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CNN Headlines: Brother Of Natalie Harp Speaks Out About Her Intense Loyalty To Trump; Missing Children Found Safe Inside Cargo Trailer; WNBA Says Security Was Wrong To Ask Fans To Cover Up Shirts. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired August 19, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:40]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It's half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
A very fiery day of testimony in the murder trial over the fatal shooting of rapper Tupak Shakur. A jury heard from two men who previously worked security for Marion "Suge" Knight who is the former CEO of Shakur's record label. Now, Knight was driving Shakur the evening he was shot. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JAMES MCDONALD, WITNESS, FORMER HEAD OF SECURITY, CLUB 662: And I'm going to put my grandkids in the car and move somewhere so you all can't find me. So all that running and living a different life, I ain't doing it. So I agreed to come.
And I -- like I explained to everybody in here, you ask me something, I'm going to be honest about it. You ask me something I don't want to talk about, you're going to have a problem. Treating me as a hostile witness. You're not going to talk to me and tell me as a grown man what I have to do up here. I'm not fixing to send him to prison; you are.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Prosecutors also showed jurors the graphic, never-before-seen photographs from Shakur's 1996 autopsy, including a bullet fragment removed from his body.
Duane Davis, the man accused of orchestrating the hit on Shakur, denies the allegations. He has pleaded not guilty.
All right. And the fight over Big Bend National Park is expected to be center stage at the annual Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission hearing today. More than 30 stakeholders are expected to challenge the federal government over the construction there related to Customs and Border Protection. It's currently paused for at least two weeks over the national outcry. And CNN projects Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will be the nominee for Florida's newly redrawn 20th House District. Republican redistricting forced her seek a new seat. She defeated four Black candidates in a district where Black voters make up the largest bloc.
Now elsewhere in Florida, it was a mixed night for President Trump's primary picks. His choice for governor easily winning but the MAGA choices for Congress falling and -- failing to come out on top.
CNN' Steve Contorno explains.
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STEVE CONTORNO, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: There were some pretty mixed results on Tuesday for MAGA-backed candidates in President Donald Trump's adopted home state of Florida starting right at the top of the ticket.
REP. BYRON DONALDS (R-FL): We've been crisscrossing Florida. We've been knocking on hundreds of thousands of doors, taking our message to all Floridians. And tonight, because of your sweat, because of your hard work, we have won a massive victory.
CONTORNO: Yes, Byron Donalds, the congressman who had Trump's endorsement, was ultimately victorious, but he didn't eclipse 50 percent of the vote in a state that Trump has dominated for so long.
And kind of interesting, he didn't really even talk about Trump that much in his acceptance speech. He actually talked more about Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who wouldn't even back Donalds.
DONALDS: In Florida, we have built a strong foundation under former Gov. Rick Scott, and under Gov. Ron DeSantis we have supercharged that foundation making Florida the envy of every state in America.
CONTORNO: Meanwhile, in Florida's 7th Congressional District, embattled Rep. Cory Mills failed to win re-election. He had Trump's endorsement several months ago, although Trump kind of backed away from that in recent days and chose not to re-endorse him.
Then you go down to Florida's 19th District. Trump decided to endorse in this very crowded, unusual primary, in the final days of the race. This race has attracted six candidates who ran for Congress in other states, including Catalina Lauf, who earned Trump's endorsement just as Republicans were starting to vote in this primary, but she lost the race to Jim Schwartzel, a local broadcast station owner in southwest Florida.
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[05:35:00]
SMITH: And in Wyoming, another primary loss for a Trump-backed governor, the fifth time this election year. Eric Barlow will defeat Trump's pick, Megan Degenfelder, and two other candidates. Barlow will face Kenneth Casner in November.
All right. New developments this morning about Natalie Harp. She is the aide so close to President Trump that she once rode in the trunk of an SUV to accompany him to court. And now we're hearing from her estranged brother Preston Harp. He spoke with our Erin Burnett last night.
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ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: Two sources, Preston, are telling CNN that your sister was involved -- OK, back in October 2023, right, there was sort of a screaming match about who was getting in what car, and it turned out that there wasn't room for Natalie. So she insisted -- she said no, Trump had personally asked her to come to this court appearance, so she needed to be in the car.
Now, according to these sources, the end result is that your sister jumped into the trunk of one of the motorcade vehicles to go to the court appearance in lower Manhattan.
PRESTON HARP, NATALIE HARP'S ESTRANGED BROTHER: (Laughing).
That's really funny. I didn't even know about that.
BURNETT: I mean, what is your reaction to that? I mean, you're laughing --
HARP: That's crazy.
BURNETT: -- but, I mean, is it funny or what -- you know her so that's why --
HARP: No, it's not. I'm sorry. It's actually kind of sad. That's obsession. That's like an unhealthy obsession with someone if you're going to jump into the trunk of their car, like --
BURNETT: So I mentioned Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan's book, "Regime Change," Preston -- which, of course, I know -- I know you've heard a lot about it.
HARP: Yeah.
BURNETT: But, you know, in that, Natalie's name became known to a lot of people, right, prior to the whole NATO plane incident. She was in the book --
HARP: Yeah.
BURNETT: -- as an important player and her role -- her importance to the president became clear.
They report that she left him, the president, a series of letters in personal spaces where she --
HARP: Oh, yeah. BURNETT: -- told him "You're all that matters to me" in one. In another one she writes, "I want to bring you joy." And then they say that Trump said your sister is the only one who loved him as much as his wife and kids.
So what is your reaction to this? Does this sound like her -- you know, the person that you knew well -- your sister?
HARP: Yeah. Um, I mean, basically, I'd say since she was like 16, she's had an obsession with -- gosh, how do I explain this. Um, she's written letters to other presidents. Let me put it that way. Um, and so, like, her dream came true finally.
BURNETT: Oh, interesting. So you're saying that she had -- she actually was very aware of politics, right, and that she had written other presidents -- other presidents letters. Do you happen to know which ones or what they were about, or anything, Preston, that you were able -- be able to share here?
HARP: Uh, I didn't see the letter but George Bush, obviously, during the Iraq War.
BURNETT: And did anything ever come of that? I mean, did the White House ever respond or anything or did she just sort of sent a letter?
HARP: No, they never responded.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Dramatic bodycam video shows police opening a cargo trailer and finding two missing children in Atlanta. Here is what we know about the investigation right now.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bodycam footage shows the moment police officers used cutters to open a windowless trailer in Atlanta and take a 42- year-old Lakesha Bown into custody. Brown was charged with the kidnapping of two children, a 4-year-old girl and her 11-month-old sister.
The children's mother told police that Brown was an acquaintance of hers and was babysitting her children while she went out to dinner. When she returned home, she was unable to make contact with Brown and reported the children missing.
Authorities say the investigation led police to a windowless white trailer where officers heard a child crying inside. The children are "reunited with their mother in good health," according to the Atlanta Police Department.
Police say Brown was also charged with kidnapping a 4-day-old baby in Alabama in 2021 and had an outstanding warrant related to the case. CNN is working to determine Brown's legal representation for comment.
(END VIDEOTAPE) SMITH: All right. Surveillance video shown in the murder trial over the death of Microsoft executive, Jared Bridegan -- it captures the moment that gunshots were fired, and it then reveals what appears to be someone fleeing the scene. Prosecutors believe that man is alleged shooter Henry Tenon.
Now, the executive was shot outside his vehicle more than four years ago while his 2-year-old daughter was strapped in her car seat. Prosecutors say that his ex-wife and her current husband, Mario Fernandez, hired someone to kill the executive. Fernandez is the one that is currently on trial.
[05:40:08]
Witnesses for the defense have testified on the mental health decline of Lindsay Clancy. She is the Massachusetts mom accused of murdering her three young children. Now on Tuesday, the prosecution earned a rebuke from the judge over its line of questioning.
CNN's Brynn Gingras has the story.
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SHANAN BUCKINGHAM, PLYMOUTH COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: Are you an active member in the Catholic Church?
SUSAN CLANCY, FORMER MOTHER-IN-LAW OF LINDSAY CLANCY: Yes.
BUCKINGHAM: So you're aware that murder is considered a mortal sin?
JUDGE WILLIAM SULLIVAN, MASSACHUSETTS SUPERIOR COURT: Counsel, can I see you over here?
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That was an exchange in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial that even the judge thought was out of bounds. That was the prosecution cross-examining Susan Clancy, former mother-in-law of Lindsay. The judge immediately calling a sidebar after that question, and when court continued, he instructed the jury to strike it.
SULLIVAN: And what that means is you are not to consider it for any reason or any purpose, OK?
GINGRAS: Leading up to that moment, Susan Clancy testified that her former daughter-in-law was a wonderful mother.
CLANCY: She loved her children -- all of them -- very, very much.
GINGRAS: Clancy's defense attorney highlighting Lindsay often texted her former mother-in-law, who was also a labor and delivery nurse, for advice.
KEVIN REDDINGTON, LINDSAY CLANCY'S ATTORNEY: Did you find at all, or do you have an opinion with your observations of Lindsay as to whether or not she was offered help or would just spurn it and not see doctors or not? CLANCY: She was begging for help.
GINGRAS: The defense argues Lindsay was suffering from postpartum psychosis when the killings happened in January 2023.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Well, today would have been Nolan Wells' 19th birthday. It comes more than six weeks after the teen's unexplained death during a July Fourth boating trip to Mississippi's Horn Island. His friends returned without him.
His parents wrote a letter to Wells to mark his birthday and they shared it exclusively with CNN writing, in part, "You are truly our angel. Happy heavenly 19th birthday, Nono. Remember: don't eat too much Oreo cake, and hug grandma for us."
A nationwide vigil will be held today at noon as the community continues to push for answers and accountability.
Shakira went to Colombia and pledged money to build 10 new schools in areas devastated by that massive earthquake that took place there. Warren Buffett's son Howard Buffett was also there too. His foundation is helping her charity with rebuilding efforts. Colombia's president says economic losses from the disaster could reach more than $9 billion. And incredible effort continuing to on go there in the region. We'll continue to keep you updated as well.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS a popular frozen fruit bar being recalled. We've got details on that before you pack it in a knapsack later in the hour.
Plus, Vin Diesel opening up about what he thinks about the script for the next -- the next "Fast & Furious" movie. That's coming up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:47:23]
SMITH: The WNBA says security got it wrong by asking fans to cover up t-shirts about transgender athletes.
CNN's Jon Sarlin has more for us.
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JON SARLIN, CNN PRODUCER: A mother and daughter were asked to cover up their t-shirts at a WNBA game on Sunday. They were wearing XX-XY Athletics tees, brand that advocates transgender girls and women shouldn't play in women's sports.
The pair were there to watch the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream in Atlanta, Georgia where they say security approached them and said they had to leave or cover their shirts up. A third woman wearing a shirt supporting transgender people was also asked by security to cover it up.
In a statement, the WNBA said it was aware of the interaction at the game in Atlanta, adding that this should not have happened. The league said it informed security personnel that they were wrong to instruct fans to cover their shirts.
The Atlanta Dream also issued a statement saying they believed in creating a "safe and inclusive environment for everyone and that security took actions that feel short of that standard."
The mother and daughter also appeared on Fox News saying they couldn't believe it happened.
KASEY THOMASON, TOLD TO COVER SHIRT A WNBA GAME: Common sense, people. Like, that's all we're asking for.
LAURA INGRAHAM, FOX NEWS HOST, "THE INGRAHAM ANGLE": That's insane.
SARLIN: In an interview with MAGA content creator Adam Francisco, the pair said they bought the tickets to support Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, who has advocated against transgender girls and women competing in female sports. Cunningham has previously called restricting transgender women from women's sports a matter of common sense.
The WNBA has been at the center of debates recently about whether transgender women should be allowed to participate. No known transgender player currently plays in the league.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: It is time for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
And Madonna is leading the pack for MTV Video Music Award nominations. She's up for some of the big awards like video, artist and song of the year. She's actually been nominated every decade in her career. And Taylor Swift is up next with nine nominations. She is tied with Beyonce for the most awarded musician for the VMAs. And there's also Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande. Each have seven nominations for themselves. Fan voting is open and the show is on September 27.
[05:50:00]
And Vin Diesel says he cried reading the script for the next "Fast & Furious" movie. It's expected to be the last one. He opened up during the 25th anniversary screening of the original movie alongside some of the other stars. Vin Diesel says about the new script, "Even the toughest guys in the world need to cry." I agree.
And it used to be if you had a bad day at work that was it, you'd move on. Now if it's caught on camera, it goes viral. And on that note, CNN's Patrick Cornell brings us this custard calamity.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) PATRICK CORNELL, CNN NEWSOURCE JOURNALIST (voiceover): This caught-on- camera colossal custard fumble has the internet in stitches and noticing a debacle doppelganger. Poor guy. But Gilles Frozen Custard employee Carter Sampson is having a good time with his viral fame.
CARTER SAMPSON, EMPLOYEE, GILLES FROZEN CUSTARD: And I can just feel my hand slip, and as soon as it slipped I just -- I don't remember anything after that other than being covered in the shake mix.
CORNELL: An accident deeply reminiscent of Kevin's famous chili calamity from "THE OFFICE." Hall of Fame comedic moments from both these gentlemen.
Carter says he was sent home to clean up, but told WISN, "You just got to laugh about it and go on about your day."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: If that ever happened to me on camera, honestly, I'm packing it up and I'm going home. You might see me tomorrow.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS one airline is making some upgrades to catch up to their competitors. The changes coming to American straight ahead.
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[05:55:50]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, a sweet treat in your freezer may contain shards of broken glass. Say it ain't so.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with that and the rest of your top money headlines. Marbiel, all right, what do we need to know to be on the lookout for here?
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Yeah, you want a sweet treat, not a sharp one. Frozen fruit bars made by ice cream brand Dreyer's brand are being recalled for possibly containing bits of glass. The recall covers six-count boxes of Outshine Fruit Bars in several flavors, including black cherry, grape, strawberry, tangerine, and watermelon. Customers are urged to throw them away or return them to the store for a refund.
American Airlines is overhauling its planes and cabins as it competes with Delta and United. The airline is bringing seatback screens to most of its narrow-body fleet and also expanding its premium seating. The company said the new screens will be on every seat of the new Airbus and Boeing aircraft starting in 2028. Premium seating will grow to about 40 percent of seats, up from 25 seats on today's narrow-body planes.
You may soon be able to celebrate your Taco Tuesdays at Waffle House. The chain is testing tacos in select markets right now. The menu includes four breakfast tacos along with several lunch and dinner options. Waffle House says a nationwide expansion could follow if the test goes well.
Brad, if the breakfast tacos have bacon and potatoes, and cheese, I'm in.
SMITH: We had at least one person here in the studio rub their hands as you were talking about this news, so --
ABER: Oh, yeah.
SMITH: -- I think we're ready down here.
Maribel, thank you.
Let's get a check-in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
We start in Philadelphia. That's where police say that a masked man was terrorizing at least half a dozen people. Terrifying video showing the suspect chasing a woman through the city. WPVI reporter Leland Pinder has more of the details.
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LELAN PINDER, REPORTER, WPVI: This woman refused to become a victim when a masked stranger approached her in Center City last Wednesday morning. She squared up and kicked him in the chest.
PINDER: You kicked him in the center of his chest.
JAMEKA W., FOUGHT OFF MASKED MAN: Yeah.
PINDER: You were, like, you know, just like that.
JAMEKA W.: Yeah.
PINDER: Wow.
PINDER (voiceover): It happened about 5:15 a.m. near 15th and Broad. Jameka W. believes the person who targeted her is the same suspect police say was caught on camera chasing a woman outside City Hall minutes earlier.
Before her own encounter, Jameka says she spotted the masked suspect approaching a runner who was wearing headphones.
JAMEKA W.: So I started to wave at her across from the intersection and say, "Hey, there's someone behind you."
PINDER (voiceover): She then witnessed him try to force his way into the coffee shop before turning his attention towards her.
JAMEKA W.: Well, I figured that if anything was going to happen, I wanted to see it with my own two eyes.
PINDER (voiceover): She turned around, screamed and yelled, and put her hands up to fight. But something seemed off about the scary stranger.
JAMEKA W.: He just seemed so disoriented about what his goals actually were. Like, I had bags. He wasn't reaching for those. It didn't seem like he had a clear goal to like actually do anything. Um, so I was like OK, well, let's see if you can fight, and he couldn't.
PINDER (voiceover): Police say the suspect accosted several people in a 15-minute span, and investigators say he said this to the runner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's holding his cell phone up in front of her at which time he asks here, "Are you ready to die?"
PINDER (voiceover): He ultimately fled into Suburban Station. Until he's caught, Jameka has message for early Center City risers, especially women.
JAMEKA W.: Make sure that you're not playing music in your headphones. Um, you know, keep your keys in between your fingers. Just do everything that you can to feel safe.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Thank you for that report.
Also, you've got to check this out. It's bodycam video showing a Los Angeles police officer and bystanders working together to rescue someone who was pinned under a car after a crash. That officer immediately grabbed everybody to help him lift the car. Police say the person survived, all thanks to the teamwork of everyone involved.
Talk about battle tested. Watch as a lightning bolt strikes the historic USS North Carolina during a storm on Sunday. The World War II battleship fought across the Pacific earning 15 battle stars. It was saved from the scrapyard and it's now a memorial to more than 11,000 North Carolinians who died in the war.
[06:00:00]
And one last thing from Rhode Island. It took seven hours to clear thousands of pounds of squid from a highway. Neighbors say that the odor was intensified by the heat, making it a pretty stinky situation. It took at least one tractor-trailer to finish the cleanup here. I don't even do well deep-sea fishing using squid as lures, so I don't even know how I'd still be a member of that neighborhood and community. All right, a speedy cleanup to you guys.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
