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Muhammad Ali: 1942-2016; Clinton Vs. Sanders: Too Close to Call in California. Aired 7-7:30p ET

Aired June 04, 2016 - 19:00   ET

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

[19:00:26] JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. You are live in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Jim Sciutto.

In a moment, our exclusive interview with Jason Rezaian in his very first interview since his release from an Iranian prison and the journalist shares with me the amazing story of the role that Muhammad Ali played in securing his release.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Wow. Can't wait to hear that.

I'm John Berman live in Louisville, Kentucky. I'm outside the Muhammad Ali center here in this city which, of course, is the hometown of Muhammad Ali.

We have new details at CNN about the final hours of Muhammad Ali's life and also what the Ali family will do in the coming days. A private service just for the close family members already planned for here in Louisville on Thursday, and then the rest of the world will have a chance to celebrate the life and really that is what the family wants -- a celebration to celebrate the life of Muhammad Ali and remember the extraordinary accomplishments of America's legendary heavyweight champion.

In the past couple of hours, we learned that the official cause of death of Muhammad Ali, a family spokesman said in his final moments Ali was surrounded by family.

CNN's Jason Carroll is in Scottsdale, Arizona, where Ali passed away nearly 24 hours ago.

Jason, tell us what you've learned.

JASON CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, a little earlier we heard from the family spokesman, he gave us a lot of information, lot of details about what happened. He started out by explaining that Muhammad Ali's family checked him into hospital here on Monday, John, and with respiratory issues. Initially thought -- they thought he'd be fine because he pulled through so many times in the past.

He was initially listed in fair condition then it became very clear that he was not going to make it. They called the family in, immediately began making plans and also saying their good-byes. In terms of those plans, as you say, it will be partially private and

public as well. Next Thursday, there will be a private service, family only. And then next Friday, at 2:00 there will be a service open to the public.

And that's apparently what Muhammad Ali wanted. He wanted to share not only his life, but his memorial with everyone, people of all denominations. And so what we're going to see next week is right where you are, there will be a motorcade, a procession that will go by the Muhammad Ali Center, right through the old neighborhood.

And finally, Muhammad Ali will be laid to rest at Cahill Cemetery. At 2:00, you're going to have that service open to the public. Former President Clinton will be giving the eulogy. Sportscaster Brian Gumbel will be on hand. Billy Crystal will be on hand to speak as well.

The spokesperson who spoke to us here just a short while ago this afternoon also gave us details about Muhammad Ali's final moments with his loved ones.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOB GUNNELL, ALI FAMILY SPOKESMAN: They had a full day to s farewell to Muhammad. All family members, all daughters and his son were in attendance and his wife. They got to spend quality time with him to say their final good-byes, and it was a very solemn moment.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Little bit more details about that moment which comes to us from Hana, one of his daughters. He said that they were all holding and hugging Muhammad Ali, they were whispering in his ear, "We love you, it's OK to let go, we're going to be OK." And then she said at one point she said all of this organs failed but his heart wouldn't stop beating for 30 minutes. His heart just kept beating. No one had ever seen anything like it. A true testament to the strength of his spirit and his will.

Also weighing in on this, John, is Maryum Ali. I call her May May. I've known her many, many years. We talked about her father. She e- mailed me this morning, she said, "Jason, I'm happy my father no longer struggles, he is in a better place. God is the greatest."

You know, when I think about Maryum, and talking about her father, John, one of the so many things she said about him had to do with that moment in 1996 when he carried the Olympic flame. Before he was able to that, he turned to her and said, do you think people will remember me? He'd be proud to know the outpouring of love and support coming from all over the world -- John.

BERMAN: Jason Carroll, so great you brought this up. We're going to talk a lot more about it in just a second. Jason Carroll in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thank you so much.

As you said, private service here in Kentucky on Thursday with the family. Public service after a funeral procession through the streets here on Friday.

[19:05:05] And this is what Muhammad Ali wanted. These were plans, we're told, laid out by Muhammad Ali several years ago. He wanted the world to celebrate his life and to do it together.

Earlier today, former President Clinton who will be eulogizing Muhammad Ali on Friday, he took a moment while out on the campaign trail to remember his friend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL CLINTON, FORMER PRESIDENT: When I was president, we had the Olympics in Atlanta. Those of you of a certain age may remember watching Muhammad Ali dealing with his Parkinson's disease, the last bearer of the Olympic torch up the ladder to light it. Once the most graceful, powerful athlete in the world with his hands shaking, holding on, and he did his job.

And to the very end, he was actually astonishingly good humored about the burden of his later years. So, by the time he died, who he was as a person was greater than his legend which should be all of our goal in life. You want to be better than your publicity, not worse.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Really is a remarkable picture of Muhammad Ali holding up that torch. It was almost as if he was holding up the entire world.

Really, one of the most remarkable moments in the life of Muhammad Ali, one of the most remarkable moments in sports. On stage while billions of people watched, you could see it right there, Ali lit the Olympic cauldron. It was at the games in Atlanta in 1996. His hands were shaking not from nerves, it was Parkinson's disease.

The crowd went mild the moment Ali appeared. They didn't know he was going to be there. I don't even think my next guest knew. She was the final torchbearer before Ali. She was on that stage. She calls that moment the defining moment of her Olympic career, which is saying a whole heck of a lot, considering her amazing accomplishments.

I'm joined now by Olympic swimming legend, Janet Evans.

Janet Evans, an honor to be with you today. You once said you would trade all your Olympic medals to relive that moment with Muhammad Ali. Tell us about it.

JANET EVANS, WON 4 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAS FOR SWIMMING (via telephone): Yes, John. Thank you for having me. You know, it was such an incredible moment for all of us and for me as an athlete, you to win. I used to think the Olympics was all about winning and gold medals and performance.

It's a little bit of a cross roads in my career trying to figure out what this whole Olympic thing was really all about and to have the honor to pass the torch to Muhammad Ali and stand there and watch him light the cauldron and listen to the stadium erupt and watch this man who, you know, who was shaking but was there because he had the courage to be there and he was the champion.

To me, it was the moment my athletic career which defines what it's about, which is being a champion, winning or losing, or doing what makes you be a champion. And for me, it was my epiphany as an athlete and it's kind of the lesson I have carried with me for the rest of my life.

BERMAN: Honestly, I'm getting chills just looking at these photos right now. When did you know, when did you know that you were handing off the flame to Muhammad Ali?

EVANS: I -- Billy Payne who was the chairman of the Atlanta organizing committee asked me a couple of weeks before the game to be the second to last runner which I was a little nervous because I'm a swimmer, I'm not good at running and then the night before under a veil of secrecy, I practiced at the stadium and Muhammad Ali was not there but they pulled me aside and told me it was going to be Ali which made me, of course, even more nervous to pass the symbol of the Olympic Games to the champ.

But, you know, there was -- a little concern that there might be some issues up on top when I did pass him the flame, but I -- nothing happened. He did it perfectly. I was a little nervous and I was standing to the side with my torch still lit which was not protocol. You're supposed to turn your torch off and extinguish the flame but I kept my torch lit as asked in case there were any problems. Yes, I was told about 24 hours beforehand and sworn to absolute secrecy. I told no one.

BERMAN: Well, good job on that because the world was so surprised, but surprised in the best of all possible ways, to get to know him. I mean, you've been with him. You went on to host the 2015 Muhammad Ali awards.

Just tell us the -- the humanitarian awards. Tell us what role he played in your life after the Olympics in 1996.

[19:10:01] EVANS: You know, I carried my memory and my lessons from that moment with Muhammad Ali with me for many years and I used it in my platform as an Olympic champion, you know, to help inspire others and spread the Olympic movement, you know, excitement which is, you know, we're all champions. And last fall, I had the honor of emceeing the Muhammad Ali humanitarian awards which honors young people that live, you know, the life that he imagined us all living.

So it was there that I was able to tell my story really for the first time from my point of view to him and his family. And for me, to be able to do that was very important to me. I wanted him to know how much he changed my life and hopefully because of that, I've been able to change others' lives, too.

So, to be able to speak to his family and help them understand what it meant to me, I hope gave a glimmer of what a meaningful moment, even more of a glimmer of what a meaningful moment it was in the Olympic movement. BERMAN: I'm so glad you had that moment to share with him. Just

quickly, Janet, when you got the news last night or overnight or this morning like so many of us did that he had passed, I wonder what your first reaction was.

EVANS: Yes, I learned last night and I, you know, I think that we, you know, when I saw him in September and you expected it at some point, but I never -- it's been hard for me. It's been a tough day. I think it was such a defining moment for the Olympics and for me to know that the man I shared that tiny moment with that was such an inspiration for all of us is gone. It makes me very sad.

BERMAN: Well, Janet Evans, I think, the whole world is sad right alongside you but also inspired right alongside you by these images and by the memory of Muhammad Ali. So, thank you so much for being with us to share your memories.

EVANS: Thank you, John. My pleasure.

BERMAN: All right. Jim, back to you in Washington.

SCIUTTO: Thank you, John.

BERMAN: Coming up, "Washington Post" reporter Jason Rezaian's very first interview since being freed from prison in Iraq. You might not know it, but Muhammad Ali helped get him out. The story right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[19:15:00] SCIUTTO: We know what Muhammad Ali's passion for humanitarian issues spanned decades and crossed international borders, but here's something you might not know. In the final months of his life, Ali tried to help free an American journalist imprisoned in Iran. I'm talking about this man, Jason Rezaian, the "Washington Post" Tehran bureau chief who was convicted of espionage in an Iranian court last year in a closed-door trial.

Just after his conviction while Jason was holed up in an Iranian prison cell, Muhammad Ali issued a statement directly to Iran, the bottom line message, "Release him." In it Ali wrote, "To my knowledge, Jason is a man of peace and great faith, a man whose dedication and respect for the Iranian people is evident in his work. I support his family, friends, and colleagues in their efforts to obtain his release."

Well, Jason Rezaian joins me now for his very first interview since his release.

Jason, thank you for taking the time today.

JASON REZAIAN, WASHINGTON POST: Thanks for having me on, Jim. I really appreciate it.

SCIUTTO: I want to ask you first just how much this statement meant to you, this statement of support, this call for your release from Muhammad Ali.

REZAIAN: I'm just getting chills as I read that again. It meant so much to me at the time. My wife came to visit me which she was allowed to do fairly rarely, and she told me this, that Muhammad Ali had made this statement and I can't tell you, I can't express in words how much it meant to me, continues to mean to me. There were so many calls for my release, so much support, but getting the support of the champ touched me in ways that just still ripple through my life.

SCIUTTO: So, Jason, you say that the prison guards actually found out about Ali's statement of support and they started treating you differently?

REZAIAN: Yes. I mean, the statement was covered in the Iranian press as so many things about my imprisonment were. And they started treating me in a better way. I think it brought some doubt to them about the charges against me and, you know, along with that, my spirits were really lifted and I felt empowered in a way that nothing else -- nothing else lifted me throughout that time.

SCIUTTO: It's incredible that that statement from so far away could reach you inside that prison cell so many thousands of miles away. I wonder if you could describe, you spent a lot of years living in Iran, just how important Muhammad Ali was an American Muslim, an American Muslim leader, how important that was in bridging our world with those of a Muslim country like Iran.

REZAIAN: Well, I think as he was in so in different country, Muhammad Ali was somebody that the Iranian people were really drawn to, had been for many years, as a sportsman, but also as a Muslim. And somebody who was doing great charitable work throughout his life. And he was -- he was everybody's champion just like he was here in America and around the world. Yes.

SCIUTTO: So, Jason, you were in that Iranian prison cell until your release for some 545 days. This is the first chance we get to talk to you. I know a lot of folks back home just would like to know simply, how are you doing?

REZAIAN: Better and better every day. I appreciate the support of everybody throughout the world, and back here in the United States. It's just great to be home, and I'm in the process of readjustment. It will still take some time, but by in large, I'm feeling really good.

SCIUTTO: We know you're a Warriors fan so we'll root for them as well to help you along the way. Most importantly, thanks for taking the time. We're glad to have you home.

REZAIAN: Thanks so much for having me on, Jim.

SCIUTTO: Well, Jason Rezaian, some of his e released from prison. A thank you to Muhammad Ali.

Coming up after this break, we're going to hear from Muhammad Ali's brother. Please stay with us.

(COMMERICAL BREAK)

[19:22:23] SCIUTTO: Turning now to politics where Hillary Clinton could be within a stones throw of clinching her party's nomination for president this weekend. Puerto Rico holds its primary tomorrow and today, the Virgin Islands held its Democratic caucuses with just a handful of delegates up for grabs. We should know very soon what the results in those contests are.

Right now, Clinton only 70 delegates short of the magic number of 2,383. Despite recent momentum, it is mathematically impossible for Bernie Sanders to catch up unless he can convince a number of superdelegates to switch sides.

Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny joins me now.

So, Jeff, we heard Bernie Sanders say today that this is going to be a contested convention regardless of what happens over these next few days. Is Clinton responding?

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Jim, she's not responding directly to that. Hillary Clinton is focusing her attention on Donald Trump and Donald Trump alone.

The reality here is Bernie Sanders does not get to make the decision alone whether this will be a contested convention or not. Yes, the superdelegates could switch, could change their minds here, but that would be unprecedented in the history of this Democratic Party here.

So, the Clinton campaign is all but ignoring, Bernie Sanders at least for now not wanting to agitate him, not wanting to rile up him or any of his supporters but they do believe that on Tuesday, she will go over that threshold of 2,383, the number we talk about so much of the delegates needed to reach the nomination here. And as you said, a handful of delegates today in the Virgin Islands, tomorrow in Puerto Rico, and then on Tuesday, six states including here in California.

And the Sanders people say, look, the superdelegates could still change their mind over the summer and that is true, they could, but Jim, these are individual people, party leaders, senators, governors, House members. Who have said that, look, they are supporting Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders knows it's an uphill climb. Frankly, they're trying to show that this race is still alive and, you know, as a way to keep their support alive.

But the Clinton campaign, Jim, all but ignoring Bernie Sanders tonight.

SCIUTTO: Already directing at Trump. Jeff Zeleny in California, thanks very much.

This just in to CNN, we have just had a conversation with Muhammad Ali's brother. A correspondent in Louisville, Kentucky, Brynn Gingras, spoke to Rahaman Ali a short time ago about this very sad day for his family.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RAHAMAN ALI, MUHAMMAD ALI'S BROTHER: I feel very, very extremely sad. So sad that I'm holding back tears right now. I could cry easily because I have a big warm heart.

[19:25:03] I'm a very, very sensitive man. I've always been sensitive. And my brother passed, I won't see him in the flesh anymore, so it hurts me bad, I can't see my brother. I can't see my brother anymore.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCIUTTO: Well, Rahaman Ali who also made his living as a heavyweight boxer reacting there to the death of his brother Muhammad Ali on Friday in Scottsdale, Arizona. Muhammad Ali was 74 years old.

And next on CNN, Jason Carroll has a special look back at the live of Muhammad Ali. I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. Thanks so much for joining us these last few hours and please have a great weekend.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)