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Early Start with Rahel Solomon
China And Trump Administration Agree On Framework For TikTok App In U.S.; FBI Director Under Scrutiny For Handling Of Probe; Trump To Create Memphis Task Force For Crime Crackdown. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired September 16, 2025 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:30:00]
BRIAN ABEL, CNN ANCHOR: The president had sought to fire Cook over allegations of mortgage fraud, though she is not charged with any wrongdoing. It would have marked the first time a president has ever fired a Fed governor raising concerns about political interference at the historically independent central bank.
The ruling means Cook can attend this week's Fed meeting where officials are expected to cut interest rates for the first time this year.
Well, after years of questions over TikTok's fate in the U.S., China and the Trump administration say they're finally close to a deal. We are told a framework is in place and could be finalized by Friday during a conversation between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. And if all goes well the presidents could meet in person next month.
Right now, though, the details on the deal are murky and it's not clear which American buyer may be involved. The Chinese social -- the Chinese social media giant was facing a Wednesday deadline to sell at least part of its U.S. business.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk opened his wallet pretty big on Monday to buy an additional $1 billion worth of Tesla stock, and that move has virtually erased all of Tesla's losses so far this year. At one point shares were down 42 percent from the end of last year but on Monday they closed up nearly four percent. It's seen as a vote of confidence from Musk who has refocused on his companies after exiting his adviser role to President Donald Trump. Now, the rise in Tesla's stock on Monday alone added more than $5.5 billion to Musk's net worth.
And the U.K. is setting out to prove you're never too young to ride around in style. British luxury automaker Aston Martin has teamed up with the child car seat brand egg to create a high-end baby stroller. The Aston Martin edition of the Egg3 is designed to resemble the elegant, quilted seats featured in their cars. It comes in three colors: light and dark gray and Aston Martin's iconic shade of green. They'll be available for purchase in the U.K. and select international markets later this year with a starting price tag of about $3,000. Little baby James Bonds rejoice.
The FBI director heads to Capitol Hill today to answer questions about his handling of the Charlie Kirk murder investigation. Why Kash Patel is on the defense.
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[05:37:10]
ABEL: We can expect a bit of fireworks today on Capitol Hill as Kash Patel will face questions from the Senate Judiciary Committee. The FBI director is facing scrutiny over his handling of the Charlie Kirk murder investigation and the Jeffrey Epstein case. But Republicans appear to be closing ranks behind Patel saying they have confidence in him to lead the bureau.
Committee chairman, Sen. Chuck Grassley, brushing off his handling of the Kirk investigation as an excusable mistake.
We have more now from CNN's Brian Todd.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): The FBI director continued to give extraordinary detail to the public on Monday on the bureau's investigation into Charlie Kirk's murder, telling Fox News of a note from alleged shooter before the assassination.
KASH PATEL, FBI DIRECTOR: The suspect wrote a note saying, "I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and I'm going to take it." That note was written before the shooting.
TODD (voiceover): And even more detail from the director on DNA from a towel and screwdriver found with the gun used in Kirk's killing.
PATEL: The DNA hits from the towel that was wrapped around the firearm and the DNA on the screwdriver are positively processed for the suspect in custody.
TODD (voiceover): Contrast Kash Patel's comments with what Utah's public safety commissioner told CNN when asked for similar detail.
BEAU MASON, COMMISSIONER, UTAH DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY: There's not much that I can speak to of evidentiary without compromising the integrity of the case.
TODD (voiceover): This comes amid mounting questions surrounding Patel's handling of the Kirk case. Some FBI employees telling CNN they're frustrated with Patel, starting with his post on social media just hours after the shooting that a subject was in custody -- a claim that Patel had to walk back a couple of hours later.
FBI employees also told CNN it galled them that Patel claimed personal credit twice in the same news conference for the most successful turns in the investigation.
PATEL: At my direction the FBI released the first set of FBI photos of the suspect at 10:00 a.m. At my direction the FBI released a never- before-seen video of the suspect. TODD (voiceover): Then there was the personal message Patel gave to his deceased friend from the podium.
PATEL: To my friend Charlie Kirk, rest now, brother. We have the watch. And I'll see you in Valhalla.
JOHN MILLER, CNN CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: What you don't want if accusations that because of personal friendships or relationships or passions about the crime that the FBI did something untoward or beyond procedure, or wrong involving evidence.
TODD (voiceover): Kash Patel was a controversial choice for FBI director from the start, known before he took the job as a Trump loyalist who would seek retribution against perceived enemies, even over false claims about the 2020 election.
[05:40:00]
PATEL: We will go out and find the conspirators not just in government but in the media. Yes, we're going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections.
TODD (voiceover): Patel also defended some people charged in the January 6 attack on the Capitol.
Now, amid the new scrutiny of his handling of the Charlie Kirk case, Patel's actions have led some of President Trump's allies, like right- wing activist Christopher Rufo and conservative commentator Erick Erickson, to question whether Patel is up to the job.
One FBI official defended Patel to CNN, saying the suspect in the Kirk shooting was only apprehended after a family member saw photos of him that Patel had ordered released. Patel has also defended himself, posting on X, "Against all law enforcement recommendation, we demanded the video footage and enhanced stills of the suspect be released to the public."
TODD: There is no indication that Kash Patel's job is at risk. A source familiar with the matter telling CNN Patel had spoken with President Trump after the arrest of the alleged Kirk assassin and that the president was pleased with his work.
Brian Todd, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ABEL: Ahead, President Trump moving forward with plans to crack down on crime in major American cities.
And stay with CNN for the very latest on the Israeli ground incursion into Gaza City, which is not underway.
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[05:45:43] ABEL: Welcome back. I'm Brian Abel. Here are some stories we are watching today.
The Israeli military has launched its ground incursion to occupy Gaza City. Israel's defense minister says Gaza is burning and adds that the IDF is striking Hamas terror infrastructure. Hospital officials report at least 41 people were killed overnight by Israeli strikes throughout the enclave.
President Trump will leave Washington today for a visit to the U.K. King Charles, Prince William, and other members of the royal family will welcome the U.S. president and first lady ahead of a state dinner on Wednesday. Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday.
The suspect in the Charlie Kirk shooting is set for his first court appearance today. Tyler Robinson currently being held on charges that include aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. The U.S. deputy attorney general says the Justice Department is still deciding whether to bring any federal charges against him.
And a lot more information on the investigation into the Kirk shooting is expected to be released once the state formally files those charges against a suspect in the hours ahead. That's according to one Utah official.
CNN's Ed Lavandera has more from Utah.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: The 22-year-old man accused of shooting and killing conservative political influence Charlie Kirk here on the campus of Utah Valley University is slated to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday here in Utah.
It will be a brief appearance, and it will come after prosecutors formally file the criminal charges against him, which will include aggravated murder. State officials here have already said that they will pursue the death penalty in this case. But this is a hearing that's expected to be rather brief.
But we are learning new information about how all of this unfolded, his arrest, and some other investigative details that authorities are sharing.
According to a Washington Post report, the suspect confessed to a group of friends in a Discord chat group just hours before he was taken into custody, telling the chat group, "Hey, guys. I have some bad news for you all. It was me at UVU yesterday. I'm sorry for all of this."
This is according to two people -- two sources the newspaper quotes and also says that the suspect went on to tell the group that he would be surrendering shortly and that he thanked them all for the good times and the laughs. And then about two hours later is when we know from previous reporting that he was confronted by his father and another family friend turned him -- turned him into authorities. Then he was taken into custody.
And the FBI director is also releasing new information, saying that they have recovered messages where the suspect -- that Tyler Robinson said that he had the opportunity to take out -- he had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk, and that he was going to take it. So new information there.
All of this coming on the eve of this 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, making his initial court appearance here in Utah on Tuesday.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Orem, Utah.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ABEL: President Trump appears to be pushing ahead with plans to send federal troops into more major U.S. cities.
On Monday he signed an executive memorandum to create a task force to reduce crime in Memphis, Tennessee. He says that it would mirror the stepped up law enforcement effort deployed here in Washington, D.C. last month.
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DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's very important because of the crime that's going on not only in Memphis, in many cities.
And we're going to take care of all of them step-by-step just like we did in D.C. We have virtually no crime in D.C. right now and we're going to keep it that way. It's our nation's capital. We're going to keep it that way or we're going to federalize it if we had to, but we don't have to anymore because it's in such great shape.
We have to save Chicago. I know all about Chicago. I have a great, beautiful building. I'm so proud of it. But, you know, you get less proud when you see all the crime. We think Chicago is going to be next, and we'll get to St. Louis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[05:50:00]
ABEL: But leaders in Chicago and the state of Illinois as a whole have repeatedly warned the president against sending in federal forces.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JB PRITZER, (D) ILLINOIS: People are frightened about the potential of military troops coming to our neighborhoods. People are fearful of masked men in unmarked vans who could grab them on a streetcorner because of how they look or how they sound.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ABEL: The Trump administration had initially targeted Chicago after Washington, but advisers warned him that sending in troops without the support of the state's governor would create legal headaches.
Still ahead, Bad Bunny has made a surprise announcement and it's going to make his fans around the world very happy.
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[05:55:10
ABEL: "MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL's" double-header did not disappoint.
First to Houston where the Texans faced the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield throwing two touchdowns, including that dime right there to Ryan Miller. But it was a 2-yard run by Rachaad White with just nine seconds left that sealed the deal for the Buccaneers. The final score, Tampa Bay 20, Houston 19.
And in Las Vegas, the Raiders hosting the Chargers. Justin Herbert with two touchdown passes as well, including this 60-yard bomb to Quentin Johnston. The final score there, L.A. 20, Las Vegas 9.
Well, Bad Bunny is giving his hometown fans one more show before he heads off on his world tour, and this time everybody can watch. The Puerto Ricon superstar just announced a bonus concert for September 20 to close out his summer run in San Juan. The show will be streamed live on platforms like Amazon Prime, Twitch, and Amazon Music.
And Bad Bunny's concert residency hasn't just filled stadiums seats; it's filled Puerto Rico with cultural pride and millions of tourism dollars.
CNN's Isabel Rosales has more from San Juan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISABEL ROSALES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny has closed out his sold out 30-show residency -- a run unlike anything his home island has ever seen.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: Are you gonna put on lipstick?
LUCIA COTO, 101-YEAR-OLD BAD BUNNY FAN: Si.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Si? OK. (Speaking foreign language).
ROSALES (voiceover): Lucia Coto may be his oldest fan. At 101 years old she was born six decades before reggaeton even existed. She once wanted to be a nun. Today, Lucia is proof reggaeton and Bad Bunny has no age limit.
COTO: (Speaking foreign language). TEXT: I like reggaeton. It gives you joy. And then suddenly your feet start moving.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Si. (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: That's what you're gonna do at the show? Show me again.
COTO: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: Everyone starts shouting and it's contagious.
ROSALES (voiceover): It's clear this isn't just a concert; it's a cultural moment. Tourism agency Discover Puerto Rico says around 600,000 visitors have flocked to the island in just two months, and more than $200 million pumped into the local economy.
Lucia is on her way to see her favorite artist live for the first time.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: Where are we going, grandma?
COTO: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: To see Bad Bunny.
(Singing)
ROSALES (voiceover): For fans, it's a cultural homecoming.
BAD BUNNY, PUERTO RICAN RAPPER AND SINGER: (Singing).
ROSALES: This house just a little bit famous.
JORGE PEREZ, JOSE MIGUEL AGRELOT COLISEUM OF PUERTO RICO: Famous -- la casita.
ROSALES: La casita.
PEREZ: Very typical in our culture. This is where family and friends meet to have a good time. People are here for three hours and they have a great time, but they're out and about for days exploring our island.
ROSALES (voiceover): So we went to see it for ourselves deep in the mountains of Cialis. We joined the Cafe con Ron' tour.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (Speaking foreign language).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Atlanta.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Atlanta.
ROSALES (voiceover): Foreigners coming from near and far and staying to immerse themselves in the culture, music, and heritage of the island. Here they're discovering plena (PH), Puerto Rico's so-called Sun newspaper. Born from African roots it tells the story of everyday people.
Bad Bunny giving the traditional music new life. And touring with him Jenith Rivera's three (INAUDIBLE) children.
JENITH RIVERA, TOUR ORGANIZER, CAFE CON RON: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: And for Benito or Bad Bunny to recognize their work and bring them into the residency is very gratifying and beautiful.
ROSALES (voiceover): These tourists will leave the island, but the spirit of Puerto Rico goes with them.
RIVERA: (Speaking foreign language).
TEXT: The residency transitions into a new chapter but it has left us a legacy that we will continue to build on. And I think this is the start of something bigger that we will be able to do collectively as cultural ambassadors of Puerto Rico.
ROSALES (voiceover): Isabel Rosales, CNN, San Juan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[06:00:05]
ABEL: Love that storytelling, Isabel. Thank you.
Finally, it's not too early to be thinking about Christmas. The U.S. Postal Service says children can start mailing their letters to Santa Claus in what's known as Operation Santa. Those letters will be posted on their website and can be answered by anyone wanting to spread some holiday cheer. As for where to send those letters -- well, here's Santa's official address: 123 Elf Road, North Pole, 88888.
Thank you for joining us here on EARLY START. I'm Brian Abel in Washington, D.C. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
