Meet the Press – June 8, 2025
KRISTEN WELKER:
This Sunday: Large, lovely breakup. The feud between President Trump and Elon Musk explodes over the president’s tax and spending invoice.
PRES. DONALD TRUMP:
I’m very disillusioned as a result of Elon knew the interior workings of this invoice.
SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON:
I feel he’s flat unsuitable. I feel he’s manner off on this.
REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES:
Breaking information – Elon Musk and I agree with one another.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Can President Trump persuade reluctant Republicans frightened the invoice will develop the deficit to signal on?
SEN. JOHN THUNE:
We are going to get this completed by hook or by crook, and it’s not going to be simple.
KRISTEN WELKER:
My company this morning: Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma and Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey. Plus: returned and charged. Months after being mistakenly deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is returned to the U.S. to face expenses.
ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI:
Abrego Garcia has landed in the US to face justice.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And: therapeutic powers. Actor Olivia Munn shares her most cancers battle and surrogacy journey in our “Meet the Second” dialog.
OLIVIA MUNN:
It is exhausting to elucidate realizing that this prognosis that put a lot concern into me has been capable of be changed into one thing that is saving individuals’s lives.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Becoming a member of me for perception and evaluation are: NBC Information Capitol Hill correspondent Melanie Zanona; Leigh Ann Caldwell, Chief Washington Correspondent for Puck; Symone Sanders Townsend, former Chief Spokeswoman for Vice President Kamala Harris; and Republican strategist Sara Fagen. Welcome to Sunday, it’s Meet the Press.
ANNOUNCER:
From NBC Information in Washington, the longest-running present in tv historical past, that is Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Good Sunday morning. Elon Musk’s criticism of President Trump’s tax and spending invoice erupted right into a bitter public struggle this week, with Musk going as far as to agree with a name for President Trump’s impeachment.
Musk blasted the Republican spending invoice as a quote “disgusting abomination” and urged GOP lawmakers to kill it.
[BEGIN TAPE]
PRES. DONALD TRUMP:
I’m very disillusioned as a result of Elon knew the interior workings of this invoice higher than virtually anyone sitting right here.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
In a cellphone name on Saturday, President Trump informed me that he has no want to restore his ties with Musk. And requested if his relationship with Musk is over, he informed me, quote, “I’d assume so.” As Republicans race to move the president’s signature piece of laws, the breakup between two of the world’s strongest males is highlighting divisions on Capitol Hill. The nonpartisan Congressional Price range Workplace evaluation discovered the invoice would add $2.4 trillion to the debt over the following decade. Fiscal hawks within the Senate fear about voting for a invoice that can add extra to the deficit.
[BEGIN TAPE]
SEN. RAND PAUL:
I can not, in good conscience, surrender each precept that I stand for and each precept that I used to be elected upon, and that is that we won’t accumulate extra debt.
SEN. JOHN THUNE:
Failure just isn’t an choice. We are going to get this completed by hook or by crook. And it’s not going to be simple.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
President Trump telling me he stays “very assured” that he can nonetheless get the invoice handed earlier than July 4th and claimed the Republican Occasion is extra unified now due to how Musk handled him. After I requested President Trump if he thinks Musk might sink the invoice, he informed me, “I don’t suppose he has the facility to do it.” Musk spent greater than 1 / 4 billion {dollars} serving to Trump return to the White Home. Musk posting this week, “With out me, Trump would have misplaced the election.” As for issues that Musk may fund Democrats sooner or later, President Trump informed me, “If he does, he’ll should pay the results.” In the meantime, on Friday, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who the Trump administration had mistakenly deported to El Salvador, was flown again to the US to face expenses of human smuggling.
[BEGIN TAPE]
ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI:
Abrego Garcia has landed in the US to face justice.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
In April, the Supreme Court docket ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return. President Trump telling me he didn’t name the president of El Salvador to immediately ask for Abrego Garcia’s return. Requested if he introduced him again to the U.S. due to the courtroom’s order, Mr. Trump stated it wasn’t his resolution, it was dealt with by the Justice Division, and believes, quote, “It ought to be an easy case.” Over the weekend, chaotic scenes performed out on the streets of Los Angeles the place protestors clashed with authorities conducting office immigration raids. And in a single day, President Trump ordering 2,000 Nationwide Guard troops to town. California’s governor, Gavin Newsom, referred to as the transfer pointless and stated it can solely “escalate tensions.” NBC’s Jacob Soboroff spoke to the border czar Tom Homan.
[BEGIN TAPE]
JACOB SOBOROFF:
I would like to get your response to Governor Newsom saying, basically, that your actions listed below are provocative, and the quote that he used was “sowing chaos”.
TOM HOMAN:
Governor Newsom is a humiliation for the state. He is the one which’s feeding this mantra. He helps sanctuary cities, he helps sanctuary legal guidelines. If he cared – if he cared about public security within the state of California, he wouldn’t have a sanctuary for criminals, the place criminals get launched to the streets of this state daily due to his coverage.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
And becoming a member of me now’s Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma. Senator Lankford, welcome again to Meet the Press.
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
Thanks. Good Sunday morning to you.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Good Sunday morning to you. Thanks for being right here. Let’s begin proper there with President Trump’s resolution to deploy the Nationwide Guard, 2,000 troops. He says it’s the first time {that a} president can have deployed the Nationwide Guard with no governor’s sign-off since 1965. How do you reply to Governor Newsom who says that this transfer will solely escalate tensions?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
Yeah, I feel what President Trump’s attempting to do is fairly clear. He is attempting to deescalate all of the tensions which are there. We’re watching as People scenes of burning vehicles in intersections, and other people waving American flags at native legislation enforcement. Concrete blocks being thrown at federal legislation enforcement. We watched this sort of scene 5, six years in the past when there was a takeover within the Northwest round Seattle and Portland. Once we watched all that occur and native legislation enforcement was being challenged time and again, it lastly took a Nationwide Guard presence to have the ability to deliver it down after weeks. What President Trump is attempting to do is say, “This isn’t going to take weeks this time. We’re not going to permit this to have the ability to spiral uncontrolled.” That is an American metropolis, and to have the ability to have an American metropolis the place now we have individuals actually flying Mexican flags and saying, “You can’t arrest us,” can’t be allowed. If somebody violates the legislation, it doesn’t matter what state that they are in, they’re in violation of a federal legislation. They need to face penalties for that.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely , senator, Governor Newsom says there isn’t a unmet legislation enforcement want. The LAPD says the protests had been peaceable. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth now warning energetic responsibility Marines may very well be mobilized. Would you help mobilizing the Marines? And do you suppose Congress would wish to log off on that first?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
Yeah. Nicely, energetic responsibility Marines usually are not going to be put into native legislation enforcement. They’d be in help roles on it, as now we have within the border. We’ve energetic responsibility army on the border, however they are not doing legislation enforcement duties; they’re doing logistical duties behind the scenes. Native legislation enforcement ought to deal with this. However once more, whenever you’re seeing burning vehicles and federal legislation enforcement and legislation enforcement being attacked on the streets, and with 1000’s of LAPD, which by the way in which, do an awesome job. The LAPD has an awesome process in entrance of them and so they’re doing – they’re assembly that process with an awesome alternative to have the ability to really implement the legislation. Nevertheless it’s clear that they are being overwhelmed, and because the protests rise we wish to ensure these protests really do not spiral uncontrolled. Once more, this would not be a problem if California did not promote sanctuary metropolis insurance policies to have the ability to inform individuals actually, “You’ll be able to violate federal legislation and reside in our state, and nobody will arrest you for this.” Now immediately when they’re arrested for federal crimes then immediately they go into this sort of protest saying, “No, you possibly can’t arrest us right here. We’re immune from federal legislation.” That is not true.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All proper, let’s transfer onto the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Supreme Court docket again in April really ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia. It’s now June, Senator. Ought to President Trump have had and ordered him to be returned earlier than proper now?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
Yeah, they’ve gone by way of the authorized backwards and forwards on this, and I do know some attorneys stated, “Hey, it is not required,” others stated it was, based mostly on how they might argue that out. They’ve argued it out, that is what occurs within the justice system. A federal grand jury has now indicted him. He has been returned below the indictment of a federal grand jury for human smuggling, and he’ll face these expenses. Then most likely if he is convicted will face jail time with that. So, that’s the justice system working by way of the method.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely, senator, is not the purpose that Abrego Garcia or anybody ought to have due course of first earlier than they’re deported and despatched to a Salvadoran jail?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
So each particular person is given due course of. However somebody who just isn’t a citizen of the US has very totally different due course of than somebody who’s a citizen of the US. The administration has been very, very clear, everybody will get due course of right here. However in the event you’re an American citizen you are going through a courtroom, you are going by way of a jury, you are going by way of all these issues that Americans have these proper for. However I’d inform you, many people after they cross our southern border are informed by a federal legislation enforcement official that arrest them, “That is what you’ve got violated and also you’re being returned.” Should you’re alongside our border – it was so even within the last days of the Biden administration I watched it occur, the place they had been actually picked up, had been informed, “You have violated federal legislation,” and inside hours had been circled.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely, it’s value noting the Structure does say that every one individuals within the U.S. are entitled to due course of. Does not make a distinction about citizenship. I do wish to transfer on, although, to this extraordinary struggle –
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
However only one fast assertion on that. The due course of because the courtroom has dominated on an American citizen is totally different than somebody who’s not legally current within the nation. It is a quicker course of. Actually studying to them the statute and saying, “That is what you violated,” does rely as due course of relying on how they’ve really entered into the nation.
KRISTEN WELKER:
However I imply, the U.S. has supplied due course of even to terrorists, senator. You are saying that people who find themselves right here who do not have citizenship–
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
No, completely —
KRISTEN WELKER:
– aren’t entitled to due course of, despite the fact that the Fifth Modification ensures it —
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
No, not saying that in any respect, Kristen. Yeah, not saying that in any respect. I am simply saying the due course of is totally different for a citizen and a non-citizen. It is a a lot quicker course of for a non-citizen usually.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Okay. Let’s transfer onto this extraordinary struggle between President Trump and Elon Musk. On Tuesday Musk posted that anybody who votes for the large lovely invoice – the so-called Large Lovely Invoice ought to be fired within the subsequent election. President Trump informed me Musk would, quote, “Should pay very severe penalties if he begins funding Democrats.” He would not say precisely what these penalties are. Are you snug with the president warning there might be very severe penalties for somebody who helps Democratic candidates?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
We’ve quite a lot of social media drama occurring between two of essentially the most energetic social media people on this planet, really, backwards and forwards on that. And I do know lots of people are targeted on that. I’d inform you what we’re targeted in on is the very simple concern that we face. If we do not tackle this concern in regards to the tax invoice, each American’s taxes will go up January the first. As a result of when the calendar modifications, tax charges go up considerably. We’re attempting to struggle to be sure that does not occur. We do not need tax charges to go up on each single American. We additionally need to have the ability to take care of wasteful spending in areas the place we all know we are able to tackle. We’ve trillions of {dollars} in overspending. We’re attempting to deal with as lots of these as we probably can on this invoice, end it, after which transfer onto the following, to the following. This is step one in an extended course of to have the ability to get our finances again below management.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Senator, let me ask you particularly about what Elon Musk is saying in regards to the invoice. He says it can, quote, “Massively improve the already gigantic finances and burden Americans with crushingly unstable debt.” In 2022, senator, you posted, quote, “For the sake of our nation it is time Congress really tackled the debt and deficit, and cease the spending.” So do you agree with Elon Musk that this invoice simply provides an excessive amount of to the debt?
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
I don’t, really. And I’ll proceed to face by the assertion I made in 2022. I’ve made these statements for properly over a decade now. We have to deal with the deficit. We have to have the ability to deal with this. This is the assumptions that the Congressional Price range Workplace makes. The Congressional Price range Workplace makes the idea we’ll have this big tax improve subsequent 12 months, that is not going to have an effect on the economic system, that is not going to sluggish the economic system down. We’ll have the identical quantity coming in and the identical financial exercise. Nobody actually believes that is true. When you’ve got a large tax improve in January, it can sluggish the economic system down. It’ll damage financial exercise, and you may even have much less {dollars} coming in. So if you do not need fewer {dollars} coming in, you then’ve bought to have the ability to take care of that tax coverage. So what we’re attempting to do is, as a lot as doable, hold the tax charges the identical as what they’re. Solely in Washington is that referred to as a large tax lower whenever you’re attempting to have the ability to hold them the identical as a lot you possibly can. And on the identical time, to have the ability to take care of a few of our what’s referred to as necessary spending. Issues like Medicaid. I’d say we have talked loads about Medicaid over time. The Medicaid program proper now’s arrange the place the federal authorities provides $9 for each $1 a state places in for a wholesome grownup. However for a disabled little one the federal authorities places in $1.3 for each $1. Nicely, that is backwards. And we have no type of work necessities as we do with the remainder of our social security internet. We’re attempting to have the ability to repair that.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Let me soar in right here, senator, as a result of I wish to ask you about your journey to the Center East, and we’re virtually out of time. You made a number of stops together with to Israel. This is what you stated about Gaza in an interview after your journey. You stated, quote, “It is unexplainable how a lot destruction has occurred. Some individuals suppose the Palestinians ought to be briefly moved out, however they cannot reside in tents for a decade.” On condition that and the conversations you had, do you help President Trump’s plans for the U.S. to take over and develop Gaza? We’ve about 30 seconds.
SEN. JAMES LANKFORD:
Yeah, we’re not taking on Gaza by any means. This isn’t America’s accountability to have the ability to take over Gaza and be capable to run it. There are different nations which have supported Palestinians, however do not help Palestinians really transferring to their nation. However you have bought two million individuals there, lots of them civilians, which are completely harmless, had nothing to do with Hamas. They’re residing within the particles area there, and proper now the Israelis are getting meals bins in for every week’s value of meals and delivering it in a completely totally different manner. And attempting to determine the method for the Gulf states and others to return in and to have the ability to do rebuilding in that space. So, it is vital on the humanitarian aspect of issues, however it’s vital additionally that Gaza can not run–Hamas can not run Gaza, and we can not have terrorists residing proper there. And we definitely can not have Hamas proceed to have the ability to maintain Israeli hostages.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All proper, Senator James Lankford, thanks a lot for bringing us that replace to your journey and your different insights. We actually respect it. Once we come again, Democratic Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey joins me subsequent.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Welcome again. Becoming a member of me now’s Democratic senator from New Jersey, Cory Booker. Senator Booker, welcome again to Meet The Press.
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Thanks a lot. Good morning to you.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Good morning to you. Thanks for being right here. I do have to begin with President Trump saying he plans to deploy the Nationwide Guard to Los Angeles to take care of the protesters there. The president bypassing the governor and federalizing the Guard himself. He says he did so as a result of Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass refused to behave in opposition to the unrest. What’s your response to President Trump’s resolution to deploy the Nationwide Guard?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Look, since years earlier than I used to be born, legislation enforcement is aware of it is good when there’s cooperation and coordination. For the president to do that when it wasn’t requested, breaking with generations of custom, is just going to incite the scenario and make issues worse. We at the moment are at some extent the place now we have a president who sat again and did nothing as individuals stormed our Capitol, viciously beat police. After which when these individuals who viciously beat police and led to a few of their deaths, subsequently, cop killers, had been convicted by juries, he then pardoned all of them. So for him to be speaking to anyone proper now about responsive legislation enforcement to guard individuals is hypocritical at finest.
KRISTEN WELKER:
However–
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
The fact is we see peaceable protests launching in Los Angeles. And once more, any violence in opposition to law enforcement officials shouldn’t be accepted. Native authorities can deal with that. However keep in mind, quite a lot of these peaceable protests are being generated as a result of the president of the US is sowing chaos and confusion by arresting people who find themselves exhibiting up for his or her immigration hearings, who’re attempting to abide by the legislation. He is arresting them. You see this in communities which are Republican, Trump supporters being outraged that he is raiding kitchens and arresting individuals, excessive colleges and arresting individuals, who usually are not what he stated he would do, which is focus legislation enforcement assets on violent criminals and other people which are a hazard to different People.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All proper. Senator, let’s transfer on to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, returned to the US to face human trafficking expenses greater than two months after being mistakenly despatched to El Salvador. In my cellphone interview with President Trump on Saturday, he referred to as Senator Chris Van Hollen, your Democratic colleague, who in fact went to El Salvador to satisfy with Mr. Abrego Garcia, a quote, “loser.” And he signaled that he thinks Democrats’ help of Abrego Garcia will price the social gathering electorally. What say you? Do you suppose that Democrats made a mistake by making Abrego Garcia the face of the struggle for due course of?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Look, Chris Van Hollen is a champion for the structure, as a result of a menace to due course of rights of anybody is a menace to the due course of rights for everybody. The president of the US has been violating a 9-0 courtroom order from the Supreme Court docket of the US of America, together with three individuals he put there himself. There’s a unanimity amongst authorized students that everybody has a proper to due course of. And anybody who stands up for that, even for individuals who are– who usually are not as– that do not encourage, essentially, public adoration, we perceive that in our nation whenever you come after our structure, you’re doing the unsuitable factor. And right here is the problem. Abrego Garcia is again. However there are over 250 those who Donald Trump has despatched there, 50 of whom, who entered our nation legally who didn’t get a day in courtroom, who we have no idea the reality or the information of their instances which were sent– to not a prison– however to a spot that human rights activists have stated is extra of a gulag the place individuals’s human rights are being violated.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Senator, let’s now flip to the president’s tax and spend invoice. I wish to learn you a bit little bit of what Elon Musk has stated about it. He calls it a “disgusting abomination”. He threatened to fireside all politicians who backed it. He is arguing the invoice does not do sufficient to take care of the debt and deficit. Do you agree with him?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Nicely, I agree that it’ll saddle this nation with trillions of {dollars} of debt, endanger our whole economic system. We have already seen Moody’s downgrade our economic system, subsequently making it extra seemingly that rates of interest go up. And increasingly more People are paying extra. This can be a invoice that provides to our deficits in a colossal manner. And for any fiscal hawk or somebody who’s fiscally prudent to be behind it exhibits that they’re extra, that they’re hypocrites and that they’re extra in allegiance to the president than sound fiscal coverage. However this is what makes this invoice even worse. People can pay a lot extra to be able to give tax cuts to billionaires. The common well being care premiums for People will go up about $900 a 12 months. The common power prices on People will go up about $250 a 12 months. We are going to see 16 million People lose their medical insurance and tens of millions of youngsters lose their meals helps. This can be a morally unsuitable invoice. And it is undoubtedly, undoubtedly an economically unsuitable invoice as properly.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely, senator, Congressman Ro Khanna says that Democrats ought to be open to working with Elon Musk. So let me ask you: would you personally settle for cash from Elon Musk if he had been to help your re-election marketing campaign, for instance?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Let me simply inform you, we’re caught on this right-left divide proper now. I’ll accomplice with anybody like I did within the final Congress, placing my vote alongside of John McCain’s, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins to cease the tearing down of the Reasonably priced Care Act. This isn’t about proper or left, it is about proper or unsuitable. And this invoice is disastrous for the common American, driving up this price. This invoice is disastrous for our long-term economic system. That is an American concern. And I welcome Elon Musk, to not my marketing campaign. I welcome him proper now, to not sit again and simply hearth off tweets, to become involved proper now in a extra substantive manner and placing strain on congresspeople and senators to not do that.
KRISTEN WELKER:
However senator, let me simply put a high quality level on this: would you settle for cash from Elon Musk if he had been to offer it to you? And may different Democrats? Simply in a short time.
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
I’d not settle for cash from Elon Musk for my marketing campaign. However I’d be supportive of anyone, together with Elon Musk, placing assets ahead proper now to let extra People know, sound the alarm– deal with this like a Paul Revere second. Extra People have to know that if this invoice passes, common People are going to see their prices skyrocket as this president once more pushes laws that’s indicative of his chaos, corruption, and cruelty in the direction of People.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Senator, let’s speak in regards to the Democrats. The Democratic major for New Jersey’s gubernatorial election might be held on Tuesday, I haven’t got to inform you that. This comes as Democrats are nonetheless battling their messaging, fairly frankly. Notably, this week former President Biden’s press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre switched her social gathering affiliation to Democrats– Loads of the gubernatorial candidates are– to Impartial, apology. Loads of the gubernatorial candidates have been very vital of the social gathering. Do you suppose that Democrats should distance themselves from the social gathering model to be able to win?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Nicely, once more, I feel that Democrats proper now all throughout America ought to be much less involved in regards to the Democratic Occasion and extra involved with the American individuals. There is a belief drawback for Republicans and Democrats. Most People voted in opposition to each of the presidential candidates within the final election. We have to begin standing up and exhibiting we’re preventing for People proper now. And when now we have a president that’s driving a invoice that is going to tear medical insurance away from 16 million People, drive up premium prices for 93% of People, do not sit round and fear about social gathering and elections over a 12 months from now and the– on the federal sense. Present that you are a fighter. Get within the area. Roll up your sleeves and begin engaged on behalf of the American individuals. I am enthusiastic about New Jersey’s major. I’ll help whoever comes out of it. However my work proper now’s to cease this disastrous invoice that is within the Senate.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Senator, you have not endorsed on this race. Do you propose to take action? Would you want to take action proper right here?
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
I’ll endorse the winner of the first. I’ll be in New Jersey working up and down the ticket. And this is the good factor. Each particular election we have seen proper now has seen document power and turnout in America. Individuals perceive the results of elections. They’re residing them proper now. However once more, now we have work at present. We’ve work this week. Extra individuals: please become involved. From Elon Musk to individuals in my neighborhood on this block. All of us have a accountability of a invoice this threatening to the well-being and the material of our nation. Don’t sit down. Democracy just isn’t a spectator sport. Get extra concerned. Do extra. As a result of what is going on to occur if this invoice passes– to our neighbors, to the sick, to the aged, to the disabled is unacceptable.
KRISTEN WELKER:
All proper. Senator Cory Booker, thanks a lot for becoming a member of me. We actually respect it.
SEN. CORY BOOKER:
Thanks a lot. I respect you.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And after we come again, what is the impression of President Trump’s messy public feud with Musk? The panel is subsequent.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Welcome again. The panel is right here. NBC Information Capitol Hill correspondent Melanie Zanona; Leigh Ann Caldwell, Chief Washington correspondent for Puck; Symone Sanders Townsend, former Chief Spokesperson for Vice President Harris and co-host of The Weeknight on MSNBC; and Republican strategist Sara Fagen. Because of all of you for being right here, this powerhouse panel that now we have. Mel, let me begin with you. President Trump informed me in our cellphone dialog on Saturday he really thinks his rift with Musk has unified Republicans for his so-called “Large Lovely Invoice.” He says that his lawmakers are upset with the way in which that Musk handled him. Is that your sense based mostly in your conversations?
MELANIE ZANONA:
Nicely, there is definitely unity amongst Republicans in terms of them being aggravated with Elon Musk. I’d not use the phrase “unity” in terms of the invoice itself. This invoice was already going through very vital headwinds even earlier than Musk weighed in. So I feel if it does fail, it is not going to be due to Musk. I in the end suppose that in the event that they do move one thing, perhaps not by July 4th. That being stated, I feel it’s a messaging drawback for Republicans with this Musk criticism, as a result of keep in mind, they empowered Elon Musk, they made him the authority determine on fiscal accountability. And so for now– them to dismiss his issues, legitimate issues, about how a lot this invoice provides to the deficit, I feel that is an issue. And in the meantime, you’ve got Democrats simply consuming this all up with popcorn.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Yeah, and it might simply sluggish issues down. Leigh Ann, President Trump informed me he has no want to restore his relationship with Musk. And but, J.D. Vance stated one thing very fascinating in a latest interview. He stated he hopes he’ll come again into the fold. How important– to the purpose that Mel’s making– is Musk to the broader Republican Occasion?
LEIGH ANN CALDWELL:
Nicely, Musk was extraordinarily vital within the presidential election. He spent almost $300 million. He mainly lived in Pennsylvania, helped ship that state for Donald Trump. However Elon Musk has additionally grow to be a poisonous model for the Republican Occasion as we noticed within the Wisconsin State Supreme Court docket race a pair months in the past. Democrats had been weaponizing Elon Musk in opposition to Republicans. And so on this rift between Trump and Elon Musk, Republicans are staying with Trump. Elon Musk had quite a lot of energy due to Donald Trump on this scenario. And so what I’ll be watching going ahead is what does Musk do together with his cash, if he does something within the midterm elections. Then it might matter. However we’ll see.
KRISTEN WELKER:
That is the place it will get very fascinating, Sara. That is nonetheless President Trump’s social gathering. However boy, if Elon Musk does begin to fund Democrats, it might grow to be extremely sophisticated politically talking.
SARA FAGEN:
I do not suppose Musk goes to fund Democrats. I feel the query is that if he tried to type some third social gathering or impartial candidates and get behind them. To me, watching this, it is a very unlucky scenario as a result of I do not solely agree that he was vital to the election. I feel he was useful to the election. However one particular person does not actually trigger a celebration to win. I feel what was important– in his contribution– was actually across the mental motion of the conservatives and the expertise he drawn to the federal authorities. He did an awesome job attracting expertise. There are some unimaginable entrepreneurs in all of those businesses, largely as a result of Musk signaled that that is value preventing for. It was an enormous miscalculation on Elon Musk’s half. Operating a political social gathering just isn’t like working an organization. And the political graveyard is crammed with businessmen, and he simply thought he might roll in and in three months change a complete infrastructure that has all these differing energy facilities. It simply wasn’t going to work that manner.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Yeah, he tried to return in actually sizzling.
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND:
He noticed Trump do it. He thought, “Perhaps, too, I may very well be a political guru.”
KRISTEN WELKER:
Symone, I believed from my interview with Senator Cory Booker one of many greatest headlines is he stated, “I am not going to just accept cash from Elon Musk.” And but he stated, “I am going to work with anybody.” He threaded that needle a bit bit.
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND:
Yeah, I believed he threaded the needle very properly, really. And albeit, it was a grounded response. And what I feel the reply ought to be. There are assets there that many of us on the market that have– that may very well be used to teach the American individuals about what’s going on on this invoice. So certain, if Elon Musk desires to make use of his assets to try this, nice. I don’t suppose Democrats, although, ought to be taking cash from Musk, particularly as a result of he gave cash to Donald Trump and perhaps different issues. I do not know. He was very particular about why he felt– what he felt just like the make-up of the Senate was going to be. And I feel the query I’ve for Elon Musk is, “How can you be so particular? Do you wish to inform us extra?” So I do not suppose he ought to be taking cash as a result of he looks like Donald Trump owes him. He is stated that. He is like, “Oh, the ingratitude.” That is what he tweeted. However I feel if Democrats wish to encourage Elon Musk to place your cash the place your mouth is on the problem, be at liberty.
MELANIE ZANONA:
Should you’re a Democrat, although, why would you wish to work with Elon Musk–
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND:
Right.
MELANIE ZANONA:
–when you noticed how shortly he turned on Donald Trump?
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND:
No loyalty anyplace.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And that is the place the Booker feedback had been so fascinating. Leigh Ann, as we watch this drama play out, we’re additionally watching what will occur in New Jersey on Tuesday, this major for the governor’s mansion and the query, what it can reveal– what Democrats wish to see of their candidates– what they suppose might be a profitable message. What are you going to be waiting for?
LEIGH ANN CALDWELL:
Yeah, so Democrats that I speak to are watching that– who does win this major. There are six candidates. And you’ve got the progressive mayor of Newark, you’ve got Mikie Sherrill, who’s working as a centrist. However they’re watching to see if the lady, suburban, centrist, army veteran candidate can win once more, which was a Democratic playbook in 2018 that was extraordinarily profitable for them. So is the social gathering transferring again to this extra centrist mode of their candidates, particularly in a major.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Yeah, what makes New Jersey so fascinating, Sara Fagen. Let’s take a look at this graphic. In 2020, President Trump misplaced by 16 factors, however take a look at what occurs in 2024, he solely misplaced by six factors, the second largest achieve throughout all states. Might Republicans really be aggressive on this state, and will that be an argument for a extra average candidate?
SARA FAGEN:
Nicely, I feel they are often aggressive. I imply, definitely these numbers replicate the motion of the center class towards the Republican Occasion and the energy of the seemingly Republican, Jack Ciattarelli, who’s an skilled candidate. However whether or not Republicans win or not most likely has extra to do with the Democrats. And I feel in the event that they nominate a centrist, they’ve a significantly better probability of succeeding. In the event that they nominate certainly one of these progressive candidates, one of many mayors, I feel it’ll be a lot tougher for them to carry the governor’s mansion.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And Symone, all of this taking part in out, and I used to be simply speaking about this with Senator Booker, the truth that Karine Jean-Pierre, President Biden’s former press secretary, switching her social gathering affiliation from Democrat to impartial, frankly, Bernie Sanders, your former boss, has been urging candidates, “Hey, run as an impartial.” What does that say? The place are Democrats proper now?
SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND:
Nicely, once I labored for Senator Sanders he was an impartial who ran as a Democrat for president. And I feel throughout the nation, you’ve got but to see of us stepping out to run as independents. You see them stepping out as impartial candidates, however on the Democratic Occasion ticket. Solely in New York and I feel one different state are they working on the Working Households Occasion platform. To me, that claims, and after we take a look at New Jersey, for instance, I feel what’s actually vital to voters is what these candidates are going to do for them. And in the event you take a look at the development of New Jersey, I feel again to when Phil Murphy was on the poll once more and he misplaced very narrowly. He went and he did these focus teams and he heard what individuals had been feeling is why they voted the way in which they did. And so I feel candidates who monitor very intently to their voters are going to be extra profitable when it comes to chatting with what they need. Not these labels, impartial, progressive, Democrat, no matter.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Mel, now we have about 30 seconds left. What is going to you be waiting for on Tuesday and what are the implications broadly?
MELANIE ZANONA:
Yeah, I do know Sara thinks that certainly one of these extra moderates can win over certainly one of these progressives in the event that they get to the final election, however Democrats really feel like they’ve tried that technique earlier than and it hasn’t labored. And so in the event that they do find yourself electing certainly one of these progressives, will probably be, I feel, a really sturdy take a look at case and a few actually sturdy clues about the place the bottom of the social gathering is true now for the Democratic Occasion and the place they suppose the most effective technique is to tackle Trump.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely, we are going to all be studying all of the tea leaves on Tuesday. Thanks all for a improbable dialog. We actually respect it. Once we come again, the celebration of Satisfaction Month right here in Washington and a glance again on the struggle for equal rights. Our Meet the Press Minute is subsequent.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Welcome again. The nation’s capital hosted World Satisfaction this weekend with 1000’s of individuals taking to the streets to have a good time the LGBTQ neighborhood by way of live shows, a human rights convention, and the annual pleasure parade. Practically 40 years in the past, Congressman Barney Frank grew to become one of many first sitting members of Congress to return out as homosexual. Frank married his long-time accomplice in 2012, and some years later he joined Meet the Press to replicate on the nation’s progress on LGBTQ points.
[BEGIN TAPE]
CHUCK TODD:
Homosexual rights had been as soon as reviled publicly and Congress was revered. Now these attitudes have flipped. How did that occur?
REP. BARNEY FRANK:
Nicely, it is easy. Our actuality as homosexual, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals beat the unfairness. The central mechanism is there that we stopped hiding, and it turned out we weren’t what the stereotype was. However clearly, there was some extent when the notion that I couldn’t get married to Jim once I was nonetheless in Congress would’ve been essentially the most weird risk. And by the point I bought married somebody stated, “Nicely, was it controversial that you just bought married whilst you had been nonetheless in Congress?” And the reply was sure it was. Loads of my colleagues had been mad that they did not get invited.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
Once we come again, our Meet the Second dialog with actor Olivia Munn on her most cancers battle and surrogacy journey.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Welcome again. Roughly one in eight ladies might be identified with breast most cancers of their lifetime. Actor Olivia Munn is certainly one of them. Two years in the past, regardless of receiving a detrimental mammogram and clearing quite a few medical assessments, Munn’s physician decided that she credit with saving her life: administering a lifetime threat evaluation take a look at that led to a prognosis of an aggressive type of breast most cancers. Quickly after, Munn underwent 5 surgical procedures in lower than a 12 months, together with a double mastectomy and a process to take away her uterus. Simply months after revealing her battle with breast most cancers to the world, she and her husband — comic John Mulaney — welcomed their second little one with the assistance of a surrogate. And now Munn is returning to the display, co-starring with Jon Hamm within the hit present “Your Buddies and Neighbors” on Apple TV+. Have a look:
[BEGIN TAPE]
OLIVIA MUNN:
Nicely, Keely, because you requested. My husband was simply murdered within the lobby of our home, which is now against the law scene. Which is why I’m staying at a resort. Which is why I want new merchandise. Which is why you acutely noticed why I may be in dire want of retinol eye patches. We had been in the midst of a really nasty divorce. So there’s part of me, a disturbingly massive one, that’s relieved that he’s lifeless. However, I imply, Keely, I’m feeling responsible as f**** about that as a result of he’s the daddy of my youngsters for god’s sake. I imply what sort of particular person does that make me?
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
I sat down with Munn for a “Meet the Second” dialog about what she calls her “mission” to assist different ladies.
[BEGIN TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
Take me again to that second, in the event you would, in the event you can, whenever you had been first identified, that stunning second whenever you had been informed that you just did, the truth is, have breast most cancers. What was that second like? What went by way of your head? What went by way of your coronary heart?
OLIVIA MUNN:
Should you’ve ever been in a automobile crash, which I’ve been, “Oh god, no. I do not need this to occur. No, no, no. This cannot be taking place.” And in order that’s the sensation I had. And on the identical time, I used to be so targeted and in my physique as a result of I knew that she was telling me data that I wanted to know to get by way of this.
KRISTEN WELKER:
You stayed targeted. You fought. You had 5 surgical procedures in ten months —
OLIVIA MUNN:
Uh-huh.
KRISTEN WELKER:
– Olivia, and that may be exhausting for anybody. You’re somebody who’s within the public eye. Emotionally, how did you metal your self for that battle?
OLIVIA MUNN:
The one factor that got here up in my thoughts about being a public particular person was that I did not need any type of exterior consideration or any hypothesis that I could not make it. I wanted it to remain personal as a result of I needed to keep optimistic and I needed to struggle. I could not think about going by way of a battle like this and having all this exterior noise. And it wasn’t till I used to be wanting again on images with my son, simply as you do. You understand, you type of undergo your images and movies. And I noticed this certainly one of him and I taking part in within the entrance yard. And I believed, “Oh my gosh. Like, I had most cancers then and I did not realize it in any respect. And what number of different ladies are on the market proper now with a transparent mammogram, clear ultrasound, strolling round, and they do not know about this lifetime threat evaluation take a look at that was free and on-line and it saved my life?” And so I knew perhaps about, I am unsure, like, it was months into the journey that I knew that sooner or later I’d speak about it.
KRISTEN WELKER:
The most cancers threat assessment– you had completed every part right–
OLIVIA MUNN:
Yeah.
KRISTEN WELKER:
You had gotten a mammogram–
OLIVIA MUNN:
Uh-huh.
KRISTEN WELKER:
You had been given a clear invoice of health–
OLIVIA MUNN:
Yeah.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And your physician stated, “Get a most cancers threat evaluation,” one thing that the majority ladies most likely have not heard of.
OLIVIA MUNN:
Yeah.
KRISTEN WELKER:
And also you credit score that with saving your life.
OLIVIA MUNN:
It 100% saved my life. I do not know the way lengthy it might have taken me to seek out the most cancers as a result of I wasn’t due for one more mammogram for a 12 months. So not less than a 12 months.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Nicely, the Nationwide Most cancers Institute says that, since you’ve got determined to share your story, extra ladies are literally getting a most cancers threat evaluation. And journalist Alison Corridor says she bought a most cancers threat evaluation, came upon that she had breast most cancers. And he or she thinks that you just and that take a look at saved her life, Olivia. What does that imply, that you’re saving lives– You are impacting ladies all throughout this nation?
OLIVIA MUNN:
That makes me actually emotional once I take into consideration that as a result of, like, that was my objective, was for each lady to learn about this take a look at. That ladies are discovering out about this and it is saving their lives is simply, it is exhausting to elucidate. It is exhausting to elucidate realizing that this prognosis that put a lot concern into me has been capable of be changed into one thing that is saving individuals’s lives. And that is all I needed.
KRISTEN WELKER:
So in the event you might communicate to lawmakers, individuals in Congress, individuals who have the facility within the well being trade to make selections in regards to the entry that ladies should healthcare, to the medication they’ve entry to, what’s your message?
OLIVIA MUNN:
We have to be a precedence.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Ladies have to be a priority–
OLIVIA MUNN:
Yeah, ladies have to be a precedence. You understand, our well being must be a precedence. There may be the cash that’s there that is being spent on so many different issues. And with out ladies, there could be no life. I imply, to not sound saccharine, and even to be annoying about that, as a result of individuals have stated that, , previously, and it is on the market, and other people say, like, , with out ladies there could be no life. However that’s the fact. And though I should not should say this, as a result of it should not matter, however, , the people who find themselves making these legal guidelines, and creating these payments, and deciding over the place the funding goes, they’ve moms, they’ve sisters, they’ve daughters, they’ve wives, they’ve girlfriends. You understand, do not you wish to save them too? Do not you wish to assist them too? If it is all about cash, we are able to speak cash too. It takes a lot much less cash to teach ladies on their choices, to create choices for girls to have the most effective healthcare doable, and that is going to avoid wasting you some huge cash. So simply assist us assist ourselves. That is all we’re asking for. We’re simply asking that you just care sufficient about us to place cash the place we’d like it.
KRISTEN WELKER:
Due to your most cancers battle, you went into surgical menopause. You determined to have a hysterectomy. You, like me, and I had totally different causes, however I additionally could not carry youngsters, and so that you determined to go the surrogacy route, which I did as properly. And I do know that that call takes a very long time to succeed in. Why did you in the end resolve that you just needed to work with a gestational provider?
OLIVIA MUNN:
Having our daughter meant a lot to us. We knew that we weren’t completed rising our household. We actually needed this little woman to be on this planet, and we wanted her to be a part of our household. And that was my choice. There was no different choice for us. And I simply believed that I’d discover somebody so variety, and so heat, and so loving, and who had this calling in life. And so not having the choice was the factor that bought me by way of it. If we needed to have her on this planet, which we desperately did, then this was going to be my choice. And I’d not let my concern, I’d not let my issues and my worries cease my daughter from having an opportunity to be on this world. Like, that is what I’ve to do as a mom is to be selfless and to place my youngsters first, and that was the primary step– was placing my concern apart.
KRISTEN WELKER:
How did you try this, your concern, and what lots of people really feel continues to be stigmas about surrogacy that exist?
OLIVIA MUNN:
I actually did not perceive the depths of the stigma till I had began researching issues extra and speaking to extra individuals about it, and saying, like, , “Are you going to speak about utilizing a surrogate?” Like, then you have to disguise your self so that individuals do not know that you just’re not pregnant. And I believed, “Nicely, why would I try this?” Like, I did not perceive there was a stigma. And I’ll inform you that since popping out and telling individuals about utilizing a gestational surrogate, there has solely been love. There has solely been love that I’ve acquired, and other people have been so blissful for us, and so blissful to see my squishy, chunky little child woman out on this planet. She is the chunkiest, cutest, happiest child, similar to my son. So blissful. And there has solely been actually wonderful consideration and understanding.
KRISTEN WELKER:
You’re such a fighter, Olivia. Do you see your self as an advocate?
OLIVIA MUNN:
I feel there are individuals who advocate and there are people who find themselves advocates. And to me, I consider myself as simply somebody who’s advocating for girls. And it has grow to be my mission in life, there’s just some issues on my function checklist, which is to be an awesome mom, to be an awesome spouse, to be an awesome sister and good friend, and to assist as many ladies on this planet know in regards to the lifetime threat evaluation take a look at. I by no means actually had, like, that type of function in life. I used to be actually blissful. I needed to be an actor, and I grew to become an actor. And I simply needed to work on issues that I actually loved, and have enjoyable, and take dangers, however I had no different objective. There was no different factor. It wasn’t like I wish to take the profession to this place. I used to be simply desirous to reside a pleasant life, and be blissful, and now I’ve a really purposed mission in life.
[END TAPE]
KRISTEN WELKER:
If you wish to calculate your individual breast most cancers lifetime threat evaluation rating, go to the hyperlink in your display proper now. And you’ll watch my full interview with Olivia Munn at MeetThePress.com. That is all for at present, thanks for watching. We’ll be again subsequent week as a result of if it is Sunday, it is Meet the Press.