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CNN Headlines: Trump And Cohen Reconnect As Former Fixer Seeks Clemency; Hospital Chaplain Testifies In Lindsay Clancy Trial; Neutrogena Issues Statement After Hayden Panettiere's Death. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired August 21, 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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[05:31:00]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It's half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
The USS Abraham Lincoln is heading home after a record-breaking deployment according to a source familiar with matter. The Iran war extended its time at sea sparking concerns over reports of deteriorating living conditions and worsening mental health among the crew. The Lincoln is being relieved by the USS George Washington.
Also, cleaning up and drying out. That's what a lot of people in the mid-Atlantic will be doing today after powerful storms created images like this, slamming the region overnight. An apparent tornado ripped the roof off of this motel in Dover, Delaware. The storms leaving behind a trail of destruction and flooding. The flood threat shifts further south today.
And in Indiana it's been over a week since storms tore across the region. Tens of thousands of people still have no power though and, in some areas, power is not expected to be restored for at least another week.
CNN's Sherrill Hubbard has more for us.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SHERILL HUBBARD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): This is what some Hoosiers see when they turn off their flashlight -- absolute darkness. Tens of thousands of people are in the dark after deadly storms hit northwest Indiana nine days ago. Initially, 300,000 customers were without power and more than a week later 75,000 customers still have no electricity, according to Northern Indiana Public Service Company.
GARY LUCIANO, GARY, INDIANA RESIDENT: No lights, no Wi-Fi, can't charge a phone. It's women taking cold showers.
HUBBARD (voiceover): Gary Luciano, of Gary, Indiana, says his power is back on now, but he had been relying on McDonald's to charge his phone and other devices. He and others visiting local restaurants and disaster organizations for food.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We can go buy sandwich food, chips -- unhealthy.
HUBBARD (voiceover): Most of the residences still powerless are in Lake County next to the Illinois border, including 20,000 customers in Gary, Indiana. Residents of the majority Black city have expressed frustration, especially since learning that the estimated power restoration isn't expected until next Tuesday, August 25, according to NIPSCO.
MELODY BIRMINGHAM, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, NISOURCE, INC.: We would not, we have not and should not ever prioritize how we respond based on color, based on socioeconomic status. That is not the business we're in.
HUBBARD (voiceover): Melody Birmingham of NIPSCO's parent company says roughly 300 poles and 44 power transmission poles need to be repaired or replaced in Gary as a result of the storm. And the power company says it's working around the clock to get electricity restored to everyone.
I'm Sherrill Hubbard reporting.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Sherrill.
Michael Cohen and President Trump appear to be burying the hatchet years after their bitter falling out. Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, says he plans to follow up today on a clemency application he submitted to the Trump administration. That comes just one day after Cohen released a taped radio interview with the president recorded from the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL COHEN, FORMER TRUMP LAWYER AND FIXER: How you doing, sir? Welcome, welcome.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Very good. The country is doing good.
COHEN: Well, thanks to you, sir. So I want to go back to 2016 if we can because you and I have obviously traveled a pretty rocky road together. You remember -- do you remember, sir, when I went on CNN with Brianna Keilar and she told me that you were underwater in the polls, and I responded with those famous two words, "says who," which became some worldwide meme and --
TRUMP: And advocate, and then they weaponized you like nobody's ever been weaponized -- like few have been.
COHEN: Well, maybe just you and I, sir. But --
TRUMP: And you. Yeah, me too. But I don't consider mine -- you know, mine was -- mine was at a level that nobody's ever seen before. But they weaponized you. They weaponized a lot of people. And I respect the fact that you recanted --
COHEN: Yeah.
TRUMP: -- everything you said --
COHEN: Yeah.
TRUMP: -- and that's a big -- that's a big thing that you did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[05:35:00]
SMITH: Yeah. So the two became fierce enemies after Cohen pleaded guilty in the hush money case and testified against Trump. Now Cohen says their relationship is being resuscitated.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
COHEN: After all of what took place -- all of the name calling, the years of the public war, the verbal missiles that we threw at one another -- how is it possible that the two of us can ever sit down again? The answer is -- is that we forgave. Not because the past didn't happen, not because the scars disappeared, not because every disagreement suddenly becomes irrelevant, and certainly not because I have forgotten anything.
TRUMP: Right.
COHEN: I have not. Forgiveness does not require amnesia. It requires the courage to stop allowing yesterday to dictate tomorrow.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: The pair still disagree over what Cohen has said publicly about Trump. And the White House says its clemency team is not currently tracking Cohen's request.
Jurors yesterday heard testimony from hospital chaplain Sheila Cavanaugh in the Lindsay Clancy trial. Now, Clancy is accused of strangling her three children in January 2023, and her attorney says that she shouldn't be criminally responsible because she was suffering from postpartum psychosis.
Here is CNN's Jean Casarez telling Jake Tapper the details from yesterday's testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: She was in her room within hours that Lindsay was admitted but she was intubated and so she couldn't speak with her. She went back one week later, January 31. Lindsay Clancy was not intubated anymore. Lindsay Clancy started to speak to the chaplain. Listen to what she told her.
SHEILA CAVANAUGH, HOSPITAL CHAPLAIN: When I went in on Tuesday, the 31st, she said to me as I held her hand to comfort her, "I am so glad my children are safe."
She alluded to having heard a voice and the voice, according to Lindsay, told her that if she did not follow the command neither she nor her children would be safe. She alluded to the fact that it was a male voice, and it was persistent.
CASAREZ: But then there was cross-examination. On cross-examination, the prosecutor said you visited her 14 times at the hospital. Almost 200 times when she got to Tewksbury where she is now -- it's a public hospital -- and you have copious notes. You have quote marks of things she said and never once in any note on any page did you write that she told you that a male voice was telling her -- commanding her to kill the children.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN ANCHOR: Um-hum.
CASAREZ: Well, on redirect, the defense said well, this was confidential information. You didn't tell her -- you didn't write it down because of that.
However, yesterday -- you know, you've got to put all the pieces together. Yesterday the forensic psychologist testified that Lindsay never told him about a male voice commanding to kill the children, but he learned it from the chaplain.
TAPPER: Hmm.
CASAREZ: So the chaplain told him, but she didn't write it in her notes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Caught on camera, the roof of a Hawaii home being ripped off by Hurricane Lala last weekend. You've got to see this video to believe it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Hurricane Lala ripping off the roof of a home in Hawaii.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Bleep). Oh my God. My God. Get up!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (Bleep). Oh, oh.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got a (INAUDIBLE) to go. We've got to go. Oh, oh, oh, (bleep). Go! Hurry up! (INAUDIBLE). Go! Let's go! (Bleep). You've got to get out! Get out!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Just a terrifying scenario for that family and for the entire island there. We'll continue to keep you updated on the efforts as they move forward.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS the former boyfriend of Hayden Panettiere is breaking his silence after the sudden death of the actress.
Stay with us. You're watching CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:43:45]
SMITH: Actress Hayden Panettiere's boyfriend is breaking his silence about her sudden passing. CNN has obtained a statement from Brian Hickerson through his attorney saying, in part, "Hayden's death remains under investigation, and it is important to allow that investigation to proceed. As has been publicly reported, police confirmed there were no signs of foul play."
Neutrogena is also issuing a statement on Panettiere's death. The actress had said that she was fired from being the face of the skincare brand after speaking out about postpartum depression on a talk show.
CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister has the story.
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ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Four days after Hayden Panettiere's shocking and sudden death, Neutrogena has released a statement responding to backlash that they cut ties with the actress she spoke out about her battle with postpartum depression.
Here is what happened. Back in 2015, Hayden Panettiere went on the talk show "LIVE WITH KELLY & MICHAEL" where she spoke about her journey with postpartum depression. Take a look.
KELLY RIPA, HOST, "LIVE WITH KELLY & MICHAEL": She's suffering from postpartum depression.
[05:45:00]
HAYDEN PANETTIERE, ACTRESS: And she went through that, which was something that I can very much relate to, and something that I know a lot of women experience, which is -- you know, when they tell you about postpartum depression you think about, OK, I feel negative feelings towards my child. I want to injure my child. I want to hurt my child.
I've never, ever had those feelings, and some women do. But you didn't -- you don't realize what broad of a spectrum you can really experience that on. And it's something I think that needs to be talked about. Women need to know that they're not alone.
WAGMEISTER: Now, fast-forward to 2026. Hayden Panettiere went on Jay Shetty's podcast to talk about her memoir. And during their conversation she told him that Neutrogena fired her. Take a look at what she said and how deeply it impacted her.
PANETTIERE: When I actually went out onto stage -- it was "LIVE WITH KELLY AND MICHAEL" -- I had no intention of or plan to talk about postpartum depression. It just came up and I was just being honest. And never for a second did I think that anyone or cared that anyone would have a bad reaction to it. It was my truth.
And so when I got that call that Neutrogena wanted to fire me over that -- and my representative at the time said that's illegal. You can't do that. And even though, you know, she saved the day that year, I knew that was going to be it.
WAGMEISTER: In the wake of Hayden's tragic passing, fans have been posting and criticizing Neutrogena, saying how could a company that promotes wellness and beauty for women drop a woman during such a vulnerable time?
Well, now Neutrogena has released a statement and here is what they have to say.
"We are deeply saddened by Hayden Panettiere's passing. For more than a decade, Hayden was a valued member of our Neutrogena community. We are proud to have partnered with her and understand that we made her feel unsupported during a very difficult time. This not what Neutrogena stands for or who we want to be."
The statement goes on to say, "Hayden's courage in sharing her challenges helped inspire important conversations and awareness. We are making a significant investment to a longstanding community health partner to help give more women access to the support they need, including care for postpartum depression. We will share more details with this community when plans are in place.
Out of respect for Hayden's family and loved ones, we did not want to speak out so soon following her passing. Everyone at Neutrogena extends their deepest condolences to Hayden's family and all who loved her."
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: A small memorial honoring Panettiere has been placed outside the apartment complex in Greenville, South Carolina where she passed on Sunday. Today is her birthday. She would have been 37 years old.
The U.S. Navy is moving to rename an aircraft carrier that was set to honor Doris Miller, a Black sailor who helped defend U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor. The Navy announced the USS Doris Miller during President Trump's first term. Now officials are considering naming a different warship after Miller and recommending him for the Medal of Honor. Two sources say there's also been talk of renaming the carrier after President Trump.
Miller's family calls the new shocking.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS BLEDSOE, MILLER GREAT NEPHEW: So for our family it was quite a shock to hear that there is -- was conversation about the possibility of renaming the Doris Miller carrier. And so not only was it a shock but it was also a shock in that we found out from a news outlet comparatively from the Navy. And so it caused a lot of concerns and uncertainty.
And so for us it immediately became a family group conversation about what is happening and what does it mean because, you know, on January 20, 2020, was a big day for us when we went to the naming ceremony and got the opportunity to see what was happening. And then to see Doris Miller get recognition in such a great way as we continue to fight for him to get recognition for the Congressional Medal of Honor as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: This is video of the ship's unveiling ceremony back in 2020 that was referenced by the family member a moment ago. Miller was also portrayed in the 2001 film "Pearl Harbor." And if the name change goes through, it would be the first time an aircraft carrier has been named after a sitting president instead.
It's time now for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
Ariana Grande again telling the White House don't use my music. Variety reports the Team Trump TikTok account used her song "We Can't Be Friends" in a post. It also had the hashtag #arianagrande. She went to the comments, writing, "Never use my music again."
[05:50:05]
Earlier this year she pushed back against the White House for using another song. At last check, no word from Team Trump.
"The Odyssey" has officially conquered the box office. Universal says Christopher Nolan's epic film has sailed past "Deadpool" and "Wolverine," taking in $1.35 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing R-rated film ever. It's also the first narrative feature shot entirely on IMAX cameras, making it the biggest IMAX movie of all time. Talk about a legendary journey.
So who was the new kid at Colorado State University? A bear, and it made itself at home on campus. Here's CNN's Patrick Cornell.
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PATRICK CORNELL, CNN NEWSOURCE JOURNALIST (voiceover): This is what they call a Colorado welcome to college.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, there's a bear outside.
CORNELL (voiceover): The little campus invader showed up for move-in day at Colorado State University, hanging around the dorms and giving CSU Rams something to gawk at.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're really near the nature and stuff, which I love a lot.
CORNELL (voiceover): Which is certainly more exciting than lugging a futon up 14,000 flights of stairs.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't expect to see a bear at all.
CORNELL (voiceover): Colorado Parks and Wildlife showed up, tranquilized the animal, and relocated it back into the wild.
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SMITH: All right. Happy trails, safe journeys, and a good education for that bear as well.
Still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS a man leads police on a wild dirtbike chase and then stops to gas up and talk on the phone in the middle of the pursuit. How it all ended next.
And a new study is revealing a possible link between new music releases and traffic fatalities. We'll explain on the other side of the break. Stay with us.
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[05:56:15]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, that new album that you're waiting to drop, it could be a health hazard as it turns out.
Maribel Aber joins us from the Nasdaq MarketSite with that and the rest of your top Money Express headlines. Maribel, it's new music Friday. Say it ain't so.
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Brad, this is an interesting one.
There's this new study that shows a potential link between traffic deaths and new music releases by popular artists. A researcher at the Journal of the American Medical Association found that traffic fatalities rose about 15 percent on major new album release days, while music streaming jumped 43 percent.
What they found is there were about 18 more deaths on album release days compared to other days of the week. Now the findings suggest streaming could be another form of distracted driving, though the study does not prove music releases caused the increase.
Hey, Walmart customers may be getting a break at the checkout. The retailer plans to use its $2.9 billion tariff refund to help lower prices for shoppers. The move comes after Walmart rolled back prices in July on thousands of items, including soda, ground beef, and ice cream.
And Dunkin' is teaming up with influencer Alix Earle for its fall menu. The "Earle-Y Riser" meal -- it's available now at Dunkin' locations nationwide for a limited time. It includes a breakfast wrap, a sugar-free vanilla shaken espresso, and three assorted Munchkins. The collaboration promotes Earle's upcoming Netflix reality show "EARLE MEETS WORLD."
Also on the menu, Dunkin's pumpkin spice latte and a tiramisu marshmallow matcha.
Brad, the one thing that we are -- we're early risers.
SMITH: Oh yes, indeed. Pre-6:00 a.m. Definitely some coffee in the cups around the office here, especially mine.
Maribel Aber, thank you
ABER: You got it.
SMITH: Let's get a check-in on some of the other stories making news across the country.
We start in Mississippi. You have to see this video. A car was dangling over a ledge and then flips over, landing upside-down. Somebody was in there. Now, this was in Hattiesburg earlier this week. People ran down there trying to help. And according to affiliate WDAM, there were only minor injuries, thank goodness.
Another story that you just have to see -- a guy on a dirtbike leading police on a chase through Los Angeles, and it's not your typical police chase. He even stopped for gas at one point and watch what happens. He takes off and the gas pump is still attached to the dirtbike -- and he keeps going.
Here he is apparently talking on the phone while still in the middle of the chase. And he comes to a stop in a park. It looks like he's trying to give his bike a drink but that's still not the end. That happened in a neighborhood where officers found him hiding in a recycling bin. And the whole thing lasted about an hour.
OK, another story here. Check out this inferno in Wisconsin. A massive fire tore through a construction site Thursday blasting thick, black smoke into the sky -- high into the sky. Workers started scrambling off the roof towards emergency exits. Officials say that they all made it out safely, thank goodness. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Also, a close call in Illinois, where a two-story building suddenly crumbled into a mountain of bricks and debris. A smoke shop employee says that she escaped after seeing drywall pull away and then rush to warn workers next door. Everyone did get out safely. Investigators -- they are now trying to just determine what caused the collapse.
And we've got to tell you about this one, finally. A dramatic rescue in Massachusetts after a public works employee fell 20 feet down a dry well shaft. Crews spent 2 1/2 hours using ropes to pull him to safety.
[06:00:00]
No word on the extent of his injuries or what caused him to fall. But just looking at some of the rescue injury here you're seeing that he was taken out on what looks to be stretcher and hopefully, some of those injuries not too -- not too life-threatening or serious. We will continue to track that.
Well, that does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
