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Muhammad Ali Farewell; Obama Slow Jams; Trump and Clinton Twitter War. Aired 9:30-10a ET
Aired June 10, 2016 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[09:30:00] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm in for Carol Costello this morning. Thanks so much for being here.
Today, the world says goodbye to boxing legend and truly international icon, Muhammad Ali. These are live pictures right now from Louisville, Kentucky. If you can see -- I think those are flower pedals spread on the ground there. Really a beautiful image. Again, this is Louisville, where a procession is about to take place. Tens of thousands of people lining the streets. You can see some of them right there. Everyone coming out to pay their respects to Muhammad Ali.
President Obama among those reflecting on Ali's legacy and the impact he has had on the lives he touched. CNN's Pamela Brown knew Muhammad Ali personally. She's on the ground in Louisville this morning following these events. And, Pamela, you were outside the Muhammad Ali Center, which itself is a beautiful, beautiful tribute to Muhammad Ali and all he stood for. Set the scene for us this morning.
PAMELA BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know it's often been said, John, that Muhammad Ali belonged to the world, but here in Louisville, Kentucky, he is a hometown hero and it is evident everywhere you go throughout this city, not just behind me here, where you see this huge tribute to Muhammad Ali here at the Ali Center, but really throughout the city. People are wearing their Muhammad Ali shirts. There are posters everywhere. There's a big screen right next to here that will be showing Mohammad Ali fights from the past.
And as we know, the procession is about to get underway. This is a procession that Muhammad Ali planned himself. This is exactly what he wanted. He wanted it to go past his childhood home, the home where he had his bike stolen when he was a kid and when he first decided that he wanted to be a boxer. And from there it will come here through the Muhammad Ali Center, and throughout the city, and then will end up at Cape Hill Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest.
As you point out, tens of thousands of people are here to watch all of this. And then, of course, this afternoon, there will be the funeral, and dignitaries from around the world are flying in for that. President Erdogan of Turkey, King Abdullah of Jordan, Bill Clinton will be there giving a eulogy.
And we also have someone here right next to me who will be speaking at the funeral today. That is Rabbi Michael Lemer.
Rabbi, I just want to talk to you about first how you knew Muhammad Ali and what it means to you to be speaking at the funeral today.
RABBI MICHAEL LEMER, SPEAKER AT MUHAMMAD ALI'S FUNERAL: Well, it's a great honor for me to be representing the Jewish people of the United States, but also the people who have stood up for peace and justice. Because Muhammad Ali is loved not just as a heavyweight champion, there have been lots of heavyweight champions, but he refused to serve in the war in Vietnam. He stood up and -- for his own values and recognized that it was totally inappropriate to be killing people around the world when he -- as he put it, his own -- people of color were being killed right here in the streets of America. That kind of moral courage is the kind of courage we need to see much more of today in America in a -- to honor him, to honor his memory, is to be Muhammad Ali. To each of us, be willing to stand up to the powerful and to tell the -- tell the people who have power that we are not going to accept an unjust society, a society that's destroying the environment. We are going to stand up in the same way that Muhammad Ali did.
BROWN: And what initially brought you together was the fact that you were both against the Vietnam War. That was several decades ago. What was it like to get that phone call that you would be speaking today?
LEMER: It was a great honor, and I was amazed at it. I was -- I had been in contact with him two -- about two decades ago. He loves our magazine, "Tikkun" magazine, which is the voice of liberal and progressive Jews and our non-Jewish allies. And he supported "Tikkun" magazine and he supported our network of spiritual progressives. And -- but, still, I had no idea that he was actually a fan, as I was told by his family, he was a fan of mine and a fan of "Tikkun" magazine, a fan of the network of spiritual progressives. It was wonderful to hear, and amazing to hear, and reaffirmed what he had told me long ago, that he was willing to stand up with progressive Jews and with progressive Christians and with -- and atheists and secular humanists, to stand up for justice and stand up for peace. And I had tremendous respect for him, overwhelmed that I was chosen to be a representative of the Jewish people and of progressive forces in the United States.
BROWN: Certainly a reflection that Muhammad Ali celebrated all religions and we will see that today at his service.
Rabbi Michael Lemer, thank you so much.
LEMER: Thank you.
BROWN: John, back to you.
BERMAN: Thanks so much.
All right, we do have breaking news this morning. More sad news from the world of sport. Gordie Howe, the legendary hockey player, I mean so legendary his nickname was Mr. Hockey, Gordie Howe passed away this morning at 7:55 a.m. His career spanned over six decades in the NHL. Most of it, much of it, with the Detroit Red Wings. Sadly, Carol is not here. Carol Costello, of course, from Detroit, a big Red Wings fan, not here for this today. [09:35:04] He led the Detroit Red Wings to four Stanley Cup titles. He
was 88 years old. He had suffered a stroke some time ago, and had been in poor health. But you can see him right there, skating like he did. Again, for decade after decade after decade, as legendary as they come, Gordie Howe has passed away at the age of 88.
We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BERMAN: All right, you're looking at live pictures right now of Hillary Clinton's home in Washington, D.C. She is there. Soon we expect Elizabeth Warren, the senator from Massachusetts, to go there. Elizabeth Warren endorsed Hillary Clinton last night. The last female member of the Senate, the Democratic member of the Senate, to do so. She will meet with Hillary Clinton today, which is no doubt meant to fuel speculation that Elizabeth Warren could end up on the Democratic ticket, along with Hillary Clinton. That's the kind of thing that progressives want to hear, or at least want to speculate on. So we will keep watching this house for any signs of Elizabeth Warren's arrival and we will keep you updated on what goes on at this meeting.
[09:40:15] Other political news. It is no rare occurrence to hear President Obama tout his own achievements. It is, though, unusual to hear him do it set to music with background vocals, all while touting Hillary Clinton and bashing Donald Trump. But that is exactly what happened last night when President Obama slow jammed the news on "The Tonight Show" with Jimmy Fallon.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm President Barack Obama, and I too would like to slow jam this news.
JIMMY FALLON, LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW HOST: Hit me eight times.
OBAMA: It's been an honor and a privilege to serve as your president over the past eight years. When I first took office, our nation was facing one of the worst recessions in its history. Since then, we've added more than 14 million new jobs and lowered the unemployment rate to under 5 percent. Through the actions of my administration, we were able to stimulate the economy and get our country back on track.
FALLON: Oh, yeah. President Obama stimulated long-term growth, in both the public and the private sector. In 2008, the country wasn't feeling in the mood. It was too tired and stressed, said it had a headache. Barack lit some candles, and got some silky satin sheets.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Silky satin sheets now.
FALLON: And told the American people, yes, we can.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, we can. It's all right. He created tons of jobs for you and me, and he's got one more left for Hillary.
OBAMA: As president, I'm proud of the many progressive steps our country has taken in recent years, both socially and environmentally. The United States has been a leader in developing clean energy to ensure the health of our planet for future generations. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, an additional 20 million Americans now have access to quality health care and same sex couples across the country now have a constitutional right to marry. In short, climate change is real, health care is affordable and love is love.
FALLON: Mmm, mmm, mmm. Commander in preach. You've got to listen to my man, Bariziz (ph). He's accomplished a lot in eight years. Even when Congress tried to block him, he found a way in through the back door.
When Republicans gave him lemons, he made so much lemonade, Beyonce started calling him Baracki (ph) with the good hair.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Baracki with the good hair. His first two terms ended in such a hurry, wish he could go for three, like my man Steph Curry.
OBAMA: Right now there will be no third term. I can't stay forever. Besides, daddy's got a Hawaiian vacation booked in about 223 days. But who's counting. That being said, the American people face an important decision this fall. The entire world is watching, and they look to us for stability and leadership. Now, I know some of the presidential candidates have been critical of my foreign policy. I don't want to name any names.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's talking about Donald Trump.
OBAMA: But I believe it is of the utmost importance to work alongside other world leaders. That's why I signed the Iran nuclear dealer. That's why we reopened diplomatic ties with Cuba. And that's why I negotiated the new trade deal called the Transpacific Partnership, or TPP.
FALLON: Now hold on there, perz dispenser. Are you saying you're down with TPP?
OBAMA: Yeah, you know me.
Look, Jimmy, the TPP allows American businesses to sell their products both at home and abroad. The more we sell abroad, the more higher paying jobs we provide here at home. It's that simple.
FALLON: So what you're saying is this trade deal will help put everyday Americans back to --
[09:45:01] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Work, work, work, work, work, work. Put us back to work, work, work, work, work. He put us back to --
OBAMA: Work, work, work, work, work.
FALLON: Now, Mr. President, since you're here, I gotta ask, have you been watching all the election coverage this week about Donald Trump?
OBAMA: No, but I have been watching my new favorite show, and orange is not the new black. FALLON: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm going to need you to Netflix some chill.
I get it if you're a little wound up after all this time. I mean I can't imagine what it would be like to do the same job for eight straight years.
OBAMA: Jimmy, you probably never will.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does Obama care, double burn.
OBAMA: America's best days are still yet to come.
FALLON: Thank you, Mr. President, for all that you've done.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This country's on track, and that is a fact. Once you go for rap, you will never go back. Thank you for leading, the red white and the blue. That is how we slow jam the news.
OBAMA: Oh, yeah.
FALLON: Give it up for the president of the United States, Barack Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BERMAN: Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, and the president of the United States, Barack Obama, slow jamming the news.
I am joined now by CNN's senior media correspondent Brian Stelter, host of "Reliable Sources."
BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT: And I could not slow jam half as well as the president.
BERMAN: Well, you haven't had as much practice, frankly. He has had a lot of practice.
STELTER: True. He has.
BERMAN: He does this. He goes on the late night shows --
STELTER: Yes.
BERMAN: More than any president we have seen for a purpose.
STELTER: And in some ways he contradicts what he said to Fallon in the interview, which is, this is a serious job. This is not reality TV. You know, that was Obama's slam against Donald Trump during the interview. But, in some ways, this is reality TV and this president, and this White House, more than any other, have recognized the importance of entertainment formats.
When I was watching it, I was wondering, what would it be like to see Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump slow jamming the news? Would they be able to do that as well as Obama does? Because I think even his critics would agree he has great comic timing. He's able to pull this off. Even if you think it's unfit for the presidency, he's able to do this in a way that reaches young viewers in particular.
BERMAN: Hey, look, one thing about Jimmy Fallon is he gives everyone the outlet to do it.
STELTER: That's right.
BERMAN: He gives everyone the platform.
STELTER: Yes.
BERMAN: And Jeb Bush was on it. You know, Donald Trump has been on with him before.
STELTER: Yes, that's right. Yes.
BERMAN: I don't think Trump slow jammed the news, but he certainly did a skit with Jimmy Fallon as well.
STELTER: Maybe he should start practicing.
BERMAN: I saw this -- I saw this and I just thought the timing was striking. You know, coming during the week when Barack Obama endorses Hillary Clinton. When Hillary Clinton is trying to reach out to younger voters here. The president miraculously shows up on Jimmy Fallon, slow jamming the news, getting a plug in for Hillary Clinton and hitting Donald Trump.
STELTER: Yes. Right, all at the same time. It's kind of like a White House trade-off here. You know, Obama gets time to talk about great energy and the TPP and Hillary and Donald Trump, and then he has to stand there and let Fallon make sexual, awkward jokes. It's an interesting trade-off the White House makes, but it works. It's very effective for him. And these, of course, get shared millions of times online. You think about how the White House has rolled out the announcements this week, right? You have this. It was taped on Wednesday, but it was perfect timing after the endorsement video came out on Thursday.
BERMAN: I think they knew that it was coming out.
STELTER: I think they knew.
BERMAN: Brian Stelter, great to have you with us.
STELTER: Thanks.
BERMAN: Still to come, delete your account. The Twitter war. A preview of the general election Twitter war, and the actual general election battle, that's to come.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[09:52:57] BERMAN: Checking some top stories now.
President Obama has signed off on changes to fighting rules for U.S. troops. This is according to a senior military official. The changes will affect forces in Afghanistan and will allow service members to accompany conventional Afghan forces in the field. Right now U.S. participation is limited to supporting Afghan special forces. According to the official, the Pentagon does not believe the new rules would put troops in direct combat, though they are already in plenty of danger.
Hundreds of people have been forced to leave a town of Yarnell, Arizona. A wildfire has burned more than 5,000 acres there. The fire is only about 10 percent contained. Yarnell is the same town where 19 firefighters were killed in a fast-moving fire back in 2013.
Investigators will soon examine what could be more pieces of wreckage for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370. The debris found on opposite sides of the Indian Ocean. Three pieces in Madagascar, one piece in South Australia. Flight 370 disappeared in March 2014 with 239 people on board.
So, after months of not really getting engaged in a Twitter war with Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton finally opened fire and she wasn't the only one to jump into a fight. Here's CNN's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's Twitter war on one keyboard.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Crooked Hillary.
MOOS: On the other keyboard.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: He can say whatever he wants to say.
MOOS: May the best tweeter win.
After President Obama endorsed Hillary Clinton --
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm with her.
MOOS: Donald Trump fired first. "Obama just endorsed crooked Hillary. He wants four more years of Obama, but nobody else does."
To which Hillary's campaign tweeted, "delete your account."
Her followers made it seem like the greatest insult ever. They posted gifts expressing shock and awe over Hillary's comeback from, "oh, snap," to "boom," to a congratulatory toast. Though not all of us understood the magnitude of "delete your account" as a zinger.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's just smack talk.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I didn't even know what that means, but apparently our producer said that's what kids use to like say they don't like you. I think -- I think the technical term is --
[09:55:08] MOOS: The "delete your account" dis was presumably sent by a Hillary aide, since tweets Hillary herself writes are signed with an "H." The chairman of the Republican National Committee, Reince Priebus, jumped in tweeting at Hillary, "if anyone knows how to use a delete key, it's you." Last week Hillary tweaked the Donald for his Twitter habits.
CLINTON: I'm willing to bet he's writing a few right now.
MOOS: And sure enough his counterattack to "delete your account" soon arrived. "How long did it take your staff of 823 people to think that up? And where are your 33,000 e-mail that you deleted."
TRUMP: Crooked Hillary Clinton.
CLINTON: I really could care less.
MOOS: But how could we not care when someone unexpected chimed in on the subject of Hillary's "delete your account" tweet. "Too late for some of us," dead panned Anthony Weiner. There's nothing like a war of tweets to put the twit in Twitter.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BERMAN: Thanks to Jeanne for that.
Again, we are looking at pictures right now -- there's a moving van in front of the Clinton's home in Washington, D.C. That's where Bill and Hillary Clinton have a home in Washington. Hillary Clinton's inside the house right now. We are expecting Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren to arrive shortly. They have a meeting there, fueling speculation about what this means for a possible vice presidential pick. Speculation that the Clinton team no doubt happy to fuel this morning.
Again, not sure what that moving truck is doing there. We'll get to the bottom of all of it. The next hour of CNN NEWSROOM begins after a quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
