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Trump Talks Tough On Immigration; Protests Follow Rousseff's Impeachment; CNN Fact Checks Trump's Immigration Arguments; Flying from the U.S. to Cuba Amid Security Concerns; Venice Film Festival Opens. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired September 01, 2016 - 01:00   ET

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

[01:00:15] ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. The head this hour, Donald Trump's tough talking immigration speech. There will be no amnesty, and he still plans to build a wall. Also, protesters hit the streets in Brazil hours after the country's president is kicked out of office. And the mayors of several French towns are refusing to lift the ban on burkinis despite a court ruling ordering them to do so. Hello, and thank you for joining us. I'm Isha Sesay. NEWSROOM L.A. starts right now.

U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump talking tough on immigration in Arizona. Trump promised to create a deportation task force dedicated to getting rid of what he called, "criminal aliens." He also talked more about his plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico just hours after meeting with the Mexican president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will build a great wall along the southern border.

And Mexico will pay for the wall.

100 percent. They don't know it yet, but they're going to pay for the wall.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: Also, Murray is on the campaign trail and has more from Trump's speech.

[01:02:30] SARA MURRAY, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: Anyone who thought Donald Trump was softening on his immigration policy certainly got their answer as he campaigned Wednesday in Phoenix, Arizona. Now, earlier in the day, he took a jaunt in Mexico for a cordial meeting with the Mexican President. By the time he got to Arizona, he was ready to serve up some red meat for his Republican base. He called for adding 5,000 new border patrol agents, for tripling the number of I.C.E. Deportation officers. And as for those 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., he said they are not his main priority, that that's border security, but instead when it comes to them, if they ever hope to have legal status, they first would have to leave the country, return to their home countries, and apply through the proper channel.

Now, we saw many sides of Donald Trump on Wednesday. On Thursday, he's back on the campaign trail in the pivotal Battleground State of Ohio. We'll see if he continues to talk to his republican base or if he aims to expand it. Sara Murray, CNN, Phoenix, Arizona.

SESAY: Well, joining me now, a Democratic strategist Dave Jacobson, and California delegate for Donald Trump, Felix Veiga. Gentlemen, round two. So, Felix, we'll start with you. As you well know, Wednesday was a very big day for Donald Trump and the Trump campaign. There were numerous outstanding questions about his immigration policy. Did he present a clear and coherent vision for what he would do when it comes to the issue of immigration if he became president?

[01:03:52] FELIX VEIGA, CALIFORNIA TRUMP DELEGATE: Absolutely. He's very consistent with the plan. Secure the border. And I don't think he's deviated from the plan. You know, the challenge is everybody is talking about what do you do with the people that are here? OK? Who has the answer to that question?

SESAY: Well, he said he did.

VEIGA: I know, but real - in reality, none of us do. But what he said he's going to do is something that is fair to everybody, because he's not going to do something that benefits one class of people, and then doesn't benefit another class of people. He will figure it out, but he's consistent on his plan, and he's going to do the right thing for the American people.

SESAY: All right, Dave. He's figuring it out, he's being kinder, gentler, not really how he campaigned during the primary season, you know, if you were to look at the issue of illegal immigration and how he, you know, basically made the distinction between himself and people like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio. Did this speech going to answer the questions you had about the Trump policy?

[01:04:50] DAVE JACOBSON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIS: All right. Well, like, the big question is, like, what about the deportation force? Like that wasn't part of the conversation. And frankly, he even said, "Look, we don't know if there's 11 undocumented - 11 million undocumented individuals, 3 million undocumented individuals, or 30 million undocumented individuals, but he knew for sure that there was 2 million criminal aliens who are here. I just don't understand where he's getting all of these numbers. But I think the reality is Donald Trump has come full circle from the primary campaign. 15 months ago, he started his campaign from the very inception. First day he announced, he said Mexico is bringing, you know, drugs, criminals, rapists to this country, and he came full circle.

I heard tonight the same, sort of, divisive rhetoric that I heard on day one at the campaign. The challenges that he has is a week ago, he was waffling. He was, "softening his position." He wasn't really sure whether or not there was this deportation force. He wasn't really, you know, sort of repeating the red meat rhetoric that he had spewed out throughout the republican primary campaign. But tonight, he did, he doubled down on that strategy. So, he sort of went full circle throughout the campaign, but he's precisely where he started this campaign on day one.

SESAY: Felix?

VEIGA: I believe that he's been very, very consistent, Isha.

SESAY: But he himself said he was softening just days ago.

VEIGA: Well, he's softening because he's listening to the people. He's listening to the cries from the Latinos. He's met with them. And, you know, he's doing the right thing. I think that you have to give him credit for facing the problem head on. Nobody wanted to face this problem. He's the - he's the one that brought it to the forefront. You know, give the man some credit. He's a - he's a courageous man. He's a bold man, and he's trying to solve the problem where everybody else's pushed it down the road.

SESAY: All right. Let's -

JACOBSON: If I could jump in real quick, Isha.

SESAY: Go ahead. Cool.

JACOBSON: I think Hillary Clinton does want to solve the problem. Barack Obama wanted to solve the problem. Marco Rubio wanted to solve the problem just years ago. There was a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform plan that both secured the border and put forward a pathway, comprehensive pathway for folks to become citizens to pay back taxes, to come out of the shadows, and to be part of the American economy. Republicans supported that in the senate. We had broad support within the senate. It was the house and extremist Tea Party individuals, John Boehner, Paul Ryan who didn't want to bring it up for a vote. But at one point, there were leaders in the Republican Party who partnered with the White House because they understood fundamentality - look, if a republican wants to win the White House, they have to be able to translate an appeal to some republic - or Latino voters. Pardon me.

And I think that's why they moved forward on that senate bill. The challenge is, you got the gridlock in Washington, and it just didn't move forward. Donald Trump launched his campaign, you know, with this divisive rhetoric trying to appeal to the base of the republican vote. But unfortunately, he's doing nothing to appeal to those Latino voters that will help him, you know, lock up some of these other states.

SESAY: Well, Donald Trump launched his campaign talking tough.

JACOBSON: Yeah.

SESAY: I want to play some - of his speech when he talks about his zero tolerance to criminal aliens. Let's play that sound.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: There are at least two million - two million, think of it, criminal aliens now inside of our country. Two million people, criminal aliens. We will begin moving them out day one, as soon as I take office, day one.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: So, Felix, you hear the tough talk there, and you also heard what Dave said that Donald Trump has to appeal to some Latino voters, Hispanic voters, minority voters. Was there anything in the speech tonight that would broaden his base?

VEIGA: I believe - I believe there was a lot in there, Isha, because there's a lot of Latinos that believe the same way that I do. They do not - we do not want people coming here that aren't legal. It's not fair. It's not fair to, you know, my wife's - had family who came here legally, who paid their dues, who waited in line, who went through the process. It's not fair for the American people to have to support these people that are not legal of any race, of any culture. It's time that we do something with our border and secure it. And Donald Trump is facing that problem. And, you know, he doesn't get enough credit for it. I think - I give him a lot of credit for going to Mexico. A lot of people said that he shouldn't go. You know, Hillary Clinton was invited, she didn't go.

SESAY: She hasn't gone yet, I think we can say. I want also to play some sound from Donald Trump attacking Hillary Clinton, and President Obama is being soft on undocumented workers. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: President Obama and Hillary Clinton support sanctuary cities. They support catch and release on the border. They support VISA overstays. They support the release of dangerous, dangerous, dangerous criminals from detention. And they support unconstitutional executive amnesty.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: So, Dave, fact check that for us, because viewers around the world will hear that, and they'll say, "Is he telling the truth?"

JACOBSON: No, he's clearly exaggerating. I mean, Donald Trump doesn't tell the truth anymore. He lies through his teeth every day. I mean, he's a shape shifter, right? This guy evolves on every issue. He was pro-abortion, and now he's against abortion. He was pro-gun control, and now he's against gun control. He was foregoing to Iraq, now he's against going to Iraq. I mean, this guy exaggerates on nearly every single issue. And he's trying to appeal to an extreme republican base. That's a reality. Why was he in Arizona tonight? Well, he's in Arizona - this is a traditionally republican state for decades.

But a poll came out reported by POLITICO that he's down one point there. And the reality is he's losing in some of these historically red states. Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, Utah, Arizona, and I think he really understands fundamentally on a very basic level that if he loses this election, that's one thing, but he can't lose by a landslide if he wants to be a public figure moving forward without being a joke. And so, I think, like, right now, he's trying to throw out republican talking points, red meat, to consolidate the republican vote to close the gap, and solidify that support in these traditional republican states.

SESAY: Is that the calculation?

VEIGA: I don't believe that. I believe that Donald Trump is bringing to the forefront the fact - the fact of the matter is, is that the people are seeing - they're following the money. They're following the money from the Clinton Foundation. The truth is coming out. E- mails are coming out. Every day, truth is coming out. And you're going to see that there's going to be quite a landslide of a victory by Donald Trump.

SESAY: Well, as we were saying, Wednesday was a very big day for Donald Trump because not only did he give that big speech in Arizona, but he also made a jaunt to use (INAUDIBLE) words over to Mexico, where he said that his meeting with the Mexican president was "thoughtful and substantive." John Vause has more.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Donald Trump, following his meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. His words and tone of his words remarkably different from what he said over the past 15 months.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: A strong, prosperous and vibrant Mexico is in the best interest of the United States, and will keep and help keep for a long, long period of time, America together.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: The announcement of Trump's surprise visit met with anger across Mexico, and many talked to one of Trump's favorite weapons, Twitter. From top Mexican politician, Miguel Barbosa, "You are not welcome in Mexico. Get out." To Mexico's former first lady, Margarita Zavala, "We want you to know, you're not welcome. We Mexicans have dignity and we reject your hate speech." Historian Enrique Krauze challenged Trump. "Apologize for calling us rapists and killers. Guarantee that you won't build the wall or deport 11 million Mexicans."

Even months before announcing his candidacy, Trump previewed what would become the cornerstone of his campaign to a group of Texas donors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Everything is coming across the border, the illegals, the cars, the whole thing. It's like a big mess. It's like vomit.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Following that, now, the merely string of one-liners that has fuelled Trump's base while infuriating Hispanic voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) TRUMP: They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're

rapists.

We're going to build a great wall. The wall is going to be paid for by Mexico.

And who is going to pay for the wall?

REPUBLICANS: Mexico

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Just two months ago, Mexico's president, Trump's host today slammed Trump with the most scathing of comparisons.

ENRIQUE PENA NIETO, MEXICAN PRESIDENT (through translator): In the past, some leaders addressed their societies in those terms. Hitler and Mussolini did that, and the outcome is clear to everyone.

VAUSE: Trump's occasional attempts to connect with Hispanics like his Taco Bell post on Cinco de Mayo often backfired. Angry protesters took to the streets, and Trump became an object of ridicule. Trump Halloween masks flew off the shelves, and Trump pinatas, the subject of some serious beatings. But perhaps no one is more incensed than the prospect of a Trump presidency than former Mexican President Vicente Fox.

VICENTE FOX, FORMER MEXICAN PRESIDENT: Democracy cannot take us to crazy people that doesn't know what's going on in the world today.

VAUSE: John Vause, CNN, Mexico City.

SESAY: All right. Well, that's just one place we have to start, and that's the wall, Felix. Differing statements being put out by Trump and the President of Mexico. Trump has said in that press conference, "They never discussed who was going to pay for the wall." Then we get a Tweet from the Mexican president saying, in fact, they did discuss it. Then he said Mexico wouldn't pay for it. Then fast forward to Arizona, and Trump says, "There's going to be a wall, and Mexico is going to pay for it. They just don't know it yet." Many people look -

VEIGA: They just don't know it yet. That was the key.

SESAY: Many people looking at that and saying - first of all, supposedly he's a big - or as he put it, this big negotiator, this big dealmaker. We didn't see that deal emerge.

VEIGA: Well, here's what I say, Donald Trump is such a sharp businessman. He's been successful in 95 percent of the ventures that he's done. I don't think anybody else in the world has that statistic. This man is a very, very gifted man, and I believe that he can renegotiate the NAFTA deals. I mean, we have a $50 billion NAFTA deficit. And if he renegotiates those deals so that America is put first, OK? And so, maybe there's a $10 billion deficit the first year. In essence, Mexico is paying for the wall. Donald Trump said that they would pay for the wall, but they don't know it yet. In immigration -

SESAY: And they said they're not paying for it. So -

VEIGA: Well, based on their - you know, in terms of them writing a check and handing over a check, maybe not. But in terms of the net amount of money that is transferring -

(CROSSTALK)

SESAY: Please tell me -

VEIGA: OK. You will see that Mexico will pay for that wall.

SESAY: OK. OK.

JACOBSON: I guess the challenge is like Donald Trump isn't like methodically, like, breaking out that deal. Like, he's not painting the picture for us and America of, like, how he's going to, like, force Mexico's hand on this issue. And then at the same time, simultaneous to that, we've got the President of Mexico tweeting out, "We ain't paying for the wall."

SESAY: Yeah.

JACOBSON: That's just the cold hard reality. I think the other challenge is CNN put out a poll that shows 61 percent of Americans, like, oppose a physical barrier, you know, in the southern border of America, like, they just don't support it. They don't think it's a - something that's realistic at this point. Donald Trump is talking about wall, you're going to have these lasers that go underground, these sensors that go -

SESAY: These walls are impenetrable.

JACOBSON: It's going to be beautiful and phenomenal and - I mean, the reality is like it's just not - it's just not true. It's not going to come to fruition or at least he's not, like, explaining how he's going to craft that deal.

SESAY: You talked about polls. I want to bring up some new numbers from Fox. Let's put them up for our viewers on the screen. This is a four-way race that Fox sampled with Clinton getting just a two- percentage point lead. 41 percent to 39 percent with Donald Trump. We see Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein there at the lower end of the scale. But effectively, we're looking at a statistical tie with the GOP opponent. Dave, should this make worrying reading for the Clinton campaign?

JACOBSON: If you look at the poll that actually has the Trump versus Clinton match-up, just the two of them -

SESAY: Yeah.

JACOBSON: She's up six points. Monmouth University put out a poll today -

SESAY: But fell down from her post-convention bump.

JACOBSON: Totally. Yeah. Absolutely. But we knew that was coming. At some point, she had to, you know, dip a little bit and come to reality. But Monmouth University put out a nationwide poll today showing her up seven points. But I think you can only, like, you know, take these national polls with a grain of salt. The real game in town is looking at these Battleground States. She's leading in about 8 out of the 11 states. She's up double digits in North Carolina, a state that Barack Obama won in 2008, but lost in 2012. Double digits in Virginia, double digits in Colorado, and she's up in some of these other states. Arizona, like we talked about earlier. And so, I think, like, looking at the battleground map, not necessarily the nationwide polls, I think that's really - paints us a clear picture of her clear advantage when it comes to the polling, at least at this point.

SESAY: Felix, your reading?

VEIGA: Statistically, you're going to see that all those numbers are going to go out the door. You're going to see Donald Trump had a one percent chance of winning the nomination. You're going to see - let me tell you what's happening. The evangelicals are praying. There is a group, there's a strong force of people. This is a spiritual battle. The first thing that's happening in this race is happening in the spiritual realm, and it's already done. It's already happened. You're going to see a turn, you're going to see a change of heart, you're going to see the Hispanic people, you're going to see the black people that are going to come out and vote -

SESAY: Is this the power of prayer you're talking about?

VEIGA: Absolutely. Absolutely. This is - this is one of the most amazing spiritual battles to ever take place. And Hillary Clinton certainly doesn't have the evangelical vote. There are people on their knees. There's people praying, there's people that are interceding, you know, to take this country back. Let me tell you something. Look at - look at what I found on Facebook. Have you -

SESAY: 10 seconds, Felix.

VEIGA: OK. I'm going to show you this one thing right here that's going to - that's - Donald Trump - there was a post on Facebook when he says, "You know what, I'm going to bring God back into the White House." So many people are tired of not have been able to pray, not been able to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Look at what Colin Kaepernick just did. It's not right. God - Donald Trump is bringing God back into the White House, he's bringing law and order, and you're going to see an amazing victory come November.

SESAY: I think freedom of worship is one of the fundamentals of this country that's well-protected by all institutions.

VEIGA: I believe that. I believe that. I believe that.

SESAY: So, I'm not so sure about people being unable to exercise that right. But we're going to leave it on a spiritual note. Felix Veiga and Dave Jacobson, always a pleasure.

VEIGA: Thank you very much.

JACOBSON: Thank you very much, Isha. It's a pleasure.

SESAY: Thank you. All right. We're going to take a quick break now. France's burkini battle isn't going away. Several mayors are refusing to obey a ban on the swimwear despite a court ruling ordering them to do so.

Plus, for the first time in more than 50 years, a U.S. commercial flight has landed in Cuba. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:22:11] KATE RILEY, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: I'm Kate Riley with your CNN World Sport headlines. The transfer deadline day is now over with the window shut for the next few months. As always, many of the big deals were involving clubs in the English Premier League. That's the most hair-raising involves Chelsea resigning their former defender, David Luiz, the Brazilian center moves back to Stamford Bridge from Paris St-Germain for a fee of around $40 million. He'll be joined by left-back Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina for a reported $30 million. Well, Chelsea's EPL rival, Manchester City have been busy but in the opposite way to the blues, as they've been loaning out players for the rest of the season. (INAUDIBLE) Samir Nasri goes to Sevilla, Eliaquim Mangala to Valencia, and Joe Hart to Torino.

And speaking of loaning out players for the rest of the season, perhaps the most surprising of the lot was Arsenal shipping out midfielder Jack Wilshere to Bournemouth for the rest of the campaign. It's a massive (INAUDIBLE) for the Cherries.

And the spotlight on San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Colin Kaepernick will likely get hotter. The 49ers travel down the California coast to San Diego on Thursday, where the Chargers are planning to celebrate their 28th annual salute to the military. And at halftime, an active member of the military will perform God Bless America. And that's a look at all your sports headlines. I'm Kate Riley.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:23:55] SESAY: Hello, everyone. Gabon's opposition leader reportedly said at least two people have been killed as security forces stormed his party's headquarters. That word coming from both voices and AFP. Earlier, protesters set fire to the parliament building when incumbent Ali Bongo was declared the winner of the presidential election. Riot police used water cannons and teargas to keep protesters at bay. Mr. Bongo's family has ruled the country for nearly 50 years.

Competing demonstrations in Brazil after the senate voted to impeach President Dilma Rousseff. Some are calling for the new President Michel Temer to be removed from office. Others celebrated Mrs. Rouseff's downfall, chanting, "Goodbye darling." Shasta Darlington looks at what's next for Brazil. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The ruptures now complete. Dilma Rousseff impeached by the senate, accused of doctoring the budget to hide the sorry state of the economy. Brazil's first female president defiant to the last.

DILMA ROUSEFF, FORMER BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): This is the second coup that I have confronted in my life. The first, the military coup supported by the arms of repression and torture when I was a young militant. The second, the parliamentary coup today, a judicial farce that removed me from the post I was elected to.

DARLINGTON: Bringing an end to 13 years of worker's party governments that started like this but in Rousseff's second term, looked more like this. Sworn in in a hasty ceremony, her former vice president, now political foe, Michel Temer. Then rushing to catch a plane to China for the G20 meeting. Temer assumed the post on an interim basis in May, appointing the first all-male cabinet since the 1970s.

The markets have rallied with investors hopeful the more conservative Temer will use his allies here in the senate and in congress to pass tough austerity measures. I'm talking about pension reform and easing labor laws.

Also expect privatizations and the sale of concessions for infrastructure projects as he tackles a two-year-old recession.

PAULO KRAMER, POLITICAL ANALYST: He has to be quick because the window of opportunity, the so-called honeymoon will be very, very short. If it's to exist at all.

DARLINGTON: But Temer may also be dogged by the massive corruption investigation known as Lava Jato or Car Wash which has engulfed several politicians across the political spectrum.

CRISTOVAM BUARQUE, BRAZILIAN SENATOR: Lava Jato can come to handle, if that will happen, we'll have to start again in impeachment.

DARLINGTON: And expect plenty of political jockeying ahead of the 2018 elections. Rousseff's predecessor, mentor and two-time president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva still leads the polls, but Federal Police have now recommended he be charged in the corruption probe.

Temer down in the polls, he's already barred from running after violating campaign spending laws, but still posing for the pictures here with Olympic athletes trying to win over Brazilian hearts and minds. Shasta Darlington, CNN, Brasilia.

SESAY: All mayors in 22 French towns are ignoring a high-court's ruling to lift the burkini ban. Erin McLaughlin spoke to one French mayor along with members of Muslim

community about the conflicting definitions of the word freedom.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ERIN MCLAUGHLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The glistening beaches of the

South of France, normally the most desired holiday destinations in Europe ground zero for the battle over the so-called "burkini ban." It's now to the point that Muslim women such as Morgan Galawi saying, they don't want to go to the beach.

MORGAN GALAWI, FRENCH MUSLIM (through translator): We feel excluded, and we have the impression that we aren't at home. I was born in Nice, and this should not happen, and it's my choice to wear the head scarf.

MCLAUGHLIN: But many in France disagree with that choice. A recent poll suggests 64 percent are opposed to women wearing burkinis. And so, the City of Nice and others banned the swimwear. The ban in one of the towns was soon overturned by France's high court. But local mayors such as Marc Etienne Lansad vowed to keep their bans in place. On some beaches, a woman caught wearing a burkini is still fined and asked to leave. Officials say this has to do with concerns over Islamic terrorism. Others say it is Islamophobia.

MARC ETIENNE LANSAD, MAYOR OF COGOLIN: Stay where you're - stay where you were if you don't want to live the way we do, don't come. You're accepted if - we said that in Rome, do like Roman do.

MCLAUGHLIN: So far, that message has been heard loud and clear. CNN scoured the beaches in the South of France. Not a single burkini to be found.

LANSAD: We were building a country that allows you to be free here. And we don't want people that - to change this. You're more than welcome if you behave the way we do. This is it. And for the one who don't want that, we will have to take then laws and everything to make them accept that this is a free country.

MCLAUGHLIN: But Galawi says her definition of freedom is different.

GALAWI: In a democracy, there should be levity. We should not ban things like this.

MCLAUGHLIN: Even if it's overturned in a local court, Lansad says his ban will continue. He plans to create a new law in its place. He insists there will be no burkinis even if he has to declare his beaches for nudists only, in this bitter battle of competing values. Erin McLaughlin, CNN.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: Time for a quick break. Now, Donald Trump is promising to tell the truth about immigration. Next, what we're learning after CNN fact-checked some of his arguments, plus more on his 10-point plan including this promise.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We will build a great wall along the southern border. And Mexico will pay for the wall. (END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[01:30:00] DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will build a great wall along the southern border.

(CHEERING)

TRUMP: And Mexico will pay for the wall.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SESAY: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM, live from Los Angeles. I'm Isha Sesay.

The headlines this hour --

(HEADLINES)

SESAY: Donald Trump says his meeting with Mexico's president was, quote, "thoughtful and substantive." The Republican presidential candidate visited Mexico City Wednesday. Hours later, he headed to Phoenix, Arizona, and talked tough on immigration. Trump repeated his promise to build a wall along the border and make Mexico pay for it.

Trump's immigration rhetoric has been a key component of his election campaign. And as we regularly do, CNN's fact check team took a closer look at his arguments.

Here's our own Tom Foreman.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TOM FOREMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Donald Trump says, among all the people who have come to this country illegally, there are a great many dangerous criminals.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: There are at least two million -- think of it -- criminal aliens now inside of our country. We will begin moving them out day one as soon as I take office, day one.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[01:35:12] FOREMAN: That is a whopping number but analysts say to get to this number of criminals you have to count every possible infraction, including traffic tickets. Maybe it's more realistic to look at this one, 1.4 million people on the priority list for apprehensions for serious crimes, or 690,000, and that's believed to have been convicted of felonies or serious misdemeanors. Still, a big number but only about a third of what Trump has named here.

Nonetheless, he says he wants a special task force to go after these people, to start scooping them up. The problem is, it already exists. It was started last year. The Priority Enforcement Program began and it has been aggressively trying to track down the worst criminals out there. It's a tough job. Maybe he can make it more effective or add more officers, and maybe start on day one, as proposed. We don't know until he does it, so we will say that claim is true, but this is such a big problem, it is misleading to say he will produce any results in a short order.

Trump also went after Hillary Clinton over some of the things she said about immigration.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: Her plan will provide Obamacare, Social Security and Medicare for illegal immigrants breaking the federal budget.

(BOOING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FOREMAN: Hillary Clinton does want to let people who are here in an undocumented status buy into Obamacare. She says that will keep them out of emergency rooms, that will spread out the risk pool, and makes fiscal sense. Social Security and Medicare, they might wind up in that under her plan to make them gradually transition into being full citizens of the country but no ad hoc program is planned this way under Clinton, at least, not that we know of. So the first part of this claim, yeah, that's true. The second part is false.

You can find out a lot more about all of this by going to our website, CNN.com/realitycheck.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: For more on Trump's speech and meeting with the Mexican president, Joshua Partlow joins us now from Mexico City. He's "The Washington Post's" Mexico City bureau chief.

Joshua, so good to have you with us.

According to Donald Trump, a wall will be built and Mexico is going to pay for it. Donald Trump and the Mexican president have presented conflicting statements about whether this issue of payment was discussed when they met in Mexico earlier on Wednesday. How surprised were you to hear Trump doubling down on the issue of the wall during his immigration speech?

JOSHUA PARTLOW, MEXICO CITY BUREAU CHIEF, THE WASHINGTON POST: I guess I was a little surprised. I'm sure Mexicans were even more surprised. He presented a certain type of mood in his visit to Mexico City today, a certain tone, very respectful of Mexico, sort of casting the problems in a more regional way and not blaming Mexico specifically. He reverted to the stump line, build a wall and let Mexico pay for it. It was definitely a surprise here.

SESAY: Yeah, did you hear anything in his immigration speech that would improve Donald Trump's standing amongst Hispanics and minority voters here in the United States?

PARTLOW: I don't know. In his speech in Mexico City, I mean, he -- he spent a lot of time talking about the dangers Central American migrants face on the journey and how it is also an issue for Mexico. It is definitely true here. Mexico has dealt with a huge wave of immigration from Honduras and El Salvador and Nicaragua and Guatemala, coming through Mexico on the way to the United States. So Mexico has really had to adjust to deal with that. So it's possible that some Mexican-Americans in the U.S. would have responded to that. But in general, I think it was basically a more polite version of what he normally says here in Mexico.

SESAY: I mean, the trip to Mexico was an opportunity for Donald Trump to appear presidential and get a great photo op. But what did the Mexican president gain from the visit?

PARTLOW: That's a great question. It's really hard to say what he gained or why he even wanted this visit in the first place. It's been extremely divisive here. A lot of Mexicans are outraged at him for deciding to invite Donald Trump. People in his own government, in his own cabinet were opposed to it. It was a risky decision for him. I think there are a couple potential motives. He did want to be statesmanlike and offer both invitations to both candidates. He wanted to hear, maybe try to argue his points with Donald Trump personally. And also I think he saw it as an opportunity to defend Mexico publicly against these claims that Donald Trump is making. But that's where he let Mexicans down, I think. He didn't really defend Mexico very strongly and he didn't -- he didn't really push Trump that hard.

[01:40:30] SESAY: Yeah, and all that being said, is this a visit that could have long-term political ramifications for the Mexican president?

PARTLOW: I definitely think so. This is a day that Mexicans are going to remember for a long time and going to debate for a long time. You know, Donald Trump, before this, before today, was the most unpopular American, definitely, politician, out there even in Mexico, and their president invited him for a personal visit. And when they were publicly side by side, basically gave him the benefit of the doubt and said he believes he is in favor of what is best for Mexico. I think a lot of Mexicans will be debating that and it could cause political trouble for President Pena Nieto.

SESAY: Joshua Partlow joining us there from Mexico. We appreciate it. Thank you so much.

PARTLOW: Thanks a lot. SESAY: A quick break now. Make sure your seatbelts are buckled.

We're clear for takeoff for Cuba. Next on NEWSROOM L.A., what makes this flight so special.

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SESAY: Very bad turbulence on a plane heading across the Atlantic Ocean sent 12 people from to the hospital. The United Airlines flight was heading from Houston, Texas, to London when the shaking started. Severe drops in altitude followed the turbulence. The plane made an emergency landing in Ireland. United Airlines says it doesn't know what caused the turbulence but a CNN meteorologist says the jet stream could be to blame.

For the first time in more than 50 years, a U.S. commercial flight has landed in Cuba.

Rene Marsh was on the historic JetBlue flight.

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ANNOUNCER: (INAUDIBLE)

(CHEERING)

[01:45:21] RENE MARSH, CNN AVIATION & GOVERNMENT REGULATION CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It was a flight unlike any other.

(CHEERING)

MARSH: Celebrations and raw emotion on board. Passenger Lousette Gonzalez (ph) had not visited her family in Cuba for 16 years.

(on camera): Why was it important to be on this first flight?

LOUSETTE GONZALEZ (ph), PASSENGER: It's emotional to me because I've been battling cancer for about a year and a half now and I'm getting treatments monthly, but I'm healthy enough to go on this special flight.

MARSH (voice-over): After one hour, the flight touched down in Santa Clara. Several people lined up along the tarmac to welcome the first U.S. commercial flight to land in the country in more than 50 years.

Cuban-American pilot, Francisco Barreras (ph), was at the controls.

FRANCISCO BARRERAS (ph), UNIDENTIFIED JETBLUE PILOT: My dad was on one of those last flights. I don't know which it was. But it was August in '61. '61 is when the flights ended. That's close to the end of the year. So he had to have been on one of the last flights and me doing the first flight in, it's a full circle.

MARSH: But back in the U.S., there are concerns about Cuban airport security.

REP. JOHN KATCO, (R), NEW YORK: And assure the continuing safety and securing of our nation's aviation system.

MARSH: Republican Congressman John Katco says the country is not equipped to prevent terrorists from targeting U.S.-bound planes.

KATCO: TSA has anywhere come close to doing a thorough security inspection of the airports in Cuba.

MARSH: TSA has inspected security procedures for eight of the 10 Cuban airports approved for direct flights to the U.S. but airport screening will be up to the workers hired by the Cuban government.

(on camera): We are here at Santa Clara Airport in Cuba and we just went through security. You can see the metal detectors behind me. And they have wands to physically wand down passengers if they need to. They have conveyor belts where they screen individual luggage as well.

(voice-over): On this day, the focus for those on board JetBlue flight 387 was history.

UNIDENTIFIED PASSENGER: Just a huge milestone to now make commercial service available to the American public.

MARSH (on camera): On Wednesday, the Department of Transportation announced more flights between the U.S. and Cuba. Several airlines received final approval for direct flights from various U.S. cities to Havana, the most sought-after destination on the island.

But it is important to remember, you cannot simply travel to Cuba for tourism. You have to fall into one of 12 categories, things like visiting family or for educational purposes.

Reporting from Santa Clara, Cuba, Rene Marsh, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: A historic flight.

A quick break. The autumn movie season is kicking off at the Venice Film Festival. Ahead, why this year's opener is getting extra attention.

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(WEATHER REPORT)

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[01:52:04] SESAY: The Venice Film Festival is underway and, with it, hints of what the Academy Awards could look like last year, and that's because the last two films to win best picture Oscars also premiered in Venice. And Emma Stone and other celebrities were spotted on the red carpet. She is starring in the film "La La Land," which kicked off the festival and is expected to be a fan favorite.

Joining me is film journalist, Sandro Monetti. He's also the committee chairman for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Sandro, we have missed you. It's good to have you back.

SANDRO MONETTI, FILM JOURNALIST, & COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, THE BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION ARTS: Great to be back. Let awards season begin, Isha.

SESAY: Ta-da.

MONETTI: It all starts here.

SESAY: Let's talk about this. Why is this festival, in particular, this Venice Film Festival a good predictor of Oscar success?

MONETTI: It is significant because of the link between films that premiere here and win Oscars. "Birdman" and "Spotlight," the last two winners, premiered at Venice and got great reviews. Anyone who thinks they are a contestant wants to get into Venice. And we already have an early favorite in "La La Land."

SESAY: Why is "La La Land" creating such buzz?

MONETTI: Damian Gezell (ph), a master filmmaker, he creates money and awards. Those are magic to Hollywood. We know him from his film "Whiplash." It not only won three Oscars, it pleased his bank manager.

SESAY: It cost little to make.

MONETTI: It cost $3.3 million and made $47 million. When you have that kind success in Hollywood, people say, whatever you want to make next, you can make it. His passion project was "La La Land." They always say and advise to young film makers, make the commercial one first, and then go with the passion project. "La La Land" is a story about the magic of Los Angeles. Ryan plays a jazz pianist, Emma Stone plays an aspiring actress --

SESAY: Magical chemistry.

MONETTI: -- great couple. They fall in love. And people will fall in love with the city of Los Angeles.

Imagine this. It starts where everyone is locked in traffic and they get out of their cars and start singing and dancing. And it goes from there.

SESAY: Can you imagine that on the 101?

MONETTI: I can't really.

(LAUGHTER)

But movies have a power to change things. People copy a lot of what they see in movies. Maybe after this is a potential Oscar winner, and we suddenly people will get out of their car and start singing.

SESAY: More likely screaming.

MONETTI: Screaming, yes.

SESAY: I want to talk about Tom Ford, known for being a high-price fashion designer, but someone with a talent when it comes to making films, and "Nocturnal Animals" is generating buzz.

MONETTI: His first movie turned out to be brilliant and got a lot of praise. In Venice, he's taken seriously as a filmmaker. And his new film, "Nocturnal Animals," with Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams.

(CROSSTALK)

[01:55:06] MONETTI: Not the easiest pitch. It's about an art gallery own who feels in danger and haunted by her ex-husband's novel. Not the best pitch, but like I said, after "Whiplash" when you prove yourself as a filmmaker, whatever you want.

SESAY: What is the selection process for films at Venice? How does it differentiate itself from the others?

MONETTI: Super high stakes because they know that they are setting the bar and have something to defend here. You look at pictures that will have that Oscar quality. And there it has vaulted ahead of the younger, hipper festivals because it's an Oscar indicator. And that's what it's all about at the end of the day.

SESAY: Yes, being fabulous in Venice.

Sandro Monetti, it's good have you back, my friend.

MONETTI: Thank you. My tribute to Gene Wilder.

SESAY: He is missed.

MONETTI: Yeah.

SESAY: Thank you, Sandro.

MONETTI: Thanks.

SESAY: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM, live from Los Angeles. I'm Isha Sesay. I'll be back with another hour of news right after this.

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[02:00:05] SESAY: This is CNN NEWSROOM, live from Los Angeles.