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Crews Working to Rescue People after Earthquake in Ecuador; Trump Labels Clinton; Interview with Rep. Peter King; Clooney Admits Money He Raised For Clinton Is "Obscene"; Russian Jet Flies Within 50 Feet Of U.S. Aircraft's Wing Tip; Kasich To Trump: "Act Like You're A Professional" Aired 2-3p ET
Aired April 17, 2016 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:00:13] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST: Happening now in the NEWSROOM.
Hundreds dead and a thousand injured after a massive earthquake strike Ecuador. The desperate search to rescue those who are trapped now underway.
Plus, Bernie Sanders says George Clooney is pulling for the wrong horse.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is the issue of American politics today. Do we have a government that represents all of us or just the one percent?
WHITFIELD: And John Kasich tells our Dana Bash Donald Trump should act like a professional.
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you think the system is rigged?
GOV. JOHN KASICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, no. I think it's the way it works.
WHITFIELD: NEWSROOM starts now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.
WHITFIELD: And hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We do have breaking news to share with you.
Crews now scrambling to reach survivors after 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed at least 235 people. The first pictures of the rescues coming in to CNN right now. Take a look at this. We understand this to be a little girl who is on that stretcher being pulled out of the rubble of a collapsed building. It reportedly took them hours just to locate her underneath that fallen concrete. Scenes like this are playing out across the quake zone right now. The earthquake struck Ecuador's central coast. It is the deadliest
tremor to hit the nation in almost 30 years. There are no reports of any Americans killed.
Joining me right now, CNN senior Latin America affairs editor Rafael Romo.
So these rescuers really are up against a very tough situation with these giant pieces of concrete, buildings that have collapsed.
RAFAEL ROMO, CNN SENIOR LATIN AMERICA AFFAIRS EDITOR: Yes, that's a very good point. And just to put it in perspective, the earthquake hit just before 7:00 p.m. last night. But there are great areas in the country that are essentially in communication with the rest of the country.
Now, the epicenter was in the northwest part of Ecuador but cities like (INAUDIBLE), that's probably the best known city international has also been affected and we are getting some images including this one where we see a bridge that collapse on top of drivers, people trapped in their cars and at least one person died there.
Officially, Fred, at this hour, the number of fatalities stand at 235. There's more than 1500 people injured and we have six provinces that are under a state of emergency right now. But again, it seems to me that it's too soon for authorities to get a real sense of the magnitude of this catastrophe. A lot of the outlying areas, a lot of the coastal areas, they have had torrential rains for the last several weeks because of the El Nino phenomenon. And so, we already had unstable ground.
Add to that, this earthquake, 7.8 magnitude and you have these images coming to us right now. Already countries like Mexico, Columbia, Spain have promised help and are sending help. As you can imagine, water is a great necessity right now. And authorities have already sent 10,000 soldiers and 4600 police to help in the rescue efforts. That's the priority right now. It's less than 24 hours after the earthquake hit.
WHITFIELD: Wow. Incredible images you see. I mean, this is really devastating for so many people when you see the images of the collapsed bridge and those crushed vehicles. Your mind can't help but take you to San Francisco years ago with that very huge earthquake. But this indeed with the many thousands of reinforcements you mentioned, it really is going to take quite the effort to reach as many possible, you know, victims who might be alive in all of this crushed debris.
ROMO: That's for sure. And one quick final point, these are images from the city of (INAUDIBLE), just put in perspective, it is the size of Chicago. It is about 2.7 million people.
WHITFIELD: Great perspective. All right, thanks so much Rafael. Appreciate it. We will check back with you.
All right. Meantime, here in the United States, it's the final countdown in New York, just two days before that state's primary from (INAUDIBLE). The three New Yorkers are holding campaign events today making the case for who best represents New York values. At the center of this delegate-rich race, CNN Jeremy Diamond is Staten Island where Donald Trump is meeting with New York military academy, people there who have gathered. And Brynn Gingras is in Brooklyn where Bernie Sanders holds a rally in just a couple of hours. Sanders strategy seems to be following the money. Specifically, Clinton's money. Sanders told Dana Bash how he believes Clinton's wealthy donors have tainted her policy decisions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: Can you point to a decision that Hillary Clinton made as senator that shows she favored banks because of the donations she received?
[14:05:06] SANDERS: As a matter of fact, she voted for a bad bankruptcy legislation. And whether that is a result of contributions from Wall Street or elsewhere, you know, no one can say that, Dana. But what I will also repeat to you is the most important issue is, what is your stand on Wall Street? You're not going to have a government that represents all of us so long as you have candidates like Hillary Clinton depending on big money interest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: All right. Let's go to Brooklyn.
And Brynn Gingras, good to see you. So we have seen huge crowds and this kind of become the norm, has it not, especially for Bernie Sanders there in New York? So, is the campaign expecting the same? It sure looks like it so far.
BRYNN GRINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, you are absolutely right. They are somewhat expecting huge crowds as they are getting used to here in their home town of Brooklyn. Thank goodness for gorgeous weather. That's only fueling the crowds.
And we actually talked to a Bernie campaign person today. They were ling up at the entrance of the park 9:30 this morning. Now remember, he is not speaking until 4:00. And that line, if I look over, it is still weaving throughout the parks. People coming in. And you mentioned he views to the large crowd, well, remember, last week in Washington Square Park in Manhattan, he had an estimated 27,000 people -- well, yes, That's certainly is going to pale in comparison as you see here (INAUDIBLE) park especially since there is such a bigger space to fill - Fred.
WHITFIELD: So Brynn, now what about this, you know, kind of emboldened argument that Bernie Sanders is making about the wealthy donors particularly on the Hill of the two-day, you know, event with George Clooney in Los Angeles and in San Francisco raking in millions of dollars. And Bernie Sanders you know, saying this is a reflection of her policy making.
GINGRAS: Well, definitely. And it is something that Bernie Sanders has served as a talking point really from day one in his campaign. It's something that resonating with voters not only here in Brooklyn today that we talked to but also across the country. Just yesterday, one Hillary Clinton went to that fund-raiser in California, which you mentioned not too long ago held by George and Amal Clooney. They were Bernie supporters lined up and throwing $1,000 bills at her motorcade. And this is certainly something that really Bernie likes to drive home at his rallies and may expecting to do the same today.
WHITFIELD: All right. Brynn Gingras, thank you so much there in New York. A lot of money in the form of dollar bills being hurled in the streets there in Los Angeles.
OK. So fresh off his loss to Ted Cruz in Wyoming, Donald Trump just wrapped up a raucous rally into New York. He doubled down on his accusations that the system is rigged, claiming that that is why he didn't push harder for delegates in Wyoming. And he fired yet another shot at Hillary Clinton using his latest nickname for her, crooked Hillary.
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TRUMP: You know the story. It's crooked Hillary. She's as crooked as they come. And I'll tell you what, we are going to beat her so badly.
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WHITFIELD: All right, joining me right now from Staten Island is CNN politics reporter Jeremy Diamond.
So Jeremy, one of that new messages, you know, kind of preaching to the choir, meaning, you know, supporters who already deciding who they want to vote for?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Yes. Well, it certainly seems that Donald Trump has officially branded Hillary Clinton. He first brought up this crooked Hillary thing yesterday during a rally in Watertown, New York. He used it this morning on twitter and then again during that rally you just watched in Staten Island.
Similar to what he has done before with Jeb Bush, talking about him as low energy, Ted Cruz calling him lying Ted. But of course, Donald trump, you know, is preparing himself now for possible general election against Hillary Clinton. But his (INAUDIBLE) through this maze of a process, of a primary process that we are seeing where Donald Trump is now focusing on - trying to get this delegate he needs to be able to clinch the nomination. He has been slamming the RNC, talking about how it would be a rough July if he doesn't get the nomination. Certainly he is saying that, you know, he could play the game to be able to get these delegates, but it seems like he doesn't -- just doesn't want to.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I don't want to play the rule game. I tell you what, because we live in a democracy and it's all about getting the bosses out. (END VIDEO CLIP)
DIAMOND: So there you have it. Donald Trump has warned about a rough July and talks about how the potential for riots in the past talking about the RNC convention. But today, Donald Trump saying that he doesn't think there will be and he doesn't think there should be any violence during the Republican National Convention this summer -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right. Jeremy Diamond, we will check back with you from Staten Island. Thanks so much.
All right. Coming up next, Republican congressman Peter King of New York weigh in on the presidential primary race in his state and he is making clear his feelings about Senator Ted Cruz.
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[14:10:09] REP. PETER KING (R), NEW YORK: I can never endorse Ted Cruz. I just have too many difference --.
WHITFIELD: You called him a phony once before.
KING: Yes, a phony, fraud and probably other things, too. Ever since the government shut down and talking to people in Washington, seeing him in action and then the whole remark about New York values, I just don't trust him. I don't think he should be president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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[14:14:06] WHITFIELD: All right, less than 48 hours before New Yorkers head to the polls for a crucial primary that could help or hurt current running presidential candidates on both sides. It's a race for delegates with 95 up for grabs among Republican candidates and 247 up for grabs among Democrats.
Well, just moments ago, I caught up with New York Republican congressman Peter King who has been in office for nearly four decades. And I started off by asking him about the battle for his state and how pivotal of a role it plays in this year's nomination process.
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KING: You know in New York, we have never seen almost everything over the years. We have never seen a real Republican primary. And where you see very few Democratic primaries coming out to the wire like this one. Usually where the times of primaries at New York, the nominations were decided. So actually, this is one time where the campaigning is really having an impact, people are talking about it. Certainly Donald Trump has been, in my district, several times and generating a tremendous enthusiasm and oppositions. The excitement is there. John Kasich, in many ways, (INAUDIBLE), John Kasich keeps appearing. He keeps coming back. I think he is going to make a better showing than people may think. As far as Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, it seems that as if
Bernie Sanders was tightening it there for a while. Hillary may be stretching the lead. But again, the turnout she has been getting at, turn out he got Washington Square Park, that was monumental. So it is really Bill Clinton is going to be on Long Island today and going to Hempstead. Chelsea Clinton has been here. Ted Cruz has made a few (INAUDIBLE). Not too successful. He is sort of out in Wyoming at some points. But Trump and Bernie Sanders as they liven this up and any time Bill or Hillary Clinton are involved, that adds to the excitement.
[14:15:55] WHITFIELD: So you make reference to that huge crowd that showed up for Bernie Sanders Washington Square Park. Do you think in any way that it's going to turn out on Tuesday?
KING: Yes. I think it's going to turn out that Bernie Sanders to better than people thought. I certainly think Hillary is going to win. Bernie Sanders has the base. He has the enthusiasm. I think Hillary Clinton who are more of the organizational support and she will have probably the African-American vote will be coming out in good numbers for her.
But as far as the liberal base of the party, that's basically Washington Square Park is located, too, near Greenwich Village, Lower Manhattan, and those people are with Bernie Sanders, that very angry left, if you want to call it that, or you can say dedicated left, they are with Bernie Sanders. I think in an ordinary time, that would be hard for Hillary to get them back voting for her in November. Maybe Donald Trump will get them back to work. But it's interesting, again seeing that size turnout and seeing that the base of the party, the liberal base of the party definitely seems to be with Bernie Sanders.
WHITFIELD: And how about you? You're a Republican. You originally supported Marco Rubio. And then you have had some, you know, strong sentiments about Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. Have you made up your mind about who you are leaning toward?
KING: No, I really haven't. I mean, you know, vote on Tuesday. But as far as endorsing anyone, not yet. First of all, Ted Cruz, I can never endorse Ted Cruz. I just have too many differences with him.
WHITFIELD: You've called him a phony before.
KING: Yes, probably fraud and probably other things, too. Ever since the government shut down, I have been talking to people in Washington, seeing him in action, then the whole remarks about New York values, I just don't trust him. I don't think he should be president.
As far as Donald Trump, I think he is really tapped into something and they have the potential to reach voters, Republicans ordinarily wouldn't be able to reach. Blue collar people, people in the neighborhoods, people who voted for Ronald Reagan, you know, that type of voter. But then he needlessly, by attacking John McCain, by attacking President Bush, by mocking a disabled reporter, those all cross the line. But if he can clean up his act and get more substance two what he is saying, because of Hillary Clinton's high negatives, Donald Trump does have a chance in winning a competitive race. But so far he has not been able to put that together.
As far as John Kasich, John Kasich is very qualified and he can make a very good president. I just don't know if he is within shouting distance. I think that he is, in fact, that he is so far behind makes it difficult for him. But I hope John stays in it. And who knows what will happen at the convention.
WHITFIELD: So you hope John Kasich stays in it because his influence does what in terms of giving Republicans choices, is he kind of a stabilizer when it comes down to issues or even his demeanor. Why do you hope he stays in it?
KING: Yes. Well, I think to even be considered at this stage at the convention, assuming the convention becomes deadlocked, especially now that Paul Ryan is out of the race has taken himself out, it would have to be somebody who has run. And the others have already dropped out to reach back to any of them. So John would be a legitimate alternative. Certainly, again, if Donald Trump can't get it, John Kasich would be a far better alternative than Ted Cruz. I think Ted Cruz would hopelessly divide the party. And I'm not part of a stop Trump movement. I'm not getting into that. But I'm just saying if he doesn't make it, if he can't make it, there's a tremendous amount of people who would not want those votes to go to Ted Cruz and John Kasich would be a legitimate alternative.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: And there's more in the next hour. We'll have more of our conversation with Congressman Peter King as he discusses his concern on how the race has divided the Republican Party and his thoughts on why he decided not to make a run for the nomination.
All right. Stay with us. All day Tuesday, especially for our special coverage of the New York primary.
Still ahead, North Korea weighing in on U.S. politics. Why a top official there is calling Donald Trump absurd. That exclusive interview, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:24:02] WHITFIELD: The man who is considered the international eyes and ears for North Korea's dictator Kim Jong-un is calling out Donald Trump telling CNN that Trump's suggestion to withdraw U.S. military from parts of Asia and allow South Korea and Japan to develop their own nuclear weapons is quote "absurd and illogical," end quote.
CNN's Will Ripley has more in this exclusive report from inside North Korea.
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fred, a North Korean official I spoke with here in Pyongyang call Trump's comments essentially saying that Japan and South Korea could arm themselves with nuclear weapons. He said that was illogical and absurd. And he also said that kind of ideology could be potentially dangerous and only encourage North Korea to further develop its nuclear weapons arsenal. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RIPLEY (voice-over): Few North Korean officials understand American politics like (INAUDIBLE) diplomat and former ambassador is deputy director general of the institute of international studies. This Pyongyang think tanks monitors global events and reports back to North Korean leadership.
We're not really interested in the U.S. election, he says. We don't care who becomes the next U.S. president. Whether Republicans or Democrats take power, it has nothing to do with us. U.S. politicians have always had a hostile policy against Korea.
(INAUDIBLE) is one the handful of North Koreans who can access the Internet. State media doesn't cover details of the U.S. presidential campaign. The average person wouldn't even recognize any of the candidates.
In recent months, each has spoken out against North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
[14:00:35] TRUMP: Good to be with you.
RIPLEY: Republican front-runner Donald Trump shocked American allies in Asia when he suggested Japan and South Korea could arm themselves with nuclear weapons.
TRUMP: So North Korea has nukes. Japan has a problem with that. I mean, they have a big problem with that. Maybe they would in fact be better off if they defend themselves from North Korea.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With nukes?
TRUMP: Including with nukes, yes.
RIPLEY: What is North Korea's response?
Donald Trump's remarks are totally absurd and illogical, he says. The U.S. tells us to give up our nuclear program. He is preparing a nuclear attack against us. And on the other hand, it would tell its allies to have nuclear weapons. Isn't this a double standard?
Pyongyang has not officially responded to Trump's remarks. Last week, North Korea propaganda attempted political satire adopting the voice of Abraham Lincoln scolding President Obama for U.S. nuclear policy. Even in a country known for (INAUDIBLE) rhetoric, he believes Trump's ideology is dangerous.
Trump's remarks give us a deeper look at America's hostile policy against my country, he says. Simply put, America's hostile acts against us are making the situation on the Korean Peninsula worse. He warn as policy like Trump would only escalate North Korea's nuclear arms race.
(END VIDEOTAPE) RIPLEY: Last year, North Korea actually reached out to the United States and asked for peace talks but Washington rejected that request when North Korea refused to put its nuclear program on the table saying even if a deal was worked out, they absolutely would not give up their nuclear weapons or stop developing their nuclear program -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: Will Ripley, thank you so much.
All right. Still ahead, Bernie Sanders supporters literally showering Hillary Clinton's car with cash dollar bills, protesting her big buck donors and fancy fund-raisers. We'll talk about all of that next.
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[14:31:04] WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. The guest list reads like the credits of a Hollywood blockbuster. Steven Spielberg, Ellen Degeneres, Jane Fonda, all of a few of the celebrities that attended Hillary Clinton's multi-million dollar fundraiser last night.
The event was at George and Amal Clooney's home in Studio City, California. After it was revealed that it cost more than $33,000 to attend with a $353,000 price ticket to sit at the Clooney table, well, Bernie Sanders supporters took to the streets in their outrage.
Clooney's neighbor, in fact, a dollar store mogul, invited supporters to his home for a rival fundraiser handing out $1 bill to throw at Clinton's convoy as she drove past.
This morning, George Clooney himself said the amount of money he helped raised for Clinton is obscene. Here he is on NBC's "Meet The Press."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: Their right to protest. They are absolutely right. It is an obscene amount of money. The Sanders campaign when they talk about it is absolutely right. It's ridiculous that we should have this kind of money in politics. I agree completely.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, it's interesting. Our camera caught you having a conversation with the protesters last night. What did you say to them?
CLOONEY: Well, that was a funny thing. I went over to try to talk to them and he said I was some corporate shell, which to me that's one of the funnier things you could say about me. You sucked as Batman and you kind of got me on that one and then I walked away. That was basically it.
But here's -- I think what's important and what I think the Clinton campaign has not been very good at explaining is this, and this is the truth. The overwhelming amount of money that we are raising -- and it is a lot -- but the overwhelming amount of money that we're raising is not going to Hillary to run for president. It's going to the down ticket, to the congressmen and senators to try to take back Congress and the reason that's important and the reason it's important to me is because we need -- I'm a Democrat. If you're a Republican, you're going to disagree.
But we need to take the Senate back because we need to confirm the Supreme Court justice. Because that fit vote on the Supreme Court can overturn Citizens United and get this obscene, ridiculous amount of money out. So I never have to do a fundraiser again. That's why I'm doing it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: All right, let's talk more about this with our political panel, Ellis Henican, a political columnist, and Brian Morgenstern, a Republican strategist. All right, Gentlemen, good to see you.
OK, Ellis, you first. George Clooney himself said it is ridiculous, but is it necessary? Is that what it's come to, that in order to win the White House or win a seat in Congress, you've got to raise a lot of money?
ELLIS HENICAN, POLITICAL COLUMNIST: It sure helps. I mean, one of the lessons is there's a lot of different ways to get there. Yes. There's way, way too much money in politics. Bernie Sanders, as it looks increasingly likely that he will not be the nominee, does leave us with an interesting model for how Democrats in the future can get this done with small donations. I hope other people try to copy that, honestly.
WHITFIELD: And we're talking about $27. Bernie Sanders made it very clear that the average donation, $27.
HENICAN: Impressive.
WHITFIELD: They've made millions. Brian, this particular fundraising technique of Hillary Clinton involving Amal and George Clooney, it's not new that you would have star-studded fundraisers. You know, it goes back to the Clinton White House and even, you know, Ronald Reagan and all that.
So is this an issue of taking issue with those who have deep pockets and how influential they may be when it comes down to running for any national office?
BRIAN MORGENSTERN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Sure. Well, and that's been sort of the theme of this election and you know, there's -- like you said, there's nothing new with these expensive fundraisers, but in a year where big money interests as Bernie likes to point out are so unpopular.
Man oh man does this highlight the difference between where the establishment folks are, behind Hillary, and the folks behind Bernie and thrown their $1 bills at Hillary.
[14:35:09]Just like socialists throwing good money after bad. Use monopoly money, guys, why are you throwing real money at --
WHITFIELD: And then no one scrambling in the streets to grab the dollars. That's what I was waiting for. I want that follow-up picture. We don't need anything.
HENICAN: Honestly, part of politics is theater and that was throw me something -- it was like Mardi Gras except they weren't throwing cheap beans. They were throwing something you want.
WHITFIELD: I know. And then the follow-up shots, where you see people jumping up and down, there's still money in the street and no one is grabbing the money.
OK. Let's talk about how you see all of this playing out in the course of the next few days. We're talking about New York first. You know, how the tenor on both sides really has changed.
Money aside, you know, Brian, we're looking at the talons coming out. You hear Donald Trump talking about it's a rigged system. You hear Clinton and Sanders going back and forth over policy versus a vision.
What is it that if there's a way in which to tell, you know, who is making the most influential argument to voters? Is there a way in which you can kind of predict or see, you know, what New Yorkers are going to be thinking about as they go to the polls on Tuesday?
Who's the loudest talker, who is most influential, who's got my attention, and who has the best ideas?
MORGENSTERN: Well, it depends on the New Yorker and the thing about New York is that you have the rust belt state is the upstate region and then you have the city and the surrounding sort of metropolitan areas, which are -- could not be more different.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
MORGENSTERN: But in terms of these candidates, it looks like Trump and Clinton are doing well. Of course, Sanders trying to surge late -- all New Yorkers, all hometown people with big personalities, Hillary sort of anyway in an adopted way.
All of three of these people have their own constituencies. So they all have their own constituencies and it looks like Trump and Clinton are likely to carry the day.
Trump, you saw him earlier in Staten Island, which where he is a rock star. Just sort of solidifying his support there, and Hillary -- I don't know.
Hillary fundraising out in California taking a break seems to be taking it for granted, although she's leading by quite a bit. Maybe that's OK for her.
WHITFIELD: Ellis, I guess the one who has made the most noise, right, I think everyone will agree and in recent months we're talking about Donald Trump. For the second week in a row, he is silent. In terms of not being -- not being on the Sunday talk show, he has made his public appearances with rallies, et cetera, but is that an indicator of a seismic change in the way in which he is conveying his message or, you know, his platform on what is happening here?
HENICAN: You know what it is, I think finally there are some grown- ups in the campaign, right. I mean, Cory and the other -- yes. Exactly. Some of the fans that have been shoved around a bit and he seems a little more focused.
But you know what, he is Donald. He doesn't listen to instructions well. He shoots from the hip. All the stuff that people like about him makes him volatile and very frustrating for professional and political people. He's probably going to win on Tuesday in New York.
WHITFIELD: OK. Simply put. We'd like to hear more from you. We have a lot more to talk about later on. Brian, Ellis, thank you so much. See you soon.
Also coming up, a dispute between the U.S. and Russia intensifying after a new incident over the Baltic Sea. Matthew Chance is live for us from Moscow.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fred. U.S. officials are fuming over what they say is another dangerous run-in with the Russian military again over the Baltic Sea. The kremlin is denying everything. We'll have all the details for you live from Moscow, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:42:56]
WHITFIELD: All right. U.S. officials are fuming over what they call another dangerous and provocative run-in with the Russian military in the Baltic Sea. They say in an aerial close-call, a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane was barrel rolled by a Russian jet that came within 50 feet of the plane tip.
And just a few days before, a Russian jet buzzed the USS Donald Cook as it was sailing in international waters in the Baltic. CNN senior international correspondent, Matthew Chance joining me now from Moscow. So Matthew, what is Russia saying about this incident.
CHANCE: Well, first of all, they are saying, Fred, you know, this account that the fighter jet that intersected the U.S. reconnaissance plane did a barrel roll is, in their words, is not consistent with the reality.
They say they spotted this aircraft heading high speed towards the Russian borders and flying across an international air space and towards the Baltic Sea. They scrambled their fighter jets as they would normally intersected it and made visual contact.
Once they have done that, they say, the U.S. plane changed course and moved away from its course towards the U.S. border. They are saying there were no emergency situations and there was certainly nothing done that was illegal, according to international law.
But you've seen that video a few moments ago, just a few days back, there was an extremely close encounter, very similar to this one, but involving a U.S. ship also in the same area on the Baltic Sea.
You can see there, the Russian fighter jets passed within 30 feet of the Destroyer causing ripples on the sea and so clearly, Russia is using this kinds of aggressive tactics to mark its territory, to show that, you know, this is what Russia considers to be its backyard.
If the U.S. and NATO are going to patrol there, they are going to be approached in this aggressive fashion. We've seen it time and again -- Fred.
[14:45:03]WHITFIELD: So is that another indicator that it could continue to escalate or at least this is not the last of these kinds of close calls?
CHANCE: It's going to continue. Is it going to escalate into a confrontation? Well, you know, the intention isn't to actually attack a U.S. vessel, but it's like a staring game, both sides are waiting for the other to blink. It could result in some unexpected incident and that's the big danger.
WHITFIELD: All right, Matthew Chance in Moscow, thank you so much. All right. Still ahead --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Do you think this system is rigged?
JOHN KASICH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No. I think it's the way it works.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: John Kasich went one on one with our own Dana Bash. Why he says Donald Trump needs to, quote, "act like a professional," end quote.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Republican presidential candidate, John Kasich, is telling Donald Trump today to act like a professional. He sat down with CNN's Dana Bash on "STATE OF THE UNION" this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: Donald Trump is on a tirade against the Republican nominating system. He says the system is rigged. The vote is no longer a vote. What do you think? Do you think the system is rigged?
KASICH: No. I think it's the way it works. It's like saying I made an 83 on my math test so I should get an "A" because I think it's rigged that you have to make a 90 to get an "A." [14:50:10]I mean, come on. Act like you're a professional, be a pro.
BASH: The next six contests --
KASICH: Yes.
BASH: -- starting here in New York --
KASICH: Right.
BASH: -- are in the northeast --
KASICH: Right.
BASH: -- to the mid-Atlantic. Those are really tailor-made for your brand of compassionate conservativism. If you can't win in these states, what's your rational for going down to the convention?
KASICH: Winning is accumulating delegates. I don't have to win this state. I have to accumulate delegates and have momentum going in. I am not going to whine, OK, but I'm going to tell you the facts. There was -- because I was ignored for so long, there's Coke, Pepsi and Kasich.
Kasich, kind of interesting, but we're going to get one of the known brands. Now it's Coke, Pepsi and Kasich and now we have to cross the rubicon so people know who I am and the team that I have around me.
So to me it's to accumulate delegates and go into that convention as the person standing who can beat Hillary.
BASH: I understand what you mean accumulating delegates and I know the heart of your pitch is that you can beat Hillary Clinton --
KASICH: Right.
BASH: -- but the fact of the matter is, it is a hard sell if you get to the convention and say, you know, vote for me even though you've only won one state.
KASICH: Only a small incidental state, by the way.
BASH: No question it's an important state of Ohio.
KASICH: Yes.
BASH: But we know you can win Ohio. You're the governor.
KASICH: I'm not going to have you as a delegate.
BASH: Seriously.
KASICH: Dana, seriously, we are going to nominate someone who can win in the fall. Why do I win in the fall? Because we have been able -- we, our team, has been able to put a message that appeals to blue collar conservative Democrats and independents. I will make the Democrats have to fight in places they haven't fought for decades and that's going to be appealing to people. Maybe if they said if you don't win this state, that state, you're out, that is their choice. I'm having the greatest time still.
BASH: I can tell.
KASICH: I've eaten my way across every single part of New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
WHITFIELD: He's having too much fun. Also revealed in the interview, Governor Kasich has picked up a major endorsement. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval is now backing Kasich.
Sandoval joins two former governors, George Pataki of New York and Christine Todd Whitman of New Jersey in supporting Kasich's bid. All three are expected to campaign for the Ohio governor in the weeks and months ahead.
All right, stay with CNN for our special coverage of the New York primary. Coming up, we'll hear from Donald Trump live.
Also, straight ahead, President Barack Obama schooling an NBA MVP on, what, the three-pointer? Shooting hoops? We'll tell you why, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:56:52]
WHITFIELD: All right. Golden State Warriors star, Steph Curry, the reigning NBA MVP joining forces with a new teammate recently, the president of the United States. Curry and President Obama are in a new PSA encouraging mentorship.
And as any true mentor would do, President Obama showing Curry how to properly play connect four, as you just saw. And then he gave Curry a few pointers on this -- shooting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: You got to have your elbow in a little bit. All right, release and make sure it's on your fingertips.
STEPH CURRY, GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS PLAYER: Maybe I should shoot left hand.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: You could try that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The PSA is part of Obama's my brother's keeper initiative trying to increase opportunities for young people in this nation.
All right. With all the presidential candidates descending on New York this weekend, "SNL" wasted no time taking advantage of it. Julia Louise Dreyfuss hosted last night and of course, had some questions for Larry David.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So listen, you've been pretty vague in the past but how exactly are you going to break up the big banks?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You mean a big bank breakup?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, a big bank breakup.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You break them up!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How? How?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once I'm elected president, go to big banks, sit them down and they will be broken up.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What? No. No. You can't yada yada at a debate. Also, you yada, yada over the best parts.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, I mentioned this mix.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Not to be outdone by Elaine, SNL's Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders duked it out over their debate over minimum wage and I mean, literally duked it out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Secretary Clinton, we'll start with you. You recently stood by Governor Cuomo as he signed a $15 minimum wage into law. So do you no longer think it should be $12?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Wolf, I have said from the beginning that it should be a combination of 12 and/or 15.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, you didn't say 12.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And 15. I said 12 and/or 15.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's not true.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it is.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, no, no.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, it is.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: Too much fun on "SNL." We've got more straight ahead in the"NEWSROOM right now.
All right. Fresh off his lost to Senator Ted Cruz in Wyoming, Donald Trump kicking off a rally in New York right now. Let's listen in.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: -- puts it down, goes over here and he starts lying more than any human being I've ever seen in my life. So you're not going to vote for him. And remember this, Lying Ted.
And you know, they are always saying, would you endorse Trump? And he's like, well, like he's tortured. He doesn't have -- I don't care. I want the people.
