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Donald Trump Riding High Atop Latest Presidential Polls; Frantic Search Underway For Two Missing Teenage Boys; Florida Man Jailed Today For Deadly Road Rage Incident; Houser Had History Of Legal And Mental Problems; Trump Supports Building "A Wall" At Border; Donald Trump Blasts Fellow Republicans; Daymond John Talks "Shark Tank" And Pitching. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired July 26, 2015 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:22] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Thanks for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

We begin with Donald Trump riding high atop the latest presidential polls. A brand new nationwide CNN/ORC poll shows Trump still well above the pack among Republicans' choice for the nominee in the 2016 presidential election. Trump has 18 percent support. He's followed by Jeb Bush at 15 percent. Governor Scott Walker at 10 percent, followed by Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio.

Trump called into CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION" this morning to react to the poll and said Republican Party leaders seem to finally be accepting that he's here to stay.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: They view me as an outsider, I guess, and now they're starting to view me not as an outsider because I'm leading in all the polls, not just yours. And I think they have been really nice over the last few days. They're starting to see what's happening. I mean, there's a movement going on. This is more man me. This is a movement going on. People are tired of these incompetent politicians in Washington that can't get anything done. They can't make deals. They can't do anything. I mean, they do in -- all they care about is getting elected. They don't care about anything else.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right, CNN's Sunlen Serfaty is in our Washington bureau.

So Sunlen, this makes it particularly difficult, maybe more difficult for certain Republican leaders who want less of Donald Trump.

SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fred. And (INAUDIBLE), this is good news here. It shows that he is not just a hiccup in this race. Right now, he is the front runner among the Republicans. Now, it's important to note here this poll was done after he made those controversial comments about Senator John McCain. So all that backlash that Trump received did not damage him in the polls.

But beneath the surface here, there are some red flags for him. His unfavorability ratings, they are a big problem for him, more than any other candidate. Just look at these numbers here, 80 percent of Democrats have an unfavorable view of him, 53 percent of independents and 42 percent, that's still a big number, among the Republicans.

Now, despite this in an NBC/Marist poll out today, he's also looking strong in the early nominating states. In New Hampshire he's in first place with a sizeable lead and in Iowa, he's trailing only behind Scott Walker and only by a few points. It's nearly a statistical tie. So we've really seen Trump start to take aim at Walker. He went after him in Iowa yesterday and today on CNN's "State Of The Union with Jake Tapper."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Frankly, his state is having tremendous difficulty. I love Wisconsin, it's a great place. But, you know, he's putting debt up to the gills, the school system is a disaster because they don't have any money. I mean, you know, Walker's state, Wisconsin, is a catastrophe from an economic standpoint. I think he's number 36 or 38 overall in terms of the country for economic growth. His jobs projection was way, way off. I mean, they have budget deficits, he was going to have a lot of big surplus. He's got a (INAUDIBLE) deficit. So I think Mr. Walker is going to be trouble.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SERFATY: And that trademark rhetoric of Trump's clearly is attracting voters. In this poll, he is the candidate that Republican voters say they want to see out there on the debate stage. There you can see Trump leads well ahead of Bush, Rubio and Cruz.

The first debate is just next week and Trump has already started to downplay expectations, saying he has no debate experience and, Fred, predicting that the other candidates will come out swinging for him -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. In the meantime, there is also polling on the Dems side that includes Hillary Clinton and what a matchup would look like if people were to vote today. And what does it say?

SERFATY: That's right, Fred. For Clinton, the head-to-head matchups looks pretty good for her. This is who does best in a hypothetical race. Now, I want to show you these polls. You can see Clinton beating Bush there. Also beating Trump and Walker, each by at least a few points. But note there that Bush does better than anyone else against her and that feeds right into that Republican establishment argument that Trump is going to be -- that she is going to be a tougher candidate, Jeb Bush will be a tougher candidate to challenge her. That's who they're pushing for.

But it's definitely not smooth sailing for Clinton as well when you look at her unfavorability ratings, same as Trump's. They are pretty high and they have, Fred, gotten much worse for her over the last few months.

WHITFIELD: All right, Sunlen Serfaty, thanks so much.

Let's talk more about this now. Joining me is columnist Ellis Henican who co-authored "the Party is Over" joining us from New York. Also joining us political strategist, lawyer, and comedian Brian Morganstern.

All right. Good to see both of you this Sunday.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey.

[14:05:06] WHITFIELD: So Brian, you first. You know, trump is still the top of the polls. When you hear some Republicans and even the "Des Moines Register" op-ed say that he should get out of the race, what incentive is there for Trump to step away when the polls and the crowds are showing that he is hugely popular?

BRIAN MORGANSTERN, POLITICAL STRATEGIST: Of course there's no incentive for him to step out yet. But here we are a year and a half out, you know. So, if this poll really mattered, hey, I guess the race is over. Let's rename it the Trump house, instead of the White House. It's not air force one anymore. It's Trump force Trump.

I mean, you know, he's a force to be reckoned with at this stage because we're so far out. And I will, you know, change course from my normal pattern and I will give him a little credit. He has given voice to the frustration of millions of Americans who know it's not OK to have violent criminal illegal immigrants present in our country and free to re-enter at will. And I think, you know, that's part of the excitement around him.

To those who are considering supporting Trump in seriousness, I would say that presumably it's because you are looking for a new direction for America. But if he cared about that, he wouldn't say Republicans better be nice to me or else I'm going to run as a third party and make sure a Democrat wins. By the way, you're all jerks and losers. But you've got to be nice to me, but you're weak and pathetic. But you've got to be nice to me. I mean, he's exhibiting the behavior of in a plus twitter troll, not a presidential candidate, but that's why it's fun to watch him.

WHITFIELD: Yes. So Ellis, you know, that's fun at the root here that it's entertainment. You know, many people are criticizing, it doesn't seem very presidential, he's name-calling, but it still seems to be working when you look at these polls for him.

ELLIS HENICAN, CO-AUTHOR, THE PARTY IS OVER: No, I think we all consider it kind of entertaining. And honestly, Fred, your heart has to go out to all these other candidates, right? They're all these serious people they had accomplishments, they actually have coherent positions on views. My God, how old fashion that is, right? And then this unguided missile shows up, right? He just says all kind of stuff, it doesn't matter whether it's true or whether it contradicts something that he said yesterday. And Donald, he is not the one flying at the top of the polls. You know, you've got to think it is going to wear out at some point but Brian is right, it's not wearing out any time soon.

WHITFIELD: I mean, look at this. You know, favorability up, popularity within the Republican Party down. You know, people have questioned from the very start whether, you know, Trump was a viable candidate. But at this point now, Brian, you know, viability, I don't know, he seems like he's in it for the long haul.

MORGANSTERN: Well, and I'm sure he is. But is -- part of the data that you and Sunlen just discussed, over 50 percent of the Republican Party thinks it's a wide-open race and that there are, you know, there are multiple different candidates that they could see themselves supporting in the end. And that's why these debates matter. And a lot of people are excited to see Trump debate. You know, as a Republican, I think a lot of people, myself included, are excited to see the reaction of these other candidates to Donald Trump. Because if they expect to be president, they're going to have to go up against Vladimir Putin, the Ayatollahs, you know, Kim Jong-Un, a number of other unhinged un-guided missiles, as Ellis said. And so this is a good test for the other candidates.

WHITFIELD: And so, Ellis, you know, he's not ruling out running as an independent, but, you know, at the same time what really would be the difference? If he remains in the Republican field, he still, you know, may take a lion's share of votes from the competitors. People have been talking about, you know, how much he splinters -- he would potentially splinter the vote if he were to run as an independent, but what would be the difference as a Republican?

HENICAN: Well, you know, you're absolutely right. And it puts a big, sloppy smile on my face, the idea that he's going to be in there as an independent. You know, the question I guess really is how much damage he does to these other guys on his way to finally getting out of this because I don't think anybody really thinks he's going to be the nominee. But God, he can slime these people a lot in the meantime. And you know, from where I'm sitting, I hope he does.

WHITFIELD: All right.

MORGANSTERN: Well, Ellis --

WHITFIELD: OK. Brian, last word.

MORGANSTERN: Sure. And you make a point there. I think a good closing word is there's a big difference between wanting to watch someone run for president and wanting to hand them the nuclear codes to our country.

WHITFIELD: You sound like the "Des Moines Register."

HENICAN: Very scary.

WHITFIELD: All right, Ellis and again Brian Morganstern, thanks so much, gentlemen, appreciate it.

All right. Still ahead, a real mystery, and very serious stuff. Two teenagers on a fishing trip disappearing without a trace and the search now taking place off the coast of Florida is expanding. We have new details, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:13:01] WHITFIELD: A frantic search is under way right now for two teenage boys missing at sea. They disappeared while on a fishing trip off the coast of Florida. The boys, who are 14 years old, were headed to the Bahamas. A former NFL star, Joe Namath, is a friend of the families, and he spoke with everyone staying safe in that search.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE NAMATH, FAMILY FRIEND: You know, the love is there. We're all praying. And Nick actually wants the folks to know that are trying to help out that are out there searching, be very careful. We've got a lot of people out on the water and in the air looking. Both families have been hard at work at this and praying. So let's just stay safe and we'll keep on looking until we find them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Reporter Saneka (INAUDIBLE) from CNN affiliate WPBF has more on the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER (voice-over): Two families distraught. Since 5:00 p.m. Friday evening, rescue crews have covered more than 5300 square nautical miles searching for the two boys aboard a 19-foot white single engine center console vessel. They were last seen purchasing $110 worth of fuel at Jupiter pointe club and arena.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think anything could be a factor at this point.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: The two families say the boys are avid fishermen, just as comfortable in the water as they are on land.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're on the boat as much as they possibly can. They have been around the water, the ocean, boats, going to the Bahamas fishing for years.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: The coast guard has launched an hc-144 airplane and mh-65 dolphin helicopter and boat crews from the lake (INAUDIBLE) and station Ft. Pierce. The search now extending to the coast of Melbourne.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We appreciate the entire community's commitment already and we only ask that everybody continue to be safe in assisting to try and find the boys, and to try not to interfere with the search and rescue that the coast guard is doing. But to please just spread the word to anyone that we know here in the Bahamas that if they have seen these boys, we need to know.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:15:13] WHITFIELD: Coast guard public affairs specialist petty officer Mark Barney joining us right now on the phone from Jupiter, Florida.

So Officer Barney, help us understand how the search is being conducted. What do you have to kind of pinpoint an area?

MARK BARNEY, SPECIAL PETTY OFFICER (via phone): Good afternoon, ma'am. Right now the area is quite vast. As we heard before, we started this search off of the Jupiter area, stretched all the way up to Melbourne and then back down to Ft. Pierce. So far currently we've searched approximately 25,400 square nautical miles for Austin and Perry. So, I mean, we're heavily concerned for their well-being and we're doing everything that we can do to bring them back home.

WHITFIELD: And so we know that the family members say that these young guys are so familiar with being on the water, even more so than being on land. But what has the family shared with you about their planned journey? At what point they decided, you know, to push off and go toward the Bahamas. What do you know about their plan on water?

BARNEY: Well, normally they fished about 200 to 300 feet off the pier from one inlet. We did receive the same reports that they did have intentions on going to the Bahamas. However, based off the evidence, the fact that they didn't carry a GPS with them, food, water, these kinds of -- these pieces of information are what led us to believe that they might not have went all the way out to the Bahamas.

Like their parents have said that they are fishermen, they go out in the water a lot, so they would know to bring supplies. The very bare essentials would be water and food. So that's pretty much the information that we're going off of now that leads us to where we're searching.

WHITFIELD: And based on some of the material that I've read, reportedly a grandmother called 911 about her concerns, and that came four hours after they were reportedly, you know, setting off on their journey. Was the grandmother -- was it your understanding the grandmother was hoping to hear from them? How did she know or why did she feel she needed to call 911? What was the concern expressed four hours after leaving?

BARNEY: Well, from our understanding that the boys were last seen at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Friday after purchasing fuel. After they didn't return from their fishing trip, I believe that's when the grandmother was started growing her concerns started to grow, which is at 5:00 p.m. Friday. Ever since that time we've been searching actively.

WHITFIELD: And is it true, I mean reportedly these young boys might have been wanting to go to the Bahamas. And I know you said they had no GPS, no food or water. What's the families' explanation or what kind of information are you getting about this planned journey to go to the Bahamas and how long it typically would take even without a GPS or any of these supplies to get there from Juniper?

BARNEY: Well, it really depends. And weather is one of the biggest factors when it comes to the speed of how fast somebody can get there. It's very similar to how people drive on the roads. Depending on how you drive, depending on how much fuel you have, resources you have. But add weather on top of that and it can slow them down completely to the point to where they could not have made it there. That's -- this is all information that is based off of a possibility.

Now, we haven't ruled that out as a possibility. We have contacted our partners in the Bahamas at the defense force. We gave them the boys' pictures, their names and so they are aware. They are alert of this situation. So if they do come across Austin or Perry they can report it to us so we can do everything we can to bring them home as soon as possible.

WHITFIELD: OK. Then obviously, you also have choppers in the air, boats in the water from Jupiter and the surrounding areas by thousands of miles. All right.

BARNEY: Absolutely. We have about approximately 12 assets currently searching the air and on the water, assets from coast guard air station clear water, folks air station Miami, I mean we have quite a bit of resources available at our disposal pretty much. We're doing everything that we can that we have available to make sure we can bring Austin and Perry back home.

The other thing I'd like to mention is that although people are volunteering, we don't encourage it. And the main reason is because of their safety.

[14:20:07] WHITFIELD: Yes, it's dangerous.

BARNEY: Inherently the search and rescue business, I have to tell you, in open water is dangerous. So we don't encourage anybody to go out there and actively search, however, we can't stop them. If they do see something, if they do hear something, we wish that they report it to the authorities as soon as possible. That way the coast guard or any local agency can get on scene and determine the facts.

WHITFIELD: All right. We're going to leave it there.

We are, of course, wishing for the best. We want those two young boys to be found and to be found safely. Again, the family offering a $100,000 reward for any information leading to these two 14-year-olds.

Petty officer Mark Barney, thank you so much.

BARNEY: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, next, a fatal road rage incident captured on a chilling 911 call. One of the drivers is killed right in front of his family.

Nick Valencia is following the story.

NICK VALENCIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The 911 tapes, Fred, are difficult to listen to. A fatal road rage incident in Florida. I'm Nick Valencia in Atlanta. Both parties call 911. We'll play you those tapes after the break. You're watching the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:24:51] WHITFIELD: A Florida man is in jail today charged in a road rage incident that turned deadly. Both sides of the altercation were captured in a horrifying 911 call.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are just saw a full-size truck and trailer, you know what I'm saying? You don't just drive like idiots.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I have a truck with some maniac (INAUDIBLE) trying to follow me, trying to run me off the road.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All Right, Nick Valencia, joining me right now with more on this story. So exactly what happened?

VALENCIA: The 911 calls we're about to play very difficult to hear. Both parties calling 911. I just got off the phone with the sheriff's office, who tells me that that could help their investigation. Robert Doyle and Kendall Gonzalez had an issue on the road sometime Thursday afternoon in Citrus County, Florida. Both of them calling 911. Investigators telling me that it helps them understand not just the mindset of the victim but also the alleged shooter.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERT DOYLE, ACCUSED SHOOTER (via phone): My gun is already out, it's cocked and locked.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Moments later things turned violent with Doyle shooting at Gonzalez five times. The victim's wife could be heard here on the phone with 911.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CATHY GONZALEZ, VICTIM'S WIFE: Hurry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They're coming as fast as they can. Just do whatever he asks you to do, OK?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Now, Gonzalez was told by 911 dispatchers to keep going, just to go home. He chose not to. He followed the alleged shooter, Doyle, to his residence and that's when it turned bloody. I asked investigators if that complicates their investigation that Gonzalez ignored their requester demands. The captain with the Citrus County sheriff's office tells me that not really. That Doyle had the chance not to engage, had the opportunity to go inside his home but chose not to do so.

WHITFIELD: And so, Doyle now charged with second-degree murder. Is there a chance to that charge might change.

VALENCIA: Well, we posed this question earlier to Danny Cevallos, a CNN legal analyst. And here is what his take on it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANNY CEVALLOS, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: There's potential kidnapping any time you move someone from a to b, even a few feet. They could have charged a higher degree of murder. Whether or not those will ultimately be dismissed or this defendant would be acquitted is another thing, but I think that frankly the charges fall right into the zone of what could be charged in this particular case.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VALENCIA: Three counts of aggravated assault. Those charges stemming from Doyle holding Gonzalez' family at gunpoint until police arrived. We talked to the police. He posted bond and has been out of jail since Friday night.

WHITFIELD: All right. Very frightening situation there.

VALENCIA: Absolutely, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks so much, Nick Valencia, appreciate that.

All right. Coming up, one of the young women gunned down in a Louisiana Movie Theater will be laid to rest tomorrow, as police tell us more about the mental state of the man who took her life.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: All right, hello again, everyone. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. The funeral for Mayci Breaux, one of the young women gunned down in a Louisiana movie theater shooting will be held tomorrow morning.

The 21-year-old was a student at Louisiana State University. Meanwhile, the investigation is revealing a lot more about the mental state and online rants of the gunman, John Houser.

CNN's Ryan Nobles joins us now from Lafayette, Louisiana, with those details. So you just spoke with state police and what more are they finding?

RYAN NOBLES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Fredricka, we learned quite a bit about this investigation today including the fact that state police and local police here have uncovered enough evidence that they're starting to believe that this attack was methodically planned.

I spoke with State Police Colonel Michael Edmonson and listen to what he told me about what they've discovered. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COL. MICHAEL EDMONSON, LOUISIANA STATE POLICE: We've been continuing to go through his rant and raves that he had on his internet. He was on several different blog sites. He had several areas where there are different groups had a synopsis of some of the stuff he was saying, some comments.

We've seen lots of writings about people trying to make rhyme or reason of what he did right here. So we are going to continue to go through at it. His diary, he was making comments. Here's one thing that's perfectly clear.

This man was certainly of sound mind because, you know what, we wrote it down. He said he's coming to this movie theater at 7:15 on Thursday night. What we do believe that he was in other theaters, whether it was Lake Charles, Lafayette or Baton Rouge.

Maybe disguised himself from some of the things we've heard about, and then for whatever reason he's in this theater on that night at 7:27 and he stands up and he kills two innocent people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NOBLES: And of course we know quite a bit about what they have been looking into in terms of Houser's past. We know that he had a long history of mental health problems and also run-ins with the law.

Of course, his daughter and his estranged wife at one point put out a protective order against him. Colonel Edmonson told me that they're now discovering clues that his family was very concerned about his potential for violence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EDMONSON: You hear this now, family members and somebody made the comment, well, you know, I didn't think he would do this at a movie theater, but maybe a governmental building. Well, you think maybe you ought to let somebody know.

You think somebody ought to speak out. I think sometimes we protect our families and friends. I understand that. But when they make those types of comments, maybe somebody ought to talk to them.

We when we find out information they make about people, we go visit them and sit down and say, we hear you made this comment. Why did you make it? It makes them think that somebody else is paying attention and maybe we ought to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NOBLES: Fredricka, we have new information about those three victims still in the hospital. Two of them still in good condition, but one other victim that was in serious condition yesterday has been upgraded to fair. So everyone in that situation seems to be making improvements and that is good news for the people here in Lafayette -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, some encouragement there. Thank you so much, Ryan Nobles, appreciate it there in Lafayette.

All right, still ahead, Donald Trump is the top Republican in our newest CNN poll, but can he beat Hillary Clinton in a face-off for president if the Election Day were now? Our political panel weighing in next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:38:01]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JON BUCKLE, PHOTOGRAPHER: I'm Jon Buckle, one of the photographers here for the England Tennis Club.

ELLA LING, PHOTOGRAPHER: I'm Ella Ling. I've been working here at Wimbledon. I think my favorite shot has been of Dustin Brown winning against Rafa this year. It was an incredible match. He's a very emotional player. I've been searching for this image for a long time.

BUCKLE: I really enjoyed the Andy Murray scream photograph. Usually it would potentially be a celebration, but it was more of a frustration moment. I picked the Novak picture. I wanted to highlight tennis in an English country garden and the flowers in the foreground and ivy in the background, both iconic with England and Wimbledon.

LING: Serena Williams, we as photographers just get so much from her, athleticism, power from her amazing shots and so much emotion and reaction.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, Donald Trump leading the GOP field for president, according to a brand new CNN/ORC poll. Trump now has 18 percent support among Republican voters, following closely behind former Florida Governor Jeb Bush with 15 percent and Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker with 10.

The poll was conducted in the days after Trump was heavily criticized for his comments about John McCain's war hero status and his controversial visit to the U.S./Mexican border. Mr. Trump discussed border security in fact on "STATE OF THE UNION" with Jake Tapper today. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): You have to stop it fast and we can do that. We can do that with combinations of walls and border patrol who are phenomenal people. I met many of them when I was in Laredo when I was at the border.

We can stop that -- and fencing. We can stop it both with construction and with physical. We can do a great job of that. I'm totally convinced and it won't cost the kind of money.

In fact, we'll save money because people that are coming in here that shouldn't be coming in here illegally, it will actually save money by doing it and doing it properly.

[14:40:10] Once that's done, we have a situation that is going to be done immediately. Before that's done we're going to get the bad ones out. We have some really bad dudes right here in this country, and we're getting them out and we're sending them back to where they came from.

And I don't mean Mexico, I mean, they come from all over. They're not coming just from -- they're coming from all over. We have some real bad ones. They're in our prisons that we're paying for and they're walking the streets of San Francisco.

What a horrible thing happened to Kate and what a horrible thing to happen to Jameel, the young man who was going to maybe go to Stanford and football player and the apple of his father's eye. Well, let me tell you something.

We've got to get rid of -- the bad ones are going to get out. Then from that point on, we're going to look very, very strongly at what we do and I'm going to formulate a plan that I think people will be happy with. But we'll look very, very strongly at what we do.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST, "THE LEAD": OK, but you're not going to rule in or rule out.

TRUMP: I'm going to get rid of the bad ones fast and I'm going to send them back. We're not going to be putting them in prisons here and pay for them for the next 40 years. We'll send them back where they come from.

TAPPER: There obviously will remain millions and millions of undocumented workers who are not bad ones and they're women and children and men who are here, who came here for a better life. But you're not going to yet take a position on whether you would favor a path to citizenship --

TRUMP: We're going to see what we're going to see. I mean it's a very hard thing, I will say from a moral standpoint, from a physical standpoint, you're talking about at least 11 million people. I've heard the number is much higher than that because that number has been bandied about for years, 11 million.

It could be much more, but we're going to take the high ground. We're going to do what's right. Some are going to have to go. We're just going to see what happens. It's a very, very big subject and a very complicated subject, but the wall is going to be built.

The security -- we're going to have a great border. People can come into the country legally but not illegally. The people that come in are going to be good people, they're going to be great people and I want that. It's very important to me.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, joining me right now from New York to talk about what Trump is saying, we're going to see what we're going to see, columnist, Democrat and co-author of "The Party is Over," Ellis Henican and Republican strategist and lawyer, Brian Morgenstern.

OK, Gentlemen, Ellis, you first. Pundits, you know, have been saying that his remarks, Trump's remarks would end his campaign before it would ever pick up steam and I'm talking particularly about his comments about Mexico. It seems just the opposite since the latest polls, so what happened? What's going on here?

ELLIS HENICAN, COLUMNIST: You're right. Listen, Fred, his lips are moving and sounds are coming out, but that doesn't mean the words make any sense. He's just saying all this stuff. You know, some of it is true. Some of it is half true.

WHITFIELD: Either that is boosting his popularity or it simply means that people are fascinated with what does come out of his mouth, and they're not sure what's going to come out of his mouth. So they like it.

HENICAN: That's exactly right, and these normal standard of politics don't apply. Usually we expect our politicians to make sense and have consistent philosophical views. Donald threw his celebrity and the force of bully personality has managed to avoid that scrutiny so far. Listen, give him credit, it's really working for him. There's an audience for this stuff.

WHITFIELD: So Brian, Ellis calling it a bully personality. You know, people have taken offense to the fact that he is using a lot of -- he's hurling a lot of name calling and insults as well and people have asked him whether he's acting presidential. But he is also saying I'm unfiltered. I'm saying whatever comes to mind and that, too, is hugely popular.

BRIAN MORGENSTERN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: That's right. And like we said -- like we said before, he's giving voice to frustration that people have with politics as usual. You know, the problems that they want solved are not getting solved. Part of the reason, I think, is that many of our leaders are afraid of offending people, so it's refreshing to have a guy who is certainly not afraid of that.

WHITFIELD: And he's not. I mean, here are some recent examples. He actually tweeted about Rick Perry not long ago saying Governor Perry failed on the border. He should be forced to take an IQ test before being allowed to enter the GOP debate. And then this is something else people will recall him saying about many others. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: He's not a war hero.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's a war hero.

TRUMP: He's a war hero because he was captured. And then I watch this Lindsey Graham on television today and he calls me a jackass. And when Bush has to make a decision -- can you imagine this guy negotiating against China? We have no chance, OK? Who would you rather have negotiating against China, Trump or Bush, you tell me?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:45:04] WHITFIELD: So Brian, you know, Trump isn't really even responding to some criticism, which is sure, he's great at name calling and he's insulting everybody, but he has yet to be really specific about any policies, any proposed policies that he has in mind. How long cube in this race and carry on that way?

MORGENSTERN: Well, at some point the voters will wake up. I've heard various estimates of anywhere from a couple of months to six weeks to a month. You know, when the voters actually will give sort of a deep dive into the candidates' position.

The weird thing about this is that Trump just seems to be flying by the seat of his pants. We saw his border policy literally evolve in a matter of moments when he stood next to the city manager of Laredo. He said we don't need a wall along the entire border, only in certain sections and all of a sudden that was Trump's position.

So along the way we're going to learn as he improvises his platform and that will we sort of a fun part of this process. But I think in the end it's going to be very unsatisfying because he won't have a thoughtful consistent vision for America.

And I think, you know, the voters will get a whiff of that eventually after all the fun dies down of watching him, I don't know, try to give the other candidates swirlies or wedgies or whatever he's going to do on the debate stage.

WHITFIELD: All right, and debate is just around the corner. We've heard Donald Trump say, you know, he's not preparing for the debates, he doesn't even like debates so we'll see if that's going to be taking center stage at that first debate right around the corner. Ellis Henican, Brian Morgenstern, thanks so much, guys. Appreciate it.

WHITFIELD: We enjoy the talk of politics and we get to have a little tongue and cheek by you guys too. Thanks so much.

All right, still ahead, do you think being in politics is like swimming in a shark tank? Well, how about trying to get one of the hit TV show "Shark Tank" investors to get behind your invention or business. I talk with "Shart Tank" investor, Daymond John on how to get him to take the bait, next.

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WHITFIELD: President Barack Obama made his way from Kenya to Ethiopia this morning for a two-day visit. He is the first U.S. leader to visit Africa's second-most populous nation. The president will meet with regional leaders tomorrow to talk counterterrorism.

Have you ever watched the show "Shark Tank" and wondered what it would be like to pitch your idea to a tough, but deep-pocketed investor like Fubu clothing line founder, Daymond John?

Well, folks across the country are getting a chance to find out in something called the Miller/Coors top the talent pitch. Got a business idea? Make your pitch.

John made a stop in Atlanta this week before taking off to Africa with the president and told me face to face how "Tap The Talent" works and to where it can lead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAYMOND JOHN, FOUNDER OF FUBU: We're going to six cities and somebody is going to win $20,000 in each city. They go on to compete to hopefully win $200,000 and it's not my own money. This is what I love because now when I'm judging, I don't have to worry about what's in it for me.

WHITFIELD: Like on the show, "Shark Tank" that's your money, your investment.

JOHN: It is my money. I have to know what I will get out of it.

WHITFIELD: You're still looking for the same kinds of qualities that you think are identified with a good investment or good idea?

JOHN: Well, there are two things because on the show "Shark Tank" I'm looking for the criteria of what is a good investment and good idea. I'm looking if I can work them because business is numbers, but it's also people.

You have to understand that if you're going to work with this partner, potentially talk to them for the next six years every single day. In this instance I'm looking if the business is great, I have other judges who are looking if the business is great. The winners of the Miller Light "Tap The Future" year one, they went on to sell their company for $29 million.

(VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: You're on this show, "Shark Tank," and when you are entertaining, you know, an idea about investing in an entrepreneur or an inventor, one of the things you said you're looking for is you said you want to see if they can connect with the panel.

But then what if the product is not so great, but you really do like that pitch, you like that person. At what point do you say I want to invest in this person, not necessarily because of the idea but because I think they have potential? Is that part of the equation?

JOHN: Well, that happens. You know what happens? First of all, we invest in people. We don't invest in businesses at all. You're not going to reinvent the wheel. You're never going create anything new in the world. You're going to create a new form of delivery.

But if you like the person, then you feel the business is shaky, but that's why I'm here to hopefully help the business. Then the scalability in the business, I'll invest in the business.

But if the business fails, that person and I, we may do something else. We may create another business. That's why I invest in people on the show.

WHITFIELD: So you're not looking for perfection because I think that's what -- I'm a big fan of the show and I'm looking for what's the perfect idea, the perfect pitch. But really it's a matter of potential.

JOHN: Correct, because if you were perfect, then you wouldn't need to go to the show to pitch for a partner. If it was perfect, you wouldn't need us. And sometimes, you know, the sharks, we don't know everything. It's just not for us. We turn some people down and they go on and make $20 million.

WHITFIELD: Do you ever regret that?

JOHN: I absolutely do not regret it. It's really about the best shark with the best person with the best product. You know, Lori, you know, another shark on the show, she's -- there's a little sponge called scrub daddy, it looks like a little sunshine face.

She sold $50 million of this crap, right? And I hate her for it. But I couldn't -- I wouldn't have ever sold that amount of that stupid- looking sponge, but Lori understands how to sell sponges.

WHITFIELD: You have lots of books.

JOHN: I do.

WHITFIELD: You have lots of irons in the fire. I don't know how you have time to do all of this stuff. Dare I ask, what is next for you?

JOHN: You know what? I have a lot of initiatives. Of course, my main initiative now is being one of the page ambassadors and spreading the word because, you know, I want to go out there and half of the world is under the age of 35 years old.

[14:55:12] And I want to help empower women as well globally. That's part of my ambassadorship. I have these "Shark Tank" deals, these "Shark Tank" partners. They have allowed me to invest in their dream and I have to get up every single day and do my job as a partner with them.

I have a couple of initiatives I'm trying to make the world aware of dyslexia, about a learning challenge. Four out of the six sharks are dyslexic and many successful people are dyslexic. And my newest one, you said somebody comes on the show and you like who they are, you don't like the business.

I hated this business model this individual had about saving bees, because the model was crazy. So I went and now I have a bee farm. I'm trying to save the bees. I have 30 hives.

WHITFIELD: What was the turning point? JOHN: I just realized how important bees are to our lives and I try -- I didn't like the business itself, but I became a customer. Now I have a million bees and I have to go home and name all of them.

WHITFIELD: You are kidding me.

JOHN: I'm dead serious. So I just have a lot of initiatives and that's mainly that I'm trying to do everything and I'm having a ball doing it. That's what entrepreneurship is about, just waking up every day doing exactly what you love. And I'm on this Miller Light Tour just giving away money and it's not even mine.

WHITFIELD: That's even better. Fantastic. Daymond John, thanks so much. Nice to meet you and safe travels.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: All right, businessman and now beekeeper, Daymond John. All right, the next hour the CNN NEWSROOM begins after a short break.

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