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CNN Headlines: Triple-Digit Temps On Tap For Millions As Heat Wave Intensifies Across East; Trump Pushes Congress On Birthright Citizenship After SCOTUS Defeat; Trump Made More Than A Billion Dollars From Cryptocurrency In First Year Back In Office; Venezuelan Authorities: 1,900+ Dead, 10K+ Injured After Powerful Earthquakes. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired July 01, 2026 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[05:00:22]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: If you have somewhere to cool off, you should head there today. Half of all Americans are facing heat alerts, and millions will see triple digit temperatures.
Plus --
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
911 DISPATCHER: Somebody got bit by a gator.
CALLER: Bad. Real bad. Please hurry.
(END AUDIO CLIP)
SMITH: Somebody's got to tell these alligators to cool off, too. We're taking a look at a string of alligator attacks in Florida.
And President Trump has a new plan to try to end birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court told him no.
And --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REPORTER: I'm with CNN. Anything you can share?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
REPORTER: No? All right.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I like my job.
REPORTER: Fair.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: This video may hold clues to one of the best kept secrets to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding. We've got the details on those nuptials potentially at MSG.
Good morning. I'm Brad Smith. This is CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. Glad that you're with us.
Let's get this started.
We begin with the historic heat wave building through the rest of the week towards a record-breaking Fourth of July for cities up and down the East Coast. Half of all Americans are facing heat alerts this week, including Chicago, where the humid air felt more like 108 degrees Tuesday as the heat dome moves east in the days to come, 50 million people will still see those triple digit temperatures.
City residents in New York, Philadelphia, Boston they're desperately looking for ways to stay cool. Dangerous temperatures aren't just limited to the daytime highs. In some areas, the morning low will also set records, meaning nighttime won't be bringing much needed relief for the oppressive heat that we experienced during the day.
And as Americans gather to celebrate the country's 250th birthday in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. could face the hottest three day stretch since the Hoover administration.
And that is all just the tip of the iceberg. CNN's Derek Van Dam has your national forecast, as we get closer to the hot holiday weekend.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEREK VAN DAM, CNN METEOROLOGIST: We have several major weather topics to follow along on this Wednesday. Check this out. This heat dome continues to bring in oppressive heat for the eastern half of the country, but right around the periphery of this high pressure in the heat dome is the potential for some stronger storms today, particularly across the Great Lakes and the Upper Midwest, mainly a wind threat. But we want to keep an eye to the sky and weather aware from Green Bay into Traverse City, Michigan.
But there's also a critical fire risk across the Four Corners that continues basically from this past weekend, right through the week. We have dry conditions there also being fueled by strong winds out of the southwest, helping ignite additional fires.
Look at these high temperatures, 98 degrees for Washington, 98 for Nashville. But of course, we all know it's the humidity that makes it unbearable. As we step outside, the heat index values where the feels like on your skin as you step outdoors will feel like 110 degrees in many locations along the I-95 corridor, right through the busy holiday weekend. As this ridge of high pressure or a heat dome settles in and just migrates across the southeastern U.S.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Derek.
And now to more on those wildfires. Thousands of acres are burning across the West, including the Aspen Acres Fire in Colorado, leading to evacuations. Even some entire towns in cases.
Now, at least a dozen fires in Utah alone are now burning, spawning firework bans. The fire you see here growing to an area bigger than Salt Lake City and barely contained.
Today, there could be a small break in the strong winds, but Thursday and Friday, the dangerous fire weather returns, bringing even stronger winds.
Well, President Trump is shifting his strategy on birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court blocked his executive order. In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that under the Constitution, children born in the United States become citizens at birth, even if their parents are not. Now, Trump is urging Congress to act, saying legislation and not a constitutional amendment is the answer.
House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed that frustration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REP. MIKE JOHNSON (R-LA), SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: It certainly is time for us to do everything that's possible. I think it's clearly an issue that merits the attention of Congress. I don't know what the remedy is, how to define it or the timeline. It would be premature for me to project that, but I will tell you that it's a big concern with the American people because it's been abused.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Now, after the ruling, the Justice Department directed U.S. attorneys to prioritize investigations into so-called birth tourism schemes.
[05:05:06]
The president argues some people internationally traveled to the U.S. to give birth so their children will be citizens.
The Supreme Court also ruled to allow states to ban transgender women and girls from competing on female sports teams. The ruling leaves those bans in place where they've already passed, while states that allow transgender athletes to compete can keep their current policies. The decision is expected to fuel new efforts by conservative lawmakers to expand similar bans nationwide.
Well, new this morning, a 29-year-old Democratic socialist is projected to unseat an incumbent. Another primary race just where this is happening. Melat Kiros defeated 15-term Representative Diana DeGette in Colorado's First District.
The longtime congresswoman was first elected before her challenger was even born. Kiros was the third progressive challenger to defeat a sitting House member in eight days after two others won last week in New York.
But it was a different story in Colorado's Democratic Senate primary. CNN projects incumbent John Hickenlooper will defeat progressive challenger State Senator Julie Gonzales. He will face Republican state lawmaker Mark Baisley in November. And in Colorado's race for governor, CNN projects that State Attorney General Phil Weiser will advance to the general election, defeating U.S. Senator Michael Bennet.
President Trump has made more than $1 billion through cryptocurrency ventures in his first year back in office. That is according to his latest financial disclosure, which was more than 900 pages long. It shows Trump earned more than $526 million from sales of crypto tokens tied to a firm managed in part by his sons, Eric and Don Jr.
Now, the earnings are unprecedented for a sitting president and include hefty royalties and licensing fees. The White House denies that there are any conflicts of interest.
Well, this morning, Venezuelan authorities say at least 1,900 people are dead after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within seconds of each other one week ago today. Rescue crews are still urgently searching for survivors, but according to the U.S. Geological Survey, it is very likely that tens of thousands are dead.
Here's CNN's Sherrell Hubbard with more
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SHERRELL HUBBARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Spanish rescue dogs are assisting the search for survivors and navigating the rubble left by a pair of Venezuela earthquakes last week. Six days on the time frame to retrieve people alive is crucial. The National Assembly president says the death toll has risen above 1,900, with more than 10,000 injured.
Even amongst bleak odds, miraculous recoveries are happening. This video is of a three-year-old boy. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez announced that he was saved Tuesday, one day short of a full week since the earthquakes struck a Jordanian search team discovered him in La Guaira.
Some loved ones of the missing say they want to be reunited with relatives, whether they are living or dead.
JOSE GREGORIO RINCON AVILA, RELATIVE TO MISSING PERSON (through translator): Please, those of you who are here, help us. Help us. We have been waiting many days. We already know those bodies have been there for several days, since Wednesday. But at least let us take our loved ones home.
HUBBARD: The U.S. Geological Survey has said there's a high chance that the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes have killed tens of thousands of people.
I'm Sherrell Hubbard, reporting
(END VIDEOTAPE) SMITH: Happening today in the U.S. conflict with Iran. Delegations from the two countries are expected to meet separately for technical talks with mediators. Yesterday, U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Qatar's top diplomat.
According to Qatar's Foreign Ministry, the two sides discussed Iran and the cease fire in Lebanon. Kushner and Witkoff did not meet with Iranian officials.
Well, the FAA is investigating after a passenger tried to open a cabin door on a United Airlines flight. Officials say that the plane had been in the air for about 15 minutes Tuesday, when the pilot told air traffic controllers passengers were restraining a belligerent person who tried to open the door. The flight made an emergency landing in Indianapolis, where police detained that passenger. The plane later continued on to Houston.
We've got lots more to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. Show her the money. That is the message E. Jean Carroll is sending after a Supreme Court ruling cleared the way for President Trump to pay her millions in a civil suit.
Plus, Medicare now covering weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Ahead, who is eligible and who is not?
[05:10:02]
Plus, let's go for a little spacewalk. Why NASA astronauts spent hours outside of the International Space Station.
That story and more as CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS continues
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SMITH: A longtime aide to former President Bill Clinton is walking back an earlier claim that Clinton visited Jeffrey Epstein's private island. Doug Band told the House Oversight Committee behind closed doors that he has no evidence Clinton was ever on the island. That is according to sources familiar with the matter.
Band reportedly said he does not remember why he told "Vanity Fair" in 2020 that Clinton had been there.
[05:15:04]
The committee is investigating Epstein's network and how fast investigations were handled.
Clinton testified earlier this year that he never visited Epstein's island, and has repeatedly denied knowing about Epstein's crimes during what he described as a brief acquaintance.
Just one day after the Supreme Court rejected President Trump's appeal of a jury finding that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll, the magazine columnist is asking a judge to release more than $5 million related to the case. Carroll's attorneys filed the request, saying it's time to bring the case -- this case to a close after four years of litigation. Trump was required to deposit $5.5 million into a court controlled account that came after a jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages for defamation.
Despite exhausting his legal options, Trump says he will keep fighting the ruling.
Astronauts spent more than seven hours outside of the International Space Station doing repair work. Let's take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Good morning from the International Space Station flight control room at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
REPORTER: This is the moment NASA astronauts left the International Space Station for a robotics repair spacewalk. Astronauts Jessica Meir and Chris Williams were replacing a wrist joint on the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, which malfunctioned during normal operations on May 27th. Used to maintain and replace equipment, the arm also helps move astronauts around the outside of the es during spacewalks.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As you can see here, no bad days when you're outside the International Space Station doing a spacewalk. Williams getting some great photography in while they have a bit of a down moment awaiting this arm movement
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Full moon right now thinking about Artemis crews and missions. It looks gorgeous.
REPORTER: Williams and Meir successfully replaced the wrist joint on Canadarm2 after spending over seven hours outside the station. This marks the 280th spacewalk for the International Space Station, the second for Williams and the fifth for Meir.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Spending time in zero gravity.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, a string of alligator attacks across Florida, the latest on a woman who lost her life after swimming in a river near Orlando. Details on the attack coming up.
Stay with us.
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[05:21:55]
SMITH: A string of alligator attacks across Central Florida over the past week is prompting concern. According to CNN affiliate WESH, WESH, two of those attacks happened within 24 hours of each other. The most recent attack turned deadly, killing a 31 year old woman.
CNN's Randi Kaye has the story and a warning to viewers. Some may find this report disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
911 DISPATCHER: Somebody got bit by a gator.
CALLER: Bad. Real bad. Please hurry.
CALLER: We got to get rid of the gator. Get away from the gator.
911 DISPATCHER: Okay, and how bad is the bite?
CALLER: Horrible.
RANDI KAYE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A frantic scene Sunday afternoon in Seminole County, Florida, just north of Orlando. A 31- year-old woman attacked by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in just three feet of water.
911 DISPATCHER: Does she still have her arms attached to her or does the gator have one of them?
CALLER: One of them is like very hanging on my thread and the other one's off.
KAYE (voice-over): Authorities say the woman was with her boyfriend and another friend.
CHAD WEBER, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE: She was bitten on both of her arms. The boyfriend was the one that made the phone call he was trying to get her from the alligator's mouth.
911 DISPATCHER: Do you know where the other arm is?
CALLER: Gone.
WEBER: And on the way to the hospital, she did pass away from her injuries.
KAYE (voice-over): Hikers were left in disbelief.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I've seen really big gators in here. I've never heard of an attack, though.
KAYE (voice-over): According to FWC, two alligators were captured in the area.
WEBER: One was 12 foot. The other one was 13 foot.
KAYE (voice-over): A day earlier at Nelson's Fish Camp in Marion County, Florida, an alligator bit a boy on his hand while he was fishing with his father.
FWC tells CNN they've captured and killed that gator and that it measured nearly nine feet. On June 21st, a snorkeler suffered an alligator bite in the Rainbow
River, about 100 miles away from Sunday's fatal attack in Seminole County.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Well, starting today, millions of seniors on Medicare will be eligible for GLP-1 weight loss drugs for the first time ever. It's part of a pilot program and costs just $50 a month. But not everyone qualifies. This short term program is set to last through 2027 and dodges a ban on weight loss drugs on Medicare. Something doctors have been against for years, arguing obesity should be treated like any other disease.
Studies show older adults lose as much weight as younger patients on GLP-1, but face unique risks.
Well, a nine-year-old baseball fan in Arizona turned a fun tradition with his dad into a big payday.
Here's Patrick Cornell with the story.
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PATRICK CORNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Here's a rare find that's netting a kid some big bucks. Nine year old Mason Dean and his dad visit a card shop every month, hunting for their top players.
MASON DEAN, NINE-YEAR-OLD: We normally just look around and like, if I feel lucky, we normally get a pack.
CORNELL (vice-over): On a recent trip, they struck gold, unwrapping an autographed rookie card from Chicago White Sox infielder Munetaka Murakami.
DEAN: I was like, this is crazy.
CORNELL (vice-over): Deciding to cash in on their good fortune reportedly auctioning the card for almost $75,000.
[05:25:06]
And what's a nine-year-old to do with all that money?
DEAN: I wanted to buy more cards than some of it. I wanted to get a U-box (ph).
CORNELL (vice-over): Not so fast, my friend. Dad has other ideas.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you can take the value of it as is and put it towards the college fund, that's what we opt to do
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Now that is a smart decision there. Straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, it is hot. Dangerous
temperatures blanketing the country as we get closer to the July 4th holiday weekend. The latest on the unbearable heat and humidity coming up.
Plus, more clues emerging about what is being billed as the wedding of the year. The union of T Swift and T Kelce. What we know, ahead.
