Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Trump Fires Campaign Manager Lewandowski; British Teen Wanted to "Kill Trump"; Four Gun Control Amendments Fail in the Senate; 911 Transcripts Released From Orlando Terror Attack; Brexit Vote Countdown: Two Days. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired June 21, 2016 - 04:30   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:30:21] RYAN NOBLES, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump firing his campaign manager. The drama between his family and his campaign.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: The Senate failing to pass four different gun control amendments -- Democrats and Republicans tearing into each other.

NOBLES: The 911 calls made by the Orlando terror gunman during the attack. What he told police.

Welcome back to EARLY START. I'm Ryan Nobles.

ROMANS: Nice to see you this morning, this Tuesday morning. I'm Christine Romans. It's 30 minutes past the hour.

Happening this morning, Donald Trump set to meet top evangelical leaders. This meeting one day after Trump abruptly fired his campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Trump and Lewandowski have shared a strong bond since the start of the campaign. But sources within the Trump camp say the firing was a long time coming after months of tension, stemming in part from what the sources described as Lewandowski's struggle with Trump family members for control of the campaign.

The sources say Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were central to Lewandowski's downfall. Until yesterday, Lewandowski seemed to be made of Teflon when he was arrested for simple battery against a reporter back in March, Trump quickly waved off suggestions that he'd fire Lewandowski. Those battery charges were later dropped.

Lewandowski still standing by Trump yesterday, telling CNN's Dana Bash he has a great relationship with the Trump family and he has no regrets.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

COREY LEWANDOWSKI, FIRED TRUMP CAMPAIGN MANAGER: What I think is that the voters have a binary decision coming up on Election Day. They can vote for Hillary Clinton and her liberal policies, or they can put someone in place who's actually going to change Washington. And I will do everything I can to make sure that the latter of those two happens, which means Donald Trump is elected president. If I can do that from inside the campaign, it's a privilege. If I do it from outside the campaign, that's also a privilege.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: For more, let's bring in CNN politics executive editor, Mark Preston.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICS EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Good morning, Ryan and Christine.

Trump campaign sources tell CNN the firing of Corey Lewandowski is going to be a good thing, because it was time to streamline duties within the campaign. This source adds that campaign chairman Paul Manafort who had been fighting with Lewandowski over control of the campaign can now finally start making long overdue hiring decisions to begin trying to match the massive ground operation that Hillary Clinton already has in place.

Sources tell CNN that Lewandowski's departure comes after complaints had reached a critical mass.

The family, notably Ivanka, Donald Trump's daughter, were not happy with his work, and one adviser tells CNN that Manafort told Trump, it was either Lewandowski or himself. Not both of them that could stay at the top of the campaign.

In an interview Monday, the presumptive GOP nominee had nothing but positive things to say about his former campaign manager.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESUMPTIVE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: He's a good man. We've had great success. You know, I got more primary votes than anybody in the history of the Republican Party by a tremendous amount, not by a little bit.

I think Corey is terrific. I watched him before. He was terrific toward me. Said I was a talented person. He's a talented person. He's a good guy. He's a friend of mine. But I think it's time now for a different kind of campaign.

PRESTON: Now, Lewandowski wasn't the only departure from the campaign yesterday. Trump aide Michael Caputo who had been working on convention preps tweeted out, "Ding dong, the witch is dead", immediately after Lewandowski was fired. Hours later, Caputo resigned, calling the tweet an unforced error -- Ryan, Christine.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: Mark, thank you.

New information about the British teenager who tried to grab a police officer's gun at the Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas over the weekend. According to police, 19-year-old Michael Sanford said he intended to use the weapon to kill Trump. Police say Sanford struck up a conversation with the officer, claiming that he wanted Trump's autograph. When he tried to pull the cop's gun from its holster, he was arrested. Sanford is in this country illegally.

ROMANS: All right. This morning, Hillary Clinton is in Columbus, Ohio. That's a swing state delivered what's being billed as a major economic address, expected also to be a major takedown of Donald Trump and his temperament for the economy and otherwise. Clinton's goal is to convince voters that she would be a better steward of the American economy, that she is better for the middle class than the billionaire businessman.

More now from CNN's Jeff Zeleny.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Ryan, Hillary Clinton is making another move to define Donald Trump. She's delivering a speech today in Columbus, Ohio. You can call it another installment of her Trump lecture series. This one is focused on the economy. She is trying to say that he is unfit to run the U.S. economy.

Now, this follows in line for another speech she gave just a few weeks ago in San Diego about his foreign policy.

[04:35:04] Democrats day by day by day are trying to define Donald Trump early as his campaign is imploding and one shakeup after another. After Republicans are so concerned about that, Democrats are indeed circling the wagons.

Now, the Clinton campaign is outgoing the Trump campaign and their allies considerably. One study shows that the Clinton campaign and her allies have raised $117 million for television ads, reserving that time on television now and November. The Trump side only has about $700,000. So, that's a major discrepancy there.

Now, the Clinton campaign also is trying to build a 50-state strategy. We visited the Brooklyn headquarters for the Clinton campaign. We talked to Marlon Marshal who's leading this effort to build a 50-state campaign.

How much of what you are doing now is changing or being driven by what is happening on the Republican side of the ticket?

MARLON MARSHALL, CLINTON CAMPAIGN: Well, I'll say our strategy is focused on reaching voters where they are and in many different ways as possible. So, you know, we are up on TV right now. We are organizing it in every state. We have staff out already in the battle ground states. We take Donald Trump very seriously. And so, the more ways we can reach voters to talk about what Hillary will bring to this country, the better.

ZELENY: And the Clinton campaign is taking Donald Trump seriously. There is a no gloat policy from the top down. They are not laughing at anything going on in his campaign. They want to use this moment as a serious moment to try and define Donald Trump. That's why Hillary Clinton will be in Columbus, Ohio, today to deliver a blistering comments on the economy, using Donald Trump's own words against him, how he would be unfit she says to lead this U.S. economy -- Christine and Ryan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

NOBLES: All right. Thank you, Jeff.

Overnight, four different gun control amendments defeated in the U.S. Senate, amendments spurred by the horrific terror attacks in Orlando last week. But as expected, blocked Monday by a snarl of partisan gridlock. Democrats are using the measures defeat to attack Republicans. Hillary Clinton issuing a one-word statement, quote, "enough". That was above the names of the people killed in Orlando.

Senator Chris Murphy who led the 15-hour filibuster last week that forced Monday's vote telling "The Washington Post" ahead of the vote that he believes Republicans are partially responsible for the attacks, like the one in Orlando. He said, quote, "Republicans have decided to sell weapons to ISIS." Senator Elizabeth Warren echoing Murphy's words in a tweet of her own.

This fight, though, is not over. Moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins expected to unveil her own compromise proposal that could come as soon as today. So, let's get the latest now from senior political reporter, Manu Raju.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER: Just eight days after the deadliest mass shooting in American history, the Senate rejected four measures aimed at tightening restrictions on guns.

Two of the measures were Democratic measures. One to expand background checks, universal background checks, another to ensure that people who were suspected terrorists do not get firearms. Now, Republicans came back with alternatives to both of those approaches and Democrats voted down the Republican measures and Republicans voted on the Democratic measures.

What we have seen in the aftermath of that Orlando shooting was no real movement on gun control in the United States Senate. Even though a majority -- a clear majority of voters do support greater restrictions on guns, it has not translated to the United States Senate where views are very, very locked in on this issue, very polarizing issue particularly when it comes to expanding background checks.

Now, an interesting part of Monday night's vote was a handful of Republicans breaking ranks, including in difficult reelection races, like Mark Kirk of Illinois, and one of the toughest reelection races in the country, in the blue state, voting with Democrats, also voting with Democrats, too, insuring he's not going to get hit from either the right or left on this issue. And also, a Democratic leader, Jon Tester of Montana, from the very

red state, voting against the Democratic background checks, even though he is the head of the Senate Democrats Campaign Committee. Very interesting split there. But we're going to see going forward is whether or not there could be a bipartisan deal.

Susan Collins of Maine is spearheading that effort. Right now, leaders on both sides of the aisle are wary about that idea. But that's one of the things going forward that moderate Democrats and Republicans are going to push.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Manu Raju, thank you for that.

Time for an early start on your money this morning. Markets around the world, stock markets mixed. Asian markets closed higher, European stocks slightly higher. Stock futures are too, London is down a little bit here.

Wall Street's Brexit headache, say that ten times fast, got a dose of relief yesterday. The Dow gained 130 points, voters in the U.K. will decide Thursday if the country leaves or remains in the European Union. Several polls showing U.K. voters leaning toward remaining in the E.U. That would be good news for U.S. stocks. Investors fear a Brexit would lead to global turbulence.

Billionaire investor George Soros coming out saying a vote to leave the E.U. would trigger a market crash worse than Black Friday.

[04:40:08] NOBLES: Horrifying details about the Orlando terror attack. The gunman pledging allegiance to ISIS, calling 911 in the middle of his rampage. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NOBLES: A full transcript of the Orlando terrorist 911 call to police has now been released by the FBI without redactions. The chilling conversation lasted less than a minute. The killer referring to himself as an Islamic soldier, and when he asked his name, the gunman replied, "My name is I pledge allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi of the Islamic State."

More now from CNN's Ed Lavandera in Orlando.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Ryan, controversy swirling around the release of a partial transcript of phone conversations that Omar Mateen had with investigators and a 9/11 dispatcher during the deadly rampage here at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

[04:45:11] In that 911 call, which lasted about 50 seconds, the original transcript omitted any reference to ISIS and the leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Many Republicans in Washington are very critical of the FBI for doing that. They called for the full release and transparency in that.

And then, a few hours after releasing that transcript, the FBI included those references to ISIS and its leader. Those phone calls included three different phone calls that Mateen had with the Orlando police crisis negotiators, 28 minutes worth of conversations where Mateen threatened that there was a bomb in a car outside. He would ignite if anybody would do anything, quote, "stupid".

But those calls not fully released. The audio of that was not released, but just simply partial transcripts of the phone conversations that Mateen had during his three hours inside of the Pulse nightclub before he was gunned down just after 5:00 a.m. last Sunday -- Christine and Ryan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Ed, thank you for that this morning.

The Supreme Court has decided not to hear a challenge to Connecticut's ban on assault weapons. That ban was enacted after the Sandy Hook massacre in 2012. Gun rights activists challenged that ban, calling it a violation of the Second Amendment. They say they intend to resurrect that challenge once the high court has nine justices again. Connecticut's law banned the sale of all military style semiautomatic weapons and magazines that hold ten rounds or more.

NOBLES: The Oakland, California police department mired in scandal now has its fourth police chief in the past ten days. A number of officers had been accused of sexual misconduct, others allegedly sent racist texts. Three chiefs resigned and the city has taken control of the department's administrative and personnel decisions. Community leaders are calling for a complete overhaul of the Oakland PD.

ROMANS: Three New York City police commanders arrested as part of a wide-ranging federal corruption investigation. Prosecutors alleged the cops acted as a, quote, "private police force" in exchange for gifts, bribes and perks worth more than $100,000. Two of the high ranking NYPD officers are part of a federal investigation into fund raising by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

NOBLES: Two-year-old Lane Graves will be laid to rest in Nebraska. The toddler died last week after being dragged by an alligator lurking in a lagoon at Disney World where his family was vacationing. A desperate search ended the next day when Lane's brother was recovered. Disney has since installed temporary barriers and warning signs at its resort beaches and it says it's working on a more permanent long-term solution.

ROMANS: Sad story there.

All right. Record setting heat spreading into the Rockies. Meteorologist Pedram Javaheri has the latest for us.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Ryan and Christine. Yes, the heat beginning to expand off to the east, but, of course, the damage done back toward the west. You take a look at over 30,000 acres of land consumed across parts of the southwestern states. Of course, the temperatures had a lot to do with the fires and setting up the dry conditions.

Look at this. Palm Springs, 122 degrees. Phoenix up to 116. Las Vegas set a record temperature on Monday afternoon. That's another place we're watching that could shatter another daily record in back- to-back days.

And notice, Colorado Springs, places like Cheyenne, even into mountains around Casper, temps could close in on 100 degrees. Notice, it's not just confined towards the intermountain west, it does want to spread farther to the east. You will get in on the action across portions of the Midwest as well.

And notice this, severe weather threat comes back for 22 million people. This is by this afternoon. Winds and hail really is the main concern for the Tuesday storms. The Wednesday storms have really looking at this carefully, because places like at Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit and Cleveland. Big time threat for severe weather comes Wednesday afternoon for hail and wind, guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: All right. Thanks for that, Pedram.

All right. What is your favorite fast food restaurant? Quick?

NOBLES: McDonald's. The old standard, right?

ROMANS: I like all of them. There is a favorite fast food restaurant. The answer when we get an early start on your money, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:53:23] NOBLES: Emotions are raw right now in the U.K. The British are just two days away from the Brexit vote and everyone is still reeling from the shocking murder of lawmaker Jo Cox. Cox's colleagues preparing to make their final case whether Britain should either exit the E.U. or stay. And polls show the vote is too close to call. But a big debate in Wembley Arena tonight could affect the outcome.

Let's go like to London now and bring in CNN's Phil Black for the very latest -- Phil.

PHIL BLACK, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Ryan.

Just two days to go. It's extraordinary to think it is so tight, the polls show the country evenly divided and with so much at stake. So, what you are hearing from those arguing to remain with the European Union led by the Prime Minister David Cameron is really stressing of their core message, that this is a very big decision with potentially dire economic consequences, huge financial cost potentially through losing easy access to the biggest trading partner, its biggest trading bloc, the European Union.

While those arguing in favor of a Brexit are doubling down of bringing back a lot of control on immigration, returning sovereignty to Britain. They say that if you care about those two things, the only way to ensure them is to vote for Britain to leave the European Union. Both sides are really going out of their way to try and persuade the undecided, those who are wavering in their vote and who will be so important on the day because the race is simply that tight.

They will try to persuade them tonight -- the final television debate of the campaign before an audience of 6,000 people at London's Wembley Arena, trying to secure a clear result that could boost side over the line on the voting day on Thursday itself.

[04:55:17] Now, the potential for a Brexit vote could be measured as a reality because what we are seeing now is just a constant stream, a very high profile of celebrities, public people, regularly making public appeals not to vote that way. The very latest one just a short time ago this morning was David Beckham, the soccer star. He released a long statement which closed out, arguing that he believes for our children and our children's children, we should be working together to solve the problems of the world.

You can't overestimate the very strong feeling in this country at moment, especially following the murder of the member of parliament, Jo Cox, a woman who was passionately in favor of staying with the European Union, stabbed and shot on the street by a man who witnesses say was yelling, "This is for Britain." So much at stake, this is not just a general election that will determine the government for five years, but a decision that will set the economic and geopolitical direction of the country for perhaps a lifetime -- Ryan.

NOBLES: And, Phil, you mentioned how it seems as though everyone in Britain is taking a side, David Beckham, many celebrities, but also many of the major newspapers also either in the remain or leave camp. "Sunday Times" and "Sunday Telegraph" in the leave camp.

What kind of impact could that have on the vote?

BLACK: It could have an impact. The British newspapers tend to fall to one side or the other of the political spectrum usually, and I think we are seeing a similar result here as well.

The right wing, the more conservative papers, they seem to be declaring themselves in favor of Brexit. Those to the left, like you mentioned, like, "The Guardian" and "Observer", those are in favor of Britain staying with the European Union. So, a certain extent, they are preaching to their own choirs because the people who read them tend to feel politically along a similar vein as the papers themselves tend to follow. But every real declaration, every real endorsement in these final moments, well, it certainly counts, because the race is simply that tight.

NOBLES: And something the world will be watching for sure. Phil Black in London -- thank you.

ROMANS: Efforts to oust Venezuela's embattled President Nicolas Maduro gaining some momentum. People lined up at polling sites to validate signatures for a recall referendum. The country is mired in an economic crisis that includes severe food shortages. Venezuela's opposition accuses the ruling socialist party of trying to stall the referendum.

NOBLES: There are new security concerns in Rio just weeks before the Summer Olympics are scheduled to begin. More than 20 heavily armed gunmen stormed the hospital on Sunday and freeing a drug trafficker. One person was killed, two others were wounded in a shootout with police. The hospital is one of five designated to treat tourists during the summer games.

ROMANS: Let's get an early start on your money this morning. Asian stocks markets closed up. European stocks higher. U.S. stock futures are up a little bit here. London is down.

Wall Street's Brexit headache got a does of relief yesterday. The Dow gained, look at that, 130 points. Voters in the U.K. will decide Thursday whether the country will leave or remain in the European Union. Several polls show U.K. voters are leaning toward remaining in the E.U. Fed Chief Janet Yellen here will likely face questions about Brexit when she testifies in front of the Senate Banking Committee today. Her testimony will be closely watched for any signs of when the Fed will raise interest rates.

All right. So, what is America's favorite restaurant? Ready? Chick- fil-A. The Georgia-based fast food chain is the highest ranking fast food restaurant in the country for customer satisfaction. At a time when restaurants were testing out new menu items in an effort to draw in more consumers, Chick-fil-A, it stuck to the limited menu. Focusing on chicken and that has seemed to work.

That Jeep involved in the accident that killed "Star Trek" actor Anton Yelchin had been flagged for a safety issue. Yelchin dies over the weekend in Los Angeles, police say, when the SUV rolled down his driveway and pinned him against a brick post.

Fiat Chrysler issued a warning on the 2015 Grand Cherokee in April. It says more than 100 crashes had been reported because of a problem with the gear selector that causes confusion about whether the vehicle is in park. So, the gear selector looks like it's in park, but sometimes it can be in neutral, the vehicle roll away. It's a tragedy there.

NOBLES: It could be what happened in this case.

All right. EARLY START continues right now.

(MUSIC)

NOBLES: A major shakeup in Donald Trump's campaign. Trump telling his campaign manager, "You're fired". ROMANS: Four gun control measures failing in the Senate. Democrats

and Republicans at each other's throats.

NOBLES: And the Orlando gunman's own words. What he said to police during the deadly terror.