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Father of Muslim U.S. Soldier: Trump is Void of Empathy; "Gold Star" Mom Responds to Trump; Paul Ryan Responds to Trump's Comments on Khizr Khan; Hillary to Speak in Columbus, Ohio; Clinton Campaign Working Hard to Win Sanders Supporters' Votes; Zika Virus Concerns. Aired 4-5p ET

Aired July 31, 2016 - 16:00   ET

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

[15:59:57] KHIZR KHAN, DAD OF FALLEN MUSLIM U.S. SOLDIER/DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION SPEAKER: That is why I have watched whole ear and rest of the world has watched and the love and affection and support that we have received after my statement, at every corner of the street, at every place, the affection, the support, the love that I have received that we continue to receive is a testament that he is talking about ignorance, he is not fully aware of these principles.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: And in the same interview that Donald Trump gave in response to your speech, he seemed to go after your wife, suggesting that perhaps she didn't speak at the convention because of your Muslim faith. Let's take a listen to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: His wife, if you look at his wife, she was standing there, she had nothing to say, she probably maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say, you tell me, but plenty of people have written that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: What is your response to that?

KHAN: That again, height of ignorance on the part of the candidate for the highest office of this nation, two things are absolutely necessary in any leader or any person that aspires, wishes to be a leader, that is moral compass and second is empathy. This candidate is white of both traits that are necessary for the stewardship of this country.

ACOSTA: You don't believe he's fit to be president?

KHAN: I do not believe his whole year long rhetoric, division, excluding people, talking about them derogatorily, as prepared him. He promised the Republican leadership that he will change his manner, he will not be as ignorant as he had been. But he had continued. Those two traits of moral compass and empathy are absolutely necessary for the leader of free world, leader of a nation like the United States.

ACOSTA: And for all of those viewers out there who are wondering why your wife stood by you silently during the convention?

KHAN: Her medical condition, she has written an op-ed in her own words, her own wise why didn't she speak. I invited (ph) her that when you come to the stage, can you say thank you for inviting us, my husband will speak further. She said you know my condition, she said you know my condition, when I see my son's picture, I cannot hold myself together. For this candidate for presidency to not be aware of the respect of a gold star mother standing there, and he had to take that shot at her? This is height of ignorance, this is why I showed him that constitution, had he read that he would know what status a gold star mother holds in this nation.

This country holds such a person in the highest regard. And he has no knowledge, no awareness that his height of his ignorance, she is ill, she had high blood pressure, people that know her, looked at her face and she said I may fall off of the stage, and I told her that you have to assemble yourself and stand for the beauty of this tribute that is being paid. This person is totally incapable of empathy, I want his family to counsel him, teach him some empathy, he will be a better person if he could become.

But he is a black soul, and this is totally unfit for the leadership of this beautiful country, the love and affection that we have received affirms that our believes, our experience in this country had been correct and positive, the world is receiving us like we have never seen. They have seen the blackness of his character. Of his soul, that he is void of recognizing, empathizing with people.

ACOSTA: And you mentioned that constitution that you keep with you in your pocket, you have it with you right now?

KHAN: I always --

ACOSTA: Why do you have it with you?

KHAN: I always have it because it embodies, it enshrines the existence of this nation. This nation, we live here so often. We had become unappreciative of the goodness of this country, but we are a testament to that, we live every day, I have a stack of this beautiful document at my home when guests come, I am so delighted to start the conversation by handing them a copy. Luckily I had it in my pocket. I didn't know that I had it. My words were different. My words were I hope you have read the conversation. I hope you will look for the words of liberty and equal justice and equal dignity. When I was getting ready to come get in the cab to go to the convention, when I put my coat on, I touched it and it was in my pocket. It is always in my pocket.

[16:05:27] ACOSTA: And Trump accused you of having these words written for you by the Clinton campaign. Is there any truth to that? Did you write the speech yourself?

KHAN: There's no truth to that. You're listening to me, you're talking to me, and over there I had limited time. I had written a longer speech and I'm going to say the rest of this speech to you right now. There is no Clinton campaign here, there is no prompter here. I am articulate person, I can utter my heart and utter my feelings and I address, which my wife asked me to not to include those things, but this is the time to say those things, I wanted to address and I address them now. I address the Senate Majority Leader, a patriot and I address Speaker of the House, a patriot American, it is a modern obligation, history will not forgive them, this election will pass, but history will be written. The lamps of moral courage will hold them, will remain a burden on their souls, on their leadership.

ACOSTA: What do you want the Republican leaders to do, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan?

KHAN: To repudiate him. They have suggested, they have sat with him, as we are aware in public, they have advised him, they have counseled him. The entire leader ship of the Republican Party, I know the Republicans are as patriotic as the Democrats, as the Independents, but he had promised them to mend his ways, divisive ways, harmful ways, hurtful manners and policies, yet he comes back again on the same thing.

It is the majority leaders and speakers, moral ethical obligation to not worry about the words, but repudiate him, withdraw the support, if they do not, I will continue to speak and I am speaking. I have received tremendous support from Republicans saying to me that in last, they have never voted in Democratic -- for Democrats. And this year, they are not going to vote Republican because for the office of president because of this candidate.

ACOSTA: You have obviously received an overwhelming response to your speech and you just mentioned that many Republicans have reached out to you to say that they appreciate your words. What about the supporters of Donald Trump, have you heard from them? What are they saying to you?

KHAN: The people that have called, left messages, I do not know what their political affiliation is, but it appears from the overwhelming response and affection and support that we continue to receive, that is what Captain Humayun Khan died fighting for the liberty, equal dignity, that is what these patriots fights the war for America, to keep it safe, to keep it, in addition to this, there was endless speech that my good wife asked me to refrain from saying, I wanted to say we reject all violence, we are faithful, patriotic, undivided loyalty to this country. We reject all terrorism.

She asked me not to say that because that was not the occasion for such an statement. We say to his ignorance. I address his ignorance. That if direct effect, the most effect of the terrorism, the menace of terrorisms have been Muslims in the world. Muslims hate this menace of terrorism as much as any other place. It is our duty to keep this country, our country, beautiful country safe. We have always part of that way. We continue to do our part to keep it safe and beautiful. What he cites in the name of Islam and all that, that is not Islam at all. I wish he would have -- somebody would have put something in his head that these are terrorists, these are criminals, these folks have nothing to do with Islam.

ACOSTA: Mr. Khan, we appreciate your-time this morning, thank you for coming in. We also appreciate the sacrifice of your soon, Army Captain Humayun Khan. Thank you very much for joining us this morning. Appreciate your words.

KHAN: Thank you very much.

ACOSTA: Thank you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[16:10:08] FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Khan's messages and Trump's reactions are both getting more questions about clarity from the man who wants to be commander-in-chief. Today the Trump's campaign senior communications advisor Jason Miller told CNN's Brian Stelter what he feels is at issue.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JASON MILLER, SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS ADVISER, TRUMP CAMPAIGN: This is about radical Islamic terrorism and this is about what's really going out here. The fact that the media doesn't want to pick up and cover what's going on in this country. I mean, where was the media outrage following Cleveland when we had supporters and survivors of those who have been hurt or killed by illegal aliens in this country, there is no media outrage following that. But again, what we're talking about here is radical Islamic terrorism and that's what's important.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN HOST, "RELIABLE SOURCES": You keep mentioning radical Islamic terrorism, as if that links to Mr. Khan, why do you keep responding that way when I mention him?

MILLER: Because that's the broader debate that we're having, the broader debate that we're having is about the screening and the vetting that we're having for people who are coming into this country.

STELTER: But that has nothing to do with this family, with this Muslim-American family.

MILLER: This is no, this is what the whole broader debate is about right now. This is not about Mr. Khan and Mr. Trump, this is about Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: All right. Next, a gold star mom joins us live, her son was killed in Afghanistan and you saw her on the stage in Philadelphia as well. We'll ask her about today's controversy and what these families face each and every day.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[16:15:59] KHAN: Donald Trump, you're asking Americans to trust you with their future. Let me ask you, have you even read the United States constitution?

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

I will gladly lend you my copy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: One of the most electrifying moments of the Democratic convention was the Muslim father of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq. When Trump has disparaged many Muslims when Trump was asked about it afterward, here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: His wife, if you look at his wife, she was standing there, she had nothing to say, she probably maybe she wasn't allowed to have anything to say, you tell me, but plenty of people have written that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Ghazala Khan, the mother of the fallen soldier has been anything but silent since. She writes in The Washington Post, in this op-ed, "I cannot walk into a room with pictures of Humayun, for all these years I haven't been able to clean the closet where his things are, I had to ask my daughter-in-law to do it. Walking into the convention stage with a huge picture of my son behind me, I could hardly control myself. What mother could? Donald Trump has children whom he loves. Does he really need to wonder why I did not speak?"

Another woman who shares similar pain is Sharon Belkofer, her son, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Belkofer was killed in Afghanistan back in 2010. She introduced President Barack Obama at the convention and she's joining us right now on the phone. Mrs. Belkofer, thank you so much for being with us.

SHARON BELKOFER, MOTHER OF SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN (on the phone): Thank you for asking me.

WHITFIELD: So, what is your initial response to Donald Trump's comments?

BELKOFER: I was extremely disappointed. Comments like that, reveal very quickly how out of touch someone is with the pain and the suffering that goes on with the families of our lost soldiers.

WHITFIELD: Trump has said that he knows all about making sacrifices, this is how he put it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How would you answer that, father, what sacrifices have you made?

TRUMP: I think I have made a lot of sacrifices, I have worked very, very hard, I have created thousands and thousands of jobs. Tens of thousands of jobs.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Those are sacrifices? TRUMP: Oh, sure, I think those are sacrifices. I think when I can

employ thousands and thousands of people, take care of their education, take care of so many things. Even in the military, I mean, I was very responsible along with the group of people for getting the Vietnam memorial built in downtown Manhattan, which to this day people still thank me for. I raised and I have raised millions of dollars for the vets, I am helping the vets a lot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: What did you hear in his response? What was your reaction?

BELKOFER: Well, I think he kind of got off the topic. I thought Mr. and Mrs. Khan's words were extremely powerful and demonstrated a depth of feeling and sensitivity for all of us who have lost our sons and daughters. And it also took a lot of courage to do what they did. I have to admit that I'm not quite as brave as they are. Because when you do things like that, you risk getting the kind of reaction that they unfortunately got. And I'm not courageous enough to submit my family to the potential of that. But I will say that while working hard and doing for others in the manner in which he speaks is certainly commendable, but there is nothing like the sacrifice of your son or your daughter.

In service to your country that can compare with that. And to try to equate that and to somehow get off that topic, which is what they were talking about, seems a little bit insensitive to me. It didn't need to be defended, he did not need to defend against what they said. What I would have loved to have heard and what I see in a true leader, who is also a humble leader is to acknowledge their pain and their suffering and to somehow console them on that and to not put down the comments and to take them as defensive remarks.

[16:20:45] WHITFIELD: You had just said a moment ago that, you know, you don't feel you're as courageous as the Khan family exhibited. You also are very courageous for sharing your family's story, the plight of your son and what you have been going through, perhaps you did in a different way than the Khan family, but give me an idea what that was like to be received the invitation to speak, to introduce the President for this occasion?

BELKOFER: It was almost unbelievable, it was unbelievable. It was surreal. It took me a long time to really believe that it was happening. The President has always been so, so very kind to me over my loss. I've been so very, very fortunate to have been able to meet with him on several occasions and to feel his warmth and his compassion. And let me emphasize again, true leaders, they are the ones that exude the compassion and the feeling and the sincerity and the honesty that he has always demonstrated with me. It was an unbelievable, unbelievable experience and I will always -- I will always remember that as a very, very humbling and awesome experience.

WHITFIELD: There were also a couple of comments talking about the politicization of a gold star families. Did you feel like you were politicized by being invited to speak and to share your story? BELKOFER: No, and absolutely not. Actually I felt it was an

opportunity to once again, bring attention to my son and to be able to convey the feelings of all of the gold star mothers and families across the country. I did not feel like that was politicizing at all. To be able to demonstrate the compassion that has been given to us by all kinds of leaders across the country. It was a good opportunity to do that.

WHITFIELD: Sharon Belkofer, thank you so much and thank you again for your family's service.

BELKOFER: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, Khizr Khan in the interview that he did on State of the Union today, with our Jim Acosta, he challenged Republican leadership such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to repudiate Donald Trump. And we since now heard from House Speaker Paul Ryan, just responding to this controversy now, saying in this statement, quote, "America's greatness is built on the principles of liberty and preserved by the men and women who wear the uniform to defend it.

As I have said on numerous occasions, a religious task for entering our country is not reflective of these fundamental values, I reject it." Many Muslim Americans have served valiantly in our military and made the ultimate sacrifice. Captain Khan was one such brave example, his sacrifice and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan should always be honored, period."

We'll have much more on this after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:28:00] WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. House Speaker Paul Ryan has just responded to the controversy surrounding Donald Trump and Khizr Khan, the father of the fallen Muslim American soldier. The statement reading this from Paul Ryan. "America's greatness is built from the principles of liberty and preserve by the men and women who wear the uniform to defend it. As I have said on numerous occasions, a religious test for entering our country is not reflective of these fundamental values. I reject it. Many Muslim Americans have served valiantly in our military and made the ultimate sacrifice, Captain Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan should always be honored, period."

Let's bring in our panel, political analyst Ellis Henican, author of "The Party's Over: How I Became a Democrat?" Also with me is Brian Morgenstern, a Republican strategist and CNN political commentator and former Reagan White House political Director Jeffrey Lord.

All right. Good to see all of you, gentleman.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hello, Fred.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hey, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right. So, Jeffrey, you first, is this a repudiation of Trump or his comments which was the challenge by Khizr Khan?

JEFFREY LORD, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: The Speaker Ryan's words or the --

WHITFIELD: Speaker Ryan's words, because it was Khizr Khan who said he wants the leadership such as Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell to repudiate Donald Trump and then now hours we have this statement from Paul Ryan.

LORD: Paul Ryan is saying nothing now that he hasn't said in the past. So, I really don't think there's any new -- anything new there, it's just a simple restatement of things he said in the past. Let me just say this about Mr. Khan, obviously his son is an American hero. And let me emphasize the word American, however, I have to say, I listened to his speech and I listened to him say, Donald Trump hasn't sacrificed. What has Hillary Clinton sacrificed? I mean, I just was puzzled at that? What is the difference between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on the issue? And why does he think Hillary Clinton has sacrificed? He's never said anything about that.

WHITFIELD: Wouldn't Hillary Clinton responds, she's been a public servant, you know, for a very long time and --

[16:30:08] LORD: Well, with all due respect Fred, being a public servant is not a sacrifice. It's a privilege. I have been a public servant. I worked for decades in government working for a congressman, senator, president, cabinet officer.

WHITFIELD: So, then counter that with what Donald Trump said and he said producing jobs -- creating jobs that was a sacrifice...

LORD: Correct.

WHITFIELD: ...that was his answer...

LORD: Correct.

WHITFIELD: Is that a sacrifice?

LORD: That is a sacrifice, because first of all you don't have to do it, there's no guaranteed income, you are risking everything you have and let's be candid here I mean this country is not about public service.

This country is about the American people then their right to go out there and do their thing as it were and to create jobs, et cetera.

We would have nothing in this country if we didn't have the private sector of which he has been a key player. Public service let me emphasize is a privilege, it is not a sacrifice.

WHITFIELD: OK. So, Ellis you first then there are two things then the issues of the sacrifice, Donald Trump was, you know, challenged because your concept, what have you sacrificed?

And his answer is, you know, he has produced jobs, and then the other issue the challenge produced by because you're Khan to Paul Ryan to repudiate Donald Trump.

And this is a statement, so how do you respond to the two things now since Jeffrey brought them up collectively like that?

ELLIS HENICAN, POLITICAL ANALYST: Fred, there's only one fact here that applies to both of your questions and that is that there is no trashing the sacrifice that someone like young Mr. Khan made for his country.

And any politician who tries is going to regret it. He ought to be repudiated by the opposing party and indeed now he is seen by his own party. The interview that you just conducted with that gold star mom, Ms. Belcanto (ph) just another example of the kind of decency and sacrifice that these people brings to the table.

And for anyone -- anyone to diminish that or to insult folks or to trash their religion or their culture is morally wrong and politically highly unwise.

WHITFIELD: So, Brian where is this going? Because there have been so I mean just an incredible variation of sentiments on all of this, from Khizr khan, to the criticism, Donald Trump's comments about the wife, you know, Kazala (ph) who was unable -- who didn't speak and he said that she wasn't -- he implied it was culturally and now you've got Paul Ryan, you know, weighing in to -- where is this going and how might this reshape dialogue or even votes -- influence votes?

BRIAN MORGENSTERN, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Well, I think the problem is that we don't know. And that, I think, is at the root of all of this. I mean Donald Trump was confronted by the Khan Family for sure and had every right to respond.

But a response along the lines of, you know, their sacrifice is tremendous in defence of freedom and against terror and in defence of their right to vote for my opponent. And so I honor that, I thank them for their service and I will continue to address the issue of terrorism with the help of brave men just like their son.

Then you can move on from the new cycle, you can get back on the debate over, you know, who's going to lead the country and how they're going to lead it. Unfortunately, we get into this personal tit for tat and then it gets diverted into all these different other areas.

And meanwhile you have the families of Benghazi victims and others and the email scandal and everything else with people wanting to get into, you know, a debate over how Hillary would behave as commander-in- chief.

But that takes, you know, the backseat that gets pushed aside because it seems like Donald Trump wants to get into personal fights with people, you know, who disagree with him or who have something to say about him and it just steers everything in the wrong direction.

WHITFIELD: And it just seems Jeffrey I mean, you know, it seems like everybody is in agreement that this is now a problem. I mean this -- this is a prickly, uncomfortable issue, discussion, and does it mean...

LORD: Right.

WHITFIELD: ...that Donald Trump helps to clean this up by saying something different, by not commenting anymore I mean what would you advise here?

LORD: All right, let me -- let me throw something into the mix here. Tomorrow is the first of August and unfortunately, in American politics and the American media, when we have a low, I mean we just had two busy big weeks in Cleveland and Philadelphia with lot of news.

Unfortunately, any number of things will pop-up in the month of August and be given all kinds of attention because it's a slow news month, I think this is the last of the convention -- and the convention news and the very first of the August doldrums here we're making a story out of this.

I mean I don't think -- I think this will go away the minute something else occurs and that's no disrespect to Mr. Khan. It's just the way the news cycle works.

WHITFIELD: Well, does it also become a story when Donald Trump continues to tweet about it? I mean he just tweeted this morning that he was...

LORD: Well, he has a...

WHITFIELD: ...viciously attack.

LORD: I mean he was attacked by Mr. Khan, and let me I mean I've taken a look at Mr. Khan's remarks again and he said some things in there that were flatly false, that he wanted to ban Muslims, that just simply isn't true. He wanted a temporary halt to immigration with from Islamic countries or Muslims until in his words we can figure out...

WHITFIELD: But at first he did say ban Muslims, Jeffrey.

LORD: At what?

WHITFIELD: At first he did say ban Muslims.

[16:35:00]

LORD: To -- on a temporary basis to stop, understand what the problem is. When we have Islamic radicals coming in to this country, with the intent and succeeding, as did the woman in San Bernardino killing 14 Americans --mass murdering Americans, yes we have to take a look at that what's going on. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

WHITFIELD: Ellis.

HENICAN: I got to tell you Jeffrey, you know, let's talk about the news business for a second. Any time ever a nominee of a major political party decides to attack in the most vicious and personal terms, a gold star family, whose family member gave his life in defence of America, and to slime those people in a personal basis about their religion and their culture that my friend is news and if he does it again tomorrow, it's going to be an even bigger story.

WHITFIELD: Brian, you get the last word if you want.

MORGENSTERN: Yes, it's families like the Khans that we need in addressing this issue. And Donald trump has said as much and that this is as much a war, you know, a violent war against those who are trying to kill us as it is -- an ideological war in terms of rooting out the patriotic people of all stripes, including and especially Muslim people to help us in this -- in this war going forward. And so their sacrifice is noted, it is appreciated and hopefully Donald Trump will move on from this sort of personal dispute.

HENICAN: Thank you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Brian Morgenstern, Ellis Henican, Jeffrey Lord, thanks to all of you gentlemen, appreciate it. >

HENICAN: Thanks, Fred.

MORGENSTERN: Thanks, Fred.

WHITFIELD: All right, and at this moment, you see the live pictures right now out of Columbus, Ohio, Hillary speaking. We're taking you there live right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:40:00] WHITFIELD: Welcome back. Live pictures right now, Hillary Clinton speaking to an audience there in Columbus, Ohio. We are monitoring the comments and of course we'll bring you any major headlines as it happens. Meantime, Bernie sanders fans may be some of the most sought-after people in politics right now especially for the Clinton camp working around the clock to woo voters to their side.

TIM KAINE, VICE-PRESIDENT CANDIDATE: I think Bernie did a good job this week by, you know, by telling his folks why Hillary was right and why Donald Trump is, you know, directly contrary to every value that he has ever held or advocated in his life.

WHITFIELD: So, will the strategy work especially among those who have strongly declared Bernie or bust. I want to bring in freelance writer and Bernie Sanders' supporter, Walker Bragman. Good to see you Walker.

WALKER BRAGMAN, FREELANCE WRITER, BERNIE SANDER'S SUPPORTER: Good to see you too. How are you?

WHITFIELD: I'm doing pretty good. So, have you made a decision, will you be, you know, leaning towards Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump now that your guy, Bernie Sanders is out?

BRAGMAN: I'm voting for Jill Stein.

WHITFIELD: Why? BRAGMAN: Because Jill Stein represents my values, I don't think

Hillary Clinton does. I definitely don't think Donald Trump does. When it comes down to a choice between two people, I think are intolerable and one that has, you know, I think a good chance of getting on the ballot. I'm with -- I'm with the one who I like, and that's Jill Stein.

WHITFIELD: And the one you like, Jill Stein, do you believe she has a viable chance to be in the White House?

BRAGMAN: No, but then I also live in New York and I think that the best thing that we can do right now is get the Green Party significant enough percentage of the vote to be able to be on the ballot in all 50 states.

WHITFIELD: So, then what is this bounce (ph) though in terms of how you want the four year -- the next four years to look like, if you are admitting right now you don't think she would actually make her way in to the White House, so what is it that you want to see happen in the next four years that might be delivered by either of the other leading party candidates?

BRAGMAN: Well, honestly, I don't really think that either Clinton or Trump have much of a chance of getting anything that they want through. Clinton is going to be dealing with a Republican House. Donald Trump is probably going to be dealing with a Democratic senate and dissent within his own party.

And what I don't want to have happened is a Democratic candidate running in four years when there's a census and the districts will be redrawn. I don't want a candidate running then on a record of no achievement for the American people.

WHITFIELD: So, where are you going to put your energies, you know, into the next four years, since you don't believe it will be Jill Stein who is in the White House, but you are going to be voting for her come November?

BRAGMAN: Well, my energy is going to be supporting progressives down ballot. That was the big consensus at the DNC among the Bernie delegates. I think that the Democratic Party right now is at -- is at a breaking point.

There is -- there is a massive divide, an all four days of the DNC. There were protests. The last day was not really covered by any major media but there was a silence seat in the actual convention hall.

I think that they're -- we're on the start -- we're at the start of a new progressive movement in this country and I look forward to it.

WHITFIELD: All right, Walker Bragman thanks so much for your time. Appreciate it from New York.

BRAGMAN: Thank you very much.

WHITFIELD: All right, coming up, the Zika virus stoking fears around the world that steps Florida residents and Olympic athletes alike are taking to minimize their chances of contracting the virus, next.

But first here's a look at this week's CNN hero meet Carrie Meghie, whose newborn spent more than 100 days in intensive care, adding to the stress the cost of parking. Afterwards, Carrie started a foundation to help other parents going through similar ordeals.

CARRIE MEGHIE, CNN HERO: These babies are in the NIQU for 90 days spent months at a time. When your child is going to be in the hospital for a long-term stay, you think about all the medical expenses or, you know, things of that nature.

But when you end up with the realty that this parking is going to cost you, you know, so much money, it's just not something that people expects. It's definitely, you know, a significant burden on families and there are a lot of babies who are alone a lot of the time.

WHITFIELD: All right, to see how Meghie is helping families spend more time with their babies in NIQU, visit cnn.heroes.com and while you're there, nominate someone you think should be a 2016 CNN hero.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[16:45:00] WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. So, South Florida, taking extra precaution to fight Zika after four new cases of the virus were confirmed near downtown Miami. People say they're spending less time outdoors.

A new Zika information hotline in fact is now up and running to answer all of your questions and blood banks have implemented aggressive new testing guidelines.

CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta is in Brazil which is ground zero for the Zika virus. And, you know, Sanjay people have been expressed their concerns in the states particularly this couple in Florida. Listen.

CHRISTINE STERN, MIAMI RESIDENT: We also have a lot of tourism in Miami from South America and, you know, ever since the news broke about Brazil, that's why I've been concerned about it because, easy, easy for it to transmit, you know, to come here. It was just a matter of time.

WHITFIELD: So, they want to start a family, they want to have a baby. What kind of advice do you give to people who are alarmed and frightened?

[16:50:00] DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, first of all you can completely understand this fear. I mean first of all, we're dealing with a new virus -- a virus that much of the world hasn't seen before and obviously this link to birth defects.

What I would say is I'm here in Brazil right now. We were just in Salvador earlier this week. There was -- this was the place where you saw lots of cases of the Zika infection and lots of cases of this birth defect known as microcephaly. The United States what -- from what you look at -- when you look at the United States, the environment, simple things like screens on windows, climate control on buildings, mosquito protection, I don't think the infection is going to spread very quickly and very widely in the United States, certainly not like it has in Brazil.

But look if you're -- if you're someone thinking about having a baby in that particular area where Zika is now spreading locally, you can absolutely understand the concerns. And here in Brazil, they've been told to delay pregnancy until they, you know, get the Zika better under control. I think it's very low likelihood. But, you know, the risk is there.

WHITFIELD: And so Sanjay, are they in combat mode to get the Zika under control there or have they just decided that this is a way of life?

GUPTA: No, I think they have -- they are doing a lot. I mean, they have been dealing with this for, you know, close to two years now in some parts of Brazil. They don't have a vaccine that would obviously be one of the strongest weapons against Zika.

But I will tell you as well I'm here in Rio now. We're in Salvador yesterday. The weather is cooler here. Remember, this is sort of their winter compared to the summer in the states. I don't really see many mosquitoes here. So, this is a very seasonal sort of thing as well.

So, you are going to see a little bit of a low. Actually, a significant low I think in the number of Zika infections. They may come back as the weather gets warmer, as mosquito starts to come out again.

But in the meantime, they're trying to learn as much as they can about this infection. And I also want to point out, Fred, I know you and I have talked about this several times in the past, but you know, 80% of people who get this infection will have no symptoms or very mild symptoms.

It is really this connection with birth defects or the connection with pregnant women that is of the greatest concern and that's true here in Brazil and certainly true in the United States as well.

WHITFIELD: All right, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, thank you so much in Rio.

All right, back here on the road for the White House, Hillary Clinton there, talking to folks in Columbus, Ohio. Let's listen in.

HILLARY CLINTON, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: But we can't do any of this without your help. And I'm asking for it. We need you to get involved in the campaign. And right now if you will text join -- J-O-I-N at 47246 or go to hillaryclinton.com you can find out how to get involved.

And by the way, we are hiring organizers in Ohio if you're interested in being part of our campaign staff because at the end of this election, I want people to have made an informed choice. I don't want folks to be misled to listen to the rhetoric and the demagoguery. I personally think that Donald Trump poses a serious threat to our democracy. And...

(CHEERING)

CLINTON: ...it's going to be up to all of us, to repudiate the hatefulness, attacks on distinguished military leaders like General John Allen who came to the democratic convention because he loves a country that he served for more than 40 years and wanted to be clear about what he thought was best for our...

WHITFIELD: We're going to continue to monitor the remarks of Hillary Clinton there, stumping in Columbus, Ohio at the end of that three day bus tour going through Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Thanks so much for being with me today. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. So much more straight ahead, CNN News Room continues with Poppy Harlow after this.

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[16:55:00] POPPY HARLOW, AMERICAN JOURNALIST, CNN NEWSROOM ANCHOR: Hi, everyone, top of the hour here on the CNN Newsroom. I'm Poppy Harlow in New York with you this Sunday evening. We begin with this. The Muslim American father of a slain war hero wants Republican leaders to reject Donald Trump immediately.

Khizer khan says that Trump has a dark soul saying that this morning on state of the union. Trump is now firing back, publicly feuding with Khan on television and via Twitter. This all started earlier this week at the democratic national convention.

Amidst the star studded features Khan's voice was especially poignant, a grieving father speaking off the cuff, not off the teleprompter, with words from his heart.

KHIZR KHAN, MUSLIM AMERICAN FATHER OF ARMY CAPTAIN KILLED IN IRAQ WAR: Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution? I will -- I will gladly lend you my copy --