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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Donald Trump Digs In; Marines Murdered: New Information; Iran Nuclear Agreement: United Nations Vote. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired July 20, 2015 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:14] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump digs in a new op-ed released overnight defending his criticism of Senator John McCain and lashing back at his critics.
Breaking overnight: new information about the gunman who murdered four marines in Tennessee. Insight on what may have triggered that attack.
The nuclear deal with Iran put to a vote on the world stage. The United Nations voting today, and it is not sitting well with everyone. We're live with the Obama administration has an uphill battle to sell this deal, ahead.
Good morning. And welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans. It is Monday, July 28. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East. John Berman has the morning off.
Breaking overnight, Donald Trump with more, tripling down on his criticism of Senator John McCain. The billionaire Republican candidate already on the hot seat saying McCain is not a war hero. Now, in a "USA Today" op-ed, Trump blames McCain for covering up the V.A. hospital scandal and says the senator, quote, "has made America less safe" and, quote, "sent our soldiers into wrong-headed foreign adventures".
Trump also tears into other Republican candidates who blasted him for criticizing McCain. He writes, "A number of my competitors for the nomination have no business running for president. I do not need to be lectured by any of them. Many are failed politicians or people who would be unable to succeed in the private sector."
National correspondent Sunlen Serfaty has more from the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.
Well, Donald Trump is not backing down from his comments and he's been digging in even more offering no apologies and refusing all the calls from other fellow candidates that he should drop out of the race.
Here's what he had to say Sunday on ABC's "This Week."
MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC: Do you owe John McCain an apology? DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No, not at all. I believe
that I will do far more for veterans than John McCain has done for years with all talk and no action. He's on television all the time talking, talking, nothing gets done. You look at what is happening to veterans. They are being decimated, OK?
So, I will do far more for veterans than anybody. I will be able to build them new hospitals. I will be able to build them care centers. I'll be able to help the veterans. John McCain has failed, because all you have to do is take a look which you report on all the time, take a look at the scandal at the Veterans Administration and the disastrous conditions under which our veterans have to live.
And believe me -- I built, with a small group, the Vietnam Memorial in downtown Manhattan. I know what it is to help people and I know what it is to help veterans.
SERFATY: And many have been quickly coming to the defense of Senator McCain and his service to the nation. The senator, a former Navy fighter pilot shot down, put in prison, tortured in Hanoi for five years. He refused early released and later on went to earn the Purple Heart.
But this controversy surely has given an opening to many of the Republican candidates, many who were just waiting for this opportunity to come out more openly and criticize Donald Trump, some saying that this should disqualify him from running for the presidential race.
SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's not just absurd, it's offensive. It's ridiculous. And I do think it is a disqualifier as commander-in-chief.
RICK PERRY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Until Mr. Trump apologizes directly to John McCain and also the veterans of this country, I don't think he has the character or temperament to hold the highest position in this country.
SERFATY: And the RNC took the rare step and responded directly to Trump's comments, saying comments like those have no place in their party. Now, we still have not heard from Senator John McCain. He's been silent since Trump made those comments. But we did hear from his daughter, Meghan McCain. She says that she is horrified and disgusted by Trump's rhetoric -- Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Sunlen Serfaty at the White House -- thanks for that this morning.
Breaking overnight, new information about the gunman who killed five people in the shooting rampage last week in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The federal investigation into Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez turning up evidence he suffered from mental illness and had been abusing drugs. A U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the says family members are telling investigators that Abdulazeez suffered from bipolar disorder, he had been abusing painkillers, sleeping pills, marijuana and other so-called party drugs.
The official says Abdulazeez had sought treatment from the psychiatrist, the family sent him away to Jordan last year to get him away from friends they believe were bad influences. The official also saying the family was aware of the high power weapons Abdulazeez owned, that he used most of his money to buy weapons and often went target shooting.
All of this coming out hours after Chattanooga mourns the victims at a memorial and a procession.
CNN's Boris Sanchez was there.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[04:05:01] BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A very emotional time here in Chattanooga, Christine. On Sunday, a procession led by hearse carrying the body of Randall Smith, the sailor who passed away early Saturday morning after the shooting on Thursday, drove by this memorial. People in the crowd waving flags, offering signs of support and condolence to the families of those affective.
Randall Smith's mother, Paula, actually visited the memorial. She was visibly emotional and she was overcome with grief when she saw a picture of her son behind me here at the memorial. I've got a chance to speak with her. She said she was overwhelmed by the amount of support she's in the community, but she choked up after I asked how her family was holding up.
We're also hearing from the family of the shooter for the first time, Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez's family, putting out a statement, offering condolences and sympathies for those affected by the shooting, and writing, quote, "There are no words to describe our shock, horror and grief. The person who committed this horrible crime was not the son we knew and loved for many years. Our son suffered from depression. It grieves us beyond belief to know that his pain found an expression in this heinous act of violence."
That tidbit about depression bring up the question of whether or not this was more than a just a jihadist mentality that led to the shooting but also potentially a sign of mental illness on behalf of the shooter -- Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Boris, thank you for that, in Chattanooga.
Happening this morning, a United Nations Security Council vote on lifting the sanctions against Iran -- an end to those sanctions was the main carrot used during negotiations in Vienna that got Iran to agree to limitations on its nuclear program. But the White House decision to let the U.N. vote on the nuclear deal before Congress has Capitol Hill in an uproar.
On Sunday, the administration officially submitted the deal to Congress, starting what looks to be 60 days of no-holds barred debate. Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter arrived in Israel earlier
this morning. Carter's visit to Israel, Saudi Arabia and Jordan this week comes at what he calls a very important moment because of the Iran deal. For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Erin McLaughlin in Jerusalem.
Good morning, Erin.
ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.
This morning, Secretary Carter received a warm welcome from his Israeli counterpart Moshe Ya'alon, complete with a red carpet and military music, military band playing both countries national anthems. At the beginning of their meetings, the two discussed their country's mutual friendship, a friendship which by all accounts has been put to the test in recent days. Israel is, of course, one of the Iran nuclear deal's harshest and most vocal critics, the deal that, of course, the United States helped to broker.
Now, the difference is that the secretary -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter addressed the plane flight from Tel Aviv, saying even friends can disagree.
Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ASH CARTER, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: I'm not going to change anybody's mind in Israel. That's not the purpose of my trip. The purpose of my trip is to work on all the things that we do together to guarantee the security of American interests in the region and very importantly, one of those is the security of Israel.
Obviously, we believe that the nuclear deal promotes the security in the region, the American strategy and also the defense of Israel. But as I said, friends can disagree.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MCLAUGHLIN: Well, over the weekend, more strong words from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing attention to remarks made by Iran's supreme leader on Saturday.
On Saturday, Iran's supreme leader saying the policies towards the United States would not change as a result of the nuclear agreement. On Sunday, in his weekly cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressing those remarks, saying, quote, "as long as the Iranian leadership continues for its calls of death to America and death to Israel, there is no reason to make compromises.
Now, Secretary Carter for his part saying that this nuclear agreement does not take a U.S. military option off the table and U.S. officials saying that part of the reasons for this trip is to take a look, a very critical look at what more can be done to counter Iran's destabilizing, what they term to be Iran's destabilizing influence in the region -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Erin McLaughlin for us -- thank you, Erin.
It's opening day for embassies in Washington and Havana, marking a start of a new era in diplomatic relations between the countries -- two countries that severed ties 54 years ago. Officials say the American flags will not immediately fly outside the embassy in Cuba. That will happen during a formal ceremony when Secretary of State John Kerry visits in August.
Following breaking news: four Italians kidnapped in Libya. A crisis team now activated to try to free the construction company workers.
[04:10:01] No word who might have taken them. Italy closed its embassy in Libya back in February and urged all of its citizens to leave the country as Libya sank into chaos and violence. Tens of thousands of migrants, many coming from Libya, have entered Italy by sea in recent months.
Time for an early start on your money. European markets are higher. U.S. futures are following their lead. Last week, strong earnings pushed NASDAQ to a record high close. The major averages all ended the week with gains. The S&P 500 snapped a three-week losing streak. Investors are buying as worries about Greece fade and first batch of quarterly profits have been fairly solid.
For the year, the Dow is up about 1.5 percent for the year and S&P up 3 percent, a look at tech stocks. That's the stand out there. The NASDAQ is up nearly 10 percent so far this year.
New graphic testimony unsealed in the case against Bill Cosby. Cosby's own words from the 2005 lawsuit when a woman claimed the comedian drugged and molested her. What we are learning new this morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: New and graphic details about Bill Cosby's troubling behavior from a deposition he gave ten years ago. Cosby in that deposition admits he had sexual relationships with at least five women outside his marriage, gave prescription sedatives to women he wanted to have sex with and tried to hide the affairs from his wife. The deposition stem from a civil lawsuit by a woman who claimed the comedian drugged and molested her.
Two dozen women had publicly accused Cosby of sexual assault. One of them, Barbara Bowman, says his admissions under oath come as no surprise.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA BOWMAN, ACCUSES COSBY OF RAPE: It's classic, narcissistic, psychopathic behavior. It's the ego. It's the control, the diabolical thinking and behaviors. It's classic. It's exactly what was perpetrated upon me. [04:15:03] It's the smoking mirrors and it's reverse, you know,
pointing the finger back at the victim, making us all wonder, how did I just get raped? Why did that just happen?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The 78-year-old Cosby has never been charged. He denies any wrongdoing. In the 2005 deposition, he claimed the sex and drug taking were always consensual.
A California man is behind bars this morning accused of murdering two women and three little girls, including his own daughter. The victims were found Saturday night inside of a home in the town of Modesto. Authorities arrested their suspect, Martin Martinez, on Sunday, after a manhunt. They claim he had a previous relationship with one of the victims, but investigators have not determined a motive.
ROMANS: Authorities on New York's Long Island say a drunk driver crashed and killed four in a limousine. Here is the scene on Saturday after the pickup truck T-boned the limo, just moments after it left a winery. Inside was a survived to be and her seven friends who actually hired the limo so they wouldn't have to drive.
At least two survivors remain hospitalized this morning. The truck's driver was hospitalized and pleaded not guilty to DWI charges Sunday during his bedside arraignment.
Republican presidential candidate Scott Walker on the record whether gays should be banned from being leaders of the Boy Scouts. Scott Walker campaigning across Iowa, where he's leading in the polls.
The Wisconsin governor tells CNN's Dana Bash, it's the organization, not the government to decide. He also was asked whether being gay is a choice.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you think that being gay is a choice?
GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R-WI), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Oh, I mean, I think that's not even an issue for me to be involved in. The bottom line is I'm going to stand up and work hard for every American regardless of who they are no matter what they come from, no matter what their background. I'm going to fight for people, and no matter whether they vote for me or not.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Walker also says, contrary to reports, Walker doesn't disagree with his stance on same sex marriage. Walker called the Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage a grave mistake.
Meantime, Walker's fellow Republican candidate, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, says the Boy Scouts would be quote better off without openly gay scout masters. His comments coming as the party courts socially conservatives following the Supreme Court same sex marriage ruling.
Former President George H.W. Bush home from the hospital. He was discharged Sunday after four days of treatment for a fractured vertebrae, suffered when he fell at his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine. Bush was fitted for a neck brace. He is undergoing physical therapy. The 91-year-old suffers from Parkinson's disease and gets around using a wheel chair.
Widespread thunderstorms across the country today. The worst of it in the Midwest. Forecast to be a repeat of Sunday's severe weather pattern. California hit hard by flash flooding. It was so bad, a bridge over a California freeway collapsed Sunday in desert center. A truck was crushed in the incident. Crews worked furiously to free the driver trapped inside. The victim was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
A tragedy in Cincinnati. A pregnant mom and two children killed in severe flooding. The intense rain swept away their mobile home Saturday. The family's father and two other sons survived. They were rescued two hours after that home was swept away.
At least six people rescued in Illinois after they were stranded when several levees broke along a creek. Streets submerged in the town of Hill View. Several people when their homes flooded. The town's church opened up for those displaced by the storm.
No relief in the forecast for much of the country. Let's get to meteorologist Derek Van Dam for the latest.
DEREK VAN DAM, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Well, the heavy rain and flooding in Southern California is from what was Hurricane Delores, bringing in the surge of moisture from Los Angeles into San Diego. You can clearly see it on the satellite loop as well. It continues to rotate across this region. This prompted the National Weather Service to issue flash flood watches and warnings with more rain to come in the Los Angeles and San Diego region. That extends across Las Vegas and Arizona as well.
Not only did San Diego break a rainfall record on Sunday. It also broke a high temperature record as well. Eighty-eight Degrees on Sunday afternoon. Here's the three-day forecast for cities. Phoenix stayed above 100 degrees. The first half of the week work, that is not the only area that will sizzle.
Look at the East Coast and the Deep South. We have heat advisories and warning in effect. Look at Philadelphia, feels like 100 to 110 degrees. But believe it or not, we have relief in the forecast. A cold front will slide through by Tuesday and Wednesday, cooling our temperatures off just a few degrees. New York, you'll top 91 today.
Back to you.
ROMANS: Yes, I think sizzle is the right word, Derek. Thanks for that.
A terrifying encounter in the ocean caught on camera. [04:20:02] A pro surfer battles it out with a shark on live
television. How he managed to get away, ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Champion surfer Mick Fanning has battled the biggest waves, but its his terrifying close encounter with a shark that has grabbed the world's attention. This happened during a surfing competition played out on live TV. Remarkably, Fanning came away unscathed and he knows just how lucky he is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICK FANNING, SURFER ATTACKED BY SHARK: I felt something grab like got stuck in my leg. And I like instantly just jumped like a lion. It just kept coming at my board. I just like kicking and screaming and, boy --
REPORTER: Did you see some teeth? Got some teeth?
FANNING: I just saw fins. I was waiting for the teeth to come at me. I thought --
REPORTER: Did you get a couple punches in?
FANNING: I punched it in the back.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Whoa. The only damage was a severed leash on Fanning's surfboard. But that is something you don't everyone to get so close to.
All right. Right now, authorities in Mexico are back at it, searching for escaped cartel leader Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. The massive manhunt entering its ninth day, and to put it simply, authorities have few leads. Meanwhile, seven prison workers were charged this weekend in connection with Guzman's escape.
And as CNN correspondent Polo Sandoval reports, more charges could be on the way.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[04:25:04] POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This morning, Mexican prosecutors are looking at all of the employees at the Altiplano prison, that's the facility that Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman managed to escape from just over a week ago.
The focus however is on the director of maintenance of the facility. Investigators suspecting that Francisco Liseca (ph) kept the prison floor plans and may have allowed unauthorized access to those documents. A local civil engineering telling me that access to those plans would have been necessary to know exactly where to cut through the prison foundation and eventually through the actual floor of that cell. Now, this is also very important as it does come among suspicions here
in Mexico that El Chapo had plenty of help, not just outside the prison, but likely within -- many in fact here in Mexico have told me that they feel this high level of corruption in this country is what actually allowed Guzman to not only maintain control of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, but also call the shots inside the prison.
Prosecutors believe that Guzman may have transmitted his exact location in his cell using what may have been a GPS device.
Today, we'll be working to actually reach out to prosecutors, trying to find out if they have possibly a better sense of where Guzman could be hiding. Many experts that I have spoken are not ruling out the possibility that they could be hiding in the city among its roughly 21 million residents.
Polo Sandoval, CNN, Mexico City.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: Thanks for that, Polo.
Donald Trump digging in, defending his criticism of Senator John McCain and adding new insults in a new op-ed published overnight.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Breaking overnight, new insults from Donald Trump against John McCain.
