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Feud Deepens Between Trump and Gold Star Parents; Clinton Address FBI E-mail Investigation. Aired 10-10:30a ET

Aired August 01, 2016 - 10:00   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[10:00:11] CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Happening now in the NEWSROOM.

KHIZR KHAN, FATHER OF DECEASED MUSLIM U.S. SOLDIER: He is a black soul.

COSTELLO: A fallen soldier's family.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I think I've made a lot of sacrifices.

COSTELLO: A flash point.

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Insulting the family of a fallen soldier.

COSTELLO: The Khan family resonating.

K. KHAN: This is proof of his ignorance and arrogance.

COSTELLO: Plus, Trump's Russia's stance is scrutinized.

TRUMP: I have no relationship with Putin. I have to relationship with Putin.

COSTELLO: But it isn't just questions about Putin, but Ukraine, too.

TRUMP: He's not going into Ukraine, OK, just so you understand it. You can mark it down, you can put it down.

COSTELLO: But isn't Russia already in Ukraine?

Let's talk live in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And good morning. I'm Carol Costello. Thank you so much for joining me. As we begin a new week, Donald Trump might well be searching for a reset button. It has been a bruising 72 hours with the Republican nominee hitting several pot holes in the post convention sprint to November. Trump blunders on Ukraine saying there's no way Russia will make a military move but Moscow did just that more than two years ago when its military seized Crimea. Trump balks at the debate schedule saying Hillary Clinton has rigged

it by scheduling the faceoff at the same time as the NFL games. But it's a nonpartisan group that picked the dates and it announced them more than a year ago. Trump also being criticized for claiming the NFL sent him a letter complaining about the schedule, something the league denies.

And what may be the biggest, if not most damaging story of the campaign, Donald Trump facing a growing backlash over his jabs at the parents of a Muslim U.S. soldier killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan.

Khizr Khan spoke at last week's Democratic National Convention condemning Trump's proposal to ban Muslims from entering the United States. He called the move unconstitutional and offered to lend Trump his own pocketbook version of the Constitution.

Trump has fired back, accusing the Clinton campaign of writing the speech and even suggesting the mother was not allowed to speak. This morning both parents spoke with CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

K. KHAN: I apologize if I -- if I am a little emotional about this. Every decent Republican has rebuked his behavior, yet nobody has stood up and said enough. Stop it. You will not be our candidate. In private, they have done this. We are aware of it that in private they have done this. Speaker Paul, Paul Ryan, Senate majority leader, other senior Republican leadership have done that. But this candidate's maligning of decent patriotic Republican has continued the leadership.

Look what he did and how he spoke about Mitt Romney. Look what he did, how he spoke with Senator McCain. This is a consistent, this is a proof of his ignorance and arrogance, and I again and again ask his advisers to get him in a room, close the door, and set him right. If he needs -- if he wants to be the candidate of this wonderful Republican Party, Republican and Democratic Party, both are as patriotic as anywhere and anyone.

Therefore, I'm amazed at the love and care that we have received and we continue to receive and we will continue to speak up until this candidate behaves in a dignified manner, deserving of the candidacy of this office.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: All right, let's bring in CNN's Phil Mattingly. He has more on this. Good morning, Phil.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Carol. It's worth noting this was five days ago. And this wasn't even a primetime speech, yet it's become the maximum impact moment of the Democratic National Convention. One that has continued. With Donald Trump firing back and making very clear he believes he's been attacked. When Donald Trump attacks, he counterpunches. But the rationale for why the Khan family came out and spoke last week was kind of laid out during a "NEW DAY" interview. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KHAN: They have been exercising their rights, so there is nothing new to that. We are private citizens. We are private people. We want to be out of this controversy. My good wife, Ghazala, had been insisting that I not respond. I let -- I take a more dignified path than responding to undignified attacks and comments. Therefore, we jointly decide that there is no need to escalate this.

[10:05:03] We have made the point. The amount of recognition, the amount of love, support, care, street corners, any place we go to, people come and they say you have spoken what we wanted to say. I have my e-mail box full of messages from prominent Republicans that are saying that this year no Republican presidential vote.

So we want to be out of this controversy. We don't want to continue. That is not our style. We are decent, dignified family of this country. Very appreciative of the blessings that we have enjoyed. We continue to enjoy. And we want to remain that way. This is not our path.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And, Carol, if the Khan family doesn't want this to escalate it very clearly has. In large part Donald Trump coming out and speaking yesterday in an interview with ABC News, questioning why Mrs. Khan did not speak, suggesting that in large part it may have been because of nonexistent restrictions imposed upon her by her faith. She was asked about that. And then Mr. Khan in general kind of his thought process of the back and forth between Donald Trump. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GHAZALA KHAN, MOTHER OF SLAIN U.S. SOLDIER: I can say that my religion or my family or my culture never stopped me saying whatever I want to say. And my husband is very supportive of me in these things that I have all the rights as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter. I have done very well saying my mind out, but that time was different.

And anybody can see that hard difference that time was when I was standing there in front of America, without saying a word, I had lots of love. I touched lots of hearts. So I'm thankful for everything that America has given me.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump is apparently watching right now. On Twitter, he just said, "Mr. Khan, who does not know me, viscously attacked me from the stage of the DNC and is now all over TV doing the same. Nice," he said. Given that you know he is watching now, is there a message you would like to send to him about this discussion?

K. KHAN: I really want to maintain mine and my family's dignity. I spoke what was appropriate and if he is watching, just imagine, there was no need to comment the way he commented. That initiated this conversation. I again say we want to maintain our dignity. We want to maintain my family's dignity. My son's dignity and sacrifice. And he should listen to America, what America and the world is telling about the remarks, about the lack of empathy, and that's all I wish to convey to him.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MATTINGLY: And, Carol, it's worth noting over the course of the last 24 hours this -- Donald Trump's statements about this have been roundly criticized and denounced by the Republican Party. Top Republican leaders across the board including Senator John McCain put out a 697-word statement criticizing Donald Trump for this back and forth, for these interactions. But notable omission in that statement and others they are all still, at least at this point supporting Donald Trump for president.

COSTELLO: All right. Phil Mattingly, thanks so much.

With me now to talk about all of this, CNN political commentator and Trump supporter Jeffrey Lord. CNN political contributor and Hillary Clinton supporter Michael Nutter, he's also the former mayor of Philadelphia, and journalist Anushay Hossain, she's the editor-in- chief of Anushays.com.

Welcome to all of you. Jeffrey, I'll start with you. Happy Monday, if that's possible. Jeffrey, Mr. Trump tweeted again this morning that Mr. Khan is viciously attacking him. Why can't he just let it go?

JEFFREY LORD, TRUMP SUPPORTER: Well, look, he has been attacked. Look, everybody has every respect in the world for the Khans and their son. Captain Khan is without doubt an American hero. But I have to say, Carol, when you choose to appear at either the Democratic or Republican convention, address 20 million people and in the case of the Khans, roundly attack Donald Trump for political reasons, you are going to get blowback.

That's part of the First Amendment here. That's the free speech. Mr. Khan keeps waving this Constitution. I have it right here myself. That's the First Amendment. And Mr. Khan chose to get up there and deliberately misrepresent Donald Trump's positions on issues. Of course going to get an answer. What did he expect?

COSTELLO: OK, so Anushay, I see you shaking your head.

ANUSHAY HOSSAIN, JOURNALIST: First of all, I just want to thank the Khans.

[10:10:01] I had the honor of attending UVA with Humayun Khan and I just want to thank the Khan family. They are a of American heroes. This is the voice that American Muslims have been waiting for. We have spent last year and a half, months, having our faith, having our -- being called Muslim, being openly bashed and we have finally found a hero who have stood up to our biggest bully and I just want to thank-- I want to thank the Khans. Their son was a hero, the mother is a hero, the father is a hero. They have given back American Muslims, something that has been

stripped from us during this entire election cycle which is our dignity. And for somebody to even try and justify Trump's attack on him, shame on you. He didn't even answer Mr. Khan's question. Has he read the Constitution?

LORD: Yes.

HOSSAIN: Instead of answering the question, he attacked his wife.

LORD: Yes, he did answer. He did answer. Yes, he has.

HOSSAIN: Really? What was his answer? What was his answer? Have you read it?

LORD: He said that -- well --

HOSSAIN: Because somebody who has read the U.S. Constitution cannot be actively promoting a ban on Muslims entering America.

LORD: Please tell me where it says in the Constitution that Congress does not set immigration law. Please tell me.

HOSSAIN: Immigration law? What about protecting all people of faith, freedom and liberty? Immigration?

LORD: Congress gets to decide -- Congress gets to decide what immigration law is. That's is --

HOSSAIN: What -- wait, wait. What was Trump's response, sir? What was Trump's response to Mr. Khan? He didn't have any response but to continue slandering, slandering this family whose son died for America. Slandering a woman who has lost a child. He didn't answer anything. He had nothing to say but more insults.

LORD: Where was your anger when Mrs. Clinton essentially called --

COSTELLO: OK. Michael, I want to --

LORD: -- liar?

COSTELLO: Michael. Michael, I want to get you in to this.

MICHAEL NUTTER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes. Thanks, Carol.

COSTELLO: And I will just ask you this.

NUTTER: Yes.

COSTELLO: The more perhaps Mr. Khan appears on television, do you think that it will -- you know, there's a huge outcry against Donald Trump now and what he said about this family but the more Mr. Khan appears on television might the tables turn?

NUTTER: Well, first of all, I want to also express my deepest sympathy to the Khans. I want to thank them for their presence. I want to thank them for their son. And he is an American hero. And this entire episode is indicative of the kind of hate, the kind of ignorance and the psychological imbalance that Donald Trump represents.

There is a difference between free speech and cheap talk which is what Mr. Trump is engaged in. And there is a -- clearly there's something wrong with him that he continues this activity. The concept what they said, and when you're a candidate you have to make a decision as to how you're going to conduct yourself. You can't fight every fight. And every now and then, you have to exercise some good judgment and some dignity and respect. Say that you feel this sympathy for the family and let it go. But he can't do that because he has no constraints.

He has not bounds. He knows no bottom to the kinds of things that he will engage in. So Mr. Khan has already said, I think both have indicated, that they would like this controversy to end. But in the middle of their -- this interview, just taking place, right back on Twitter because he has no self-control, Donald Trump attacking again. He can't let things go which is dangerous for any politic leader at any level of government. There's something wrong with him.

COSTELLO: Well, I want to get in -- I want to get in another point because a lot of people out there think that, you know, families who have lost loved ones in service of their country are being politicized including the mother who appeared at the RNC who lost her son in Benghazi. Hillary Clinton addressed the mother because, you know, the mother blames her for her son's death at that Benghazi compound.

LORD: Right.

COSTELLO: And, Jeffrey, I want you to listen to her response and then comment on the other side.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: My heart goes out to both of them. Losing a child under any circumstances, especially in this case, two State Department employees, extraordinary men, both of them, two CIA contractors gave their lives protecting our country, our values.

I understand the grief and the incredible sense of loss that can motivate that. As other members of families who lost loved ones have said, that's not what they heard, I don't hold any ill feeling for someone who in that moment may not fully recall everything that was or wasn't said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Jeffrey, your characterization of Hillary Clinton's response to that Benghazi mother?

[10:15:03] LORD: I didn't hear it there but I've heard a longer clip of that where she says she's wrong. In other words, she's calling Pat Smith a liar. And where is the outrage? Where is the endless media coverage of this? There isn't any. And I would suggest that's a problem.

COSTELLO: Well, I will say that other families who lost loved ones in Benghazi --

NUTTER: You have no idea what you're talking about.

COSTELLO: Michael, go ahead.

NUTTER: Yes, I mean, it sounds -- I mean, you know, Jeff wants to make a point about some of the details of Benghazi to deflect from the direct assault -- four or five days now direct assault. You did not hear an assault by Hillary Clinton there. You heard empathy and an understanding.

He has no moral center. He has no ability to be empathetic. If it's not about him, then it doesn't exist. He has already told us in his own words at the Republican convention that he is the only one who can do certain things. That's messianic and it's dangerous. There's something wrong with Donald Trump.

COSTELLO: OK, Anushay, I want -- actually, I just think that Jeffrey should response to that.

LORD: Michael, Michael, Michael.

NUTTER: If we were dealing with a reality show, it would be funny. He's running for president of the United States of America.

LORD: Yes, Michael --

NUTTER: He knows no boundaries. He keeps talking to the bottom and then there is no bottom and goes even further.

LORD: Michael, I've been -- I've been --

HOSSAIN: I also want to say, please, Jeffrey, if I could just say that as a mother, you know, last week my daughter asked me, my 4 1/2- year-old, if Donald Trump was a bad guy. Our children are listening.

And Jeffrey, you will be judged by history. You will be judged by history. This is a man who's attacking a family who has lost their son. Anybody's attempt to say that this is OK, I don't have any more words for you.

COSTELLO: Jeffrey, last word.

LORD: All I can say is read (INAUDIBLE) Burn's book on Hillary Clinton and you'll have a better understanding of her character.

COSTELLO: All right, I have to leave it there. Jeffrey Lord, Anushay Hossain and Michael Nutter, thanks to all of you.

NUTTER: You're welcome.

LORD: Thanks, Carol.

HOSSAIN: Thanks, Carol.

NUTTER: Thank you.

COSTELLO: You're welcome.

Still ahead in the NEWSROOM, Hillary Clinton also suffering so many bumps in the road. What she had to say about her private e-mail server next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:21:25] COSTELLO: We are 99 days out from Election Day and controversy on both sides of the aisle is dominating political discussions. Over the weekend Hillary Clinton addressing the FBI investigation into her private e-mail server.

Our senior Washington correspondent Joe Johns is in Washington with more on that. Hi, Joe.

JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol. The issue of Hillary Clinton's e-mails on a personal server while she was secretary of state once again in the news. Even though the FBI and the Justice Department agreed after an investigation that there should be no charges, what remains controversial is how to square her public statements denying that there were any classified e-mails with what she may have said to the FBI when they interviewed her.

Mrs. Clinton said over the weekend on FOX that the FBI director James Comey had described her statements to the agency as truthful and she once again pointed to the fact that some of the information in the e- mails was reclassified after the fact. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: Director Comey said that my answers were truthful and what I've said is consistent with what I have told the American people. That there were decisions discussed and made to classify retroactively certain of the e-mails. I was communicating with over 300 people in my e-mailing. They certainly did not believe and had no reason to believe what they were sending was classified.

What I believe is, number one, I made a mistake not using two different e-mail addresses. I have said that and I repeat it again today. It is certainly not anything that I eve would do again. I take classification seriously. I relied on and had every reason to rely on the judgments of the professionals with whom I worked.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHNS: Two problems here for Hillary Clinton and her campaign. First, there's important stuff left out, for example, the FBI director has said that some of the e-mails that were sent or received on Hillary Clinton's private server were marked classified and that whoever was doing the sending or receiving should have known that and while the FBI director has said Hillary Clinton's answers in an interview were truthful, congressional investigators have questioned whether Mrs. Clinton's public statements about this were somehow different from what she may have said to the FBI -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right, Joe Johns reporting live for us this morning, thank you.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Donald Trump takes heat for saying Vladimir Putin will not go into Ukraine even though Russia is already there. So what gives?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[10:28:30] COSTELLO: And good morning, I'm Carol Costello. Thanks so much for joining me. Donald Trump is tweeting about Russia, Crimea and foreign policy this morning and it all started when he said this about Vladimir put and Ukraine over the weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I have my own ideas. He's not going into Ukraine, OK, just so you understand. He's not going to go into Ukraine. You can mark it down, you can put it down, you can take it any way you want.

GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS: Well, he's already there, isn't he?

TRUMP: Well, he's there in a certain way but I'm not there yet. Obama's there. And frankly that whole part of the world is a mess under Obama. With all the strength you're talking about and all of the power of NATO and all of this, in the meantime, he's going -- he takes Crimea, he's sort of -- I mean --

STEPHANOPOULOS: But you said you might recognize that?

TRUMP: I'm going to take a look at it. But, you know, the people of Crimea, from what I heard, would rather be with Russia than where they were.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Well, here's the thing. Putin did make a military move when he seized the country's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 but Mr. Trump has an explanation. Moments ago on twitter, Trump tweeted, quote, "When I said in an interview that Putin is not going into Ukraine, you can mark it down, I am saying if I am president. Already in Crimea."

Then Trump added, quote, "So with all the Obama tough talk on Russia and the Ukraine, they have already taken Crimea and continue to push. That's what I said."

CNN's Drew Griffin has been reporting on the Trump campaign's possible ties to Russia. Take it away, Drew.

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT: Well, there's two themes going on here. One, does Donald Trump, Carol, have any ties with Russia as a business man and the answer seems to be no. He's tried many times to build in Russia, twice trying to get a Trump Tower built literally. Have not gone off the ground in Moscow.