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Paul Manafort Resigns as Trump Campaign Manager, Steve Bannon New CEO; Trump arrives in Louisiana to tour flood damage; Panel discusses Trump's campaign staff changes; Ryan Lochte apologizes for behavior, media distraction; Former Olympian weighs in on Lochte scandal. Aired 10:30-11:00a

Aired August 19, 2016 - 10:30   ET

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

[10:30:00]

DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: She's this sophisticated woman from New York who's a good corporate executive. And wants to -- and really stands for, and has influenced her father on women's issues, empowering women. And the childcare, for example. But I -- it's just unimaginable to me that she would say, "Yeah, Dad, I found this fellow Steve Bannon and you really ought to go hire him and run your campaign." It just doesn't seem to me to be -- to fit who she is.

ERICA HILL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And that the part that's almost perplexing. I want to bring back in General Magnus, who also of course, is a Trump supporter. When you -- when we're parsing through these changes and bringing up points like both David, and David just did, in terms of someone like a Steve Bannon being brought in, when we know that Donald Trump is working to expand the base of his support, does that concern you at all as a Trump supporter, whether or not this was the right move?

GEN. ROBERT MAGNUS, DONALD TRUMP SUPPORTER: Well I think like any good commander, Mr. Trump is going to evaluate his own performance as well as the performance of his principal advisors. I think I would take a look at what we've seen in recent years. How often Presidents have changed Chiefs of Staff. Either because of a change of focus or, as you say, someone who is becoming distracting to the mission that the President had.

And certainly this President has -- or President Obama has mentioned the very famous, historical book, "Team of Rivals." And Lincoln went through a series of campaign managers. - they were called Commanding Generals -- until he found the one who fit with his philosophy, but most important, was winning in the mission.

And I think that's exactly what Mr. Trump is doing, is that he's shifting his mix. He -- shifting what I call a new approach, to make sure that his message is becoming clear and consistent. And not just to the groups of people who are his core supporters, but to the middle of America and all of America.

HILL: We are going to continue to follow these events out of Baton Rouge. As you can see, the motorcade making its way there out of the airport. Stay with us, we're going to take a short break as we continue to follow the developments this morning within the Trump campaign, and on the ground there. You're watching CNN, we'll be right back.

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[10:36:50]

HILL: You are looking at pictures just moments ago. Donald Trump and Mike Pence making their way down from the plane. Donald Trump arriving not long ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And so we'll be watching to see where he and his running mate are headed. Making their way out of the airport not too long ago. As they arrive there on the ground, of course where the flooding is devastating to say the very least. It's been called the worst natural disaster since Superstorm Sandy. So we'll be -- continue to follow that for you this morning, see what's happening on the ground with Donald Trump.

Meantime, plenty of other things involving Donald Trump to talk about this morning. Still with us this morning, David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst. As well as David Chalian, CNN Political Director. Sunlen Serfaty with us as well. Tara Setmayer, CNN Political Commentator, and Scottie Nell Hughes, CNN Political analyst and Trump supporter are also back with us.

So, good to have all of you here. I want to get some take on what we're seeing. So this morning we have seen Donald Trump and Mike Pence make their way to Baton Rouge on the heels of a speech last night which Donald Trump delivered. Saying he does have some regrets about things that he's said. Telling supporters they can expect to hear him tell the truth.

He was not specific on what he regretted. And then we're also seeing further movement within the campaign. Paul Manafort resigning just this morning. As a Republican strategist, Tara, I'm wondering your take on this, as we see all of these moves put together, there is some swift action happening behind the scenes, one would imagine.

[10:38:21]

TARA SETMAYER, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well sure, it was a 9-1- 1er. Anyone that's run campaigns, been involved in campaigns, can look at the trends going on with Donald Trump's campaign and saw that it was a disaster.

All of the polls in swing states show him losing. Double digits in places like Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, Pennsylvania, places that he needs to win. So it was clear that Paul Manafort was a dead man walking a few weeks ago.

Post-convention, the reports were coming out that there was dissention that Paul Manafort was frustrated with the candidate. And we can clearly see Donald Trump's behavior since then has been all over the place and created this tsunami of -- it was hemorrhaging, actually -- of support for him. So it was clear that a shakeup needed to happen. But again, when you

have this level of turmoil at this point in the campaign, it never bodes well. Because these changes are stepping on Donald Trump's message. Some would say that Donald Trump's speech this week were actually good for him and that's the kind of messaging that should -- that he should stay on.

But unfortunately all of these personnel changes and this one's out, this one's not, it's -- we're talking about that instead of what he was trying to say in his speeches. So maybe this is the final pivot, I don't know, we've said this multiple times. But it's never a good sign when you have to change the top of your campaign structure three times in a few months. Especially this close -- this close to the election.

HILL: In terms of stepping on message, David Gergen, there's also the very clear language that is being chosen. And of course that happens with anything, politics, business, you name it. But for the campaign to refer to this as an expansion, not so much as a shakeup, is that message getting through, David Gergen?

GERGEN: No, it's a shakeup and everybody knows that. I -- but I actually have some disagreement with her in the sense that he's -- here is, he's got this major, dramatic reshuffling -- and it is a third -- and you -- at that point you begin to think, "wait a minute, this is -- this campaign is in terrible trouble and heading for a disaster." And yet, even though that's the big story, he's getting a lot of attention to that one line, or couple of lines in his speech last night saying he had regrets.

He's going to get a lot of attention for going to Louisiana. I think they've done a better job than one would've expected, given the disarray that appeared to be in -- that appeared to be occurring in that camp. They've done a better job of getting themselves a little righted. And you're going to see stories in the next few days.

You know, the pew poll came out yesterday and he was only five points back. Maybe he's more -- maybe after all of this, he's like the Rasputin of American politics. He never gets killed, he keeps coming back. You know, who knows?

HILL: Only time will tell. As we know, none of us can write the end of this story. And you should definitely not try to, especially at this point. But (ph) Scottie Nell Hughes, as I understand it, you have some further information about what is happening. And how things are playing out.

[10:41:11]

SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well onto David's point, I think it just shows that this whole entire time from the very beginning, it's all about Mr. Trump. It's not about who he surrounds himself with that's the winning message. It's actually about him and his reflection on the people, and how well his policies resonate.

And I think today, what you're finding out this morning, I think the Trump camp is very happy. I think Mr. Trump was -- very much praised Manafort after coming out of the campaign conventions. What he pulled, what Manafort was able to do at the RNC was incredible. That whip (ph) team had things going, there was very little contention. Especially compared to the Democrats.

And now moving into this final phase, getting ready for the general election, the one issue that has always been said time, and time again, why folks could not get involved with Mr. Trump, is they didn't like his -- how he actually delivered his message. They liked the message, they liked the content, they just didn't like how he presented it. And he brought in two people who are experts with -- when you're talking about Kellyanne Conway, and you're talking about Stephen, two people that are experts and the best of the best. Both in the Republican and Democrat fields. And now we've seen that in the reflection the speeches today. They're resonating.

States like Nevada, Mr. Trump is actually neck-and-neck with. Indiana, he's up ahead, a state that McCain lost back in 2008. I actually think this is a great time -- this is exactly when you want to start getting your momentum going all the way to election day. And having your engagement instead of having folks like they were in 2012, not wanting to have anything to do with elections by the time we got there.

HILL: Scottie I hear a little bit of a contradiction in what you're saying. You're saying that this is not the changes at the top. That what we're seeing is not a reflection of Kellyanne Conway being brought in, it is not a reflection of someone sitting Donald Trump down and saying, "listen, here's what you need to do. Stick to that prompter, talk about the regrets."

She said this is the Donald Trump people know in private and this is the man they're putting out. But if it was Donald Trump all along, Scottie, why did it take so long, why did it take the third shift for that to come out?

HUGHES: Because it's not necessarily that he's changed. He's always been the exact same way. It's putting people around you that are willing to be a part of you and be able to encourage you to be. Mister -- the whole phrase has always been, "let Trump be Trump." And at this time in the phase, the key is, is making sure that his voice, his policies are being put out there by the folks. He's never changed his policies, he's never changed his persona.

We did see that line last night which -- you're right, David, it had a great resonance. But that's how he's always been. He's always been that person, he's just never necessarily had the messaging to get it out there to show that he does have that kind of compassion ...

HILL: David what was the series (ph) ...

HUGHES: ... He doesn't want to hurt folks. And like we're seeing in Louisiana today he wants to be in the community. He's actually there while Barack Obama is playing golf. He's actually taking it to people because, as he said last night, when one state hurts, we all hurt.

SETMAYER: That was a series of contradictions. So either let Trump be Trump ...

HUGHES: No ...

SETMAYER: ... which is what he's been doing up until now. And then -- or, it's not -- that wasn't the real Donald Trump and now we're supposed to see the real Donald Trump? Which -- which is it, I don't get it.

HUGHES: No ...

SETMAYER: So he, and he has ...

HUGHES: ... there -- it's the same thing all the way across.

SETMAYER: ... changed his position on a number of times. He's changed his positions -- he's been all over the map on everything. First the wall was definite, then it was like, "well maybe that's flexible." Then it was a ban on Muslims, then it was like, "well maybe not, just temporary." You know, the -- I mean he's gone -- he's flip flopped on so many different things that we don't know -- will the real Donald Trump please stand up? I don't know, the American people have no idea who the guys is because ...

HUGHES: Tara, Tara that ...

SETMAYER: ... because he's a con artist.

HUGHES: Tara that is ...

SETMAYER: This is what con artists do.

HUGHES: Tara, that is by your definition, Tara. And it -- that is your definition.

SETMAYER: No it's by the poll's definition, it's why he's losing.

HUGHES: The majority of American people ...

SETMAYER: That's why he's losing.

HUGHES: No, the majority of Americans are listening and they know exactly where Mr. Trump stands ...

SETMAYER: They are? In what poll was that?

HUGHES: ... You don't want to have (ph) and that's OK ...

SETMAYER: What majority of America?

HUGHES: Indiana right now -- Indiana he's winning four to six, Nevada he's tied with Hillary Clinton ...

SETMAYER: Those are red states.

HUGHES: Uh, no, Indiana, Barack Obama won in 2008.

SETMAYER: He's losing, he's losing and Indiana's not a red state -- I mean is not a state that Obama won.

HILL: I want to ask really quickly ...

SETMAYER: He's losing the major swing states that he needs to win.

HILL: Ladies, I'm going to stop you there ...

HUGHES: We are getting tight on time (ph).

HILL: Mr. Gergen, one last, one last one for you. As we look at the different Donald Trumps there is an important thing we have to talk about here. And that is that earlier this week he said, "I am who I am." As recently as August 2nd, he said, "I don't have regrets. I don't regret anything. And now we're hearing different messaging. Is there a point where that becomes dangerous, David Gergen?

GERGEN: Absolutely, absolutely. Because if it just seems to be going with the flow and you know, you say whatever is out there, you've become more the entertainer than a serious statesman. And I do think he's got to be careful about -- for whatever pivot he now makes, this being authentically Donald Trump, we need to know, "who is Donald Trump?" Because we're not quite sure right now.

And I think that is has -- it cannot come from his handlers, it has to come from him. And I can tell you this, everybody's going to be -- a lot of people are going to be tuning in to that first debate to show -- they asked the question, "which Donald Trump is going to show up?" And which Hillary Clinton is going to show up? It's really, really interesting.

HILL: David Gergen, Tara Setmayer, Scottie Nell Hughes, Sunlen Serfaty, appreciate all of you being with us on this rather busy Friday morning.

Still to come, his scandal has overshadowed this Olympics. And now Ryan Lochte breaking his silence. We have the brand new apology next.

[10:46:17]

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[10:50:37]

HILL: This just in; swimmer Ryan Lochte has issued an apology for the robbery scandal that has overshadowed the last several days of the summer games. I want to bring in now CNN's Martin Savidge who has more on that. And a lot of people have been waiting to hear from him. Marty?

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We have indeed, (ph) yeah, we being among them. Hello Erica, let me tell you, we've been staking out his home here in Charlotte, North Carolina in the hopes that he was going to come out and make some statement. He's decided now to do that using social media.

So let me just read you a portion of what Ryan Lochte has to say. And he says, "I want to apologize for my behavior last weekend. For not being more careful and candid in how I described the events of that early morning. And for my role in taking the focus away from the many athletes fulfilling their dreams of participating in the Olympics. I waited to share these thoughts until it was confirmed that the legal situation was addressed and it was clear that my teammates would be arriving home safely."

This actually goes on for some three paragraphs. In part, he talks about how it was very fearful for him to be in a foreign country, as he says, with a gun pointed at him and someone demanding money. But then on top of that he says essentially, this wouldn't have happened if he had acted more responsibly.

So it's an apology that has now been made by the Olympic athlete. There is of course, a lot of focus that has been placed upon him, not to mention a lot of money and sponsorship on the line here. He wants to get it behind him, many people would like to see this behind him. Including of course, the host country as the Olympics continues. Erica?

HILL: Martin Savidge for us this morning outside of Ryan Lochte's home, as you mentioned. As we finally are getting some word from him as he weighs in on the controversy and on the scandal. Marty, thank you.

I want to get reaction now from a former U.S. olympian. Swimmer Troy Dalbey. And this all may feel a little bit too familiar for him. Troy Dalbey is the young man in the photo we're about to show you -- there he is -- wearing glasses and two gold medals at the 1988 Summer games in Seoul, South Korea.

His remarkable achievement and all the work that went into it though, quickly overshadowed by an ill-conceived prank. He was 19, he snatched a stone statue out of a hotel and then decided to take it to dinner with him and the group. That celebration ended when police arrested him and a teammate. Troy Dalbey joins us now from Phoenix.

And Troy, we want to point out, ultimately no charges were filed. You were subjected though to some pretty harsh criticism, I know, at the time. And that was after a very public apology. As you're watching all of this unfold, Troy, and as you're seeing, and now reading the words that we have gotten from Ryan Lochte, what's your reaction to this story and to everything we've seen in the past few days?

TROY DALBEY, TWO-TIME OLYMPIC MEDALIST: I think it's a step in the right direction for him to have apologized the way he did. I don't necessarily agree with the fact that he did it on social media. But I think that it's a first step in helping the athletes that were involved in the incident, and the public in general, of putting this behind them. I think that it's a shame that so many great things are happening every hour, on the hour, in Rio right now.

And we're dedicating time that should be put forward to promoting the athletes that are doing miraculous things in their particular endeavors. And spending time on something like this, which I don't really feel is nearly as newsworthy as the accomplishments that are occurring on the field, in the diving pool, on the wrestling mats, et cetera.

HILL: And I think you'd find a number of people who would agree with you on that. I do have to ask you though, you brought up the social media aspect to it. And it's amazing how much things have changed from 1998, frankly even 2008 in many ways, to today, 2016. And the role that social media does play in these stories. And how quickly we hear about it and how quickly they stay in the headlines.

Do you think that that's going to work in the favor of, or against this story continuing to dominate the news cycle? Could it be that, thanks to social media in some ways, something else may Trump this story and may move it out. And that we may start to hear or see more of a focus on the achievements?

DALBEY: I think that that's where the focus should be. You have -- as I said before, you have many athletes doing many great things every hour, on the hour, as the games wrap up. And I would hope that you'd be able to spend that time focusing on the achievements of the athletes that are doing good. Rather than those that stepped out of line. And/or misrepresented facts that occurred on an evening of being out too late and drinking too much.

HILL: One of the things that I know many people love, myself included, when it comes around to the Olympics, are these stories that we hear about the athletes. And everything it took for them to get to where they are. And often times what's even more amazing on top of that is how young some of these folks are.

We put a lot of pressure on professional athletes. And expect them to be role models in a certain way. As a former Olympian, did you feel that same pressure? Did you, did you feel the weight of what it meant to be an Olympic athlete, especially at the young age of 19? Did you understand what came along with that?

DALBEY: I don't think that I had an appreciation for the responsibility that came with being an Olympian. I was only 19 years old when I made the team and I don't think that I was prepared, psychologically, for the responsibility that comes with becoming an Olympic champion at that point in time.

HILL: You're a father now, as I understand it ...

DALBEY: Yes, I am.

HILL: ... And you've helped swimmers in the time since. I know it was a really rough road for you to get back in the initial couple years afterwards. How much, though, has your experience become a teachable moment? Not just for your own children but for those swimmers who you've helped and coached along the way. And what is that message that you share with them?

DALBEY: Yeah, think before you act would be my advice to younger Olympians that are, that are attending their first Games. I can tell you that the incident that occurred 28 years ago, I wasn't thinking before I acted and I wish I had. It was a great lesson learned. It's something that I've discussed with my children, and look forward to further discussing after this, this afternoon.

And I just, I would hope that USA swimming puts forth (ph) a greater effort to educate first-time Olympians on issues that occur when you're in a country that you're not familiar with. The cultural issues that may be -- that may arise, and the language barriers that can occur.

HILL: Troy Dalbey, I know it may not always be your favorite topic of conversation. But you are a really important voice on this and for young athletes. So we really appreciate you taking the time to join us this morning, thank you.

DALBEY: Thank you for having me.

HILL: And thanks to all of you for being with us today. I'm Erica Hill in on this Friday for Carol Costello. Up next, AT THIS HOUR with Berman and Bolduan, after a break.

[10:58:06]

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