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Donald Trump Disavows David Duke; Sen. Jeff Sessions Endorses Donald Trump. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired February 28, 2016 - 17:00   ET

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

[17:00:00] POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: All right, 5:00 Eastern, top of the hour. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York. So glad you're with us.

Two days before the critical Super Tuesday primary. Republican front- runner Donald Trump weighed into a racially charged controversy involving support from a former Ku Klux Klan leader.

First, today on CNN, Trump would not disavow David Duke saying he didn't know anything about him. Well, two hours later on twitter, Trump did disavow support from the white supremacist. And right now we are waiting to hear from Trump in Alabama will be the first time that we have heard from him since he made those comments to Jake Tapper this morning. Will he address the growing controversy?

Also his rival, Ted Cruz, set to speak in Oklahoma City sets to speak in Oklahoma City today and Hillary Clinton will rally in Arkansas. Her first major event since her crushing victory over Bernie Sanders yesterday in South Carolina. We will see if all of these candidates do weigh in on Trump's wavering.

First though, let's take a moment. Let's listen to the exchange this morning on CNN between Trump and Jake Tapper.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know anything about David Duke, OK? I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacist. So I don't know. I mean, I don't know did he endorse me or what is going on? Because, you know, I know nothing about David Duke. I know nothing about white supremacists. And so, you are asking me a question that I'm supposed to be talking about people that I know nothing about.

JAKE TAPPER, CNN CHIEF WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: But I guess the question from the anti-defamation league is, even if you don't know about their endorsement, there are these groups and individuals endorsing you, would you just say, unequivocally, you condemn them and you don't want their support?

TRUMP: Well I have to look at the group. I mean, I don't know what group you're talking about. You wouldn't want me to condemn a group that I know nothing about. I have to look. If you would send me a list of the groups, I will do research on them and certainly I will disavow if I thought there was something wrong.

TAPPER: The Ku Klux Klan?

TRUMP: There may be groups in there that are totally fine, so give me a list and I'll let you know.

TAPPER: OK. I'm just talking about David Duke and the Ku Klux Klan here, but.

TRUMP: I don't know - honestly, I don't know David Duke. I don't believe I have ever met him. I'm pretty sure I didn't meet him. And I just don't know anything about him.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARLOW: We will get into all of that and we have the best political team on television covering all angles of this story and reaction from Trump's rivals on the campaign trail.

Let's begin with our Chris Frates. He is in Madison, Alabama where at any moment now, Chris, Donald Trump will take the stage behind you. This, as I said, really his first event since that exchange this morning right here on CNN. Do we have any sense from his campaign what he might say? Will he address it? What can we expect?

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey. Poppy, we have asked the campaign whether or not Trump will address this. We have not heard back. And of course, Donald Trump, he never misses a chance to address his rivals and Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have been make this an issue on the campaign trail. We expect to see Donald Trump shortly. His airplane just flying over field. The crowd here very excited. We expect Donald Trump momentarily.

But I think it's important it take a step back about what has transpired. Remember, back on Friday, Donald Trump was asked whether or not he disavowed the support of David Duke. He said he did. Then CNN's Jake Tapper asked him today, he didn't - he chose not to disavow that on CNN's program. Then after that program he went on to twitter and did in fact disavow David Duke. So he is sending a lot of mixed messages here on different medium.

So the anti-defamation league putting out a statement just a short time ago saying that they are going to send all of the presidential candidates, including Mr. Trump, some information about hate groups and extremists. Because he has been unable to -- because he has been unable to say whether or not David Duke is a racist. And so we are looking forward to seeing whether or not he is going to talk about that here tonight, Poppy.

HARLOW: But you know, it is interesting, Chris, if you just look back at history, Donald Trump has spoken about David Duke before. I mean, he spoke publicly about him in 2000 in the political context just saying such and such political group has the support of the likes of David Duke.

FRATES: That's exactly right. What so interesting about this back in 200. So 16 years ago, he was decided not to run for the reformed party candidate presidential nomination and he said back then that he didn't want it do it because Mr. Duke, a Klansman, was affiliated with the reform party. So clearly he knew about David Duke. He knew David Duke was affiliated with the Ku Klux Klan. And so for him to say he knew nothing about it today, well, that's strange believability, Poppy. And I think it is important also to remind our viewers here, David Duke was a leader within the group of the Ku Klux Klan. He was a grand wizard. So this is something that's been out there for a very long time and anybody who follows politics particularly as closely as Donald Trump is, certainly knew who David Duke was.

[17:05:01] HARLOW: Chris Frates live for us there in Madison, Alabama. We will bring you Trump's remarks live when he does take the stage. Chris, thank you so much.

I want to turn now to Marco Rubio's camp, reaction to this controversy. Rubio has already been speaking about it today. All of this turmoil around Donald Trump.

Jason Carroll was with the Rubio camp. He joins me now from Virginia.

He just wrapped up a rally, right, Jason? I'm interested in the headline out of that.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the headline once again has to be this whole controversy surrounding David Duke. He mentioned it at a rally in Virginia earlier today. He mentioned it again here at this rally that wrap had up here in Mid Loathian. When he addressed the crowd, he stepped up his criticism once again of Donald Trump, mentioning again about this controversy involving David Duke. It was met by resounding applause when he said that what he did and what he said to Jake Tapper on CNN, basically makes this man unelectable as the nominee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Should the head of the conservative movement, should the Republican nominee be someone today like Donald Trump refused, refused, to criticize the Ku Klux Klan. He was interviewed on CNN and asked disavowed the Ku Klux Klan. He refused to do it. He was asked to disavow and criticize David Duke. He said I don't know who that is. He knows exactly who that is. He knows exactly who that is. He hasn't repudiated robo calls supporting his campaign, telling people don't vote for a Cuban.

Now look, I don't get offended easily. But this is not just against me. They are trying to take over the conservative movement. There is no place in the conservative movement for David Duke, the Ku Klux Klan or any sort of hatred or bigotry in America.

(APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: And, Poppy, he went on to say that what we are hearing from Trump is more of the same, telling the crowd this is more of the same from a con man. And when he spoke to some of his supporters out here in terms of getting the reaction to all of this back and forth between Trump, and Rubio, you know, they basically are saying that look, some of them are saying we wish this was the Rubio who showed up before. We wished that he had been this strong in terms of his criticism of Trump before. Some of them worrying it might be too little too late. As you know, he is trailing Trump in this the Super Tuesday states. And in fact, on Super Tuesday, on the night of Tuesday, he is going to be celebrating not one of the Super Tuesday states but he is going to be holding what they are calling a kick off rally in his home state of Florida - Poppy.

HARLOW: Right. A place where he is trailing Trump in the latest polling and we hear Trump will be there as well on the night before Super Tuesday.

Jason Carroll, thank you so much.

So let's check in with the Ted Cruz campaign which is also weighing in on Trump's comments. Phil Mattingly is with that camp today in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I know Cruz tweeted about this pretty quickly after the interview. Anything else he said?

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Poppy. Wasting very little time tweeting out very sad real Donald Trump avatar, there screen name is better than this. That we should all agree that racism is bad, but KKK is abhorrent.

He didn't mention anything at his Tulsa event. But Glen Beck, obviously the radio personality and author and all around conservative, kind of rock star here said that the fact that Donald Trump said that he needed to do research into this was ridiculous, something that you raise questions unto itself.

Poppy, the key thing here, Ted Cruz's closing argument here in the south, here in the SEC primary states is about raising questions about Donald Trump. This is just another issue that tracks very nicely into the closing argument. Raising question about Donald Trump, about his associations, about his taxes, about his immigration policy, yet another issue Ted Cruz can really latch on to and it is crucial for Ted Cruz in the final days in these states, the SEC primary Super Tuesday is central to his campaign strategy doing well here. And in many states, Poppy, he trails Donald Trump. So really this turning into ammunition for Ted Cruz and supporters as we roll into Super Tuesday, Poppy.

HARLOW: Yes. No question. Two days to go.

Phil Mattingly, thank you very much. Do let us know if we hear more from the Cruz camp.

And I do want to talk about it all. I want to talk about what seemed like to many hesitation from Donald Trump in that interview with Jake Tapper when he was asked on CNN three times about David Duke and Ku Klux Klan. Let's bring in CNN commentator and contributor Carl Bernstein, also the author of "a woman in charge, the life of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Aldo with us, Ben Ferguson, CNN conservative, political commentator, the host of the "Ben Ferguson show."

Thank you, gentlemen, for being with me.

And Carl, let me begin with you. Here is what stood out to us. That Trump is so quick usually to say exactly how he feels about any given issue. Not mince any words. Not hesitate really on anything. He is firm in his beliefs. And to many, the exchange this morning with Jake looked like a hedge. How did you see it?

CARL BERNSTEIN, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, I think you're right. But I think you have to look at it is part of a much bigger picture including what he did today. He also quoted Mussolini, a fascist. He also said he is going to sue the press for libel.

HARLOW: He retweeted. Just to be clear. He retweeted a tweet with a quote that's been attributed to Mussolini.

BERNSTEIN: Exactly. That's quite - that's quoting also Mussolini. I have said on CNN to both to Anderson and to Chris Cuomo, that Trump is basically a neo-fascist. And what we have seen through this campaign is neo-fascism. It is more than name-calling.

HARLOW: That is quite an accusation. So walk me through that. Walk me through what is specific policy moves, things that Trump said that leads you to call him a neo-fascist. I know you aren't acquitting to say Hitler, but calling him a neo-fascist, it is quite a statement.

BERNSTEIN: Well, it is. And neo-fascism is about authoritarianism, anti-immigrant beliefs. Some underlying racism and racist appeals, if not the poller being a racist himself. But authoritarianism for the sake of powerful authority of the leader himself. That's the hallmark of neo-fascism and a fascism. That's what Trump has been advocating for himself as a leader throughout this campaign. I'm going to do this. I'm going to build the wall. I'm going to do that.

All of these things that he is going to do independent of the established constitutional norms often. That is neo-fascism. And it is something that we haven't seen in a presidential campaign and around a movement such as this. Perhaps going back to Ewing Long. We need it look at some history, perhaps. We maybe need to look at the fact that we fought World War II against fascism and look at what we are hearing as an undertone to this campaign. It is very different from the traditional campaign. I think that's why all of the anchors are so taken aback by some of this.

HARLOW: So Ben, let me get to you weigh in there. Neo-fascist, is that an accurate description?

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: No, it's not. This is just Donald Trump trying to mess with people and trying not to alienate people before Super Tuesday. First off, he knows who Donald Duke is. He has talked about him in the past. He also knows who the KKK is. And anyone that is running for president, I promise you, knows who David Duke is. And always has known who he is. You can't name this on politics.

But this boils down to Donald Trump didn't want to alienate people before Election Day. This is a problem that many other conservatives have with him. I don't think he is a neo-fascist, I think he is just an opportunist. And I think he sees an opportunity here to plays into people's fears. He has been playing into people's fears since day one. Whether with the border or whether it be with ISIS. And some of them are legitimate fears. Others are just him trying to fear mongering, grabbing groups that are terrified of others in this campaign race.

But for him not to be able to say unequivocally with Jake Tapper and CNN that yes, of course, I condemn the KKK and anyone who supports the KKK should be a problem for voters. But the big issue is this, that mass majority, Poppy, that people that are supporting Donald Trump to care less about this wouldn't even put this is the category of the controversy because they say he is going to make America great again and that's all they are hearing right now. So I'm not sure this will hurt him very much at all.

HARLOW: OK. And I want you to stay with me. We are going to take a break. But before we do, Trump did tweet, after the interview, as I stated at the press conference Friday regarding David Duke, I disavow.

I want to take you now to Oklahoma City. Ted Cruz speaking to reporters, let's listen in.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe we will do very, very well in Texas Tuesday. We have a phenomenal team. I was blessed to receive the endorsement of enthusiastic support of Governor Greg Abbot. I'm blessed to have support of former governor Rick Perry. Lieutenant governor Dan Patrick.

What we have seen in Texas, Texas is home and it is our base. And I believe we are going to do very well there on Tuesday. I also believe we will do very well throughout Super Tuesday and we are working hard it earn those votes all across the country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sir, you denounce the comments of Donald Trump on the KKK, you say he is better than that. Given that in your comments today about Trump's potential role as nominee, would you still support him given all this if he ends up as nominee?

CRUZ: I will support the Republican nominee, period.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[17:17:45] GOV. JOHN KASICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Every day I wake up, there's another crazy thing happening in this campaign. And apparently today, I don't understand it, but Donald Trump refused to disassociate himself and condemn white supremacists. Everyday it's another thing. Yesterday I listened -- and that's just horrific, right? We don't have any place for white supremacist in the United States of America. And it just doesn't make any sense to me.

(APPLAUSE)

KASICH: And he really needs to make position clear. And he ought to do it quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARLOW: That was Governor John Kasich speaking earlier today in Springfield, Massachusetts about the controversy surrounding his rival Donald Trump. Concerning questions from our Jake Tapper this morning about David Duke and support from the KKK.

Let's take a look at Alabama right now. There is a big crowd awaiting Donald Trump there at a rally that is set to begin at any moment. This will be the first time we will hear from Trump since those remarks on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION." Will he address the controversy? Looks like he may be arriving any moment. We will take you there alive when he does.

But I want to talk much more about this. CNN political commentator Carl Bernstein back with us. Also Ben Ferguson back with us.

Gentlemen, let's pick up where we left off. And that is that, you know, Ben, the Republican national committee spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted this. Quote, "are you kidding? Of course the GOP has and does denounces the hate groups and people." That's what they tweeted.

And then last hour, we heard from the head of the anti-defamation league, Jonathan Greenblatt and what he said to my colleague, Fredricka Whitfield, let's play it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JONATHAN GREENBLATT, CEO, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: Let me be clear, it is profoundly disappointing and somewhat puzzling when a candidate for the highest office in our nation claims not to be aware of or clear about who David Duke or the Ku Klux Klan might be. Let me be clear, it is time for Donald Trump to be as forthright with us as he is at hl rallies and his -- on the debates. Does he support him or not?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[17:20:00] HARLOW: So Carl Bernstein, let me go to you first on this. How Trump handles this controversy on stage tonight et cetera after his tweet saying he does denounce David Duke, how will that affect him in Super Tuesday? Six of which states have major American populations. I understand, you know, going into Super Tuesday. Obviously, it is not a general, which is completely different, but what does this do to him going into soup are Tuesday?

BERNSTEIN: First of all, he is not going to win many African-American votes, nor was he ever. More importantly, he has done this kind of thing throughout the campaign saying the most outrageous things, then muddy waters, then take them back a little bit. But he gets what he's after. His identification with a kind of attitude and policies that many people in this country, particularly in his party, but also blue collar Democrats. Let's not rule out his appeal to some blue collar Democrats. I was privy to a conversation day before yesterday between two former congressional leaders. Neither of them particularly old, important leaders. Both think he will win the nomination of his party and one of whom a Democrat, thinks he will win the presidency through this. So this is deadly serious stuff. We are in territory we have never been in before. And what we saw this morning is part of Trump navigating that territory.

HARLOW: So, it is interesting. Because John Kasich, Ben, this morning said, you know, his rival said, I think he is going to win all of them. Talking about Super Tuesday. Do you think in any way ben this changes that?

FERGUSON: Look. I don't think this specific issue is going to change it. It might make it tighter in some certain states. I also don't think he is going to run the table. I think Ted Cruz is going to win Texas. But I think what John Kasich is reminding people how serious the vote is on Tuesday and just how important it is that if you do not believe that Donald Trump should be the next president, that you better get off your rear end and better go out and vote. It is a smart play by John Kasich, especially when you're down in the polls so low, I still don't understand why he is in this race or Ben Carson for that matter. But he is trying to say get ready for Donald Trump and if you don't want him, you better get out there and you better vote for me and help us out because we desperately need your votes.

I also think this is something else that comes down to just the basic issue. And I think that Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are using this today. This is not a trick question that Donald Trump got from Jake Tapper. This was not a complex question from Jake Tapper today either. This is a simple question of, do you disavow white supremacist, the KKK and David Duke. And the point was, Donald Trump couldn't answer that question. He had to wait and tweet out later. If he can't answer a simple question about the KKK, when he is president of the United States of America, they should be asking at while every one of his campaign stops, what other question will he have trouble answering?

HARLOW: All right. I want you both to stay with me Ben Ferguson and Carl Bernstein as we await this rally. You're looking at live pictures at Madison, Alabama where Donald is tweeting out he will have a quote big surprise. An announcement of sorts. One would expect. At this rally. The last time we heard that from Donald Trump was just a few days ago and that big surprise was an endorsement from New Jersey governor Chris Christie. What will it be this time? We will find out. Stay with us. Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:25:14] HARLOW: All right, the controversy is swirling when Donald Trump really deflected hedge didn't fully answer questions from our Jake Tapper this morning three times about the support he is getting from David Duke a white supremacist. While Hillary Clinton gave her opinion on in all on the campaign trail.

CNN senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny is in Nashville, that's where Clinton just wrapped up a rally. Jeff, what did she say?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Poppy, just a short time ago, some people were discussing this and she was visiting a coffee shop here in the Nashville. And she said very quickly, that's pathetic. And she did not go on to elaborate at that point but then she gave a rally of just a shortly after that and really turned her attention squarely to the Republican field, Donald Trump specifically. Calling him out on his signature line, make America great again. She said look, America is already great. We need to make America whole again.

SO Poppy, what I'm sensing today is after the big South Carolina primary victory for her is a gradual shift. She shifting toward the general election. Of course she still has a democratic fight with Bernie Sanders. Of course, she is fighting to win all these states but she was focused today on Donald Trump and other Republicans than she was on Bernie Sanders.

HARLOW: I think that was so clear in her speech last night, wasn't it Jeff, when she said, you know essentially, we don't have to make America great again. America already is great. She said we don't need to make -- we don't need to build walls, we need to make America whole again. That was so clearly focused on Donald Trump.

But Jeff, it is interesting, correct me if I'm wrong, but once today in her speech earlier, mention Bernie Sanders.

ZELENY: She did not mention him by name at all, Poppy. You are absolutely right about that. And boy, that is a shift from the last two months or so when she called him a single-issue candidate. She said his ideas aren't realistic. So that is the shift we are talking about here.

One Clinton adviser described this to me as this is the week the "titanic" moves, the aircraft carrier moves. So this is going to be a gradual shift. Still important to remember, 56 percent of the delegates are picked in the month of March. That's why he will be campaigning in Minnesota and Massachusetts tomorrow. She is in Arkansas shortly then going to Massachusetts and Virginia tomorrow.

But something does changed here in this race. She realizes that. Now of course if it changes back, I have no doubt she will go after Bernie Sanders again. But she is going to leave that to her surrogates and other Democrats.

One big reason, Poppy, is her negatives are so, so high, she can't afford to stay negative on him any longer here. She is looking forward to the possibility of maybe running against Donald Trump. Maybe not. But boy that has Brooklyn, where her headquarters is slightly worried as well. Because they don't what that would do to the map, Poppy. He has changed this whole dynamic of this campaign. He would change battle grounds as well. He could be more competitive in Michigan. He could certainly be more competitive in New Jersey. So this is something that this campaign is just beginning to get its arms around here. But of course, first thing s first, Super Tuesday is less than 48 hours away on Tuesday this week, Poppy.

[17:30:15] HARLOW: A lot can happen, as you know, on the trail in 48 hours.

Jeff Zeleny in Nashville for us this evening. Thank you so much.

And as Jeff and I were just talking about Hillary Clinton not mentioning Bernie Sanders directly in her speech, she did retweet a message from rival though, from Bernie Sanders. The message addressed the Donald Trump controversy concerning from Ku Klux Klan grand wizard David Duke. Take a look at it. Let's pull it up here. Sanders tweeting America's first black president, cannot and will not be succeed by a hate monger who refuses to condemn the KKK. Team Hillary Clinton retweeted that message.

We are going to talk about all of it straight ahead. I want to get a quick break in. Much more discussion on this and a live look there at the Donald Trump rally as they wait his arrival there in Alabama. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:34:09] HARLOW: Donald Trump has just arrived. Just taking the stage in Madison, Alabama. Speaking for the first time following his controversial remarks in an interview here on CNN this morning. With our very own Jake Tapper where he was asked three times about support he received from the KKK and also the grand wizard, David Duke. And he did not disavow them later took to twitter disavowing them. Let's listen to see if he addresses this.

TRUMP: We will be doing a lot of cutting. But when it comes to that, I have to tell you we will keep it going. I want to thank the Benghazi guys. You met them, you saw them. So incredible. Guts, courage. They know what happened. Amazing guys. So I want to just thank Mark and John, very much for being here today. That was amazing. Amazing.

You know, I was saying that I have a little surprise, OK? I have a little surprise for you today. And you know, over the years I have developed a lot of friendship answers some people are good and some people are OK. And some people are lousy, right? And some people are great. But I was so honored because I have a man who is respect bid everybody here. Greatly respected. And somebody that I have a lot of respect for. He is really the expert, as far as I'm concerned, doing borders on so many different things. But when I think of myself now and when I think of us, we want strong borders. We want the wall.

We have, you know, we have a case where, as you saw, former president Fox of Mexico used a horrible, horrible word. Now if I would have used that word, it would have been a big story. He used it, that wasn't the story. The story was he is very angry and the reason he's angry is because he said we will not pay for that wall. And when these dishonest people called me, the press, they are so dishonest, it is terrible. But when they called me, you know what I said, the wall just got 10 feet higher. We love it. Just got 10 feet higher, folks. Believe me.

And you know his anger, you saw the anger, right? That was anger. That wasn't really about the wall. That was, how dare you tell us what to do? We are your bosses, OK. They think they are our bosses. Does it work that way, folks? Does it work that way anymore? It is not going to work that way anymore, OK. It's not going to work that way. So I just want to tell you we're going to build that wall. It's going to work. We're going to have a strong border. People are going to come into our country. But they are going to come in legally, only legally.

So when I talk about immigration, and when I talk about illegal immigration and all the problems with crime and everything else, I think of the great man, and I want to just introduce you to him for a second, you know who I'm talking about? Who am I talking about? Nobody knows right now. Because we've kept it a surprise. Senator Jeff Sessions.

[17:37:50] SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: What a crowd this is. I told Donald Trump, this isn't a campaign bb this is a movement. Look at what's happening. American people are not happy with their government. So some say, you know, you just need to let the people calm down a little bit and they'll forget it and let it all go. Should we forget it? No we should not. There is an opportunity this year. Tuesday, and we have the opportunity -- we have an opportunity Tuesday, it may be the last opportunity we have, for the people's voice to be heard.

You have asked for 30 years and politicians have promised for 30 years to fix illegal immigration. Have they done it? Donald Trump will do it. Yes, he will. And let me -- you, the American people, have known for years these trade agreements have not been working for them. We now have and will soon have a vote on the Trans-Pacific partnership, Obama trade, and it will damage America. It will create a commission that undermines our sovereignty and it should not pass. Donald Trump, when he gets elected president, will see it does not pass.

This movement, he doesn't take money from political groups and lobbyists. He is committed to leading this country in an effective way. You know, nobody is perfect. We can't have everything, can we, Mr. Trump? But I can tell you one thing. I think at this time in my opinion, my best judgment, at this time in American's history, we need to make America great again.

All right. Thank you all. I am pleased to endorse Donald Trump for the presidency of the United States. I believe that we are -- a movement is afoot. That must not fade away. It has the potential to have the American people's voices heard for a change. The bosses are you. People in Washington are public servants. They serve you. We haven't had enough of that.

Donald Trump, great to have you and one of the greatest cities in the whole world. The Huntsville, Madison area is fabulous. We have more (INAUDIBLE), Ph.ds per capita than any place in the country. We got the best corporate leadership of all over the world and best here and hiring people here is what we need for all of America. I'm proud to have you with us. God bless.

TRUMP: So great. That is so great. You know, he is an incredible guy. Thank you. Get him out of here, will you? Thank you. Get him out. All right. Thank you. Boy oh, boy. Never fails. But you know,

again, I say it all the time, now the cameras, they follow that, they know how many people, the all-time record, look over there, hey, cameras, take a look over here. Take a look. Unbelievable, 32,000 people. This is amazing. And by the way, look over there. We can't get them in. They won't let them in. Why can't they come in? Fire department, let them in. Let them in. We've got thousands of people over there. Let them in, if you can. All right.

So look, first of all, that's the first time that Senator Sessions has ever endorsed. That's a big deal. That's, to me, a big deal. So we've had some interesting times together. You know, "time" magazine a couple of weeks ago, they did a cover story that this a movement. This isn't me (INAUDIBLE). There's never been -- there's never been a time when we've made so many decisions that's been so wrong. Whether the Iran deal, the borders like Swiss cheese. We are going to (INAUDIBLE), we are going to do things so smart. We are going to be so competent. You're going to be so proud of your president, believe me. You're not proud now. But you're going to be proud of your president.

So, over the last period of a couple of weeks, nasty, nasty things are said, right? Nasty things. Now no, Marco's a lightweight. But so many -- this guy -- I mean, when you're up 20 points in Florida, we're up, the guy, they hate him in Florida, he can't be elected dog catcher in Florida. This guy, you know, I call him little Marco. Nice guy. But you know, I watch, you saw yesterday, I got the endorsement of Chris Christie. Tough guy. Good guy. Smart. Wonderful guy. And he was so enthusiastic, but I watched, when Chris was running, I watched something I don't see often. I watched a man melt in front of me. Chris started grilling lightweight Marco Rubio. And Marco was standing right here, right next to me during the debate, the one before last. And Chris went into him. I thought it was OK. He mentioned the Obama phrase once. Then a second time. I said that's strange. Then I noticed he was pouring water. Sweating -- I've never seen anything like it. I thought he just got out of a swimming pool with his suit on. I said, what's going on. And I'm saying to myself, I hope he's OK.

[17:47:20] TRUMP: Folks, folks, we love everybody. All lives matter. Remember that. Remember that. All lives matter. So we'll have these little interruptions. So what. You know, when you have 32,000 now it is 35,000 people, when you have 35,000 people, if you have a few protesters, like I said has to happen, right. So I'm looking at I guess that sort of has it happen, right? So I'm looking at little Marco and I say, man something is happening with him and he is like melting. Then he said the phrase a third time, fourth time, fifth time. And I said, he has just melted down. That's big. Then I get ready, you know, I'm a strong guy, believe it or not. I get ready and I think he's going to faint.

Now, we don't need a fainter to negotiate with China and Putin. We don't need a fainter to knock the hell out of is, do we? We don't need a fainter. We don't need a guy who is sweating and scared and I never saw anything like it. So that's it. Now he wants to act like a big man. Trump's a con man. I'm a con man. I built an incredible business. I filed papers with the federal elections that are so unbelievable. And believe me, if they weren't unbelievable, I wouldn't be here right now and these guys would have never ever, they could not believe how great a company I built. And I got listen to this guy, to this guy that took money to build a drive way and when they caught him, he said, let me reimburse. I used the wrong credit card, right. Took it out of the Republican Party.

When you see what he's done, he takes a house, he buys a house for $178,000 or so. He sells it to a lobbyist for $380,000, a lobbyist that is dealing with him in the state of Florida. You tell me. That's what we are going to have as our senator? And that is what we are going to have as our president? There's no way. You can't do it. You can't do it.

You know, we have a problem. These guys, all of them, I'm self- funding my campaign, folks. I don't care. We're going to make the right decision. I'm self-funding. But these guys are all taken care of. When you get right down to it, whether it's the drug industry where we don't bid competitively. You know, drugs to make you better. We have pharmaceutical companies and we have an industry, they take care of these people.

Tell me, tell me. Isn't it fun to be at a Trump rally? Isn't this fun? Good. It's part of the deal. You know, it's like part of the deal. I remember -- OK, you remember this? I said, well, he's not going to make it. Bernie Sanders is speaking and these two young women came up and they took over the microphone. Do you remember that? And he walked away. He went, oh, oh. And I said to myself, wow. But do you remember they came up no microphone's going to be taken over from me. I guarantee you that. I guarantee you that. Because they're not taking it over from me. They're taking it over from you. Can't happen. And I'll never forget that scene. He looked so weak and so pathetic. And by the way, he's over anyway. It's not going to happen. You saw what happened yesterday.

Now in all fairness, Hillary should not be allowed to run because she broke the law. Sure, broke the law. She should not be allowed to run. She's probably protected by the Democrats, but she should not be allowed to run, folks. I'll tell you. You either have laws or you don't have laws. And what she did -- you look at General Petraeus, you look at so many people have gotten into such hot water over that and gone away. You know where I'm talking about.

And with her -- by the way, did you ever see so many -- how do you do 10,000 emails, 20,000, 40,000, how the hell do you do so many emails? Does anybody do emails? So let's see what happens. I think we're going to have to run against her, which is good, frankly, I think it's great. And I will beat her. The other guys are not going to beat her, folks. They're not going to win. They're not going to win. And I guarantee you one thing, we're going to be talking about those emails every moment of every day.

And we're going to shame them into doing the right thing. But we're going to beat Hillary. Polls have come out where I'm leading here. Recently polls have come out where I'm beating her. "USA Today," the Q poll, others, FOX recently came out with a poll I'm beating her, I haven't even started on her yet, folks. I haven't even started.

She's not right now part of the equation, you know, to be honest with you. I like to do one thing first. And if you look -- take a look at the people. Governor Walker, nice guy. But he attacked Trump, right? Jeb Bush very nice person, right? OK. So I don't want to get - I mean, Lindsey Graham, this poor guy. And you know, he was so vicious -- I mean, he was so vicious. And this idea of the war, you know, he thinks he's a military expert. He says I'm a military expert. We've been listening to this guy for years, where are we? We're nowhere. I know what to do. You know what to do. What I told you to do is the right way to do it. If we listen to some of these guys on the military, we're going to be over there for another 20 years. We can't do it.

Look, we've spent $2 trillion in Iraq. We have absolutely nothing. We've lost thousands and thousands of great, great military young, beautiful people. We've got wounded warriors who I love all over the place. And you know what we have? Nothing. We have nothing. We don't even call them anymore. And you know who's taking over Iraq and the second largest oil supplies? We have the second largest reserves in the world. People don't even know that, in Iraq. Iran is taking -- hey, for years they'd fight. They would fight for years, they'd stop, they'd rest, then they'd fight for years, Saddam Hussein gas, they don't like it, everybody complains, they stop. Then it goes the other way. They had the same power. And then we get up, we blast the hell out of one of the power, so now what happens? Iran is taking over. So not only do they make the greatest deal that I've ever seen made, they get $150 billion. They should have never gotten that money. They should release our prisoners four years ago, not after they get the money like it's ransom.

You know, I tell that story all the time. One of the dumbest deals, one of the -- I mean, they never walked. I kept saying they're going to walk now. They're going to walk now because I can't --we kept giving up on every single point. In Iran they were dancing in the streets, the people are dancing, Obama's calling the head -- the supreme leader, I will never call him, I promise you, the supreme leader. I will never.

But you know what you do? OK, so let's say three and a half, four years ago they have their prisoners and you walk in -- because this deal was going on forever. Did you ever see a deal so long? It's a horrible deal. So you walk in and you say, fellows, great negotiators, the Persians are great negotiators, they all read "the art of the deal," I can tell you. Not read it. But you walk in and you say very nicely -- and I tell this story -- and actually one of the reporters from the "New York times" loved this story. I'll tell you a little bit. My father was a good guy. He taught me how to negotiate a little bit. He was a really good guy. Oh, by the way, this little Rubio guy said my father gave me $200 million. My sister called me up, she said, are you kidding?

HARLOW: All right, there you have it. Donald Trump speaking live at a rally this evening in Madison, Alabama. He opened up talking about Marco Rubio using that phrase we've heard him use quite a few times calling him a lightweight, criticizing him. Moving on talking about two groups of protesters removed from the rally a few minutes ago. And right now blasting the U.S.-Iran nuclear deal. We will continue to monitor this as well.

But the big news out of this today was that Senator Jeff Sessions, the senator of Alabama, came out and he endorsed Donald Trump. He said, quote, "this isn't a campaign, this is a movement." Putting his support behind Trump.

Thank you so much for being with us tonight. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York.

Next on CNN join Don Lemon and Michaela Pereira. They are live from the red carpet for Hollywood's biggest night, the academy awards. And be sure to stay with us after the big awards show to get reaction of the night's biggest moments. Hollywood's biggest night starts in just a moment.

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