Return to Transcripts main page

The Situation Room

Interview With Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY); Qatar Signs Boeing Deal; Cassie Ventura Testifies in Sean 'Diddy' Combs Trial. Aired 11- 11:30a ET

Aired May 14, 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)

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: Happening now, breaking news: a $200 billion deal. Trump announces an agreement for Qatar to purchase 160 Boeing jets. We will bring you the latest, as the president continues his Middle East war.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: We want to welcome our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer with Pamela Brown, and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BROWN: And we begin with -- this hour with our breaking news.

The ex-girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs is back on the stand for a second day in the music mogul's criminal trial. Cassie Ventura shared shocking allegations of abuse during her testimony yesterday, and she also gave graphic details on the so-called freak-offs and then broke down in tears when asked about how she felt about the alleged events.

Ventura said they made her feel disgusting and humiliated. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all five charges, including sex trafficking.

BLITZER: And a quick note to our viewers right now. CNN's coverage of this trial, you will see on the left side of your screen, you will see information coming in from our reporters who are inside the courtroom. It will be updating throughout the show.

That's because there is no video or audio recording allowed in federal courts.

BROWN: All right, let's bring in CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig and former federal prosecutor Alyse Adamson.

Great to have you both here.

So, Ventura is still testifying. This is her second day. Right now, she is talking about that Uber ride home after the video we have seen from the hotel where Diddy is seen pulling her, attacking her. Tell us about her testimony and why that video is so important. ELIE HONIG, CNN SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST: Well, so, this is more corroboration, this is more support the prosecutors are trying to build in to Cassie Ventura testimony.

Of course, the surveillance video of the hotel assault is the most important piece, but now we're seeing the prosecutors use some other pieces of evidence, selfies, text messages, e-mails, things that were on Cassie Ventura's phone, because they want the jury to believe her unconditionally.

And I want to make an important point here, that the defense argument is that, yes, this was domestic violence, but it's not racketeering, it's not sex trafficking. But it's important to know -- and I think prosecutors are going to argue this -- those things are not mutually exclusive. It can be both.

In fact, one of the things prosecutors have to show is that there was force or coercion. And so that beating, if I was the prosecutor, I would argue, yes, you bet it's domestic violence, but it also goes to the sex trafficking and racketeering.

BROWN: Because the argument could be made that -- from the prosecution side is that was a form of coercion...

HONIG: Exactly.

BROWN: ... that perhaps she was afraid that she would get beaten up and that is why she did some of these acts.

And we should note she talked about the selfies where she had a swollen lip and a black eye under her sunglasses. So, clearly, the prosecution is trying to draw that out -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And it's interesting, Alyse, because, right now, we're being told by our reporters who are inside the courtroom that Cassie Ventura reviewed a binder of more than a dozen, more than a dozen photos that were shown. And, clearly, she was upset.

She said she typically reached out to escorts to arrange these freak- offs because it was her job, and she felt she would be punished if she didn't do that.

ALYSE ADAMSON, FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR: Yes, that's incredibly important, because, remember, the defense opened on the fact that Ventura was a willing participant. That's their theory of the case, that she was Combs' lover and she wanted to be there.

And so they had to grapple, the prosecution had to grapple with the fact that Ventura was the one that was arranging some of these freak- offs. I think the prosecution is doing a wonderful job explaining why that was. By framing this as a job, instead of something that she wanted to do, it makes it clear that there perhaps was that coercion.

And by tying it to that violence, as Elie just said, the photos, the corroboration of the black eyes, shows that she didn't really have a choice, she was going to be punished if she didn't comply, and that's key.

[11:05:03]

BROWN: So...

BLITZER: And she said that -- she just said -- she just testified under oath that, when she paid these men to be in these so-called freak-offs, it was with Combs' money. That's what she's saying.

HONIG: Yes, I think the argument prosecutors are trying to make here is -- it sounds a little strange, but the freak-offs are not about the sex. Or at least the sex is not what's relevant to you, the jury.

What's relevant is, those freak-offs show the element of coercion, as Alyse was saying, and they show that there's some organization at play here. Remember, this is a racketeering charge, the first charge here. And that means that there was some sort of organized enterprise that was committing multiple crimes.

So prosecutors need to show this was more than whatever sexual proclivities may have been felt here by Sean Combs. There was some organization here with respect to people and methods and payments. And I think that's what prosecutors are building on.

BROWN: And also another important point, you have the racketeering and the sex trafficking charge, and what I have noticed, since she just talked about it, was the fact that some of this happened across state lines, that it happened in different states.

HONIG: Yes.

BROWN: And that is key in terms of the sex trafficking charge. Also, she's talking right now about, in January 2016, that Combs sent her a text that he wanted to have a proper F.O., freak-off, where they didn't take ketamine.

Of course, drugs have also been a big part of all of this.

HONIG: Yes.

BROWN: What do you think of that?

HONIG: That -- well, first of all, the crossing state lines is what gets us into federal court. It sounds like they're going to have no problem establishing that. This happened in California, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and elsewhere, yes.

So the point with the freak-offs, and we're going to have a proper freak-off and that kind of thing, and the drugs, the drugs are part of the persuasion. The drugs are part of the coercion, the threats that make this more than just sex or even more than just domestic violence.

ADAMSON: And if I could just add, I mean, that's what Ventura said, that she had to take the drugs to dissociate so she could participate. That doesn't sound like willing participation to me. It probably won't sound like willing participation to a jury. BLITZER: It's interesting, Alyse.

Right now, Cassie Ventura is eight months pregnant with a very visible baby bump. We have learned that the defense asked the judge to have her seated in the witness box before the jury came in, arguing that her pregnancy would prejudice the jury against Combs. The judge said no.

What do you think of that request?

ADAMSON: Yes, look, Wolf, I knew the defense had to try, right, because they're not going to view her as this 22-year-old girl who set up all of these meetings. They're looking at her now as a 38-year-old mother.

And it could possibly invoke some sympathy in the jurors. Listen, jurors are human beings. They're going to feel things. But you can't hide the fact that this is a pregnant woman. And so I think the judge rightly said, no, she's going to be able to walk to the witness stand.

And she's not doing anything to inflame the passions of the jury. I don't hear any reporting of her really playing up her pregnancy. But they're going to have to contend with the fact that Cassie is a person.

And I -- from everything I have heard from the reporting, she's also testifying very well, very credibly and emotionally.

BLITZER: And she's there with her husband, who is inside with her as well.

And just now, we're being told by our reporters in the courtroom that Ventura testified that she tried to avoid kissing the escorts during the so-called freak-offs because it felt too intimate and "made me squeamish." That's what she said.

And explain to our viewers in terms that we can use here on CNN what these freak-offs were.

HONIG: Oh, boy. That's quite an assignment.

(LAUGHTER)

HONIG: What they were, were these extended, sometimes for a day or two days, sexual gatherings. They would usually do them in hotel rooms. Sean Combs would arrange them and engineer them.

He would tell Cassie what to do. They would bring in male escorts. One of the things Sean Combs would do is watch Cassie with those male escorts. There were all sorts of lubricants involved. There's baby oil that's part of this case.

But, again, the thing that's really relevant to this trial is not whether one agrees or disagrees with the sexual proclivities or is offended by it, but were these voluntary activities? And I think the prosecution's point, as Alyse was saying, is, the more extreme this conduct was, the less likely it is that Cassie Ventura would have consented to this, and that she was doing it because she felt forced or compelled or under a threat.

BLITZER: Yes, all right. Elie, thank you very, very much.

HONIG: Thank you.

BLITZER: Alyse, thanks to you as well.

BROWN: All right, still to come: After nearly 18 hours of discussions, President Trump's tax bill is one step closer to a full House vote, but it will not be an easy road ahead -- a look at the challenges still facing the measure.

BLITZER: And cost of conversion. President Trump plans to accept a luxury jet from Qatar. That would be the next Air Force One, but it will need a lot of upgrades first.

The price tag for those improvements, we have details just ahead in THE SITUATION ROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:14:10]

BLITZER: Right now, President Trump is in Qatar for the second leg of his whirlwind Middle East trip following a day of truly historic deals and surprising announcements in Saudi Arabia, his lavish welcome complete with Tesla Cybertrucks and a parade of camels, and as controversy continues to swirl over his plans to accept a luxury jet from the Qatari royal family.

We're getting brand-new details about a major deal between Boeing and one of Qatar's biggest airlines.

Let's go live right now to see in his chief national affairs correspondent, Jeff Zeleny. He's joining us live from Doha right now.

Jeff, first of all, what are you learning about this new deal?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, as you said, the lavish welcome continued here for the president when he arrived, as do the deals, continuing as well. Of course, that is a centerpiece of this trip the entire week, is making deals all along the way.

[11:15:05]

And today's installment of that was with Boeing, the U.S. company that the CEO was here on hand in Doha to sign this memorandum of agreement to purchase 160 planes, to the tune of $200 billion for Qatar Airlines. That, of course, is a significant piece of U.S. development, U.S. business making that the president has long talked about.

So this was front and center as he arrived here. You know, the pomp and circumstance has been a constant throughout this week, as have signing these deals. It's unclear if the number is up to a trillion dollars. That is what the president has long talked about wanting to sign this week.

Many of the deals inked in Saudi Arabia at his previous visits had already been announced, but this is a new deal with Boeing, we are told, to the tune of $200 billion. No mention of that other far more controversial plane, of course. That's from the Qatari royal family wanting to offer it to the United States to give it to the president.

But, of course, he was still fuming about the criticism over that overnight on social media, Wolf.

BLITZER: What did the president say? He made some headlines regarding U.S. relations with Iran. Tell our viewers what he said.

ZELENY: Wolf, he did, some very interesting words.

As the president was flying here, he spoke to reporters briefly on Air Force One and was asked whether he would impose secondary sanctions, if you will, on Russia for its support of Iran and its nuclear enrichment program, as well as its seemingly unwillingness to enter a cease-fire agreement with Ukraine.

This is what the president said about those sanctions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm always considering the secondary sanctions. I had the secondary sanctions on Iran and drove them into bankruptcy. And there would have been no October 7. There would have been no money for Hamas or Hezbollah or anybody else.

So, I'm always -- and, as you know I put secondary sanctions on Iran again. And, hopefully, they're going to make the right decision, because something's going to happen one way or the other.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: So, we have heard the president talk many times about sanctions for Russia. Some come to pass. Some do not.

However, this was the president's view. Obviously hanging over all of this, if Russia is going to agree to enter into some type of a cease- fire discussion with the Ukraine. Those conversations with officials, but not necessarily with Vladimir Putin, may take place tomorrow in Turkey -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, we will see what happens there. Those could be potentially very, very significant talks indeed.

Jeff Zeleny, thank you very much -- Pamela.

BROWN: All right, Wolf, let's get back to another one of our top stories, the budget battle on Capitol Hill.

Right now, Speaker Mike Johnson is scrambling to bridge a major divide among House Republicans over SALT. That's short for state and local tax deductions, which primarily affect blue states.

I want to bring in Republican Congressman Mike Lawler of New York.

Hi, Congressman.

So the House speaker is sounding optimistic. He says this can be worked out in the next day or two. Do you think that will happen?

REP. MIKE LAWLER (R-NY): Well, I'm hopeful. We have had some discussions. We're still a ways apart, as far as I and my other SALT colleagues are concerned.

The fact is that, in 2017, SALT was used as a pay-for for many of the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. It expires at the end of this year and comes back unlimited. Now, we understand that with it would come the Alternative Minimum Tax coming back in full effect. The standard deduction would be cut in half.

So it's incumbent on everybody to negotiate in good faith and come to an agreement. We have been waiting for months for leadership, for Chairman Smith of the Ways and Means Committee to actually negotiate with us over this number. And they waited until the last minute and tried to jam us with a $30,000 number, with a $400,000 income cap.

That's unacceptable. And we said no very clearly. And so we're going through the process of finally negotiating with leadership to come to hopefully an agreement. But I look at it very simply. A district like mine, OK, just north of New York City, three of the four counties that I represent are in the top 16 highest property tax counties in America.

And so having an income cap of $400,000 would devastate so many families across my district. And I'm just not going to accept it. And so we will negotiate and hopefully come to an agreement. But the fact is that, as this stands as currently written, I'm a no.

BROWN: You're a no. And what do you say to your Republican congressman colleague Eric Burlison of Missouri, who just criticized you and your colleagues? He says, you need to stop complaining and -- quote -- "You can't have your cake and eat it too."

[11:20:08]

I want to get your response.

LAWLER: I respect all of my colleagues, but the fact is, without seats like mine, there wouldn't even be a bill. They wouldn't even have a gavel to write a bill.

And so, with all due respect to my colleagues, the fact is, we have a very tight margin, unlike in 2017, where they were able to disregard the views of members like me who voted no because of the cap on SALT. They can't do that this time. What we have said from the very beginning is, we are willing to negotiate in good faith, but it has to be in good faith, and not trying to jam us with a number in the -- as they introduce the bill for markup. That just won't work. I won't tolerate it, and good luck getting my

vote if that's the approach.

BROWN: What exactly, though, specifically will it take to get your vote and some of the other Republicans in these blue states, like Representative LaLota and so forth? What specific?

LAWLER: Look, I'm not going to negotiate in public, but the bottom line is, the number that was laid out that does not address the marriage penalty, that expires after five years, that would revert back to 10 is not acceptable to us.

And so we are going through the process of negotiating in good faith with the speaker at this moment. And we will continue those discussions, but I'm not going to be rolled and I'm not going to be bullied, and I will have no problem voting no if we can't get to an agreement.

BROWN: But, bottom line, he says he thinks something will be worked out in the next day or two. I mean, do you think that that's realistic?

LAWLER: Well, look, he obviously has this on a fast track to try and get this bill moving next week. So, obviously, we have a lot of work to do between now and then.

BROWN: Sounds like not full-throated optimism there that it's going to be done very quickly, but we shall see.

Obviously, another thing on the table that's really led to a budget fight is Medicaid. That idea, as you know, making these changes to it, no matter how you frame it or package it, is extremely unpopular with voters. There was this recent poll showing 76 percent were opposed to slashing Medicaid funding.

Does that worry you?

LAWLER: Look, I have been very clear that protecting benefits for eligible recipients is a top priority for me. It's why I fought back against changes to FMAP, why I fought back against changes to per capita caps or block grants or DSH cuts. None of that is in the bill.

The focus within the changes that have been presented are on eligibility verification, speeding that up from an annual basis to a semi-annual basis, citizenship verification, making sure that illegal immigrants are not taking benefits from those who rely on these critical services and programs, like the IDD community.

The fact is, in New York, they're spending $1.2 billion on illegal immigrants and Medicaid benefits.

BROWN: OK.

LAWLER: That's wrong.

BROWN: Very quickly... LAWLER: And work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents, there is broad consensus both within the conference and, frankly, across the country that, if you are able-bodied without dependents, you should be working to get a job or going to school or volunteering.

You should not just be collecting benefits and not engaging in work or other activity.

BROWN: OK.

LAWLER: The bottom line is, Medicaid is a program to help people in their time of need. And except for those that have long-term needs, like the IDD community, our seniors, children, single mothers, if you're able-bodied, you should be working.

BROWN: Very quickly. I know you have been considering a run for governor of New York. When do you plan to announce it?

LAWLER: We're still working through that. I have said repeatedly I will make a decision some time in June.

BROWN: So have you made the decision? You haven't made the decision yet? Or have you made it, you just haven't announced what it is?

LAWLER: Not yet.

BROWN: OK, Congressman Mike Lawler...

LAWLER: Not yet.

BROWN: ... thank you.

LAWLER: Thank you.

BROWN: We will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:28:38]

BLITZER: All right, right now, President Trump is in Qatar amid growing scrutiny over his plan to accept a luxury plane from that country, suggesting Qatar approached him with a jet offer. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: So they said to me, we would like to -- in effect, we would like to make a gift. You have done so many things. And we'd like to make a gift to the Defense Department, which is where it's going.

And I said, well, that's nice. Now, some people say, oh, you shouldn't accept gifts for the country. My attitude is, why wouldn't I accept a gift? We're giving to everybody else. Why wouldn't I accept a gift?

(END VIDEO CLIP) BROWN: Trump's plan to accept the plane raises legal and ethical questions. And there is also bipartisan concern over possible security issues, including what Congressman Jeff Hurd told me just last hour.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. JEFF HURD (R-CO): I have serious concerns with this so-called gift from the government of Qatar, security concerns, ethical concerns using this used airplane.

SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D-IL): To think that Air Force One, where the president is asked to function as our commander in chief in a Situation Room, making life-or-death decisions, is on a plane given to us by a foreign government with 200 miles of wiring in it, is an indication, to me, of complete recklessness on the part of the president.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BROWN: CNN correspondent Tom Foreman is here to break down what it would take to overhaul the jet so that it could be used by the U.S. government.

And it's not cheap, Tom.