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One World with Zain Asher
Survivors Speak Ahead of Vote on Releasing the Epstein Files; Trump Reverses Course on Epstein Files After Facing GOP Revolt; Congress Preps for Epstein Vote After Abuse Survivors Make Final Push; White House Holds Arrival Ceremony for Saudi Crown Prince; Khashoggi's Widow Speaks Ahead of Crown Prince's U.S. Visit; Trump's USAID Cuts Hinder Fight Against HIV in South Africa. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired November 18, 2025 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BIANNA GOLODRYGA, CNN HOST, ONE WORLD: Hello, everyone, live from New York, I'm Bianna Golodryga. Zain is off today. You are watching "One World". We
are tracking two big stories at this hour. Any moment now, President Trump is set to welcome an important and controversial visitor to the White
House.
He is Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was on his first trip to Washington since 2018. We will bring you his arrival live when it happens.
And on Capitol Hill, we are just hours from the House vote on the release of the Epstein files, the big question how many Republicans will join
Democrats in voting for it.
The measure that was fiercely opposed by President Trump until just days ago, is now expected to win broad bipartisan support. But let's begin the
hour with the visit of the Saudi Crown Prince. There will be two important items on the agenda for the president and MBS today.
First up defense cooperation and the sale of American F-35 fighter jets to the Saudis. President Trump says it is going to happen, though Israel has
expressed concerns about putting such sophisticated weapons in the hands of an Arab state. Trump also plans to push the Saudis to establish formal
diplomatic ties with Israel.
The visit marks a remarkable comeback for Saudi Arabia's de facto leader Mohammed bin Salman was branded an international pariah seven years ago
following the brutal murder of "Washington Post" Columnist Jamal Khashoggi, allegedly by Saudi agents. U.S. intelligence determined that Mohammed bin
Salman probably ordered the killing, though he has denied it.
For some perspective on the significance of MBS visiting the White House, we welcome in CNN's Politics Senior Reporter Stephen Collinson. And
Stephen, we should note that both in his first and second term, President Trump made it important for it to be seen on the global stage, that Saudi
Arabia was the first country that he would visit.
Just talk about the relationship between these two men and the rehabilitation the evolution of MBS' role in leading Saudi Arabia.
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yeah, this visit, I think, really does show how the geopolitics of the Middle East has shifted in the
last few years. Indeed, the geopolitics of the world. The Crown Prince comes to Washington as the undisputed leader of an emerging political
leader of an emerging Saudi Arabia.
It's now, you could argue I think one of the two key superpowers in the Middle East, along with Israel and the president, has acknowledged that.
And I think the kingdom is also a place which is very compatible with his own temperament as a leader, somebody who likes to blend business, even
personal business and politics.
So, I think this is a very significant show of Saudi support. There were times in the past when the Saudis, who've always been over the last 50
years, a very important U.S. ally and key regional player, but they came to Washington more in the form of supplicants, and they needed a lot of help
from Washington. This really is a show, I think, of Saudi power, and it's very interesting for that reason.
GOLODRYGA: And the role of Saudi Arabia in trying to stabilize the region following the October 7th attacks and the two-year war that ensued in Gaza,
an important vote yesterday at the U.N. General Assembly from the U.N. Security Council there notable that Russia and China chose not to
interfere, and not to use their vote to prevent this from happening and going forward.
[11:05:00]
Can you talk about the role that. Saudi Arabia is playing here as we are looking towards the implementation of President Trump's 20-point plan in
Gaza?
COLLINSON Yeah, that vote in the U.N. didn't get a lot of attention in Washington just because of the maelstrom of other events that are happening
domestically and politically. But it was a sign of success for the administration's push to cement that ceasefire in Gaza.
The administration clearly would like the Saudis to play a big role in the diplomatic and financial rebuilding of Gaza, which is envisaged in the
president's peace power. In fact, they would love them to move towards recognizing Israel and joining the Abraham Accords.
That does seem closed off, just because it would be politically impossible for the Saudis to do so without the Israelis agreeing that the Palestinians
have a right to a state, but they are going to be obviously a very important role in this. And that is, I think, one of the successes so far,
this second Trump term, as many of the president's achievements seem somewhat fragile, he's failed to broker peace in the Middle East.
We now have this massive new confrontation off the Coast of Venezuela, but the Middle East peace plan does seem to be perhaps a little bit more robust
than many people thought when it was first put together a month or so ago.
GOLODRYGA: Right. And a number, according to reports, a number of Arab countries were able to persuade China and Russia not to use their veto
power in voting against that resolution yesterday, as so many of these Arab countries are hoping not only for stability in Gaza, but also to be given a
bit more authority and backing from the U.N. for a stabilizing force that will eventually be overseeing the enclave.
Stephen Collinson, thank you so much. Good to see you. We want to bring in Robert Jordan, who is the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2003
to talk about this meeting between the president and the Crown Prince. And ambassador, you know that this is a personal triumph for MBS.
We talked a little bit about his rehabilitation over from the last eight years there, seven years, been going from being a pariah to being one of
the most important players in the region. What message is this trip sending?
ROBERT JORDAN, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA: I think, Bianna, it sends the message that the Crown Prince is now back on the world stage. It
legitimizes his power, both internally within the kingdom, but also internationally. He is a player now in an important way.
He still has some stains, of course, in his background, but I think he is trying to move forward, and the rest of the international community seems
to be willing to allow that to happen.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, President Trump, we know on top of his agenda list is normalization with Israel. MBS wants a path to a Palestinian state.
Obviously, the sale of the F-35 security guarantees, nuclear assistance, AI chips, as he is diversifying away from just natural resources and oil.
From your experience in terms of the asks that MBS is coming to the White House, with which are the most achievable?
JORDAN: I think the F-35 opportunity probably has some reality to it. There are some hurdles, though Congress has to approve that sale, and there will
be some who are concerned about potential Chinese access to the technology, also having an Arab state with such sophisticated weaponry, but my guess is
that's likely to go through.
Certainly, assistance on a domestic nuclear program is something that is probably feasible as well. They would be required to probably sign a 123-
agreement limiting their ability to enrich uranium. The UAE has done so, and I think we may see something similar with the Saudis.
The chip situation is in flux, I think, again, there's concern that highly sophisticated AI chips could be exposed to Chinese retrofitting or reverse
engineering. So, we've got some concerns about that.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, those technology transfer risks and concerns also apply to the F-35 that, as you would still need congressional approval to move
forward on Saudi Arabia, as we know, pledged $600 billion in U.S. investments back in May, but MBS is arriving in the White House with double
digit budget deficit.
Oil is now at $65 a barrel, far below the $92 that Saudis need to meet to balance its budget.
[11:10:00]
How does that fiscal constraint? I mean, still a very wealthy country with a large purse string, nonetheless a bit constrained now. How does that
impact any sort of leverage for MBS?
JORDAN: I think it has some constraints to it now. They have gone into debt to some degree, I think, about 35 percent of their GDP is in debt at this
point. The Vision 2030 plan is wildly ambitious. They're scaling it back. They have trillions of dollars really contemplated to be invested.
I think that's going to be a tough sell. So yes, they have much less capacity now to engage in filling a shopping list of United States
businesses. So, they're turning more internally, I think, and that's going to be an issue where we may see some pullback.
GOLODRYGA: Right, because we do know that President Trump likes to highlight major investments in purchases longer term by any visiting
country to the White House.
JORDAN: Yeah.
GOLODRYGA: We'll see how that unfolds. Ambassador Robert Jordan, thank you so much for the time.
JORDAN: Thanks, Bianna.
GOLODRYGA: And later today, the House of Representatives will vote on an issue that has been in the headlines for decades, consumed Washington for
months now. And up until days ago, faced staunch resistance from the U.S. President. Well, Lawmakers are expected to green light a bill to release
all Justice Department files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Moments ago, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson said that he would vote for the release of the files, but also slammed it as a political show vote. In
recent months, the president has worked hard to make sure this moment never came a sharp contrast to the campaign when he repeatedly promised to
release the files.
Then back in July, the Justice Department abruptly announced that the case was closed. Well since then, Trump has called the Epstein investigation a
hoax. On Friday, the president directed the DOJ to investigate Epstein's ties to Democrats. Well, Republican Thomas Massie says that investigation
may be a way for the White House to keep the documents concealed.
And finally, over the weekend, Trump said that he will now support full transparency, and even says that he will sign the bill if it arrives at his
desk. Sources tell CNN, the president's dramatic reversal came only after he realized that he was at risk of an embarrassing political defeat.
Meanwhile, those who say their voices have been largely silenced during the decades long scandal are urging lawmakers to now use theirs. Epstein
survivors held a news conference on Capitol Hill a couple of hours ago to ratchet up the pressure on House Republicans to vote in favor of the bill
to release the Epstein files.
They were joined by the bill's bipartisan sponsors, Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, along with Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's former top
allies, in pleas that were both defiant and emotional, survivors demanded accountability. One of them even spoke to President Trump, directly
delivering this message.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HALEY ROBSON, EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: It's time that we pull it. We put the political agendas and party affiliations to the side. This is a human
issue. This is about children. There is no place in society for exploitation sexual crimes or exploitation of women in society. There's no
room for it, guys, we're not having it.
And to the President of the United States of America, who is not here today, I want to send a clear message to you. I do understand that your
position has changed on the Epstein files, and I'm grateful that you have pledged to sign this bill. I can't help to be skeptical of what the agenda
is.
So, with that being said, I want to relay this message to you. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. I am traumatized. I am not stupid. You have
put us through so much stress, the lockdowns, the halt of these procedures that were supposed to have happened 50 days ago.
The Adelita Grijalva, who waited to get sworn in and then get upset when your own party goes against you, because what is being done is wrong. It's
not right. For your own self-serving purposes, this is America. This is land of the free, land of the free in 1863 we have a woman on top of the
capital building represent freedom.
I do not feel free today. I don't know if the women behind me feel free today. So, I am begging every member of Congress, every representative, to
step up and choose the chaos, Choose the survivors, choose the children, protect the children, all children. You protect all of us equally.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:15:00]
GOLODRYGA: CNN's Annie Grayer joins me now live from Capitol Hill. Some emotional testimony there from a number of the Epstein survivors, and
what's notable is that many of them said that they had actually voted.
Emotional testimony there from a number of the Epstein survivors, and what's notable is that many of them said that they had actually voted for
Donald Trump, saying this is not a partisan issue, that these attacks and crimes against them know no party affiliation, Republican or Democrat.
Now, the president reversing courses, saying that he supports this bill moving forward for a vote. And House Speaker Mike Johnson, interestingly
enough, after protecting and shielding the president for months and stonewalling against just this, what's about to happen in a few hours,
actually, just spoke to reporters' moments ago and said this bill didn't go far enough.
How many Republicans are we expecting to vote in favor of this bill moving forward, Annie?
ANNIE GRAYER, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, I just came from that press conference with Speaker Johnson, where he announced that he is going to
support this petition to call for the Department of Justice to release all of the Epstein files. But he spoke for over 10 minutes about all the issues
that he has the legislation as it's written.
He's worried that it's not doing enough to protect victims, that it's not doing enough to protect information in there, that wrong, that people could
wrongfully be accused of wrongdoing just by having their names mentioned in there. And he said that he's spoken with a Republican leader in the Senate
about all of his issues.
But given the groundswell of support for this, the speaker acknowledged that maybe it could be unanimous the vote later this afternoon, that so
many Republicans want to vote for transparency and are in support of this measure like the speaker is. I even asked him directly, do you view this as
a reversal in your position, because for months you have been blocking this effort.
The whole reason that this vote is coming up today under a discharge petition is because House Republican leadership didn't want to bring it up
on their own. And he said, no, this isn't a reversal. It's just now that it is time for this vote to happen. He's not going to be -- he doesn't want to
be on the wrong side of it. But take a listen to another piece of what he just said at his press conference.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA): Democrats are trying to use the Epstein matter as a political weapon to distract from the own party's failures. And in a
desperate attempt, they're trying to somehow tie President Trump to the scandal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRAYER: So, there is a speaker blaming Democrats, calling this whole thing just another exercise, accusing Democrats of just doing this to try and go
after President Trump. But let's go back to a week ago. There were only four Republicans who had signed on to this effort.
And up until the last minute, the White House Trump allies, even Hill leadership was trying to pressure some of those four members to just to see
if they could get one of the names off the petition that would prevent this vote from happening. Now you have over 100 maybe 200 House Republicans who
today on the House floor are going to vote for this specifically, after the president has made his own reversal and said, just go for it, release the
files.
But take a listen to Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. She was one of those four Republicans who made this vote on the floor happen today. She
was at the press conference with victims. Take a listen to how she is responding to the attacks that she has received for being supportive of
this effort.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE (R-GA): And he called me a traitor for standing with these women and refusing to take my name off the discharge petition.
Let me tell you what a traitor is. A traitor is a is an American that serves foreign countries and themselves. A patriot is an American that
serves the United States of America and Americans like the women standing behind me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRAYER: Now, the House vote today is just the first step. It will -- if it passes, when we expect it to pass, later today, it will still have to go
over to the Republican controlled Senate, and it's a question about how Republican Leader John Thune is going to handle it. He said he's not going
to formally weigh in on whether this will get a vote until after the House vote has happened.
Now there's a question of given that Trump has called for the release of these files. Does that give Republicans more cover? But so, there's still
multiple steps that will have to go through the Republican controlled Senate and then land on President Trump's desk, where he will be faced with
what to do with the release of the Epstein files.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, he already said that he would sign it if it reached his desk. We should also note that he could have released all these files on
his own without having to go through this process of a vote in a discharge petition, both in the House and then later in the Senate as well.
Fascinating to see the rupture between the president and Marjorie Taylor Greene as well. Annie Grayer, thank you so much. And still to come, the
U.N. Security Council endorses President Trump's peace plan for Gaza. What it means for the next phase of the ceasefire agreement, that's next.
Plus, as the U.S. continues to build up military forces near South America, President Trump hints at a window for diplomacy where Venezuela is
concerned. We'll bring you those details as well.
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GOLODRYGA: At least one person was killed and three injured in a ramming and stabbing attack in the West Bank on Tuesday. The IDF says two people it
described as terrorists were killed by Israeli soldiers at the scene. The attack comes after dozens of Israeli settlers torched Palestinian vehicles
and homes in the occupied West Bank on Monday.
On the same day, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution endorsing President Trump's plan for the next steps in Gaza. It calls for a so-called
board of peace to act as a transitional authority for Gaza and the creation of an international stabilization force. CNN's International Diplomatic
Editor Nic Robertson joins us from Jerusalem.
So, I guess a two for question. First, the reaction from both the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, perhaps even, and Jerusalem to this measure
passing the U.N. Security Council yesterday, a vote is supporting President Trump's peace initiative and peace plan in Gaza, and then more locally, to
where you are reaction to those headlines of again, more tragedy and more fighting there and escalation in the West Bank?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah. I think when you look at what the resolution steps forward and does is it gives legal
legitimacy to the 20-point plan that President Trump put forward. We haven't seen the words. We saw a draft, and there was a lot of sorts of
ambiguity in that draft, which caused concern.
We don't know if that has all been dealt with. What we do understand is that board of peace, which is an international body that will oversee an
international stabilization force --
GOLODRYGA: I have to interrupt to take you to the White House, where the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has just arrived for his meeting with
President Trump. Notable, this is his first visit to the White House since 2018, that was also during President Trump's first term.
Since then, the Crown Prince had been really ostracized and described by President Trump's successor, President Biden as a pariah following the
murder of Washington Post Contributor Jamal Khashoggi, a murder that MBS has said he was not involved in, but one that the CIA says in all
likelihood was something that the Crown Prince was at least aware about.
[11:25:00]
Let's bring Nic Robertson back in from Jerusalem. Nic, you're sort of our go to on all things Middle East, both there in Jerusalem and here in
Washington, D.C. Just talk about the significance of this moment and this meeting between President Trump and Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler
of Saudi Arabia.
ROBERTSON: When you look at it from a Jerusalem perspective, if you will, and recognizing that Saudi Arabia has given its support to the -- that
resolution that passed at the U.N. but when you look at it from an Israel perspective. There were really a hope and a belief that whatever it was
that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wanted from the United States, and we've heard that's going to be F-35 civilian nuclear power program.
A security deal pact of some description, that the quid pro quo would be that Saudi Arabia Would normalize relations with Israel? Well, that's
really been scotched at the moment. It's very clear that, that's not going to happen in the short term. And Saudi Arabia has been very clear because
of the war in Gaza.
It views the only way and the path for it to normalize with Israel is for there to be a path to a Palestinian state. It's not clear that that new
U.N. Security Council resolution lays that out sufficiently clearly for groups like Hamas, who are already rejecting parts of that deal.
The Palestinian Authority has broadly accepted that resolution that says so move along with it. But in the context of Israel, it now looks at Saudi
Arabia getting these advanced F-35 fighter jets. And Israel is always in the region relied on the fact and the support, the legal support the United
States has in place as well to make sure that, that in this region, Israel is the most dominant military force.
And this begins to change that dynamic. And in the Israel context, you know, the prime minister here, Benjamin Netanyahu, is being criticized
because it's his inability and his coalition's inability to say that at some point they might recognize a Palestinian, demilitarized Palestinian
state.
That has really given trump the space President Trump the space to cut these deals with Saudi Arabia, because President Trump wants all these big
deals with Saudi Arabia as well. So that view here is encapsulated, if you will, that Saudi Arabia gains, the United States gains, and the prime
minister here looks flat footed and not able to look after the security of the nation as well as he might have been perceived doing before.
So, in actual military terms and sort of geopolitical terms, it is really significant, because this is Saudi Arabia really beginning to pursue Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, really beginning to pursue that vision of regional economic cooperation. And we may hear words from him today,
tomorrow, indicating that he will have normalization with Israel, but not at the moment, without those conditions of a path to a Palestinian state.
And also, perhaps indicating privately, less publicly, that he doesn't believe that this normalization can happen with the government of Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This is sort of, if you will, a new dynamic in the region. This initiative, there are plenty of Israelis that really wants
to have this normalization and the business opportunities with Saudi Arabia and what it brings to the broader world.
Are speaking with one expert in this field earlier on today, said, look, there's a lot going on behind the scenes. They sort of -- the startup and
tech sector in Israel is 20 percent of GDP here that could really enable and put a boost into Saudi Arabia in terms of what it wants to do.
And Saudi Arabia in terms of the AI field that it's moving into, and its energy source and production can also, over time, be a value, long term
value to Israel. They are compatible. There are mutually compatible things that they both need from each other. This expert pointed to when the
Abraham Accord was agreed between Israel and the UAE.
He said, look, right after that, there was basically a $3 billion business boost for the two nations. And I asked him, you know, how much would that
look like if that normalization happened with Saudi Arabia? And he indicated, as we could all imagine, it's a much bigger country, much
greater resources.
[11:30:00]
And so, the economic boost between the two countries could be big, but that's off the table right now for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and
that doesn't reflect well in some political quarters, particularly the opposition for him, as we look forward to next year being an election year
here.
So, MBS gain when viewed from Israel, is really Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu potentially Israel's national security and broader economic less
advantage.
GOLODRYGA: Yeah, normalization with Saudi Arabia had always been viewed as Prime Minister Netanyahu's crown jewel of achievement during his role as
prime minister of the country, the longest serving prime minister in Israel. The two countries, from all reporting, were just days away, if not
weeks away, from, that happening before the attacks of October 7th.
Now, of course, as you note, what's said behind closed doors may be quite different than what's agreed to publicly. A lot of pressure on the Cown
Prince to not have that recognition as of yet, until there's at least more stability in Gaza and a pathway for a Palestinian state.
We will continue to follow developments there a warm and regal, lavish welcome for the Crown Prince, we know that's going to be followed by a
meeting between the president and the Crown Prince now at the White House, and tonight a dinner as well. The rehabilitation of MBS over the last seven
years has been quite stunning to watch.
Nic Robertson in Jerusalem. Thank you so much. We'll be covering it all for you, and we'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:35:00]
GOLODRYGA: Welcome back to "One World". I'm Bianna Golodryga in New York. Well, just moments ago, President Trump welcomed Saudi Arabia's Crown
Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, to the White House. The Crown Prince is not a head of state, so this is not a state visit, but the White House is
definitely treating it like one, with a welcome ceremony and black-tie dinner tonight.
The two are expected to discuss defense cooperation, including the sale of American fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, which Trump announced yesterday.
He'll also be urging the Saudis to establish formal diplomatic ties with Israel. The last time Mohammed bin Salman came to Washington was in 2018
during Trump's first term.
And just months before the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. A CIA assessment found that it was likely that the
Crown Prince had ordered the killing, though he has denied it. CNN spoke with the widow of Jamal Khashoggi ahead of today's meeting.
Hanan Khashoggi told Jim Sciutto that she hopes the U.S. will uphold its role as a leader for human rights, and talked about what she thinks her
husband would have wished for.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HANAN ELATR KHASHOGGI, WIDOW OF JAMAL KHASHOGGI: It is very painful for me. It's very painful. It will be better if Jamal was here and receiving the
Crown Prince by himself. And meet with him and share with him his vision and mission and all of his idea, because it's what Jamal wished during last
visit of the Crown Prince in the beginning of 2018.
Jamal actually was waiting for an invitation from the Crown Prince and wished to have the space to be heard by the Crown Prince, because only he
has a good idea for his country. I hope they look at the American value for a human right and democratic besides economic ties and selling weapon or
any kind of deal.
It has to be, also there is something missing there, which is looking for the real justice under applying the human rights and the value of the U.S.
We look at U.S. like the leader of these great values.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GOLODRYGA: My next guest has written extensively about the Middle East as both an Author and a Columnist at the New Yorker. Robin Wright now joins me
from Washington, D.C. Robin, it is good to see you, and it is quite a remarkable reversal, as we've been discussing, from global pariah after the
murder of Jamal Khashoggi to a leader that Washington now feels it can't ignore.
Now, to be fair, I'm not sure that President Trump ever elevated the murder of Jamal Khashoggi to the level that his successor, President Biden, did,
nor did he call him a pariah. Nonetheless, it was President Biden who reversed course and actually traveled to Saudi Arabia to meet with the
Crown Prince.
We remember that infamous fist bump over the price of oil and hoping that Saudi Arabia could lower the price of oil by producing more oil. Just talk
about this evolution, not only in the role of Saudi Arabia as a regional player and a global player right now, but of MBS himself.
ROBIN WRIGHT, COLUMNIST AT THE NEW YORKER: Hi, Bianna, yes, I think there are a lot of us who are friends of Jamal Khashoggi who are deeply
disappointed at the way the United States has basically given a pass to the Crown Prince when it comes to what was a really horrendous murder.
And remember, we still don't know where Jamal's body is, but it's very striking that the Crown Prince has evolved since he assumed his role in
2017 as not only a power in his country, but increasingly in the region. And one of the reasons he's in Washington is to get the kind of security
equipment that will also make Saudi Arabia a military power and will ensure that any of his neighbors, notably Iran, will not try to mess with the
kingdom.
Remember, Iran attacked Saudi oil facilities and limited almost 50 percent of production for a while. But this is a trip that the two men like each
other very much. They are both transactional in their goals. I think President Trump also admires the kind of lavish pomp and circumstance of
visits to Saudi Arabia.
Remember, his first trip is and his first term was to Saudi Arabia, and the first trip and his second term was also to Saudi Arabia.
[11:40:00]
And of course, the Crown Prince wants the kind of advanced technology that the U.S. can provide they help with nuclear energy, because Saudi Arabia
has its own limits in terms of what -- how long its oil supplies will last, and especially as countries turn to alternative sources. So, there's a lot
of business two men can do, and they like each other personally.
GOLODRYGA: Right. And we know how important a personal relationship is to President Trump. It was notable to hear from him yesterday saying that he
would allow for the sale of F-35 fighter jets. A number of obstacles still stand in the way that needs congressional approval.
There's concern about China's role in potential transfer of technology there from those F-35s. And also, the congressionally mandated law that
states that Israel will have a qualitative advantage in the region. So, I guess this all leads to the question of, what would the president get in
return, aside from just financial rewards for the sale of the F-35?
What is it that Mohammed bin Salman can guarantee, implicitly or not explicitly, about what he will do in exchange?
WRIGHT: Well, I think this is all about investment in the United States, which, of course, is one of President Trump's biggest priorities. I think
the president also wants the kind of reassurance that at some point the kingdom will recognize Israel. I think that's why he has kind of a leg up
after the United Nations Security Council last night adopted President Trump's plan for Gaza, which implies that there will be some kind of
Palestinian entity after stability and reconstruction happens.
I mean, it's still a long road, but that's the end game. And of course, that's part of a peace process, and arguably the biggest peace process that
President Trump wants to be able to claim as his own.
GOLODRYGA: We also know that MBS arrives with a double-digit budget deficit. At this point, he has lavished and lofty ambitions beyond just
depending on oil and natural resources, and he's hoping to diversify that as well. He's already made a pledge of $600 billion during Trump's trip
earlier this year to the kingdom.
But what more realistically can the Saudis do in terms of impressing President Trump with future investments, given some of the tighter fiscal
constraints that they are into?
WRIGHT: You're absolutely right, Bianna. The kingdom, for all its wealth, has serious economic problems. Crown Prince's plans for a new city that
would be catered to by robots and have the latest technology. It was supposed to be finished in 2030 and it's in real trouble.
There is a problem with poverty. Something like a third of the young in the kingdom either underemployed or unemployed, and so we in the outside world,
think of this as a place of, you know, big jewels and big cars and big buildings. And in fact, there are terrible that the kingdom does face
terrible problems, but the relationship with the United States is something that the Crown Prince wants to legitimize himself as well. Remember, no
one's heard about the king for years.
GOLODRYGA: Exactly. And we also know that it's not just the president and MBS that have cultivated a close relationship, even when President Trump
was out of office, by all reporting, MBS had maintained a close relationship with his son in law, Jared Kushner, who has now played more of
a role behind the scenes, but an important role at that, not only in bringing in the ceasefire in Gaza, but also maintaining close ties to Saudi
Arabia.
Robin Wright, thank you so much. There you see the president giving the Crown Prince a tour at the White House. We expect to hear more from the
president and the Crown Prince shortly. We will bring that to you live when it begins. And just ahead on the show, funding cuts to USAID are directly
impacting people living with HIV and AIDS around the world.
"CNN Investigation" goes to South Africa to hear from some of the people who are now worrying for their own survival.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:45:00]
GOLODRYGA: Reports from Nigeria say security forces are ramping up the search for 25 school girls abducted by gunmen on Monday. The assailants
stormed a boarding school in northwestern Nigeria in the early hours of the morning, killing the vice principal and exchanging gunfire with police.
Kidnappings for ransom by armed groups have been on the increase in the northwest of the country. And staying in Africa, a CNN investigation is
revealing how the dismantling of USAID by President Trump is impacting the fight against HIV and AIDS. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan reports from South
Africa.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: We'll follow you lead the way. Thank you.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): This is Odwa Mbane.
ODWA MBANE, SOUTH AFRICAN TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER: Our trans communities, they come from different parts of the world.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): She's showing us around what was a clinic for trans people in central Johannesburg.
O'SULLIVAN: And so, this has all gone away.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): The clinic was funded by USAID, and it was a lifeline for more than 1000 transgender people until it was forced to shut
down after President Trump closed the aid agency earlier this year.
O'SULLIVAN: As soon as Trump was inaugurated, basically as soon as he came back into office.
MBANE: Within like a week, he just decided that he wants nothing to do me, especially with LGBTQI+ people and more especially, he said transgender
community.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Odwa is a transwoman who worked at the clinic. She's also HIV positive and dependent on the clinic for care.
O'SULLIVAN: You were smiling. This place means a lot to you.
MBANE: Yeah, it meant a lot, even with my community as well, because that's where they would feel like they are in the safe space.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): The South African government has stepped in to try to fill the gap in care for people living with HIV that was created when
USAID shut down, but stigma against LGBTQ people is still getting in the way of care.
O'SULLIVAN: Hi, everybody.
TINY, SOUTH AFRICAN LIVING WITH HIV: If you go to the government clinics, there's a lot of gossiping, especially if you are gay, or if you are trans,
or if you're gay, believe me, you won't survive.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): This is Tiny. He's been living with HIV for 14 years, and for care, he relied on a USAID funded clinic.
TINY: I was very disappointed about what Donald Trump did.
[11:50:00]
My biggest fear as for now, so many people, they're in danger. And I'm scared that so many people, they can die without medication.
SIVE MJINDI, PROJECT COORDINATOR AT OUT LGBT WELLBEING: America was so influential, so powerful and taking the world forward.
O'SULLIVAN (voice-over): Sive Mjindi worked with USAID supported groups. He says, without proper access to care. There were fears here of a rise in HIV
cases.
MJINDI: And so, I kind of really drew a picture of just going back in time to when HIV and AIDS were still unknown about it was all of a sudden, like
you go from one day, everybody accessing health care, living great lives, just within, like a week or two, that script completely flipped.
O'SULLIVAN: And I see what I guess was a USAID sign advertising services is now just been reduced to a tablecloth.
MJINDI: Once it was a flag flying high, actually a proud call for people to come on through and well now the reality is what it is.
TINY: My message to Donald Trump, Mr. Trump, please, you must have mercy. Please help us. Please, just give us medication. We still want to survive.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GOLODRYGA: Our thanks to Donie O'Sullivan for that report. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GOLODRYGA: Welcome back in Thailand, Wildlife smugglers have been dealt two strong blows in the span of a single day with more than 140 monkeys
rescued. Rangers found 62 long tailed Macaques hidden in plastic bags in a sugarcane field in southeast Thailand.
They were transferred to a local wildlife rescue center, and in a separate bust, 81 endangered monkeys were rescued and two men were arrested.
Methamphetamines were also found in their vehicles. Authorities say monkeys are sometimes used in drug development or sold on the black market.
Well, soon, there will be no need to turn back time, as pop legends share is set to return as a musical guest on Saturday night live for the first
time and get these 38 years. The Oscar Emmy and Grammy winning artist will return to the SNL stage on December 20th, according to NBC, which hosted
the final, which announced the final host and musical guest of 2025 on Monday.
[11:55:00]
Another Pop Giant Ariana Grande will be hosting that show. Cher last appeared as a musical guest on the NBC sketch show back in 1987 just ahead
of thanksgiving. Wow. Well, finally, this hour, Cambridge dictionary has unveiled its 2025 word of the year, and it's parasocial.
It was actually coined in 1956 by sociologists, but the once academic term has now become more mainstream. It refers to a connection, but people feel
with someone they don't know, or even with something like artificial intelligence. Cambridge cited the example of Taylor Swift, who announced
her engagement to NFL Star Travis Kelce, and received an outpouring of feelings from fans who had never even met the couple.
One Cambridge writer says the word captures the 2025 Zeitgeist and demonstrates how language can change. All right, don't go anywhere. I'll
have much more "One World" after the break, including where we expect to hear from what we expect to hear from President Trump and the Saudi Crown
Prince. We'll bring you that once it happens. Stay with CNN.
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END
