Return to Transcripts main page
Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Trump's Foreign Policy Speech: New Reaction; Cruz Names Fiorina As His Running Mate; Sanders Lays Off Hundreds of Staffers; DEA Investigates Prince's Death. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired April 28, 2016 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:12] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: The Republican race for president with a brand new look at this morning. A presidential Donald Trump fresh off a major foreign policy speech. New reaction coming in as Ted Cruz jolts his campaign with an early vice presidential pick.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, a big move on the Democratic side. Bernie Sanders laying off hundreds of campaign workers after a string of losses to Hillary Clinton. New questions about why.
ROMANS: Breaking overnight: the DEA investigating Prince's death. Was the music legend addicted to prescription painkillers?
Good morning. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BERMAN: I'm John Berman. Great to see you. It's Thursday, April 28th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.
And this morning, a new running mate for a candidate who is not winning and new style from the guy who is. Donald Trump trying out a teleprompter and delivering what his campaign called a major foreign policy address.
And Ted Cruz with a fairly unprecedented move naming a vice presidential pick months before the party's convention, not to mention it's coming from a guy who is just mathematically eliminated from getting his nomination, his party's nomination on the first ballot at the convention. His pick? Carly Fiorina. You just saw Carly Fiorina by the side of Ted Cruz right there.
And last night, Donald Trump, as you might imagine, he was criticizing this pick.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: He has set a record, though. He is the first presidential candidate in the history of this country who's mathematically eliminated from becoming president who chose a vice presidential candidate, OK? It's a record.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: It's, in fact, a record, this early.
CNN's Sunlen Serfaty has the latest from the Cruz campaign from Indiana.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, John and Christine.
Well, Senator Cruz making another Hail Mary pass, making the very unusual move to name his vice presidential pick before he is even the nominee -- a move very widely seen as one that was intended to refocus attention on his campaign after a string of bruising losses. Now, the move was meet with immediate criticism from frontrunner Donald Trump who said that this is just a sign of desperation on the part of the Cruz campaign and said that Senator Cruz should not even be wasting his time choosing a VP given that he has no mathematical path forward towards the nomination without a contested convention.
Well, Senator Cruz addressed that criticism head on in his announcement speech. Here's what he had to say.
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It is tradition that the nominee is announced at convention. It is unusual to make the announcement as early as we are doing so now. Well, I think all would acknowledge this race, if anything, it is unusual.
SERFATY: Meantime, Carly Fiorina also addressed Donald Trump's criticism. The fact that Donald Trump was bringing up her past criticism when she was rivals with Ted Cruz, statements that she made in the past saying that Ted Cruz will do anything and say anything to get elected.
Well, I asked her about that. Here's how she responded.
CARLY FIORINA (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, of course, Donald Trump would do that. The guy who practices saying anything to get elected is actually Donald J. Trump, because all of the stuff he's talking about now -- you know, I'm going to fight the system, he's not going to fight the system. He is the system. He has benefitted from the system all of his life. So, you know, see you out on the campaign trail, Donald.
SERFATY: And Senator Cruz and Carly Fiorina will hit the campaign trail together. Today, they'll be barnstorming the state of Indiana together. The state certainly holds an oversized importance for their campaign. Now, the stakes have been significantly raised -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Our thanks to Sunlen for that.
You know, it's interesting -- Donald Trump only criticizing the timing of the pick, didn't criticize Carly Fiorina directly last night. That was interesting to hear. As for the new running mate for the second place candidate of the Republican side, Carly Fiorina will be live on NEW DAY. That's during the 7:00 hour.
ROMANS: All right. New reaction this morning to Donald Trump's foreign policy address, speaking from a teleprompter, speaking closely to the script. Trump hammered at the idea his foreign policy would put America first. He called for building up U.S. military might, overhauling NATO and he lashed at President Obama and Hillary Clinton, blaming their policies for worldwide confusion and disorder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Our foreign policy is a complete and total disaster. No vision. No purpose. No direction. No strategy.
If President Obama's goal had been to weaken America, he could not have done a better job. The legacy of the Obama/Clinton interventions will be weakness, confusion and disarray -- a mess.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[04:05:00] ROMANS: Joining us with the international response to Trump's speech, CNN's Nic Robertson for us in London.
And, Nic, you heard Trump saying what he thinks everything that the Obama administration has done wrong. What does a Trump world view look like?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, it's lacking in detail at the moment. That's what's going to be a concern for capitals around the world. There's no doubt at all, you know, whether it's London or Berlin or Moscow, everyone is listening closely and listening closely to what Trump was saying, because people want to know what they can potentially expect and beginning to take the reality of a serious challenger, beginning to take that more seriously, absolutely for sure.
But the detail there that he didn't give provides Europe for some worry. He's talking there about the need for NATO allies to measure up, pay more, meet their 2 percent of GDP commitment to NATO defense spending. But at the same time, he is talking about renewing and redoing a relationship with Russia at the moment.
You know, the Europeans are going to be asking at what expense is that over what's going to mean for Putin's moves in Ukraine and annexing Crimea. You know, President Putin is the only one who described Trump in glowing terms, talented he's described them, outstanding is another word that President Putin has used to describe Donald Trump. So, I think for the United States NATO allies, who generally view quite clearly Russia as the biggest threat at the moment to NATO. That's going to be with concern.
In the Middle East, I think perhaps a slight warming to what Donald Trump had said cracking down on ISIS. He's very negative against Iran, against Iran's perceived expansionism in the region about the nuclear deal that he says is bad. So, he can perhaps pull countries like Saudi back towards him a little more, countries that are felt they have been on the outs under President Obama. But there is still a lot that's lacking that people, politicians, rather, are really looking for. That's just not there yet, Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Nic Robertson for us in London this morning, thanks, Nic.
Trump's wide-ranging speech also taking direct aim at China, accusing Beijing of an economic assault on American. We're going to have reaction from Asia in about 15 minutes.
BERMAN: On the Democratic side, a dramatic move inside the Bernie Sanders campaign that has people talking this morning. Bernie Sanders and Sanders campaign announcing his campaign is laying off hundreds of campaign workers, more than one-third of the current staff.
Senior political correspondent, we're hoping it's Jeff Zeleny here, Brianna Keilar with the campaign. Brianna Keilar has the latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, Bernie Sanders is making it clear he isn't going anywhere, but it certainly seems that much of his staff is. Downsizing, we are told, from a peak number of about 1,000 staffers earlier this year, all the way down to 325 or 350 staffers.
Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver telling me this is the natural evolution of any campaign, there are fewer states going forward. But many observers are looking at this as a sign that the writing is on the wall. And if a campaign saw a pathway to the general election, they wouldn't be doing this.
And while Bernie Sanders is still critiquing Hillary Clinton, he is always more conciliatory.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT), DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And our job, whether we win or whether we do not win, is to transform not only our country, but the Democratic Party to open the doors of the Democratic Party to working people and young people and senior citizens in a way that does not exist today.
KEILAR: Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign is welcoming this news. They are hoping that they will be able to spend more time in the coming weeks with Hillary Clinton defining herself, talking her plan and defining Donald Trump instead of exchanging broadsides with Bernie Sanders -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Brianna Keilar -- thanks, Brianna.
New calls this morning to eliminate the statute of limitations on child sex crimes. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan making the case, comes a day after former House Speaker Dennis Hastert was sentenced to 15 years in prison in a federal hush money case. He pleaded guilty Wednesday to violating banking laws while trying to pay a man millions of dollars to conceal sex abuse. Prosecutors say that this happened decades ago when Hastert was a teacher and a wrestling coach. They say too much time had passed to bring charges on the abuse itself.
BERMAN: The U.S. Secret Service is proposing a taller and stronger fence surrounding the White House. The move comes following a spike in a number of people hopping the fence. It seems to be in the news an awful lot lately. The proposal includes anti climb features and intrusion detection technology, it would also be the fence would 11'7" tall. That's taller. If it gets the green light, the construction could start in 2018, I should say.
[04:10:03] ROMANS: All right. Time for an early start on your money.
Economic activity appears to have slowed. That's what the Federal Reserve said following the two-day policy meeting yesterday. Despite job gains and encouraging signs right now from the housing market, the Fed warns that household spending is moderated. Interest rates did not rise. A range of 0.25 percent and 0.5 percent.
The chances of a rate hike are shrinking. Before yesterday's announcement, about 31 percent of investors forecast rate increase in June after the announcement. That dropped to 19 percent.
A yawn from the stock market, though. Dow finished up 51 points. NASDAQ fell half a percent, the S&P 500 slight gain there. Right now, Dow futures pointing lower. Oil holding at $45 a barrel.
Stock markets in Europe, a huge loss in Tokyo overnight after the central bank decided against more stimulus. That was kind of a shocker from the Japanese. So, watch that today.
BERMAN: Big losses there.
All right. Breaking news overnight in the investigation into how Prince died. Now the DEA, Drug Enforcement Agency, looking into whether Prince was addicted to painkillers. We have new information you want to hear right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:15:18] ROMANS: Breaking overnight: a source telling CNN Prince had opioid medication on him at the time of his death. Law enforcement official says the prescription pills were also found inside his Minnesota home. The source tells us prince was treated for a potential overdose for pain medication a week before he died.
Investigators have brought in the Drug Enforcement Agency to help with their probe. An official cause of death has not yet been released. Investigators are still waiting on the autopsy and toxicology reports.
BERMAN: In Texas and Oklahoma, a former sheriff deputy guilty of shooting an unarmed black man. Robert Bates shot Eric Harris last April after Bates said he accidently used his pistol instead of his stun gun.
CNN's Sara Sidner has the very latest.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John and Christine, raw emotions rose to a fever pitch when the guilty verdict was read aloud in court. The faces of the family of Eric Harris wet with tears when they realized that a jury of five women and seven men, all white, had convicted former volunteer reserve deputy Robert Bates for shooting Eric Harris in the back, killing him in the sting operation.
ANDRE HARRIS, VICTIM'S BROTHER: He will be remembered for his kind heart. He's going to be remembered as a guy who helped change the city, you know, for the better. He accomplished a lot in his death, you know? I think maybe more than he accomplished in his life.
I'm going to miss my brother. But, you know, we all have a destination, you know? I believe that we will see our loved ones again.
SIDNER: The family of former deputy Bates did not speak to the media. We heard them say something in court. His wife whispering to him, it's going to be OK as Bates was led out in handcuffs.
The jury recommended the harshest punishment possible in this case, four years in prison. Now, you'll remember that this case made national headlines last year after the video was released. It increased racial tensions across the country when they heard Eric Harris yell, "I can't breathe" and another one saying "F" your breath, after Bates had already shot Harris.
Bates' defense was that he accidentally shot Harris, pulling out his gun instead of using the taser. He insisted he meant to use that taser, but made a mistake.
On the tape, you hear him apologizing after he shot Harris. But the prosecution proved that what Bates did was absolutely not reasonable and pointed out that every single officer on that scene, more than a dozen, never used any kind of force except physical force in this case and that Harris should not be dead. Now, a judge will make the final decision as just how long Mr. Bates will spend in prison -- John and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROMANS: All right. Sara Sidner, thank you for that, Sara.
A Baltimore teenager recovering after a police officer shot him as he ran with a replica handgun. Authorities say the 13-year-old took off when he was spotted with what look to officers like a semiautomatic pistol. Police said he held on to the gun as they chased him on foot, rounding a quarter. That's when the officer opened fire, hitting the teen. Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis says he does not believe the officer who fired acted inappropriately. BERMAN: The accused killer of a former New Orleans Saints football
player will appear in court this morning. Cardell Hayes faces a preliminary hearing in the death of Will Smith. A former New Orleans police captain and former Saints running back have been subpoenaed to testify. Authorities say Hayes shot Smith in an apparent road rage incident earlier this month.
ROMANS: The man who admits to opening fire inside a Colorado Planned Parenthood killing three people has a date in court today. The hearing will focus on Robert Dear's mental health. A doctor who conducted the 57-year-old's competency exam and a police detective may testify during outburst in court. Dear has declared himself, quote, "a warrior for the babies" and said he was guilty.
BERMAN: Tennessee now has a new law on the books that critics slam as anti-LGBT. The legislation allows counselors refusing to treat patients based on their religious or personal beliefs, the counselor's religious or personal beliefs. The state's governor says he supports the measure, and requires therapist to help people who are in eminent danger to themselves and also patients' referrals to other counselors. Critics say it would be make it harder for gay and transgender patients to get help.
ROMASN: All right. Nineteen minutes past the hour.
Donald Trump accusing China of economic assault. This is billed as a major foreign policy speech, promising a new relationship if he's elected. The reaction out of Asia this morning, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:24:22] ROMANS: All right. Let's return this morning to the global reaction to the Donald Trump foreign policy speech. Leaders in Asia on edge after the presidential frontrunner rattled the economic saber at China, saying Beijing is taking advantage of the U.S. like never before.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We have the leverage. We have the power over China, economic power and people don't understand it. And with that economic power, we can rein in and we can get them to do what they have to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Trump also blasted China for spying and what he called an economic assault on America.
Joining us with the reaction in Asia is CNN's Will Ripley live in Tokyo.
[04:25:01] And, Will, I know that Chinese officials for months now have been listening to the verbiage from Donald Trump on the campaign trail. And sometimes, you know, sometimes not responding, sometimes saying that Trump is being unrealistic. What are they saying now? WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, essentially,
they're maintaining their official tone that they believe whoever is elected president will not change the dynamic of the trade relationship between the U.S. and China.
But leaders in this region, Christine, understandable are, of course, concerned as Trump appears to be moving closer to a nomination which could potentially put him in the White House, that his policies could have severe impact. They could lead to a trade war between the U.S. and China, with both sides slapping huge tariffs on the other, which could cause millions of jobs to be lost both in the U.S. and China and also, many of the countries here in Asia, that are also manufacturing goods that go to the U.S., Vietnam, South Korea, Thailand, even here in Japan.
So, there's the economic potential for recession, global recession as result of that. Not to mention the military. In fact, Donald Trump saying that South Korea and Japan should pay for U.S. troops in the country or the troops should point out. Japan pointing out that they budget $47 billion last year, three times what Germany is paying and South Korea says they pay half of the cost of placing U.S. troops on the Southern Korean Peninsula. They say it would actually be more expensive to move the troops back to the U.S., Christine.
ROMANS: Trump criticizing China and the Obama administration for not reining North Korea who's attempted a new missile launch this morning. Tell us about that.
RIPLEY: Yes, North Korea just today, news just breaking within the last hour that they attempted a mid-range missile launch, a midrange missile that has the potential to reach U.S. military bases in Okinawa and a strategic naval base in Guam. It could travel up to 3,500 kilometers if the missile as a success.
South Korea believes the missile exploded after it took off. So, they are calling the launch a failure. After the submarine missile launch over the weekend, which was concerning and troubling, it shows North Korea is developing the military technology. There's been a lot of speculation that North Korea could be planning a fifth nuclear test sometime within the next week ahead of the political gathering next Friday in Pyongyang.
So, lots to watch and if Beijing does have some sort of economic influence over North Korea as Donald Trump claims, it certainly hasn't proven to be effective this year at all, even though there is a trade relationship there. Kim Jong-un has ordered nuclear tests, satellite launch, multiple rocket launches and missile launches and keeps pushing forward.
ROMANS: Keeps pushing forward and rattling the cage.
All right. Thank you so much for that, Will Ripley, for us this morning in Tokyo.
BERMAN: Ted Cruz, he wants to energize his campaign by naming a running mate, months before the convention, while he's running in a deep second place. Unprecedented to say the least. There's new reaction this morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
