Meet the Press NOW — July 22

[00:00:03][music] Welcome to Meet the Press Now. I'm Kristen Welker in Washington where President Trump is once again escalating his threats against Iran as the human and economic toll of the war rises. This morning, President Trump attending the dignified transfer of four US service members killed in the Middle East over the weekend. President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Haggath, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine can be seen saluting as the bodies of the fallen were transported off the plane. President Trump speaking to reporters ahead of this incredibly solemn event, suggesting the fallen soldiers all supported the war.

[00:00:51]They are indeed great heroes actually.

[00:00:55]They said and they all of them said very strongly, we can't let you cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. They won't have a nuclear weapon. So, we're going to honor them and uh it's one of the hardest things to do. For me, it's one of the hardest things to do as a president, but uh has to be done.

[00:01:16]Just hours before that, the president issuing a new threat on social media, warning tyrron that every time it shoots at a ship in the straight of Hormuz, the US will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant in Iran. The US has now launched strikes on Iran for 11 consecutive days, despite the administration saying Iran's military capabilities have been eviscerated and the war is over. President Trump today insisting public support is on his side.

[00:01:46]Well, Americans aren't against the war.

[00:01:48]The a poll a poll just came out.

[00:01:51]Americans don't want to high gasoline prices, but they're not against the war.

[00:01:56]>> And yet, every major reputable poll shows the war is unpopular with the public. Meanwhile, the administration's strategy in Iran remains unclear, including what it would take to deescalate and get the US and Iran back to the negotiating table. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was pressed on that point today. Take a listen.

[00:02:15]Is the US strategy to strike Iran into submission? And why do you think Iran is not giving in right now after?

[00:02:21]>> Well, look, the United States is uh Iran's in a lot of trouble. Ships are trying to go through the straits and they're getting blown up. Commercial ships are going through the straits and they're being blown up. The United States is defending that shipping and in addition is targeting the places that are launching against those ships that continue to degrade Iran's ability to target and harm um uh global shipping.

[00:02:42]We remain open to diplomacy. We remain open to working it out in a negotiated way, but right now they don't seem to be serious about that. And so we're going to continue to protect shipping.

[00:02:50]>> Now, here at home, fuel prices continue to rise with the average cost of gas above $4 a gallon and oil prices picking back up, closing today around $87 a barrel. Joining me now is NBC News White House correspondent Monica Alba, NBC News senior national security correspondent Courtney Q. who is at Dover Air Force Base for that dignified transfer and NBC News Capitol Hill correspondent Julie Cirin. Thanks to all of you for starting us off. Monica, let me start with you at the White House. We are hearing this new threat that I just talked about from President Trump. So, take me inside your conversations.

[00:03:27]What is the administration? What are officials there saying the strategy is to get Iran back to the negotiating table? Well, so often, Kristen, throughout the course of this military conflict, we have seen examples of the president really using uh his social media platform as a way to sort of try out these threats from a rhetoric perspective, escalating that kind of language without necessarily following through. We have seen that as a sort of pressure tactic that the administration has used. But of course, this does raise the question about whether this is something they would actually go through with. And given those comments you just played from Secretary Rubio and from the president himself, they are still talking about this potential path to diplomacy. But I have to tell you that every time they've been bringing that up recently, it doesn't seem like there's anything that's actually moving the ball forward on that. In fact, this really feels like the administration continues to be stuck in a place where it's still figuring out what might get Iran back to the negotiating table when Iran doesn't seem to have any appetite or urgency to do so. Kristen, >> no, you're absolutely right about that, Monica. And when you see those images at Dover Air Force Base today, few images are as powerful, potent as a dignified transfer, an incredibly solemn event.

[00:04:46]President Trump there, Defense Secretary Pete Hegsth, as we were just discussing.

[00:04:51]How is the White House, how's the president dealing with the human toll of this war, Monica? Yeah, the weight of this responsibility is perhaps never more clear than on a day like today for the president and his administration uh when they are there physically to meet with the families who did agree to have media coverage of this dignified transfer today. And this is a president who participated in several of these transfers in his first administration.

[00:05:21]This is his second dignified transfer this year uh so far. And there was a moment in which he acknowledged one of the families happened to be from Georgia and when the president let them know that he was going to be headed there after he attended this dignified transfer for a political event. He says according to the White House that he offered them a ride aboard Air Force One and the family members took him up on that, traveled with him down to Georgia and even attended uh this rally that you're playing there on your screen right now where the president again acknowledged them, thank them uh for their uh contribution and of course for the fallen service members heroic efforts uh in this prolonged conflict right now in the Middle East. So that certainly does weigh on this administration and on the president who acknowledged all four service members today as heroes. Kristen, >> just an extraordinary detail there, Monica, and we are monitoring what President Trump is saying in Georgia. We will of course bring any newsworthy comments to everyone who is watching right now as we get them. But Monica, let me ask you about the midterms.

[00:06:29]Obviously looming very large over all of this. President Trump was asked yesterday how it's factoring into his thinking and he really downplayed any impact. Right.

[00:06:39]>> He's been pretty dismissive of that notion overall. Remember a few weeks back he of course really made headlines when he said that he didn't think about Americans personal financial situations when making decisions about Iran. but he's seemingly making a similar statement this week and saying that yeah, he may not be the one who's on the ballot in November, but certainly Republicans who are worried about this issue being a problem for the GOP and for holding the House are worried about what kind of factor it may play.

[00:07:10]Kristen.

[00:07:10]>> All right, Monica Alba starting us off on an incredibly somber day at the White House. Monica, thank you so much for that reporting. Courtney QB, let me turn to you. You are at Do Air Force Base where that dignified transfer took place. What can you tell us about these service members who were transferred today?

[00:07:31]>> Yeah, sorry. We're out in front of Dover Air Force Base now. It's a little bit loud here, but I can tell you that that was not the case inside the dignified transfer today. It's a very quiet and solemn ceremony. Uh we saw seven US Army soldiers go into that C17 and one by one carry out the flag draped transfer cases of those four fallen US Army soldiers.

[00:07:53]You know, Kristen, a lot of our viewers may not realize this, but when you go to a dignified transfer event like the one today, the military is very particular about the rules for media and anyone attending. As reporters, we're not allowed to get any audio on the video showing the event. And that is in large part to protect the family members who are there. But I can tell you, I was standing not too far from some of those family members and it's just gut-wrenching uh to to listen to them when they see the transfer case come off with that flag on it. It's the first time that their loved one is back in the United States after giving that ultimate sacrifice. Um and it's the first time that they are or they are seeing them uh back here in the United States after learning the horrible news that they've been killed. It was four Americans, three killed in Jordan, one in Iraq, and and one of those individuals uh serge uh a sergeant who was um uh injured and missing initially in Jordan is still waiting to be positively identified uh by the DNA testing here at Dover.

[00:08:56]Kristen, >> you're right, Courtney. The images are just so incredibly powerful and hard to watch, quite frankly. The president of course today as we're talking about threatened to strike bridges, power plants in Iran. Does the military have the legal authority to strike those targets? What are your sources telling you there?

[00:09:20]>> Yeah, so it's it wouldn't be the first time that the military has struck infrastructure as during the course of this war with Iran. And basically the way that they can make these legal strikes is by finding locations that would be considered dual use. So potentially a bridge or a facility where the military, the Iranian military or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps uses that location in support of their military efforts. So for instance, if there's a bridge where the the IRGC is moving equipment or logistics or supplies or personnel, whatever it is, in support of attacking commercial shipping in the straight of Hormuz, that could be considered a legal and legitimate military target. So the question is, are those the sorts of things that President Trump is talking about here? We've been watching to see there has been pretty consistent activity in the Straight of Hormuz in and around, but so far we don't have any reports of any activity since he posted that truth social earlier today. Kristen >> Courtney QB with your reporting from Dover Air Force Base on an incredibly somber day. Courtney, thank you so much for joining us, for giving us that viewpoint. We appreciate it. Julie, let me turn to you. the war escalating.

[00:10:35]Obviously, as we said at the top of the show, we know that Democrats have been critical of the president from the start, arguing that he's acting outside of his authority given that he hasn't gotten congressional approval. What are you hearing from Republican lawmakers?

[00:10:50]Are they starting to lose patience with the fact that this war is now dragging on? Kristen, privately they have been questioning and testing their patients all throughout this war, but it does not seem like uh the unfortunate addition of more service members to the count of the service members that we've lost now 17 since the start of the war. Kristen, it does not seem like that is adding any momentum, at least publicly, for Republicans to say, you know what, now is the time where we challenge the president's authority on this war. Look no further than the uh dichotomy we're seeing right now with that supplemental package, $95 billion of additional funding the administration says it needs to not only continue its fighting in Iran, but also replenish some of the munitions, the stock piles that they've been using over the course of the 5 months. Democrats that I've talked to, Kristen, say we would be open to looking at that, but the problem is they would like Republicans and the administration to at least give them a vote, a say as to whether the administration has unilateral powers into continuing this.

[00:11:48]And yet, Republicans find it easier to move that kind of supplemental package with only Republican votes than working across the aisle. So, so far to say, Kristen, that Republicans are not looking to push the administration any further than they have been, which hasn't been much uh over the course of the last 5 months. Well, Democrats are expected to force another War Powers vote this week. How do you expect that all to play out, Julie? What are you going to be watching for there?

[00:12:12]>> I Yeah, Kristen, they could vote as soon as tomorrow before they leave town for the week. Democrats once again trying to put Republicans on notice, particularly in the Senate. We've seen this effort succeed in the past, right? Not through that veto proof majority, not that twothirds majority that is needed. Uh but certainly there has been some disgruntling on the Republican side. Uh Kristen, I have to tell you though, more than those four Republicans that we have been seeing, Susan Collins, Lisa Marowsky, Bill Cassidy, Rand Paul, for budgetary and war reasons. Of course, he's different than the other Republicans. I don't expect more Republican votes to join Democrats in that war powers vote despite the fact that they've heard from Pete Hexet this week. They've questioned him privately.

[00:12:51]A number of Republicans that I've spoken to, Kristen, want the administration to tell them their plan. But I think a part of this too is that Republicans feel comfortable having Democrats push the administration asking the tough questions while for now even in the words of leader John Thoon yesterday, as recently as yesterday, Kristen, they are allowing the administration to continue to have latitude. How long they continue their patience for that remains to be seen.

[00:13:14]>> All right, Julie Cirin with all of your reporting from Capitol Hill. Julie, thank you so very much. We appreciate it. As President Trump continues to defend his military action as a way to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, NBC News is learning the Trump administration is set to approve a landmark nuclear deal with one of Thrron's Gulf rivals, Saudi Arabia. Now, according to a senior administration official, the US will support the creation of a civilian nuclear power program in Saudi, which could pave the way for Riad to pursue uranium enrichment. Asked about the expected agreement and concerns about nuclear proliferation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration would be seeking congressional approval for the deal. Look, >> we have to do it with Congress anyways.

[00:14:00]So, we'll certainly do it publicly, but suffice it to say, the US is not going to reach any agreement with any country in the world that leads to the risk of proliferation.

[00:14:09]>> And joining me now is NBC News intelligence reporter Dan Deloo. Dan, thanks so much for being here.

[00:14:14]Appreciate it. So break down what you know so far, what your reporting is about this deal.

[00:14:18]>> So at this point they haven't briefed uh in detail, but yes, this is a plan to allow Saudi Arabia to develop a civilian nuclear energy program with US help. Now [clears throat] the it is not adhering to what's called the gold standard at this point. There's no word that Saudi Arabia has agreed to sort of ex extensive UN inspections that would allow inspectors to look anywhere, anytime. And they've always been opposed to that and it's and that's called the gold standard as I said and it also would have banned uranium enrichment.

[00:14:50]There's no word that that's banned.

[00:14:52]>> And that's pretty interesting because you just showed Secretary of State Rubio talking. Well, he was a senator back in the first Trump administration. He was very outspoken about any nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia that didn't meet that standard. So here's what he had to say at that point.

[00:15:11]Oh, sorry. You can read what he said and he basically said no way uh should there be any cooperation agreement without that standard.

[00:15:19]>> And let me I'll read what he said. He said the United States should suspend all talks related to a civil nuclear cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia until the Saudi government agrees to, as you just said, the gold standard requirements and proves they are willing to be responsible partners that respect the basic rights of their citizens.

[00:15:39]Again, this was Senator Marco Rubio back in 2018. And Dan, to this point, Saudi Arabia is basically saying, well, if Iran moves to develop a nuclear weapon, then we'll have to move to develop a nuclear weapon. I mean, how might this impact the stability in the region there?

[00:15:55]>> So, the administration will say this allows the US to shape the program and not have Russia or China get involved.

[00:16:02]But critics and some lawmakers are saying this could open the way open the door for Saudi Arabia to eventually have the knowhow and to have a nuclear weapons capability. So it's a very controversial move and one that Israel will have real reservations about.

[00:16:15]>> I mean the Biden administration was considering a similar deal as well. Is the Trump administration effectively giving up some of its potential leverage?

[00:16:24]>> I think they lost some leverage here. I think that Saudi Arabia was not ready to recognize Israel given the war in Gaza and now this current war with Iran which they have a lot of reservations about as well. So I think it's it's an ad it's an admission really the White House could not get that out of the Saudis.

[00:16:42]>> What is the White House what is the United States getting from this deal?

[00:16:47]What's the argument in favor of it that >> I think the White House will probably argue this is a boon to industry. They want to have these agreements all over the world and so US nuclear energy industry will benefit and we'll have all these agreements all over the world. And I think the other argument they will probably make is that would you rather have Russia doing this? Would you rather have China building uh enrichment facilities and so on. So I think that's the argument they'll make and then they're going to face tough questions about what restrictions what limits are going to be placed on the Saudis >> and and again Secretary Rubio stressing it will require congressional approval ultimately. Yes, although twothirds vote to override a presidential veto on this one.

[00:17:25]>> All right, Dan Deloo, thank you so much.

[00:17:27]Great to see you. Appreciate all the really great information. Coming up about last night, a duo of election deniers win [music] the Republican primaries for governor and secretary of state in Arizona. [music] What it means for the battleground state in November.

[00:17:41]Plus, election security concerns as the Justice Department opens an investigation into how more than 6,000 non-citizens were registered to vote in New Jersey. And as election officials sound the alarm about gambling in the midterms through prediction markets.

[00:17:57]We'll delve into that. Stay with us.

[00:17:58]You're watching Meet the Press Now.

[00:18:04][music] Welcome back. If it's Wednesday, we have election results out of Battleground Arizona. Casting a spotlight on the president's grip over his party and its embrace of his election conspiracy theories in the Republican primary for governor. Trump backed Congressman Andy Biggs overwhelmingly defeated Congressman David Schwikert. He will face incumbent Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs in November. Meanwhile, state representative Alexander Coladin won the Republican primary in the battle for Secretary of State and will face the incumbent Democrat Adrien Fontes.

[00:18:41]Notably, both Biggs and Coladin have echoed President Trump's baseless and unfounded claims of election fraud, with Coladin leading several failed efforts to overturn the 2020 results in the state. If he wins in November, he would become Arizona's top election official.

[00:18:57]Joining me now is Bram Resnik, anchor and political reporter for our Phoenix affiliate, KPNX. Bram, thanks so much for joining us. We really appreciate it.

[00:19:06]Let's delve right in and start with Congressman Andy Biggs. this big win that he had in the primary for governor.

[00:19:12]You pointed out on your show yesterday that he hasn't ever faced a tough fight in what is obviously a solid red house seat. What are you going to be watching for? What do you think is required to be Governor Hobbes?

[00:19:28]>> Well, Andy Biggs has served for 24 years in Arizona's legislature and then the Congress. He has never had a really tough election. And in that time, just on a very conventional level, he's taken a lot of policy positions, cast a lot of votes that are going to get a lot of scrutiny, and it could be really tough scrutiny. So that's one layer. Then go to the next layer, which is how he handled the 2020 election. He refused to accept Arizona's results. In fact, he tried to overturn the election. He has been a consistent election denier. He apparently has not acknowledged that Katie Hobbs, the current governor, won her her spot legitimately. Uh, and so also keep in mind in 2028, if Andy Biggs is elected governor, he would have to certify the presidential election results in our state. So, we're kind of looking at things on all three levels.

[00:20:16]This campaign is just getting going. Um, but you can expect a lot of those levels to uh develop as time goes on.

[00:20:22]>> Do you think that Biggs has a shot at winning statewide? What would he need to do?

[00:20:29]>> Well, he would need to distance himself in some way from Donald Trump. Donald Trump is underwater here in Arizona. He is a drag on candidates here and and across the country. Hard to see how he does that. He's fully embraced Donald Trump and so that's that's a challenge.

[00:20:45]He has to answer the questions about his positions forthrightly and to the sat the satisfaction of many voters. Uh so there's that. Plus the most important thing perhaps is the Republican voting advantage. There is a a plus seven Republican voting advantage here in Arizona. uh that helps gives Republicans a head start in some ways. The key to winning an election in Arizona is the independent vote and Annie Biggs needs to win that or at least do very well there in order to win the governor's race.

[00:21:14]>> Well, and that of course similar challenge for state representative Alexander Coladin who beat Arizona Republican party chair Gina Swoba by nearly 20 points. We should note Coladin led several lawsuits to overturn the 2020 election and again he now wants to be the state's top election official.

[00:21:35]How is he weaving that into his campaign message?

[00:21:39]>> Well, Alexander Culladin since the 2020 election was already uh a leader in the legislature in introducing elections related legislation. And we have this striking kind of contrast on the ballot this fall. You'll have Alexander Colladin on the ballot running for Secretary of State. At the same time, there's going to be a ballot initiative that he drafted that voters will have to vote on uh in November that would eliminate mailin voting, which is one of the most popular ways, the most popular way that we vote here in Arizona. But of course, on the other side, you have act election deniers, critics contending it's it's rife with fraud. It's the potential for fraud is enormous. And here he is on the ballot and he will get a lot of votes by mail while at the same time wanting to do do away with votes by mail.

[00:22:28]>> Well, let me ask you just before I let you go quickly about Arizona's first congressional district. Republicans have picked Jay Feelely as their candidate.

[00:22:35]While the Democratic race is yet to be called, tell us a little bit about this district and what you think it will take to win in November.

[00:22:44]This is one of the wealthiest districts in Arizona. One of the best educated districts in Arizona. Jade Phely's profile fits it pretty well. I should let folks know he lives about 30 minutes away in another congressional district.

[00:22:56]Donald Trump nudged him into the first after a favorite candidate of Donald Trump's decided to run in Jay Feelely's district. So, uh, that's where we're at.

[00:23:05]Jay Feelely is not a hardcore Trumper in the sense that he he likes him. He's gone golfing with him and he's a has a softer touch when it comes to Trump. On the other side, Amish Shaw who is in the lead right now. Uh he is uh he ran in 2024, won the primary, finished uh lost to David Schwiker, then a congressman by four points. Uh he's a pretty strong candidate. We're waiting to see whether the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee supports him the way it did his opponent Marine Golan Woods.

[00:23:35]>> All right. Well, a lot to watch. Brim Resnik, thanks so much for joining us two days in a row. We really appreciate it.

[00:23:42]>> Thanks so much.

[00:23:44]>> Coming up next, ballot battles and ballot bets. New Jersey and the Justice Department are headed for a heated standoff over a probe into the state's voter registration errors as officials raise the alarm over the use of prediction markets in the run-up to the midterms. We'll explain. Keep it right here on Meet the Press Now.

[00:24:09]Welcome back. The Department of Justice says it's investigating that incident we first told you about yesterday of non-citizens registering to vote in New Jersey. Governor Mikey Cheryl announced that the state had discovered roughly 6,600 non-citizens were registered to vote in New Jersey between 2024 and 2020 uh 2023 due to a software error despite indicating they were not citizens while applying for driver's licenses of those around 400 cast ballots. Ahead of the DOJ announcement, Governor Cheryl suggested she would not cooperate if the federal government wanted to personally identify information about those non-citizens >> be really the most in hypocrisy for the state to charge them when it's our fault. Um, however, I would not put it past the federal government. So, we are working very hard on ways in which we can protect people here in the state of New Jersey.

[00:25:02]>> In terms of protecting them, does that mean that you won't release their information to defense or or anyone else if it's requested.

[00:25:11]>> We are not in the practice of releasing personally identifying information to the federal government right now given that the Trump administration continues to weaponize it against people.

[00:25:20]>> Joining me now on set is NBC News legal affairs reporter Gary Grumbach. Gary, thanks for being here. So, what more can you tell us about the federal investigation into this? Yeah, as you can imagine, Kristen, the Trump administration is not thrilled to hear about this mistake by the state of New Jersey and by that third party software company. And they want everything. They want the 6600 people's names. They want their nationalities. They want their addresses. They want everything about those people. And they want everything else about the 400 people in terms of that actually voted, when they voted, where they voted, and how they voted, which is a crucial part of this because the Trump administration has long been against mail-in voting.

[00:25:57]>> Do you think that the Trump administration could take this to court?

[00:26:01]Is that where this is going to be settled?

[00:26:02]>> It could potentially there they would have to sue, right? The Department of Justice would have to sue for this information. It does not seem like the governor of New Jersey is particularly interested in just passing it along just because the Department of Justice has nicely asked for it. So, I do think the next step here is a lawsuit. I will note that the lawsuits that have been filed all around the country by the Trump administration trying to get the voter roles from all these states, 15 judges now in a row have said, "No, you can't have them." Well, and I guess the big question, President Trump continues to tout his Save America Act, and he's using this incident to double down on why he thinks it's so necessary. And yet, the Save America Act, which calls for voter ID, for example, it overhauls election security in various different ways. Could that have stopped these folks from signing up to vote?

[00:26:49]>> Absolutely not. Because the Save America Act and this third party that had a software glitch, have nothing to do with each other, right? This was a third party where the folks clicked no, they are not US citizens and because you can get a license in New Jersey if you're not a US citizen. They said no, they're not US citizens. No, they're not registering to vote. They've recorded them as yes. Anyway, the Save America Act couldn't stop that from happening at all. Kristen.

[00:27:10]>> Okay, Gary Grumbach, thank you so much.

[00:27:12]We'll continue to watch what happens.

[00:27:13]Really appreciate it. We want to turn now to another issue concerning election officials. The rise of prediction markets. Some election officials are warning the platforms which allow people to place bets on election outcomes could actually fuel distrust in an already contentious political environment heading into November's midterm elections. Facted analysis by NBC News finds election wagers. Our popular trading volume on Calshian poly market surpassed $197 million with about half of those bets tied to governor's races. Joining me now is the reporter behind that story, NBC's Jane Tim, who covers election administration and policy. Thanks so much for being here, Jane. We really appreciate it. So, we just noted that election officials are worried these markets could actually create more distrust. Tell us why and what election officials are telling you about this.

[00:28:06]>> Yeah. So, election officials, Kristen, are worried that the prediction markets could incentivize bad actors or just people, as they put it, doing things they shouldn't in the election process.

[00:28:16]Now, we know that America's elections by design are run by, you know, thousands of people across the country. There's a lot of pole workers, volunteer judges, people working for very little or for free. And the idea that someone might uh try and meddle in an election because they want to, you know, win a bit. And these bets can be on every anything from when an election might be called to uh, you know, how what the margin of victory might be. Uh and election officials are just worried that that their system is vulnerable to people who might meddle in in hopes of winning a bet. They also worry that if the prediction markets say one candidate's going to win and then someone else wins, it's yet another thing that's going to make people trust American democracy less. All of these things give them concern. And and this is very new to a lot of Americans. And when I was at an election conference yesterday up in Boston, a lot of state election directors had more questions than they did answers about how to work with these. There are some guardrails that keep various people from uh you know betting on things that they can they can affect the outcome of at least according to these platforms. But nonetheless, this is very concerning to election officials who already as we know have a bit of a tough job.

[00:29:27]>> Yeah. Well, and some states are actually trying to crack down on this. Wisconsin yesterday warned voters can't bet on an election they're casting a ballot in.

[00:29:37]What has been the push back there?

[00:29:39]>> Yeah, the push back was really big. Uh Khi had a statement out calling it uh voter suppression, saying it's dangerous, worrying that people could would choose not to vote so that they could buy contracts on elections and therefore that it was suppressive and could swing elections. Uh this is Wisconsin's law. They say that you cannot bet. It is a felony to wager on an election that you are voting in. It doesn't mean you can't gamble on elections or wager on elections in other states. Um but they have a very strict restriction on this. Of course, you would have to catch them before they could count the votes, which uh at least some election officials I spoke to thought was a little bit unlikely. Um but nonetheless, there's definitely about Khi and Poly Market. These places want people to be to be wagering on elections. It's big business for them.

[00:30:26]Kelshi launched an elections hub earlier this morning. Um so we're definitely going to see that tension continue as we get closer to the election.

[00:30:34]>> All right, Jane Tim, thank you so very much. Appreciate that. Coming up after the break, can the Republican candidate who Trump supported to win over enough anti-Trump voters to become governor of a state the president lost by more than 20 points? Steve Hilton is going to try and he joins us next. Stay with us right here on Meet the Press [music] Now.

[00:31:02]Welcome back. Turning now to the race to be California's next governor where Democrat and former Health and Human Services Secretary Javier Bera is facing off against Republican and former Fox News contributor and entrepreneur Steve Hilton. As the race enters the general election stretch, Hilton is out with a new and untraditional pitch from a Republican candidate. Look, >> I get it.

[00:31:25]Maybe you hate Trump, MAGA, [music] whatever. But life here has become impossible for anyone who isn't already rich.

[00:31:33]We are going to fix that.

[00:31:36]>> And joining me now is California's gubernatorial candidate, Steve Hilton.

[00:31:40]Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it.

[00:31:44]>> Of course. Great to be with you, Kristen.

[00:31:46]>> It's great to have you. So, let's talk about what we just heard there in the ad. Sounds like you're trying to convince anti-Trump voters to vote for you. What is your pitch to them and to to those independent voters who you need to win over?

[00:32:02]>> That's exactly right. Everyone can see uh the lie of the land politically in California. I've always acknowledged this is an uphill battle, but the logic of this race is that we're going to get a change because a majority of Californians, 66% in the latest polls say not just that the state's going in the wrong direction and that it's time for change, but that we need a total overhaul. However, it's also true that a Republican hasn't won for 20 years, the gap is very big. Um, and so it's clear that there is a group of people in California who know that we need change, who think that gas prices are too high, housing costs are too high, taxes are too high, and we're not getting enough in exchange, but who are put off from voting Republican because they don't like the president. They don't like the idea of voting Republican. And my message is to say, look, enough is enough. Let's fix California. Focus on the positive, practical things that we can do here. That's my plan to make our state Cal affordable. $3 gas, cut electric bills in half, your first 150 grand tax-free starter homes for young families. These are practical things, not ideological things that everyone can get behind and that's the message.

[00:33:11]>> Is there one policy that you can identify where you disagree with President Trump?

[00:33:18]>> Yeah, there's a number. I mean, we've, you know, one one of the big ones, I mean, I don't know if you'd put it in the category of a policy, but I've been asked about whether I uh uh, you know, the 2020 election, which is which is something that, um, I've been clear when asked, you know, who won that election.

[00:33:32]Biden won that election. Everybody knows that. And so, that's a point where I guess you could say the there's there's a disagreement. I've spoken out against suggestions, for example, that were made recently about withdrawing customs and border patrol from California airports uh as retaliation for sanctuary state policy. I disagree with sanctuary state policy, but I don't think that's a sensible way to go. Um I don't like the idea of taking government stakes in our big AI companies and tech companies.

[00:34:02]That's been a suggestion that's been floated. I think that what people need to know about me is that I'm not an ideologue. I'm a pragmatic problem solver with business experience as you mentioned, government reform experience.

[00:34:13]Prior to moving here in 2012, my wife and my sons, I was senior adviser to the prime minister in the UK, uh, leading our domestic reform uh, programs. And so, I just think people need to know that I'm going to above all stand up for what the changes we need to make in California. But I I appreciate and am honored by the president's endorsement.

[00:34:33]And I've said I think it's a good thing for Californians to have a governor who has a good relationship with the president and his team so that we can get good results for our state. since you raised it and and you've said you believe Joe Biden did win the 2020 election. As you know, President Trump delivered that speech this week in which he essentially tried to cast doubt on elections. Do you think that's the right message right now? Do you think that's what people want to hear about? Are you concerned it could be a drag on your race?

[00:35:07]>> Well, I'm focused on our election here and I do think there's a lot that we need to improve and it's not just me saying that. I mean, the fact that it took over a month to get official results in California, even the New York Times editorial board wrote a very powerful um piece on that, which I agreed with, that we can we need to improve the the way that elections are run in California. Um I also pointed out that we were very vigilant in my race to make sure to reassure our supporters that there was nothing untoward and um we didn't see anything that concerned us in that way. And so I I'm just focused on getting as many votes as possible within a system that I think needs change. Another really important point, we've got voter ID on the ballot here in California. It's not the same plan as the Save America Act that gets a lot of conversation, but I think voter ID is supported by majority of Californians, and I think that is one step towards assuring people that our elections um are things that they can have confidence in. One of the big policy issues, as you well know, that's being discussed all across the country is Iran. I want to play something the president said yesterday about the war in Iran as it relates to the midterms. Take a listen.

[00:36:17]>> I don't view it as, gee, we're having an election in a period of time. You know, everyone says, "Oh, I'm doing something before." No, the election I I can't think about that having to do with this.

[00:36:30]I think people are very impressed.

[00:36:33]Is that messaging a mistake for President Trump given that gas is above $5.50 in California?

[00:36:41]>> Well, the why is it above $5.50 uh cents in California? Because the Democrat policies the other day because of the war in Iran, Mr. Hilton. And because of the war in Iran, >> wait has gone up about a dollar since Joe Biden left office.

[00:36:59]>> That's right. but it's $2 higher than the rest of the country because of Democrat policies. That's the part I can make a difference on. That's how we get to my plan. You can see it behind me of $3 gas. Just the other week, uh we filled up our campaign truck in Los Angeles. Back then it was about $6.49.

[00:37:15]Um next day we're in Texas, $3.49. And the Iran war is taking place in a world where both of those prices exist. It's the it's the gas tax in California, highest in the country, and the regulations driven by um an environmental agenda that actually isn't even delivering results for the climate.

[00:37:33]So, I think that that's the point like what can I affect as our next governor to bring gas prices down in California?

[00:37:40]There's a lot we can bring it. Before the Iran war, you had 40 states in our country with gas $3 or below. I think California with all our oil reserves that are not being used should be one of them. Would you support a gas tax if you were to be elected governor?

[00:37:56]>> Suspended gas tax holiday. I should say a gas tax holiday.

[00:37:59]>> A gas tax.

[00:38:01]>> Well, yes. I will be calling on the legislature to do that. That's not something completely in my control. It's just gone up. This is the amazing thing.

[00:38:08]My opponent Javier Ber is running around saying, "Oh, the affordability crisis is really bad." Democrats in the state legislature just increased the gas tax on July the 1st from 61 cents to over 63 cents. I think what's going on? They're just they're just gouging working people who are struggling, you know, small business owners. And so I will be calling on the legislature to do that.

[00:38:31]By the way, in the primary there were a number of the other Democrats running for governor who had the same position.

[00:38:37]So I do think that we'll be able to find some common ground on that after I'm elected. Let me ask you about one of the chief criticisms from your opponent who's seizing on your connection to President Trump. He said this in a statement to the Sacramento be quote, "You can't fix the affordability crisis while carrying water for the man causing it." How do you respond to that argument? By Javier Bisera.

[00:39:02]>> It's laughable. Of course, the the we have the highest housing costs in the country, more than double the the national average. The our electric bills are the highest everywhere except Hawaii, more than double the national average. They've doubled in the last 10 years. None of that has anything to do with President Trump. It's the Democrat policies that Javier Bera 100% supports that have given us the highest cost of living in the country.

[00:39:31]>> Acknowledge the Iran war has sent prices up, right? Right. I mean, I understand what you're saying that they're higher in California, >> but all across the country, prices have gone up on gas, on oil.

[00:39:43]>> That's no no question. We can see that.

[00:39:45]But but the question is, what can you do about the even higher costs here in California? For example, we have the highest grocery prices in the country that in large part is driven by energy costs, both gas and diesel for transportation and electricity for stores and the whole supply chain. And so all of these things we can actually affect here in California. And that's what I'm focused on, positive, pragmatic things that we can do here that command broad support so that we can just restore those basic things we we used to think of as the California dream. A good job where you make enough to raise your family in a home of your own in a safe neighborhood with a good school so your kids have a better life. We used to offer that here better than anywhere else, not just in America, but in the world. That's what I want to get us back to.

[00:40:30]>> All right, Steve Hilton. Thank you. be safe. We will be following your race very closely. Really appreciate your time.

[00:40:38]>> Thank you, Chris, and great to be with you.

[00:40:40]>> Great to have you. Still to come, New York City Mayor Zoran Mdani urges the federal government to arrest Israel's prime minister while he visits the city later this year. The panel's next, only on Meet the Press Now.

[00:40:58]Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, the architect of a horrific genocide against the Palestinian people. My administration has reviewed every avenue available under applicable law to determine whether New York City could execute the International Criminal Court's arrest warrant if Benjamin Netanyahu came here. It is clear that we do not have the independent legal authority to enforce this warrant. The federal government, however, does and I call on them to join the ICC and execute this warrant.

[00:41:26]>> Welcome back. New York City Mayor Zoran Mdani is urging the federal government, as you just heard there, to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who's expected to be in New York in September for the annual UN General Assembly. The US and Israel are not signitories of the International Criminal Court. But during his mayoral campaign, Mr. Mammdani repeatedly said he would order the New York City Police Department to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu. The president already batting down the idea, posting on social media, quote, Benjamin Netanyahu will not be arrested in any way, shape, or form while in the United States of America.

[00:42:01]Joining me now is the panel Shelby Talet, White House correspondent at Semaphore. Antoine Seight, Democratic strategist and CEO of Blueprint Strategy, and Carlos Carbelloo, former Republican congressman from Florida and an NBC News contributor. Thanks to all of you for being here, Shelby, what do you think the strategy is here by Mayor Mamdani? Obviously, this has become a big rallying cry within the progressive branch of the Democratic party, but he's also getting some push back.

[00:42:29]>> Yeah, I I think it is exactly that. is his sort of attempt to continue making his mark with that progressive brand of the Democratic party. But I also think it's an attempt to get more involved in national politics, which is this is not the first time since he has become mayor that he has done so. And so it's not necessarily surprising to hear him say these things because we're seeing him get involved in sort of the broader national politics type uh arguments. But it does sort of draw a line in the sand, I think, for the Democratic party as a whole. Right? He is taking a very strong stance about Netanyahu, about Israel, and that has been a huge issue in the Democratic party, and quite frankly, it's becoming an issue in the Republican party as well.

[00:43:12]>> Absolutely. Antoine, what do you make of this? How it's playing? And this notion that he is a mayor. Typically, when I'm interviewing a mayor, they say, "I don't want to talk about international politics." This is a very different approach. And some on the left are saying this is actually a climb down from what he was guaranteeing on the campaign.

[00:43:31]>> Well, I think three things. Um, one, I think he's leaning into his authentic self because he campaigned in a very authentic way on this type issue and I think he's leaning into that. Most people call us the followup. Uh, number two, as the late pastor Vernon Johns would say, uh, pick a good fight and get into it. uh Netanyahu is a good fight for Mayor Mandani and others who subscribe to his u set of politics. I also think in politics in this environment, you have to identify a boogeyman or a boogey woman. In this case is Netanyahu. And I think that's smart for him to do that. I don't agree with his concept. But the other thing is I think he's asking for help.

[00:44:09]>> But >> and sometimes when we ask for help, we think it has to be something that the opposition will agree on or the person asking for will agree on. But sometimes people just want to know you're fighting. I think he's asking for help.

[00:44:19]>> But I do think it's a negative that he came out and said repeatedly that he was going to arrest Netanyahu when a lot of people already knew that that was not going to happen and now he has to kind of walk it back.

[00:44:30]>> You're making You're making an assumption that people who campaign or say things that they can actually perform them. Donald Trump is living proof of that. How you campaign and how you govern are two different things.

[00:44:40]>> Carlos, >> so Chris, I think this is kind of a gift to Republicans because the mayor is looking out for himself, right? He made all these promises and set all these expectations for his political base.

[00:44:51]Meanwhile, Hakee Jeff, Chuck Schumer, they're out there trying to build broad tents ahead of the midterms, trying to include as many people as possible. Just this talk about arresting a foreign leader by a local official. It just seems really off message. Again, he's talking at his base. He's got his constituents, but congressional Democrats have other goals in mind.

[00:45:10]>> Anton, what about that? Is this a gift to Republicans effectively? Uh, >> no. Uh because I think that Democrats who are focused on 218 are not focused on what the mayor of New York City is doing or saying. I think they're two different things. And that's why from an congressional standpoint, particularly battleground map and math, you see a different type of conversation. They're laser focused on issues that matter to voters like the things they're feeling on the affordability crisis.

[00:45:36]>> Well, let's talk about another race where this is front and center, the Michigan Senate race. Shelby, my colleague Kelly O'Donnell spoke with Michigan Senate candidate Abdul Alsed and she really pushed him on this idea of of how he would reach out to voters who he wants to support him in a general election who oppose uh some of what Mayor Mamdani, for example, is saying.

[00:46:00]Take a listen. But if you're victorious, how would you appeal to them for November?

[00:46:06]>> Well, look, I have my principles, man.

[00:46:08]and I hope that they'd support the idea that, you know, we have a responsibility, I think, to uphold international law. So, I think we can differentiate between Judaism and the Jewish people here and Israel uh and uh and Apac there. And I I hope that folks who recognize that we have a responsibility to take care of our problems here at home would recognize that for me, it's about principle.

[00:46:29]>> Congresswoman Haley Stevens obviously a strong supporter of Israel.

[00:46:34]Is he extending an olive branch to her supporters in any way? uh depends on how you read it. I think probably no, right?

[00:46:42]Because he is sitting there saying, you know, this is how I think and either you kind of accept that and understand where I'm coming from or don't vote for me, right? He's not changing his stance at all. He's not softening his language about Israel. He is essentially saying, "This is me. Take it or leave it." And so, I don't think he's extending an olive branch. And again, it goes back to my earlier comments about just what a a a serious issue the topic of Israel has become really on both sides of the party. It is very polarizing.

[00:47:12]>> It is a serious issue. And yet, Antoine, does this message allow him to win in a purple state like Michigan in November?

[00:47:20]If he were to win the primary, >> if history is a is the best indicator, then absolutely not. But I think this style versus substance conversation we're having have we're having within the Democratic party has come down to two things. How we talk about the issue and how we lean into the things we're passionate about. I think some on the progressive left feel like they need to jam their thinking down our throat.

[00:47:42]Whereas a pragmatic leader like a Haley Steven saying, you know what, I know what it is to win a tough seat. I also know what it means to work within a system to get it done and not necessarily burn it down. Two different approaches. And I think one of the anchors that Republican candidates are dealing with, Carlos, of course, is the Iran war. I was just discussing this with Steve Hilton. The fact that gas prices are now up again over $4 a gallon. Oil prices went up again this week. H there's a timeline factor here.

[00:48:12]And when you and I started having this conversation months ago, we were looking around this timeline as we kind of get closer to August as like things need to start coming down. How much concern is there based on your conversations with your Republican colleagues about the fact that prices are going up, that there's no end in sight to the war?

[00:48:31]>> I was with a member today who's running in a swing district and he just feels very frustrated, right, that this is kind of like a persistent dark cloud uh you know on top of the uh of the country right now. And that's why I actually think that some of these episodes where the mayor of New York is talking about arresting a foreign leader is actually good for Republicans because it does provide some some bit of a distraction and and you know this whole thing reminds me of a Mitch McConnell in 2010 and his frustration with candidate quality. Some of these candidates are off message. They're talking almost exclusively to the Democratic base. That might be good for them personally, but I don't think it works out well for the party broadly. Republicans have fallen into this trap in the past.

[00:49:14]>> Congressman, you have to crawl before you walk and you have to consolidate your base if you want to have a chance of being competitive in a general election as you know. And so I think we have to have some base consolidation activities and conversations. So you see that playing out.

[00:49:26]>> All right guys, great conversation all around. Thank you all so much for being here. Really appreciate it. Shelby, Antoine and Carlos, thank you and thank you for watching. We are back tomorrow with more Meet the Press Now. There is much more ahead on NBC News Now.

[00:49:46][music] We thank you for watching and remember, stay updated on breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or watch live on our YouTube channel.