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The Situation Room

Teens and Anxiety; Interview With Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC); Criticism Grows of Cornell University. Aired 10:30a-11a ET

Aired October 14, 2026 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Happening now: The Trump administration must give CNN, MS NOW, and Politico White House access while their lawsuit over the president's press ban plays out.

A federal judge has ruled the ban likely violated the First Amendment to the Constitution. Trump has repeatedly defended the ban, pointing to unfavorable coverage. The U.S. Justice Department claimed national security concerns were a factor too, something the judge rejected.

A new financial report reveals prices are going up faster than expected here in the United States. The latest Consumer Price Index showed that prices rose in August and brought the annual inflation rate to 3.7 percent. That's a four-month high. Today's news could lead the Federal Reserve to hike interest rates again.

And, in New York City, the iconic Central Park horse-drawn carriages could take their last trot by June 2028. Officials reached a deal to ban them and will vote on final legislation this month. All this comes after years of criticism from animal rights advocates. A tourist also died last year after he was thrown from a carriage when a horse got spooked -- Pam.

PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST: All right, Wolf, happening now: Cornell's president acknowledges missteps in how his administration handled a 2024 rape allegation.

In an interview with "The New York Times," Michael Kotlikoff says: "The fact that Jane Doe experienced what she experienced at Cornell is something that I am personally sorry for, and I think this entire campus is sorry that occurred."

This week, anger is growing on campus, and, just yesterday, the university suspended all parties and social events on campus fraternity houses for the remainder of the year. Today, Cornell faculty are taking the first step towards a vote of no confidence in the school's administration.

So let's go live now to CNN investigative reporter Isabelle Chapman. Isabelle, you and the team have been looking into how Cornell

officials have responded to past sexual assault claims. What did you find?

ISABELLE CHAPMAN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER: Yes, my colleagues and I learned that Cornell has a pattern of punishing students found responsible for sexual assault with extra study programs and written reprimands, similar to several of the men involved in Jane Doe's case, rather than full expulsion.

Between 2020 and 2024, Cornell had roughly 50 formal complaints about sexual assault. The university found students responsible in 16 cases, but only expelled two of those students. And seven received written reprimands, probation, directed studies, reflection papers. I should note six were suspended -- Pam.

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BROWN: And you also spoke to a former Cornell student who says she was assaulted during that time. Tell us about her, what she had to tell you.

CHAPMAN: Yes, we spoke with Kacey Lee, who told us she was raped while at Cornell in 2022. She went through the university's Title IX process, and Cornell officials found her fellow student responsible for sexual assault.

They said his actions caused significant harm, but that he didn't act maliciously. His punishment included a reflection paper, a reprimand, and probation. But she told us that she felt betrayed by the university and the process. You can listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KACEY LEE, FILED SEXUAL MISCONDUCT COMPLAINT: I know I never would have done that if I knew that he could have just received an essay if he was found guilty. An essay is just an extra homework assignment. Like, oh, you raped someone. Here's homework.

CHAPMAN: What did you hope was going to happen?

LEE: I was hoping that, if they found him responsible for sexual assault, that he would have been suspended or expelled.

CHAPMAN: When Jane Doe's case became public, what was your reaction?

LEE: I was so sure they were going to get expelled, because that's insane.

CHAPMAN: What made you decide to come forward?

LEE: I didn't want people to think of her case and just think that it was a one-off, because it's so clearly not just her. There's this very strange default to assign essays to rapists on campus.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHAPMAN: A Cornell spokesperson gave us a statement saying that the

university takes sexual misconduct allegations extremely seriously. They told us that the university investigates reports through established processes, providing support and resources to those who come forward, the statement said -- Pam.

BROWN: All right, thank you so much, Isabelle Chapman. Excellent work by you and the team shedding a light on that. We appreciate it -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And let's get some more on all of this. Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace of south of South Carolina is joining us now.

Congresswoman, I know you're very busy. Thanks very much for your time.

I want to begin with Cornell University's president acknowledging missteps in the school's handling of the 2024 rape allegations, but suggesting he won't step down. What's your reaction?

REP. NANCY MACE (R-SC): He should absolutely step down.

Whether you agree or disagree on the rape in the Cornell 7, you have an institution that we have now learned that, when someone is found to be a rapist, they write essays. They write a piece of paper. And that is not the way this kind of thing should be handled.

And it's just one more example in a long line of examples of how rape victims are treated in this country. Most of them are not believed. And then, when there is a prosecution or when there is rape, it's found out that somebody had raped, there's literally no consequences to it.

It doesn't matter what state you're in or what university you are. There's this culture of rape. And most oftentimes sexual predators get away with it. And it's sad. And I just want to thank the women who've come forward, that young lady in the interview just now.

It takes a lot of bravery and a lot of courage to tell your story because she's going to be mocked, she's going to be called a liar, and that's the consequence of speaking out as a woman in 2026.

BLITZER: I know, Congresswoman, you have introduced a bill aimed at trying to protect survivors of sexual assault from defamation lawsuits, which can be, as we all know, very costly and be a barrier to people speaking up.

How does this change that, this legislation you're introducing? And does it have the support from your colleagues?

MACE: Well, it's hard to say. I mean, look at the Epstein files.

Only some of our colleagues supported that kind of provision. But looking at the abuses of the court system, this would take a federal case that a young woman or even young man who's assaulted, if they win a defamation case by their abuser, they can have their attorney's fees reimbursed and all those expenses that come along with it, because abusers don't stop when they stop abusing you.

Sometimes, often, they use the court system to continue their abuse, to shut their silence -- shut and silence their victims down. And this is one more very small effort we can do at the federal level to support survivors.

To me, this is a very easy win, and I will be extremely disappointed if my colleagues don't get on board on both sides of the aisle.

BLITZER: We will see if they do.

I want to turn to another topic, Congresswoman, while I have you. We're talking about the planned firing squad execution of the Fort shooter -- the Fort Hood shooter, Nidal Hasan. Sources tell CNN President Trump is now considering whether to call off plans to livestream that execution after learning that Hasan was paralyzed from the waist down.

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What is your thinking on all of this? And do you agree with showing it livestream live on television?

MACE: Thirteen soldiers didn't get a choice. They didn't get an answer. They didn't have the opportunity to show up to court. And this death sentence, this was handed down over a decade ago.

I don't care how it happens. I'm fine with it's livestreamed or not. I have the choice not to watch it. We all have the choice to watch it or not watch it. But what we need is deterrence to ensure that we understand that murder is never OK. And if you murder people, you're going -- you're going to be put down for it, basically.

And I don't really quite care that he's a paraplegic or in a wheelchair. This guy, this maniac, this terrorist murdered 13 people, including a pregnant woman who was in the fetal position on the ground begging for him to save her baby and not kill her, just horrific stuff.

BLITZER: Yes, totally horrific indeed.

Do you have any concerns, though, that livestreaming his execution potentially could offer some sort of propaganda opportunity for various terrorist groups out there?

MACE: Well, they're using AI these days. They don't need a real-world example when they're using AI in all of their propaganda. And I have a hard time buying too from people on the left who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk, for example, who spread that video far and wide all over the Internet of his horrific murder, now condemning an execution in this manner. It's just very hypocritical too.

BLITZER: A new AP poll, Associated Press poll, shows 56 percent of Americans responded "a lot" when asked how Trump has prioritized his personal business interests since taking office in 2025, compared to just 23 percent who say he is that focused on the country overall. We recently reported the president bought up to five million worth of

SpaceX bonds just before announcing an effort to slash red tape for commercial space transportation. A White House spokesperson insists Trump has not personally -- he was not personally involved in the latest flurry of trades.

What do you make of all this, especially this new poll and how Americans feel about the president's priorities?

MACE: Americans' pocketbooks are really hurting right now. Gas is still higher than it's been in years. The price of groceries isn't going down. It's only going up. The bond market, those yields are having -- they're suffering.

People are suffering, especially our seniors, so I understand their frustration. And neither party, I believe, has done anything about it. But we just had Congress vote down a congressional stock trading ban. I don't think members of Congress should be trading stock. I don't think anyone in elected office should be trading stock, because, often, you see people lining their pockets.

They come out richer than they were when they went in. And that -- you have to ask yourself, why is that? And I think that should be applicable to anybody from the president on down to your local mayor or county and city council. People shouldn't be able to make money off the office, period.

And so we had this example just recently in Congress to ban stock trading, and they couldn't even -- they couldn't even do that. So I have very little hope that there would be any ethics reform for anyone in office these days.

BLITZER: Another story where we're following, the U.S. ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, has been ousted from her role by the White House following reports of alleged misconduct, including accusations of what's being described as a pay-to-play scheme.

Kimberly Guilfoyle disputes the allegations, says she plans to defend her name and her reputation. Do you think Congress should investigate all of this as well?

MACE: Anyone, regardless of party who are -- we believe may have done something nefarious, should be investigated. The House Oversight Committee has that authority. We can pretty much investigate anyone and anything.

I'm someone who has done it with both sides, Republicans and Democrats alike, trying to weed out corruption. And this -- again, I'm looking at this administration. As soon as the story came out, you have to give the president credit. They were very swift about pushing her out of the ambassadorship in Greece.

And I have to say we have seen all these stories, but I can't remember a time recently in my lifetime, Wolf, where we have seen people that have been booted from office, who've been investigated, who've been voted out of office due to their behavior, Tony Gonzales, Eric Swalwell. Cory Mills just got voted out.

And so I think we're in a time now where the American people are expecting accountability, and in some ways we're actually delivering it. Even if it seems small, it's still a step in the right direction.

BLITZER: I have been a reporter longer -- well, for a longer time. I don't remember a time about what -- what's going on right now either. It's pretty dramatic, pretty awful indeed.

MACE: Yes.

BLITZER: All right, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, as usual, thanks very much for joining us. Always appreciate your being in THE SITUATION ROOM.

MACE: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Thank you -- Pamela.

MACE: Thank you, Wolf.

BROWN: All right, coming up here in THE SITUATION ROOM, Wolf, a shocking statistic. A new study says at least one in six teens deals with some form of anxiety.

We're asking an expert how to talk to your kids and get them the help they need up next.

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BROWN: There's a new study out, and it reveals alarming numbers about teen mental health. It finds that one in six teenagers experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms.

And among those with severe anxiety, nearly half reported suicidal thoughts. Even more concerning, researchers found many teens aren't getting the help that they need.

Dr. Christine Yu Moutier is chief medical officer for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. She's also a psychiatrist and advocate for mental health awareness.

Thanks for coming on.

So, the study finds girls are nearly twice as likely as boys to report severe anxiety. What is driving that gender gap?

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DR. CHRISTINE YU MOUTIER, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION: Well, Pamela, when you think about what our young people -- and, really, we're talking children, teens, and young adults -- what they face these days growing up in the world with all of the forces at play, not just obviously the sort of post-pandemic isolation, social media, but now the prevalence of AI and turning to chatbots, all of the social pressures that have not really taught us that to experience anxiety, worry, changes in mood, changes in our physical and mental health, those are all human things that we should be able to express and discuss.

And so I think, with regard to the gender difference in anxiety, that also applies to depression and a number of other mental health conditions. That is not really new to see that at a greater prevalence among girls than among boys.

But it is to say that we need to become more savvy about recognizing when those symptoms go beyond what we think of as just sort of like the stress of the day or normal teenage things that our children go through and know when to take it to a pediatrician or a mental health professional. That is really important.

BROWN: Right, because nearly half of the teens with severe anxiety symptoms hadn't sought care in the past year, according to this. So why are so many young people going without help? And what sign should parents watch for that anxiety may be coming more serious?

MOUTIER: Right.

The fact that less than half are in any kind of mental health treatment who are dealing with serious anxiety, depressive symptoms, even suicidal thoughts, that just should not be the case in our country, in our society.

And I know there are issues with access to care, and those are very real. However, there are also issues with just simply recognizing the difference, again, between stresses of the day and when anxiety or depressive symptoms are impairing that child or teenager or young adult in their daily life socially.

The difference here, though, is that we are all socialized to zip it up and keep it inside, and so opening up a culture, a psychologically safe environment for our kids and our family members, our colleagues at work, where we can talk about what is really going on the inside.

And the key thing I would ask yourself is, is your gut instinct telling you that their behavior is starting to shift in ways that don't seem characteristic for them? And those could all be warning signs that that stress has turned into more clinical mental health concerns or even suicide risk.

BROWN: Let's talk a little bit more about the suicide risk.

You had R.J. Mitte's death by suicide. He's the actor for "Breaking Bad," and it's a heartbreaking reminder that suicide really can affect people from all walks of life, all different ages. What are some common misconceptions about suicide risk and what should people understand about recognizing when someone may be struggling?

MOUTIER: Yes, thank you, Pamela, for highlighting this.

I think R.J. Mitte's tragic death is a case in point for us to think about the fact that suicide is a complex health issue. It is a public health matter, and that means that it is really on all of us to learn more, to understand that there is a science that is learning so much about what drives suicide risk and what constitutes prevention, effective prevention.

And it's not that every instance of suicide can be prevented, but we can all learn more. And, as a nation, we need to invest more. So the thing that I do want people to understand is that research tells us that the mindset of somebody who is considering suicide, there is psychological and oftentimes physical pain and trauma in the backdrop.

And the brain of those individuals at risk for suicide is actually full of cognitive distortions. Their brains are telling them that they are not important, that the world will be better off without them.

And we can see that the loss survivors in this instance, but this is a large portion of our population has been personally touched by suicide. It is not your fault if you have lost someone to suicide. These are complex, multifactorial matters of brain health.

And, yes, we can all do better and learn, but in that aftermath of grief, it is so important to honor your loved one who has been lost, and to also honor your grief journey by connecting with others. This is not something to stay silent about, even though there has been stigma associated with mental health suffering and suicide in the past.

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We do not need to live that way any longer. And I do want to mention that, coming up on November 21 is the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, where we at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention help hundreds of sites all over the world host programs.

So, if you are someone bereaved by a suicide loss, know that that's something that you can check out at AFSP.org.

BROWN: All right, Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, thank you so much, an important conversation.

And we want to note, if you or anyone is struggling with mental health or having thoughts of self-harm, there is help. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. You can call or text 988 -- Wolf.

BLITZER: And here's what's coming up all new right at the top of the hour here in THE SITUATION ROOM.

President Trump promised a better economy. Has he delivered? We will "Make It Make Sense."

Plus, a $1.2 billion fine, why the U.S. Treasury Department slapped Bank of America with this massive penalty and how the company is now responding.

And, later, the godfather of artificial intelligence will join us. What he thinks of President Trump renaming AI -- quote -- "superintelligence" and why he says we're creating alien beings.

That's all new in the next hour.

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