Return to Transcripts main page

What We Know with Max Foster

Allies Outraged Over Trump's Comments On NATO Troops; More Than Half Of The U.S. Facing Down A Monster Winter Storm; Minneapolis Anti-ICE March Calls For General Strike; U.S., Russia, Ukraine Holding Peace Talks In Abu Dhabi; Inside The Radi To Capture Maduro; Deal To Secure TikTok's Future In U.S. Finally Sealed. Aired 3-4p ET

Aired January 23, 2026 - 15:00   ET

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

[15:00:29]

MAX FOSTER, CNN HOST: President Donald Trump accusing -- accused of insulting dead coalition soldiers.

This is WHAT WE KNOW.

Anyone who thought the U.S. relations with Europe might be on the mend after Donald Trump seemed to back down from his demands to take over

Greenland, think again. The U.S. president ignited a firestorm of anger today when he questioned the courage of NATO troops in Afghanistan.

Have a listen as he says, NATO troops, quote, "stayed a little back" from the front lines in Afghanistan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We've never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. You know, they'll say they sent

some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, a little off the front lines. But, we -- we've been very good

to Europe and to many other countries.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Well, most of the nearly 3,500 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan were American, but more than a thousand troops from other allied countries,

NATO and NATO also died. These are just some of the numbers involved.

Canada, for example, lost 158 armed forces personnel and out of the 50,000 Italian soldiers that served, 53 people died. As for British troops who

fought in Afghanistan, more than 20 -- for more than 20 years, the U.K. armed forces lost 457 people.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sharply criticizing Donald Trump's comments. Now he's suggesting the U.S. president should apologize.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEIR STARMER, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: And so, I consider President Trump's remarks to be insulting and frankly, appalling. And I'm not surprised

they've caused such hurt to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured, and in fact, across the country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Prince Harry, who served himself in Afghanistan, has also criticized the remarks. In a new statement. It says, quote, "I served

there. I made lifelong friends there, and I lost friends there. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we

all remain united and loyal to the defense of diplomacy and peace."

The prime minister of Denmark, another coalition country, has been in Greenland today. That's where we find our Nic Robertson.

I know this is a issue close to your heart. You were on the front lines as well, Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Yeah, I was in Afghanistan with a lot of troops of a lot of different nations -- British

troops, American troops, Lithuanian troops, all manner of different troops. I've been on bases where the medevac helicopters have literally been

speeding off their pads to go and pick up wounded soldiers.

British, others, Americans were all on the front line. And Afghanistan, let's remember, was not a front line like the First World War, Second World

War with trenches. This was somewhere where the troops were in amongst the civilian population and therefore in amongst the enemy all the time. And

that's why the IEDs were going off left, right and center and blowing them up.

And it does strike a very negative chord somewhere like this in Danish territory. Quite simply because Denmark per capita lost more troops in

Afghanistan than the United States. They lost almost 50 per -- and they have a population of about 6 million. The United States has a population of

350 million. So that's a very, very big loss for a country that's been committed to being a very close ally of the United States.

So when President Trump says that at a moment when it's also sort of leaning on NATO to step up Arctic security, you can understand that troops

from those NATO countries would really feel something passionate and personal as well as their leaders do as well, who have less political space

to maneuver, to have a relationship with the United States. When President Trump does this, the NATO or other Danish military commander here in the in

Greenland, the Joint Arctic commander of Denmark's military, their armed forces, their ground forces, that is their air -- the aircraft, the ships

here.

I asked him about what he thought about President Trump's comments about NATO over the past few days, and he was trying not to be political, but he

was clearly shocked. You know, frankly surprised, he said after a long pause. To any military officer that served with NATO alongside U.S. troops

supporting them, being supported by them -- this will cut very deep, Max.

[15:05:05]

FOSTER: What about U.S. troops? They often talk about how important these alliances are in the field. Presumably, they're not going to agree with

what their commander in chief says.

ROBERTSON: They're certainly not going to disagree publicly. I think the - - what we've seen at the Pentagon, now, the Department of War, with the new secretary of defense bringing in all his commanders a couple of months ago

to sort of give them his directions of how he wants to see them behave and train and be healthy and fit and all those sorts of things. And the number

of senior staff that have -- that have left the Department of Defense, Department of War, as its now known in the United States is an indication

that within military lines, there's military officers always do. They serve the commander in chief. They're not going to publicly question the

commander in chief.

But, you know, when troops in combat, whatever nation they're from, they'll tell you they're protecting the soldier by the side of them. And British

troops trained with U.S. troops and other troops trained with U.S. troops. It's -- there's a commonality in the training. There's a necessity and need

within NATO to have an interface of communications equipment, of other equipment, and for troops to be able to literally fight side by side,

communicate side by side.

And that critical key thing you're talking about, trust that the person next to them, the ally next to them, is going to put a weapon up and defend

and support them when they need that. And I don't think that has changed at the moment. But again, you're not going to find it reflected in public

comments, I don't think. But certainly, the troops who are going to -- who are going to be doing frontline duty for NATO together will still be

looking for each other to support each other, whatever nation.

FOSTER: Okay, Nic, in Greenland, thank you so much.

Cold where Nic is, but millions of people across the U.S. are under winter storm or ice alerts right now. The warning stretch from the Southern

Rockies all the way east to New England. Snow is already falling in Texas. More than half of all Americans will experience freezing wind chills.

In the next week, thousands of U.S. flights have already been canceled throughout the weekend. A majority of those cancellations are in the Dallas

area. The cold and snow is also forcing cancellations to and from cities that don't usually see a lot of snow, including Nashville, Memphis,

Atlanta, home to the world's busiest airport.

Pete Muntean joins us from Reagan National Airport, serving the United States.

I was reading, Pete, that 20 percent of flights have been canceled by American Airlines already just for Saturday.

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. And the number is going to keep going up, Max. You know, the message from airlines is to get out while

you can. Now, because tomorrow things are going to be so different.

I just want to show you the ramp here at Reagan national airport, because this is sort of an insight into the airlines strategy right now. This is a

huge hub for American airlines. And American Airlines says it is moving airplanes around right now to get them out of the storms path and then

bringing in extra employees in places like major hubs that are going to be hit by this Dallas-Fort Worth we just saw has canceled 68 percent of all

flights tomorrow. We're not talking just a small impact. We're talking a worldwide impact because that's one of the biggest hubs for American

airlines. It's major pass through for flights to Latin America, international destinations and beyond.

So, this is going to be really big right now. The advice to travelers is to take advantage of these airline travel waivers. That means you can change

or cancel your flight if it's on a long list of destinations from airlines. If you're going through or to or from one of those places completely free

of charge, that is a huge thing right now and something that airlines are trying to get passengers to do as they are sort of preemptively canceling

their flights.

The strategy here is to make it so that when the storm essentially unplugs the airline system, that airlines are able to plug it back in and get going

again very quickly. Right now, things are pretty normal here at Reagan national airport. I'm going to show you the departures board here, because

this is sort of an insight into what's happening. More and more flights are adding right now to the cancellation list. We just checked FlightAware,

about 900 flights canceled nationwide today. You can see Dallas on the list in Oklahoma city on the list as well. Those are places that are directly in

the storms path.

Southwest airlines has actually said that it will suspend operations at several airports from Memphis all the way to Lubbock and Amarillo, Texas.

So that is going to have a big impact on Southwest Airlines in some places that don't ever see snow or really don't see snow all that often, like

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson international airport, huge international hub for Delta Airlines, one of the biggest airports in the world.

They say they are ready for this, although we will see as this pans out, so many places getting a foot or more of snow and then it's the cold is the

story, Max. That is the big problem. And the temperatures here in D.C. will not reach above 30 degrees Fahrenheit, won't reach above zero Celsius until

sometime after next week.

FOSTER: Okay, days of this to come. Pete, thank you so much for joining us from Reagan.

We're going to turn to Minneapolis now, where city leaders are calling for a general strike. Live pictures here anti-ICE protesters marching to demand

ICE lead Minnesota, encouraging people to stay home from school and work for businesses to close as well.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey now saying a subpoena from the Trump administration in an investigation of possible obstruction of justice,

tells our Sara Sidner the increase in immigration agents is not making his city any safer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR JACOB FREY (D), MINNEAPOLIS: We have for years worked with federal agencies to drive down violent crime. We've worked with the ATF, the FBI,

the DEA, the U.S. attorney's office to, for instance, successfully drive down crime on our north side to where right now, shootings are at a record

low. If this was about safety, then there would be a whole lot of opportunity to partner and do it.

But this is not about safety. It's not even about immigration. What we are seeing right now is that this is political retribution. It's about causing

chaos on our streets. And no, it's not helpful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Standing by for us in Minneapolis is Omar Jimenez. What's the atmosphere like, Omar?

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah. Well, right now, you know, Pete was talking about the temperatures outside. We are well below zero degrees

Fahrenheit out here, but it hasn't stopped a lot of the protesters that we've seen in many parts of the area. Some of them, however, are now

indoors. And what you're seeing is essentially the beginnings of what is expected to be a major protest and even starting a little bit here, as

we've got a group that's coming from essentially the American football stadium a few blocks from here and walking here to what is the basketball

stadium here in Minneapolis, as you might be able to tell from some of the signs, the main portion of what they are protesting is against federal

immigration enforcement presence here in the Minneapolis, Saint Paul area of Minnesota.

And you see the numbers. This -- this is actually been very common. These types of protests have popped up throughout -- throughout the region. Now,

despite that, the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, ICE, they've still continued with their operations trying to get people off of

the streets.

But some of those operations have gotten pretty chaotic at times, have spilled out into neighborhoods at times, have detained U.S. citizens as

well. There's even a five-year-old boy that was taken as part of one of those operations, as we understand from Department of Homeland Security,

they say they were targeting the father, but that image has spread far and wide beyond just here in Minneapolis. And it has really motivated a lot of

the people that have been on the streets as of late.

FOSTER: Okay, Omar, appreciate it.

It's really not dying down there.

Now, turning to the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it's too early to draw conclusions from trilateral peace talks going on right

now in Abu Dhabi. Officials from Russia, Ukraine and the U.S. are holding face to face discussions for the first time since the war began almost four

years ago. While Kyiv sent its top negotiator, Moscow's delegation is made up entirely of military leaders, including Russia's chief of intelligence.

We don't know is if these talks will bring us any closer to peace.

Joining me now is former CNN Russia bureau chief Jill Dougherty, now professor at Georgetown University.

Thanks for joining us, Jill.

I mean, what do you make of the makeup, if you like, of these discussions and who's involved?

JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Well, these are actually you could call them technical discussions. I mean, they are meant to be military

discussions, which is a very big part of this, of course. And you can imagine that the intelligence officers are there because that's all part of

the military side. But you would have to say, what's missing here? I think number one would be this big overriding issue that really is keeping the

two sides apart. And that is the so-called territorial issue that land in Donbas that Russia says it must have, even though it has not conquered it.

And it's a no-go for the Ukrainians. So that's -- that's a major issue.

And then I think you could also add, Max, the Europeans are not at these discussions.

[15:15:02]

They'll last for two days. And I think that's notable too. They certainly are all part of this. You'd have to say.

And perhaps, it's covered under security in the future, but the Europeans will be providing, according to some of the plans, security guarantees as

we go along. And there is some type of peace agreement.

FOSTER: Yeah. And it's technical discussions involving the military. And we now know that, you know, you've got French and U.K. troops going into

Ukraine after any peace deal, it is impossible to see how they could reach some sort of framework without the Europeans, right? But maybe the

Ukrainians are representing them. How do you think it's working?

DOUGHERTY: Well, you know, nobody knows how it's working. And again, you know, today seemed to end in, you know, talks are over. We'll continue

tomorrow.

But I think again, this is very, very detailed. But pulling back troops is a big issue, where the troops are located is an issue. And this could be

part of what they are discussing. But again, if you don't have the green light from the top, and that is very clear from President Putin, who has

said territorial issue is number one. And if that's not settled, we're not going anywhere.

And until that is and that came up, you know, there's actually we should review a lot of action right now. All of a sudden, you had President Trump

and President Zelenskyy meeting in Davos. They were talking about security. Then you had Putin with Witkoff and Kushner at the Kremlin. And that's

definitely the territorial issue.

And that is the sticking point. No way that you know, Russia will bend on that, they say, until that is agreed, and it's extremely hard at this point

to see how that gets solved.

FOSTER: What do you think about the optics, about how all of this has been handled? We started off with something like 20 issues, and now it's

narrowed down to one, which were told is progress. But as you point out, it's the territorial issue, which is kind of obvious, isn't it? This is

where the whole thing started. It's a war.

DOUGHERTY: True. But again, you know, territory is people. Territory is a big question of territory is do you legally, let's say that the Russians

were able to be given the territory, which is 20 percent roughly of the Donbas region, that they haven't conquered.

A big issue here is if -- even if they -- we got that far, would the West want to officially, legally recognize that as Russian territory? These are

all really complex issues.

And the Russians continue to say, look, we made our demands way back. They would say four years ago at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. And

we want to reach our goals. And if we don't, we're going to continue the fighting and the fighting.

Let's remind ourselves, is really brutal right now. It's an attack on the infrastructure, the energy, the heating and every hour we see reports about

what's happening in Kyiv and other cities. So, these are the real sticking points. And I think again, until you get that some green light, yellow

light, maybe from President Putin, nothing really is going to happen.

FOSTER: Professor Dougherty at Georgetown, thank you for your analysis.

Coming up, CNN forensically reconstructs the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, revealing the extraordinary risk U.S. personnel

took.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:21:58]

FOSTER: New CNN analysis shows extraordinary risks were taken to seize Venezuela's former President Nicolas Maduro. The operation's success came

down to a critical two-minute period. Katie Polglase takes a deep dive into how the capture unfolded, and we warn you, some of the images are

disturbing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KATIE POLGLASE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These ghost-like figures are U.S. helicopters on a mission to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas

Maduro.

Now, CNN has found the operations success came down to two critical minutes of extremely high risk, according to a review of eyewitness videos from the

scene. Two minutes in which experts say U.S. forces were effectively sitting ducks landing in and lifting off from Maduro's compound.

We modeled out the area, analyzed helicopter flight paths and synchronized key videos to understand how the U.S. successfully infiltrated a heavily

fortified military compound despite the danger involved.

First, you can see Chinooks, a U.S. helicopter used to transport troops flying into the area from the south. Their arrival is met with a barrage of

Venezuelan anti-aircraft fire. Within seconds, more helicopters, this time Black Hawks and attacking aircraft are seen arriving and circling overhead.

They release intense fire. U.S. General Dan Caine later described this as multiple self-defense engagements. At least 100 people died in the overall

operation, Venezuelan authorities have since claimed.

And aftermath pictures hint at the deadly cost. Blood on the ground, large burnt areas and blown out cars.

Two of the riskiest moments of the U.S. operation are visible in the videos were going to show you next, a Chinook coming in to land a point when U.S.

forces are at their most vulnerable. Then you see a Chinook taking off. You see it again in this video as its gaining altitude. Then, a second Chinook

takes off around 20 seconds later.

We then searched for exactly where these helicopters were taking off from, using identifiable geographical features like this building in the

foreground and this dark hillside behind. Our analysis indicates it took off from this location.

It's within Fort Tiuna, one of Venezuela's biggest military complexes. Satellite imagery taken the day after the operation reveals minor damage to

these roofs, too minor to be a direct attack, but possibly the result of a helicopter hovering overhead.

Where Maduro stayed in Fort Tiuna was previously undisclosed, but CNN's analysis gives the most definitive picture yet of where he was that night,

and his likely residence.

Past videos show the former president seemingly at home at this location. He was inside a building here in 2024. That building was converted into a

large white complex last year, and he was over here in July sitting outside having coffee.

As the Chinooks take off from this location, attack helicopters can be seen circling overhead and firing to protect the Chinooks as they depart.

[15:25:01]

We spoke to a former member of the U.S. Air Force's elite special warfare team, Wes Bryant, about this critical fighting.

WES BRYANT, FORMER U.S. AIR FORCE MEMBER: Clearly, you know, I think I think this was the best move to land right on the compound because the key

here was, of course, speed and surprise. But it was also the timing. They needed to get in and out as quick as possible.

POLGLASE: How many of the helicopters in this operation would be landing right on the compound?

BRYANT: I would say likely up to two.

POLGLASE: So if it's just one or two helicopters, is there a chance that Maduro could be on board?

BRYANT: There is a chance, absolutely. I mean, he would have been on board one of those Chinooks.

POLGLASE (voice-over): Bryant believes the operation was ultimately quite lucky.

BRYANT: I think it largely had to do with the element of surprise. It's not going to happen again, you know, this seamlessly by any means. And it

could have gone entirely differently. Just one -- one small factor could have -- could have flipped the coin on this.

POLGLASE (voice-over): As he awaits trial, Maduro's fate still rests in American hands, a fact both extraordinary and intensely controversial.

Katie Polglase, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: In response to CNN's findings, U.S. Southern Command said they had nothing further to add beyond General Dan Caine's comments on January 3rd.

A former Olympic athlete and one of the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives now in custody. U.S. law enforcement officials say they've arrested Ryan

wedding, the Canadian snowboarder who competed at the 2002 winter games. He's accused of running a vast drug trafficking ring and ordering the

murders of several people. Prosecutors say wedding led a criminal enterprise that allegedly stretched across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and

Colombia.

Still to come, I'll speak with a British member of parliament who served in Afghanistan about Donald Trump's comments on NATO troops.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:30:12]

FOSTER: Returning to our top story, Donald Trump is once again at the center of a firestorm of controversy after he questioned the sacrifices of

NATO allies in Afghanistan. The U.S. president's comment that NATO forces stayed a little back from the front lines in Afghanistan has been met by

outrage from politicians and military leaders in the alliance. It's worth noting that more than a thousand non-American troops died during the

occupation of Afghanistan, and thousands more were wounded in combat.

One Polish general who served in Afghanistan says Donald Trump owes coalition soldiers an apology

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROMAN POLKO, RETIRED POLISH GENERAL: Here, I believe President Trump crossed a certain red line because we shed blood for this alliance. We

truly sacrificed our own lives. Polish soldiers and special forces wrote wills before this mission. But they said, no, we won't evade our duty even

if we die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Joining me now, British member of parliament, Alex Ballinger. He was a member of the Royal Marines who served two tours of duty in

Afghanistan.

Thank you for joining us.

Did you hold back?

ALEX BALLINGER, BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: Good evening. No, I mean, I think it's incredibly insulting, ignorant and an offensive statement by the

president as we heard from the Polish general. British troops alongside other NATO allies, we heeded the call from the Americans. We fought, we

bled, we died. Many of my friends were killed in Afghanistan at this time. And it's quite an offensive comment to accuse NATO of doing that.

FOSTER: You've also said the comments are damaging. What did you mean by that?

BALLINGER: Well, of course this is one of the few comments, I think, that's united everyone across the U.K., in outrage really. Everybody knows

friends or family that have served in Afghanistan. We all saw the coffins coming back to the U.K. over that more than 10 years that we heeded the

call of the Americans.

And I think it's the first time that this type of rhetoric has had everyone across the spectrum being quite so outraged.

FOSTER: Are you calling for an apology from the president, along with other politicians and leaders?

BALLINGER: I think so, I think we owe it to the friends, the family members of those people that died to have an apology. The British prime

minister, Keir Starmer, he called for one earlier today. And I think that's absolutely the right thing to do.

We wouldn't disrespect American servicemen in this way. We wouldn't belittle them. And absolutely, you shouldn't do that to your allies either.

And I think when this has been so much offense, an apology is absolutely what is needed.

FOSTER: You've talked before about how important it is to keep Donald Trump as U.S. president on side. And, a lot of the tap dancing we've seen

by European leaders has been appropriate, early on at least. But do you feel he's crossed a line here?

BALLINGER: I think so, I think so.

I mean, we all know that Donald Trump often says outrageous things. And we've learned in the U.K. that we don't take everything that he says

literally. We do have a really important relationship with America across a whole range of different issues. And that needs to continue.

But disrespecting veterans that have died fighting for America, it feels like this is a line that shouldn't have been crossed. And I --I think it's

upset everybody.

FOSTER: Does it make European troops less likely to want to support America?

BALLINGER: O h, it doesn't help. I mean, I've served alongside Americans not just in Afghanistan but in other places as well. And I've always found

the military to be extremely professional, respectful, and fantastic partners. So, I think all of us recognize that one man doesn't represent

everybody in the United States.

And I would hope that everyone across NATO forces really understands that the benefits that come with working with the Americans on all sorts of

things, like in Ukraine or on countering the threat from China. So, it's not throwing the baby out of the bathwater, but when you have a commander

in chief saying these sort of offensive things, it does -- it does make people think in a way they wouldn't have been thinking before.

FOSTER: The prime minister, Keir Starmer, was very strongly worded today for him, wasn't he, particularly when he was talking about Donald Trump.

I'm wondering how Trump might respond to that. I mean, it might just go over his head, but he also might take real offense to it, which would have

wider ramifications for the U.K., wouldn't it?

BALLINGER: Well, our relationship with Donald Trump is really important.

[15:35:05]

I think we've seen a united front from European leaders around the situation in Greenland. And we had -- we had some progress there, I feel.

And I think, you're right, Donald Trump is very unpredictable.

But I think even he can understand that he's gone too far in this particular case. And he would expect, I hope that leaders, European

leaders, NATO leaders, they have to say something when these sort of comments are made.

FOSTER: Former Royal Marine Alex Ballinger, really appreciate your time today. I know it's been a big, a big moment for so many veterans.

BALLINGER: Thank you.

FOSTER: It is -- it is the final moments of trade on Wall Street. And stocks are slipping. The Dow has been lower for the entire session.

This is our Business Breakout.

Shares in Intel have fallen as much as 16 percent after some disappointing earnings after the bell on Thursday. Investors are worried the company is

struggling to meet the demand for A.I. chips. The company's chief executive says it's working aggressively to keep up.

Silver prices have hit triple digits for the first time. An ounce of silver now costs more than $100. Precious metals have seen a huge boost as

investors try to figure out volatile economic pictures.

And with one day to go before the deadline, TikTok's future in the United States is secure. An American joint venture is now officially in control

over the app's U.S. assets. After spun off TikTok's Chinese parent company. TikTok was facing a ban in the U.S. over fears it was a national security

risk. There are still questions about who exactly will control TikTok's all-important algorithm, though.

CNN's Kristie Lu Stout has more on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: TikTok is officially staying in the United States. The popular Chinese app has sealed a deal for a new majority

U.S. joint venture.

And U.S. President Donald Trump lauded the deal. In a post on Truth Social, he thanked his vice president, J.D. Vance, his administration and the

Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying this, quote, "I would also like to thank President Xi of China for working with us and ultimately approving

the deal. He could have gone the other way, but didn't and is appreciated for his decision," unquote.

This comes after years of uncertainty. It comes after Trump tried to ban the app back in 2020 over national security concerns. And after a law was

passed and signed by then President Joe Biden in 2024 that required the U.S. version of TikTok to be spun off from ByteDance, its Beijing-based

parent company, or face a U.S. ban.

Now, in a statement that was released on Thursday, the new group said this in regards to national security. It said, quote, "The majority American-

owned joint venture will operate under defined safeguards that protect national security through comprehensive data protections, algorithm

security, content moderation and software assurances for U.S. users."

Now the joint venture plans to retrain TikTok's algorithm on U.S. user data. Now the U.S. tech giant Oracle will oversee storage of Americans'

data. So the user experience on the app is not likely to change for Americans but the algorithm which controls what videos are served, that

could shift.

Now TikTok is one of China's biggest high tech success stories. It has over 1.5 billion users worldwide. In the U.S., it's used by more than 200

million people.

And the core of its success is its A.I.-powered algorithm that keeps users hooked to their smartphones. It's also why TikTok was threatened with a ban

in the first place. U.S. lawmakers have been concerned that China could use TikTok to spy or conduct influence operations on Americans.

Now TikTok in the U.S. will still have links to China. Beijing-based ByteDance will still manage the TikTok shop, as well as advertising and

marketing.

Kristie Lu Stout, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FOSTER: Still to come, a powerful winter storm about to sweep from Texas to New England. We'll get a sense of what they might expect.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:42:19]

FOSTER: More than half of all Americans are about to be hit with a potentially catastrophic winter ice storm and extreme cold. Snow and ice

expected to stretch more than 3,000 kilometers from Texas to New England and track east over the weekend in the slightly warmer south, especially,

ice may weigh down power lines and trees and knock out power for many homes. Thousands of U.S. flights have already been canceled ahead of the

storm throughout the weekend.

Major cities are preparing for dangerous driving conditions. As many as 2,000 sanitation workers will be on 12-hour shifts in New York, for

example.

The city's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, had this advice for New Yorkers.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI (D), NEW YORK: If you need anything, frankly, that you are thinking about for this weekend, today is the day to make that

trip. Because once the snow begins to fall, I want to encourage New Yorkers to do something that we don't often have the luxury of doing, which is to

take a breath and stay home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Chris Warren is standing by at the weather center.

Chris, we're getting lots of warnings very early. It feels quite ominous.

CHRIS WARREN, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, and it's not looking good, to be quite honest here, and hope everybody in Texas has what they need because

it is now getting underway. It is still early, but obvious signs that the storm is starting to go.

The green here on the map is rain. These lines showing that cold air dropping down. This is the wind direction dropping down from Canada. And

before that this air was in the Arctic, coming all the way down the pink color showing that mix some sleet, which eventually will end up being

freezing rain.

So, with that, the pink colors on this map show where we are expecting high impact winter weather conditions. These are winter storm warnings, winter

storm expected here. Whether it's snow or ice, ice storm warnings here in this darker purple color. That's where the power outages could last for

days. We're talking catastrophic damage.

The ice, the rain freezes on contact to trees and power lines, weighs them down, brings them down and makes power go out. And it's likely to take a

long time before its restored for a lot of people. And then there's the dangerously cold temperatures.

It feels like it is 30 degrees below Fahrenheit in parts of the U.S. near the Canadian border. And then this cold air well below freezing, will be

entrenched right into the first part, if not the middle.

Toward the end of the week. For some, especially where the snow falls. Here's another look at the timing. Again, the pink is the ice, purple is

the snow.

This is tonight, now into tomorrow 10:00 in the morning tomorrow. Still precipitation falling in Dallas. Freezing rain is expected. Louisiana,

Arkansas, Mississippi and still going here by Sunday morning.

[15:45:10]

And it's even possible on Sunday with this main line. There could be some thunderstorms. So, on top of the snow, the ice, it's possible there could

be a few thunderstorms as well.

This is going to be a potent system that still will be dropping snow here by Sunday night. Not until Monday does it leave New England.

The amount of snow, we're looking at about this much snow to even this much snow stretching from Texas all the way up to Boston, and the darker purple

colors. And then again, Max, the ice here. Some of these blue colors. This is where you could have roads that you just simply can't drive on because

it's ice, trees coming down, power lines coming down. And again, power outages and extreme cold, possibly lasting days without heat.

FOSTER: Okay, Chris, you're going to be busy. Thank you so much.

Now, from Top Gun to Terminator, the memes came thick and fast for French President Emmanuel Macron at Davos. Next, we'll speak to the CEO of the

company that actually made these sunglasses.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[15:48:51]

FOSTER: Davos is over for another year and what a year it was. And the big winner may not have been Donald Trump or Mark Rutte could have been

Emmanuel Macron sunglasses. The French president was wearing the blue aviators during his speech at the economic forum. In case you missed it, it

sparked all kinds of Top Gun memes and a question, even from Donald Trump.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Emmanuel Macron I watched him yesterday with those beautiful sunglasses. What the hell happened?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Is that Mr. Macron has been suffering with an irritated eye. One person who's definitely not irritated are the makers of those shades. These

are the Macron aviators, on sale for about $770 each. Demand so high on the Henri Jullien online store that the website crashed and shares in its

parent company, IVision Tech, are up more than 50 percent this week.

So, what we want to know is how can you get the Macron look?

Joining me now, the chief executive of IVision Tech, Stefano Fulchir.

Thank you so much for joining us.

I just wonder how you found out that he had one. I just wonder how you found out that he was wearing them, assuming you weren't watching his

speech at Davos.

STEFANO FULCHIR, CEO, IVISION TECH: So, thank you very much to have invited me. So, it was amazing because a surprise for us, I started to have

them from Monday. Different photos from some customers. Optician that asked me are these resilient? And I say, yes.

So, the day after happened, something amazing because the website went in, crashed different times. A lot of people ask us to buy immediately. And so

very, very particular moment. And, very important story of our company because now, thanks to President Macron, everybody knows that this cyber is

so amazing for that.

FOSTER: Does he look like your typical customer? I'm wondering if he's shifted the market at all.

FULCHIR: Yeah. Typical. You know, President Macron is representing, you know, France. And that is an historical company that has 100 years old. And

so, I remember when happened in this important process because in 2024, the assistant of President Macron has called us because he wanted to buy a

piece. And so also that moment was very important for us because we say, wow, we want to give also them another one.

And they say, okay, please, the president want to buy, so please send it to me. But we need something totally made in France, so they pay a lot of

attention to say, I need something from the territory. And we have sent them with a letter where we have written him to that. We are an Italian

company that we have bought a brand and company. In October 2023.

And after that, one week after he sent us a letter to say thank you for what you are doing. So, also for us, is a very important moment to

remember. Also because we are honored to be contact with him.

FOSTER: Are you planning a Macron range?

FULCHIR: It could be. It could be. I think that the good word could be a presidential. A presidential way of higher, because this is very luxury.

Also, the way of construction.

The cyber are in gold-filled material inside. So is a traditional way to create eyewear. And we are the unique company remains that produce

something like that. So, you know, handcraft work to do something like that in 279 phases. So very long process to create something like that.

FOSTER: What's your view? I mean, what's a lot of people think it's inappropriate wearing sunglasses inside. Obviously, he had a reason for

doing it, but what's the rule on that? Can you wear sunglasses wherever you like?

FULCHIR: So, you know, I have I have read some articles, some news, and, I see that the president tried to joke, to say, okay, I am like Rocky. I am

like the eye of the tiger. So thanks. Also, with this blue lenses,

I think that he tried to joke, to understand the moment, talking with the President Trump. So this is only my idea. But the idea that I have

understood reading the articles and the eyewear also the lenses are very particular because try to protect the problem that has in his eyes. So, the

lenses is a very high quality lenses to protect from flesh for the cameras, for UV, for the sun.

So, I think that it could be more comfortable and uses for what he needs. And also to tell us something interesting on the market, I believe.

FOSTER: Absolutely. You really can't pay for that publicity.

Stefano Fulchir, congratulations on a on a big week at Davos without even going there for you.

Now, elsewhere in France, no kids allowed, at least not in premium class. Francis TGV high speed rail service has introduced a child free premium

class carriage. As of January the 8th, this optimum class is being offered on routes to and from Paris. The service promises a carriage designed for

privacy and a dedicated quiet space.

There has been some backlash to this, with some saying it's discrimination against children. Where do you sit?

Finally, tonight, do you have any big plans this weekend?

Alex Honnold has some for you.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ALEX HONNOLD, CLIMBER: It's been a lifelong dream of mine to climb the skyscraper, so I'm going to be free soloing Taipei 101, one of the tallest

buildings in the world. No ropes, no gear. Just me and the building.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Rather him than me. That building is one of the tallest in the world. Alex Honnold, the world-renowned climber, will climb the Taipei 101

in Taiwan live Saturday morning local time on Netflix.

Here's Alex doing a test climb on the building.

[15:55:01]

He'll not have any ropes or safety equipment. It's his thing. Alex told CNN's Elizabeth Wagmeister what goes through his head whilst he's climbing

and the consequences of the wrong step.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HONNOLD: Knowing that you're going to die isn't inherently scary. I mean, like, you know that you're going to die. Like, are you feeling fear about

that right now?

ELIZABETH WAGMEISTER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: No, but I'm not on the side of a mountain.

HONNOLD: When I'm doing a real free solo. Like something challenging, I -- just I'm focused on what I'm doing. And so I'm not thinking about all the

other things. And that's kind of why you think about a lot of these things ahead of time, to sort of do all the processing that you need and then

commit to the path that you're on. And then when you climb, you're sort of unencumbered by all those other thoughts. Ideally.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOSTER: Ideally.

I'm Max Foster. That's WHAT WE KNOW. Stay with CNN. More after the break. END

TO ORDER VIDEOTAPES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF CNN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMMING, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS