Overview of CNN Podcasts episode: Primary Results, Outrage Over Trump's DNI Pick, Pelley Fired and more
This CNN morning news roundup, hosted by Kate Baldwin, covers the biggest headlines for Wednesday, June 3: delayed vote counting in California’s primaries, a Trump-backed loss in Iowa, criticism over President Trump’s intelligence pick, CBS turmoil after Scott Pelley’s firing, and a disturbing in-flight passenger incident on Frontier Airlines. The episode also includes a quick look at Uber’s annual Lost and Found report.
Primary election updates
California races are still being counted
- California’s primary elections were still being tabulated, with the state’s top-two primary system sending the two highest vote-getters, regardless of party, to the general election.
- In the governor’s race, Steve Hilton and Javier Becerra were leading.
- In the Los Angeles mayoral race, incumbent Karen Bass was projected to advance, but her opponent was still unclear as ballots continued to be counted.
- Former reality TV star Spencer Pratt was reportedly ahead of Nithya Raman at the time of the broadcast, though the race remained too close to call.
Trump-endorsed candidate loses in Iowa
- In Iowa’s Republican gubernatorial primary, the Trump-backed candidate lost to farmer Zach Lane.
- The result was framed as a notable setback for Trump, since the defeated candidate became the highest-profile Trump-endorsed primary loser in years.
- Democrats see the general election as their best chance in a long time to flip the Iowa governor’s seat, though Republicans have held it for years.
Trump’s intelligence pick sparks backlash
Bill Pulte draws immediate criticism
- President Trump’s choice to serve as acting director of national intelligence is facing strong pushback.
- The pick, Bill Pulte, currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency and has no known national security background.
- Critics say his biggest qualification, from Trump’s perspective, may be his role in pursuing Trump’s political enemies.
- Pulte has sent criminal referrals to the Justice Department targeting figures such as:
- New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Sen. Adam Schiff
- Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook
- Former Rep. Eric Swalwell
- Senators from both parties raised red flags, warning that the appointment could be used to weaponize intelligence agencies against political opponents.
- Because it is an acting role, he can serve for up to 210 days without Senate confirmation.
CBS turmoil over Scott Pelley firing
Public clash leads to firing
- CNN reports major internal upheaval at CBS News after longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley was fired following a confrontation with the show’s new leadership.
- At a staff meeting, Pelley reportedly criticized the new executive producer and accused CBS leadership of destroying the identity and standards of 60 Minutes.
- Pelley’s statement said the leadership of the show was “no longer recognizable” and that the principles he valued were gone.
- CBS said Pelley was dismissed for cause after he made clear he was not interested in finding a path forward.
Frontier Airlines passenger incident
Passenger allegedly tried to open cockpit and emergency doors
- A Frontier Airlines flight out of Puerto Rico was diverted after a passenger allegedly tried to open both the cockpit door and an emergency exit door.
- The man, identified as Juan Reyes, allegedly:
- tried to leave the plane mid-flight,
- rammed the cockpit door,
- later tried to choke an off-duty flight attendant who sat with him.
- Other passengers and crew restrained him using flex cuffs and seatbelt extenders.
- The flight was diverted to Miami and later continued to Chicago.
- Reyes is now facing an assault charge.
Quick hits
Uber’s Lost and Found report
- Uber highlighted odd items people have left behind in rides, including:
- 420 donuts
- a dishwasher
- a rhinestone Jesus photo
- dentures
- 20 pounds of duck sausage
- pelvic implants
- The most commonly forgotten items were phones, wallets, and luggage.
- The cities with the most lost items were Miami, Chicago, and New York.
- Uber is rolling out an app feature that will make it easier to report and recover lost items, including requesting a trip directly in the app.
Key takeaways
- Election results are still unsettled in key California races, and the Iowa GOP primary produced a notable Trump-backed loss.
- Trump’s intelligence pick is controversial because of the nominee’s lack of national security experience and perceived political loyalty.
- CBS News is in turmoil, with Scott Pelley’s firing underscoring tensions over the future of 60 Minutes.
- The Frontier incident was a serious in-flight safety scare, but passengers and crew prevented a worse outcome.
- Uber is trying to turn a common annoyance—lost items in rides—into a more manageable process.