Overview of Guthrie’s New Video, Maxwell Deposition, Trump Criticizes Olympian and more
This episode of CNN Podcasts (five things you need to know — Feb 9) delivers a rapid roundup of five major news items: Savannah Guthrie’s plea about her missing mother, Ghislaine Maxwell’s deposition posture in the Jeffery Epstein probe, partisan stalemates risking a DHS funding lapse, Israel’s new West Bank measures, and President Trump’s criticism of an Olympian. The short show also highlights related CNN podcast episodes and cultural notes (fashion, Met Gala).
Key stories
1) Savannah Guthrie’s plea after her mother’s disappearance
- NBC co-host Savannah Guthrie posted an Instagram video pleading for the return of her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, who has been missing nine days from her Tucson-area home.
- A local station (KGUN9) received an apparent ransom video reportedly from possible kidnappers demanding $6 million and threatening Nancy’s life if the demand wasn’t met by 5 p.m. Mountain Time (the day of the broadcast).
- Law enforcement visited Nancy’s home and her other daughter Annie’s homes over the weekend as part of the investigation.
- Notable quote: “We are at an hour of desperation. We believe our mom is still out there.”
2) Ghislaine Maxwell pleads the Fifth in House Oversight deposition
- Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right during a virtual deposition with the House Oversight Committee tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
- Background: Maxwell was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for conspiring with Epstein to abuse minors.
- Maxwell’s attorney reportedly said she would clear President Trump’s name of wrongdoing if Trump granted her clemency.
- Legal commentary: CNN analyst Elliott Williams noted the broad scope of presidential pardon power and expressed disgust at how pardon requests can be pursued politically.
- The Justice Department has released files that mention both Trump and former President Bill Clinton; both deny wrongdoing. The Clintons are expected to sit for private depositions later this month.
3) Potential DHS funding lapse and shutdown risk
- Funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was set to expire Friday at midnight (context: Congress previously approved only a two-week extension).
- CNN sources said Republicans and Democrats made little progress in funding talks over the weekend.
- Democrats are pushing for reforms to federal immigration enforcement and have shared legislative text with Republicans, but negotiations have not advanced.
4) Israel expands enforcement powers in the occupied West Bank
- Israel’s security cabinet approved measures to expand enforcement powers and permit purchases of land to enlarge settlements—land currently held by the UN/international community for a future Palestinian state.
- Eight Muslim-majority countries (including some with diplomatic ties to Israel) condemned the decision, calling it a violation of international law and an attempt to displace Palestinians.
- Context: In October, then-President Trump told Time magazine he would not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.
5) Trump criticizes U.S. Olympian; athletes respond
- President Trump called U.S. skier Hunter Hess a “real loser” on Truth Social after Hess said he had “mixed emotions” representing the U.S. at the Winter Olympics.
- Olympian Chloe Kim replied that she’s “proud to represent the United States” and urged leading with “love and compassion.”
- Hess emphasized his right to speak and said he looked forward to representing Team USA.
Notable quotes
- Savannah Guthrie: “We are at an hour of desperation. We believe our mom is still out there.”
- Chloe Kim: “I’m really proud to represent the United States, and I think that we need to lead with love and compassion.”
- Trump (via Truth Social): called Hunter Hess “a real loser.”
- CNN analyst Elliott Williams on pardons: the president “is allowed to” pardon to clear names and “It’s sickening how it all works.”
What to watch next / follow-ups
- Any developments in the Nancy Guthrie kidnapping case (ransom deadline referenced in the report).
- House Oversight depositions: private depositions of the Clintons later this month; any further testimony or pleas from Maxwell.
- DHS funding talks and whether Congress reaches an agreement before the Friday deadline.
- International reaction and on-the-ground consequences of Israel’s new West Bank measures.
Other items and promotions mentioned
- Fashion season coverage: Milan and Paris shows, lead-up to the Met Gala; a note about Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez attending front-row events.
- CNN podcast highlights promoted in the episode:
- The Assignment with Audie Cornish (fashion coverage).
- Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta (episode on motivation to exercise).
- All There Is with Anderson Cooper (exploring grief; guest Megan Fowley).