Anderson Cooper 360

Tonight, a look at the continuing controversy surrounding President-elect Trump's nominations for attorney general and defense secretary. We’ve learned Trump is calling some senators directly to discuss his AG pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, and ask for their support, two sources familiar with the outreach told CNN. Plus, Trump made his return to NYC’s Madison Garden over the weekend for a UFC event. Donie O'Sullivan spoke to young fight fans who helped elected him and got insight on where they got the the information that helped them decide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s new reporting tonight about Matt Gaetz, President-elect Trump’s pick for attorney general. The attorney who represents two of the women who were witnesses in the House Ethics Committee probe into former Republican congressman confirmed on Friday that one of his clients saw Gaetz having sex with a minor. "My client testified to the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Matt Gaetz having sex with a minor," attorney Joel Leppard said. A spokesperson for Gaetz responded to the report with, "Merrick Garland's DOJ cleared Matt Gaetz and didn't charge him. Are you alleging Garland is part of a cover up?” The Department of Justice pursued a yearslong sex-crimes investigation into Gaetz but ultimately decided last year not to pursue criminal charges against him. Plus, for the first time in nearly two decades, Mike Tyson will return to professional boxing tonight and take on 27-year-old former YouTube star Jake Paul in a highly anticipated fight. Randi Kaye looks at how both men got to this moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump spoke Thursday night from Mar-a-Lago, where he announced he plans to nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, his former opponent in the 2024 presidential race, as Interior Secretary. Earlier in the day, Trump tapped Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for the next Health and Human Services Secretary. Kennedy has been one of the nation’s most outspoken vaccine skeptics and a Covid-19 conspiracy theorists. "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health," Trump said in a statement today. “HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives,” added Trump. Plus, Gary Tuchman visits the Pennsylvania county that swung more to the right than any other in that battleground state in 2024 and talks to voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The House Ethics Committee was due to meet this week to vote on releasing a report about Matt Gaetz, who resigned from Congress on Wednesday after President-elect Donald Trump announced he will nominate Gaetz for attorney general, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. If confirmed, Gaetz would take over the nation’s top law enforcement agency - the same one that pursued a years-long sex-crimes investigation into the congressman. The Justice Department ultimately decided last year not to pursue criminal charges against him. Plus, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat who could be part of a confirmation hearing - if one is held - speaks to Anderson aboutTrump's cabinet picks and staff nominations so far. Also, former Trump friend Geraldo Rivera gives his take on the recent appointees, quite a few of whom are former Fox colleagues and guests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Trump announced several key appointments Tuesday evening, including naming Fox News host and Army veteran Pete Hegseth as his pick for secretary of defense, GOP lawyer Bill McGinley as White House counsel, John Ratcliffe as CIA director, and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Trump also announced Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will lead the new “Department of Government Efficiency.” Plus, Donie O'Sullivan checks back in with a January 6th rioter and grandmother now in prison who is convinced Trump is going to pardon her. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump is in the process of filling several key positions for his new administration. Tonight, we learned he has asked Republican Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida to serve as his national security adviser, according to a source. Also, the New York Times is reporting that Sen. Marco Rubio is expected to be named his secretary of state. Earlier it was announced Trump picked Rep. Elise Stefanik as UN ambassador and Stephen Miller is expected to serve as his White House deputy chief of staff for policy. CNN’s Kaitlan Collins joins Anderson with more on the jockeying among Trump allies at Mar-a-Lago. Also, a conviction in the 2017 murders of two Indiana teenage girls and the video from the cell phone of one of the victim’s that played a part. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's been a flurry of activity at Mar-a-Lago, with individuals eager to get face time with the president-elect and jockeying for positions in his administration. CNN's Kaitlan Collins has more details on the recent activity in West Palm Beach, Florida and on the post-election day relationship between Donald Trump and his tech-tycoon supporter, Elon Musk. Plus, a closer look at Trump’s successful effort to win more support from Black voters. CNN’s Omar Jimenez reports from Philadelphia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump has named his campaign manager, Susie Wiles, as his White House chief of staff. She is his first cabinet pick and will be the first woman ever to hold the title. We have new details on the other names being considered for high-profile positions. Plus, former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe on what the Justice Department could look like in a second Trump administration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is preparing to return to the White House and the greatest hope of many Republicans and the worst fears of many Democrats are now becoming a reality. We break down the implications of Trump’s historic and sweeping presidential victory and the monumental shift in American politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All across the United States, from Arizona to Pennsylvania, Michigan to Georgia, and battlegrounds in between, the final hours are underway in one of the closest and most consequential presidential races ever. CNN is projecting Donald Trump will win the states of Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and Oklahoma. CNN is projecting Maryland, Massachusetts, and the District of Columbia will go to Kamala Harris. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first votes of Election Day 2024 are just a couple hours away and close to 80 million early ballots have been cast. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are spending their final night on the campaign trail making two very different campaign pitches in Pittsburgh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With just four days left, both candidates are in Wisconsin tonight; a so-called Blue Wall state that is critical for both campaigns. CNN’s John King has the latest polling. Plus, the Supreme Court on Friday left in place a Pennsylvania court ruling that is expected to expand backup options for voters whose ballots are rejected for technical reasons, in a defeat for Republicans in the crucial battleground state. Elie Honig explains what this is all about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump, the only candidate found liable by a jury of sexually abusing a woman, claimed that he will be women's "protector," and added “whether they like it or not." Meanwhile, tonight Vice President Harris is in Nevada with rallies in Reno and North Las Vegas. The latter is where Jennifer Lopez will be joining Harris onstage. Earlier this week, the singer and actress was one of the celebrities of Puerto Rican descent to show support for Harris’s campaign after a racist joke was made by a comedian about the Caribbean island at Trump’s NYC rally. Our political analysts, commentators and campaign veterans from across the partisan spectrum give their take on the new developments with just five days out from the election. Plus, John King speaks to college students in battleground Michigan helping to get out the vote, in the latest installment of his "All Over the Map” series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump hold dueling campaign events in Wisconsin tonight as they race to make their final case to voters with just six days left until the election. Plus, CNN obtained video showing House Speaker Mike Johnson telling a group of supporters on Monday night that Republicans will seek “massive reform” to the Affordable Care Act if Donald Trump is reelected, previewing a possible major piece of the GOP’s legislative plans for next year. But now Speaker Johnson has released a statement on the topic and the Trump campaign is responding, as well. And five states in five days; John King travels to Wisconsin for the latest installment of his "All Over the Map" series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With one week until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a final-stretch closing argument address tonight in Washington, DC where she accused former President Donald Trump of spending the past decade “trying to keep the American people divided and afraid of each other." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With the election just over a week away, more than 43 million early vote ballots have been cast. CNN political director David Chalian and CNN's chief national correspondent John King break down the significance. And John continues his "All Over The Map" election series, with a focus on what Latino voters in Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anderson gets two perspectives on the 2024 race. David Axelrod was instrumental in getting Barack Obama elected president twice and Mike Murphy served as a top official for Republican campaigns, including the late Senator John McCain's 2000 presidential bid. The co-hosts of the "Hacks on Tap" podcast join Anderson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Harris and former President Obama shared the stage tonight in Georgia at their first campaign event together with 12 days until the election. Radio host and author Charlamagne Tha God and Angela Rye, co-host of the podcast "Native Land Pod," talk about the state of the presidential race and how the media covers this election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With only 13 days left until Election Day, Kamala Harris faces undecided voters at a CNN town hall in Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A major moment in this unprecedented election is about to happen in Pennsylvania at CNN’s town hall with Kamala Harris. The vice president will face undecided voters who might ultimately reach their decisions tonight with only 13 days left until Election Day. Our John King covers the latest messaging from Kamala Harris that may resonate with swing state voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The former president's one-time chief of staff, retired four-star Marine Corps General John Kelly, is slamming his former boss in two separate interviews, just 14 days before the election. Meanwhile, the campaign and another former chief of staff are coming to Trump’s defense. Former Maine Republican Senator William Cohen, who served as defense secretary in the Clinton Administration, and CNN Military Analyst and retired Army Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, weigh in. Also, reaction from Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders and his take on the state of the 2024 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Favreau, a former speechwriter for President Obama, joins Anderson to talk about social conservatives supporting Vice President Harris and what he thinks about former President Obama's appearances on the campaign trail. Plus, CNN's John King has his latest installment of his "All Over the Map" series. He’s talking with Michigan autoworkers, key voters in a crucial state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump both spent the day campaigning in the battleground state of Michigan. Harris spoke about Trump's alleged exhaustion, while Trump again suggested this morning that Abraham Lincoln should have cut a deal to “settle” the Civil War. Plus, Elon Musk campaigns for Trump near Philadelphia. CNN's Sunlen Serfaty looks at why the tech billionaire decided to dive into politics now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kamala Harris is campaigning in Wisconsin and our panel answers if this is what Harris should be doing and if she is doing enough. Plus, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has been reportedly killed by the IDF and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro joins to comment. This as Secretary of State Blinken says the United States will redouble efforts to end the conflict in Gaza after Sinwar’s death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris said her presidency will not “be a continuation of Joe Biden’s presidency” during a tense interview on Fox News where she also said the American people are tired of divisive political rhetoric. Meanwhile, Donald Trump on Wednesday repeated his false claim about Haitian migrants eating pets in Springfield, Ohio, during a town hall with Latino voters. And at an all-female town hall, Trump declared himself the “father of IVF.” Plus, 35 years after killing their parents, new evidence comes to light in the Lyle and Erik Menendez case. Will it lead to their freedom? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Three weeks until Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris participated in a town hall event with Charlamagne Tha God in an effort to shore up Black voters. Meanwhile, former President Trump’s recent events, including his town hall last night in Pennsylvania where he ended it by playing his music and dancing in front of the crowd for more than 30 minutes, raises questions for some about his mental state. Plus, legendary journalist Bob Woodward's new book “War” is full of behind-the-scenes details about Trump's post presidency conversations with Vladimir Putin, and fears Trump's former top general has about a possible second Trump term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump held dueling events in the pivotal battleground state of Pennsylvania tonight with just weeks until Election Day. In Erie, Harris slammed Trump's comment suggesting that the U.S. military should handle “the enemy from within” on Election Day. Harris told her supporters that "he would use the military to go after them…and we know who he would target, because he has attacked them before: Journalists whose stories who he doesn’t like, election officials who refuse to cheat by finding extra votes for him, judges who insist on following the law instead of bending to his will. This is among the reasons I believe so strongly that a second Trump term would be a huge risk for America, and dangerous.” Also tonight, Anderson speaks with Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, the parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, the 23-year-old Israeli-American hostage murdered a month-and-a-half ago by Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With 25 days left until the election, former President Donald Trump held a rally in Aurora, Colorado where he stirred up fear of migrants, repeatedly attacked the state's Governor Jared Polis, and falsely claimed Vice President Harris used a prompter at her Univision town hall on Thursday. Perspective from Democratic congressman Jason Crow who represents Colorado's sixth congressional district, which includes Aurora. Also tonight, the death toll from Hurricane Milton rises to at least 17 as residents on both coasts of Florida try to recover. Randi Kaye is live from Palm Beach Gardens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Several tornadoes hit one after another in parts of Florida. Along with tornadoes, Hurricane Milton brought more than a foot of rain in some places, which combined with the storm surge sent water rising faster than some people could flee. We bring you the latest on the recovery and response efforts to Hurricane Milton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anderson is on the ground in Bradenton, Florida as Hurricane Milton makes landfall. Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer joins to provide updates from Palmetto and insights on how many people have likely evacuated his jurisdiction. Plus, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor joins as more than 500,000 Florida homes and businesses are without power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Milton is back at Category 5 hurricane strength and is still on track to make landfall on Florida's Gulf Coast Wednesday night. Officials are pleading with Floridians to "get out," warning that they face life-threatening conditions if they stay. Highways are backed up and some gas stations are running low on fuel as residents heed the warnings and evacuate. Anderson speaks to FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell. Plus, new revelations in legendary journalist Bob Woodward's new book, including multiple phone calls between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin after the former president left office. CNN's Jamie Gangel has the details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the fastest-growing hurricanes on record is barreling toward the United States and is expected to make landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast Wednesday night. Hurricane Milton rapidly intensified at a mind-boggling rate into a Category 5 over the record-warm Gulf of Mexico. The dangerous eye and eyewall could come ashore anywhere from Cedar Key at the north to Naples at the south – including possibly in the Tampa or Fort Myers areas. Anderson speaks to Chief Barbara Tripp of Tampa's Fire Rescue on how her city is preparing. Plus, Anderson's conversation with Yifat Zailer, a prominent voice for the families of those kidnapped by Hamas during their terror attack on Israel on October 7th, one year ago today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Obama will launch a 27-day series of campaign events for Vice President Harris next week, starting in Pennsylvania. The Thursday rally in Pittsburgh will be the first in a string of events Obama plans to hold across electoral battlegrounds in the weeks ahead of Election Day, according to a senior Harris campaign official. This election, in Obama’s view, is an “all hands on deck” moment, aides have said. Randi Kaye looks at Harris and Obama's shared journey through political history. Plus, The New York Times' Ryan Mac and national columnist for The Washington Post Philip Bump give their take on the alliance between former President Trump and Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO will be joining Trump at his return to Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, according to a campaign official. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, a staunch conservative, joined Kamala Harris on stage in the swing-state of Wisconsin, where she asked voters to “reject the depraved cruelty” of former president Donald Trump and back Vice President Harris in November’s election. Cheney is also one of four prominent previous pro-Trump Republican women who will make the case against voting for Trump at a fireside chat in Montgomery, Pennsylvania next week. Tonight, Anderson speaks to one of the four, Cassidy Hutchinson, former top aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A federal judge unsealed a 165-page court filing that gives the most comprehensive narrative to date of the 2020 election subversion case against former President Trump. The document comes from Special Counsel Jack Smith's office and argues that the actions Trump took to overturn that election were in his private capacity - as a candidate - rather than in his official capacity, as a president. That argument comes after the Supreme Court’s decision in July, which granted the former president sweeping immunity for official actions but left the door open for prosecutors to pursue Trump for unofficial steps he took. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Walz and JD Vance faced off in a civil, policy-focused vice presidential debate in New York City. CNN brings you an instant poll on the debate. Panel members Scott Jennings, Ashley Allison, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and David Axelrod join to give reaction and break down key moments from tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tim Walz and JD Vance faced off in a civil, policy-focused vice presidential debate in New York City. Our panel shares key moments from the debate and provides their analysis. Panel members include David Axelrod, Van Jones, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and David Urban. Plus, Donald Trump Jr. joins CNN to answer if he wants his father to do another debate with Harris after we he saw on stage tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The political spotlight is on New York City as Tim Walz and JD Vance are about to face one another on the vice presidential debate stage. This as Israel is assessing the extent of damage from a major missile attack from Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At least 128 people have died across six states after Helene. Officials fear that number could rise. Nearly 2 million customers still don’t have power and countless families have no idea if their loved ones survived the storm's rampage with cell phone outages in Western North Carolina and other hard-hit areas. Many survivors also in need of water and food. Anderson speaks to Asheville Fire Department Assistant Chief Jeremy Knighton, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and Chef José Andrés from World Central Kitchen. And the Israeli military launches what it calls a “limited ground operation" in southern Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah. CNN’s Jeremy Diamond is on the ground in Northern Israel with the latest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After visiting the border, Vice President Kamala Harris speaks in Arizona to a crowd where she vowed to resurrect a bipartisan border security bill that she says was "tanked" by Donald Trump. Scott Jennings, Gretchen Carlson, and Van Jones join to give reaction. Plus, at least 45 storm-related deaths are reported in 5 states and millions are without power after Hurricane Helene makes landfall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The extremely dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Helene, which is now 400 miles wide, is now pushing a storm surge that officials are now calling “unsurvivable.” Some coastal areas are now already flooding. Storm warnings are in effect in as far north as North Carolina. AC360 provides the latest on this potentially catastrophic storm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today Republican Congressman Clay Higgins amplified the recent hateful campaign against Haitian immigrants, posting on social media that they are “thugs” and “slapstick gangsters” who needed to get “their a** out of our country.” Higgins has since deleted the post and he told CNN he did not regret his comments. The chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford, joins 360° to discuss the efforts to censure Higgins over the post. Horsford is also calling on the House Committee on Ethics to investigate Higgins’ actions. Plus, the latest on Hurricane Helene and the final preparations under way along Florida’s Big Bend, before it makes landfall as potentially one of the largest storms in a century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Six weeks until election day and the presidential race is exceedingly close. Among likely voters nationwide, a new CNN poll finds 48% support Harris and 47% Trump, a margin that suggests no clear leader in the race. Plus, evacuations and preparations are underway in Florida ahead of Helene, which threatens to hit as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States in over a year. Helene has strengthened this evening and now has winds of 60 mph, according to the 8 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have breaking news on a possible campaign stop at the southern border for Vice President Harris aimed at closing the gap with former President Trump in Arizona. New polling shows Trump is ahead, 50 percent to 45 percent, in that battleground state. Plus, veteran strategists and political power couple James Carville and Mary Matalin join us to give their take on the state of the race and discuss the upcoming documentary “Carville: Winning is Everything, Stupid” set to premiere October 5 at 7pm ET on CNN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s breaking news in CNN's exclusive investigation into disturbing online posts made years ago by Republican nominee for North Carolina governor Mark Robinson, as questions swirl about how former President Trump will deal with the brewing scandal in the crucial swing state. Plus, Anderson speaks with two young women whose 24-year-old sister, Eden Yerushalmi, was one of the six Israeli hostages recently executed in a tunnel by Hamas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a CNN exclusive investigation, our KFile team uncovered startling comments on a porn site made by Mark Robinson, who is now running to be the Republican governor of North Carolina. More than a decade ago, Robinson made a series of inflammatory comments on a pornography website’s message board, in which he referred to himself as a “black NAZI!” and expressed support for reinstating slavery. Robinson denies the charges and vows to stay in the race. KFile Senior Editor Andrew Kaczynski joins Anderson with the details. Plus, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a major campaign event with Oprah Winfrey that is live streamed from the battleground state of Michigan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Another Trump surrogate takes a jibe at Vice President Kamala Harris for not having biological children. Hear what the former President had to say when asked about it today. Plus, a day after hundreds of Hezbollah pagers exploded with devastating artillery consequences across Lebanon, now its walkie-talkies being targeted as well, and the death toll is rising. CNN’s Ben Wedeman is in Beirut tonight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former President Donald Trump attended a town hall in Flint, Michigan tonight, his first event since the apparent attempt on his life on Sunday. Anderson speaks to The New York Times' Maggie Haberman about Trump's current state of mind. Plus, a sprawling coordinated attack in Lebanon against Hezbollah operatives with hundreds of pagers reportedly secretly filled with explosive then detonated remotely and simultaneously. We have new reporting on who’s behind it, and how they did it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The latest on the apparent assassination attempt on the former President on Sunday near his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Plus, the mayor of Springfield, Ohio speaks to Anderson following more threats to elementary schools in the city after false claims about Haitian immigrants made by Donald Trump and his running mate, Ohio Senator JD Vance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In a press conference filled with falsehoods, the former president defended his ties to a true racist conspiracy-peddler, as the Ohio city they're both pushing anti-immigrant conspiracies about is hit with bomb threats at local schools. Plus, Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Tua Tagovailoa's injury in Thursday night’s Dolphins-Bills game, the third concussion the quarterback has suffered during his NFL career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices