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The Story Is with Elex Michaelson

Iranians Mark Persian New Year, Muslims Celebrated Eid; Senate Committee Advances Mullin's Nomination To Lead DHS; Netanyahu: President Trump Is The Leader, I'm His Ally; BTS Drops First Album after 4-Year Hiatus for Military Service; Finland Named World's Happiest Country for 9th Year in a Row; Push to Rename Cesar Chavez Day after Abuse Allegations; Newly approved Weight Loss Pills Seeing Surge in Use; Bob Shrum Honored for Shaping Generations of Politics. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired March 20, 2026 - 01:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:00:28]

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: BTS is back. Just moments ago, the super popular k-pop group dropped a new album called "Are We Wrong?" This is their first album after taking off for four years to complete mandatory military service. The new album is a modern take on a beloved traditional Korean folk song of the same name which focuses on themes of love loss and separation. We will take you live to Seoul where there's a lot going on later this hour as we begin the next hour of The Story Is. But we start with the serious breaking news.

Welcome to a special edition of The Story Is I'm Elex Michaelson live in Washington tonight. And the top story is celebration amid wartime. Iranians are marking the Persian New Year today, a 3,000-year-old festival that heralds the start of spring. And in the Muslim world, it is the start of Eid al-Fitr, a holiday. That's three days marking the end of Ramadan. This is a live picture right now from Mecca. You can look at all of the people there gathering at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia to perform the Eid prayer.

Scenes from Northern Iraq show residents buying nuts and dried fruits and shopping for clothes. But the holy day is marred by war across the region with reports of new drone strikes from around the Gulf. Israeli sources confirm an Iranian ballistic missile struck an oil refinery in the Israeli port city of Haifa. So far no injuries reported emergency teams assessing the damage.

President Trump is denying a Reuters report that he is considering plans to deploy thousands of U.S. troops to the Middle East. He also says a Pentagon request for $200 billion in additional funding for the war is a "Small price to pay." President had this to say about the economic impact of the war as oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel before falling back a bit.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I saw what was happening in Iran and I said I hate to make this excursion but we're going to have to do it. And I actually thought the numbers would be worse. I thought that it would go up more than it did. And I said, you know, they do that. Oil prices will go up. The economy will go down a little bit. I thought it would be worse, much worse, actually. I thought there was a chance it could be much worse. It's not bad. And it's going to be over with pretty soon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: Israel's Prime Minister says he will hold off on attacks on Iran's gas fields after requests from President Trump. Benjamin Netanyahu insists Israel acted alone in striking the South Paris facility on Wednesday, South Pars facility I should say. Despite reports from U.S. and Israeli sources that Israel coordinated the attack with the U.S. The Prime Minister also says he is not sure who is running Iran after a number of its top leaders have been killed. CNN's Jeremy Diamond asked about the situation during a news conference, Thursday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: The Iranian regime is not showing any signs of collapse as of now. So I wonder what do you say to those who say that killing those individuals is in fact empowering the hardliners in Iran. And are you confident that your strategy will still lead to regime change?

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: What we see is that there's a lot of tensions inside the people who are edging for the top. I think it's important that they know that if they think they're going to target the world, target the president of the United States and so on, they themselves are being targeted. That creates a lot of uncertainty. I think the authority and the hold that Khamenei has had is not going to be translated to anyone, not too much to buy if he's there and not to anyone else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: We go live now to Abu Dhabi where Mina al Arabi, editor- in-chief of The National joins us now. Welcome to The Story Is for the first time.

MINA AL-ORAIBI, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, THE NATIONAL: Thank you for having me.

MICHAELSON: so we just saw those dramatic live pictures from Saudi Arabia. What is the significance of this holiday happening while there's war in the Middle East?

AL-ORAIBI: Unfortunately, Eid al-Fitr has passed in the wider region with war in different years particularly in Palestine and Lebanon in previous years. But this year of course is the first time that the Gulf is celebrating Eid going through this war. Of course, there are those in Iran, in Iraq and Lebanon, also in incredibly uncertain on volatile times in Eid.

[01:05:13]

Eid is a time for people to come together, communities to come together but also to count their blessings. And here in the Gulf, there is really a sense of course, sadness of the fact that this war has been imposed on the Gulf with Iran attacking the Gulf, despite the Gulf countries doing every diplomatic effort to avoid this war.

But there's also a sense of coming together in resilience. Eid prayers have been happening. People have gone to the mosques to conduct their prayers. The message from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was one of hope, saying that we will overcome these times. And so it is -- there's definitely a long shadow of war that's been cast here. There's also a sense of resilience and also people coming together. Eid al- Fitr, of course marks the end of Ramadan 30 days of fasting where many a time people were breaking their fast as the alerts of sirens that come through the phone telling people to shelter away from missiles. It's been an exceptional year.

MICHAELSON: Yes, and maybe we can take this picture full, this is a live picture from Beirut that we are looking at right now as well. So there are celebrations going on throughout the Middle East as we just looked at those live pictures from Saudi Arabia as well. Now, over next door to Beirut and in Israel, Jeremy Diamond today talked with Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister. And he says I have no idea who's in charge of Iran right now. The supposed new Ayatollah, we haven't seen him at all on camera. Who is running that country? Who's in charge of Iran right now?

AL-ORAIBI: The lack of appearance of the new Ayatollah absolutely raises questions about his ability to actually lead. Now some in Iran have said that he has not appeared for his safety seeing as Iranian leaders have been taken out one after the other by Israeli strikes.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

AL-ORAIBI: But you would think that's a man that's going to take over power in the country at this critical moment. We'd at least send an audio message to his team. We haven't even heard his voice, which really raises suspicions. Also the command and control structure of Iranian military and the IRGC has been, in large part, broken up with the assassinations that have happened since the start of the war on the 28th of February.

So the questions about who actually rules Iran are valid and many people are asking those questions. But also the Iranian regime has many different cells that continue to operate. They, from the very beginning, said that there is a direction for different armed groups and the IRGC to operate even if they're not getting direct commands because they have been absolutely disrupted by the war.

So ultimate decision maker if there was for example to be a ceasefire, it's unclear who that would be especially since you've had Larijani taken out, Ali Larijani was head of the security services but also had a very important role and probably was number two after any company the supreme leader who was also assassinated.

MICHAELSON: Despite all those deaths, despite all of the missile attacks and everything. I mean Iran still fighting, right? I mean and we see what they're doing in terms of oil. Is that the best way to get at the U.S.?

AL-ORAIBI: Well, Iran first of all has been preparing this for many, many years. They have always had this idea that they would be attacked and have found different ways to keep the fight and for the Iranian regime, winning is just survival.

And so yes, they are surviving at the moment. However, there's incredible damage first of all the poor Iranian people that are having to go through this incredible war. But also what is the end game for them beyond survival is not clear. You're right, energy is a way to get the attention of the world. The fact that the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed by them is a way to get the whole world to care because unfortunately often it's money and markets that get the attention of the world.

However, they are much weaker in terms of their ability to launch missiles and drones while they still can. They're much reduced compared to where we were three weeks ago when the war started.

MICHAELSON: Mina, thank you so much for sharing your perspective live from Abu Dhabi.

Americans have reacted to the war with a mix of fear frustration and support. Some worried about safety and an increase in the cost of living while others say this conflict was a long time coming.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean killing people's never right. And I just am afraid all the time about like the retaliation that can come back, not only on our citizens here, but citizens abroad as well. So it just creates danger for Americans wherever we all may be.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think a lot of people that are younger, it's scary for them.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, we should have did it a long time ago, personally. But, you know, Trump's a man of his word and, you know, you're not just going to threaten America. So even if gas prices have to go up for a little bit, they will come back down, guaranteed they will.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[01:10:13]

MICHAELSON: The top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee tells CNN that a deal to reopen the Department of Homeland Security is a long ways away. Lawmakers have spent weeks without any breakthroughs as Democrats push for a significant overhaul to immigration enforcement. A group of Senate Appropriators met with White House Borders Czar, Tom Homan, on Capitol Hill, Thursday. One of those senators Republican Katie Britt, signaled that negotiations are at least moving in the right direction.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KATIE BRITT (R-AL): It is my hope that we will get something back from the Democrats in short order just so that we can continue to see, you know, what is the pathway forward? Is there one? What is it? And then how do we work through any differences we may have? But first up is dialogue. And this is the very first time that we've had that today.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: President Trump's pick to lead Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin is one step closer to getting the job. Democratic Senator John Fetterman joined Republicans on the committee to advance Mullin's nomination on Thursday. That means the full Senate is set to vote on it as early as next week. Fetterman explained his decision saying he went in the confirmation hearing with an open mind. He says he chose to back Mullin because of their, "Strong, committed, constructive working relationship."

I caught up with Democratic Senator Gary Peters earlier who was the top Democrat on the committee overseeing Mullin's nomination.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Senator Gary Peters, welcome to The Story Is.

SEN. GARY PETERS (D-MI): Great to be with you.

MICHAELSON: This is a big week for you. You were the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee hearing Markwayne Mullin. Is Markwayne Mullin and upgrade over Kristi Noem?

PETERS: I would say, you know, he wouldn't if it's an upgrade it's because it's an extremely low bar.

MICHAELSON: OK.

PETERS: But still I don't believe that he's qualified and really has what we need for the next secretary and therefore I voted no.

MICHAELSON: How do you think the policies of the Department of Homeland Security change with him if at all?

PETERS: I don't think they don't change at all because I -- we saw that certainly with Secretary Noem. I think it's going to be the same if he ends up being confirmed. You basically haven't run out of the White House. You have Stephen Miller that's calling most of the shots. And so the policies that we had that the Trump administration had in the past are going to be the same. He's going to be a figurehead.

MICHAELSON: What's your biggest objection to him? Why do you think he's not qualified? PETERS: Well, I've coupled but one is his temperament. And the fact that right now what we need for a secretary is to really rebuild trust with the Department of Homeland Security, you know, that trust has been shattered over the last few months. And gaining trust back is important and it takes time. Here we have a gentleman who even in a Senate hearing got up and wanted to have a fight with one of the witnesses. Has a temperament of knowing of being somewhat of a hothead. And that's not someone who should be overseeing ice officers and CBP at a time when we want to actually have the temperature come down.

MICHAELSON: Did he mend fences with the guy that he almost got into a fight with and he's there backing him up?

PETERS: Well, he did but, you know, he -- the behavior that he exhibited there was simply unacceptable.

MICHAELSON: It comes at a very interesting time for Department of Homeland Security. Obviously, there's this fight over funding.

PETERS: Right.

MICHAELSON: Where are we at in terms of the negotiations on that? Are we close to a deal?

PETERS: Well, I don't think we're that close which is a concern when it comes to just having guardrails in place. So there's two elements here to talk about. First is what we want as Democrats, we want to have common-sense guardrails when federal officers are on the streets of our cities like Los Angeles or Minneapolis and that they should have the same rules that local police have, same rules the local police in L.A. have. That seems like common sense. Republicans aren't willing to do that.

So we're saying we don't want to give any more money to CBP. And I -- so let's be clear, both of those agencies are fully funded. They were funded last year in the big bill that passed. The other parts of DHS haven't been funded and we want to fund those, that's TSA, FEMA, CISA, which is our cyber agency and the Coast Guard.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

PETERS: We put bills on the floor just to do that, pay them. They're not part of this negotiation. We've put those bills seven times on the floor. They have to be unanimous consent because the Senate is run by the Republicans not us. But they will pass unless they're objected to. And every time Democrats have put those on the floor, Republicans have objected. We could pass it tonight. I could go and put a U.C. bill to make sure TSA is fully funded. And if Republicans didn't object like they have the past few times it would be fun.

MICHAELSON: I mean, what's the objective?

PETERS: What's the what?

MICHAELSON: What's the objection? PETERS: There shouldn't be an objection. The objection is that they basically want to use them as hostage. So you'll see them out there talking about look at these long lines at TSA. Just vote for all of these different agencies. There's no reason we have to do that. And basically they just don't want to put it in common sense protections. And things like search warrants that you have to have a judicial warrant before someone knocks down your door, they should have a judicial warrant. That's a constitutional item and yet they're not unwilling to put that in.

[01:15:12]

MICHAELSON: Meanwhile, that's happening, we've got the war with Iran, which is why some of the Republicans say we've got to fund everything. But where do you see the war right now? President Trump says it's making it safer. We're getting rid of the number one sponsor of terrorism around the world.

PETERS: Well, right now, I don't know where we are. It's difficult to know exactly where we are. We don't get that kind of information from the administration. But what we do know is now, because the Straits of Hormuz are closed, that we have an energy crisis that's been really, folks have said it's probably the most significant energy crisis we've had. Gas prices are up. My home state of Michigan, gas is roughly $4 a gallon. That's up about a dollar from where it was a long time ago.

MICHAELSON: California, we wish we would have that.

PETERS: Well, I'm sure.

MICHAELSON: You guys make the cars.

PETERS: We make the cars. Yes. I'm sure your gas is way up, too. But for Michigan, when you have a dollar increase in a gallon, whether it's California or if it's Michigan, that impacts average families in a major way. And so those costs are going up. That's what I'm hearing. And we need to figure that out. And quite frankly, I'm a little surprised from my discussions in the Armed Services Committee that they didn't really have a full plan when this war started, which is unacceptable.

MICHAELSON: What leverage do you have?

PETERS: Well, they're coming to look for money. The President today or Secretary Hegseth talked about a $200 billion appropriation. And it's interesting. They say, we're going to go back to Congress to get money. I have to remind them, they never came to Congress to actually get authorization as required under the Constitution. And now they're coming for more money.

MICHAELSON: We'll see how that fight goes. Senator Gary Peters, thanks for being here. Appreciate it.

PETERS: Thank you. Thank you.

(END VIDEOTAPE) MICHAELSON: By the way, in terms of gas prices right now, in Michigan, average price is $3.91. In California, it's $5.62.

The family of a University of Alabama college student who went missing in Spain says they are working with local authorities to figure out what happened after 20-year-old Jimmy Gracey was found dead in Barcelona. CNN's Marybel Gonzalez has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARYBEL GONZALEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): James Jimmy Gracey, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Alabama, was last seen by a friend around 3:00 a.m. local time Tuesday outside a Barcelona nightclub called Shoko. Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson from Barcelona law enforcement confirms Gracey's body was recovered in shallow waters off Somorrostro Beach, a stretch of beach in front of the nightclub.

The spokesperson says, "Everything points to it being an accident, not a criminal act." Gracey's aunt spoke to CNN before his body was recovered and described his good character.

BETH MARREN O'REILLY, AUNT OF JIMMY GRACEY: Jimmy is a great kid, Midwest guy, loving life down at University of Alabama, chaplain of his fraternity, honors student in the accounting program there, beloved son of his mom and dad, great older brother, hockey player.

GONZALEZ (voice-over): Gracey arrived to the city Monday to visit friends for spring break and went out that night but got separated from the group.

CAVIN MCLAY, FRIEND OF JIMMY GRACEY: We've been working closely with local authorities and Senator Britt's office, State Department, U.S. Embassy here in Barcelona.

GONZALEZ (voice-over): Employees at Shoko nightclub declined to comment about Gracey's disappearance but confirmed they have turned over CCTV footage to police. It's unclear whether the security footage shows Gracey. Gracey's mother says police also have his phone, who said it was recovered after being stolen.

I'm Marybel Gonzalez reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Still ahead, we hear more from the Israeli prime minister, what Benjamin Netanyahu is saying about President Trump and Israel's partnership with the U.S.

[01:18:42]

Also ahead, one-on-one with legendary political strategist, Bob Shrum. We discuss the war with Iran and President Trump, plus his advice for Democrats and Republicans going into the midterms. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) MICHAELSON: The United Nations shipping agency says it plans to start negotiations for a humanitarian corridor in the Strait of Hormuz. The organization says about 20,000 seafarers are trapped in the Gulf because of the war with Iran. It's unclear when the negotiations will start or whether Iran would even cooperate. The U.N. says at least seven sailors have been killed in the Gulf since the war started.

The Israeli prime minister says his country acted alone in a strike on Iran's gas fields. It was a major escalation in the war. But Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will halt any plans for similar attacks after requests from President Trump. CNN's Jeremy Diamond asked about that during a news conference.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DIAMOND: You've also indicated today that you made a commitment to President Trump not to strike these oil and gas facilities in the future. Should President Trump come to you one day and say oil prices are too high. It's time to end this war. Will you listen to him? And do you need the United States in order to continue this campaign alone?

NETANYAHU: I don't think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader. I'm, you know, his ally. America is the leader. Israel is as the National Security Memorandum described us, I think a month ago, six months and six weeks ago, I think something like that they called Israel the model ally. That's how they call, the model ally. It's not a superpower. But America is seeking around the world.

[01:24:58]

And you hear it from the speeches of President Trump and others in the administration, they say, where are you? You know we've helped you all these years. Where are you when we're doing something that is as important at least as important for you as it is important for us?

And yet one country is there and against all the vilifications that are leveled at Israel. Israel is sponging off America and all that. No it's not. It's not. Israel is a brave country a resolute country with an incredible army, incredible soldiers, incredible courage. And we're fighting alongside the United States when the chips are down.

We're fighting with the United States. We're fighting for a common goal. So I can tell you that that's the most important coordination. But in practice President Trump and I speak regularly. You know, we discuss things, our staff discuss things, our militaries are in close coordination as never before. But ultimately, President Trump makes his own decisions. And do I respect them? Yes I do.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: The U.S. war with Iran is one of the topics I discussed with Bob Shrum. He is considered a legendary Democratic strategist working on presidential and congressional campaigns as well as state and local races. I caught up with him in Washington as USC was honoring his career. And I asked him about President Trump's handling of the war.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: Bob Shrum, welcome. Good to see you.

BOB SHRUM, DIRECTOR, USC DORNSIFE CENTER FOR THE POLITICAL FUTURE: Nice to see you.

MICHAELSON: Congratulations on tonight. Where do you see sort of the political reality for President Trump? How has this war changed his political reality?

SHRUM: Well he was already in trouble. I mean if you looked at the public opinion polls, he was deep in negative territory even on immigration which had been his strongest issue. I think the war now is becoming very frustrating to people. It's taking affordability that that buzzword that we now use for what it costs to go to the grocery store and it's driving it through the roof. And even a lot of his best supporters who have a lot of money in the stock market aren't very happy right now.

MICHAELSON: You're a strategist. What would your advice be to Democrats running in this environment?

SHRUM: Well, I think --

MICHAELSON: In terms of a message.

SHRUM: Well, they're going to have to talk about affordability.

MICHAELSON: Yes.

SHRUM: I mean that's central. Secondly we're going to have to see where the war goes. I mean we have no idea how this comes out. It's very dangerous. You put American troops on the ground which I think we may do. And you don't know where that's going to turn out and you don't know how people are going to react to it. I suspect there'll be a tremendous reaction against it.

MICHAELSON: Where does Trump go to sort of regain his footing? Where do Republicans go? What would your advice be to them?

SHRUM: Well he wouldn't take my advice but I think that they -- the immigration enforcement ought to change and ought to go back to what he said during the campaign which was they were going to deport people who had committed serious crimes. I think they ought to recognize that they've got to find some diplomatic way. And it's going to be very difficult given all the people who've been killed in the leadership of Iran, some diplomatic way out of this. The Iranians were apparently willing to give up their 60 percent enriched uranium. That may no longer be true.

MICHAELSON: Bob Shrum always great to talk to you. Thank you so much.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: More on the event honoring Bob at the end of the show.

But now to this awkward moment here in Washington earlier as President Trump hosted the prime minister of Japan. A Japanese reporter asked why he didn't notify Japan and other allies about his plan to attack Iran. In response Trump invoked the 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: One thing you don't want to signal too much. You know, when we go in we went in very hard and we didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? OK. Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor? OK. Right? He's asking me. You believe in surprise. I think much more so than us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: He was referring, of course, to Japan's surprise attack that pulled the U.S. into World War II and left more than 2,400Americans dead. Japanese prime minister did not comment on that reference.

[01:29:40]

Big news about the return of BTS. Just ahead, we'll have a live report from South Korea about the K-Pop album millions of fans have been waiting for.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:34:10]

ELEX MICHAELSON, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to THE STORY IS. I'm Elex Michaelson.

Let's take a look at today's top stories.

Two sources tell CNN a U.S. fighter jet was forced to make an emergency landing after it was hit by suspected Iranian fire. A spokesperson for U.S. Central Command confirmed that the F-35, like the one seen here, was flying a combat mission over Iran when it made the landing. If confirmed, this would be the first time Iran has hit an American aircraft since the war started last month.

Lebanon's prime minister is asking the U.S. president to help stop the fighting in his country.

[01:34:41]

MICHAELSON: During an exclusive interview with CNN, Nawaf Salam called for an immediate ceasefire and direct talks with Israel. He said Donald Trump is best placed to end the war.

Britain is sending a small number of military planners to work with the U.S. on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. A British defense official says the goal is to come up with a viable collective plan to get oil tankers moving through the strategic channel.

On Thursday, six U.S. allies said they are ready to contribute to what they call appropriate efforts to ensure passage through the waterway.

All right. There has been a lot of serious news, but let's take a moment to have a little bit of fun. And this is a story a lot of people care about.

BTS is back. The super popular K-Pop group just dropped a new album called "Arirang". It's their first album after taking off for four years to complete mandatory military service.

The new album is a modern take on a beloved traditional Korean folk song of the same name, which focuses on themes of love, loss and separation.

CNN's Hanako Montgomery is live right now from Seoul, South Korea. Is there literally a party on the streets? Are people walking down the streets singing the songs already? What's happening?

HANAKO MONTGOMERY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Elex, I'm actually in a public square right now where for the past couple of hours, fans have been gathering to watch this massive screen behind me.

And that is because there's been a teaser showing one of BTS' new songs from their recently released album "Arirang". And fans here they have been watching it on their phones. They've been listening to the music, taking photos. I mean, literally squealing because they're so excited about this new album.

And Elex, I remember when BTS announced that they had to go on a hiatus back in 2022, they said to fans that this was temporary, that they were going to be back, and they urged fans to wait for them.

And clearly they've delivered on that promise because the excitement here is just absolutely palpable.

We spoke to one fan who said that she had literally no words to express her excitement. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I cannot put it in words. like we waited for them for almost four years. And I became an Army almost eight years ago, and it's my very first time to see all seven of them on stage.

I saw them in their solo concerts but never as a group. So it's my very first time to see all of them on stage. And I cannot put it in words -- it's impossible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MONTGOMERY: I mean, clearly she's, you know, moved to tears because she's just so thrilled to see her favorite boy band back better than ever. And of course, BTS is returning to a music scene that is much bigger, much better also. But many of BTS' fans, I mean millions of them, believe that they are

still the kings of pop. And there's just so much enthusiasm about this free concert happening tomorrow.

And Elex, I do want to point out here that Seoul as a city is preparing for this massive public safety undertaking that this free concert requires. They're actually expecting more than a quarter of a million people just surrounding that public venue, just to get a glimpse of BTS. And only a fraction of those people actually have tickets.

So most of them are going to be hanging around that public square just to, again, get a glimpse of BTS after they've returned for a much- awaited free concert, Elex.

MICHAELSON: So -- so the album dropped about an hour and a half ago, right? How is it? Have you listened to it yet?

MONTGOMERY: I have, I mean, you know, I don't really have a choice to because it's been playing right behind me. And of course, this album, I mean, so much enthusiasm around it.

It is named "Arirang", which harkens back to this folk song that has a lot of association in Korea for its national identity.

And also a lot of fans that we've spoken to have said that this album, "Arirang", is very special because, again it really seems as though the boy band is emphasizing their Korean roots, showing how important it is to be Korean for them. And also showing how this is a huge Korean export that they want to take to the world, and they want to show the world what really K-Pop is capable of. And clearly they have a lot of influence in this music scene.

And Elex, I do want to point out here that they are going on a world tour after this free concert on Saturday. And they are expected to perform in Los Angeles where you are. So I hope you have your tickets ready, Elex.

MICHAELSON: I remember when they came before. It was a phenomenon. It really is something. So really the three biggest names in music right now are BTS, Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift. And I don't know who's number one on that list, but they're all pretty close.

CNN's Hanako Montgomery, thank you so much. Enjoy it. I'm sure the music is going to keep going and going and going.

Now let's talk about happiness, which a lot of people are very happy when they're at a BTS concert.

Happiness is a state of mind. Whatever it is, Finland is good at it. Topping the list of the world's happiest countries for the ninth year in a row.

[01:39:47]

MICHAELSON: But this year's report warns that happiness among young people is actually declining, and social media is a key reason why.

Natalie Haytayan reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NATALIE HAYTAYAN, CNN PRODUCER: In the world's happiest country ranking, one place keeps coming out on top. Finland is still the happiest country in the world.

But in some parts of the world, happiness is falling. Gallup just released its annual World Happiness Report. And for the ninth year in a row, Finland ranked number one. Iceland and Denmark are right behind it. And Costa Rica hit the highest ranking ever for Latin American country, fourth.

The U.S. didn't even make the top 20. In fact, for the second year in a row, no English-speaking country cracked the top 10.

The rankings are based on years of surveys from more than 140 countries, looking at things like income, social support, life expectancy, and corruption.

But this year, researchers pointed to another factor that could impact happiness among young people -- social media use.

They say it could be contributing to falling happiness among young people, particularly those spending five hours or more a day on social media.

And it's not just how much time people spend, but how they use it. Messaging and staying connected is linked to higher well-being, while endless scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds are tied to lower life satisfaction.

So, no matter where you are, a little less scream time could do some good for your well-being.

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MICHAELSON: You're watching THE STORY IS.

For our international viewers, "WORLD SPORT" is next. For our viewers here in North America, we will have more on what's happening with Cesar Chavez, plus a big moment in California.

Stay with us. You're watching THE STORY IS from D.C. tonight.

[01:41:32]

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MICHAELSON: After decades of celebrating Cesar Chavez Day on March 31st, the city of Los Angeles is switching the name of the holiday to Farm Workers Day. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass signed a proclamation making that change after a bombshell report from "The New York Times" revealed allegations of sexual abuse. The late civil rights icon is accused of abusing women and girls while

leading the movement for farm workers' rights.

Honors for Chavez are being reconsidered nationwide, with calls to recognize the movement instead of the man.

California congresswoman and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi backed that approach in an exclusive interview with me tonight.

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NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), SPEAKER EMERITA: Our thoughts and prayers, of course first go to the survivors, as well as some of the others, especially the minors, especially the minors who were affected by this when they were little girls.

The -- look, a movement is not just about one person. It isn't. It's about the values that propel it. And those values are still there. So I think that we praise the work of the farm workers and take down any recognition of Cesar Chavez.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: We've literally started to see statues come down in some parts of the country already.

A dramatic development in the world of GLP-1 medications. New data shows recently approved weight loss pills are being swallowed up at a remarkable rate. It's been just under three months since Wegovy's pill alternative to their injectable hit the market. Since then, close to half a million Americans have started taking it every day.

As CNN medical correspondent Meg Tirrell reports, even more options are on the horizon.

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MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Weight loss treatment, of course, has already been transformed in the past few years by drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. But new medicines are being developed at an incredible pace.

And in fact, earlier on Thursday, the FDA just approved a new higher dose version of Wegovy, which produces even more weight loss.

Also on Thursday morning, another drug company, Eli Lilly, reported results from an experimental drug.

So it's still in clinical trials that has been showing even higher levels of weight loss than currently available medicines in the realm of about 30 percent of participant's body weight.

We are also seeing, of course, daily pill versions of these medicines, as well as companies that are working on longer acting versions where folks would only need to give themselves injections once a month instead of the currently available once a week shots. So this is changing fast, but there's been a lot of uptake of these

new options. Of course, the pill version that's currently on the market is called the Wegovy pill that was just approved by the FDA in December.

It hit the market in January. And already according to some Wall Street estimates, about 400,000 people are taking this pill version. Some say this is the fastest drug launch in history, meaning the fastest number of people starting a new medicine in the shortest period of time.

And there is a second weight loss pill that's expected to come to market just in the next few months. So this is going to continue to change pretty quickly.

Now access to these medications can be tricky for a lot of people still. They've been very pricey, but prices have started to come down as well, especially if folks are paying out-of-pocket, cash pay, not using their insurance. Because insurance coverage for many people for weight loss can still be pretty spotty.

Under an agreement with the Trump administration, both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the makers of these weight loss pills, have agreed to price the starting doses at $149 a month out-of-pocket.

So that is sort of a new low price that we've been seeing for these medications in a way that many people are accessing them.

However, that is still more than folks would typically pay if they just had a copay for their insurance. So this can still be tricky. Higher doses can still cost hundreds of dollars a month out-of-pocket. It is becoming more accessible. Still a problem we're hearing about, though from doctors and patients

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MICHAELSON: So many people impacted. Up next, a tribute to a legend in politics.

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MICHAELSON: California Governor Gavin Newsom welcoming the newest class of the California Hall of Fame late tonight. The 19th annual event featured big names from the arts, entertainment, sports, politics and academics. They include Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis, the Governator himself Arnold Schwarzenegger who sent in a video of him from, where else, Golds Gym, plus social justice advocate John Burton, bestselling author Terry McMillan, among others.

Organizers say the inductees all contribute to California's role as a global hub of culture and innovation.

Well, some call Bob Shrum the most talented political speechwriter of his generation. He played a key role in presidential campaigns from John Kerry to John F. Kennedy and countless others, even in Britain and Israel.

And he wrote a legendary speech for Ted Kennedy back in 1980.

[01:54:47]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TED KENNEDY (D-MA), FORMER SENATOR: Work goes on. The cause endures the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: One of the most famous lines in political speechwriting history.

Bob was a defender of civil political discourse, a mentor for me and others at USC's Center for the Political Future.

His idea in creating that, create a bipartisan center to prove that political opponents aren't enemies. He did it with Mike Murphy right there.

Well, now Bob is retiring, and tonight I had the honor of emceeing an event celebrating his legacy, pushing for a politics that is more respectful and more bipartisan.

And I asked the speakers at that event a simple question.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: In a sentence, what is Bob Shrum's legacy?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A master political tactician.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST, "HARDBALL": A great speechwriter, not only knows the rhythm and the cadence of the speaker, he knows the music.

PELOSI: I would say Bob Shrum is a masterful strategist, speechwriter, and a dear friend.

MICHAELSON: How would you describe your legacy in a sentence?

BOB SHRUM, FORMER DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST:: Oddly, I'd start with friendship because I have an enormous number of people I care about. And I hope and I believe they care about me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAELSON: In a city known for sharp elbows and sharper words, Bob Shrum built a career on using words to lift people up.

Thanks for watching tonight's special edition of THE STORY IS from Washington.

I'm Elex Michaelson.

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