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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson
Blanche On Epstein Files - We Did Not Protect President Trump; New Epstein Release Has References To Trump, Powerful Figures; Officers Clash With Anti-I.C.E. Protestors In Los Angeles; U.S. Government Partial Shutdown; Trump Ramps Up Pressure On Iran; Iran FM: Tehran Ready For - Fair And Just Nuclear Talks; Sources - Russian Envoy To Meet U.S. Officials In Hours Ahead; Isreal: Gaza's Rafah Border Crossing To Reopen Sunday; Zelenskyy - Sunday's Trilateral Talks In Abu Dhabi May Be Postponed; Alcaraz & Djokovic Reach Australian Open Final; NASA Postpones Crucial Test Mission For Artemis II program; Aired 1-2a ET
Aired January 31, 2026 - 01:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[01:00:00]
ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN HOST: -- actress Catherine O'Hara.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from Los Angeles. "The Story Is" with Elex Michaelson.
MICHAELSON: And welcome to "The Story Is," I'm Elex Michaelson. "The Story Is" more than 3 million documents from the Epstein investigation are finally released by the Trump Justice. Department way after the deadline set by Congress, like prior batches, much of the information is blacked out. DOJ says the document dump fulfills its obligations under the transparency law passed last year.
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TODD BLANCHE, U.S. DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL: We complied with the statute, we complied with the act, and there is no -- we did not protect President Trump. We didn't protect or not protect anybody. I mean, I think that that we -- that there's a hunger or a thirst for information that I do not think will be satisfied by the review of these documents.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: But some Epstein survivors are calling the release outrageous because of botched processes that led some names unredacted, what they call a lack of transparency.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANIELLE BLENSKY, JEFFREY EPSTEIN SURVIVOR: It's a rabbit hole, and I think that we just have very little faith in the DOJ at this point to continue to do the right thing, and it is just a trove of victims information. And so what are we protecting is, is the point for me and for so many other survivors, because at this point, we are hearing that this is it, but we have what half of the files that they know that they have. So if you're not protecting survivors, then what -- who are you protecting?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: The documents contain references to a host of powerful figures, among them, President Donald Trump. While the President has not been charged with any crime related to Epstein. The files include details of a complaint from a woman who accused him of raping her when she was 13-years-old. That anonymous accuser previously launched lawsuits against Trump and then dropped them. President Trump has long denied any wrongdoing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We have nothing to do with Epstein. The Democrats do.
I have nothing to do with Jeffrey Epstein. You just keep going on the Epstein files. And what the Epstein is, is a Democrat hoax.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If there's nothing incriminating in the files sir, why not --
TRUMP: Quiet. Quiet, piggy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: More now from CNN's Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent, Paula Reid in Washington.
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PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: One of the documents that is getting a lot of attention from this release is a list of accusations against President Trump. Now it appears the FBI compiled this list last summer, and it includes, again, allegations, some of which that have come from unverified tips. Some of this includes second hand information that came in through a tip line. Here's the FBI followed through on some of these tips, but not at least one was found to be not credible. This is all the kind of information that prosecutors and investigators collect when they are looking at whether charges should be filed, and this is also the reason that they don't just take unverified information or evidence gathered in a case and release it to the public.
The Justice. Department has a longstanding policy of not releasing details, especially in cases where charges are not brought. And of course, President Trump has long denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein, but there are now a lot of questions about why the FBI compiled this list of allegations. And even though this release is part of a larger effort to tamp down criticism and questions about a lack of transparency, this particular document is likely to prompt more questions, both for the Justice. Department and also the White House. Paula Reid, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEO CLIP) MICHAELSON: Protests sweeping across the country right now from coast- to-coast, marching, chanting, sign carrying, students walking out of schools, businesses closing their doors. The nationwide demonstrations are demanding an end to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations. This is what it looked like in Minneapolis, which has been the epicenter of the federal actions in recent weeks, and included the killing of two U.S. citizens by federal agents.
This was the scene in LA a short time ago, police., federal officers clashing with protesters outside a federal building. At least two people arrested there tonight. A protest outside LA City Hall earlier Friday remained peaceful, but as the day went on, tensions grew. A CNN crew was there as offI.C.E.rs sprayed chemical irritants at protesters, including our own Veronica Miracle.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go away.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go away.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Spray.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Here we go. Come on back.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Come on back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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MICHAELSON: So a lot of that's about this issue of immigration, and that is also part of the reason why the U.S. government is now partially shut down after Congress failed to reach a funding deal deadline between -- before the deadline on Friday. Now, the disruption not expected to last very long, really not going to impact that many people. That's because the senate approved a measure on Friday that funds three quarters of government agencies through the end of September, except for Homeland Security.
It includes only two weeks of DHS funding to allow time for negotiations on I.C.E. reforms. The House expected to vote on that new spending package on Monday, President Trump says he will sign it. So because of that, basically everything should resume as normal on Monday. The shutdown shouldn't have too much of an impact over the weekend. Most things are closed anyways.
Now, depending on how long it lasts, travelers could face delays at airports. National parks will remain open, but again, we don't expect much of that happening.
Joining me now live on set is Steven Olikara, Senior Fellow for Political Reform at the University of Southern California, Schwarzenegger Institute, and the Co-Founder and President of the Millennial Action Project. Steven, welcome to "The Story Is" for the first time.
STEVEN OLIKARA, SENIOR FELLOW FOR POLITICAL REFORM, USC SCHWARZENEGGER INSTITUTE: Thank you for having me.
MICHAELSON: So let's talk about this shutdown. And really it's interesting that there isn't more of a shutdown, which is indication that Republicans were feeling a lot of political pressure. The politics on this has changed.
OLIKARA: It has especially over the last two weeks these tragic killings in Minneapolis at the hands of I.C.E. and CPB agents has really changed the politics of this issue, and rightly so. We saw now Trump negotiate with the Senate Democrats and pass this measure today. Now we have two weeks to see if there will be any meaningful change with the I.C.E., and I think most Americans would like to see some form of more accountability on I.C.E.
MICHAELSON: So let's drill down on that. So the deal that they passed today basically said they didn't come to a deal on what we're going to do about I.C.E., because that's really complicated. They said we're going to give ourselves two weeks to figure the rest of that out. But while we talk we're going to keep the rest of the government open. Now figuring out in two weeks does not seem very easy. I mean, what's a potential deal that could be likely that Republicans could get behind, that they would feel good about and be able to sell to their base? Because immigration matters a lot to people on the right.
OLIKARA: Yeah, I think you're going to have both the Republican and Democratic bases upset with some of the negotiations over the next two weeks. Not a lot of time to come up with any meaningful policy. The substance here is that I.C.E. should have judicial warrants when they're conducting these arrests, having body cameras, like many law enforcement agencies across the country, and more training, better training to avoid the type of situations we've seen over the last couple weeks. So we would like to see that negotiation. I think it's very unlikely we'll see any meaningful reform.
MICHAELSON: So you have an interesting term called the division industrial complex, which is essentially that there hasn't been a real deal on immigration in 40 years, because both sides benefit from there not being a deal.
OLIKARA: Yeah, for a long time, both political parties have profited more by having immigration on the ballot than actually resolving it. This is one of the most divisive issues that political parties, political elites can use to fund raise on. And as a result, even at times in the last 15 years, there have been pretty significant bipartisan majorities on pieces of immigration reform. They haven't brought it to a real vote, and they haven't passed it. And so now you see the type of unrest and violence on the streets today.
MICHAELSON: Because the basis of the parties don't want it in terms of a deal. They won't allow it, and the donors of the parties don't allow it, and when you got both of those things pulling you this way, it's hard to get to the middle.
OLIKARA: Absolutely. And immigration is a good lens to look at this larger division industrial complex, because this system is a multi- billion dollar industry that profits on making people hate each other all the time and dividing us. It's political operatives, it's social media algorithms, it's some elements of the media. And so it's really hard for Americans to believe that we can come to an agreements on big issues like immigration. The truth is, we can, but the discourse doesn't make us feel like it's possible.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, I mean, President Trump talked about the concept of deescalating this week, but then we see something like what just happened with Don Lemon in court today. What's your take on that?
OLIKARA: Well, we of course, do not want to get into a practice in America where journalists are getting arrested. However, I will say that Don Lemon has taken a particular turn in his journalistic career, which is being more of an activist journalist. And I think that this arrest really -- works really well for his career to be honest. This martyrism will definitely elevate his brand and his platform to a level that it hasn't been previously, since he left CNN.
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And so my bigger question though is, I do think we need journalists in America who are speaking to the majority of Americans and not to an increasingly narrow slice of Americans. And I'm troubled that Don is going in that direction.
MICHAELSON: Well, and because that's where you get clicks online.
OLIKARA: Yes, exactly.
MICHAELSON: All right. Nuance doesn't necessarily sell the outrageous headline is what gets you in that space, and that's how you make money. But you are trying to bring people together. Something we're trying to do with this show as well, bring people from different perspectives. You've been on stage with Charlie Kirk and Cenk Uygur. You kind of the, literally, the guy in the middle of some of these very, very different perspectives. What do you think works to unite people in these situations?
OLIKARA: Well, I think the idea right now is to talk about the issue and not the party, and increasingly, voters are looking for that. They're detaching from both political parties. And I think what we did with some of those debates that you're referencing is have a nuanced, entertaining conversation. I do think nuance is viable and exciting, because how entertaining is it when you have two predictable views just clashing with each other with the political hack on the left and political hack on the right? I think Americans want to know what's actually going to benefit their lives and resonate with the real conversations they're having in their own communities. And I think our country is starving for that, and it's absolutely possible.
MICHAELSON: Well, you're speaking my language. That's certainly what I believe in and certainly what we're trying to do here. Steven, thank you. Great to have you here for the first time.
OLIKARA: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: Hope you'll come back --
OLIKARA: Absolutely.
MICHAELSON: And we can get more into this, because it's such an important issue.
OLIKARA: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: Let's talk about the weather now. Winter storm that is quickly gaining strength is set to hit parts of eastern U.S. with massive snow, damaging winds, dangerous coastal flooding, all coming in the coming hours. The storm, which is known as a bomb cyclone, that's a meteorological term. We'll begin with snow and hurricane force winds, possibly whipping up blizzard conditions.
Talking about the coast right now, of Georgia, North Carolina, moving up to Virginia, before moving north to coastal New England, Eastern Massachusetts later in the weekend. More than 27 million people under winter storm warning, some of them still recovering from last weekend's winter storm that killed dozens of people.
Still ahead, President Trump turns up pressure on Iran as potential new military strikes hang over the Islamic Republic. You'll hear what kind of message he reportedly sent to Tehran plus Gaza's key border crossing is set to reopen, but not to everyone. Benjamin Radd, one of the smartest guys on this has some analysis. You really haven't heard anywhere else. We'll have that when we come back next live.
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MICHAELSON: The U.S. is putting Iran on notice over its upcoming military drills in the Strait of Hormuz, the statement urging Iran not to interfere with maritime traffic in the key trade route, and it says that any unprofessional behavior could lead to escalation. But the warning comes as the U.S. is ramping up its own military buildup in the Middle East, after President Trump threatened potential strikes if Tehran doesn't agree to a new nuclear deal.
President Trump said Friday he communicated directly with Tehran about a deadline for such a deal, but he didn't say they actually set a deadline. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister, who was in Turkey on Friday, says if negotiations are "Fair and just" Tehran is ready to talk.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABBAS ARAGHCHI, IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER (translate): The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to re-enter the nuclear negotiations. The Islamic Republic of Iran has never sought nuclear weapons, and such weapons have no place in our security calculations. We have always been and still are ready to build confidence regarding the peaceful nature of our nuclear program.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: In the coming hours, Russia's special envoy will meet U.S. negotiators in Miami. That is from sources who spoke with CNN, but it's still unclear what the talks will focus on. Earlier, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy said the separate trilateral talks set for Sunday in Abu Dhabi may actually be postponed. He said they could be moved to a different location because of the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
In Israel, the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt is set to reopen on Sunday, but the statement says it can only be used for a limited movement of people, and whoever wants to cross it will have to have a prior security clearance from Israel. The crossing is Gaza's gateway to the world, but it's been closed since Israeli troops seized it back in May of 2024, its reopening was required by the U.S. 20- point cease fire plan. Israel resisted it until the last hostage remains were returned from Gaza, which happened this week.
A lot to unpack here, to talk about all three of those stories, is political scientist. Benjamin Radd, he's a Senior Fellow at the Burkle Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Go Bruins, Benjamin Radd. Welcome back to "The Story Is" especially sharply dressed tonight. Thank you for bringing it on that front.
BENJAMIN RADD, SENIOR FELLOW, UCLA BURKLE CENTER: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: A lot of news to get to. Iran, you feel like we're more likely to see strikes now, what's going on?
RADD: It's imminent. The buildup is there. President Trump made an offer for the Iranians that he knows they can't accept. It crosses all their redlines, zero enrichment, no ballistic missiles, no support for proxy groups. This is not a deal the supreme leader. The supreme leader calls it, basically drinking from a poison cup, which is what Khomeini referred to back in the 80s, same concept. So it's non-star. Then you've got these carrier groups. It's literally gun boat diplomacy with the understanding that they're not going to accept this deal. They can't accept the deal, but Trump can say he tried diplomacy.
MICHAELSON: So it's imminent, which is quite a word.
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So that means that strikes are coming at any time. And when we talk about strikes, are we seeing something, like we hit something, we send a message and we get out, or is this -- we're actually trying to kill the Ayatollah and change the Iran's leadership?
RADD: Right. I don't think the administration will come out and say the latter, but what they realize is simply striking nuclear targets will not bring about the effective security, regional security, that the U.S. wants. So this is going after those nuclear facilities, taking out IRGC command structures, maybe going after top officials again. Basically decapitating Iran's leadership and then letting everything else play out the way it will.
MICHAELSON: And you say also what's happening in Israel right now when it comes to Hezbollah is important when it comes to Iran.
RADD: So there have been strikes within the last 12 hours by the Israelis in southern Lebanon, and Hezbollah targets, presumably to take off any ballistic missile installations, or the ability of Iran to counter and attack Israel if there is a strike imminent. Again, this is -- what's going on here, right? Why is Israel conducting these strikes? What's Hezbollah up to? What's the activity all about.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, this all is also impacting this new negotiation over Ukraine with Russia. Once again, there's no deal. Any reason to be optimistic about this weekend, as they potentially maybe meet. We don't even know if they're going to meet.
RADD: Sadly, no. And I think in addition to everything else going on, Putin is not serious about meeting the demands needed to end the conflict. And I think he sees his time being on his side, he sees a potential conflict with U.S. and Iran. Giving him some breathing room, possibly to continue to press the offensive. Zelenskyy doesn't have a whole lot to work with here, and there's disagreement on the nuclear power plant in Ukraine and how that's going to be administered. And so I don't think we're any closer to a deal there.
MICHAELSON: Wow. And let's go back to Israel now. Rafah, Gaza the opening of that crossing with restrictions. It didn't seem like Israel really wanted to do it, but it's happening. What's the symbolism there? And what's the substance there?
RADD: Well, we're slowly checking off the bullet points on that, on that peace plan, on that 20 plus point peace plan. Israel takes a step now, Hamas is pressured to honour their commitments to the deal, which is disarming and disbanding. So what happens next, right? Is Hamas now going to fulfil its obligations. The pressure is on them to do so.
MICHAELSON: Well, a lot going on, but the headline of what you just said, the possibility that we could have strikes in Iran --
RADD: More likely than less likely than we were a week ago.
MICHAELSON: Potentially even over this weekend.
RADD: Yeah.
MICHAELSON: All right. Benjamin Radd from UCLA, stay close. We may need to go back to you soon.
RADD: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: Thank you so much. Coming up a heartwarming message for his film Mom. How the actor Macaulay Culkin is paying tribute to the late great comedian Catherine O'Hara. Our pop culture panel Segun, Jeff Conway with us next to weigh in on an incredible life.
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MICHAELSON: Welcome back to "The Story Is," I'm Elex Michaelson. Here's what's making news right now. The U.S. Justice Department has released more than 3 million files from its investigation in the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The heavily redacted documents contain multiple references to a host of powerful figures, including President Trump, who has not been charged with any crime. DOJ says the release fulfills its obligations under transparency legislation passed by Congress.
Protests against Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts sweeping across the U.S. on Friday, from Washington State to New England, marches, chants, signs, students walked out of schools. Businesses closed their doors. The nationwide protests were spurred in part for the killings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minnesota in recent weeks.
Israel says Gaza's key gateway to the outside world will reopen on Sunday, but the statement says the Rafah Crossing can only be used by people who have a security clearance from Israel. Crossing has been closed since Israel troops seized it back in May of 2024.
That unforgettable moment. Catherine O'Hara panicked as the mom at home alone helped define a holiday classic that introduced her to generations of fans. Macaulay Culkin, who played O'Hara's son, Kevin, is now paying tribute in the wake of her death at just 71 years old. In a post to Instagram, he shared images of them together at his 2023 induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, saying "Mama, I thought I had we had time. I wanted more. I'll see you later."
Joining me now for more on the passing of Catherine O'Hara is Jeff Conway, Senior Holiday Hollywood and Entertainment Contributor at Forbes, an Emmy Award Winning Journalist Segun Oduolowu. Welcome to you both. Good to see you.
SEGUN ODUOLOWU, EMMY AWARD WINNING JOURNALIST & MEDIA PERSONALITY: Good to see you.
MICHAELSON: Sad to talk to you under these circumstances, though. Catherine O'Hara was one of one.
ODUOLOWU: Yeah, she was exactly one of a kind. I mean, from second city in Canada, with an alumni class that had John Candy and Eugene Levy and Martin Short, all of these incredibly funny people, and she kept rising to Beetlejuice, to Best in Show, which is my favorite of the movies and the projects that she worked on, because that improv where no scene is scripted. And she is just -- they're creating it as they go to Schitt's Creek to working on the studio with Seth Rogen. She's just -- she was just amazing. I'm sure you both have things that you love. MICHAELSON: Can you imagine being in that second city and watching them?
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That cast would be so, so amazing, I know. And for you, you think of Schitt's Creek. And there's a particular scene which I actually have a T shirt of. That's rolling, fold it in.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CATHERINE O'HARA, CANADIAN-AMERICAN ACTRESS AND COMEDIAN: Next step is to fold in the cheese.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What does that mean? What does fold in the cheese mean?
O'HARA: He folds it in.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I understand that. But how do you fold it? Do you fold it in half, like a piece of paper and drop it in the pot? Or what do you do?
O'HARA Dan, I cannot show you everything.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Okay. Well, can you show me one thing?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
JEFF CONWAY, SENIOR HOLLYWOOD & ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT, FORBES: I mean, she was just so iconic as Moira Rose, everybody fell in love with her. She really was mother. Obviously, she was mother from home alone, but when Moira Rose came around for a lot of people, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, being this mother that was super supportive of her son, it really resonated with a lot of people, and it's still to this day. So she was mother to so many of us. So it was heartbreaking seen that news this morning.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, and, and my favorite scene from that show, which I just laugh so much is on the final episode, speaking of being the mother, she walks in as, like this pope leg. The whole series she had these ridiculous costumes. It ends with the most ridiculous costume. She had the most ridiculous accent, which wasn't actually from any country. I don't know what it was, and yet she was so human at the same time, and so real and tender this show like everybody cried during this ridiculous scene. I mean, shits Creek was, was such a great show.
ODUOLOWU: Especially this finale was during COVID. I think a lot of that time people were stuck at home. The show gave so much joy during a tough time in our world.
MICHAELSON: So much joy. And she's so good in the studio too. Which is which just one? ODUOLOWU: She's good. She was so good at everything. And she is timeless, genre to genre, and people are finding her at different points in their life, whether it's Beetlejuice, Home Alone, Best in Show, Schitt's Creek, like everywhere you're finding her you're laughing, and to bring that kind of joy, Hollywood is just a little less bright, because she's fantastic.
MICHAELSON: All right. Something not as universally beloved is the Melania movie, which is coming to theaters this weekend. We see this big promotional campaign. $37 million spent on the promo. $45 million spent by Amazon. Jeff Bezos to get the rights to this. We saw the debut at the Kennedy Center, the First Lady of the United States. Jeff, The Rotten Tomato score right now is eight for the critics.
ODUOLOWU: What, I can only go up from here. That's a too many look. I better watch what I say, because they're arresting black journalists. They say different things. But I will say this. It feels like a money grab when most documentaries sell for $250,000 to $750,000 and this one goes for $40 million, your eyebrows and every other part of your body has to be like what? And then $35 million in promotion. So $75 million out the door, spent on a documentary nobody asked for and then she walks away with $27 million, what?
MICHAELSON: Nobody's ever done this before.
CONWAY: We're also here, during a time where everything going on within Minnesota and everything people do not want to watch a leader right now, when we don't completely agree with everything going on around the world right now.
MICHAELSON: Some people know, but then you look at the Rotten Tomato score right now, the critics score is 8%, the popcorn meter is 99% yes. So clearly there's a lot of Trump fans or bots or something that span, but, but, but there are people that love Donald Trump, and there are parts of this country that they're going to see this. I mean, it shows the divide in this country.
ODUOLOWU: Elex, you are right that there are people that love Donald Trump, but I would defy any of those people that love Donald Trump to say something that Melania has said that they remember that would warrant a movie being --
MICHAELSON: The best.
ODUOLOWU: I'm done. This is what --
MICHAELSON: All right. Okay. Let's move it. A movie you're really recommending for this weekend that opens is called Send Help.
CONWAY: Send Help.
MICHAELSON: Yeah.
CONWAY: It's Rachel McAdams, Dylan O'Brien. It's about a very like quirky, nerdy woman that has a nepo boss young guy, and they get stuck on an island together after a plane crash, and it becomes almost like misery of 2026 when now she's in control, and she has the survival training that she just had naturally because she was going to go for the survivor. So she is the one that leads the way. And now it's kind of a fight for battling. Who's going to stick it out? Who's the alpha on this island? It's a brilliant show or film, because it's got comedy, it's got horror, it's got great drama. It's probably the best performance I've seen from Rachel McAdams, and she has so many great performances. But this is great.
MICHAELSON: And if people want to see your interviews with them, they can check that out on your social media, now Jeff Conway, where they can look at that.
CONWAY: Thank you.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, an interesting week in sports. A lot going on, on that front. Let's talk first about Novak Djokovic just defeated Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at the Australian Open. At this point, it was sort of thought that Djokovic's era was done.
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It was just sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in every single final, and Djokovic telling people, I'm back. I'm still here.
ODUOLOWU: The joker had the last laugh a five set match, something that he's known for with his endurance. But on that surface at the Australian Open, he is second to none. He has won it 10 times. His record is literally 100 wins and 10 losses. He's fantastic, and what he's pushing for is history. He's tied right now with Margaret Court with 24 wins, 24 grand slams, if he wins this, not only does he break that tie, but I think it cements him as the greatest tennis player possibly of all time. And for that, I am rooting for him. I'm in his corner. I'm a fan of the joker down goes sinner. Just hopefully, hopefully not at Oscars.
CONWAY: But we've been like Novak, he's 38-years-old. I mean, he's not, he's now spring chicken, and we have Carlos, who's 22 I'm just saying just standing by the thing, though.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, beating Carlos Alcaraz is not going to be easy.
CONWAY: It's not going to be easy.
ODUOLOWU: It's not going to be easy, but Carlos Alcaraz himself had a five set match too, so at least they're coming in. Not one having five set and the other, just an easy steam roll. I think this is the joker's moment. I again, I am hoping for him. I'm a fan of his, and just a fan of the old guys like, I mean, you know guys in their 30s like me.
MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, Lindsey Vaughn, who's in her 40s, 41-years-old, trying to come back for the Winter Olympics. That was the big story. NBC has been highlighting Lindsey Vaughn is back, and she just took a terrible crash.
CONWAY: Yeah, a week before these actual games start up, she had her left knee. She had an injury with. She had to be airlifted for this. But she says, even our Instagram, it's not over till it's over. She might still come back from this. But this is -- she again. She is 41. She's got one gold medal, she's got two bronzes. So she's, she's been here before, and she's not done. So I really do like the perseverance that she's like, you know what? Yes, I'm hurt, but I have a week to get ready things that happened before.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, but I mean you think about how hard she's trained. I mean, that's what's so hard about the Olympics, if you think about it, you have to train your whole life, and then there's one moment --
ODUOLOWU: Every four years, you got one chance.
MICHAELSON: -- every four years, and that can be so devastating if you get hurt right before you're done right?
ODUOLOWU: Another person that we're pulling for that is a little bit older, or much older than the competition. Who has stuck it out has been -- just been a champion of that sport. Like, how many downhill skiers do we identify with? She has been the face of her sport for so long. We are like, we are fans of hers, and look as a girl dad, anytime a female athlete is doing something like this, I am in their corner. Defy the odds, defy age. Keep going Lindsey.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, because there aren't that many figures that we're that familiar with in terms of Winter Olympics. Are you excited? Do you care about the Winter Olympics?
ODUOLOWU: I mean, brothers don't really ski. I mean, I'm a tropical person, but, yeah, no, I'm going to, I do watch it. I do watch it.
CONWAY: Yeah, I like winter. But for me, I'm big Summer Olympics person. When it comes to those gymnastics, track and field, everything, but it's great. There's the I.C.E. skating, figure skating, there's all of the downhill skiing. It's an exciting time.
MICHAELSON: Yeah, I mean, it's a big time for NBC. Think about the next few weeks they have. They've got the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, the NBA, all-star game, all in of course of a week.
ODUOLOWU: 2026 is starting out good.
MICHAELSON: It's good time to be Mike Tirico. He got every job. They could have given it to anybody else, but they gave him every single one of them. Good. Good. But he's very, very talented. Guys have a great weekend. Thanks so much for coming in. We really appreciate it.
CONWAY: Thank you, Elex.
ODUOLOWU: Thank you, Elex.
MICHAELSON: Still ahead the arrest of two journalists raising concerns about free speech protections under the Trump administration, Segun referenced this. We'll hear from both of them right after the break.
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DON LEMON, JOURNALIST: I've spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now.
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DON LEMON, JOURNALIST: I've spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now. In fact, there is no more important time than right now, this very moment for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable. Again, I will not stop now. I will not stop ever.
Last night, the DOJ sent a team of federal agents to arrest me in the middle of the night for something that I've been doing for the last 30 years, and that is covering the news. The First Amendment of the Constitution protects that work for me and for countless of other journalists who do what I do. I stand with all of them, and I will not be silent. I look forward to my day in court.
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MICHAELSON: That was former CNN anchor turned Independent Journalist, Don Lemon. He is vowing to fight federal charges brought against him related to a protest at a Minnesota church. Lemon was released from custody after appearing in federal court in LA on Friday. Lemon, who often shares his opinions on stories with his followers, says he will not be silenced.
Lemon and Independent Journalist, Georgia Fort were live streaming as dozens of anti-I.C.E. protesters interrupted a church service in St Paul, Minnesota earlier this month. Federal Prosecutors allege the journalists participated in a "Takeover style attack of the church and intimidated congregants." Journalism groups say the Trump administration is trying to chill press freedom.
Fort was also released on Friday following her arrest. Spoke to CNN earlier.
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GEORGIA FORT, JOURNALIST: It does send a chilling message to our entire industry. Being a journalist who's from here, who's from Minnesota, I've been on the ground. This is my community. I'm not flying in and flying out.
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I'm here, and I'm doing the best that I can to tell the stories of what's really happening. And as an American born citizen, it's always been my understanding that I have that protection under the constitution, under the First Amendment, that we have a freedom of press. But today, the way that I was treated for simply doing my job, the way that I have been criminalized and dehumanized. It makes me really, really wonder if our constitution is something of the past, and if it's just a thing made up of empty promises at this point, honestly.
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MICHAELSON: That was Georgia Fort on with Anderson Cooper. LA Mayor, Karen Bass was inside the courtroom today. She spoke tonight with CNN's Abby Phillip.
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KAREN BASS, LOS ANGELES MAYOR: I saw Don. He looked fine, but I will tell you, though that I thought the government's case was an embarrassment. I mean, granted, I'm not a lawyer, but to hear them try to nuance why they were actually arresting him and then calling for such incredible terms that he was not to travel anywhere except for between Minnesota and New York, that they didn't want him to travel overseas, that they wanted to have a massive amount of bail. There was just no legitimacy here.
And frankly, it seemed as though the governor's -- the government's lawyers were even struggling to present their case, because it seemed like even they didn't take it that seriously.
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MICHAELSON: The White House, on Friday, issued its first response to the arrest of Don Lemon, sharing an image announcing the arrest and quipping when life gives you lemons. Post also included a chain emoji, as in locking them up. U S. Attorney General, Pam Bondi says federal agents at her direction arrested Lemon, Fort and two others on Friday in connection with the church protests.
Coming up. Music's biggest night of the year takes place this weekend right here in Southern California.
Up next are Stephanie Elam is with us. She spoke to the organizers and the producers of the Grammys, and she's going to talk about that, and maybe even talk about the suit and talk about Bad Bunny, who's going to be there as well. Stay with us.
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MICHAELSON: NASA is postponing a key test for the historic Artemis II mission that will soon carry astronauts on a trip around the moon. The test was supposed to begin hours from now. Instead, it's been delayed until at least Monday because of weather conditions. The earliest possible launch day is now February 8th.
It is officially Grammy award weekend. Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar on the top of the list for awards and some of the most nominations. CNN's Stephanie Elam is here with us to give us a preview. Hi, Stephanie.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, yeah, I was sat down with Harvey Mason, Jr., who is the Head of The Recording Academy. To find out what we should expect from this year's Grammys. And he's hoping that people come away from watching the show and have a feeling of unity after they see all of the performances they have lined up.
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STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From Sabrina Carpenter, to Pharrell Williams this year, the Grammys is known to be one big concert. It's also known for artists speaking their minds. In the wake of the I.C.E. shootings in Minneapolis, nominee Billie Eilish has called for celebs to speak out against the agency getting into a war of words with the Department of Homeland Security. Recording Academy Chief, Harvey Mason Jr., says artists are by definition vocal.
HARVEY MASON JR., CEO OF THE RECORDING ACADEMY: Musicians. We're communicators. We're storytellers. Maybe some people will choose to speak out about it, but you're definitely going to feel it in the music.
ELAM: Guiding the show will be comedian Trevor Noah, who almost in return for his sixth year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I sent him a video just before Christmas, and I was on my knees, literally, I sort of begged him, and I said, look at this lineup. Come and do one last one. And luckily he texted back again, fine, I'm in. Can't wait.
ELAM: Winston expects 25 artists on stage for around a dozen performances, all intricately choreographed by a small army backstage.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Doing the Grammy Awards is like running towards the edge of a cliff, and then you just hope and pray that you've worked hard enough in the run that the parachute opens. You also know there's that risk that you could also just run off the cliff and smash your face.
ELAM: Going for Grammy Gold are nominees like Bad Bunny a week before he headlines a Super Bowl Halftime Show, as well as Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, and Chappell Roan. Kendrick Lamar, however, showing that this world just might be his, as he leads the mall with nine nominations. The Grammy is also working to shed criticism that they are out of touch.
MASON JR.: I was a musician, as you know, a Member of the Grammy organization, so I had a unique vantage point to understand what needed to change.
ELAM: Of nearly 4,000 new members added this year to its voting body. Half are under 40, and more than half are people of color. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the Grammys baby. Welcome, everybody. Welcome.
ELAM: This will be the final year for the Grammys on CBS. After 50 years, the ceremony moves to ABC.
MASON JR.: ABC, Disney is going to give us some different opportunities, different reach. Of course, the streaming, the global, thankful for CBS, but also very excited for our next deal.
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MICHAELSON: So we know they're two new categories this year.
ELAM: There are, and these are really brought on because of the members of the academy. This is not the academy saying. This is what we need to do. So The Recording Academy is added best traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. And they're saying this is part of their commitment to recognizing the broader changes within music. And you know, we've seen it. It's not as easy to say which genre goes in which category anymore.
MICHAELSON: And of course, the thing people really care about the Grammys is the performances.
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Some of the duo's the duets you don't see anywhere else. What do we know about the performance?
ELAM: Isn't are the best part of the Grammys.
MICHAELSON: Yes.
ELAM: Is seeing people together that you don't expect to come together? Well, we can expect Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter. We also know that Lauryn Hill is going to be there doing a tribute to D'Angelo and Roberta Flack, who both passed away last year. And the presenters, you've got everyone from Carole King to Karol G, Jeff Goldblum, it's running the gamut. They are doing so much to get the show on the air and entertaining to all of us.
MICHAELSON: Let's hope Lauryn Hill shows up on time. It's a live show.
ELAM: But if she is there, I'm expecting some magnificent energy there in her performance.
MICHAELSON: Well, you will be there on time. We'll check you out on the red carpet Sunday, right here on CNN.
ELAM: I'll be there.
MICHAELSON: Have fun, Stephanie.
ELAM: Thank you. Thanks for having me.
MICHAELSON: Thank you so much. Thank you as well for watching us here on "The Story Is" this week. I'll be back on Monday. Have a great weekend.
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