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The Source with Kaitlan Collins
Trump: "Don't Need Bibi To Tell Me" About Intel On Iran Nuke Sites; Jay Clayton Confirmed As Trump's Director Of National Intelligence; Zelenskyy: Russia Sanctions Bill A "Big Signal" Of Support To Ukraine. Aired 9-10p ET
Aired July 28, 2026 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN HOST: Thank you so much for being with us. I'm John Berman. I'll see you back here, tomorrow morning at 07:00 a.m., alongside Sara Sidner and Kate Bolduan for "CNN NEWS CENTRAL."
The news continues now. "THE SOURCE WITH KAITLAN COLLINS" starts right now.
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: Tonight. Iran launches a surprise attack on U.S. forces. As the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is here in Washington.
I'm Kaitlan Collins. And this is THE SOURCE.
And as we come on the air tonight, the U.S. military says that Iran has launched a surprise attack with ballistic missiles aimed at American forces in the Middle East. U.S. Central Command says those missiles were intercepted and that right now forces remain, quote, At a high state of readiness.
Video that has been obtained by CNN appears to show those interceptors stopping Iranian missiles over Jordan, where of course U.S. troops are based, and also where three U.S. service members were killed in an Iranian strike earlier this month.
The new attack tonight is happening one day after President Trump said that the U.S. had stopped bombing Iran because the regime wanted to talk. Iran's foreign ministry flat-out denied that, which prompted this reaction from the President.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN KILMEADE, FOX NEWS HOST: We hear that you're talking right now with leaders on Iran.
But Iran has come out publicly and said, we're not talking to the U.S. We're going to pause --
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Well, they just came out and said we are talking a little while ago because it always bothered me that--
KILMEADE: So, could you tell me who you're talking to, Mr. President? TRUMP: For some reason, for some reason, we can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and they'll come out and say we're not talking or we didn't discuss nuclear.
Well, that's all we discussed because they'll never have a nuclear weapon. They understand that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: That was the President, just this morning, as Iran is now trying to attack Jordan, after he hosted not one but two foreign leaders inside the Oval Office today. Two wartime foreign leaders, that is. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu, both walking into the West Wing today with a shared goal: President Trump's buy-in on a path forward to battling two American adversaries.
Now, sources tell us that Netanyahu wanted to present President Trump with fresh Israeli intelligence, just days after Israeli intelligence shared information with Americans that purportedly shows Iran moving centrifuges and enriched uranium to what is known as Pickaxe Mountain in Iran. It's a heavily fortified facility that is believed to be the centerpiece of its future nuclear ambitions.
But just a few hours before Netanyahu himself walked into the West Wing. Listen to what President Trump thought of that new Israeli intelligence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I don't need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved. I mean, I don't necessarily -- we have the finest because, of Space Force, we have the greatest cameras in the world focused on it. We know exactly what's going on.
But no, I heard Bibi announce that. I said, Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world? I know exactly what's going on at Pickaxe. It's not a big problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Now we didn't see them inside the Oval Office. But both leaders were here in Washington for the funeral service of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime and forceful backer in Washington of both Israel and Ukraine. The two leaders shared a handshake and were speaking before the service started today.
And with a tap of his casket, President Trump said goodbye to one of the most influential and hawkish voices on U.S. foreign policy.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: For more than 30 years, nothing of consequence happened in this capital without Lindsey Graham knowing about it. Nothing of significance happened anywhere in the world without Lindsey Graham having a view on it. And no bill became law in the most exceptional republic in human history without Lindsey Graham having a say in it.
No matter how heated things got in Washington, virtually everyone, Republican or Democrat, liked Lindsey. Well, not everybody, but it sounds good. Not everybody.
(LAUGHTER)
TRUMP: He was a tough cookie, OK? I have to be -- I have to veer from this for a second. He was a tough cookie, Darline. But he was beautiful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[21:05:00]
COLLINS: Today's gathering to honor Senator Graham happened, as another prominent Republican senator has been hospitalized for a stay that has now gone on for more than 45 days. That is Senator Mitch McConnell, whose extended absence and little information from his team about what's going on with his health has further threatened not just the President's agenda, but also some pretty crucial upcoming votes on his top appointees.
Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is already hanging in the balance tonight, with McConnell's absence from Washington leaving the White House with one less vote to spare.
Now the scrutiny into McConnell's prolonged absence has led the Democratic governor of his state, Kentucky, Andy Beshear, to press for more answers. Writing, quote, "I am addressing this letter to Senator McConnell under the assumption that he is capable of reading and responding verbally, and not incapacitated by means of consciousness or cognition... As Governor of the state you serve," Beshear wrote, "I am calling on you to directly and verbally address the people of Kentucky and provide proof of your capacity to serve, or resign."
And my lead source tonight is the Democratic Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky.
And thank you, Governor, for being here.
Your letter says that Senator McConnell needs to talk on camera to prove his capacity directly and verbally, or you believe he needs to resign. Have you gotten any response from Senator McConnell or his office?
GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D-KY): I have not. And this is now the second request I've made on behalf of the people of Kentucky.
Listen, what's happening here is someone has been away from their job for about six weeks. And anybody who's watching, if they were away from their job for six weeks, they'd have to call their boss, explain what's going on, and talk about when they could get back to work.
I respect everyone's privacy, especially with their health. But when you run for these types of offices, you give up some of that privacy. You know that when you run.
Senator McConnell has a duty to the people of Kentucky, to show that he continues to have the capacity to do this job, and it's time that he step forward and do it.
Listen, if he supposedly had a 17-minute conversation with Scott Jennings, he can call in and have a three-minute conversation with you. He can go to camera and just let us know he's doing all right, which is what we all ultimately hope for.
But it is incumbent upon him to have enough respect for the people of Kentucky and the United States of America to do the bare minimum and be honest and transparent.
COLLINS: Do you believe that those two pictures his office released, with Senator McConnell in them, do you think that those are an accurate portrayal of his condition right now?
BESHEAR: I don't know, and it stoked even more speculation that's out there. Only putting out two statements, not doing any interviews, not calling in when supposedly you're talking to people. Those are the types of signs that people see and become increasingly concerned.
We don't have any timetable for when he might get back. And so, it's not like we are asking a lot. We're asking the bare minimum. And if he won't do it, it is up to John Thune and the majority in the Senate to make him do it. I think that the Senate Majority Leader has a responsibility to ensure that all of the members have the capacity to serve.
Now, some people online are saying, Why don't I go and try to storm the hospital? I'm in Kentucky. John Thune's in Washington D.C. This is somebody he talks to on a regular basis. In the very least, he can give us a report on what he's heard. Or, Kaitlan, to be fair, Scott Jennings works for CNN. He can, on air, dial him up, put him on speakerphone, and we can put all the speculation to rest.
COLLINS: Yes, well, obviously Scott has declined to do so, but relayed what he says he heard from Senator McConnell.
You mentioned what you said to Leader John Thune here, saying that he should investigate what's going on with Senator McConnell. He responded today, when he was asked about your letter, that he thinks this is an issue between the people of Kentucky and Senator McConnell.
What's your response to that?
BESHEAR: Well, you only have a vacancy in the Senate if one of three things happens: you have a death, you have a letter of resignation, or the Senate moves to ultimately expel you. And that third part is what he has a duty to do if Senator McConnell is not capable. And as the Majority Leader of the Senate, saying he's not even going to check on one of his Republican senators to make sure he can do his job, that is shameful.
[21:10:00] And while a lot of folks want to talk about what this person or that person should do. The wrong here is directly on congressional Republicans. The wrong is on John Thune, who has talked ad nauseum about Joe Biden's health, but won't investigate one of his own. Won't walk right across town. Won't be able to look in the camera and say, One of my fellow Republican senators has the ability to continue, and I think so little of the American people, I won't find out for sure. That's pretty shameful.
COLLINS: You know, some people might hear that and look at when the Democratic senator John Fetterman was in the hospital, I think for six weeks or so, for depression after his stroke. At the time, Chuck Schumer said the Democratic caucus stood fully behind him.
Do you think that this is a different situation in your view?
BESHEAR: Well, I think anybody who's gone for that long at least needs to be honest and transparent about what they're dealing with, to give regular reports, and I expect that for a Democrat or a Republican.
This is also one of the reasons that I support term limits. It is time that we have a specific period of time where people can go into these jobs and that they're not careers. Because part of what I think we have here is that Mitch McConnell doesn't think he has a boss. And he does. He works for the people of Kentucky, and he owes them an explanation.
COLLINS: We heard from Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, who was commenting on your letter about Senator McConnell and the fact of what you say is a lack of transparency.
I want you to listen to what the fellow senator from Kentucky had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. RAND PAUL (R-KY): I think it's a campaign ploy by Beshear to look relevant. He wants to jump in. There's a lot of news over how Senator McConnell is doing. And so, to appear relevant, he's putting out inflammatory statements and this and that.
And I think, for goodness' sakes, you know, we've had elderly senators from both parties. You haven't heard me ranting and raving, saying they need to prove they're alive and they need to do this. We've had people missing for a year.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: What's your response? I mean, he's saying that this is a political ploy, basically, on your part.
BESHEAR: I am the Governor of Kentucky. Our people deserve a senator that they know has the capacity to serve. And how is it asking that much, to ask him to do a short video or to call into a news station for a couple of minutes, when supposedly he's calling other people and having longer conversations. It's a campaign ploy to say someone should have a three-minute interview? My goodness, is that too much for Rand Paul? Because I see him jumping in front of every camera he can find.
But how about y'all ask Rand Paul how he's doing? Ask Rand Paul to go over and see him in the hospital. This is his fellow Republican senator from Kentucky. And I don't know that -- I know they don't like each other very much. But Rand Paul has a duty to the people of Kentucky too. Why doesn't he go see him and report on his status?
COLLINS: There have been a lot of votes that have obviously been happening in the Senate that are complicated for Republicans by Mitch McConnell's absence.
Today, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is here. He's been meeting with President Trump about the Iran war. That's been something that obviously the Senate has been talking about.
There were no cameras invited in the Oval Office today, which is pretty rare for a meeting with a world leader. And I wonder what that says to you, as we are now several months into this war.
BESHEAR: Well, it seems like a similar lack of transparency by this president.
But hey, Donald Trump got us in to this war of choice. He got us in without even knowing what he wanted to get out of it.
It started off as regime change because apparently he thought Iran was similar to Venezuela. That's as little studying and work as he did, and that's because he listens to no one.
Then he changed his supposed goals and said it was to get rid of their missile and drone capacity, which he has not done, to eliminate their navy, which he has not done.
And now he says it's to ensure they don't have nuclear weapons, which he said he completely obliterated over a year ago.
You have a president that is running a war that is putting people in harm's way based on his gut, based on how he woke up and feels on a given day, based on what he thought of his breakfast that morning. I mean, this is not how you run an international conflict.
And look at what it's doing. I mean, look at the farmers in Kentucky that have already been hit by losing clients in the elimination of USAID, in tariffs, where China then went to Brazil and Argentina for soybeans. Or now, all of our farm machinery runs on diesel, which is even higher than gas. And a third of all the fertilizer in the world comes through the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a war that needs to end. But if we are going to actually finish it, we actually need to send grownups to the table. We have Foreign Service officers who have spent their entire lives wanting to understand every nuance of every word or gesture that an Iranian negotiator might make at the table. And Donald Trump doesn't let them go. He sends a developer, his son-in-law, or, oh my goodness, JD Vance, with zero experience to this table. That is not a serious effort to get us out of a war that's harming the American people.
COLLINS: Well, JD Vance is the Vice President, to be fair.
[21:15:00]
But let me ask you because I think all of this could potentially be a prime topic for the midterm elections that are happening just a few months from now. It's not very far.
A new report came out, and what we know right now is the Republican National Committee has about a $130 million in cash on hand. Democrats, on the other hand, are $2 million underwater. They've even been asking vendors to delay sending their bills until after the midterms. There's a report that the DNC Chair, Ken Martin, was reported to HR after he threw a phone in the direction of a junior staffer.
Do you have confidence in Ken Martin to lead your party as we are in such a critical period for the midterm elections this fall?
BESHEAR: Ken Martin is going to be the leader of the DNC, in the very least through these elections. We are a 100 days out, and the idea that we would change or have a new election when we have elections coming up would put far too much at risk.
Yes, the DNC is behind the RNC in fundraising. But look at the DGA that I lead, raising money to win important races like Katie Hobbs' re-election in Arizona, to flip Iowa and Ohio and Nevada and Georgia. We are out there generating significant interest and support. As I know, the DCCC and the DSCC are as well.
Listen, Democrats are primed for this election. Donald Trump's policies are making everything cost more. His big ugly bill is going to shut down rural hospitals all across America. His war in Iran is making us less safe. The tactics of ICE, which he encourages, are violating American civil rights day in and day out.
And Democrats offer a better alternative. We believe in reigniting the American dream, where you can have the confidence that if you work hard and play by the rules, that you can get ahead. We want to make aspirational investments in housing, so the average age of first-time home ownership isn't 40-years-old. We want to make sure you feel safer in your community, not through gimmicks like the National Guard, but in actual policies that work.
Democrats are primed to win big in this election, to retake the House, to make a run at the Senate, and we're going to win governors' races in places that people aren't expecting.
COLLINS: We shall see.
Governor Andy Beshear, as always, thank you for your time. And please let us know if you hear from Senator McConnell's office.
BESHEAR: You'll be my first call.
COLLINS: (inaudible).
[21:20:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: We are covering some breaking news tonight that's happening on Capitol Hill. It's busy over there this evening.
Jay Clayton has now just been confirmed as President Trump's new Director of National Intelligence. This is from his confirmation hearing, as you can see him here, as he is now inheriting a job overseeing the nation's 18 intelligence agencies, along with the President's fixation on elections.
My political sources are here with me tonight.
And obviously, Shermichael, we have been covering this closely. Bill Pulte has been in this job, the Housing chief that the President has. Some Democrats had initially seemed to like Jay Clayton for this job.
SHERMICHAEL SINGLETON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Yes.
COLLINS: Mark Warner was among them. Jim Himes over in the House. Ultimately, no Democrats voted for him.
SINGLETON: Yes, I mean, I'm not surprised by that, considering the climate we're in. Most votes are cast along party lines. But some of those Democrats, including Virginia Senator Warner, looked at Jay as a more serious, studious person for the role, particularly when compared to the temporary individual that the -- Bill Pulte, that is, the President had appointed on a temporary basis. So, I'm not surprised by it.
I know some folks didn't like his response to Senator Ossoff's questioning about the election. You got to understand the politics of this. He's -- a balancing act has to occur with many of these nominees.
But I expect him to do a pretty good job. From the people that I've talked to, who have known Jay for a long time, they said he's a serious guy, he's going to go in there and do his due diligence with maintaining the country's relationships globally, so that the President is getting the proper information as it relates to national security.
COLLINS: I mean, how do you see this?
KAREN FINNEY, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR, SR. ADVISER TO HILLARY CLINTON'S 2016 CAMPAIGN, FORMER DNC COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: Look, I think Democrats recognize it was going to -- he was going to get through. And I don't disagree, I think they take him seriously.
The problem is, will he speak truth to power? I mean, that's what that job is all about. That is why ODNI was created in the first place. And someone who cannot have the courage to say the truth about the 2020 election. We all know the politics. We all know, as an audience of one. Still, that's your job. And if you can't do that job, will you be able to do it, God forbid, when there is a crisis, when we need you the most, to be able to say the thing that maybe the President doesn't want to hear? That is the question I think still remains.
COLLINS: T.W., is that something that you're worried about?
T.W. ARRIGHI, FORMER AIDE TO SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think any time candidates across the country are talking about 2020, they're not happy.
I think there is plenty of things to talk about in election security that are still popular, broadly speaking. Although we do know that the economy will be the number one topic on people's minds when they go to the voting booth.
But look, I think just generally speaking, with that answer by Jay Clayton, it was a really bad answer. And that poor answer, and the bad prep he got for that question, led to a hijacking of his entire hearing, in which he really, I think, put forth his knowledge base of the intelligence apparatus, as it currently exists and the threats we face. He, I think, acquitted himself well in that hearing, aside from that one moment that hijacked all the headlines coming out of it, which really created a speed bump.
[21:25:00]
COLLINS: That's a good point. It is the takeaway moment from that hearing.
ARRIGHI: Sure--
COLLINS: For people who might not remember or didn't see what happened with Jay Clayton in that hearing. He was tripped up by Democrats with this question:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA): That Joe Biden won the 2020 election?
JAY CLAYTON, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE NOMINEE: Senator, I'm not -- I'm not an election denier. Joe -- Joe Biden was certified as the President of the United States.
I believe he had the most electoral votes.
SEN. MARK KELLY (D-AZ): So, he won the election?
CLAYTON: He followed our process, had the most of electoral votes, was declared the winner, and--
KELLY: And who has the most electoral votes? Is it the person that wins or the person that loses?
CLAYTON: I think that's your characterization.
SEN. JON OSSOFF (D-GA): Who won the 2020 election?
CLAYTON: You know what, I'm not -- I'm not going to do this with you.
OSSOFF: Who won the 2020 election?
CLAYTON: Like I said, I'm not -- I'm not going to get into that with you.
OSSOFF: You refuse to answer a simple matter of fact about the 2020 election. Is that right?
CLAYTON: No, that's not right.
OSSOFF: Then answer the question: who won the 2020 election?
CLAYTON: I have answered -- I have answered the question.
OSSOFF: Answer it. What is your answer?
CLAYTON: I've given you my answer.
OSSOFF: What is your answer?
You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election?
CLAYTON: No, I--
OSSOFF: But you asked to lead America's Intelligence Community? Isn't it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the President's delusions?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Now he still got the votes. He's obviously confirmed.
SINGLETON: Yes, the votes--
COLLINS: But he will have to testify--
SINGLETON: I mean, Ossoff was looking for a -- was looking for a moment there. I get it. He was very clear and pronounced when he said the person--
COLLINS: But he helped him get that moment--
(CROSSTALK)
SINGLETON: But he said the person who got the most electoral votes won. Obviously, that's the fricking winner. OK? We all can acknowledge that.
FINNEY: Yes, but -- but hold on. But the very fact, we all know, you cannot say this sentence, literally the words, Joe Biden won the 2020 election, and not have Donald Trump lose his shit on you, right?
SINGLETON: But he did win. And Donald Trump had an amazing comeback.
(CROSSTALK)
FINNEY: But that's not my point. My point is how we are in so much danger when you can't say a simple sentence without the ire of the President. I mean, his performance, Friday night, notwithstanding how unhinged this man has become, that is what people are concerned about. That it's so bad that you can't even take him in.
Nancy Pelosi in midterm elections would say, If you got to run against me, say what you got to say, do what you got to do, I totally get it.
SINGLETON: Sure. Sure.
FINNEY: You can't even say that to this guy.
SINGLETON: I take that point, Karen. I take that point. But look, I think the fact of the matter's -- to your point, I think he did an exquisite job of talking about the overall apparatus and some of the security risks that do indeed exist from Russia to China to some of our military capabilities needing to catch up to the Chinese, particularly as it pertains to their actions in the South China Sea with Taiwan, et cetera.
And that, to me, is the ultimate question: Is this the right person for the job with the skills to lead our Intelligence Community? And I believe he frankly is.
FINNEY: If, when it matters, he will say that -- a sentence that the President may not want to hear, even if they're going to make him upset.
COLLINS: So, T.W. said the last thing people want to be talking about candidates is the 2020 election. Six years ago, they want to talk about what's happening now.
We are in a moment though where it's a question of whether Todd Blanche will be confirmed as the next Attorney General over a matter that is also related to the 2020 election. It was that fund that the administration was going to do that could have benefited people who were convicted of crimes and then pardoned by the President on January 6th.
John Cornyn is saying, I'm not so sure I'm going to vote for him until I can get it in writing that that fund is dead. And Cornyn was basically saying today -- you know, he's supposed to meet with Blanche tomorrow, we know.
Do you think that the DOJ should just put it in writing that they're not going to do that fund?
ARRIGHI: Sure, I think so. Right.
(LAUGHTER) ARRIGHI: That's one man's opinion.
Look, hearings are theater at the end of the day. But in this specific -- and so, we can play the theater out in the previous clip, in the Clayton clip. In this particular instance, this is an actual real issue.
And with Mitch McConnell unable to perform the duties of a senator at present, the numbers are such that those two men, who will not be returning to the Senate and do not care what anybody says, are going to be adamant about this. With that being said, should they visit the DOJ, behind closed doors with Blanche, and get the -- you know, whatever promises they need? Maybe they see it in writing somewhere else. I will trust them that they actually saw it and it will move forward. They don't have any more cares to give to put it -- to put it lightly.
Yes, do I think Todd Blanche should write it out that the slush fund is a bad idea, period, it should not move forward? But I trust those two to get it done or to get to a yes.
And people think Todd Blanche is a capable man with the prerequisite skills to be A.G., and I think that's why he'll probably get through.
[21:30:00]
SINGLETON: Yes, look, I know the acting Attorney General, personally. I can assure you that he and his team respects Senator Cornyn and his request.
Senator Tillis indicated today that he is likely to receive his support. They are meeting tomorrow.
I can assure you that the acting A.G.'s staff are communicating directly with Senator Cornyn's staff, and they're going to figure this out.
And Senator Cornyn is a traditional Republican. He wants to support acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, and I think we're going to ultimately get there.
FINNEY: Can I just say real quickly that it's really a political problem for Susan Collins. Are you going to vote to confirm a person who is essentially protecting pedophiles and rapists in the Epstein files? Period. Full stop. Because he says, Nothing more is coming. There's no more in the files.
We know for a fact, from the survivors, there's a lot more.
He, we also know from Pam Bondi, is the person who mishandled what we have seen the files--
COLLINS: And he argues there's nothing to charge, essentially, from what they--
FINNEY: But they want-- COLLINS: --what they have in their possession.
FINNEY: Right. But that wasn't what the law said. The law that was passed said, you got to put it all out there.
So, I'm just saying, politically, for 2026, it's a problem for Collins.
COLLINS: We shall see.
Karen Finney.
Shermichael Singleton.
T.W. Not the Attorney General pick but a great--
(LAUGHTER)
ARRIGHI: I'll do it, yes.
FINNEY: Hey. There you go.
COLLINS: Thank you all for being here.
Up next. I mentioned President Zelenskyy. He was on the Senate floor just a few moments ago for that vote on the Russia sanctions bill. My next source met with him today, and will join me right after this.
[21:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Tonight, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was in the U.S. Senate chamber, as lawmakers moved forward on a new Russia sanctions bill that's aimed at crippling Putin's energy sector.
Zelenskyy spoke about how important this bill is to him and how he views it, as he was making his way through the Capitol tonight.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRES. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINE: It's not only about money -- how Russia -- how to stop to finance this war. But it's also a big signal to Europe, big signal to Ukraine, big support of our people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Notice there, he is surrounded by both Democrats and Republicans, and what they are pushing for, this bill that is named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham. He had met with Zelenskyy in Ukraine just days before he died.
Now, ahead of attending Graham's funeral today, we saw Zelenskyy not only on Capitol Hill. He also met with President Trump at the White House and those senators that he sat down with. That includes my next source tonight, who is Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota. And thank you, Senator, for being here.
What did you hear from President Zelenskyy first off?
SEN. TINA SMITH (D-MN): So, he met with a large group of Republican and Democratic senators, as well as some members of the House in the Mansfield Room, which is just off the Senate floor. He spoke briefly, and then there was a pretty good exchange and back-and-forth.
He made it quite clear that the sanctions bill that we took up today in the Senate would be extremely important. He described how Ukraine is finding great success on the battlefield, particularly because of their really incredible skill and capabilities around drone technology, and how exactly at this moment is the right time for the United States to engage with more sanctions.
It was interesting that the President of Finland, who was also with President Zelenskyy, rose and spoke, also briefly as well from the perspective of Europe, about how Ukraine's interest in fighting off Russian aggression and standing up for democracy is really all of our interests, and how important it was that the United States work with Ukraine to help them defend themselves. It was a very interesting -- very interesting discussion.
COLLINS: Well, and in terms of those sanctions. I mean, the vote tonight in the Senate to move it forward was 86-12, which is obviously pretty overwhelming.
With that kind of support, and given this is coming on the heels of Senator Graham's funeral, which obviously this meant a lot to him, how soon do you think those sanctions could be in place?
SMITH: Well, I know that we will be moving it forward as quickly as we can. It'll be interesting to see if there are any amendment votes that are called and asked for on the Senate. And of course, the House is gone for weeks now, so their action on this is not going to happen right away. But I expect that there will be some additional questions that senators are going to want to ask. But it was a broad -- very broad support.
And I think what this is really about is senators, most senators realizing that while this bill might be -- might not be perfect, what it does do is cut off the revenue for Russia's war machine, at a moment when Ukraine is in a position of growing power on the battlefield, and that that is in America's interests. And by the way, doesn't cost American taxpayers anything, at a moment when Americans are working so hard to hold their financial lives together.
COLLINS: He met with President Trump today. We didn't see it in front of the cameras, but the President was describing it tonight, just on Truth Social, a few moments ago while we were in a break, as productive and a good meeting.
That is obviously a far cry from the meeting they had last year, where it devolved into a shouting match inside the Oval Office, where they were saying Zelenskyy wasn't grateful enough for U.S. support. Did he say anything about his meeting with President Trump today and how it went?
[21:40:00]
SMITH: He said that it was a good meeting and that it was productive. And of course, he's talking not only about sanctions, but the hope that he can buy some more interceptors to fight off Russian missiles.
I was really struck by how Zelenskyy has clearly come to a much better understanding of the nuances of American politics. And he was not going to, you know -- sometimes, the worst thing that can happen is that you make somebody mad by accident, not on purpose. And I think that his clear understanding of how American politics is going and his savvy in this moment really, really shone through, all the way down to the clothes that he was wearing, which were, I think, probably designed not to raise the ire of the President, who can -- who criticized his clothes, I think that -- for a first famous meeting in the White House.
COLLINS: Yes, he was asked why he was not wearing a suit by a reporter.
This other -- the other obviously conflict, the other war that's happening is in Iran, and everyone can see the fact that there is no forward movement on that, publicly at least, in terms of where this is going.
CENTCOM says tonight that Iran was trying to hit Jordan in a surprise attack. They were able to intercept it at least, so nothing happened there. But still, they're on the lookout for more, it looks like.
What do you make of the fact that Iran tonight is capable of doing that and doing that -- trying to do that?
SMITH: Well, I just think -- yes, I mean, to me, what it shows is the incredible risk and chaos of this war, with no clear explanation for why it's happened and no clear rationale or path for getting out of it. And we also saw, today, Ukraine striking a ship that -- an Iranian ship, and luckily, that situation has been de-escalated. But these things are all connected.
And the chaos that ensues when you have these very -- you know, poorly thought-through conflicts and wars is just has a huge impact on so many people, including here in America, where people are paying the price.
So, it's hard to feel optimistic. I certainly hope that we can keep -- we can move more towards diplomacy and less towards conflict in the Middle East. We've lost 18 Americans in this ill-conceived war. And I think all of us in Congress want to see this resolved without any further bloodshed or violence.
But it's very, very unpredictable tonight. And I wonder whether Iran is not just thinking to themselves, Let's see if we can just sort of run out the clock, and this limbo might not be such a bad situation for us as we harbor our power.
COLLINS: How long do you think they could try to run out the clock for?
SMITH: I mean, who knows? I mean, it just -- I think that again is the risk and the chaos that happens when something, like this war, which the President started without any clear rationale. I mean, I think he kind of thought he could get out of it pretty quickly, and he's been proven sorely wrong there.
COLLINS: Senator Tina Smith, appreciate your time and you taking it to join us tonight. So, thank you.
SMITH: Thank you.
COLLINS: Up next. There's also a revealing new look that's happening at the role that Lindsey Graham played when it comes to the world stage. Something that everyone who eulogized him today spoke about. There's new behind-the-scenes footage of Lindsey Graham on the phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And my source tonight is the documentary filmmaker who captured it all.
[21:45:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he'll remember the late Senator Lindsey Graham as a, quote, Great patriot and a dear friend.
Netanyahu had a long relationship with Senator Graham, who was one of the most vocal defenders of Israel here in Washington. And tonight, we're learning more about just how close the two of them were.
My next source captured never-before-seen footage of a phone call between Graham and Netanyahu that happened in 2024, while they were filming a documentary with Senator Graham.
What you're about to see and listen to is the two men discussing how to get a bipartisan group of lawmakers to rebuke the International Criminal Court, as it was preparing to issue an arrest warrant for Netanyahu for alleged war crimes. Now, the Prime Minister was arguing to Graham that a scandal involving a judge on that court could delay his arrest warrant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL: It is possible to have to appeal to the court to say, OK, we want to reveal this before you do anything, before you issue an arrest warrant. There has to be a review about this entire process. Whether the prosecutor was motivated by--
LINDSEY GRAHAM, ATTORNEY AND FORMER UNITED STATES SENATOR: Right, the original action. Exactly. Exactly. NETANYAHU: This cloud or this stain has to be removed and it has to be exposed. And I suggest that you send a letter, with, maybe with some other senators, I don't know if you can get any Democrats, but you should. But it's not... Maybe the group -- Maybe the group you had of eight people, I don't know.
GRAHAM: I tell you, the perfect person would be the speaker, Speaker Johnson.
NETANYAHU: Would be what?
GRAHAM: Speaker Johnson.
NETANYAHU: He would, he would get the other people to --
GRAHAM: No, to have -- to have him on the letter.
[21:50:00]
NETANYAHU: Yes, sure, I'm sure he would. Would he get Democrats?
GRAHAM: I don't know. I won't -- no doubt, try. But I will try. I promise you that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Alex Holder is the filmmaker behind a documentary project called "Lindsey's Game," and has been following Senator Graham.
I mean, one, just this moment of having all of this footage, obviously today as he is being remembered here in Washington. What was it like for you, though, to listen as that call in particular took place?
ALEX HOLDER, FILMMAKER, AJH FILMS: So, it's pretty fascinating. Let me give you a bit of color about what was actually happening.
So, we were in Ohio, rural area. He had just finished a campaign with Donald Trump Jr. And we stopped off for him to go to the loo, and he comes out, and afterwards he says -- and we're always filming anyway. He goes, The Prime Minister is about to call. This is probably good television.
So, we're rolling, and he's--
COLLINS: So, Lindsey Graham was basically prompting you to record the call with the Prime Minister?
HOLDER: He was -- he was highlighting who was about to call. Absolutely, yes.
And Lindsey's hard of hearing, so he always has his calls on speakerphone, so you know, you can capture both sides of the conversation. And it was absolutely fascinating to hear that interaction. Two close friends. One is asking for help. You can -- I mean, I can tell, at least hearing Prime Minister Netanyahu's voice, it sounds that he really needed some help. And so, it was fascinating to see that interaction, and then the aftermath as well was very interesting.
COLLINS: Well, and they're basically talking through the strategy of how to get Democrats on board with this letter to try to push back on obviously something that has become one of the most sensitive allegations with Netanyahu.
HOLDER: Absolutely. And I think also, seeing the attempts that Senator Graham had, post that phone call, speaking to other senators and really working very hard in the car was fascinating. Absolutely, yes.
COLLINS: And there was a follow-up call after Graham did get two Democrats to join on. I want people to listen to part of what you recorded of that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GRAHAM: Y'all should (bleep) pay me for all this. I should get tons of shekels... Yes, (bleep), it's going to be more than dinner. All right, we got them both. So they both want to do the letter. Yes, no, I'm, so here's why I'm calling you. I'm trying to get it out the door Wednesday, Washington time. So send me over whatever you want to send -- They want to say two things. They want to say you should reconsider not talking to Israel. You should talk to them. And two, you should move ahead until this -- the cloud is lifted. So slow down.
But I do need you, if you don't mind, tomorrow, to call Blumenthal and Cardin, and thank them for being fair-minded on this and also, thank them for trying to help with Saudi-Israel normalization, you appreciate it, you're very interested in it. And that will encourage both of them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Wow. What did you make of that? What stood out to you?
HOLDER: So, I think what was interesting was Senator Graham was instructing the Prime Minister what to do, right? And I think that was very interesting.
It also showed that he sort of felt that he was owed one, in the sense of, you know, I'm sort of scratching your back, you scratch mine, and that for him was Saudi-Israel normalization. He was really pushing that. He was really trying to get the Prime Minister to come on board and do what he needs to do to make that deal happen.
COLLINS: As you're reflecting on the other footage, and I mean clearly you have hundreds of hours of this, what else has stood out to you?
HOLDER: I think he was a consequential, complicated, controversial politician, but he definitely had an enormous impact in geopolitical issues, I think in some ways more than domestic, at least in the years that I was following him.
And the respect I think that he got from other leaders was fascinating to witness. And the calls that he would get from other senators or from other leaders around the world to help them on their various issues was really quite unbelievable to capture and to see. I mean, the access really was extraordinary, and he allowed us to peek behind the curtain.
COLLINS: Alex Holder, thank you for joining us tonight to talk about this. Appreciate your time.
HOLDER: Pleasure. Thank you.
COLLINS: Up next. It is time for Source Code. We give you a number at the center of a story that's in the news. Can you figure out what the story is? Tonight's Source Code is 29.1. We're back in just a moment with that answer.
[21:55:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Tonight's Source Code is 29.1 million. That's because that's the number of trips that Canadians made to the United States in 2025, a staggering 25 percent less than in 2024, when Canadians made 39 million visits south of their border.
A new report from Canada's government says the traveler sentiment shifted, after President Trump took back the White House in early 2025, and his new administration embraced America First policies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Canada has been ripping us off for a long time, and they're not going to rip us off anymore.
Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also, but they're not.
Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[22:00:00]
COLLINS: The White House has also imposed significant tariffs on Canadian goods, and the President himself has more than once floated the notion of making our neighbor to the north, the 51st state.
Thanks so much for joining us here on THE SOURCE tonight.
"CNN NEWSNIGHT WITH ABBY PHILLIP" starts right now.
