A thrill records of “Today with George Stephanopoulos” broadcasting on Sunday, September 14, 2025 on ABC Information is listed below. This duplicate might not remain in its last type, might be upgraded and might include small transcription mistakes. For previous program records, see the “Today” records archive.
MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: Our many thanks to Matt Gutman.
I’m signed up with currently by Utah Guv Spencer Cox, that has actually obtained extensive appreciation for his feedback to the capturing today.
Guv, it has actually been a dreadful week. We thanks for your time.
I understand you listened to that record by Matt Gutman and this most current coverage in “The New York City Times” that several of the suspect’s associates were apparently speaking with him on the internet and kidding, and assumed they acknowledged him from those very early images. Can you inform us anything concerning that today or anything better on the examination?
GOV. SPENCER COX, (R) UTAH: Well, all we can verify is that those discussions absolutely were taking place, and they– they did not think it was really him. It was– it was all joking up until– up until he– you understand, up until he confessed that it– it– it really was him.
RADDATZ: And– and anything brand-new on the examination? You claim he confessed that. Admitted?
COX: No, not– not– once again, he has– he has actually not admitted to– to authorities. He– he is– he is– he is not working together. However– yet– yet all individuals around him are working together. And I– I assume that’s– that’s– that’s extremely crucial.
There were records the other day that– that– that– that we can verify that– that his flatmate was certainly a sweetheart that– that is transitioning from– from man to woman. That’s– that’s info that the FBI had actually– had actually discussed the other day. We can verify that also. Which– that the trick is accepting– with authorities also.
RADDATZ: And– and, Guv, you informed “The Wall surface Road Journal” that Tyler Robinson was deeply indoctrinated with leftist belief. Have private investigators exposed proof to– to reveal that?
COX: Well, up until now that– that has actually originated from his colleague and his member of the family. That’s where that preliminary info has actually originated from. Definitely there will certainly be far more info that is launched in the billing files as they’re bringing every one of that with each other. I would certainly much like to advise individuals that– that– that– that interview on Friday, we had actually been up all evening attempting to obtain as long as we can in an extremely brief quantity of time. We’re gathering far more, consisting of forensic proof that is returning from Quantico that– that will certainly– will certainly assist us link the– the– the shooter to– to the tool and every little thing else. So, that’s all being refined now. And there will certainly be a lot, far more info on Tuesday when that’s– when that paper is submitted with the– with the courts.
RADDATZ: And– and, Guv, allow’s return to Friday and your extremely effective words and recommendations. You stated this was a watershed minute that can be a transforming factor in the background, depending upon the cumulative activities.
What requires to take place for this to be an excellent juncture?
COX: Well, you understand, best– now we’re– we remain in a dark area. Everyone obtains that, I assume. And we– we have selections. And we, in my political approach, in my– in my spiritual approach, our team believe in– in firm. That each people reaches make our very own choices.
And– and I assume– I– I despise this concept that what, you understand, what a guv states or what the head of state states, that’s what matters greater than anything else. It– it is not. And if we’re waiting on a– a head of state or a guv of Utah or anywhere else to– to obtain us out of this mess, that’s– that’s simply never ever mosting likely to take place.
And– therefore we– each people needs to choose. Are we mosting likely to despise our next-door neighbor? Are we mosting likely to despise the opposite side? Are we mosting likely to return physical violence with physical violence? Or are we mosting likely to discover a various course? Are we going to obtain out of those social networks, those dark locations of the net where the dispute business owners stay, that are preying upon us, these– these business with trillion buck market caps that are utilizing dopamine, much like fentanyl, to addict us to our item and– and lead us– once again, those formulas lead us to even more outrage? Can we place that apart? Can we go and– and offer our– our fellow humans? Can we do some excellent in our community? Can we hug a relative? Can we speak to a next-door neighbor that we differ with? That’s– that depends on us. Which’s the only escape of this. There is absolutely nothing else we can do to– to fix this– this dark phase in our background.
RADDATZ: And– and, Guv, once again, effective words. However you obtained a telephone call from Head of state Trump right after you talked on Friday. What did he claim?
COX: This might come as a– as a little bit of a shock to some individuals, yet Head of state Trump was extremely thankful on several events throughout that long discussion that we had. He thanked me for journalism meeting, for words that I stated after that.
He– he discussed Charlie. He had– he had actually stated openly that– that he supported Charlie’s position on non-violence and– which we require even more of that. Therefore I– I was– I was extremely thankful for the head of state’s telephone call. To– to be truthful, Margaret, I do not– I do not do a great deal of nationwide media any longer. And it was the support of the White Home that I’m– I’m also on this program today.
RADDATZ: Did– did he alert you that this kind of physical violence could impact you?
COX: Yes. Yes, he did. He– I indicate this– this is a– an extremely dark discussion, yet– yet he, obviously, was nearly executed. A portion of an inch far from having this extremely point take place to him. Which’s what we discussed. These are– these are extremely hazardous work nowadays and– and– therefore, it’s not shed on us.
We’re– we’re humans also. Head of state Trump is a person. Whether you enjoy him or– or you despise him, he’s– he’s a– he’s a person and these are– these are extremely unfortunate scenarios that influence everybody.
RADDATZ: And– and, Guv, simply– simply finally, you quickly discussed Democrats that had actually currently been targeted. Head of state Trump stated absolutely nothing concerning the political physical violence versus Democrats. Actually, he criticized the extreme left. What’s your response to that? Is that something you assume he should be doing?
COX: Well, look, Head of state Trump is– is extremely mad. And Charlie is his close, individual close friend. There is a great deal of rage. A great deal of rage on– on the right, on– on my side of the aisle. And I have actually absolutely really felt that. And in this instance, it– it does show up that that holds true. Once more, even more– even more info is coming, and we’ll discover more in time.
You understand, I do not understand that– that issues as long as the– the radicalization item. I raised the– the– the Democrats that were executed just recently. And just how rapidly we go on from these points. However– yet the body matter is– is accumulating. Therefore, I’m– I’m so worried concerning this radicalization item, which’s what we’re attempting to recognize.
Once more, he or she chose. And it was he or she’s selection. And he or she will certainly be called to account. And we need to alter selections. And we likewise need to find out just how it became that a child with a 4.0, with a 34 on the ACT, with a full-ride scholarship at my university, that really did not also last a term, quits and– and winds up doing something such as this. We require to recognize that, and we require to find out just how to quit it.
RADDATZ: Thanks, Guv, a lot for your words today. We value your time.
COX: Thanks, Martha.
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MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: Our many thanks to Kieran, Katie, and Phillip.
I’m signed up with currently by GOP Legislator John Curtis of Utah, that lives simply miles far from the Utah Valley College school.
Greetings, Legislator. Many thanks for joining us.
I understand these are extremely challenging times for everybody and specifically your state. You listened to those university student and their discomfort. That do you assume changes Charlie Kirk? Where do those university student place their power?
SEN. JOHN CURTIS, (R) UTAH: Yeah. Well, periodically, someone goes along that’s simply not exchangeable, yet I assume the activity is absolutely solid and will certainly proceed and I assume voices will certainly tip up.
It’ll interest see the function of his spouse. She undoubtedly is extremely devoted to maintaining the activity going, and I believe those footwear will certainly be loaded. Never ever fairly similarly, yet they will certainly be loaded.
RADDATZ: What– what does the rage, where does the rage appeared in this? Where do they funnel that rage? Are you bothered with that moving forward?
These children were extremely sensible and reflective, yet you understand just how much rage is available. What does that do to that activity?
CURTIS: Well, I– firstly, I assume we require to have a little elegance for those that are mad. We understand mad is an actual component of mourning, yet as they pass that rage and they absolutely require to pass it, we require to think of efficient discussion. You understand, there’s a lot taking place in their lives now, and this substantial inquiry of the function of social networks, the function it plays and just how do we make use of that function to be favorable?
It can be favorable, yet I are afraid in a lot of cases, it’s a massive weight and an extremely adverse weight on this generation.
RADDATZ: You understand, you telephoned out on X for individuals to call you straight, to speak about just how they are refining that murder and you stated that would certainly influence just how– just how we move on and speak about these concerns.
What have you listened to up until now?
CURTIS: You understand, everyone is regreting. It is so clear. And the factor I did that is I keep in mind when I shed a great pal at that age, I maintained wanting someone would certainly pay attention to just how I really felt. And I assume component of the method we assist this generation is to pay attention.
They have– they have some extremely, extremely crucial points that we require to be focusing on.
RADDATZ: I understand a great deal of individuals absolutely, and a great deal of Republicans, a great deal of individuals are paying attention to Head of state Trump and you have actually heard me speak about it previously in the program, yet numerous Republican legislators, famous traditionalists, consisting of Head of state Trump’s boys, Don, Jr. and Eric, in addition to Head of state Trump have actually criticized this on the extreme left. Is that the best point to do or what do you want he was claiming?
CURTIS: So, I– if it depended on me, I assume you require to take words radical and get rid of best or left. And extreme, if originating from any type of instructions, is bad. It’s not healthy and balanced, and it ought to be called out. Which’s my objective is to claim, look, this to me, this is– this is wrong. This is not left. We’re discussing radicals. Which’s where we require to place our focus.
RADDATZ: Legislator, just how do you assume we reached this factor in this nation with a lot political physical violence?
CURTIS: You understand, I was– you discussed I live not much from the college. I was mayor of Provo, Utah, best beside it. I understand you understand where that is. That was simply a years earlier, and it had not been like this.
And I assume a variety of points have actually come. I do not assume COVID aided. I assume– we need to look truly difficult. I discussed social networks prior to.
I assume we need to look truly difficult at what’s simply inhabiting virtually one hundred percent of mind weight of not simply the young people yet of all generations, and what’s stumbling upon, and really what we’re permitting ahead across.
And there’s simply no obligation wherefore individuals are producing there. And I simply assume that’s– if we’re mosting likely to repair this, we need to look truly difficult at that.
RADDATZ: Okay. Thanks a lot for joining us today, Legislator. We value it.
Turning Up, the giant roundtable on the political blame video game after Charlie Kirk’s murder and whether we can damage this cycle. We’re back momentarily.
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MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC “TODAY” CO-ANCHOR: There were significant growths today in the battles in Ukraine and Gaza.
So, I’m signed up with currently by Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas, the previous chair of the Homeland Protection and Foreign Relations Board.
It’s excellent to see you today.
REP. MICHAEL MCCAUL, (R) TEXAS, FOREIGN MATTERS BOARD CHAIR EMERITUS. Many thanks for having me.
RADDATZ: Congressman, Head of state Trump stated on Thursday that those 19 Russian drones that went into Polish air area were– can be a blunder by Russia. Do you assume it was a blunder?
MCCAUL: With all submission to the head of state, I do not assume that was a blunder. I assume– I assume Putin is evaluating the willpower of NATO. He intends to see just how NATO responds, just how Poland responds.
However the bright side is Poland had an excellent feedback. They fired him down.
However it reveals you just how hostile Putin is entering the area. Not just the drones, yet these dry run workouts with Belarus exactly on the NATO boundary, the Baltic states. The nuclear bombing planes that flew to Poland, around near their airspace, and afterwards these strikes up in the Arctic. He’s truly placing the stress on now.
RADDATZ: However Poland undoubtedly did not assume that was a blunder. And NATO is relocating air defenses, consisting of air patrols, from the Baltics to the Mediterranean. Do you assume that’s an excellent action or could that potentially rise points?
MCCAUL: Well, I assume it’s a feedback to Putin’s aggressiveness. Putin is the one in charge of this. Therefore, it’s called Eastern Sentry. That suggests the prepositioning of possessions, moving of armed forces possessions to the eastern flank of NATO exactly on the boundary.
We have actually never ever seen anything such as this in current times. Therefore, what I’m worried concerning is that the rise right here and the temperature level increasing, we reached be extremely mindful not to be on the precipice of a Globe Battle III.
RADDATZ: Discuss that even more due to the fact that they are mosting likely to rise this. They’re mosting likely to place in a lot more air defenses. So, Putin– that’s what Putin was bothered with initially. He stated origin of this, he maintained claiming.
So, what do you anticipate to take place from Russia?
MCCAUL: I assume he’ll remain to be intriguing and saber-rattle. I do not assume he would certainly make use of nuclear tools. I assume China placed a red line. I assume, you understand, the nuclear results can also enter into his nation or conjure up Post 5 in Poland.
So I assume– what we require to do is bargain out of toughness.
RADDATZ: However you have actually listened to Head of state Trump today, and repeatedly, several risks around– concerning these permissions. Drawing back August 21st and 22nd, he states, they’ll understand what occurs in weeks. Trump states on August 18th, it would certainly be understood in a week or more whether the battle would certainly proceed and we’ll do something. August 15th– it continues and on, and these due dates merely pass and Putin places a lot more stress and larger strikes in Ukraine.
MCCAUL: And we do offer the head of state a lot more toughness in his arrangements. Currently, as I recognize it, the head of state desires every one of NATO to collaborate on second permissions. It does not do us any type of excellent to place second permissions–
RADDATZ: And quit getting Russian oil.
MCCAUL: Right.
RADDATZ: You assume that’s mosting likely to take place?
MCCAUL: And allow– permit France and Germany to remain to get Russian oil.
So, this needs to be a synergy. I assume NATO requires to stick on this and NATO as a company with the USA leading places the second permissions on.
I forecast that is what’s mosting likely to take place.
RADDATZ: Thom Tillis stated he thinks Russia is playing the united state Do you assume Head of state Trump was played, specifically at that Alaska top?
MCCAUL: I never ever had any type of excellent belief expectancy of these arrangements. I– Putin is a KGB when and constantly and I do not assume he’s playing reasonable. I assume he’s controling the head of state as a KGB police officer would certainly.
I assume the head of state, however, the bright side is, is getting up to the truth that Putin is not discussing in excellent belief, not making giving ins, and needs to be managed.
And I, you understand, the even more Putin aggravates the head of state, I assume the much better we remain in regards to safeguarding NATO and Ukraine.
RADDATZ: And, simply rapidly on Qatar, the Israelis did a strike in Qatar, our ally. What do you assume the impacts of that are?
MCCAUL: I obtain the– you understand, intending to secure Hamas. Incidentally, they missed out on all the targets. They really did not strike the Hamas management. I recognize all that.
Bear in mind Qatar has among our biggest air bases, our CENTCOM center is lacked Qatar. We asked to discuss these arrangements with Hamas and afterwards the shot throughout the bow. I do not assume– you understand, as the head of state stated, it– this does not offer the passion of the USA or Israel well long-term. And what do I indicate by that? I assume normalization is where we intend to go to completion of the day.
The even more we irritate the Arab globe, the much less most likely that normalization procedure. What do I indicate by that? I indicate, tranquility with Israel, Abraham Accords.
RADDATZ: I intend to gather this– 9/11 wedding anniversary today outweighed absolutely by the capturing of Charlie Kirk. Your profession has actually been based upon what took place on 9/11.
MCCAUL: Yeah, I was up there in New york city for that effective event, altered my life and several others, yet you understand, I came to be a counterterrorism government district attorney within the Justice Division.
I went into Congress. I chaired the Homeland Protection Board. I saw the surge of ISIS and the caliphate. As chairman of international events, I saw Afghanistan drop and Putin attack Ukraine and the Center East ablaze, and afterwards the risk from Chairman Xi and China in the Indo-Pacific.
These are all concerns I have actually– it’s been an honor to offer for over 20 years in the Congress. I’m looking currently for a brand-new obstacle. I’m mosting likely to– I’m mosting likely to offer the rest of my term. However I’m seeking a brand-new obstacle in the exact same area that would certainly be nationwide safety, diplomacy, yet simply in a– in a various world.
However I intend to remain to offer the individuals of this nation in nationwide safety and diplomacy and do what I have actually done the last 20 years– make America more powerful and the globe much safer.
RADDATZ: Well, that’s an excellent strategy. They’ll miss you on capital. You obtained a methods to go. Many thanks for joining us today.
MCCAUL: Many thanks a lot.
RADDATZ: Value it.
We’ll be right back.
