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Early Start with Rahel Solomon

Jimmy Kimmel Defends Free Speech As He Returns To Late-Night Television From Suspension; Powerful Storm Slams Into Hong Kong And Southern China; Trump Cancels Meeting With Democrats Over Shutdown; Federal Reserve Chair Pushes Back On Trump Criticism; Michelob Ultra Becomes Best-Selling Beer In The US. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired September 24, 2025 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

RON BROWNSTEIN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: -- administration to suppress dissent and to weaken any institution they consider an adversary. And, you know, you don't know what's going to become the flashpoint in that. It's kind of unlikely that it's a late night talk show host, but I think Kimmel's monologue made very clear the stakes of what we are watching, you know, at this remarkable and really unprecedented moment in peacetime in American history.

ERICA HILL, CNN ANCHOR: You know, to that point, Ron, I think there is a lot of, and I would say myself among them, a lot of people as we're watching this are trying to figure out what is this moment. Is this perhaps the start of something bigger, of more pushback?

ABC too, in this case, when we're talking about Disney, a little bit different than what we saw, right, with ABC News and George Stephanopoulos --

BROWNSTEIN: Yes.

HILL: -- in that $16 million. When we look at this, there's the business part, obviously, for Disney, but this widespread backlash that also brought together people in this country who rarely agree on anything. You had Jimmy Kimmel essentially thanking --

BROWNSTEIN: Yes.

HILL: -- Ted Cruz for his stance as well as Ben Shapiro to bring together these people who would never agree on anything. Is that in your view, potentially the start of a moment?

BROWNSTEIN: Well, I think clearly the backlash here is going to make it harder for other media organizations to give in to similar threats. But you know, we thought the many people thought that the Harvard lawsuit, when they said no to the demands from Trump, that was the beginning of the backlash.

And then ABC conceded here and then even as ABC reversed direction under pressure from, you know, all the various forces that were converging on it from the open letter, from other entertainment figures to boycotts and so forth. You know, you have Nexstar and Sinclair, two enormous local affiliate chains that own, you know, hundreds of TV stations between them, basically continuing to accede to Trump's pressure and refusing to air this.

So, you know, I'm not sure there is a turning point in what we are watching. I think it is just more of a day by day trench warfare struggle that is going on many fronts. I mean, it's not only, you know, what's happening at the FCC with TV networks or TV stations.

As I said, there are many other dimensions of this larger struggle and dynamic playing out. And, you know, there is no, you know, there is no turning of the tide. There is -- it's more like World War I than world. It's trench warfare, I think, for quite a here.

HILL: Well, amid the mounting concern over free speech in the United States, actress Angelina Jolie says she no longer recognizes her country at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain on Monday, she was asked what fears she has as both an artist and as an American.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANGELINA JOLIE, ACTRESS: I love my country, but I don't at this time recognize my country. I've always lived internationally. I've always -- my family's international, my friends, my life, my worldview is equal, united, international. So anything anywhere that divides or of course limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think is very dangerous.

And I think these are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. So I'll be careful during a press conference. But to say that of course, like all of you and everyone watching, I'm, you know, these are very heavy, heavy times we're all living in together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: A dramatic day in a U.S. courtroom as a jury convicted the man accused of trying to kill Donald Trump on a Florida golf course last year. Witnesses say 59-year-old Ryan Routh then tried to stab himself in the neck with a pen after hear the verdict.

Authorities, though, did stop him. Routh was found guilty on all charges and is facing the possibility of life in prison. Authorities say he had prepared a sniper's nest near the sixth green of the Trump International Golf Club, but never fired a shot. His sentencing is set for December 18th.

The U.S. government, stop me if you've heard this one before, could shut down next week. President Trump just canceling a meeting with Democrats. Why? He says the meeting wouldn't have helped resolve the issue.

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[04:39:04] HILL: Hong Kong about to begin picking up the pieces from Typhoon Ragasa, the massive storm which sent hurricane force winds barreling through the city and is wreaking havoc across the region. 14 people were killed when the typhoon swept past Taiwan on Tuesday. 124 people there remain missing.

Video as you can see here, this is what shows what's left of a bridge after it washed away. Widespread flooding on the eastern side of the island. Typhoon Ragasa is the most powerful storm on record on the planet this year. You can see the size of it as well. At its peak, it was the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

Mighty winds have continued to whip up waves, inundating shorelines in Hong Kong, as you can see crashing into this waterfront hotel in the city, you can see one man being swept away by the waters in these images.

It virtually shut down ahead of the storm's arrival. Businesses understandably closing. Flights halted at the airport.

[04:40:03]

CNN's Hanako Montgomery is live in Hong Kong. Now able to be out a little bit more safely to survey some of that damage. Although of course, the storm still continuing a little bit to hit Hong Kong even as it continues to move through, Hanako.

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Erica, you're absolutely right. We're actually in one of the hardest hit areas in Hong Kong called Tseung Kwan O. And we're actually seeing a lot of damage here at this waterfront where there are a restaurants and establishments.

If you take a look over here, actually, Erica, you can see there's a concrete sea wall, but it didn't really do much to prevent these massive sea swells and storm surges from coming over that concrete wall and inundating these restaurants, causing extensive, extensive damage.

In fact, I just want to take you over here to show you. I mean, doors have completely come off their hinges during the storm, during the flooding. You can see glass also just shattered and just a massive amount of debris.

Now, we spoke to the owner of this restaurant a little while earlier, and he told us that most of this debris doesn't actually belong to his restaurant. It actually collected once that storm surge caused massive waste to hit this ocean front. And then it just looked like a tsunami, he said, and it gathered all the debris over here.

Now, when we spoke to him, he said that it could take a few weeks for him to get his restaurant back and running again. And this is what he said about just how concerned he is along with his staff.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

VIVIANO ROMITO, OWNER OF FRITES RESTAURANTS: Across the group we're pretty upset. We get, like I said, we'll get through it. We've had damage before in other venues and we've gotten together and make sure that we get up and running as fast as possible.

But, you know, everyone's devastated. It's hard to come with when you see something that you build getting destroyed overnight pretty quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: And Erica, we're seeing similar damage here at this neighboring restaurant. If you can take a look here, there's also some flooding. Furniture again, just completely strewn about this restaurant destroyed. Some of the paintings on the walls also coming down. I mean, it's just absolutely devastating to see this extent of damage.

Now, Erica, as you mentioned, the typhoon has moved on from Hong Kong. It's currently hitting Macao and mainland China. But the Hong Kong city government has warned residents to continue staying inside, to continue staying vigilant. Because as you can tell, I mean, the weather hasn't cleared yet. It's still coming down. There are still pretty powerful winds again the Hong Kong government just warning its residents to stay safe as they weather out the storm. Erica?

HILL: Absolutely. Haniko, appreciate it. Thank you. A new female only rideshare service is emerging in Mexico City as a response to rampant violence against female cab drivers. CNN took a ride along with one driver to hear the stories of violence and tragedy which inspired her and others to take action. I do want to warn you this report contains distressing images.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Lord, I', on the way to pick up this passenger. I don't know what state they'll be in. I just ask that nothing bad happen to me. Amen.

I've been a driver on the platform Didi for nearly seven years now. It's a man this time. I'm going to cancel because it's up in the hills and that area is risky.

Hi. Goodnight. Most of the unpleasant experiences come from male passengers making advances. I'd say out of 10 passengers, maybe six hit on you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mum was an Uber driver who was murdered while working. Here I've got some of photos of my mom. She accepted an Uber ride as a driver and was kidnapped for 50 minutes. This person overpowered my mom and ended up killing her shooting her in the head. Then he threw her out of the car from the passenger side.

I'm seeking accountability from the company that was supposed to provide her with the tools to keep her safe.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How's the warm weather treating you? UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every woman that gets in the car tells me a story. They've experienced violence in one way or another. I think I've got a flat tire. Yes.

Hello there. Yes, thank you.

I've had male passengers pull on me both guns and knives. One time a motorbike with tree men cut me off. They pointed a gun at me and tried to steal my car. They hit me.

[04:45:00]

The next day, I went back to work. I told myself, it's fine, right? But I got to a traffic light, and when some motorbikes crossed in front of me, that fear come rushing back. It was awful. I just thought, no, I can't do this.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In 2022, there were loads of reports of violence in both public and private transport. So I said to my mom, hey, I've been thinking, what if we start a taxi service by women for women? And she said, yes. I'm not sure how you're planning it, but do it. I'll support you.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Here my motivation is always the girls. Knowing that by doing this, I'm saving a life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right, ladies. How are you doing today?

CROWD: Well.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would anyone like to share something they've been through, something that even motivated you to get your own car?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was 11. I was on the bus with my mom, and the man behind me was touching me. I didn't even know what it meant for someone to touch your chest. I've never told my mom about it.

Why do we have to wonder when they're going to kill us? Who of those sitting next to me is going to rape me?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Every action we take, both inside and outside the collective, can make a difference.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The feeling of being fully supported, accompanied. That's the difference between just being on the platform and being with AmorrAs.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: My mom was an incredibly hard-working woman. Really strong. She's been with the company for four years, and Uber couldn't even send her a bouquet of flowers.

These months have been really tough because we were a very close family. My sister, my mom and I up against this enormous world that is Mexico City.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe that going out to work is not a reason for someone to come and take your life. I love my job. In my car I cry, scream, sing dance. For me, it's my safe place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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[04:57:15]

HILL: As the threat of a federal government shutdown hangs over Washington, President Trump canceling his meeting that was scheduled with top congressional Democrats for later this week. Trump says he decided the meeting itself wouldn't be productive because Democrats are making, in his words, ridiculous demands.

House Speaker Mike Johnson says the bill to fund the government through November 20th is a so called clean continuing resolution. Democratic leaders, however, wanted to discuss it with the president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): By refusing to even sit down with Democrats, Donald Trump is causing the shutdown. This is a Trump shutdown. Mr. President, if you're watching television, shut it off and come sit down and negotiate with us.

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Republicans control the House, the Senate and the presidency. It's clear they have decided to shut the government down, which is why they've entered into no good faith conversations with Democrats to try to reach a resolution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HILL: Now, the Federal Reserve chair, meantime, is pushing back against Donald Trump's accusations that he is playing a game of politics. Jerome Powell saying on Tuesday the Fed is carefully working to balance the risks of more inflation and a slowing Labor Market. Here's CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN BUSINESS AND POLITICS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this was a wide ranging conversation with the chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, at the Chamber of Commerce in Providence, Rhode Island. Powell talked about AI and how it was too soon to tell what it would mean for the labor market, but that it would replace some jobs but also add new ones. And that historically, in his experience, technology has been helpful to the job market.

He also talked about it being a tough time for college graduates to find jobs and that retailers seem to be the ones absorbing the bulk of the tariffs, but questioned for how long there's still concerns about inflation and that the tariffs will impact price levels throughout the end of next year.

Yet his most poignant and pointed comments came when he pushed back on accusations that the Fed was playing politics, something that was challenged by the Trump administration. Here's what he said. JEROME POWELL, U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIR: Whenever we make decisions,

we're never, ever thinking about political things. And so we, you know, we're based in Washington, D.C. and many, many people, you know, in Congress and, you know, they're often things are seen through a lens of is it good for this party or bad for this party or this politician. We're just not looking at things that way.

We're looking at what's the best thing for the people that we serve in the medium term, what's the best policy. And no one -- many people don't believe us because they come on, oh, come on, you're really political. But the truth is mostly people who are calling us political, it's just a cheap shot.

[04:55:06]

YURKEVICH: Now, President Trump has accused Jerome Powell and the Fed governors of trying to help Democrats. You also have other people from the president's administration, including Kevin Hassett, who is the head of the National Economic Council, who has said that the Fed intentionally cut interest rates before the election when Biden was president.

But listen, the Fed did make its first cut to interest rates. The last time it did so was in December of 2020 for the Federal Reserve, also penciling in two more cuts by the end of this year. Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HILL: All right, Vanessa, thank you. Well, finally this hour, the U.S. has a new top selling beer. Michelob Ultra has officially taken over Bud Light and also beaten out rival Modelo Especial in retail sales as according to a market research firm.

Officials at Anheuser Bush say the successful launch of their non- alcoholic Michelob Ultra Zero has also added a little momentum to those sales.

Thanks so much for joining me this hour on Early Start. I'm Erica Hill in New York. We'll see you right back here at the top of the hour for more news after the break.

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