killings is awaiting trial. a quick programming note, join us tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. eastern for a special cnn town hall, america addicted the fentanyl crisis. there's a deadly flood of fenlt n feint nell. we're going to talk to families who have kids who died taking what they thought was half a xanax or percocet. senator lindsey graham is going to join us as well as dea administrator. an important conversation. tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. eastern right after 360. the cnn prime time special "jill biden" abroad starts now. tonight, jill biden takes the world stage. her first trip to africa as first lady. >> the young people of namibia hav are not only our future, but our

present. >> she'll answer tough questions on the biggest issues back home. >> what do you say to those people who say maybe he's too old to be president? >> while serving as an important voice for the biden administration abroad. >> you are the keepers of democracy. >> dr. biden speaks about her mission and the challenges facing the continent. >> everybody has to come together to make sure that these people aren't dying because of the drought. >> and her inspirational reunion with a woman she first met more than ten years ago. >> i said you could go anywhere, be anything, and you said no, i'm staying in my community. >> plus, her family's decision on president biden's run in 2024. >> any chance at this point that he's not going to run? >> cnn prime time "jill biden abroad" starts now. ♪

good evening, i'm sara si sidner. tonight on cnn prime time an in depth interview with the first lady of the united states, a one on one with jill biden who returned from a five-day trip to africa. cnn was in africa alongside the first lady as she tore through namibia and kenya seeking to raise awareness about the severe drought and hunger crisis in the horn of africa. championing the role of women in democracy and so much more. we have exclusive footage to show you along with a fascinating, wide-ranging conversation with our own o arlette saenz who asked dr. biden some of the most pressing questions many americans have about 2024. they delve into the discussion about the president's age and those classified documents found on biden's properties. our audi cornish and abby phillip are here to discuss the news from this interview. but first, arlette is with us with her incredibly strong reporting. you asked a lot of questions, and she seemed so answer

candidly. >> yeah, there were really no topics that were off limits and we were able to speak with the first lady about a host of issues related to africa, but first we also got her thoughts on things like 2024 and whether he'll seek re-election. those questions about his age as well as her thoughts on some of the former first ladies. >> so we are here in africa, but there are a host of issues and decisions waiting for you. >> waiting just, waiting. >> back home. maybe the biggest is this decision and announcement about a 2024 campaign. your husband was asked in an interview if he was running, and he joked that he had to call you to find out. >> was this recently? >> it was recently. >> oh, i must have missed it. >> so we're going to the source. where do things stand? when's an announcement coming? >> well, he said he intends to run, so nothing's been planned yet. i think, you know, he's been so busy with being in ukraine,

handling some of the crises at home. so i think, you know, he's not -- he's putting that first. he's putting america's business before he's putting his own. >> but has the decision been made amongst the family that he's going to run? >> it's joe's decision, and we support whatever he wants to do. if he's in, we're there. if he wants to do something else, we're there too. >> is there any chance at this point that he's not going to run? >> not in my book. >> you're all for it. >> i'm all for it, of course. there's so many things that he's done, brought people together, brought leaders together, and so he says -- and i think you heard him say at the state of the union -- i'm not yet finished. i'm not yet finished. and so i see his vision, and i hope americans see his vision as well. >> now, your husband is 80 years old. >> mm-hmm.

>> if he wins a second term, he would be 82 at inauguration. what do you say to those people who say maybe he's too old to be president? are those fair questions and conversations to be having? >> i say look at what he's done. you know, look at what he's doing. look at how physically he's got the good bill of health from the doctors to his physicals. but how many 30-year-olds could travel to poland, get on the train, go nine more hours, go to ukraine, meet with president zelenskyy? his energy level, his level of passion, so look at the man. look what he's doing. look what he continues to do each and every day, and make your decision. it's up to the american people. >> nikki haley, one of the republican candidates is calling for mental competency tests for those politicians over the age

of 75. what do you think about that? >> it's ridiculous. >> would your husband ever take one of those? >> i mean, we haven't even discussed -- we would never even discuss something like that. >> you talked a little bit about your husband traveling to ukraine and poland this past week. you also have told us that you found out kind of last minute that he was going to be making this secret trip -- >> oh, absolutely. >> -- to ukraine. >> yeah. >> what was it like for those ten hours when he was taking that train ride into ukraine and no one knew. how worried were you in those moments? >> i was of course worried, i was really worried. but you know, one thing -- and i have to say this with all my heart -- one thing that i truly believe in is the strength of our military and how everything was so planned out and the secret service and what an amaam amazing job they did in pulling

off the trip and keeping my husband safe. i mean, i'm watching the tv this morning and i'm seeing -- it's just incredible what's going on in the air and in the sea, and i hope that americans really take note of it. like we have to give the support, all of our support to our military because of what a great job they do, and the secret service is right there hand in hand. >> were you able to keep tabs on him -- >> oh, yeah. >> when he was -- did he communicate? >> through text. >> was he texting you on the train? >> well, he was -- no, he wasn't texting me on the train, but you know, it was in the back of my mind, and so i mean, i was kind of aware that he was, you know, safe and i just said a lot of

prayers. >> did he give you a call when he made it back into poland? >> oh, yes. >> and what was his reflection on this trip? >> we didn't really talk about it. i think it will be just better to talk about it in private, you know. >> yeah, have you had the chance to talk to him about this trip yet? >> oh, yeah, we've spoken a couple of times, and face timed and so, yeah, and he looks great. i mean, so he doesn't look tired or, yeah. >> how often do you guys face time? >> i don't know, a couple times a day. >> even if you're just in d.c. or when you're traveling? >> i'm traveling, i'm at work. i mean, he calls -- he calls a lot. >> does he call you more or do you call him more? >> i think he calls me more. >> i want to turn to another issue that has come up amongst republicans a lot, and your son hunter has really been a target for republicans over the years and likely will be in the years to come. how does your family deal with

that intense focus on hunter? >> we deal with it by just i guess have a different perspective. i love hunter and i'll support him in any way i can, and that's how i look at things. >> has the wave of investigations into him, does that factor into any of the thinking heading into 2024? >> no. >> the justice department has appointed a special counsel to look into the way your husband handled classified documents when he left the vice presidencies. when did you first find out about these documents? were you surprised? >> probably when the rest of america did. i was really surprised. we had no idea, and so i think we found out when everyone else did. >> where in the house were they? were they in a secure location? did people have access to them? >> well, i think they were at

the biden penn center. >> and there were some at your home in wilmington. >> and i think those were in the garage, believe me, arlette, i don't have time to go through the boxes in the garage. we had no idea they were even down there. >> i wanted to turn back to one campaign question. you skpand i -- >> you're not giving up. >> no, i'm not giving up. >> you're saying everyone's asking you. there you go. >> everyone's asking you. do you ever worry about how grueling a campaign might be on him? >> i think everyone campaign is grueling. i don't care whether you're 20, 30 or whatever age. campaigns now have become really grueling. and arlette, you know, you've been on a lot of campaigns. you have to see the difference between even ten years ago and today. >> i know you guys are really big into these family meetings. >> uh-huh. >> was there one definitive family meeting that, okay woorgs ere doing this or has this been

a rolling conversation? >> it's been rolling this time. last time we did have a family meeting, and we've had family meetings other times, but it's sort of rolling just because of the pace of our lives, and so if i can grab two grandkids here and say, hey, what are you thinking about, what are your thoughts or, you know, our daughter. so i'm sort of keeping tabs. >> so in your mind, this is happening? >> absolutely. you want to come? you want to come on the trail? >> i might be covering you guys on the trail again. >> oh, good, good. >> we are back now with arlette. we're also joined luckily by audi cornish and abby phillip. arlette, i'm going to start with you. so you asked all of the questions that i think the american public has been discussing about joe biden, and then you get into what jill biden has been up to. were you surprised by any of her answers? >> you know, i think that her answer regarding 2024 is quite

interesting. i think the way that she answered that question really makes it seem as if it's not a matter of if but when this campaign will be launched, but she also does leave an opening for him should he decide not to run in 2024. you know, she says it's joe's decision. that they'll support him if he does, but then she says if he decides to do something else, we'll also support him there. it kind of provides you a little bit of answer both ways. these conversations that i had with her over the course of those five days in africa, it really does seem like things are moving towards him running for re-election again in the coming months. >> i do want to ask about this controversy -- i don't know if that's what to call it -- but over age, it's come up and again and again, and nikki haley purkd it to a whole 'nother level when she talked about a competency test. joe biden respon-- jill biden responres responded with it's ridiculous. >> she's been in this game for a

very long time. it's a little bit different from first lady michelle obama who married someone who was not in public life when they first got together. jill biden's been in this for a while. it also underscores the problem for them. here they are, she's on a trip visiting countries in africa. the posture that this administration has had towards africa is radically different than the prior administration. but it's a conversation that can't be had because not only are people focused on whether he's going to run but even asking the question should he at all because of his age. i mean, that really gives you a sense of the kind of obstacles for them. >> it also struck me that she was answering the question over and over again at every chance she got, even when arlette wasn't asking her about it. >> she was ready with an answer. >> she's talking about the ukraine trip, she's talking about his stamina, his ability to do all of that. i mean, i think she is keenly aware that this is an unavoidable question about her husband, and she is injecting at every moment an opportunity to say, this is a guy who can keep

up. this is a guy who has what it takes, who's all there. and you know, i mean, to audi's point, jill biden is perhaps one of the most prepared women to ever be first lady because of how long that she has been joe biden's wife. and i didn't really see any doubt in her in this interview. i think she thinks her husband can do it, and she's kind of wondering why we keep asking her about it. and that really, i think, tells you everything that you need to know. she would probably be the first to say it's time for us to take a step back and that's not a woman who wants to take a step back. >> i think she made that really clear. i do want to ask you guys about classified documents. she said something that struck me, we found out when the rest of the country did. when she says we, i mean, is it plausible that they had no idea that they were there? >> i think it's certainly plausible that they didn't know that they were there.

i'm not sure about both of them finding out when the rest of the country did, but yes, it is plausible that they didn't know that they were there. i mean, this is a former vice president of the united states. he's not going through old files in his home or in his office. it's just not how these things are done. so it is very likely that when these things were boxed up and brought to the home, they weren't even really looked at for a long time. is that an excuse? probably not, and certainly not in the eye of the justice department, and remember, just one quick thing, the boxes in the biden office, some of the things in those boxes had to do with beau biden. that strikes me as materials that would have been kept as they were and really not rifled through even by the former vice president. >> at the same time, the issue has been somewhat neutralized by mike pence also having documents, obviously the trump ongoing investigation. i think for the public at this point, it's like everyone's got a box. they should figure this out, and it's really about waiting for the justice department to see if there's anything sort of more

nefarious. to your point, though, anything related to hunter, anything that could be connected to him in some way, expect to hear more of that in any forthcoming kind of congressional hearing especially led by house republicans. >> and we should also be clear joe biden did not hold onto these after he learned they were there. and there is a difference between him, pence and donald trump. >> he's not being investigated for obstructing in any way or not cooperating which is have r different for the former president. >> same goes for pence. >> there's so much more ahead. up next, why being first lady is harder than jill biden ever imagined and whether she's heard from her predecessor, which is customary. >> most of the first ladies, you know, if you ever need anything or you want to talk or if there's something on your mind or if i can help you in some way, they've all been great. >> have you spoken with melania trump? >> her answer when we return.

ik. new tresemmé fluid smooth spray. powered by hydratingng coconut droplets. with plant-based protetein that penetrates. in one spray, get instant shshine and smoothness. new tresemmé fluid smooth haircare. this is eargo and they're virtually invisible. they automatically enhance your hearing wherever you are. ours comes with buttons on the back so you can fiddle around to your heart's content. like the eighties all over again. cool, right? get refunds.com powered by innovation refunds can help your business get a payroll tax refund, even if you got ppp and it only takes eight minutes to qualify. i went on their website, uploaded everything, and i was blown away by what they could do. getrefunds.com has helped businesses get over a billion dollars and we can help your business too. qualify your business for a big refund in eight minutes. go to getrefunds.com to get started. powered by innovation refunds.

research shows people remember ads with a catchy song. so to help you remember that liberty mutual customizes your home insurance, here's a little number you'll never forget. did you know that liberty mutual custo— ♪ liberty mutual. ♪ ♪ only pay for what you need. ♪ ♪ only pay for what you need. ♪ ♪ custom home insurance created for you all. ♪ ♪ now the song is done ♪ ♪ back to living in your wall. ♪ they're just gonna live in there? ♪ yes. ♪ only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ in 99% of people over 50. it's lying dormant, waiting... and could reactivate. shingles strikes as a painful, blistering rash that can last for weeks. and it could wake at any time. think you're not at risk for shingles? it's time to wake up. because shingles could wake up in you. if you're over 50, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about shingles prevention.

there's nothing like hitting the waves. there's nothing like volunteering. but my moderate-to-severe eczema can make it hard. now i'm staying ahead of it. dupixent helps heal your skin from within. so you can have clearer skin and noticeably less itch. serious allergic reactions can occur that can be severe. tell your doctor about new or worsening eye problems such as eye pain or vision changes including blurred vision, joint aches and pain, or a parasitic infection. don't change or stop asthma medicines without talking to your doctor. ask your doctor about dupixent. i know there's conflicting information about dupuytren's contracture. i thought i couldn't get treatment yet? well, people may think that their contracture has to be severe to be treated, but it doesn't. if you can't lay your hand flat on the table, talk to a hand specialist. but what if i don't want surgery? well, then you should find a hand specialist certified to offer nonsurgical treatments. what's the next step? visit findahandspecialist.com today to get started.

what if we live to 100. i don't want to outlive our money. i keep eating all these chia seeds. i could live to be 100. we work with empower, even if we do live to 100 we don't have to worry. eh, not worried. take control of your financial future to empower what's next. welcome back to cnn prime time, arlette saenz in-depth interview with the first lady while she was in africa. first lady jill biden goes abroad continues now. >> you've said that being fist lady is a bit harder than you had imagined. which parts are more difficult

than you thought would have been? >> well, the schedule, that's one part of it. so with, you know, being a mom and a grandma and a wife, you have to fulfill those roles, and then you layer on first lady, and you layer on teacher. so you know, like you're saying, just trying to balance it all is -- you have to be very organized, which i think all teachers are, but you know, i just think you have to find balance, and that's what every day i strive to find balance. >> i know you've said that you are not the president's adviser. you're his spouse, but you do hold a lot of influence, and i'm sure over the years you have learned when to weigh in and when not to. >> sure. >> so what are the areas you do offer him advice on? >> well, certainly i tell him stories, and things that i've seen and things that people want and where their challenges are. so it's not that i'm like

weighing in. it's like let me tell you what i saw or what i heard or what people are saying to me, and so it's in that context. because i'm out every day. i'm in the classroom, i'm out, you know, somewhere in the united states, and so i think it's a good balance really. >> and i think there is a lot of focus on the role and the impacts that you have on him, but how does he help you? >> well, sometimes i don't -- i may not see things from his perspective, let's just put it that way. so he offers both sides. i'm always a little bit better like this person feels this way, you know, he's very good at that, understanding why people feel the way they do. he understands both sides, which is part of his strength, i think, that he can, you know, work with people as he's done, arlette, you know, on both sides of the aisle. he may not agree with them, but

he does understand their perspective. >> are there areas where the two of you just agree to disagree? >> yes. >> what are they? >> i don't think i want to get into it. i don't want to create another argument at home. >> i want to ask you about jimmy carter. what do you think jimmy carter will ultimately be remembered for? >> i think he'll be remembered as a great humanitarian. i mean, all that he has done to help people. he never stopped. he never stopped helping americans, whether it was habitat for humanity, building homes, or going into communities, traveling the world, helping people all over, and i -- you know, i actually feel a little sad even saying this because he's still with us thank god, and -- but i think that will be his legacy. >> you and your husband visited

him and rosalyn carter at their home in plains georgia, i think it was in 2021, can you talk about what that moment was like? your interactions with them? >> you know, he and swjoe get along so well and have so much in common. i mean, they talked politics the whole time and what was going on. they have a real ease with one another. you've seen it. and they do so much together, and he's so much a part of his life. i don't know. i worry about her. >> in what way? >> well, you know, what will she do? you know, they've been married over 70 years. it's a really strong partnership. >> and have you had conversations with rosalyn about being first lady? >> no, i don't think i have. she's always been very supportive as have, quite frankly, most of the first

ladies. you know, if you ever need anything or you want to talk or if there's something on your mind or if i can help you in some way, they've all been great. >> have you spoken with melania trump? >> not melania. >> when you leave the white house, is it your intention to keep up a similar type of relationship with fist ladies and offer advice where they need? >> oh, sure, absolutely. and i don't care whether they're republican or democrat. i think it's a big role. i think if they ask, i mean, i'm not going to -- but if they ask, of course. i mean, it's a very small number at this point of women, and i think we have to support one another. >> the first lady's passion to highlight women supporting women goes well beyond the united states. >> so we can look to namibia and say, look, it's working there. it's going to work for us as well.

>> how jill biden is finding inspiration half a world away when our cnn prime time special continues. it's easy to get lost in investment research. introducing j.p. morgan personal advisors. hey david! connect with an advisor to create youour personalized pla. let's find the right investments for yoyour goals. okay, grgreat. j.p. morgan wealth management. my name is brian delallo. i teach ap and honors economics in pittsburgh, pennsylvania. financial well-being to me is knowing that i can be free to do the things that i love to do.

i hope when i retire someday, they say, that guy made this place a special place to come to school and gave as much as he could to help the community. ever better. it's when disruption hits your supply chain and ryder makes sure you're ever delivering with freight brokerage to transportation management, truckload capacity and dedicated trucks and drivers. i got a lot of this from you. the more you learn the more you want to know, and then it just fuels that fire.

it filled my soul to be honest. explore your family story at ancestry.com in order for small businesses to thrive, they need to be smart... efficient... agile... and that's never been more important than it is right now. so for a limited time, comcast business is introducing small business savings. call now to get powerful internet for just $39 a month, with no contract, and a money back guarantee. all on the largest, fastest, reliable network. from the company that powers more businesses than anyone else. call and start saving today. comcast business. powering possibilities.

for first lady jill biden the opportunities that come with a ceremonial role in the white house are about far more than photo ops and when she visits africa, she is no stranger to, that arlette saenz is back with us to look at the personal connections she's nurtured and the hope that she sees even as parts of the african continent struggles. >> yeah, and she really was trying to take some of her key

messages that she has here in the u.s. over to africa as well, and she spent time there as second lady, and that really has given her some familiarity with the continent as she tried to spread her messages from both namibia to kenya. ♪ >> reporter: dr. jill biden in africa for the first time as first lady. a return to a continent that's familiar to her. she traveled to africa five times as second lady, but in her debut trip as first lady, biden kicked things off in namibia, a young country where preserving democracy was at the top of her mind. >> you are the keepers of democracy. amen, that's right, amen. >> she says the relationship she's built as first lady drew her to the country. >> we have the africa u.s. summit in december, and i met monica, the spouse of the

president of namibia, and we just hit it off so fast, and she said come to my country. >> why is it important to you to build these types of relationships with other first ladies? >> because i think the one thing joe taught me is that all politics is personal, and that's true because once you have these connections, you can call on someone when you need help, when you need to be lifted up, when you can support programs. ♪ >> reporter: throughout her five-day trip, she pushed for women to use their voices and for young people to get involved using her own experience as an educator for more than 30 years to connect with locals. >> and what subject? >> english. >> do you have a favorite english author? >> yeah, shakespeare. >> shakespeare, oh, wow. >> and with her granddaughter naomi in tow offered simple gestures to children.

>> can you share? >> reporter: on the flight from namibia to kenya, no time for a break. dr. biden still teaches full-time back home, juggling her work as first lady, focused on helping military families and working to end cancer. >> how do you spend this time on the flights in between countries? >> reading. you see these books? i spend my time reading, grading papers, you know, and i'm a reader. i'm an english teacher. >> reporter: biden is carrying on a long tradition of first ladies visiting africa starting with patricia nixon in 1972, continuing from hillary clinton to melania trump. laura bush touted her husband's program to fight hiv/aids. >> it does seem like an insurmountable problem, but the fact is you can measure progress. >> reporter: and michelle obama urged countries to educate young girls. >> these are young women transforming their communities and their countries.

>> reporter: on the ground in kenya, biden promoted economic empowerment for women with the country's first lady and met with young people on the po importance of safe sex. >> besides condoms, does it promote birth control pills? >> reporter: on biden's final day in kenya, we drove about three hours south of nairobi over bumpy dirt roads to the part of the horn of africa suffering through severe drought. nearly 500 people gathered there to receive medical checkups and nutritional assistance. the first lady talking with members of the community whose livelihoods are threatened and mothers struggling to feed their children. >> all their livestock are dying. as we came down that long road of the livestock and how they're just skin and bones, and so they're left with nothing. some of the women told me that they're walking three hours a

day to go into a populated area so they really need a lot of help. >> what more needs to be done? >> everybody has to come together to make sure that these people aren't dying because of the drought, because believe me, arlette, they have nothing. they have nothing, and their children have malnourished, and they're receiving, you know, from usaid these food supplements and -- but that's not enough. that's not a meal. it's a supplement. >> reporter: having visited the same drought-plagued region in 2011 when she toured the country's largest refugee camp, it's an issue she's passionate about. >> we're right on the edge. we're right on the precipice, i think, of a famine, which is what i saw. thousands of refugees coming from somalia walking miles and miles with children who were sick and trying to carry them, and the children were so weak.

we were right on the edge. we need to act now. >> reporter: the u.s. announced it's sending more than $126 million in additional food assistance to kenya. >> you can see the drought here. >> reporter: but the first lady pushing for more countries to pitch in aid, while also hoping her visit offered the community a simple message. >> i think showing up matters, you know, to give them a little piece of hope that things are going to get better. that's what i hope i did. that's what i hope they feel, that when they go home tonight that they might feel a little bit better. >> and more from arlette's in-depth interview ahead, including the message the first lady says she is bringing to africa after former president trump used derogatory language to refer to some african nations. >> we want to say, hey, we're back. detergent, but we ended up using three e times as much and the clothes still weren't asas clean as with tide.

so we're back to tide. they're cuter in clean clothes. mhm. they are. thanks honey. you suck at folding. oh, i know. do three times the laundry and get a tide clean. save $10 when you spend $30 on tide & downy. i'll always take care of you. ♪ i'm gonna hold you forever... ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ i'll be there... ♪ ♪ be by your side... ♪ ♪ my relationship with my credit cards wasn't good. i got into debt in college and, no matter how much i paid, it followed me everywhere. between the high interest, the fees... i felt trapped. debt, debt, debt. so i broke up with my credit card debt and consolidated it into a low-rate personal loan from sofi. i finally feel like a grown-up. break up with bad credit card debt. get a personal loan with no fees, low fixed rates, and borrow up to $100k. go to sofi.com to view your rate. sofi. get your money right.

♪ when it was time to sign up for a medicare plan... mom didn't know which way to turn. but thanks to the right plan promise from unitedhealthcare she got a medicare plan expert to help guide her to the right plan with the right care team behind her. ♪ wow, uh-huh.♪ and for her, it's a medicare plan with the aarp name. i hope i can keep up! the right plan promise, only from unitedhealthcare. get help finding your plan

at uhc.com/medicare. ♪♪ alex! mateo, hey how's business? great. you know that loan has really worked wonders. that's what u.s. bank is for. and you're growing in california? -yup, socal, norcal... -monterey? -all day. -a branch in ventura? that's for sure-ah. atms in fresno? fres-yes. encinitas? yes, indeed-us. anaheim? big time. more guacamole? i'm on a roll-ay. how about you? i'm just visiting. u.s. bank. ranked #1 in customer satisfaction with retail banking in california by j.d. power.

welcome back. two years after the trump presidency, first lady jill biden went to africa with a message from the united states. here's more of cnn's interview. >> you are here in africa paving the way for other white house officials to come, vice president harris is expected to come. your husband, president biden has committed to visiting this year. when you go home, what is the main takeaway you share with him from this trip? >> well, i think we'll talk

about democracy certainly, furthering democracy and as we talked about namibia as a democracy and then to come here to kenya just to say to our global partners we're standing with you. i saw certainly, you know, women's empowerment here. i saw youth groups. you know, what the american programs are doing and that people are responding to them, the youth, which is so important here as you know, 75% of the population is under 30, which is amazing in itself. >> what kind of impact do you think a visit by a first lady has as compared to a president's visit? >> i hope it has a major impact. i think it just creates awareness of a lot of programs that we support, and so i think it does have an impact, and i think -- i take that back, and i can incorporate that in my speeches and when i'm going around our country and talking

about really the price of freedom and democracy. >> do you think there are connections that you're able to make as first lady that perhaps the president can't? >> well, i think as a teacher myself, i think maybe those -- thafli feel that those connections are a little stronger. joe tends toward policy, i mean, as he should, and i try to, you know, go in a little bit -- maybe a softer direction. >> we've talked about how africa has a large youth population, it's home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world, and a lot of countries are trying to make inroads here including china. do you feel at all that the u.s. is losing influence in africa? >> well, i don't know whether they're losing interest but i can't speak to that, but i can speak to america's interests, so america wants to keep reassuring the countries and the leaders of africa, like we didn't forget you. you know, we were isolationists

pretty much for the last four years of the last administration, and i think countries around the world, i mean, whether it was nato, whether it was, you know, mexico, canada, i mean, all these alliances that we formed, latin america, they were wondering like, hey, america, what happened to you? you know, we used to be partners. we used to strive towards the same things. not that we all agreed on everything, but certainly there was a dialogue, and then it's sort of like america, you know, stepped away. like, no, we don't want to deal with every other country, and so we want to say, hey, we're back. >> why do you think it's hard for americans sometimes to pay attention to what's happening here in africa? >> you know, the one thing i find about americans -- and this is what i found the last time when i came here in 2011 -- well, this is how i got here, i was watching tv, and i saw these

children dying, and i was shocked. like, you know, that so many countries have so much food, and yet people are dying. and right then i called my chief of staff, and i said we've got to do something about this. we've got to create awareness, and we did. i mean, i think within three days we were on an airplane. we came -- we created awareness. americans responded. they opened their hearts to see people, children just skin and bones, and they responded with their pocket books, and so sometimes they knneed a little nudge, like hey, i know things are tough maybe in your household or, you know, this is a bad month, but hey, look at what somebody else is dealing with. >> you talked a little bit about your way to connect with people here as an educator. after all these experiences with these young people, young adults, what do you take back to your classroom to share with them? >> you know, i have so many

students from other countries that i learn more about their countries, you know, that i don't think i take much back to them. i think they give me so much. you know, one of my students, i texted her yesterday on the one-year anniversary of ukraine, the war in ukraine, and i said i hope you're okay, you know. how's your family? how are you doing? and she said, hey, dr. b., you know, how about can i come in and have lunch with you on tuesday? so she'll come, and so that's the sort of connections, you know, arlette, afi have a lot o freedom fighters from a lot of different countries who come to the united states to get their education, and sometimes you just wonder, my goodness, how did you get here with all the violence that you've seen, all the war that you've been through? i mean, i've learned so much really from them.

>> arlette, audie and abby are back with us. after hearing her remarks on africa, i'm curious from you if there's something that really -- she tried to make a really big point here about the difference between the two administrations, the former and her husband's administration. >> well, you heard her there talk about how they have viewed former president trump's administration as really engaging on this isolationist policy and that she and her husband are really going to bring back more of american involvement in the continent. and we know that in the coming year, there's really going to be this big diplomatic push from the biden white house, the first lady was the first -- the first of the four principals to travel there this year, but we've also learned that vice president kamala harris is actually expected to visit multiple countries in sub saharan africa just a little bit later this month, and president biden himself has also promised a trip there. now, the first lady isn't going to really get into international policy, right? she told me she views her role

there as really being this type of soft power, diplomacy, but there will be very big questions for vice president harris and president biden when they travel to africa to show that the u.s. is actually committed and in their investments there and what they're trying to do with the continent. >> audie and abby, the chinese -- people have been watching what china is doing in the african continent and what russia is doing partly because of what's happening in the world globally, but the chinese have traded with africa about four times as much compared to the united states. is this -- i'll start with you, abby. is this something that the u.s. is catching up on their relationship with africa because of this, or are we reading that wrong? >> well, you know, it's a really important question. i actually a few weeks ago spoke with the u.n. ambassador linda thomas-greenfield, and she said to me she views china and russia as catching up to the united states in terms of the relationships that the united

states has had with multiple countries on the continent and especially in subis a saharan a over decades. what that means for this moment for china catching up means really investing quite a lot in this moment in africa. and when you talk about the food crisis, you talk about oil, russia is such a huge player in that, and the united states is awa aware of that, they are trying to counter that. and as arlette was just saying, they're keenly aware that they believe in the four years of the trump administration there was time lost. >> you'll notice the language from the second lady but also tony blinken is partnership. hi, we're still here. hi, we still want to be involved in what's going on here, so i think that it's this idea of reengagement in the world and that may mean the continent of africa. that also means maintaining support in ukraine, but it's

trying to kind of reassert the u.s., our position to ourselves about what is our role internationally. >> those are really good insights and a great interview that we're not done with, audie cornish, abby phillip, thank you both for being here. in nairobi, an emotional moment when the first lady reunites with an inspiring single mother who she first met as america's second lady more than a decade ago rekindling their special bond when cnn prime time returns. that can help people with plaque psoriasis achieve clearer skin. and no routine blood tests required. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it. serious allergic reactions can happen. otezla may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. some people taking otezla had depression, suicidal thoughts, or weight loss. upper respiratory tract infection and headache may occur.

doctors have been prescribing otezla for over 8 years. don't hesitate. ask your doctor about otezla today. whoa. okay. easy does it. we switched to liberty mutual and saved $652. they customize your car insurance, so you only pay for what you need. withhe money we saved, we thought we'd y electric unicycles. whoa! careful, babe! saving was definitely easier. hey babe, i think i got it! it's actually... whooooa! ok, show-off! help! oh! only pay for what you need. ♪ liberty. liberty. liberty. liberty. ♪ i have moderate to severe crohn's disease. now, there's skyrizi. ♪ things are looking up ♪ ♪ i've got symptom relief ♪ ♪ control of my crohn's means everything to me. ♪ ♪ ♪ control is everything to me. ♪ feel significant symptom relief with skyrizi, including less abdominal pain and fewer bowel movements at 4 weeks.

skyrizi is the first and only il-23 inhibitor for crohn's that can deliver both clinical remission and endoscopic improvement. the majority of people on skyrizi achieved long lasting remission at 1 year. serious allergic reactions and an increased risk of infections or a lower ability to fight them may occur. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms, had a vaccine or plan to. liver problems may occur in crohn's disease. ask your gastroenterologist how you can take control of your crohn's with skyrizi. ♪ ♪ control is everything to me. ♪ learn how abbvie could help you save.

this thing, it's making me get an ice bath again. what do you mean? these straps are mind-blowing! they collect hundreds of data points like hrv and rem sleep, so you know all you need for recovery. and you are? i'm an investor...in invesco qqq, a fund that gives me access to... nasdaq 100 innovations like... wearable training optimization tech. uh, how long are you... i'm done. i'm okay.

two role years after forming a special bond. our cameras are rolling and cnn's, arlette saenz, was there to see when first lady, jill, biden -- and we join us again. arlette. this is quite touching. >> it really was a special moment between these two women. first lady of the united states and a woman that she had met 13 years prior. she visited kenya moments a visit at the first lady describes as something that really changed her life. we were there is a two women caught up with each other on each other's lives. >> oh my goodness. hello. oh.

>> it was a reunion in more than ten years in the making. alicia, a mom of two, was at an informal housing sent settlement in nairobi. >> how are your children? >> by children are doing well. >> he was, for he was too small. but now i have salma. salma's two years. she's doing well, actually. >> doctor joe biden first met aaliyah during a trip to kenya in 2010 when she was second lady. and to immediately shared a bond. >> this woman, alicia, is one of the young women whose a role model for many of the other young women. we talked about living in this mom, when i said to her, alicia are you working to try to get out of the slum and she said, oh no, i will live here my whole life. this is my community. >> remember i said you are so smart, you can go anywhere, be anything, and he said no i am staying in my community. i remember that so well. >> i want to fight for them.

>> true to her word she is still there and still fighting. >> i feel grateful because each and every day i fight for them. that is why i would like segment to get the education that i didn't. because i wish to go far. >> aaliyah becomes a business owner, opening a restaurant in kibera, she was forced to close during the covid-19 pandemic. but she recently received a grant to reopen. >> they're willing to support me. reopen my business. and i think to this it'll be a great opportunity because i've been wishing for the best for the young girl. for me, it would be a great opportunity. >> during the 13 years apart, alicia, also kept tabs on the first lady. >> so how is your family back home? >> my family is good. it has been a journey. since i last saw you. because that's when my husband was vice president. now he is president. >> how are you doing?

congratulations. >> thank you. >> when everything was happening i was like, one of the voters down here would saying go people, we need anything. so i felt so grateful to selma. >> how are you selma. >> i want to talk about that moment. the reunion you had in kibera with aaliyah. what was that like for you? >> oh my gosh, i loved her. when i met her she was such a beacon of hope. she had a little four-year-old son. she was running a program to teach young women about violence and domestic violence. how to protect themselves against rape, as she was so impressive. and then to see her again, ten years later. and, now of course, our son is 18. she has a new daughter two years old. and she still at, it she is still working for community. i think it is such a strong message.

people try to, you know, help their own communities. the two women hoping this meeting won't be their last. >> i will never get you in my entire life. because i was so excited to meet you again. >> they brought us together, right? >> i am so sure. i hope one day i'll have time to visit america. and see how america's. how you are doing over there. hopefully. >> arlette saenz, thank you, for great reporting and a reminder that you can see more of our let's conversation with the first lady at cnn.com. thank you very much for watching, stay tuned, the news continues right here on cnn. ves. there's nothing like volunteering. but my moderate-to-severe eczema can make it hard. now i'm staying ahead of it. dupixent helps h heal your skin from within. so you can have clearer skin and noticeably less itch. serious allergic reactions can occur that can be severe.

tell your doctor about new or worsening eye problems such as eye pain or vision changes including blurred vision, joint aches and pain, or a parasitic infection. don't change or stop asthma medicines without talking to your doctor. ask your doctor about dupixent. if your business kept on employees through the pandemic, getrefunds.com can see if it may qualify for a payroll tax refund of up to $26,000 per employee, even if it received ppp, and all it takes is eight minutes to get started. then we'll work with you to fill out your forms and submit the application; that easy. and if your business doesn't get paid, we don't get paid. getrefunds.com has helped businesses like yours claim over $2 billion but it's only available for a limited time. go to getrefunds.com, powered by innovation refunds.

for instant volume and hair that shines and flows like water. new tresemmé fluid volume spray. infused with a blend of biotin and plant-based protein that penetrates. in one spray, get naturally lifted, exceptionally fluid hair. new tresemmé fluid volume haircare. what does it mean to be ever better? its your customers getting what they ordered when they expect it. discover how ryder ecommerce makes your customer's experience ever better. it's easy to get lost in investment research.

introducing j.p. morgan personal advisors. hey david! connect with an advisor to create your personalized plan. let's find the right investments for your goals. okay, great. j.p. morgan wealth management. the eagle has landed. that's one small step for man... hey, what's up? uh... houston... we have a situation. how did you get here? you're characters in our video game! video game? yeah, it's what we do with xfinity 10g. it's like, you know, the best network imaginable. what the heck is that? those are the bad guys. are they friendly? the 10g network, only from xfinity. one giant leap for mankind.