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Officials Hold News Conference on Swiss Ski Resort Fire; Trump Threatens Iran over Protest Crackdown; New York's Mayor Begins Work on Ambitious Agenda After being Sworn In; Trump Addresses Scrutiny of His Health in New Interview; Euro Adoption Met with Celebration, Skepticism in Bulgaria. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired January 02, 2026 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:00:00]
ERIC BONVIN, DIRECTOR, HOSPITAL DU VALAIS (through translator): These people are ones that will require a long period of treatment and
rehabilitation so it's important for these people to be able -- to be as close to home as possible so that they can be with their families and
friends, and that is something that will certainly help in their recovery.
So that's the situation for the Valais Hospital. And I'm here to tell you a little bit about the teams that have been working obviously. They were
expecting a high number of chases during these celebrations for New Year, but we were never expecting this. Our emergency plan was put in to, or was
triggered very quickly thanks to the support we received. It was able to run effectively in the two or three hours following the beginning of the
triggering of this process.
A number of colleagues came back to work, off leave in order to be able to help with the huge influx of people needing care, and at the same time,
while we've seen the solidarity, at the same time, there were obviously individuals who were distraught because they were unaware of where or
whether their family members or whether their friends were celebrating in Crans-Montana. So there was a fear as each individual, each patient
arrived, that it might be a member of their family or a friend.
But despite those fears, the spirit has been one of great professionalism and the hospital will continue doing its work. The season continues and
we'll still have work to do. We also have teams in place, psychological support to provide assistance and support to families, and teams that will
help families, patients and obviously the professionals who are experiencing huge emotional impact of a situation like this.
So I can say that as things stand today, we have coped with demands placed on us by this situation. We will continue to do so. And our system has
dealt with the demands placed on it, and we hope we provided maximum support for the victims and families concerned.
BEATRICE PILLOUD, VALAIS ATTORNEY GENERAL (through translator): Before drawing this press conference to a close, I think there's one particular
point which is very important to emphasize, which is the nature of the figures given here today. They might not be in line with other figures you
have heard, and that is simply a reflection of the evolving situation.
Lieutenant Colonel Lennon (PH) and the director of the OCVS both said that there were individuals who checked themselves into the hospital, realizing
that their wounds were worse than they had thought, which has -- which leads to an increase in figures. There are also individuals who have been
practically identified, but not formally and definitively. The figures that we have communicated to you today relate to individuals who have been
formally identified.
And that is something that could develop further still. So please do bear in mind the fact that the situation is evolving and will continue to do so
in the coming hours and days. So before concluding, I'd like to thank everybody who has spoken today. Everybody who is here, present, providing
support, and also the team here and their contributions to ensuring that the investigations can proceed, families can be helped and individuals can
be saved. Their support is essential.
I'd also emphasize the support and solidarity that has been shown in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland and internationally, and something that we
greatly appreciate. Thank you very much.
[10:05:15]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): That concludes the first part of this press conference. You now have the opportunity to put your questions.
Microphones are available on each side of the room.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): Thank you very much. I'd like to thank your teams. And one can't imagine how difficult it is to encounter
such an emergency. There are still many outstanding questions. We understand you can't answer them all. We've all seen now the sparklers. And
we've all been struck by the acoustic foam on the ceiling of the basement of the bar, which made it possible for the fire to spread so quickly. Could
you comment on that aspect?
Now, one would assume that the bar has been inspected in the past. What can you tell us about previous inspections? Was it in line with fire
regulations, and do you have any information about the difficulties that faced individuals as they sought to leave the premises? Was there just one
exit which was reached by a staircase that clearly wasn't big enough, given the number of people in the basement? Thank you very much.
PILLOUD (through translator): With regard to the acoustic foam the investigation is indeed looking at the installation of this foam and the
related facts. The investigation will determine, to the extent possible, whether or not this acoustic foam meets requirements.
As things stand today, given we have only had a few hours of the investigation in place, I can't tell you whether or not it has been
installed with or without regulation, whether it meets or does not meet regulations, and as I have said previously, I would urge you not to produce
different hypotheses, allow us to do our work, and I promise you that once the investigation is concluded, I will give you full access to the
conclusions.
I give the floor now to Stephane Ganzer for the part relating to the inspection. Thank you very much.
STEPHANE GANZER, VALAIS STATE COUNCILOR (through translator): In Valais building inspection is governed by fire protection laws. There is a shared
authority between the local authority and the Canton. The local authority for regular inspections. It will depend on the kind of building, small,
large public building, private building, buildings that can host public, such as the bar in question.
And there's a recommendation that recommends annual inspections. So at the moment it's the Crans-Montana local authority, which is responsible for
such inspections. When shortcomings are found, a report is issued and a period of time is given to the owner for the owner to bring the property
into line with regulations and if necessary, that report is sent to the Cantonal level for validation.
If the owner does not correct the problem, then there is a process that can lead to the closure of the establishment. In this case, the local fire
authorities has never received a report on failure to comply with recommendations of this building. Now, I can't say whether that means there
have been inspections in principle, if inspections would have taken place.
[10:10:01]
But what I can tell you is that no report came from the local authority of Crans-Montana to the Cantonal level, citing shortcomings with regard to
regulations.
You asked another question on the fire exit and the materials, and the door and the stairwell. At the time of the fire it seems that most people try to
leave through the main exit, but this public place also had a fire exit. But as you can understand, when there is an instance of flashover where you
have so much smoke that it's impossible to see, to move, well, in that instance, the majority of people one would imagine failed to find the fire.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): I have a number of questions for you, Madam Attorney General. You said that the two managers had been
interviewed. Could you tell us a little bit more under what status that was? And could you tell us the exact number of individuals who were present
in the bar that evening? You talked about these sparklers. Is that just a hypothesis at the moment?
And Mr. Bovin, we've talked to a number of families who say they haven't received any information at all. What can you say about that?
PILLOUD (through translator): First of all, with regard to the managers, who have been interviewed, I can't give that information. With regard to
the total number of individuals it's not possible at the moment to reply and I'll be transparent with you. I don't know whether it will be possible
to have an exact answer on that when the investigation concludes because it is a bar, there are people who come and go, and that was happening at the
time of the fire itself.
So it wouldn't be possible to provide an answer to that question with regard to the sparklers. It's a hypothesis which is the working hypothesis
at the moment. And we are seeking to conduct the investigation to confirm or deny that. With regard to information, which is communicated, those who
have been at the three press conferences, the information has been given to you by those individuals who are present at the press conference.
Any communication of information will have to be monitored and fully in line with the interests and the full respect of the families. And that is
why we do not issue hypotheses when we say something, when we provide information, we are doing so on the basis of established fact. Yes. No, I
can't give you information with regard to your first question. That was my first answer.
BOVIN (through translator): Yes. Just to follow up on what was said, from the perspective of the hospital, we have provided support for the
hospitalized patients. We have a team and premises dedicated to them. And as we get information regarding their family, their relatives, we have
communicated that to them. Obviously, we haven't been able to respond to the concerns of families who are seeking to find information of whether
their loved one has died or not, whether they have been transferred elsewhere or not.
The information that we have provided on an ongoing basis to families was strictly related to the care that we are providing for those individuals
who have been identified because, as you know, we have not been able to identify everybody, at least from the outset. So those teams are providing
support on that basis under these very difficult circumstances.
[10:15:00]
It's been very hard for everybody to get clear and precise information. The main job of the hospital is to work to save the people who come to us for
care. But I can assure you we are providing clinical information to families. And that's not an aspect of the work that we are neglecting at
all, I can assure you.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): Three questions, you spoke about the identification of the injured, but not necessarily those who have
lost their lives. Of the 40 who have lost their lives, how many have been identified? You talked about sparklers that were used. Was there
authorization to use those? Were there any instructions for the use of such fireworks in public spaces like this bar?
And further, there's information that the fire exit was blocked in the basement. Can you confirm or deny that? Thank you very much.
FREDERIC GISLER, COMMANDER, VALAIS CANTON POLICE (through translator): With regard to the identification obviously I wasn't clear enough, but allow me
to repeat what I said earlier. I think that they are clear enough for you to understand them second time round. With regard to those who have died,
we have 40 victims. Their identification is underway. It is the absolute priority of the Cantonal Police.
So we are still seeking to formally identify those who have lost their lives as the head of the judicial police has informed you. Thank you very
much.
PILLOUD (through translator): I hope that answers your question and allow me to come back to this question of the sparklers. These are simple
birthday candles that you can buy easily. The question of whether they are allowed to be used in a confined space. That's something that the
investigation will look into, and an answer will be provided when that investigation concludes.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): I previously tried to work with Nicola Ferro and he referred me to the police. My questions relate to fire
protection. Is it possible that in the bar, work had been done that was not in accordance with regulations? Secondly, with regard to inspections, why
is the local authority president Nick not here today? And secondly, would it not be possible to ask the relevant department what inspections have
been carried out? Thank you very much.
PILLOUD (through translator): Nicola Ferro wasn't invited today because he was present yesterday and had the possibility to give answers at that time.
Today we will simply answer all the questions that we can. As I've said previously, with regard to fire regulations, we will be investigating that.
It's premature today to be able to give you a correct answer to your question.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): Mr. Ganzer has said that the responsibility for the fire inspection was with the local authority, the
municipalities and not possible to say when this last investigation took place, and what kind of report was submitted.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): Thank you very much for the question. It is the local authority's responsibility. I can't say at the
moment when the last fire inspection was. And I also can't say whether the acoustic foam does require authorization or not.
[10:20:08]
But that is something that the investigation would look into. Thank you. A second question.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): Were there obstacles and bystanders who made it difficult for first responders to access the
premises?
PILLOUD (through translator): Well, as you probably know on the -- at that time on the 1st of January, there were many people in the center of Crans-
Montana so there would have been many bystanders. I don't -- I haven't heard reports that they prevented access to the premises. Sorry, what was
your second question? Were people filming outside? Yes. People filmed outside. We have seen a number of videos put on social media.
And that is a matter of individual responsibility. And as concerns this incident, so you might -- do you understand that young people often have
their phone in their hand?
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): I have a question for the attorney general. As part of the investigation, have orders been given to
the owners to stay in Switzerland, to not leave the territory of Switzerland, and if there is criminal liability how is it possible to stop
them going to France, given that we know France does not extradite its nationals?
PILLOUD (through translator): Well, let me give you a general answer. I'm not going to talk about the owner couple who are French, but rather when a
person is interviewed, they are simply providing information. If there is a flight risk, it is only against those who have been charged that we can
apply that. And at the moment, we have not identified any criminal responsibility.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER (through translator): France Press. Of the 40 who have died, do you know?
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: We have been following a news conference there on the devastating fire at the resort tourist bar in
Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Officials providing new information on the victims and now confirming witness accounts that sparklers in champagne
bottles did set off the fire.
We've learned that 40 people were killed and 119 injured, 71 of them Swiss. Also, six of the injured have still not been identified. One official says
50 burn victims are being sent to other European countries for treatment.
Nada Bashir has been following all of this alongside me here in London.
Nada, this was an extremely thorough update on the current -- the current response. I mean, we heard from the head of the police, the attorney
general, the head of health, which just gives a sense of the scale of the operation that's currently underway.
So just begin by talking to us about the numbers, what we heard, the different nationalities involved, because that was confirmed as well.
NADA BASHIR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So at this stage, it has been confirmed that 40 have been killed in this tragic fire and that a further more than
100 have been injured, 50 of those injured patients, as you mentioned, are set to be transferred, have been transferred or will soon be transferred to
specialized burn units in other European nations. As we've heard, many of those injured have been badly burned. So do require that specialist
treatment.
In the words of the officials, many are still fighting for their lives. Many of them are in intensive care. So this is very much a touch and go
situation. And the focus at this stage remains on those casualties, on those injured.
We did learn a bit more about the identities of those injured.
[10:25:03]
So 113 of them have been formally identified now, six still waiting for identification. We know that there are among them a majority of them Swiss
nationals. But there are also French nationals, Italians, Serbian, Bosnian, Belgian, one individual from Luxembourg, a Polish individual and one
Portuguese. 14, their nationalities have not been confirmed just yet, but there has been a close cooperation with European nations and other nations.
It's understood that many who are potentially impacted are still in close contact with Swiss officials and authorities.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And they said, of course, that those families have been notified, that they have been coming into Geneva Airport today, heading to
those hospitals where many of the injured and the victims have been placed. And that their priority right now is, as you say, the process of
identification. I mean, it is a grim but necessary task. We learned some more details there about just how difficult and detailed that process is.
BASHIR: Absolutely. And they have a team of experts coming in from all parts of Switzerland to support on that front. Given the scale of the
tragedy and the undertaking that is ahead of them. Of course we are talking about 40 victims here in a very significant fire. So we're talking about
DNA testing, dental records. It is a very difficult task ahead. And for the families waiting for confirmation or notification, this will be a very
difficult period for them.
And of course, as we know, this is a truly multinational effort as well. We understand that support has been offered on that front from other European
nations as well.
MACFARLANE: Thank you. I just want to turn to Julia Hamilton. She is CGTN's Switzerland correspondent who is currently in Crans-Montana.
Julia, just talk to us about what we learned there about new details regarding the investigation. They were saying there are a huge number of
specialists currently at the site in Crans-Montana looking into what's happened. What are you seeing with regards to that operation and how it's
unfolding?
JULIA HAMILTON, SWITZERLAND CORRESPONDENT, CGTN: That's right. So the police just gave a very long press conference, giving out quite a lot of
details about the operation and the scale of that operation. 150 medical staff, 13 helicopters, 40 ambulances and so much more were deployed to help
with this operation. And the investigation is still ongoing, of course. And right behind me is blocked off by the police. And there are forensic
investigators inside, fire brigade, police officers and, of course, now the police are saying that the most important fact to do is to support families
and to identify the victims.
Forty people have been confirmed dead, but their identification is still underway. And that's what the prosecutor -- that's what the police are
saying is their priority right now.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And we heard that there are, of course, many confirmed now, many international victims who were part of this. We're hearing that
the families have been arriving into Switzerland, that they have been, you know, going to hospitals, but many of them are still, you know, in the dark
as to the identification of the victims.
Do you know what support, what psychological support, what other support they are being offered as they, you know, they go through this unbearable
period of waiting?
HAMILTON: Yes, exactly. So it's an unbearable waiting. That's exactly what the authorities said. And they of course understand that that's what the
families are having to go through right now. And they're doing their utmost to identify the victims as quickly as possible. And. Yes, exactly. So the
police said that 119 people have been confirmed injured and 113 of them have been identified. And they are very international. And in fact, 71
Swiss, 14 French, 11 Italian, four from Serbia and Bosnia, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey, Romania.
So there's many of nationalities involved in those injured as well. And of course, with the 40 people confirmed dead, they don't -- they haven't
confirmed their nationalities yet. But yes, the families have been receiving psychological help here on site. And also there's a helpline has
been set up for families and friends to try to identify, to gain some information about their relatives and where there may be, because people
have been taken to hospitals around the country and even to neighboring countries like Italy, Germany and France.
So, it's very difficult for the families to know exactly what happened to their loved ones and where they are.
MACFARLANE: Yes. Julia, stay with us. I just want to bring Nada back in here to talk about a bit more detail around the investigation underway.
Authorities there saying that all possible lines are being pursued. But it's assumed, of course, that it was the sparkler fire that started the
blaze that led to this flashover, which we talked about earlier.
[10:30:03]
BASHIR: Yes. I mean, there had been a lot of speculation. We saw the videos, of course, showing the ceiling catching fire. We'd heard from
witnesses saying that there had been sparklers in champagne bottles that were held very close to the ceiling. So now it appears that that is the key
line of investigation that the authorities have pretty much confirmed that this is -- looks like what caused the significant blaze which engulfed the
entire lounge bar.
But as you mentioned, they have said that they will continue to investigate all possible lines of investigation. At this stage, they have said that
they have analyzed video recordings from the incident, from the actual night. They've also spoken to individuals who were there. They've spoken to
two managers as well of the bar. So this will all be part of the investigation process. They've also said that the interviews with the
managers of the site who actually managed to escape has allowed them to create a list of those who were present or who they believe were present.
But of course, there might be some uncertainty there, given the fact that people would obviously arrive and leave, as was mentioned in that press
conference. But that is said to be a crucial part of the identification process. They are also trying to get a better idea of the layout of the
site, the capacity of the bar itself, and also, crucially, whether fire safety measures, whether health and safety measures were upheld and adhered
to, whether there were fire safety checks in place, whether the materials used in the building were up to standard with fire safety measures.
So those will all be key things to look at. And they have said that as this investigation begins, they will be looking at the potential for criminal
accountability. So we're talking about homicide through negligence causing fire or bodily harm through negligence. These will be areas that they will
be looking at.
MACFARLANE: Yes. It's clear that there are multiple investigations going on at this very moment.
Nada, thank you for now. And thanks also to Julia Hamilton for us there in Crans-Montana.
We'll be back after this quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: U.S. President Donald Trump took to social media earlier today with a warning for Iran. America, he says, is locked and loaded to
intervene if the Iranian government cracks down violently on protesters. Demonstrations turned deadly this week with at least five people reportedly
killed in the latest clashes with police.
I want to welcome Sanam Vakil to the program. She's the director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Chatham House.
Great to see you. Just before we get to those comments from President Trump, I wanted to get your sense of the current protests we're seeing in
Iran because we have seen, of course, protests of this kind in the past rooted, sparked by economic hardship.
[10:35:06]
And this latest round we know has now spread beyond Tehran to villages outside.
How consequential do you see this moment and how testing a moment is it for the Iranian regime?
SANAM VAKIL, DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA PROGRAM, CHATHAM HOUSE: Well, good to be with you. These protests are serious. Every round of
protests inside Iran has been nothing short of serious. But these protests are have erupted at a critical time because Iran's economy is in dire
shape. It's the impact of sanctions are certainly taking its toll on ordinary individuals. And these strikes broke out initially because of
economic grievances and then have developed into protests across the country.
Beyond the economics, of course, Iranians have held deep seated grievances against the system for many decades now. They've been protesting
consistently since 2009, coming out in large scale in those protests and then in smaller scales in years since. And your viewers will remember the
2022 women life freedom protest as being also very powerful. But thirdly, let's just add one other layer that Iran and Israel have had direct
military conflict last year, and the U.S. also intervened.
So these variables that are intersecting are adding extra weight inside Iran and on the Iranian political system as well.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And with that, I mean, we have obviously Donald Trump ramping up pressure again, saying on Truth Social this morning, we are
locked and ready to go. I don't think we've ever seen an American president issuing such direct threats before. This is the second time in a week, of
course. He was alongside Benjamin Netanyahu just last week when he did so again. How is that being received? I know the Iranian government have
responded already, but will it compel them to do anything? What's, you know, what's that going to do?
VAKIL: You're quite right. This is a stark and divergent approach from a U.S. president. All past presidents going back to the time of President
Obama have been very careful to wade in, supporting the protesters as best they can, but haven't wanted to involve the United States directly should
something transformative or revolutionary occur inside Iran. The belief is, and I think this is quite right, it should be derived by Iranians for
Iranians, not at the hand of the United States.
I think that there is an impulse, of course. People are fed up. They're frustrated, they're tired. There is an impulse to want the United States to
perhaps do more to pressure or to weigh in militarily or not. But I would caution the U.S. president from getting involved. The Iranians have been
protesting for quite some time. What we're not seeing in these protests, although they might certainly develop in such a way, is greater
organization, greater coordination, leadership.
And the big question that I'm looking for is, what do Iranians want? We certainly know what Iranians don't want. It is the current structure. It is
the Islamic Republic more broadly. But what's to come? What's next? Iranians have to be able to answer that and play a role in that process.
MACFARLANE: And to your point, I mean, Iranians are rightly desperate for new leadership. But the opposition to the regime continues to be pretty
disorganized, lacking in direction, perhaps. I mean, what is it going to take for meaningful change to come about? What factors need to be in play?
VAKIL: I think that's really hard to imagine right now because the Iranian state is very repressive. It's coordinated, it's institutionalized, and it
has a playbook to crack down and to get people off of the streets. Iran's president has tried this time to appeal and negotiate with protesters. So
it will be important to see if that develops in anything substantial. But at the same time, I think that Iranians have to be able to build consensus
internally as to what comes next.
It will be very hard to do under the repressive capacity of such a state. This is not a newly formed system of governance. It's been in power since
1979, but it is on the brink of transformation. Iran's supreme leader is in his late 80s. His death is nothing short of inevitable. And with his
passing, so too will the Islamic Republic transform. And hopefully by then, Iranians inside Iran, not those abroad, not a former monarch son, will be
the ones deciding their future.
[10:40:08]
MACFARLANE: Yes, well, you say these protests are significant. We will, of course, watch to see where they go. But, Sanam, we really appreciate your
analysis for now. Thank you.
Now it's a brand new day for New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani after his meteoric rise and history-making win. Now the actual work begins as he
takes over governing the largest city in the U.S. Mamdani has already signed a few executive orders directing his administration to get busy. The
34-year-old was sworn in Thursday in front of thousands promising bold changes to tackle affordability for lower income New Yorkers. But critics
are skeptical he can deliver.
Joining us now from outside city hall, CNN correspondent Gloria Pazmino.
So, Gloria, he signed a few executive orders. What's on his agenda and what has he directed his administration to do?
GLORIA PAZMINO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Christina. Mayor Mamdani using the power of the mayoral pen last night to make sure that his administration is
taking action right away. He signed three executive orders directing his administration to take a very close look at how they might be able to speed
up the construction of housing. Housing and the affordability crisis was a big part of the Mamdani campaign, and his agenda.
And last night, he directed his brand new government to take a look around New York City and figure out if there's any city owned land where they may
be able to build housing. He also wants them to figure out how they can speed up construction. Something that is notoriously slow moving here in
New York City.
So those are just some of the ways that he is taking action. You know, Mamdani, as you said, making history as New York City's first Muslim mayor,
the first South Asian mayor, the first immigrant mayor in many, many years, and the youngest mayor elected in more than a century, just 34 years old.
You know, it was a very unapologetic speech delivered by Mamdani yesterday during his inauguration. Really not shying away at all from his political
identity and his political ideology. In fact, doubling down on it and promising his supporters that he would not compromise his values. Take a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI, NEW YORK: The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations. We may not always succeed, but never will we be
accused of lacking the courage to try. I was elected as a Democratic socialist, and I will govern as a Democratic socialist.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAZMINO: You hear him there calling himself a Democratic socialist. And that's important because so much has been made of this label here in New
York City. And, frankly, and across the United States. Doubling down on his identity as a Democratic socialist, something that he has gotten a lot of
criticism for, people who say that he wants to bring socialism into New York City. Some people have accused him of being a communist.
And we have seen the rise of democratic socialist governments around the world. And also some of the blowback and the pushback that they have
received. So it's going to be very interesting to watch how Zohran Mamdani tries to govern because even though he said he is not going to compromise
governing the -- a complicated place like the city of New York sometimes requires compromise.
And I think the story of his administration we'll be watching how he balances the enacting of his agenda, which is very ambitious, but also the
political realities of running a place like New York City -- Christina.
MACFARLANE: Yes, his tone and his ambition sounds intact. We will wait to see if that endures.
Gloria, keep warm. Appreciate you. Thank you.
Donald Trump has been speaking publicly about his health. The U.S. president telling the "Wall Street Journal" the bruises seen on his hand
for months happened because he takes a large daily dose of aspirin more than his doctors recommend. He says he does it to keep his blood thin.
The 79-year-old president also denies he's been caught dozing during public appearances. He says all he was doing was blinking.
CNN's Alayna Treene is live for us in Washington.
So, Alayna, just tell us why scrutiny has intensified over the president's health.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and I do love the line that you referenced there, Christina, about him saying he was just
blinking. I often say that, or my parents, you know, just resting my eyes. I'm not sleeping.
Look, this is a big story. I think in part, it's important to note how this interview happened with the "Wall Street Journal" in the first place. The
"Wall Street Journal" made very clear that they had reporting, they were going to do a story about some of the concerns that officials in the White
House have about the president's health.
[10:45:04]
And the president caught wind of this story. You know, they reached out to the White House, as all reporters normally do, and he decided he was going
to call them up and talk to them about this. And one, I would argue this was one of the most extensive conversations that President Trump has had
with journalists about his health. But it also, I think, shows the sensitivity around this issue.
I'd remind you that Trump is someone who spent much of the 2024 presidential election and his campaign attacking now former president Joe
Biden over what he argued was his, you know, mental -- not having the mental fitness to be in office, going after his health. And so this is a
subject that is very touchy for the president. But he did. He mentioned a number of things. He said, one, his doctors have recommended him to take a
lower dosage of aspirin. He takes a 325 milligram of aspirin daily. That's according to his doctors. He said it's a higher dosage than they recommend.
And he said part of that is because he wants thin blood running through his heart.
I want to read you this quote. It was pretty remarkable that he gave to "The Journal," Christina. He said, quote, "They say aspirin is good for
thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make
sense?" He said, "I'm a little superstitious," which we can note the president very much is. And he said that's why he continues to take the
same amount daily.
But some other things he touched on. And you mentioned the dozing off. He said he wasn't dozing. He's blinking. He also said that his doctors have
recommended he wear compression socks. I'd note that there have been people who have been concerned about the swelling in his leg. The White House has
attributed that to what he has, which is chronic venous insufficiency. It's essentially, I won't get very into it, but it's common in older people, and
it actually makes the circulation of the blood harder going from legs to the heart.
He said he'd tried compression socks. He doesn't like it. He also (INAUDIBLE) that he hadn't gotten advanced imaging at one of his visits to
the doctor earlier this year. It's something that kind of caused a stir in the media. First, the president said he had gotten an MRI. Now they're
going on the record, his doctors making clear that it was a CT scan. All to say he said he doesn't like all the attention on his health.
And then just to get back to your point because there's some great images. I mean, the photographers at the White House have done a great job
capturing a lot of that heavy bruising on his hand, which Trump and his team have gone to pains to try and conceal. You know, you see him having
heavy makeup, trying to cover it. There's times when he's had bandages over it or he tries to shield his hand from the cameras.
The White House argued it's because of the constant handshake that he's doing, and also says that his daily regimen of regularly taking that
aspirin can lead to kind of thinner skin is how they described it. And so that's how they tried to explain some of this. But I think it's just
overall a very good look into how the president views his health. He's continued to try and defend himself. Even just moments ago this morning, he
was posting that he has an exceptional health, that he has, you know, taken a cognitive test recently, something he often likes to tout to argue that
he's mentally fit to serve as commander-in-chief.
But of course, for people like President Trump, and it was the same with his predecessor, Joe Biden, they were very old when they came into office.
Trump is 79 years old, and so images like that of his hand bruising or the swelling that he has, of course, it leads to questions. And so this was a
good interview that "The Wall Street Journal" was able to end up getting with Trump about it.
MACFARLANE: Yes. And I mean, you know, we can smile, can't we, at some of these responses. I mean, who wants thick blood flowing through their heart.
But are there really sort of genuine questions being asked now about whether the president is being sufficiently transparent?
TREENE: Well, that is one of the, I think, key concerns that not only journalists, of course, but I think the American people have, which is, is
he being transparent enough about his medical information? CNN actually talked with this one doctor named Dr. Jonathan Reiner. He's a professor at
the George Washington School of Medicine, but he also was the former vice president Dick Cheney's cardiologist for many years.
And he said that actually a lot of the answers and responses in this "Wall Street Journal" article from the president and his team raised more
questions than they do answers. And he said, I don't know why he would be taking, you know, 325 milligrams of aspirin daily. So there are definitely
questions about this, and I would argue as well, a lot of presidents have been, you know, very careful and cautious when it comes to being
transparent about their medical information.
I think, again, it was even more of an onus in the previous administration with the former president, Joe Biden. And I think that's also why there's a
lot of attention about this now. There was so much attention on Biden, particularly in when he was still running for reelection last year, before
he had dropped out, about whether or not he was able and physically able to do so. And so there's a lot of questions now that people are kind of
putting that to Trump as well.
[10:50:04]
And it's not just of course because of his predecessor. I think there's also questions because you can see some of the bruising. You can see the
swelling that he has. You see him dozing off during public appearances, raises a lot of questions. And I think there still are many questions about
whether or not the White House is being as transparent as possible.
MACFARLANE: Yes. Whether we'll learn any more is another question.
Alayna, I appreciate you. Thank you.
And you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. We have got more ahead. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
MACFARLANE: Southern California is seeing clearer skies today after a heavy rain storm. All that rain is dampening their spirits.
CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam has that and the forecast for the rest of the U.S.
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All week we've been watching this upper level low pressure system move into California. It brought the heavy rain
to Southern California, but now it's starting to move on and we'll get this brief lull in the precipitation before another round of rainfall moves in
late on Friday and into the day on Saturday. So putting this forecast radar into motion, you can see the second kind of slug of moisture first
impacting Northern and Central California by Friday evening local time.
And then we'll start to see some of that rain move into Southern California, into some of those harder impacted areas for not only Christmas
week storms, but also the most recent storm throughout the course of the day on New Year's and New Year's Eve. So all in all, only another inch or
so of rain expected through the course of the early weekend across Southern California. Heavier amounts where it's more persistent across Northern and
Central California, and of course, several inches of snow for the higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.
Some of that moisture will spill over across the Rockies into Colorado. Much needed snowfall for them. Impulsive precipitation moves through the
upper New England region, and that could bring in some additional lake enhancement of snowfall downwind of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, maybe up to
a foot in some of those favorite areas across the southeast in and around Birmingham, as well as Atlanta.
A quick moving storm system will bring rainfall to that area, but behind it, we're going to see temperatures start to rebound to above average for
many locations over the eastern half of the country. Watch this. We've been locked in the cold air across the northeast. Look at how the reds start to
get welcomed into this forecast. Things looking warmer as we head into the first week of 2026.
Back to you.
MACFARLANE: Thanks, Derek.
Now, there's been a mixed reaction in Bulgaria as the country begins to use the euro as its new currency. It was formally adopted as the clock struck
midnight on New Year's Eve. More than 350 million Europeans are now using the same currency. But as Ben Hunte reports, Bulgarians are still both in
favor and against the euro.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BEN HUNTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The clatter of newly minted coins roll off an assembly line, shining with the national symbols of
Bulgaria. These new euros represent the Eurozone's 21st member and a currency switch almost two decades in the making.
It's already a historic new year in Bulgaria. On January 1st, cash machines began dispensing euros instead of the old Bulgarian currency, the lev. Bank
accounts were converted to euros and there is a one-month transitional period where both the lev and the euro can be used for cash payments,
though change will be given in euros. Some people say it's off to a good start.
[10:55:02]
STEFAN BISTREKOV, DRIVING INSTRUCTOR (through translator): Our money will be in a different currency. If I have 10,000 levs, now I will have 5100
euros. It's all the same, and I think it will be better.
HUNTE: But it's taken a long time for Bulgaria to meet the economic criteria to adopt the euro after joining the European Union in 2007. It's
one of the poorest countries in the E.U. And polls show that about half the Bulgarians surveyed fear the currency switch will drive up prices. There
are also worries about who's in charge during this critical period.
The country's prime minister resigned last month after mass anti-corruption protests over a 2026 budget proposal, and it's likely Bulgaria will soon
face its eighth election in five years. Some people say it's just not the right time for such a switch.
VANYA ILIEVA, CASHIER (through translator): Right now, it's probably the most inappropriate time given the situation in all of Europe. These are my
concerns. I don't anyone has anything against the euro as a currency, but rather to the timing. And ultimately, I don't believe that erasing and
eliminating the lev within the span of a single month is the best approach.
HUNTE: Other Bulgarians say they expect it will go smoother than some people think.
ANTONIA TSVETKOVA, JEWELER (through translator): Anyone who goes on a trip will not have problems exchanging currency. Now everything will be normal.
Even the people in the shops are already prepared and have no worries about accepting the lev and giving euros back in change. These are normal things
that we will get used to in a week.
HUNTE: National authorities have been set up to make sure business are fairly converting prices. And Bulgaria declared a public holiday on Friday
with the hopes to ask people go back to work on Monday the euro will already be a part of their daily lives.
Ben Hunte, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MACFARLANE: And that does it for us here at CONNECT THE WORLD. Please stay tuned. "ONE WORLD" is up after the break. I'm Christina Macfarlane. Great
to see you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
