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NY Times: Women Tell Of Trump's Unwelcome Advances; Trump's Ex: New York Times Owes Me An Apology; Cokie Roberts Talks New Book On Women In Washington. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired May 16, 2016 - 14:00   ET

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

BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, Thank you so much. Great to be with you on this Monday. I'm Brooke Baldwin, you are watching CNN.

We begin today with Donald Trump who's blasting a front page story in the New York Times calling the piece about the way he treats women, a fraud. The title of this piece "Crossing the Line, how Donald Trump behaved with women in private." And now one of the women whose profiled in the piece says that it is the New York Times that crossed the line, misleading her on how she would be portrayed. The Times said it's reporters interviewed more than 50 women including ex- girlfriends, ex-employees, former pageant contestants and their stories. Quoting the newspaper "reveal unwelcome romantic advances, unending commentary on the female form, shrewd reliance on ambitious women and unsettling workplace conduct." End quote.

The person portrayed in peace dated Trump back to the 1990s and today on CNN denounced its account of her.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROWAN BREWER LANE: I don't like anything about the story. I'm very upset with the New York Times article because it was completely misleading. When I said that Donald said "now that's a stunning trump girl." My next sentence was "I was very flattered by the comment." And that's not what it says in the article. I have never seen him treat women anything other than respectfully. And never seen him do or say anything that offended a woman or myself. As many times as they promised me they weren't going to do exactly what they did they probably owe me an apology and probably him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: As for the times the reporters behind the piece told CNN today they stand by their work. Not apologizing. Let me turn now to CNN's political director David Challian. David challenged welcome to you sir. Reading the piece rereading this piece here I'm curious what do you think of arch and take away from all of these voices all of this back-and-forth.

DAVID CHALLIAN, CNN POLITICAL DIRECTOR: I mean the overarching take away is that this is not the last that we are going to see of stories about Donald Trump and women. It's been a theme running throughout the entire campaign. Whether his interactions with Carly Fiorini, Megyn Kelly. You saw CNN had a story on relationship with women that have worked with him in the past. Other outlets have looked at this.

This isn't going away this is a big theme. But, politically Brooke, Donald Trump gets a bit of the victory here by having the woman who is the lead antidote of the story come out and refute the context in which he gave those comments. And then Donald Trump can go to war with the New York Times which definitely works for him politically and certainly will help rally his supporters to his cause.

BALDWIN: You know, it is interesting because she, rather than negate reading this, how she's asked to put on this bikini. You hear her - She was earlier on CNN saying that she's flattered. I'm curious if you think, from a public relations perspective for Donald Trump moving forward. Ryan Previs says yes he does have to address this, but this happened years ago. How does Trump address this moving forward?

CHALLIAN: I don't think Trump is going to have to address specific claims because there's no real claim of wrong-doing or illegality here.

BALDWIN: Right.

CHALLIAN: It's more about behavior and attitude. I don't think he's going to have to address it specifically but you've heard Donald Trump himself say that he knows this goes closer and closer to the potential of him being president. He's got to act more presidential and so this is part of that process. Here's the thing, just as he is trying to bring his whole party on board, and get everyone comfortable with the notion that this very unconventional candidate is the party's nominee.

These stories pop up and then he has to, sort of, go back to square one and make sure to get people comfortable - - When you're in the business of getting folks comfortable in persuading folks that you can broaden your appeal and then stories like this pop up the need to deal with. It takes you off that core mission and it takes you off the core mission of taking on Hillary Clinton.

That being said I do think this particular story is one that probably is working for Donald Trump right now simply because this woman that was the lead antidote is sort of on his side and so I think it works for him at the moment politically. But I don't think this larger issue of distracting stories that are off message from where Donald Trump wants to be is how he wants to run the next six months.

BALDWIN: We're about to have a mega conversation on this. For now David Challian and thank you very much.

CHALLIAN: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Trump unleashed a string of tweets bashing the newspaper, the New York Times. Called the article a hit piece and lie his words. And called the media dishonest. His latest one reading TEXT: "with the coming forward today of the woman central to the

failing New York Times hit piece on me, we have exposed the article as a fraud."

But when you read deeper and deeper into this piece it showcases a number of different women some of whom have worked with Mr. Trump. Giving him high praise. Including a woman by the name of Louise Sunshine worked with Trump for 16 years emerged as one of New York's most prominent real estate brokers. Sunshine spoke out over the weekend with my colleague Fredricka Whitfield.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LOUISE SUNSHINE: He was a leader. He taught me. He mentored me. He showed me the way, that's it. I was like smitten. See, Donald doesn't distinguish between women and men. He distinguishes - He looks for talent. I'm not sure that the way he has led his business, which has been entirely successful, works in politics. I think he does marches, he has continued to march to the tune of his own drummer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: All these different voices coming forward. Let's discuss this with Gina Loudon. A behavior and psychology expert, host her on talk show. She supports Donald Trump. CNN Political commentator Angela Rye, who used to serve as the executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus. Ladies, welcome.

Gina let me just begin when you. We're talking so much about the woman who is the lead story in this Times piece. Talks about how Mr. Truman asks her to put on this bikini. You heard her tell my colleagues earlier today she thought, she was flattered. She thought it was a positive experience Put yourself in her position, I think she was twenty-something at the time. How would you have felt?

GINA LOUDON: I think probably the same way, you're at a pool party. You don't have a swimsuit. Someone offers you swimming suit. I don't see the scandal. It's funny.

I read this story and I kept looking deeper and deeper. Because I guess I just don't think that if there is anything about this man, this misogynist or a racist or these things. Some of these stories somewhere, someone's got to want 15 minutes of fame bad enough to at least make something up right?

BALDWIN: Let's function on facts. Let's function on facts. And just some of the in the quotes. There was a woman, I believe her last name is Res, who by the way Mr. Trump went to a woman who helped build the Trump Tower that we know today. She told stories of how he would make comments on her gaining weight, "my goodness you really do enjoy your candy", and that kind of thing. So, there's a broad range here in this piece.

LOUDON: I don't know I really enjoy candy and if someone said that to me I would probably be okay with that --

ANGELA RYE, CNN CORROSPONDENT: Wow.

LOUDON: -- I'd hope they'd send me more chocolate. I think the thing that we have two recognize is if they keep coming up with the stories. It's kind of like a boy that cried wolf. If they ever do have something big and juicy on Donald Trump nobody's going to believe it because they keep coming up with stories that they can't really legitimize. Or that women will stand right up and say, "hey this is when I said all I said he was a gentleman." That's not what we saw portrayed in the story.

BALDWIN: Angela how do you feel reading it and how would you feel if you were Rowana many years ago?

RYE: Well, a couple of things. First I want to address the boy who cried wolf, he might be crying something but it's certainly not Wolf. It is certainly clear that the article, it's clear in Donald Trump's behavior where he's talked on talk shows like Howard Stern and others over the years. That women are objects to him they are simply items that he collects. It is clear that if Rowan does not know she was a part of that collection.

The fact that he had a drawer full of bathing suits right, is crazy. It's ridiculous. Whether she felt flattered by it or not is not to be argued right. That is a subjective standard she can fail however she feels. I felt something different when I read it because I think it's disgusting.

The fact that this person is literally running in a presidential race. Where he is going to decide will pay for women and whether or not we get family medical leave and all of these things. It's crazy to me. I don't trust his judgment in this the fact that - -

BALDWIN: Let me be fair and push back on you though as well. We've talked to a number of women. You look at his daughter Ivanka and how extraordinary she is even here sitting in our CNN Townhall. So many people look at her and think my goodness he must've done some sort of phenomenal job because he has this lovely, incredible, brilliant daughter. And other women that we've had on the show love working with him. You heard Louise sunshine saying he doesn't see men and women differently. How do you refute and?

RYE: I don't Brooke and what I tell you quite honestly is I not going to talk about Donald Trump's daughter right. I think that is the pettiness of politics. I'm never going to bash a candidate's child. What I will say is it's disgusting that he calls her a 10 or isn't my daughter hot. I think that's disgusting. Those are things that my father would never do.

Asking me about how I feel. How I feel is that my daug - My dad should continue to uplift me and not ask anyone to rate me. I feel like my father provided me with several opportunities in this life and always challenged me to be my very best. So, kudos to Donald Trump for perhaps doing the same thing with his daughter.

BALDWIN: Gina, what about Angela's point? Because again for people who haven't read the article you're right there is a part of the piece where there is another anecdote, and the woman is asked by Mr. Trump whether or not Ivanka, at the time even in her teenage years, whether or not his daughter is hot. How doesn't sit with you Gina as a woman?

LOUDON: You know I just could care less honestly. What I do care about the facts of the matter that will affect policy because I think that's was so important right now. I look at things like how many women Mr. Trump has hired. How many of those women say that he is great to work for, that he has helped them build their careers. The bottom line is his opponent is Hillary Clinton whether we as women like it or not she has hired less women, she does pay them less, those are facts.

RYE: Based on what data?

LOUDON: -- Less than she pays men. This is a fact that is out there you can look it up. And so - -

RYE: You're comparing her to Donald Trump's record of paying women.

LOUDON: I think - - I mean that's what we're doing we're comparing - -

RYE: Yeah, but you're not basing it on any data.

LOUDON: - - Presidential candidate.

RYE: So what you all often do is point to anecdotes with no facts. I'm just not going to let you do that today. It's not factual.

LOUDON: Hillary pays man more than she pays men -

RYE: What data do you have that says Donald Trump, that she pays them less -

LOUDON: I saw on this network. I believe I thought on the show.

BALDWIN: Listen, will get on it. We have people will figure it out. Pennies, nickels and dimes. Let's just put that to the side for a second. Gina let me just stay with you for a second because it seems to me though that Mr. Trump does seem it's fair. You know we've heard also other reports he will attack her coming into this fall election personal and whatnot I'm curious to use the wise affair for Mr. Trump to criticize Secretary Clinton's past but not his? Shouldn't it be fair both ways?

LOUDON: I think it is absolutely fair. What I think is not fair is when the story is unfounded when they tell this woman - -

BALDWIN: You've got to answer the question though. You've got to answer the question. The question is whether or not Mr. Trump can be critical of Secretary Clinton in the same can be true of her, he seems to think that you can't.

LOUDON: No, I think that both - - I think that all candidates it. I think was shocking again more people coming out of the woodwork to make accusations against the man who was never even a politician. He didn't have any reason to be such a gentleman as the women called himin the story. What I think is reprehensible as you take someone like Hillary Clinton who has basically danced on the assault of the women - -,

RYE: WOW. LOUDON: - - dozens of by the way that her husband has maligned and assaulted. Paying Paula Jones off $850,000 for hush money I think - -

BALDWIN: Let's not go there.

LOUDON: You guys can't do this to these women. Wouldn't it be amazing if Hillary would come to the defense of these women now. Wouldn't that say a lot about what Hillary wants to do for women. If she comes to the defense of these women now.

RYE: Again?

BALDWIN: I think the Clinton camp, to say this either way just to be fair to both of them. I think the Clinton camp would point to her resume on lifting women up through the years. Angela final word to you.

RYE: Yeah, a couple of things. One is I think it is outrageous that Trump supporters continue to go on air and makes the allegations that they do that are completely unfounded. You cannot continue to say that Hillary Clinton does not stand up for women who are sexual assault survivors and have brutalized and victimized. You cannot continue to put the behavior of her husband on her and at her feet. You can just not continue to do that. We know that Donald Trump would certainly - -

LOUDON: Why would - -

BALDWIN: Let her finish, we gotta go.

RYE: We know that Donald Trump would continue to call her and an enabler. I'm just dying to know what he would call his three wives based on his behavior

BALDWIN: Let's leave it. This is just the beginning of I have a feeling much more to come in the coming months. Ladies I do appreciate both perspectives want to hear both. Gina Loudon, Angela Rye. Ladies think you very much.

Coming up next someone I truly admire veteran journalist Cophey Roberts she will join me my set. Will get her to weigh in on Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton. Specifically, Hillary Clinton is now revealing the specific role of her husband ahead if she in fax wins the White House. Plus, you seen this? Chairs by tempers flared in the middle of one state Democratic convention. The signals a very messy July. And if Mitt Romney is recruiting people to run on a third-party ticket for president then why doesn't he just do it? We'll explore that. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

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BALDWIN: Welcome back. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin. We just had a massive discussion about the prominent "New York Times" piece that came out over the weekend about Donald Trump and a number of women from his past. Women could be an issue. Today, I can tell you specifically, it was a front page "New York Times" story that's definitely (inaudible) story full of allegations about Trump's behavior around women, and now at least one of the women quoted within it says she was taken out of context. Mr. Trump calling it a hit job, "The Times" is standing by that story, so we'll begin there with Cokie Roberts, veteran journalist, political analyst, and author of the most recent book, "Capital Dames: The Civil War and the Women of Washington".

We'll get into that and the influence of those powerful ladies back, back when. But Cokie, seriously, an honor to have you here. Thank you so much.

COKIE ROBERTS, JOURNALIST: Oh, aren't you kind. It's lovely to be with you.

[14:19:53] BALDWIN: I'm curious, though, with all of these allegations with Trump, whether it's over not releasing the tax returns, it's the, is he posing as a publicist, which he vehemently denies, it's the story about the women, some positive, some not -- do you think it's those issues that make some of these Republicans who are on the fence over him hesitant, or is it on policy and --

ROBERTS: It's the whole thing. But it is certainly -- when you're talking to somebody like Paul Ryan in Washington, Speaker of the House, it is the whole coarseness, the crassness, the tone.

BALDWIN: The tone. Right. I wanted to ask you about that. Because we were talking -- when Mr. Trump was in Washington on Thursday morning, talking to folks who worked chief coms for him in 2012, and they said, Brooke, he's the guy who balances the budget. He's measured, he's taking this very carefully. Do you see it as that or do you see it as he's just down right hesitant in endorsing the frontrunner?

ROBERTS: I think he probably will endorse the front-runner in the end but I think he is hesitant for all kinds of reasons and, look, Paul Ryan has tried to put a new face on the Republican Party. He's a serious Catholic. He feels strongly about issues like poverty. He is trying to find ways that the Republicans can reach out to people rather than exclude people. And it's just a completely different Republican party than the one that Donald Trump is trying to lead.

BALDWIN: As a woman, and reading that "New York Times" piece, how did you feel?

ROBERTS: Well, you know, as a woman of a certain age, who's been --

BALDWIN: Stop.

ROBERTS: -- who's been through a lot of this stuff myself, I was kind of --

BALDWIN: As a woman coming up in journalism.

ROBERTS: Of course. It was, oh lord, there we are again, and it's hardly surprising, when Donald Trump has talked about his daughter being so hot that he'd date her if she weren't his daughter, it's a whole attitude on his part that is -- he's probably joking half of the time, but it's uncomfortable for women.

BALDWIN: Let me get to an exchange you had. It was a pretty powerful and compelling exchange. You were on MSNBC. This is in March, I believe, and you pushed Mr. Trump on this question.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTS: There have been incidents of children, of white children, pointing to their darker skinned classmates and saying, you'll be deported when Donald Trump is president. There have been incidents of white kids at basketball games holding up signs to teams which have Hispanic kids on them, saying, we're going to build a wall to keep you out. Are you proud of that? Is that something you've done in American political and social discourse that you're proud of?

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (via telephone): Well, I think your question's a very nasty question and I'm not proud of it because I didn't even hear of it, OK? And I certainly do not like it at all when I hear about it. You're the first one that's told me about that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: So that was a piece of it. Here's my question out of that. It was just Friday where he said, listen, everything I say is a suggestion. He recently obviously sort of walked back his Muslim ban as a suggestion. I think he said to you, there will be a big, beautiful door in my wall. Do you think, with Donald Trump, what's done is done, or I don't know, is there middle ground with him?

ROBERTS: Well, what's done has certainly had an impact, and it's a very hateful impact, and you have had -- Jess King, just this second, for a conversation for ABC Digital with some women in New York, one of them is a teacher, and she's a Trump supporter basically. But she says, on her playground that the Muslim kids have been taunted and she's had to do a whole sort of lesson with her children. So it's done. What he's done is create a lot of hatred and hostility between groups in this country after a half century of us trying to bring people together. I mean, Brooke, I come out of the Jim Crow South. I've lived through this history and had a cross burned on my parent's lawn because of supporting civil rights. Having this whole two generations trying to bring America together and be one country and to suddenly have a leader come in and try to break that all apart and pit groups against each other is very discouraging.

BALDWIN: Let's look back, way back, to, you said you were just delivering a commencement over the weekend in Gettysburg which gets me to the Civil War and your book and the influence of those women. What kind of influence?

ROBERTS: Well, these were deeply political women before the Civil War, in Washington, and they were very influential with their men, talking politics all the time.

BALDWIN: They were? ROBERTS: Constantly. They were also pretty funny, though. They

would say things like, you know, I'm so sorry Adele Cutts is marrying Stephen Douglas because he stinks. And -- literally. So you learn a lot more from the women than from the men. But by the end of the war, they felt strongly that this was not -- not a country that should be left to the men to run, but the men have managed to kill 600,000 Americans because they couldn't get their act together politically, and women should have a voice.

[14:25:08] BALDWIN: We should. The book is "Capital Dames: The Civil War and the Women of Washington". Cokie Roberts, thank you so much.

ROBERTS: Thank you.

BALDWIN: Coming up next, harsh words, tossed chairs. Talk about things getting a tad out of hand between supporters of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. This is the Nevada Democratic Convention, folks. Could this be a sign of what's to come? We look ahead to Philadelphia and the Democratic Convention there this July.

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