move to the second penalty phase. Then, once that occurs, Live Nation said they are going to fight this.

You heard -- you saw them already going on the defensive, saying they're going to file motions. Please expect to see them file appeals.

They claim that they are not monopolists, that they are just fierce competitors in the marketplace.

But I think the question, Erica, is what marketplace is this? Because I'm unaware of very many other ticketing services, and that's because they're just so big that they -- they have -- they are, in fact, running a monopoly, which is what the federal jury found.

So, I think if we feel any impacts to consumers, it's going to be months, even potentially years, unfortunately.

HILL: The DOJ actually settled two weeks into trial, had a separate settlement here. A couple of state agencies joined. But the DOJ doing that. What do you make of that settlement and how -- and how does that impact things moving forward?

ADAMS: Yes, I think that's very interesting. The DOJ brought this case in 2024 and then settled the first week of trial.

And I think what that signals is that the Trump DOJ is more inclined to settle these matters than rather go to trial and be very aggressive in their antitrust enforcement.

[06:30:00]