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Trump Tops Delegates Needed For Nomination; Protesters Gather Outside Trump Rally; Romney States Trump is Unfit to be Leader; Romney Would Write in Name; Marco Rubio Says He Wants to Speak at Convention; Clinton Defends E-Mail Use After Critical Report

Aired May 27, 2016 - 13:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, it's Wolf Blitzer. It's 10:00 a.m. in Fresno, California, 1:00 p.m. here in Washington, 2:00 a.m. Saturday in Hiroshima, Japan. Wherever you're watching from around the world, thanks very much for joining us.

Up first, California dreaming. All three remaining presidential candidates, they're campaigning in the state today. Donald Trump is holding a rally in Fresno this hour, a day after clinching the Republican presidential nomination. We'll have a live report outside of the Trump rally in just a minute.

Hillary Clinton is out on the campaign trail in Oakland right now and Bernie Sanders holds a rally in San Pedro next hour. For the Democrats, 475 delegates are at stake in the June 7th California primary.

By CNN estimates, Trump now has 1,238 delegates. That's one more than the number need to secure the presidential nomination.

CNN Correspondent Dan Simon is covering the Trump rally for us in Fresno right now. He's standing by. We're going to get to him shortly. This rally is potentially a significant moment for Donald Trump right now.

He's here in California. He's in California specifically to show that he believes, Trump believes, California potentially could be in play once the general election contest gets going. Normally, California is not at play. There, we see Dan Simon. We're trying to reconnect with him right now. Dan, can you hear me?

DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hey, Wolf. I got you.

BLITZER: All right. So, go ahead and tell us what's going on over there. We see some protesters, presumably.

SIMON: Yes, we have about a couple hundred protesters here, Wolf. The crowd has steadily been growing over the last several hours. We are in front Selland Arena. This is where Donald Trump will be holding his event probably in a few minutes from now. And you can see people holding signs. We should point out that Fresno is a highly migrant community. A lot of folks come in from Mexico to work in the agricultural community. So, not surprisingly, a lot of people who are opposing Donald Trump's immigration proposals.

In terms of whether or not we can see any violence here, the chief of the Fresno Police Department is optimistic that we won't. And says that's because this is a daytime event. He says, usually, when you have violence, it occurs at night. We should point, though, that a few days ago in Anaheim, we did see some problems break out in the middle of the afternoon.

If there are any problems, the chief of the Fresno Police Department says they are very much prepared for any eventuality. They have more than 150 police officers here at the scene. They have police who can respond quickly in full riot gear if they need to.

But based upon what we've seen thus far, the crowd is very well behaved and, at least at the moment, the police is not expecting to see any problems -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Is there a big crowd inside for the Trump rally?

SIMON: There does seem to be a very large presence for the Trump rally. We've seen hundreds filter in. One of the interesting dynamics you always have when you have a Trump event is sort of the skirmishes, the back and forth that you see between the Trump protesters and the Trump supporters. They, basically, yell at each other.

One of the lessons that they took from Albuquerque, when we saw the violence happen the other day, is that the police made a larger separation area between the people filing into the event and the protesters. You can see there's a good space between them. Before in Albuquerque, they were next to each other, so that increased the tension level and so police said that was one of the lessons they learned -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Dan Simon outside that Trump rally. Thanks very much. We'll get back to you.

I want to talk a little bit more about what's going on in the race for the White House. Donald Trump, his strategy, now that he has topped the delegate threshold for the presidential nomination. Joining us is Sean Spicer. He's the chief strategist, the communications director for the Republican National Committee. He's joining us from RNC headquarters here in Washington. Sean, thanks very much for joining us.

SEAN SPICER, CHIEF STRATEGIST, REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE: You bet. Good afternoon, Wolf.

BLITZER: All right. Do you think that this is just the beginning, wherever Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for all practical purposes, has a rally, speaks, there are going to be protesters outside? Are we going to see a lot more of this? SPICER: I wouldn't be surprised. I think you've got sort of this

professional left that is going out there trying to disrupt people. I think, frankly, what I saw the other night and what you see a little today, it's somewhat disgusting. Everybody in America has got the right to express themselves and assemble, according to our first amendment.

But when people on the left are destroying public property and attacking public officials and police officers, I think that's outrageous. I think that the left should condemn that.

[13:05:04] I think the silence from Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz speaks volumes about the double standard that they have when it comes to this kind of protest.

And I think that we should all condemn violence. Peaceful assembly, expressing your right to assemble and your opinion is what this country is built on. But causing violence, destroying public property, that's crossing a line.

BLITZER: I know the Republican National Committee, you, Reince Priebus, the Chairman, you want to unify the party right now behind Donald Trump. Are you disappointed that the House speaker, Paul Ryan, is still not on board?

SPICER: Not at all. Speaker Ryan and their respective teams have been talking off and on. I think it's going in a great direction. I think that's what they said from the get go. This wasn't going to be some faux announcement. I think Speaker Ryan is committed to the solutions and the policies that make the Republican Party the better party, that allow this country to move forward.

And he wants to work with the Trump team and Donald Trump himself to make sure they're on board with an agenda that's going to -- that's going to be vastly different than the left wing, you know, establishment same old-same old that Hillary Clinton offers.

So, that's -- it's going to happen. I feel very good about it. I think we saw Marco Rubio yesterday speaking with your own Jake Tapper, really talking about how he's willing to go out there for the team. You're seeing our team unify.

And I think that despite all of the media concern for the Republican Party, it's all coming around. The polls show it. Not just in terms of the Republican unity, but the head-to-head matchup. The trajectory is positive and upward for Donald Trump and downward for Hillary Clinton.

But, conversely, Wolf, and I think the big thing, is that what you're seeing on the -- on the left is a huge split on policy. Bernie Sanders is making it very clear that unless the party moves far to the extreme socialist left, they aren't going to unify. He is prepared to go to Philadelphia with a set of far left ideas, whether it's on foreign policy or domestic, that are dividing that party big time.

And as a result, a large amount of Bernie Sanders' voters will not vote for Hillary Clinton. In fact, they're saying that they'll support Donald Trump.

And then, you take it further, and you've seen all of these calls for the chair of the Democratic National Committee to step down and Bernie Sanders going out there and actively supporting her primary opponent, which is something that's unheard of in politics.

BLITZER: You know, what also is pretty unusual, Sean, and I'm sure you'll agree with me, that the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, is by far not on board, as far as Donald Trump is concern.

In fact, in an interview, just posted in the "Wall Street Journal," Romney said this. He said, I wanted my grandkids to see that I simply couldn't ignore what Mr. Trump was saying and doing which revealed a character and temperament unfit for the leader of the free world. He said he wouldn't vote for Trump, wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton. Hopefully, I will find a name, he said, I can support. If not, I will write in a name. That must be pretty disappointing to you.

SPICER: Well, to some degree, it is. I have a lot of respect for Governor Romney. He was a very good governor in Massachusetts. He's been a great supporter of our party. He did a great job in representing this country well at the Olympics.

But I think that Governor Romney has to respect the fact that Donald Trump bested 16 other candidates. He got the most votes ever. And just as people coalesced around Governor Romney at the end, moderates, conservatives, pro-life people, pro-choice people, in our party, they understand that the only way to victory was a united party and they coalesced around Mitt Romney.

We need to do the same now around Donald Trump. That all of the conservative folks that helped -- that might have supported another candidate need to understand that the only way we will win and keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House is to unify as a party.

The thing is, though, and what I think what Governor Romney and others need to understand is that by not supporting our nominee, the person that the most voters and activists chose, is that you are helping Hillary Clinton not just get four years in the White House, add additional spending, issue executive orders, and pass left wing socialist type laws.

But she will appoint people to the federal judiciary, whether it's the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, that truly can change the trajectory of this country for a generation and beyond. And that is a very, very dangerous thing.

BLITZER: You mentioned Marco Rubio's interview that's going to air Sunday on "STATE OF THE UNION" with Jake Tapper. Donald Trump, overnight, posted this tweet. He said, poll data shows that Marco Rubio does, by far, the best at holding onto the Senate seat in Florida. Important to keep the majority. Run, Marco. Do you agree? Do you want Marco Rubio to decide in the next few days to run, once again, for re-election? SPICER: I think Senator Rubio has done a great job for the state of Florida and for a lot of people who have been excited about his involvement in politics since he was speaker of the House down in Florida. It's ultimately going to be up to him to decide. I think, you know, we respect his decision to -- as it -- as it stands. But, ultimately, that's his decision.

BLITZER: One final question. Do you want a debate to take place before the June 7th California primary between your presidential nominee, Donald Trump, and Senator Bernie Sanders?

[13:10:11] SPICER: Well, it's up to both of them. But, I'll tell you, that would be -- that would be must-see T.V., I'll tell you that. It would really draw a contrast, both in terms of process and policy. The idea that Hillary Clinton, who talked about debating anytime, anywhere, apparently won't debate Bernie Sanders as she promised.

So, it's amazing that this could possibly take place. I think it would be -- it would be great on the policy side, because you'd have Donald Trump reaching out to more Americans, talking about the solutions that he has to move this country forward. And Bernie Sanders promising, like, more Ben & Jerry's or something. Because it's a huge shift in the socialist left wing agenda that Sanders has, both in terms of foreign policy and domestic policy.

And it would -- could not contrast the parties greater to see these two individuals on stage. I think we would love it. Ultimately, it would be up to them to decide what happens.

BLITZER: All right, I'll take that as a firm, firm yes from Sean Spicer. Sean Spicer, thanks very much for joining us.

SPICER: Have a great Memorial Day. Thank you very much for having me.

BLITZER: Yes, thank you. Have a great Memorial Day weekend yourself.

Coming up, any moment now, Donald Trump getting ready to take the stage in Fresno, California. His first trip back to the state since clinching the Republican nomination. We're going to go there live once it happens. You're looking at live pictures.

Also, Hillary Clinton defending her use of those personal e-mails while she was secretary of state. She told me she did not break any State Department rules. We'll have some of that interview with Hillary Clinton. That's coming up as well.

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[13:15:22] WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump, he's on the campaign trail right now in California. This one day after securing the Republican presidential nomination. You're looking at live pictures from Fresno, California. Trump expected to speak any minute. We're going to have part of that speech for you. We'll dip in to his speech once it gets under way. Stand by for that. Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, she's in full damage control mode

following a highly critical report on her use of a private e-mail server while she served as secretary of state. The report flatly rejects what Hillary Clinton has claims throughout this election season, that the State Department allowed her to use that private server. She went on a - sort of a little media blitz Thursday evening. I specifically asked the former secretary why she failed to ask for formal authorization from the State Department. Here's what she told me.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE (voice-over): Well, I thought it was allowed. I knew past secretaries of state used personal e-mail. Secretary Kerry did for a period of time until the rules were clarified. They were not a model of clarity and it seems like there's still more work to do on that. So, yes, I believe it was allowed. But that's not the point. I've said it was a mistake.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Let's discuss the damage potentially this could have on her campaign. Our chief political correspondent Dana Bash is here with me.

Senator Bernie Sanders, he went on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show last night. He was asked about something that Hillary Clinton had said in an interview on CNN with Chris Cuomo. Let me play that exchange.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY KIMMEL, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: I have a clip I'd like to play for you just to get your reaction to it. Here we go.

CHRIS CUOMO, CNN ANCHOR, "NEW DAY": Getting to the general election, if you're the nominee for your party -

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will be the nominee for my party, Chris. That is - that is already done, in effect. There is no way that I won't be.

KIMMEL: Does that make you mad seeing that?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Just a tinge of arrogance there, I think. I kind of think that on June 7th people of California will have a message for Secretary Clinton.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Because the polls in California right now show it's very close between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: They do. And inside Clinton campaign headquarters, they are bracing for a potential loss in California. But they're also looking at sort of the broad map of the night, which will be June 7th, and they feel confident that even if they don't actually get a victory in their column in California, that that night on June 7th she will go over the top, meaning she will get the number of delegates needed to win. But, you know, if she doesn't get the biggest state, particularly for Democrats, that is just traditionally blue, she'll do so with a little bit of a limp going across the finish line.

BLITZER: The momentum, it will be disappointing to her -

BASH: Absolutely.

BLITZER: If she doesn't win California. New Jersey is the same day.

BASH: Exactly.

BLITZER: The polls show she's doing much better in New Jersey than she is in California.

BASH: Exactly.

BLITZER: But even if - but all of those Democratic states, they proportionally divided the delegates.

BASH: That's why they still think she'll win.

BLITZER: So even if it's close, they basically get the same number of delegates.

BASH: That's exactly right. That's why they still think, even if she doesn't actually win California, she'll be quite comfortable when it comes to the real end game, which is getting the number of delegates to get the nominees.

BLITZER: Now, some Democrats are questioning Senator Sanders' loyalty to the Democratic Party by even toying with this idea of having a debate with Donald Trump. The Virginia Democratic senator, Joe Mansion, minced no words. He said the idea - his words were bs. He said, "why would you expect Bernie should be considerate or be nice or be working to bring everyone together? He's not a Democrat."

BASH: And you were gentlemanly. You cleaned up what he actually said.

BLITZER: Yes.

BASH: He didn't say bs. But, yes, look, Joe Mansion's not alone in getting aggravated with Bernie Sanders. You know, the same number of people, maybe not the same number, but you still have a large, enthusiastic, ground swell of support for Bernie Sanders. The issue is that Bernie Sanders - and we've seen this, Wolf, along the way, he's got to keep his supporters enthusiastic and show that there's a potential for - for, if not a win, but something that will kind of get them excited. And what's more exciting and what can get you more publicity than having a potential or at least threatening to have a debate with Donald Trump? I mean that's kind of the ultimate, the pinnacle of when it comes to potential publicity.

BLITZER: Yes, and what Mansion was referring to, that all these years in the Senate, Bernie Sanders has been an independent. BASH: Is an independent.

BLITZER: Although he caucuses with the Democrats.

[13:20:00] BASH: Yes.

BLITZER: What are you hearing about Marco Rubio right now? Because a lot of pressure on him to reconsider and to throw his hat - once again to run for re-election as a senator from Florida?

BASH: There's so much pressure on him right now. I mean it's a wonder that he actually comes out of his office or even answers the phone because whether it is big business or the party apparatus nationally to try to keep the Senate or - in his home state of Florida, they are working him incredibly hard.

Just before coming on I was texting with an influential Republican in Florida who said, if you would have asked me last week, I would have said zero percent chance that he runs for reelection and changes his mind to do so. And now, 35 percent.

BLITZER: Wow.

BASH: And the fact that even the people who are trying to do this even got Donald Trump to tweet about it tells you just how all-out the effort is.

BLITZER: He says, "poll data shows that Marco Rubio does by far the best in holding on to his Senate seat in Florida. Important to keep the majority. Run, Marco." That tweet from Donald Trump.

BASH: That's right.

BLITZER: All right, Dana, we'll watch that very closely. Marco Rubio will be Jake Tapper's guest on "State of the Union" this Sunday as well at 9:00 a.m. Eastern.

Coming up, Donald Trump is expected to speak live at any moment now from Fresno, California. We're going to bring it to you live once it happens. Stand by. You see Stephen Miller doing the warm-up over there in Fresno, one of his senior advisors.

Also, a historic trip. President Obama visits ground zero in Hiroshima. His emotional moment with survivors. His message to the world. That's coming up as well.

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[13:25:59] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Seventy-one years ago, on a bright, cloudless morning, death fell from the sky and the world was changed. A flash of light and a wall of fire destroyed a city and demonstrated that mankind possessed the means to destroy itself.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: President Obama speaking in Hiroshima, Japan, and standing on the very soil where the U.S. dropped the first atomic bomb back in 1945. A symbolic day where action spoke louder than words.

(VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: In confronting the past, President Obama made history today. Let's discuss this with my next guest, the minister, Tamaki Tsukada. He's the spokesperson for the Japanese embassy here in Washington.

Minister, thanks very much for coming in.

MINISTER TAMAKI TSUKADA, SPOKESMAN, EMBASSY OF JAPAN: Oh, it's great to be here. Thank you very much for this.

BLITZER: Very historic day. First time in 71 years a U.S. president has visited Hiroshima. What does this mean for you, for the people of Japan?

TSUKADA: Well, for me personally, I was really moved by his very powerful and profound statement at Hiroshima. He laid the wreath at the Peace Memorial Park. He had - he engage in private conversations with the survivor of the atomic bomb, and for good measure, actually, President Obama presented a small gift, for cranes, origami cranes, which he floated himself. I think that was a very, very powerful, and friendly gesture on the part of President Obama. It was very well received by the people, not just the people of Hiroshima, but the Japanese people at large.

And I think the purpose, the visit this time to Hiroshima had threefold purposes. One, of course, is that this was a manifest commitment of the United States and the other nuclear powers to achieve a nuclear-free world. Secondly, I think this was a testament to the devastation and opportunity for the president to pay respect and mourn the death, not just of Hiroshima victims, but the people involved in the consequence of the war. And, thirdly, I think this was a powerful testament to the strength of their - of the alliance that we forged over the past decades.

BLITZER: And let me play another clip of the president earlier today. Listen to this.

TSUKADA: Yes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We stand here, in the middle of this city, and force ourselves to imagine the moment the bomb fell. Mere words cannot give voice to such suffering. But we have a shared responsibility to look directly into the eye of history and ask what we must do differently to curb such suffering again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What do you think of the - what was the significance of those specific words to you? [13:30:04] TSUKADA: Well, the United States is the most powerful

nation on earth. The United States possesses thousands of nuclear