Elizabeth Wagmeister
Appearances
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
The bill is being sponsored by Republican Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi and Josh Hawley from Missouri, as well as Democratic Senators Tim Kaine from Virginia and Kirsten Gillibrand from New York. Their bill delivers wins for both parties. It can be championed as a pro-family policy that potentially reduces abortions, and it's a way to expand health care access.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
And Cohen reports that a companion version of the policy is expected to be introduced to the House in the next few weeks. The bill proposes having insurance companies and people insured by private plans cover the cost of childbirth through small increases in premiums for everyone. According to analysis by the libertarian think tank Niskanen, premiums could go up by approximately $30 a year.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
And that's a big plus, considering the debates Republican lawmakers are having right now around how to cut federal spending in President Trump's spending and tax package. Something else Cohen says appears to be promising for this legislation moving forward.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
It's been endorsed by organizations on opposing ends of the reproductive health conversation, like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Medical Association, plus anti-abortion groups like Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Students for Life.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
One big catch, however, is that most people's private health insurance is tied to their employment, and that's never guaranteed.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
The White House has not weighed in on the proposal yet, but it has entertained a number of ideas in recent months aimed at raising birth rates, including baby bonuses. And Vice President Vance was a supporter of the ideas underpinning this bill back when he was a senator. His office was preparing bipartisan legislation on this issue last year before he was tapped to join Trump's campaign.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Cohen reports that the upcoming reconciliation process will test whether Republicans ultimately choose to prioritize family policy or fiscal restraint. There are some fiscal conservatives who consider any insurance mandates as market interference. Now let's check in on the federal criminal trial of music mogul Sean Diddy Combs, which is in its fourth week and approaching the halfway point.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
And please be warned, this segment includes descriptions of violence, including sexual violence. Remember, government prosecutors have accused Combs of using his music empire to carry out a sex trafficking and racketeering operation, which he denies. His defense team, meanwhile, is arguing that Combs is just a bad-tempered swinger who has committed acts of violence, not a criminal mastermind.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
So far, the jury has heard testimony from a number of Combs' former employees, several stars in the music industry, several sex workers, and most notably Combs' ex-girlfriend, the singer Cassie Ventura, who gave nearly 20 hours of testimony alleging violence and blackmail.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Last year, video footage of Combs physically attacking Ventura at a hotel in 2016 was made public by CNN, and she has been a key witness in this case. Here's Elizabeth Wagmeister, who was part of the CNN team that released that tape and has been reporting from the courtroom.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Make no mistake, she is the star witness of this case. This trial would not be happening without her.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
But first, to an unlikely alliance in Congress that aims to lift a huge burden off of families in the United States by radically reducing the cost of having a child. If you have kids, then you know it's incredibly expensive, starting from day one. A hospital birth can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Ventura testified to the jury that Combs forced her to orchestrate and participate in group sex events called freak-offs that involved male sex workers, heavy drug use, and were often recorded on video. She said they were painful and degrading.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
And she told the jury, quote, the freak-offs became a job that she felt she couldn't say no to because she was afraid Combs would release the videos to the public. Wagmeister told us the jury has now heard from other corroborating witnesses, and the prosecution's strategy is becoming more clear.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
They are testifying to threats. They are testifying to other people at the organization witnessing much of this behavior. So it's not just Cassie.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
In the last few days, we've also heard from one of Combs' former assistants, known only under the pseudonym of Mia, who has accused him of violence and rape. And in her cross-examination, we saw how the defense is managing those allegations.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
The common thread is they are asking why these people continue to stay in touch with Sean Combs. So we're hearing a lot of, if he was so terrible and if he did all these horrible things and he terrorized you and he sexually assaulted you and he was physically violent with you, why would you continue to be in touch with him years later with loving, happy, kind messages?
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
As a response, the prosecution says this does not disprove the allegations. The courtroom heard from trauma expert Dr. Don Hughes, who outlined how people can maintain attachments to people or present an alternative public-facing reality despite suffering abuse from them. Remember, the challenge of this case is that it goes beyond simply proving assault or rape.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
It needs to prove racketeering and an organized conspiracy. And while it's too early to know if the jury members are convinced, Wagmeister has witnessed the prosecution's case build slowly as more and more witnesses take to the stand.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
As this case is developing, everything is building on Cassie. And you're hearing from former employees who say, I witnessed this and so did every bodyguard who worked for Sean Combs and so did his chief of staff and nobody did anything. This picture, this world of Sean Combs that was built on control, that was built on threats, and that was being witnessed by many members of his organization.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
So the racketeering claim is really coming into clearer picture as this case develops.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Good morning. It's Tuesday, June 3rd. I'm Shamita Basu. This is Apple News Today. On today's show, what we've learned about Sean Combs halfway through his trial, the blunt extortion threats against high-profile crypto investors, and reparations planned in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Let's turn now to a series of crimes that sound like they've been ripped from the pages of a Martin Scorsese script. But they are very real and they're targeting crypto executives, crypto holders and their families. Cryptocurrencies have soared in value in recent months. Bitcoin alone was up 54% in the last year, and that's increasingly turned crypto investors into targets for criminals.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Now, you might expect a more sophisticated digital form of targeting, but many of these attacks are alarmingly physical. Abductions, violent confrontations, all to extract a crypto ransom or wallet info. In a recent incident in New York City, two men were indicted after allegedly holding a man captive in a townhouse and torturing him for over two weeks, all to steal his Bitcoin password.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
And while people with insurance get some of that covered, the final price tag can still cost thousands. Not to mention, child care in the U.S. is more expensive than any other developed country.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Now, I should say, many of these attacks have targeted high-profile investors, not your everyday trader. And in some cases, the perpetrators have aimed to pull off multi-million dollar ransom schemes. Sam Schechner, a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, told us one reason why these attacks are seemingly happening more often.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
That habit of carrying a physical key for a digital wallet is something that many in the crypto world consider to be one of the best safeguards against a different type of threat, hacking. These in-person incidents are basically the opposite end of the spectrum. In fact, they've earned the nickname wrench attacks because of how blunt and unsophisticated they are.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Cybersecurity investigators told Schechner that recent hacks of cryptocurrency companies where names, emails and addresses were obtained might have made it easier for criminals to locate crypto investors to extort them.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
A bill introduced by the Senate last month wouldn't solve for that last issue, but a group of bipartisan lawmakers want to make all costs related to childbirth, from prenatal care and ultrasounds to delivery and postpartum care, completely free. No copays or deductibles involved, which would put private coverage on par with Medicaid, which already covers those costs.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. The suspect in the Colorado attack is facing a federal hate crime charge as well as state charges, including attempted murder in the first degree.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Mohammed Sabri-Soliman is alleged to have sent eight people to the hospital with burns and other injuries after using incendiary devices on a group of advocates who were marching on behalf of the Israeli hostages in Gaza. Department of Justice officials say one of the people injured was a Holocaust survivor.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
The acting attorney general for Colorado told reporters that Suleiman, quote, said he wanted them all to die. He had no regrets. Suleiman was living in the U.S. with an expired visa after entering the country in 2022 and applying for asylum. The FBI says he told investigators that he had been planning the attack for a year. On to weather.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Hurricane season is upon us, with meteorologists predicting it'll be an above-average season that could bring 13 to 19 named storms. But in an exclusive report from Reuters, staff say the new head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, David Richardson, told colleagues he had no idea the U.S. had a hurricane season, shocking many members of the disaster relief team.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
A spokesperson later said it was intended as a joke. This period will be a difficult one for the disaster relief agency, and it comes after losing around a quarter of its full-time staff under the new administration. And finally, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the city's first Black mayor is to deliver $105 million in reparations to address the harms caused by the Tulsa race massacre of 1921.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
The money will go toward community redevelopment and does not involve direct payments to descendants or the two remaining survivors of the attack. The incident was one of the single bloodiest days against Black Americans in the 20th century, in which a mob destroyed more than 1,000 homes and structures and an estimated 300 Black residents were killed.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Mayor Monroe Nichols made the announcement on Sunday, where he asked the audience to picture a city that had never endured the massacre.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. Men's Health spent a day playing disc golf with Bill Nye the Science Guy, where they talked about, what else, science. Also, family and a genetic health condition that runs in his family called hereditary ataxia.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.
Apple News Today
Inside the unlikely alliance to make childbirth free in the U.S.
Rachel Cohen covers policy for Vox.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Hey, how are you?
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
I'm like, I'm too busy for my own life. I need more sleep and more time to hang with you guys. But I'm so proud of you. Like. this is the news that we all knew was coming, but you have worked so hard and I've been there from the beginning and I'm just so excited for you guys with your new deal.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
You've got to be frugal and you've got to be smart to keep it going. Or we'll end up like the Ratliffs.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Exactly.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
the public really likes to hate on rich people doing things that they don't perceive as important, particularly in this day and age where it seems like every day, you know, I work in news, I work at CNN. It seems like every day you turn on the news and the world is, you know, is falling apart in some fashion. There's terrible things happening all over the world.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And then you see, you know, not every person who was on that shuttle, we'll call it, but many of them are wealthy and wealthy.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
were in glam and spoke about how they wanted to be in glam and went up to space and that's obviously a very costly mission and i think that the reason why it comes off um as tone deaf is because people are saying is this really what's important now of course if you ask the people who commissioned this they're saying you know those critics are totally missing the point this is about
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Equity for women, showing that women could do anything and we're making history. And of course, you know, I'm all for that. And I do hope like if there's little girls out there who see this and are saying, oh my gosh, you know, I can go to space one day too. Like that's what you hope comes from it.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But I think the manner in which it was done, you know, being on the cover of Elle, talking about wearing glam up there came off a little tone deaf.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Yes, I think the difference here is that it was, from their perspective, this was an all-female space mission. space exploration mission. So the fact that it was all women, which I believe, you know, I don't study space exploration. I believe it's been done once before where there was an all female mission.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So yes, there have been many female astronauts, but the fact that it was so many together is what they were trying to do. What was the mission? Great question. I have no, and I think, but by the way, like, I think this is the point is I think people were saying, you know, you went up, it took 11 minutes. You know, my commute to work is longer than that.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And I think people were saying it was 11 minutes. What did we accomplish? What is the mission is the question. I don't know. I don't study this.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Right. But Natalie, I think you brought up the operative word here, which is Jeff Bezos, right? So let's call out the elephant in the room. I started off by saying people really love to hate on rich people for doing things that are out of touch and seem unnecessary.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And, you know, if this were done by NASA and didn't include celebrities who spoke about wearing fake eyelashes in space, you know, if this weren't a Jeff Bezos funded mission, which by the way, you know, if you do have a few hundred thousand dollars sitting around, you can do it yourself. So I think a lot of people felt like this is a promotional gimmick, right? Yeah.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Like, well, here's the thing. There were you know, we're just talking about the celebrities on there. But there were some women there who were overshadowed. Right. Like.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
who are in in this world so that's some commentary that I've seen as well some criticism people are saying like these women who actually you know have dedicated their lives to this are now being overshadowed and by the way like for me obviously no hate on Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez but
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
you know, they are famous and they are very wealthy and they were wearing full glam and they spoke about wearing full glam. And I think if the point of this was to, to use your, you know, what you said, Nick, to break the glass ceiling and say, women can do it all, which again, like representation is so important. If little girls see women going up into space, that's great.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But the messaging around it, it shouldn't have been, Hey, should we wear false lashes in space? It should have been, we hope to inspire little girls.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Right. And by the way, I mark my words. I don't, if I won the lottery tomorrow, you could not get me on that submersible. I mean, that would say never. Oh my gosh. Never. Especially.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
stars and planets. And you could also see Katy Perry on land, you know, like you can buy a ticket for her at any arena.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And that's the other thing, the timing of that, obviously it wasn't good. Cause it's like, why have they been up there for so long? It took so long for that rescue. And then here we are just kind of gallivanting. But I will say like,
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
from the other side, you know, amazing advancements in technology to know that I guess if you have $1.5 million, but you know, there is the technology that there could one day be commercial space exploration. And if that's what they're trying to promote, great.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But when it Jeff Bezos promoting that, and again, it is his fiance with her famous friends and the messaging around it wasn't quite on brand for, you know, advancement for little girls and space exploration, that's where it becomes a thing. But Nick, I am with you. My favorite part of this is all of the celebrities that are speaking out about it.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And I thought Olivia Munn, I thought she did a really good job with her commentary because she was the first one to kind of put this on the map and say, wait, they said that out loud. Like we're talking about wearing
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
fake eyelashes and wearing glam and space we're not talking about space exploration and the advancements in technology so I was I thought she did a really good job I agree I feel I do feel like there's also a lot going on Harvey Weinstein Russell Brand there's like so much going on can you catch us up what do you know
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Well, you know, to my point, in the news every day, there's important things going on in the world, which, you know, maybe is why the 11 minute, you know, gallivanting to space didn't land so well. So let's start off by talking about Harvey Weinstein, because this is a really big story. You both know, because I've been on the bio, I was talking about this before.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
I've been covering this for decades. Nearly a decade. I was in court for both of Weinstein's trials in New York and L.A. And just this week, his retrial started again. So I think from what I've been talking to, you know, my friends from viewers, people are really confused. They're like, why? Why is this happening again? Isn't he in jail for life?
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Well, he was sentenced to 23 years in New York back in 2020. Then another trial, he was sentenced to 16 years in Los Angeles. So 39 years for someone in their 70s is, you know, effectively a life sentence. Well, he appealed the New York conviction, which you guys remember was the groundbreaking trial hailed as a big victory for the Me Too movement back in 2020.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
He appealed that and last year he won his appeal. Now, His appeal was not, he didn't win that based on the merit of believing the women or not believing the women. It was on a legal technicality, we'll say. I could go into that, but I won't bore you guys.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Totally different reasons, but similar in the sense that the conviction was not overturned because of what these women said. It had nothing to do with the allegations, nothing to do with believing the women or not.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
It had to do with something that the lawyers found that they took issue with and the court agreed that, you know, when it comes to the justice system, there are certain rules and certain evidence that should or should not be admitted. So in this case with Weinstein, it was women... whose allegations didn't lead to charges.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So women who were uncharged witnesses were able to testify in the first trial. The Court of Appeals said that should not have been allowed. There were too many people with allegations of bad behavior who were allowed to testify in front of the jury. The only people who should be able to testify are the ones whose allegations were the reason for the charges against him.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So yes, but there obviously will be other witnesses in this new trial who aren't the charged witnesses. You'll have expert witnesses. You'll have witnesses who can corroborate some of what these women are saying or who can corroborate what Weinstein's team is saying.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But they do not want to have these uncharged witnesses who are effectively getting on the stand and doing what the other women are doing. They're talking about their allegations of horrific behavior from Weinstein that they allege that there's no charges. So this time you're going to see less women. There's three women testifying instead of six women.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Two of the women have already testified and were part of the reason why he was sentenced to 23 years. And now there's a third woman who is a Jane Doe. I don't know who she is. Nobody knows who she is. I got the first interview with her attorney. We aired that yesterday on CNN. This woman, who is an unknown Jane Doe, her identity will come out publicly in this trial.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
She will not be remaining a Jane Doe. She alleges that she was assaulted in a New York hotel by Weinstein in 2006. And being assaulted in a hotel is a pattern among these allegations. Many of these women, there's been over 100 women who have
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Harvey Weinstein publicly, many of them have said, I was summoned to a hotel room under the false pretense of a business meeting, and then I was sexually assaulted. So, so yeah, so it's interesting, because he could be acquitted in New York. And if he's acquitted, the conviction in Los Angeles still stands 16 years. But his team is also appealing that decision in Los Angeles.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So it is not a crazy thing to say that there is a path now for Harvey Weinstein to walk free in the next few years.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
He very much is. And he's selling out shows in Pennsylvania when he does stand up. What? So I interviewed Harvey Weinstein's attorney this week. And he tells me that the first trial was unfair because Harvey was made out to be the poster boy of the Me Too movement, which they say unfairly was made out to be the poster boy. And that tainted the jury. So if you ask Harvey Weinstein...
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
He says, all of those women are lying, all 100 women. I've never sexually assaulted anyone. But as his lawyer told me this week, and he is correct on this, this trial has nothing to do with those 100 plus allegations. It only has to do with the testimony of three women. Wow.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
What I will say based on my reporting over the past decade, what that showcases to me is how hard it is to prosecute sex crimes cases. You have 100 women who have spoken out, but you can only get six in a court of law.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And now that six is whittled down to three because the different intricacies in the justice system, there are reasons, whether it's the statute of limitations, whether it's that they couldn't bring charges, whether it's that the woman isn't willing to testify. There's a myriad of reasons why you can't get these women in the courtroom.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So again, three women, the word of three women on the stand and 12 jurors, what they it's, it's three people and 12 people making the decision. That's what this case is about.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
That's true. And I'm actually, while we're doing this, I'm going to look up the exact stat for you because I know what you're talking about. So this comes from RAINN, which R-A-I-N-N. Let me get the statistics for you. It may be more than 95.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And it's really difficult, um, Yeah. Yeah. I mean, there's so many reasons why, I mean, shame of talking to your own family. One of the Weinstein victims who testified in the first trial, she told me that her own father did not know this had happened to her. She had been harboring this for 15 plus years. And she told her dad because she said this is going to be in the newspapers.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So it's incredibly difficult for these accusers to come forward. And I looked up the stat, Nick, it's, 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. The majority of these alleged crimes are never prosecuted. So when you take that, you know, 25 perpetrators end up in prison out of every 1000.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
It's because the majority of them, they're not even on the radar of law enforcement for a variety of reasons. So yet, Natalie, you're completely right that, you know, this story and many others went viral.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And at the time, you know, from 2017 when Harvey Weinstein was first accused and then 2020 when that trial happened and he was in court, that became this huge moment culturally around the world that, you know, women are not going to stand for sexual violence anymore. We're going to speak up.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And then, you know, like everything, it's, I interviewed Gloria Allred this week, who is representing one of the accusers in this trial. And she said, it's always, you know, two steps forward and one step back. And, you know, but when you see these setbacks like this, that a conviction is overturned, you know, possibly can be acquitted, that will definitely scare more people from ever speaking up.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And by the way, the reason why I can speak about this with such assurance, Harvey Weinstein is a convicted rapist. So, you know, as a journalist, of course, it's very important that I'm looking at every side of every story.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
In this case, you have to use the allegedly. But he is not allegedly. He is a convicted. He was convicted in two jurisdictions and one of those still stands. So, again, you have accusations by 100 women that he denies and he is a convicted. In the state of California. So that's why we can really speak of this with clarity.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But it is important to say that he completely denies ever having anything but consensual sex.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So Russell Brand, that's not a story that I am leading coverage on. So I'm not following that super closely. But just to kind of give you the latest on that is in 2023, you'll remember that's when the allegations first came out. And it was a few different publications in the UK who they... did their own independent investigations.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
They had numerous women come forward with allegations of sexual assault against Russell Brand. And They, at that point, the police in the UK started investigating these claims. So the claims first came out through journalists, and then police started investigating.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Now you fast forward about a year and a half since those allegations first came forth, and he has now formally been charged with after police had been investigating these claims. So he came out and he denied these allegations back in 2023. And now he's denying these allegations, these charges again.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And he came out on his social media and his framing was interesting because he said, you know, trust in the government and trust in our institutions is at an all time low. And, you know, who are you going to listen to? Are you really going to, you know, believe the government? You know, they're out to get him. And he, you know, and he said, I've done a lot of bad things. I was a sex addict.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
I was an addict, but I was not a real. So he came out and he has a very, very large fan base, a very large fan base. And if you look at the comments on that video across his socials, people are really standing with him. Thank you for speaking up and for defending yourself and not just being silent. They're like, we stand with you, Russell. You're not a racist. But he has been charged.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So it appears that there would be some sort of trial in the near future. I mean, there's many steps to get there, but he now, it's not just allegations made by journalists and made by women. Now there are charges and he, you know, is part of the case.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
For Diddy, it's not looking good. He is 100% still detained. Ever since he was indicted, which was fall of last year, when he was arrested in New York, he was put in jail. They made three attempts at bail. All those failed. So he has been in jail. He will be in jail until his trial. And if he is acquitted, then he'll be free. But If he is found guilty, he could never leave jail.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So his trial is starting. Tentatively, it's starting May 5th is when jury selection starts. This is really soon. But the latest development is literally two days ago, his team in court is saying that they want some more time. So the judge said you have 48 hours because, you know, we're moving full steam ahead. This trial is starting in three weeks.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So if you need more time, you need to file your formal request for more time. So we'll know by this Friday, there's actually a hearing on this matter, where Diddy will be in court in New York on Friday. If it's delayed, it'll just be delayed by a few weeks. So this trial is starting sometime between May and June. I will be covering it. So I will give you guys All the updates.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But the case that you're referring to, Nick, that is one of the many civil cases. So Diddy right now is facing, I need to do an update on the count, but over 50 civil students. I think it's closer to 60 at this point. So he's facing a huge volume of civil students. That is completely separate. from the criminal case.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
The criminal case is based on three victims, one of which is Cassie, and they will be testifying. And the civil suits technically have nothing to do with the case. However, it does color the case.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
A few months ago, I interviewed an attorney who explained to me that these civil suits are going to act as a roadmap for prosecutors because there's so many details in these suits that, of course, if you're a prosecutor investigating a criminal case, you have this treasure trove of information. Now, it may not be true. Anyone could file a lawsuit, but
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
If you're a federal investigator, of course, you're going to look at these lawsuits and you're going to contact the attorney and find out if you can interview the Jane Doe or the John Doe. So while the civil suits are completely separate from the criminal case,
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
I am told from numerous sources that we are going to see some of these civil accusers on the stand or that these civil accusers have been part of the investigation behind the scenes. So it's a long road ahead for Diddy. He has a mountain of legal troubles, both civilly and criminally. And the one that you, I believe you're referring to, Nick, That was dropped. Again, that's one of 50 plus.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So he still has a lot of suits he is facing. That was dropped because the judge, each of these cases is it's literally a case by case basis. They all all the civil cases have different judges. Right. So the criminal case is one judge. The civil case has a different judge overseeing each one. It is up to that judge what rules they want to impart.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So this particular judge said, I am not going to allow this person to pursue anonymously. They filed as a Jane or John Doe. And if they want to continue with this, they have to come forth with their real name. That particular accuser decided, I don't want to come forth with my real name. So they dropped it.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Please.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
So first of all, I'm fully engaged in this, just like you are. And I will tell you, this is the funniest thing about working at CNN, right? Like everyone is a serious journalist. You know, I have colleagues who are on Capitol Hill and at the White House. And anytime there is something like this, my phone is blowing up. It's like, what do you know about this white lotus field? Okay. Okay.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
stop them from like, it's not like they can't be in the same room is my point. Because I am told that there is something on the book, but also like work is work, right? So if you have to do something for work, look, they're about to go into a giant Emmy campaign. Like every person in that show is going to be nominated. They're going to have to be in the same room.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
But the reason why that was interesting to me is because if you look at like a Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni thing, like they cannot be in the same room. So this isn't at that level by any means, because I am told that they are going to be doing something for work in the next few weeks. And also, I do think, I have no idea if there's really a feud or not. It could just be a bunch of nonsense.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Who knows?
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
And I like it's odd to unfollow people. your cast member. Like that's, that's very weird. It's even more odd to block them. Yes. Right. So it's not like we are, you know, we're not just like fanning the flames here. Like there is something to talk about now. Maybe they're like pranking all of us and we're going to find out like, Oh, they're in on this. And you know,
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
They he blocked her because it's going to be this whole thing. I have no idea. But what I will say is knowing how the inner workings of entertainment media works, which you two definitely know a lot about as well. But anytime, when someone is in the spotlight, anytime something incremental happens, like it could be the most nonsensical doesn't matter thing, it becomes a story. So
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
Walton Goggins talking about, you know, the SNL thing and praising it to your point, Nick, he totally could just be like, Oh, I thought that was funny. Like they did something on our show. Ha ha. And it could have nothing to do with her, but now everybody reads into it and it becomes a thing. So I'm invested and I want to know justice.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
There you go. There's the tea.
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
yes so you can follow my work at cnn all platforms on air online on social and my personal socials where you can also follow my work is at e wagmeister amazing uh always great to talk with you elizabeth we'll talk soon bye bye guys
The Viall Files
E919 - The Valley, Katy Perry In Space, Aimee Lou vs Walton, RHOBH, Daniella Pineda & Elizabeth Wagmeister
That's hardcore.