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What We Know with Max Foster

Trump Attends State Dinner In Qatar In Second Mideast Stop; Trump Meets Syrian Leader After Vowing Sanctions Relief; Zelenskyy Insists Peace Talks Must Involve Putin Himself; Menendez Brothers Eligible For Parole After Judge's Ruling; Daughter Of Crypto Boss Escapes Kidnapping Attempt; Trump Brand Expands As U.S. Strengthens Middle East Ties; Cassie Ventura Testifies To Drug Use, Abuse, "Freak Offs". Aired 3-4p ET

Aired May 14, 2025 - 15:00   ET

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


[15:00:47]

MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: President Trump in Qatar, where he's just signed a deal worth hundreds of billions of dollars, on top of all the

money he got in Saudi Arabia.

This is WHAT WE KNOW.

The U.S. president securing huge financial commitments whilst taking what appears to be a new foreign policy approach to that region, the Middle

East.

The president attending a state dinner in Doha as we speak. His visit comes amid mounting criticism over his plan to accept a luxury jet worth hundreds

of millions of dollars from the Qatari government as a gift. He also oversaw the signing of a deal for the country to buy 160 jets. Would you

believe that, of course, is from the U.S. manufacturer. It's Boeing.

Becky Anderson is due to speak with the Qatari prime minister. In the next few minutes. We'll bring you that live. And as it happens. So that's going

to be fascinating to see.

But, first, we're going to go to the White House. Alayna Treene is there for us.

I mean, it has been a really busy trip, hasn't it, Alayna?

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes, for sure. And it's still not over. I mean, this is just the second of three stops that the president is

planning on making. You mentioned that from an economic standpoint, it has been a massive achievement for President Donald Trump and his

administration to secure such investments from these different foreign governments.

And that really was the goal and purpose of this trip. You know, they wanted to secure these, what they are calling economic agreements, to show

that they have great partners with their now allies in the Middle East, which the president is making very clear on this trip, how much he liked.

You can kind of see from his expression on each of these trips, when he's shaking hands with these foreign leaders, that he's really enjoying this

part of that, of course, because they have been rolling out the red or in some cases, I should say, purple carpet for the president, you know,

greeting him with all of the pomp and circumstance that we know he has enjoyed, particularly on his last visit when he first went on his first

trip during his first administration, as well to the region.

But the one thing about Qatar and this visit today that I do want to highlight, is what you mentioned about the plane, and I'm really eager to

see this interview that Becky is going to be doing with Qatar's foreign minister, because I think this is, of course, one of the big things that

everyone is really watching for is what is going to happen about this $400 million jet that the Qataris apparently are going to be gifting? In the

president's words and President Trump's words to the United States free of charge.

Of course, there are so many questions about how that would actually work, but also if it's ethical. I mean, we've now heard from a growing number of

not just Democrats, but also Republicans on Capitol Hill who are very wary of this, some outright saying that it is illegal, that it could be

potential corruption, that, of course, it raises major ethical concerns.

And so, a lot of people trying to pay close attention to that. And then, of course, the other part of this is, is what would the security adjustments

be needed to actually retrofit this to be Air Force One? All questions. Of course, we haven't fully gotten answers to just yet.

FOSTER: Yeah. Which will have a cost in itself, won't it? People are talking about tens of millions of dollars, but we'll wait and see what

happens with that.

Alayna, thank you.

Earlier, President Trump met with the Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. This just six months after al-Sharaa led a swift campaign

ending the Assad family's half century rule.

Here's Mr. Trump's first impression of the jihadist-turned-president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REPORTER: How did you find the Syrian president?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Great, great. I think very good. Young, attractive guy. Tough guy. You know, strong past. Very strong

past. Fighter.

REPORTER: Does that worry you?

TRUMP: He's got a -- he's got a real shot at pulling it together. I spoke with President Erdogan, who I'm very friendly with and he -- he feels he's

got a shot at doing a good job. It's a -- it's a torn up country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: So what we want to know, what was the reaction to that in Syria?

Joining me now is Rim Turkmani, a member of the advisory board to the U.N. special envoy to Syria.

Thank you for joining us. And you've just returned, I know, haven't you? So I want to ask you a bit about what it's like there at the moment.

But, you know, it's extraordinary to see that moment, wasn't it, the two presidents shaking hands, the Syrian president being praised by Donald

Trump because it was, you know, until recently, he had this $10 million bounty on his head.

[15:05:18]

It's a remarkable turnaround.

RIM TURKMANI, DIRECTOR OF SYRIA CONFLICT RESEARCH PROGRAMME, LSE: It is absolutely remarkable. Unbelievable. But, you know, it's always been the

case with Trump that he's very unpredictable. It is the first time in American president meets a Syrian one in 25 years. So that is very

significant.

But this is not any Syrian president. That is a Syrian president that remains until now designated as a terrorist and the organization that he

used to lead also as terrorist organizations by the U.S. This is a president who used to be close to Ayman al Zawahiri, the brain behind 9/11.

So, to see that handshake today and the announcement of lifting the sanctions is absolutely significant.

FOSTER: How would it have been received in Syria? Because online, when I posted about it, many Syrians were saying, you know, this is the guy that

we swept to power. He's a good guy. And don't dwell on the past. Is that the general view?

TURKMANI: I would put al-Sharaa aside and I would focus on the Syrian reaction to the announcement of the sanctions going to be lifted. It was

overwhelming feeling of joy across the board everywhere in Syria. It was equivalent to the joy of the toppling of the Assad regime.

And it really speaks to the daily suffering. People were living because of the sanctions that should not have been imposed in the first place and

should not be so tied to certain difficult conditionality. They should not be. They should -- the sanctions should be lifted full stop.

So, whoever delivers the lifting of the sanctions will certainly become more and more popular. Now, how long this is going to last? We don't know.

But again, we have to look at that overwhelming joy. It just brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of how difficult life was because of these

sanctions, people assets suddenly became worse and worth nothing.

They were isolated from the rest of the world. They can't use a card. They can't go online. All websites are blocked, and suddenly, they feel that the

rest of the world is going to recognize their presence and their suffering again.

FOSTER: I mean, what that country's been through, over the months and years has been extraordinary. And those pictures said it all, didn't' it?

But what was interesting here as well was that this was organized. This meeting was organized by the Saudis, right? So, this was seen as a coup for

the Saudis. Is that because the Saudis need to keep Syria on side? They believe in the current leadership and they want to strengthen it, and they

don't want to risk anyone coming to power in Syria that might not work for Saudi Arabia.

TURKMANI: I think they don't want to risk an Iranian comeback to the Levant, to Syria. And, you know, other countries in the Levant. So that's

important. They certainly want leverage and dominance in Syria. It's a very bold move and said Iran is a is one of their top interests.

And the Syrian president is delivering on that. And yeah, it's -- there is also I have there is a genuine concern on behalf of Syria, Saudi Arabia

about the Syrian people because they have been trying to help in the last few years, and their hands were very tight because of the American

sanctions, the Caesar Act even stopped them not only from being able to help the Syrians and sending aid, but even to deal with companies like,

lets help, you know, recovering the industry, for example. They can't do that because of the sanctions. Syrian peoples in Saudi Arabia cannot wire

money to Syria because of the sanctions.

So, they saw firsthand what these sanctions mean for the ordinary Syrian people. Syria was in financial isolation. That should not have been there

in the first place. And if the U.S. really is concerned about terrorism, then they should help not only lifting the sanctions but also take other

measures that end this financial isolation, which are related to things like the awful regulations, the financial action task force regulations,

which are related to the issue of terrorism. And these actors being designated as terrorists. Yeah.

FOSTER: Thank you. Rim Turkmani, really appreciate you. And giving the view from Syria from that meeting after we've heard so much from the American

perspective today.

Now, potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are just hours away, and it's still unclear who will be at the negotiation table in Turkey.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says he'll only participate in talks if Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, attends. U.S. Secretary of State Marco

Rubio has now arrived in Turkey, but we don't know if the U.S. president, Donald Trump will make it to.

[15:10:06]

He said earlier that the Russian president would like him to be there so he could have this potential meeting of these three big powers would be

extraordinary to see.

Nick Paton Walsh reports now from Kyiv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK PATON WALSH, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT: I think in terms of how Ukraine views the diplomatic process, if Russia doesn't

turn up to this meeting or indeed declare a ceasefire, like we heard yesterday when speaking to President Zelenskyy during a press conference,

that to Ukraine would potentially signal an end to negotiations. Although Ukraine's position does appear to be as flexible as it can be, potentially,

the Russian position is exceptionally hard to define frankly.

Publicly, they're very maximalist in what they indeed want, and we don't know who they currently intend to send to Istanbul. We know that Zelenskyy

is flying to Ankara tomorrow, potentially in the morning, to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. They may then end up in Istanbul.

If indeed there is a sign of a meeting. There have been indications, according to Reuters, that, Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco

Rubio, national security advisor Marco Rubio attend to both go to Istanbul, maybe on Friday, potentially widening the window for these talks.

We've just heard, though, in the last hour or so from Zelenskyy in terms of how they would respond to a Putin no show that, he says, I'm waiting to see

who comes from Russia, and then I will determine what steps Ukraine should take the signals from them. He means Russia in the media are still

unconvincing.

He also says I'm also hearing Trump is considering coming to Turkey. This could be the strongest argument. A week can change a lot, but it also can

dot, dot, dot. Everything is being decided right now. So look, this is a very complicated moment.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Nick Paton Walsh speaking there.

Now, the director of Gaza's health ministry has released new footage of an Israeli strike on the European hospital in Khan Younis. Sources say the

target was the de facto leader of Hamas. We don't know if Mohammed Sinwar was amongst the 28 people killed.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond has more. We warn you, you're about to see some disturbing scenes.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESP[ONDENT: Well, there's still no confirmation on whether those Israeli airstrikes at a hospital in southern

Gaza actually killed their intended target. That target, of course, was Mohammed Sinwar, Hamas's de facto leader in Gaza, whom Israel targeted with

a series of very powerful airstrikes on the European hospital in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.

And we can see from videos of the moment of impact on the CCTV video, the power of this blast that even threw people into the air, who were standing

in the courtyard of that European hospital, as well as in footage of the aftermath of that strike.

You can see these enormous craters that were caused by what appears to be a very large bunker busting bombs designed to target underground

infrastructure. And indeed, the Israeli military claimed that there was an underground facility underneath or near that European hospital in Gaza,

where they claim, according to our sources, that Mohammed Sinwar was located. It could take days or perhaps even weeks before the military is

actually able to confirm whether or not he was killed in this strike.

But in the meantime, we are aware of other casualties as a result of this strike, at least 28 people were killed, according to the Palestinian

ministry of health. More than 50 others injured in a strike that also damaged that hospital. It comes at a time when hospitals in Gaza are

already suffering under the strain of a lack of fuel, a lack of medical supplies. Getting into Gaza as Israels total siege of the strip now

stretches into its third month.

It was just one of a series of very deadly strikes that we have seen in Gaza over the course of the last 24 hours or so, including strikes in

northern Gaza that killed more than 50 people. Bodies were flowing into the Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza, including the bodies of many children

and one baby carried by his father.

And you can see the toll, as Israel not only seems to be continuing, but intensifying these airstrikes even as negotiations are ongoing, including

in the Qatari capital of Doha, to see if a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas can be reached. In the wake of Hamas choosing to release

the last living American hostage, Edan Alexander.

Indeed, the Israeli military is. Operations appear to be intensifying in Gaza, with the IDF issuing an evacuation order for large swaths of the al-

Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City. The Israeli military, saying that Hamas is embedded in civilian infrastructure in that area and vowing that there will

be intense strikes there.

[15:15:08]

Those evacuation orders prompted panic, including at Gaza's al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where patients began to leave as soon as those

evacuation orders were issued. The hospital later got a call telling them that they were not actually part of the evacuation orders, despite that

hospital having been specifically mentioned in a tweet by the Israeli military's Arabic language spokesman.

Several schools in that area that have become shelters for displaced Palestinians were included in this evacuation order, and that sent panic

coursing among thousands of displaced Palestinians in that area, many of whom were uncertain of what to do. Given that this evacuation order didn't

say when these strikes would begin and how long people would have in order to try and get to safety.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Jerusalem.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Coming up, a judge rules on the resentencing of the Menendez brothers. What this means for the convicted murderers' possible parole,

just ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Well, a possible reality for Erik and Lyle Menendez. They could end up walking out of prison as free men. One day, a judge sentenced the

brothers to 50 years -- to up to 50 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole. Originally, the two were given life without parole

for the 1989 murder of their parents.

The story of the Menendez brothers, obviously fascinating American for nearly three decades now. Both have admitted to killing their parents, but

argued that it was all self-defense after years of abuse from their father.

Nick Watt has more details from L.A.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NICK WATT, CNN U.S. NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: For the first time in a long time, Erik and Lyle Menendez have some hope of seeing freedom before they

die. They had originally been sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. A judge has now resentenced them to 50 years to life, which means

under California law, they are now eligible for parole.

Now, a parole board will meet. Theres a meeting June 13th. And then, if they recommend parole, it's then up to the governor of California, Gavin

Newsom, to decide whether Erik and Lyle Menendez walk free or not.

How did we get here? Well, the judge heard from a family member, a cousin who said the family the living family has now universally forgiven the

brothers. She said that 35 years is enough behind bars and that they deserve a second chance at life.

The judge also talked about letters he'd received, one from a 25-year veteran correctional officer who said he'd never written a letter like this

before, but felt moved to write in support of the brothers because they have done so much behind bars to rehabilitate themselves and to help other

prisoners.

You know, we also heard in court, the judge also heard from Erik and Lyle Menendez themselves, who spoke via video link from where they were being

held down near San Diego. Lyle's opening was stunning, he said with emotion in his voice. On August 20th, 1989, I killed my mom and dad. I have no

excuses.

Erik said he expected to die behind bars. The judge appeared, moved by their testimony and the testimony of others, and granted them this

resentencing. But as I say, hurdles still to overcome. There's a parole board and the governor who still have to decide whether these possibly the

most notorious killers in modern American, modern Californian history should walk free.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: What we want to know, when might the brothers be released?

I mean, Nick's laid out the process there. Weve got CNN legal analyst Areva Martin.

Thank you so much for joining us, Areva.

So he's saying it's basically down to the parole board and then the governor. So what's the parole board going to consider and when might they

consider it?

AREVA MARTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, we know, Max, that there is a parole board hearing that's already scheduled for June of this year. And one of

the things that that parole board will consider is this risk assessment that was ordered by the governor's office.

That risk assessment is basically a document that goes through the conduct, the behavior, the record of these two brothers since they've been

incarcerated for the last 30 plus years. And then it makes a conclusion about whether they are likely to be repeat offenders, whether they are a

danger to the community, because that's one of the questions the parole board will be asking as it makes this evaluation.

And we know from that risk assessment that the determination was that they are a moderate risk to society they are to be released. But we've heard

nothing but glowing things about the conduct of these brothers over the last three decades while in prison. Everything from starting a program for

prisoners on hospice, from starting programs to help elderly prisoners and disabled prisoners, to starting some kind of green project behind bars.

So, so far, what we've learned is that these two brothers have a pretty impeccable record while serving this life, two life sentences that they

had.

FOSTER: As you say, it seems like a pretty impeccable record behind bars. We haven't heard anything against that good work, have we? But, you know,

I'm interested in this idea that they are a moderate risk for reoffending. What does that mean? And how was that assessed?

MARTIN: Well, we know that risk assessment was done by a team of experts. And I think the moderate risk category or that conclusion is based on the

heinous nature of the crimes. And as you the piece said, Lyle, and giving his very powerful statement to the court yesterday came clean. And we know

that was one of the issues that the district attorney, the new district attorney in Los Angeles County, had with this case. He says, look, these

guys continue to lie about why they killed their parents.

And the district attorney, Nathan Hochman, said, I would be in support of resentencing if they would just admit in totality to what they did. And

apparently that resonated with the defense attorney because both Lyle and Erik Menendez fully acknowledge responsibility for killing their parents,

not blaming it on the mafia, not blaming it on self-defense, but acknowledged that their conduct was reprehensible, that it was immoral, and

that it was criminal.

FOSTER: So, what's the district attorney's issue then? Because they've admitted doing it? Is he -- is his issue that they're not admitting why

they did it?

MARTIN: Well, the initial issue, Max, was that they didn't make that admission until after the court agreed to the resentencing. So in the

proceedings leading up to the hearing on yesterday, the district attorney maintained that the brothers had made what he called partial admissions of

their guilt, but that had they had not shown sufficient remorse for the heinous nature of their crimes.

So, there was this, this, this period that the district attorney said was critical for him where he believed that the brothers were still hiding

behind some of the lies that they had told with respect to the murder. But once the judge made the decision that resentencing would occur, that's when

we heard from the two brothers, and that's when they fully admitted to the crimes.

FOSTER: Okay, so if they get past the parole board, it goes to Gavin Newsom, who's the governor, what's he going to consider? And has he given

any indication about which way he would go?

MARTIN: Well, I think the fact that the governor did order that risk assessment gives us some insights into how he's thinking about this case. I

would find it difficult again, given what we know about their history behind bars, given that you have a correction officer that's written a

letter of support for them.

Theres also been a retired judge who has written a report favorable to the brothers, saying it's the most impressive case of rehabilitation that he's

ever seen, a former inmate that served time with the two brothers also has come forward to say that they helped save his life while he was in prison

and helped him get on a pathway to start a new life outside of prison.

So, given all of the positive responses and the fact that the family, the victims of this crime, the family of the Menendez brothers have come

forward to say we have fully forgiven them. We want them home and we will embrace them if they do come home. I can't imagine the governor not

allowing these two brothers to be freed after serving 35 years in prison.

FOSTER: Okay, Areva, as ever, thank you so much for explaining it all to us. I mean, it does seem to be a way out for them, at least at the moment,

which just wasn't there last week.

In France, the daughter of a cryptocurrency boss managing to avoid getting kidnapped, the incident was caught on camera. Unbelievable footage, as

you'll see from Tuesday.

(VIDEO CLIP PLAYS)

FOSTER: I mean, it's frightening to watch four masked men attacking the daughter of the CEO of Paymium, her partner, and their child also involved

there. You can see them in broad daylight in central Paris.

The three fought back with the help of bystanders. The lady there actually grabbed a gun from one of them and threw it to the side. Thankfully, it was

a fake. She didn't know that at the time.

In January, a leading crypto figure and his wife were kidnapped from their home in central Paris. So, this is -- central France, rather. This is

forming a pattern. David Berland and had his hand mutilated before he was actually freed. He did get out, though safely.

Saskya Vandoorne reports now from the scene of that horrific attack.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SASKYA VANDOORNE, CNN SENIOR PRODUCER: This is the spot where on Tuesday morning, four masked men attempted to kidnap the daughter and grandson of a

prominent French crypto boss, according to police. And it was all caught on camera.

The video shows them fighting back and screaming for help. You can hear the woman shouting, "Help me!" as she grabs an object that appears to be a gun

and throws it in the street. It turned out to be a fake, according to BFMTV.

Now, shopkeeper, now being hailed as a hero, ran out with a fire extinguisher, forcing the attackers to flee in a white van. The family was

treated for minor injuries, according to BFMT. Police believe the attackers were targeting them because of their ties to cryptocurrency. AFP reports

the woman's father is the CEO of Paymium, a French crypto exchange.

The Paris prosecutor has opened an investigation into attempted kidnaping by an organized gang, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy. This is

the fourth attempted crypto related abduction in France in just six months. In one case, a victim's finger was severed.

The interior minister is holding an emergency meeting with crypto entrepreneurs on Friday, as officials now race to respond to this

escalating threat.

Saskya Vandoorne, CNN, Paris.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Still to come whilst President Trump receives a lavish welcome featuring Cybertrucks and camels in Qatar, backlash is growing over his

plan to accept a luxury jet as a gift from that nation.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:33:02]

FOSTER: U.S. President Donald Trump is attending a state dinner in Doha to cap off his day in Qatar. Earlier, Qatar agreed to buy 160 Boeing planes,

and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed agreements regarding defense as well, arms deals.

Mr. Trump's visit comes as sharp criticism grows over his willingness to accept a luxury jet from Qatar as a gift.

CNN politics senior reporter Stephen Collinson joins us now.

I mean, he was surely expecting this, having flown into Qatar. And the news about this Qatari plane sort of landing, as it were, just before.

STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: Yeah. And to be honest, I don't think Donald Trump really cares that much. He's shown in his second

term that he's willing to infringe all sorts of ethical and constitutional lines and doesn't care too much about the idea that this would be seen in

the United States as an attempt to buy Qatar to influence the U.S. president by giving him such an opulent gift.

In Washington, though, I think the politics is turning against this idea of using this Qatari plane as Air Force One until two new Air Force One jets

that are currently being modified by Boeing, which are long over budget and delayed, until they come on stream. Not just Democrats have raised a kicked

up a stink about this.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are worried, both at the impression that this gives that the U.S. president could be seen as under the influence of

a foreign government. The fact that this is against the constitution, which is a document that Trump doesn't seem to read very much. He said he would

be a fool if he didn't pick up this plane.

But also, I think there is, you know, at a time when the government is slashing the federal government, when it may not be asking Americans to

accept cuts to their health care with this very austere Trump budget that's currently being debated in the Congress, what the optics of this are going

to look like politically for the president.

[15:35:05]

FOSTER: I speak to a security expert, Stephen, and she was absolutely baffled by the whole idea because she said the point of Air Force One is

continuity of government. It's not just about transport. Thats also the reason why you have air to air refueling capability on it, which this other

plane wouldn't have. And then there's all the other debate about how the whole plane would have to be torn apart to see if there's any bugs on board

that would cost tens of millions of dollars as well.

So, she was just baffled about the whole idea. But presumably Donald Trump initially thought, you know, of course I'll accept a free plane, but is now

learning about all of these security concerns that come with it.

COLLINSON: Yeah, but remember, this is a president who took classified documents from his first term and kept them under very lax conditions at

his home in Mar-a-Lago in Florida. So, I think it's not clear that Trump really cares about the security implications of this. As president, he

would have the power to override this.

But it's true. It would probably take hundreds of millions of dollars and years to get this plane up to the standards of the security services.

They'd be worried that this was compromised, this jet, that foreign security services have known about Trump's interest in this plane for some

time. You know, what is the chain of custody of this plane?

So they'd have to, as you say, totally strip this down. I've been on to places on Air Force One in the press cabin where they don't really want you

to take your phone off the plane when you're in what they would regard as a hostile foreign environment. So, the levels of security on that jet are

absolutely huge. It's not just getting a Boeing and flying the president around the world on it.

And to your point about the chain of government, the reason that Air Force One has so many changes is so expensive is because it has special

protections that would allow the president to continue flying in the event of a nuclear attack. The refueling capability that it has is so that it can

fly around almost indefinitely. If the United States is under attack.

We actually saw that happen after the nine over 11 attacks when President George W. Bush at the time was flying around the country until they could

ascertain that it would be safe for him to land.

So, you know, it sounds to Trump. Sure. It's a great deal. You get a free plane. Once he learns the details, perhaps he'll change his mind. But we've

seen in the second term that often he wants to do what he wants to do, and he does it.

FOSTER: Yeah, well, it's not a free plane, is it? It's going to cost hundreds of millions ultimately, for him. I just wanted to ask what you

thought about this Middle East tour? Hasn't been like other presidential Middle East tours, which would nearly always stop in. I think I'm right in

saying to Israel, if they went there and they haven't done that, it's all been about these big deals. It's about, you know, arms selling to a large

extent, isn't it?

COLLINSON: That's true. And what Trump wants is what he sees as wins. So, he's selling Boeing jets. He's getting what he says is billions of dollars

of investment into the United States. I think these Gulf leaders have worked out well. The way you deal with Trump is you give him wins and then

you can get what you want. For example, this, U.S. act of lifting sanctions against Syria, that was something that the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin

Salman, really wanted the United States to do. The Saudis would really like to stabilize Syria and try to stop Iranian influence growing there again.

So, they gave Trump wins and they got what they want in return. They understand the transactionalism of this president. Your point about Israel.

The Israelis didn't want those sanctions in Syria lifted. There are growing signs of impatience from Trump towards Netanyahu, not just on that issue,

on the Houthi issue in Yemen. And the fact that he's vowing to continue to fighting in Gaza.

Netanyahu at this point hasn't apparently learned the lesson of the Gulf rulers that to keep Trump on your side, you keep having to give him things

which he can perceive and present as wins.

FOSTER: Stephen Collinson as ever, I love your analysis. Thank you for coming on.

Now, the first big overseas trip of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term has been good for business. His family business, that is.

Critics say the dealmaker in chief is focused less on diplomacy and more on the Trump brand, with plans for luxury skyscrapers, golf courses, resorts

and real estate across the Middle East.

CNN's Kyung Lah has that report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KYUNG LAH, CNN, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): A close look at the Trump organization portfolio finds the Trump family's business

ties to the Middle East have more than tripled since his first term in office, according to a CNN tally.

Even after Trump retook office, the Trump brand has been out promoting flashy new construction projects in countries President Trump is visiting

this week.

[15:40:03]

ERIC TRUMP, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: On behalf of my family. We love Dubai. We love the Gulf.

LAH: In Dubai, a new Trump International Hotel and Tower; in Saudi Arabia, a new Trump Tower in Jeddah and two projects in Riyadh.

E. TRUMP: We are going to redefine luxury anywhere in the world. His sons sealing deals for projects around the Middle East.

PRESENTER: The project, unlike any other.

LAH: In Oman. Don Jr. and Eric Trump met with the Crown Prince last summer about a Trump branded resort being developed with the nation's tourism arm.

PRESENTER: Trump International Hotel Oman.

LAH: In Qatar, a Trump branded golf club announced just last month, involves a firm that's headed by a Qatari official and backed by Qatar's

Sovereign Wealth Fund.

A Trump organization spokesperson says the company does not conduct business with any government entity, adding the Trump branding agreement on

the Qatar project is with a builder, a separate company.

Eric Trump is currently in charge of Trump Org decisions and has promised to keep them separate from his father. But the President still owns the

company, so he stands to make money on any successful deal, whether he's involved or not. The Trump organization has said Trump would put his assets

in a trust managed by his children.

E. TRUMP: We'll make sure that there's no conflicts and we will have those signed off by the best legal teams in the world.

LAH: During his first term, Trump's company pledged to make no new deals overseas, but not this time around. And it's not just Trump's real estate

deals. An Abu Dhabi backed fund is using a cryptocurrency from the Trump family crypto firm World Liberty Financial for a $2 billion investment.

Critics say the result the public can't separate Trump the president from Trump the businessman.

NOAH BOOKBINDER, CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON: Is he making the decision from the basis of what's in the United States'

interest? What's in the American people's interest, or is he looking to benefit his business partners, his own business, his own bottom line?

LAH: The White House rejects those questions.

KAROLINE LEAVITT, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: It's frankly ridiculous that anyone in this room would even suggest that President Trump is doing

anything for his own benefit.

LAH: Trump says his business relationships aren't just for the billionaires, but for Americans.

TRUMP: It's an honor to have such a great investor investing in our country.

LAH: One publicized early win came from this Emirati billionaire, Hussain Sajwani. He built a Trump branded golf course and villas in Dubai years

ago, and spent New Year's Eve at Mar-a-Lago. He's promising to invest $20 billion in U.S. data centers. I sat down with Sajwani earlier this year.

The election of Mr. Trump impacted the decision to invest.

HUSSAIN SAJWANI, CHAIRMAN, DAMAC PROPERTIES: Yes, impacted from the point of view that we think it's going to be more pro-business. And if that

happens, of course we'll invest.

LAH: How important is the Trump name to your business, to your brand?

SAJWANI: It's very important, those villas we have done. We made money out of them, you know, and customers are happy and we are happy and he's happy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAH (on camera): Well, President Trump says in this trip to the Gulf, he is going to be able to bring more investment into the United States. The

president is telling reporters that based on his meetings with business leaders in the Gulf this week alone, he believes he'll be able to create

some 2 million American jobs.

Kyung Lah, CNN, Los Angeles.

FOSTER: Still to come, the ex-girlfriend of Sean "Diddy" Combs is back in the witness stand. What she says about abuse, drug use and lurid sexual

encounters with the music mogul.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:46:41]

FOSTER: Sean "Diddy" Combs jurors in that trial have now seen images from his so-called freak offs. They come from the videos of sex parties which

feature Combs's ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. While prosecutors will not show the actual video, the defense does have that option. Earlier, Ventura

testified to drug use and physical abuse connected to those videos. Combs has pleaded not guilty to racketeering, conspiracy, sex trafficking, and

transportation to engage in prostitution charges.

Leigh Waldman is outside the courthouse in New York.

And Cassie spent the majority of the day, didn't she, on the stand on Tuesday, a testimony continues today. I mean, it must have been a quite the

ordeal for her.

LEIGH WALDMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's been a very graphic testimony yesterday and continuing on today. Cassie Ventura is seen as the star

witness in the prosecutions case against the defendant, Sean "Diddy" Combs. And today, you mentioned, Max, that the jury was shown some of those images

from those freak offs and continues to hear from Cassie Ventura about how she relied on drugs to try and get through those freak offs when they were

happening, happening so frequently throughout the term of her more than ten-year long relationship with Combs.

And she's also talking about the physical violence that seemed to be a running theme throughout her relationship, talking about times when she was

beaten so severely, she had to be hidden away for days on end in order for her bruises and cuts to heal. At one point, she said, Combs threw her and

she cut open her face and was taken by one of his security guards to go get stitches on her eyebrow. She pointed to it today in court, saying she still

has a permanent scar from that incident.

But she said it wasn't just her who was the subject of some of his physical abuse. She said she saw him put his hands on an assistant. They're

referring to by the name of Mia, who we know is also going to testify in this trial. She said at one point, Combs held one of her friends over a

balcony, and his Los Angeles apartment, and then threw her against some patio furniture. So, it seems like there's some running themes here that

she's trying to make sure that the jury is clear on.

FOSTER: Yeah. And I mean, how's the defense going into this? I mean, what are they saying?

WALDMAN: Well, they're making sure that the jury understands the charges that he's being faced with here, max. And you mentioned them at the

beginning of this racketeering conspiracy. Transportation to engage in prostitution and sex trafficking. They're saying this is not a domestic

violence trial. If it was, they wouldn't be here in this.

They're saying, though, he is not a good person, domestic violence is not sex trafficking. And they're trying to make that point very, very clear to

the jury. They're also planning on making it clear to the jury that the violence wasn't just on the side of Mr. Combs to Ms. Ventura, that Ventura

also placed her hands on Combs as well.

And it's something that she testified to. She said at the beginning of her relationship with him, she tried to fight back, but towards the end of

their relationship, she realized it would just make things worse. And so, she just endured that abuse.

FOSTER: Okay. Leigh Waldman outside the court, thank you.

[15:50:02]

We'll be back in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FOSTER: Overdose deaths in the U.S. saw an unprecedented drop in 2024, but federal cuts to spending could derail that momentum. Thats according to a

new U.S. government estimate, which was released today. During the COVID pandemic, overdose deaths surged to record levels but declined again

towards the end of 2023. Experts say its good news but can't be taken for granted.

CNN's Meg Tirrell takes a closer look at the numbers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MEG TIRRELL, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is really a major decline in drug overdose deaths in the United States. It's a trend we

started seeing in 2023 and has really solidified in these most recent numbers. A 27 percent drop in drug overdose deaths in the United States in

2024 to about 80,000.

Now, that number is still obviously unacceptably high, but it is the lowest level of drug overdose deaths we've seen in five years, since before the

COVID-19 pandemic. A majority of these deaths are still being driven by powerful synthetic opioids like fentanyl. But there, we saw an even bigger

drop 37 percent between 2023 and 2024.

Now, experts point to an array of reasons that may be driving this decline. More people may be finding treatment that works for them. Disruptions

potentially to the fentanyl supply that started in 2023. Also, a change in the characteristics of the illicit drugs that are available out in the

market, perhaps making them less appealing to folks and causing some to seek treatment.

Also, opioid settlement funding from the lawsuits over opioid painkillers that are now being distributed to communities, possibly supporting more

access to treatment, and also to drug overdose reversal drugs like Naloxone or Narcan. Experts point out these efforts all need to continue to keep the

pressure on to continue to lower drug overdose deaths numbers in the United States.

And there are concerns because of cuts both to personnel and funding at the federal level, that these efforts could be hampered. The Trump

administration has said this is a key priority of theirs, particularly lowering deaths from fentanyl. But people are watching the budget process

very closely to see where that works out, to ensure that these resources can continue, and hopefully the progress will continue to show lower

numbers.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[15:55:03]

FOSTER: Finally, tonight, it was a politics and the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in France. Robert de Niro received the lifetime

achievement award. On Tuesday, he took a moment during his speech to criticize the U.S. president, Donald Trump, calling him a philistine

president, and he slammed Mr. Trump's plan to go to cheer as well for that to place tariffs on movies produced outside the U.S.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT DE NIRO, ACTOR: In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted, and that affects all of us. That

affects all of us here because the arts are democratic, art is inclusive. It brings people together.

Like tonight, art looks for truth. Art embraces diversity. And that's why art is a -- is a threat. Thats why we are a threat to autocrats and

fascists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: De Niro actually called on people to stand up to the president, saying, without violence, but with great passion and determination.

I'm Max Foster. That is WHAT WE KNOW.

"QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" up next.

END

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