Return to Transcripts main page

Connect the World

FIFA to Hold World Cup Draw in Washington, DC; Concerns Raised Over U.S. Immigration, Visa Policies; Bipartisan Divide Over Classified Briefing and Strike Footage; New U.S. Strike at Sea Announced as Scrutiny Grows; Prominent Israeli-Backed Militia Leader in Gaza Killed. Aired 9-9:45a ET

Aired December 05, 2025 - 09:00   ET

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

[09:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: This is the scene. Look at that a snow falls in Washington, DC, where, across the city, at the Kennedy

Center. The red carpet is being rolled out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw. It's a major event, not just in sport, but also North American

geopolitics, with the leaders of the U.S., Canada and Mexico all rugged up, expected to be there.

It is 09:00 a.m. right now in DC, 09:00 a.m. here, also in Atlanta. I'm Lynda Kinkade, great to have you with us. This is "Connect the World".

Coming up, mixed reactions on Capitol Hill after a briefing on a controversial boat strike with some Republicans now defending the Trump

Administration.

And Israel gets the all clear to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, sparking a boycott by four countries protesting Israel's presence. I'll

speak to a former Eurovision winner. Well, the stock market is in New York. It is about to open about 30 minutes from now, going into the futures all

down, as you can see there.

And the big business story of the day, Netflix has come out on top in the bidding war for Warner Brothers and HBO. Warner Brothers has been CNN's

parent company, of course. We will take a look at what that deal means for all the massive media companies involved, and how share prices could react.

We are just a few hours away from getting a sense of how one of the world's biggest sporting events will pay out. The final draw for the FIFA World Cup

will be held at noon, local time, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. 48 teams will be sorted into 12 groups of four.

And then on Saturday, FIFA will release the full match schedule, including the venues and the kickoff times. Donald Trump is taking credit for the

U.S. winning the co-hosting riots, along with Canada and Mexico. But human rights groups are already raising concerns about undocumented migrants or

potentially even fans from abroad being detained under Trump's immigration crackdown.

And fans from countries on the administration's travel ban may also be barred from attending. Well, our Don Riddell is at the Kennedy Center with

more on the imminent draw, and our Alayna Treene has more on the political reaction in Washington, DC. What a beautiful snowy day there right now.

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah.

KINKADE: Good to have you both there. Don, I want to start with you, because this is going to be the biggest FIFA World Cup we've seen yet. Just

to tear us up for what's going to happen in the coming hours.

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT: Hey, Lynda, yeah, we're very, very excited. We are a little bit cold, but I'm sure the draw is going to warm everybody

up in a few hours' time. The World Cup draw is always a really, really big deal. It's kind of the starting gun for the whole event.

And today is the day when the players and the teams and the fans can really start planning how next summer is going to look and feel. And as you say,

come the weekend, the fans can start, you know, planning and maybe even making their travel arrangements. But essentially, the draw is, when it all

comes together.

We're going to have the 48 teams, 42 of whom we already know, drawn from four different pots into these four groups. And after that, every team can

figure out what their pathway through to the final might look like. The most important teams, the top seeds are all going to be coming out of pot

one the three host nations are considered top seeds for this.

So, the USA, Canada and Mexico cannot play each other in the group stage, and crucially, they cannot play any of the other top seeds in this

tournament. The top countries are Argentina, the defending champion, Spain, France and England. If those four teams win their groups, then actually

they cannot meet until the semifinal stage.

But we all know with the World Cup that what you think might happen is almost certainly not what is actually going to happen. But a 48 team World

Cup, as you say, we have never seen anything like this. It's 16 teams more than we've ever had. And there's going to be the heavy weights, and there's

going to be the minnows, right down to the likes of Curacao, a country of just 180,000 or so people are going to be playing in their first ever World

Cup.

[09:05:00]

So, there's going to be no shortage of romance in this tournament.

KINKADE: Yeah, certainly a great deal of excitement. I want to go to you Alayna, because not only will we see the U.S. President there today for

this draw, but also the leaders of Canada and Mexico. And of course, in recent months, Trump has launched trade wars against both of those allies

and recently also threatened to bomb cartels in Mexico. How are those underlying tensions impacting the overall event?

TREENE: Well, Lynda, this is actually the first time we're going to see these three leaders meeting in person together at that draw at the Kennedy

Center. And you're exactly right. I mean, it comes, of course, this is going to be a moment where they're supposed to be. You know, supposed to be

united.

They are partners in this World Cup, each country, you know, playing a big role in the event next year. But there's going to be a lot hanging over it,

mainly the tariff negotiations and the trade talks. And I note that this meeting that we're expecting between each of them, we've already confirmed,

according to White House officials, that the president, President Donald Trump, is expected to meet with the Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as

well as the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

But it comes as they are looking ahead to a renegotiation and formal review of the U.S., Mexico, Canada trade agreement. I'd note that's actually an

agreement that President Donald Trump first negotiated back during his first term. At the time, he'd called it the best trade deal around.

But now there are a lot of concerns about what this could mean for the deal that is in place for trade talks, and especially as we know that tariffs

have really been bearing down, particularly on Canada and Mexico, in addition to, of course, other countries around the world.

So that's going to be some of the underlying tension that you're talking about, Lynda. But look, I mean, they have had these three leaders, some

warm relationships. Who know President Donald Trump has met on multiple occasions with Carney, he spoken several times with Sheinbaum.

But it'll be interesting to see those dynamics in person, having the three of them together in one room and see where these talks lead. Because it has

been, you know, untraditionally in the past, I would argue that the relationships particularly between the United States and Canada, very

strong allies, have not been as troubled as they are during this term.

And then, of course, even President Trump kind of ratchet up pressure on Mexico in recent weeks, talking about potential strikes there because of

the flow of drugs from Mexico into United States. So, it's going to be a very interesting meeting, and something to very much watch for.

We'll see if there's any big news from those discussions today in person, but trade very much going to be on the mind, in addition, of course, to the

fun part of the festivities that include the World Cup draw.

KINKADE: Yeah, exactly. I want to go back to Don before I come back to you. President Trump, of course, and Gianni Infantino share a pretty close

relationship. I did speak to the FIFA boss a short time ago about the partial and the full travel bans that some fans could experience. I just

want to play some of that sound.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIANNI INFANTINO, FIFA PRESIDENT: We have some really good conversations with the administration. America is a welcoming country. America is

welcoming the world. This year for the Club World Cup, next year for the World Cup, procedures will be put in place to make sure that fans can come,

those who want to come to celebrate and to spend a good time, they will be welcomed.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: So, fans from at least two countries, Iran and Haiti, are facing this ban. What's the latest on that Don? If you can hear me, I have -- Don,

if you've still got us, what's the latest on the travel ban affecting Iran and Haiti, the fans from those two countries?

RIDDELL: Well, it's going to be a very interesting situation regarding who may be able to attend this World Cup tournament next year. I mean, if you

just look at the draw situation today, you would expect that all of the delegations from the countries represented would be here.

The Iranian delegation, which is one of the two qualified countries on the banned list. They're only sending a couple of representatives because they

weren't able to get enough visas. And we know that there are 19 countries on the ban list, two of them, Iran and Haiti, have qualified for the

tournament.

CNN reporting overnight that, that list could soon go to 30 or 32 countries. So, we don't know if other qualified teams and their nations may

be swept up in that. But it is certainly a very interesting situation with the friendship between Gianni Infantino and the U.S. President Donald

Trump.

Some might even describe it as a bromance. Infantino has been to the White House half a dozen times already this year. Trump is expected to be here

again today. I think we can be sure of it, to be honest, because the Secret Service Security around this event was intense when we came through a

couple of hours ago.

[09:10:00]

And Trump is expected to be awarded a brand-new FIFA Peace Prize, which Gianni Infantino announced just a couple of months ago. Infantino

accompanied Trump to Cairo for the signing of the peace deal between Israel and Hamas. So, these two men are very, very close.

And for all the stars and all the excitement here today. It may well be that the American president, Donald Trump, is the most imposing figure at

this event.

KINKADE: Very well could be. Well, it certainly looks like a white Wonderland there. Stay warm. I hope you can get some hot coffee or tea or a

hot chocolate the next few moments before we chat again. Don Riddell and Alayna Treene in DC. Thanks so much.

Well, we are hearing mixed reaction from Capitol Hill, mostly along party lines, after a classified briefing on that controversial strike on a

suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. Lawmakers viewed footage of the September strike and heard testimony from the Navy admiral who oversaw it

behind closed doors.

At issue a second attack launched on two survivors of the initial strike. One senior Democrat says the classified video clearly showed two people

clinging to a decimated vessel, and he is calling for it to be publicly released. But Republicans appear to be largely backing the follow up

strike.

Well, concern about the legality of the Trump Administration's military campaign against alleged drug boats, punctuated by a freshly announced

strike at sea. CNN Zachary Cohen is following the developments and joins us now from DC with the latest. Looks like you're inside.

Lucky for you. So just take us through what would need to happen to make this footage public.

ZACHARY COHEN, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY REPORTER: Well, effectively, our understanding is that Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense, could

just release the video today if he wanted to the President of the United States, said this week that he supports the Pentagon releasing everything

that they have related to this September 2nd strike.

But so far, we have not seen Pete Hegseth follow through with that. Reporters at the Pentagon yesterday shouted questions at Pete Hegseth,

asking him if he intended to release this full video, and he did not respond. One reporter for CNN told us that he just smirked and continued

walking into the event that he was attending.

So, it remains to be seen, if we will, the American public and the world will ever get to see that full video. But as you mentioned, a top Democrat

emerging from that classified briefing yesterday, where he got to -- he saw the full footage and called it one of the most troubling things he had ever

seen in his time in public service.

Now Republicans, on the other hand, you know, acknowledging the realities of what they watch, but also really still defending the Trump

Administration, echoing some of the same defenses that we've heard from administration officials about how they believe.

The military believed that these were still legitimate targets, even after the first strike appears to have cut the boat in half. And military

officials in the command center at the time were told watched for about an hour as these two survivors clung to the wreckage and appeared to try to

climb back on one of the pieces of that boat.

And during that time period, we're told too that military commanders deliberated about what to do, whether to initiate a second strike to kill

those survivors, believing, ultimately, and making this case to lawmakers yesterday that they could have essentially climbed back onto the record and

floated to a rendezvous point where they could have been picked up by other alleged drug traffickers and continued with their drug trafficking mission.

So that seems to be the current explanation that the military and the Trump Administration is making. But at the same time, our colleagues here on in

DC at CNN reporting yesterday something really, really key, that Admiral Bradley acknowledging yesterday that these two survivors this boat on

September 2nd didn't appear to have any radio or other communication systems.

So that would undercut something we've heard defense officials use and say privately the last several weeks, that one of the reasons they were viewed

as a legitimate threat is because they could have radioed for help. And so that is really does not seem to be feasible now that we know they didn't

have any radio or communication systems.

KINKADE: And Zach, despite the controversy over this double tap strike and the questions and cause for an investigation, the Trump Administration

appears to be pushing ahead with this policy, striking yet another boat just yesterday, right?

COHEN: That's right, the criticism really not impacting or their decision making, it seems, announcing another strike, bringing the death toll up to

87 people who have been killed in total four in this most recent strike, according to the Pentagon. So, this is interesting, because we have just --

this was the first strike that we've heard the Pentagon announce in the last several weeks.

[09:15:00]

It's been the longest really pause in strikes so far since the campaign started in early September. But once again, the timing of this is

interesting because it's announced on the same day that Admiral Bradley goes to the hill and explains the reasoning behind that September 2nd

strike. And there's still a lot of criticism about the entire operation writ large.

KINKADE: Yeah. Zachary Cohen for us in DC. Much appreciated. Thank you. Well, this has been a week of high stakes diplomacy to try to end the war

in Ukraine, and the latest meeting held in Miami between Ukrainian and U.S. officials has wrapped up. That's according to Ukrainian media.

So far, no details have been released, but the delegations were expected to discuss the results of Tuesday's peace talks between Russia's President and

Donald Trump's two most trusted negotiators. Well, the world is also watching India, where the prime minister has rolled out the red carpet for

Vladimir Putin.

The Russian President says he's ready to provide uninterrupted a supply of fuel to the Indian economy. Well, CNN's Melissa Bell joins us now from

Paris with more. Good to see you, Melissa. So, these peace negotiations certainly seem like two steps forward, six steps back.

Just take us through the low the most recent comments we're hearing from Putin to give us perspective on where these talks stand.

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, what we've heard from the Russian President are these maximalist demands regarding

Ukraine and its future borders, expressed once again in an interview with Indian media ahead of that visit with Narendra Modi, Lynda.

And this is extremely worrying, because, of course, everyone, and specifically here in Europe, has been trying to figure out exactly what was

agreed in Moscow last week between the Russians and the American representatives in the shape of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the

president's son in law.

It was part of the conversations that were held in Miami yesterday between the American delegation, but also that high level Ukrainian defense

delegation trying to figure out exactly what the shape of what has been leaked as a 26, 27-point plan actually involved.

And I think the words spoken by the Russian President as he arrived towards Delhi are important, because those maximalist demands with regard

specifically to Donbas. The idea that Ukraine would have to give up in order for this peace plan to function, parts of the Donbas that it has not

lost for the time being clearly unacceptable to Kyiv.

And that's what's behind a great deal of the anxiety, both in Kyiv and here in Europe, as the prospects of peace at this stage. Let's have a listen to

what U.N. official had to say yesterday regarding hopes of what might happen now, given the context of that piece being discussed between

Washington and Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHIAS SCHMALE, U.N. HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR FOR UKRAINE: We are worried about the nightmare scenario of continued energy destruction and the

recovery not holding pace with that destruction. And in the middle of a harsh winter, people getting stuck in cities in high rise buildings.

Now, there have been moments of cautious optimism. At the moment, I don't sense any optimism that we're getting closer to ending this terrible

tragedy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BELL: And so, for all the flurry of activity that's taken place between American and Russian officials, that is very much the feeling here on the

European continent, Lynda, that the Europeans have been left out of these discussions, and they fear the Ukrainian interests as well.

KINKADE: Well, we will leave it there for now, but we will talk again very soon. Thanks so much. Well, the leader of the most prominent Israeli backed

militia in Gaza has been killed, Yasser Abu Shabab's popular forces militia-controlled patches of territory in Rafah in the southern part of

the enclave.

His organization says he was killed trying to de-escalate a conflict between members of a family. Two Israeli sources tell CNN that Israel tried

to evacuate Abu Shabab before he was pronounced dead. It's unclear how his death will impact Israel's plans in the enclave.

Hamas had vowed to kill the militant leader, but has not claimed responsibility for his death. Well, still to come, at least four countries

are boycotting next year's Eurovision contest after Israel was given the green light to participate. That following reaction from multiple angles,

next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:20:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. One of the world's top music competitions is embroiled in turmoil. At least four countries are

withdrawing from next year's Eurovision Song Contest after organizers decided to allow Israel to participate. Its possible other countries may

also boycott it too.

Public broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands are protesting Israel's participation over its military action in Gaza. There

were also concerns that Israel's robust campaign for votes last year slanted the outcome. On X, Israel's President thanked those who stood up

for Israel's ride to be part of the annual music competition.

Well, Paul Harrington won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and he joined me a short time ago from Dublin, Ireland to react to that boycott. And I

began by asking him how the boycotts like this one, impact the artists and the competition. Take a listen.

PAUL HARRINGTON, 1994 EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WINNER: There's always been controversy associated with Eurovision. I don't know myself the power of

boycotting, I -- but the reality is, because of the semifinal qualification stages of Eurovision, we have often not gone through in recent years.

But the truth of the matter is the show goes on because whether we're in it or not, people still have their Eurovision parties. They celebrate

Eurovision. And it is very much. I mean, I think, apart from being involved in and performing, most recently, I was in Liverpool with my son, Daniel,

who's a huge fan.

And it's a really unique experience, and it is joyous, and it doesn't feel political, but it is competitive, that's for sure.

KINKADE: Yeah, and it's certainly one of those competitions that has withstood the test of time.

HARRINGTON: Yeah.

KINKADE: And it's interesting to know that, you know the European Broadcasting Union introduced new safeguards to ensure that this

competition remains neutral politically speaking. Do you think those changes are sufficient to ensure that the focus remains on the music?

HARRINGTON: I think every bit helps. I think, you know, there was a I heard that they're changing 20 votes to 10 by you know that people can only vote

for a song 10 times rather than 20. I mean, my understanding is whatever number you put on that, that it all levels out anyway.

But I think that the real change would be the fact that they're going to introduce jury judging for the Senate finals also, because I do know that

works. I have been on a jury for a number of years, on the Irish jury, and, you know, I could see the results directly. For example, if there was six

of us in a room and we individually, not telling each other, chose the top three that would be reflected in the overall results.

So, it is a better system. But look, hang a second. I mean, the tele-voting thing, I presume, is about money and not necessarily about accuracy in

voting. But I would like to -- I was surprised to see that in the meeting in Geneva that they were -- what appeared to be the talk was whether or not

Israel would be allowed participate. And then that seemed to get slightly sidestepped.

[09:25:00]

And then they produced these new rules. So, I was a little confused by that.

KINKADE: Yeah, I mean, we have heard that the potential of other countries also boycotting Eurovision. I mean, what advice do you give to contestants,

to organizers, to countries making these decisions right now?

HARRINGTON: Well, look, these are as they say, in your part of the world there, that's well above my pay grade. I mean, these people make these

decisions. And, you know, I did hear that they robustly debated the whole idea of Israel's participation. Look, you know, in an ideal world, it would

be lovely if it went on as and it remained without any sort of political interference.

But the reality is, in the world that we live in today, it's hard for it not to be affected by it. And, you know, it's hard for people to kind of to

stand by and, you know, not talk about the elephant in the room. And I suppose to the point there probably will be more people will join in the

boycott.

It's not a nice thing. It's not pleasant, but it's another part of world history that, you know, we will get past. And that is the way it is. We're

just right in it at the moment. But this too, will pass, you know. But I think the you know, the reality is, I'm absolutely amazed at how

extraordinary of a big story this is.

But you know, because we all know what the real story is, of course, war in the world, you know.

KINKADE: Yeah, and of course, Israel is facing serious allegations of war crimes in Gaza.

HARRINGTON: Exactly.

KINKADE: Do you know anyone in Ireland who is proud of the stance that Ireland is taking here?

HARRINGTON: Well, I mean, look, I get the impression from people I've talked, look, there's mixed views, but some people would regard it as being

futile, but most people would support and respect the broadcasters decision, just I suppose, as I say, that it is in tandem, and it would be

in keeping with the general support that the country has been trying to show and the solidarity that they're trying to show.

I mean, look, I -- my personal feeling is, you know, the greatest powers in the world don't seem to be able to, you know, put this thing back together

again. So, I'm not sure what the power of our voices are, or mine as a singer entertainer, but look, I do support it. For a number of years, I

tried to remain as neutral and as quiet as I could. But the reality is, it can't be ignored any longer.

KINKADE: So, you support this stance Ireland is taking here.

HARRINGTON: I do. I do. And again, that does not make me anti-Israel. I mean, this is the great danger you upset people, because it's -- you're

forced into this one way or the other. I mean, I just think it is -- and it's appalling. It's so difficult on the contestants and for the singers

and the songwriters who are really, really looking forward to participating in.

And it is a great show. It's a great spec to go whatever happens afterwards. It's a fantastic week. I mean, you feel and you're treated like

a star, and you're on a global stage. But I suppose it's at this point, it's difficult, even though they say it is a broadcaster's competition.

It's difficult to separate that now and, you know, to see, I suppose, a country that is in, you know, the condition and the situation that we've

all been witnessing for the last couple of years. You know, to see the name and that being represented on a so-called neutral stage.

KINKADE: Paul Harrington, winner of the Eurovision Contest back in 1994 we appreciate your time. Thanks so much for sharing your perspective.

HARRINGTON: Thank you, Lynda.

KINKADE: Let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories on our radar right now. And German lawmakers have approved a controversial bill

that aims to boost its military troop numbers. It provides salary incentives for voluntary service, but also lays out a path for

conscription.

The German Chancellor vowed to build Europe's strongest army amid growing tensions with Russia. The South African government is investigating how 17

of its citizens wound up unwittingly fighting in the Russian Ukraine war. One of the daughters of Former President Jacob Zuma is accused of luring

the men to fight for Russia under false pretenses.

She's not responded to the accusations. Police in New Zealand have finally recovered a stolen Faberge egg locket almost a week after an alleged thief

swallowed it. The Associated Press reports a $19,000 locket was recovered after it exited the suspect's gastro track, naturally and without medical

intervention. The suspect has been under constant police watch.

[09:30:00]

Still ahead, Netflix clinches a blockbuster move to buy Warner Brothers and HBO, why could shake up the streaming was. And the opening bell on Wall

Street marks the start of the trading day in New York this Friday. Our stocks are opening, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade in Atlanta. You are watching "Connect the World". Let's take a look at how the DOW is opening on the

markets you can see there, all up ever so slightly across the board. Well, in a major news story today, affecting our company.

Netflix has won the bidding war to buy Warner Brothers and HBO. The $72 billion sale covers its film and TV businesses, including streaming service

HBO Max. Netflix will compete the takeover once parent company Warner Brothers Discovery completes the spin-off of its cable networks, which of

course, includes CNN.

Now the Netflix acquisition would create a streaming powerhouse, but it does face major hurdles in terms of regulation, both here in the U.S. and

abroad. CNN Chief Media Analyst, Brian Stelter, to joins me now. Great to have you with us, Brian. So, a huge business moves on the horizon.

It will affect all of us here. There were several bidders, right? They were either wanting to buy all of Warner Brothers Discovery or parts of the

company. Just take us through this Netflix deal.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN CHIEF MEDIA ANALYST: Yeah, and already there are some indications that one of those other bidders Paramount is not going to go

away quietly. This is a drama that is far from over, but at least for the moment, Netflix is declaring victory in this week's long bidding war, this

battle for Warner Brothers Discovery.

And let's take a step back and explain how the company is being broken up. Warner Brothers Discovery used to be known as Time Warner years ago. It

includes CNN, lots of other cable and satellite channels, HBO, HBO Max, Warner Brothers movie studio, all of those assets.

And Warner Brothers Discovery is currently working on breaking itself into two different pieces, two different publicly traded companies that will

take effect next year. One of those companies is called Discovery Global. It's going to include CNN and other cable channels, and it's going to go

off on one side.

The other company, Warner Brothers, includes the movie studio and the streaming service. It's going to go off on the other side, and that's what

Netflix has agreed to buy for more than $70 billion. So, Netflix is trying to get even bigger. It's already the king of streaming in many ways.

It believes it needs to get even bigger. The company's executives are saying now that this is going to set up the company for decades to come by

gaining assets like the Harry Potter franchise, Game of Thrones, all of those HBO and Warner Brothers assets that are really well known around the

world.

[09:35:00]

So that's the plan, but it is going to come up against a lot of regulatory scrutiny in the U.S., the EU and other markets, and like I said, other

bidders may also have their own ideas, so this is far from over.

KINKADE: Those regulatory hurdles. Netflix has reportedly offered to pay the breakup fee. Should this deal be blocked or rejected by the regulators?

STELTER: Yes.

KINKADE: That certainly sounds like a confident move on their part.

STELTER: I'm certainly, I'm told, though, by a source close to the matter, that Netflix has agreed to pay a $5 billion breakup fee if this deal

doesn't get done. Now that's what a company does when it is very confident that it can win over the government regulators.

But listen, the President Trump factor here is really significant. Trump, unlike all past presidents, he is very transactional. He does not think of

the DOJ as an independent body when it comes to anti-trust matters, his whims, his preferences have guided big business deals in the past 10, 11,

months.

So, Netflix and WBD are going to have to go up against that Trump factor. Paramount actually have been arguing that it was in the corner with Trump,

that it had a mutually beneficial relationship with the Trump Administration, and it would be able to get a deal done, but Netflix would

not.

So, this is very much an open question now. Can Netflix win over U.S. regulators, EU regulators? If it can, it's going to take at least a year.

So, nothing is going to change right away, but over time, if Netflix is successful here, we're going to see two of the biggest streaming services

become one.

We're going to see a big form of media consolidation that sometimes leads to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers, although Netflix insists

this is good for consumers and good for Hollywood. I will tell you we're already hearing from major Hollywood voices that are very concerned about

this deal.

But I think we should be honest one way or another, we're going to see these roll ups happen, whether this year, next year or in the future. It is

a precarious time for the entertainment business, and we are going to see some form of consolidation. The question is, what form will actually be

blessed by these government officials and regulators?

KINKADE: Yeah, exactly. And looking at how investors are responding, we saw the share price of Warner Brothers Discovery is up already.

STELTER: Yeah.

KINKADE: Although, you know, it's down for Netflix, which is quite interesting. So, you mentioned the time frame in terms of a year.

STELTER: Yeah.

KINKADE: How soon could we see this split happen? Is it June next year? Is it September?

STELTER: Yeah. I would go further than that for the following reason, the breakup of WBD is now going to take effect in the summer of 2026 at the

earliest. That means this channel, CNN will be off in a new company as Discovery Global, potentially next summer.

That's when the Netflix deal would then start to make progress on the regulatory front. So, we're talking more like 2027 more likely. And these

delays, too, sometimes cost a lot of money and slow progress. We've seen this before with an earlier deal, for deal for Time Warner to be sold in

2017.

It was blocked by the Trump Administration. Time Warner AT&T eventually succeeded, but it cost the companies a long delay in their battle against

what streaming service Netflix. And in the past five years ago -- five years or so, Netflix has swallowed up so much more of the entertainment

industry, so much more of the marketplace. It is the streaming king now, but it believes it needs to get even bigger.

KINKADE: Wow. Amazing news. Brian Stelter, great to have you on it. Thanks so much. Well, there is something very strange going on in Miami. I know

you're not having a nightmare or watching a scene from a horror movie. We're going to explain what this means, what it is, when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:40:00]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Well, imagine Elon Musk and Picasso as robot dogs. Well, the art basel installation by American artist

Beeple is called regular animals. And these robots roam around. They take pictures in their own artistic style and occasionally eject NFT prints from

their rears.

Well, Beeple says his creation is a way of looking at the impact billionaires like Musk and Zuckerberg and Bezos have on all of us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're increasingly seeing the world through the lens of how they would like us to see it, because they control these very powerful

algorithms and they have unilateral control over how we see the world in many ways.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, this is just one of many installations at the art event in Miami. It does kick off Friday with nearly 300 galleries from dozens of

countries. Well, another of the most striking venues is a 50-foot revolving library and reading room that serves as a shared space during the Miami art

week.

It includes 2500 books. Quite an impressive sight. Well, that's it for this hour of "Connect the World". I'm Lynda Kinkade. Stay with us. "World Sport"

is back after a short break. And then we'll have much more on the FIFA World Cup draw at the top of the hour. Stay with us. You're watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:45:00]

(WORLD SPORT)

END