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Trump to Meet With Mitt Romney Today; "Hamilton" Cast Addresses Mike Pence; President Obama in Peru for Trade Summit; Hate Crimes, Harassment Increase Post-Election; $25M Settlement Reached In Trump University Case; Tailgating With The Tennessee Volunteers. Aired 11a- 12p ET
Aired November 19, 2016 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:31] MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: It's 11:00 on the East Coast. I'm Martin Savidge in for Fredricka Whitfield. She is off today. It's great to be with you.
Two big stories unfolding this hour, both happening behind closed doors. President Obama is in Peru on the last leg of his final international tour where he arrived last night. This hour he's meeting with the Peruvian president where he's expected to continue to face questions over what a Donald Trump presidency will mean for Asia and trade.
And then President-elect Trump is holding high-level meetings of his own at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. He's set to meet with former Republican presidential nominee and former antagonist Mitt Romney at 1:00. But one of the topics of discussion will likely be the secretary of state position in Trump's Cabinet.
The Mitt Romney meeting is just one of the nonstop sessions that Trump is going to hold today as he contemplates who will fill the remaining slots in his Cabinet. Also on the calendar today, talks with Michelle Rhee. He's a school choice advocate who is believed to be in the running for education secretary and retired Marine General James Mattis, a possible defense secretary pick.
CNN's Jessica Schneider is following this story. She joins us now or joins me live now from Bridgewater, New Jersey -- Jessica.
JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Martin. You know, the Trump transition team just announcing that Mitt Romney, that highly anticipated meeting with Donald Trump, that will be happening at 1:00 this afternoon. Of course these men have had a contentious relationship over the past year and a half. The war of words really reaching a fever pitch back in March during the primary season when Mitt Romney called Donald Trump a phony and a fraud, but they will be meeting face to face over at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, in just about two hours.
Of course the buzz surrounding their meeting, the talk of secretary of state. Sources telling CNN that Mitt Romney has long said that if he were to get back into government, secretary of state would be the position that he would be eyeing. However, a close friend to Mitt Romney has expressed healthy skepticism that if Mitt Romney were offered a position in the Trump White House, that he wouldn't actually accept it. But on the transition call this morning, communications director Jason Miller expressing the fact that all of these meetings that are happening this week and this weekend, it reflects the outreach that the Trump team is giving to a broad array of ideas, diverse opinions as well.
In fact Donald Trump won't just be meeting with Mitt Romney today. He has a slew of names who he'll be meeting with. In fact one of those names here actually that will happen tomorrow, Governor Chris Christie. Chris Christie of course was initially leading the transition team until he was kicked off of it. Donald Trump will meet with him tomorrow. So uncertain exactly what they'll address.
And one other note, the transition team call that happened this morning, it was discussed that there could be another announcement coming later today, another announcement of a position on the national security team. So all things will be looking forward to in the coming hours. Of course that highly anticipated meeting with Mitt Romney happening at 1:00 today -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Going to be a good one. All right, Jessica Schneider, thanks very much, reporting from outside Trump's golf course in New Jersey.
So let's talk about this relationship and this meeting with CNN political analyst Rebecca Berg and CNN presidential historian, Timothy Naftali.
I have, too, a great deal of skepticism about this meeting, Rebecca. Let's just remind people how Romney was so much a critic of Donald Trump during the campaign and also Trump is no fan of Mitt Romney. Just listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY, FORMER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Here's what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT-ELECT: But he's a disloyal guy. See, he's an elitist.
ROMNEY: His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University.
TRUMP: The guy's a stone-cold loser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: So, Rebecca, what is this meeting all about? Are we really supposed to believe he is up for a possible position with the Trump Cabinet?
REBECCA BERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, certainly, Martin, this meeting will send a message on behalf of Trump and his incoming administration that even if they don't pick Mitt Romney for a Cabinet position or secretary of state in particular that they are open to his counsel, that they are willing to hear from all sides within the Republican Party and even outside the Republican Party, and also it sends the signal that the bitterness from the campaign is subsiding, the campaign is over, the election is over, we are moving on to governing.
[11:05:04] So that's the signal that they're sending here. Whether they're serious about Mitt Romney, though, that's still an open question. As a potential member of Trump's Cabinet, it would be very difficult in my mind for Mitt Romney to answer to Donald Trump as his boss. And let's remember, not only do they have some personal tensions that have been expressed over the course of the campaign, but Mitt Romney disagrees with Donald Trump on some very fundamental foreign policy issues, for example Russia. Mitt Romney during his presidential campaign in 2012 was very, very worried publicly about Russia's influence around the world, wanted to take a very hard-line stance against Russia.
And Donald Trump, as we know, has actually spoken pretty favorably about Vladimir Putin and Russia and working with them as president of the United States.
(CROSSTALK)
SAVIDGE: Let's bring Tim -- let's bring Tim in this discussion.
BERG: So it's some of these fundamental disagreements will be key.
SAVIDGE: Tim, let me ask you this. You know, we're just talking about the position possibly of the secretary of state for Mitt Romney. First of all, how realistic do you think that is and do you see, of course, that there could be these clashes between what is the right direction and the right way to handle countries?
TIMOTHY NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: Well, it would speak well of Donald Trump if he selected Mitt Romney for his secretary of state. It would show that Donald Trump had the self-confidence that Barack Obama had when he selected Hillary Clinton. I mean it's -- there are lots of presidents in our history of political rivals working together in a Cabinet, and for a president to choose a high- profile secretary of state.
The fact that they disagree, well, that you can count on. The question is if Donald Trump were to select Mitt Romney, they would have an understanding, I'm sure. They would both recognize that they're loyal to the Constitution, so the fact that they may have differences of opinion about TPP or something else, that's well known before this partnership starts. It would be very interesting to see how it works out.
My skepticism, which I share with you and Rebecca, is the extent to which Donald Trump has the self-confidence to choose a high-profile secretary of state who could very easily outshine him given that Donald Trump has almost no foreign policy experience.
SAVIDGE: Right. That is a concern you would have to have.
Well, stay with us, Tim and Rebecca. We'll continue a discussion in a moment.
As Trump works to fill his Cabinet in New Jersey, his running mate, he took the night off last night to catch a hit Broadway musical, "Hamilton." A lot of people want to see that. But when Vice President-elect Mike Pence entered the theater, he got a mixed response. Later during the curtain call, one of the stars of "Hamilton" made a plea to Pence. It was caught on video. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRANDON VICTOR DIXON, PLAYS AARON BURR IN "HAMILTON": Vice President- elect Pence, we welcome you and we truly thank you for joining us here at "Hamilton: An American Musical." We really do.
We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet --
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
DIXON: Our children, our parents, or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir. But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us. All of us.
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
DIXON: We truly thank you for sharing this show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men and women of different colors, creeds, and orientations. We hope that you represent all of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: An unexpected additional act to a Broadway smash hit. Rachel Crane joins us now.
Rachel, a lot of reaction to this all over social media including President-elect Trump. What's he saying?
RACHEL CRANE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Martin. Last night words spread that Pence was at "Hamilton." Thousands of tweets storming social media. And just this morning, Donald Trump back on Twitter tweeting, "Our wonderful future VP, Mike Pence, was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of 'Hamilton,' cameras blazing. This should not happen."
He also then sent another tweet saying, "The theater must always be a safe and special place. The cast of 'Hamilton" was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize."
Now just moments ago, Martin, I had the opportunity to speak with a spokesperson for the musical "Hamilton." He said that the message was incredibly polite. He pointed out that Brandon Dixon thanked Mike Pence for coming to the musical, saying that, "I see no way whatsoever that the cast was being rude." He pointed out that those boos that you hear in that video, that they were coming from the audience. They were not coming from the cast of "Hamilton."
He also pointed out that Brandon Dixon made a polite request on behalf of the cast and other Americans.
[11:10:07] Also, Martin, he mentioned that he was not sure what Donald Trump's definition of harassment was, but he said that this did not constitute harassment -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: And to sort of keep with this Twitter battle, I understand that the cast member who delivered that message to Pence has now responded as well.
CRANE: That's right, Martin. Brandon Dixon, who plays Aaron Burr, who delivered the message, as you pointed out, he did respond this morning saying, "@realDonaldTrump, conversation is not harassment, sir, and I appreciate @MikePence for stopping to listen."
We were able to confirm with the spokesperson for the musical that Mike Pence did stop once he heard this message being delivered to him and heard the message in its entirety. But, you know, other people in the spotlight taking to Twitter, responding to this Twitter, you know, mini war that's going on here.
Lin Manuel Miranda who of course wrote "Hamilton," was the former star of it, saying, "Proud of @hamiltonmusical, proud of Brandon Dixon for leading the club, and proud to all -- proud to remind you all that all are welcome to the theater." Martin.
SAVIDGE: Rachel Crane, thank you very much for updating us on that.
Let's bring back Rebecca Berg and Timothy Naftali.
I wanted to get your quick reaction to this. Trump wants an apology. Should there be one?
And Rebecca, what do you think?
BERG: No, I don't think that's necessary. And I would just because you look at the actual message that was projected from the stage at "Hamilton" and it was very polite, very civil. Really just what we value so much in this democracy which is having the freedom publicly to air your disagreements. And that's precisely what it was in this case.
Certainly there are people who are still feeling very raw after this election, want to express their disappointment, want to urge the president and vice president to act in everyone's best interests. And I think that's what we saw last night.
SAVIDGE: And these are sort of aftershocks I suppose socially going through.
But, Timothy, let me ask you this. Trump uses the term harassed. Maybe the language didn't reflect that, but did the vice president- elect expect that he could take family members to go see a Broadway show without someone on stage getting up and delivering a message, no matter how well-intentioned it might have been?
NAFTALI: Look, this has been such an extraordinary year and an extraordinary election. Words have been used as daggers. And a play may not be -- I mean plays have political content. But the fact of the matter is the new team coming into the White House has to understand that they challenged people to think about the vision of America going forward. And folks don't agree and they have their First Amendment right to express that disagreement. As long as it's civil, as long as it's nonviolent, it's very American.
SAVIDGE: It is indeed. And of course history reflected in "Hamilton." Thank you both. We are going to continue talking and we'll have more on this whole matter coming up later in the hour.
Also coming up, a firsthand account from inside the theater. We'll speak with someone who was in the audience last night to get their take.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:16:31] SAVIDGE: This just in. GOP spokesman Sean Spicer gave an update on Trump team's daily transition. That's a call regarding more appointments. And specifically it was focused on the issue of national security. Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN SPICER, CHIEF STRATEGIST AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, RNC: Yesterday obviously the focus between the announcements and the landing teams arriving at those various agencies with national security. And it's very possible you'll see an additional announcement today of an appointment in that same area pending the president-elect's schedule who may have an additional announcement in that area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: One of the jobs that could be filled potentially at least with the nomination of National Intelligence director, secretary of defense, secretary of state. Of course we'll be watching that intently.
President Obama meanwhile is in Lima, Peru at this hour. It is the last stop on his final overseas tour as president. He made stops in Greece and Germany earlier this week and last night he arrived in Lima, where he will spend the weekend at the APEC trade summit before heading home on Monday.
Obama is meeting with Pacific Rim leaders today and he'll likely face questions about the TPP trade agreement and his successor, President- elect Donald Trump.
CNN's Shasta Darlington is covering the president's trip, and joins us now from Lima, Peru -- Shasta. SHASTA DARLINGTON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right,
Martin. This is obviously Obama's big farewell on the global stage. And initially he thought he was going to use it to push for this TPP trade agreement that would have united the United States with 11 countries in Asia, in the United States, with a combined GDP of nearly 60 percent of global GDP but excluding China. This was really the United States' way to write its own rules.
Of course with the victory of Donald Trump, that is pretty much dead in the water. Donald Trump called this a job killing initiative and said that he would stop it. So what we're seeing right here in Lima is China positioning itself to really jump in where the United States had hoped to lead.
The president of China, Xi Jinping, literally took the stage just a few minutes ago to talk about the need for free trade to support the economies here in Latin America and also in Asia. And what we're going to see later today is Obama addressing these countries that had already signed onto the TPP and now are left holding nothing -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: We also understand that Obama and Putin are likely to cross paths while they're down there. What do we expect from that meeting, if anything?
DARLINGTON: Well, definitely an interesting conversation, Martin. I mean, just think about it, to days ago Obama was addressing the public in Europe talking about how President-elect Donald Trump needs to stand up to Vladimir Putin, needs to stand up to Russia when it deviates from global norms. Obviously referring to Ukraine and Syria. So no doubt those will be topics of discussion. Russia's military aggressions in Ukraine, Russia's backing of the Assad regime in Syria.
But everyone here is really looking past Obama to Donald Trump so how much can they achieve, it's not clear at this point -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Right. That is the viewpoint looking beyond. Shasta Darlington reporting from Lima, Peru thank you very much.
Coming up, a new report shows hate crimes and anti-Muslim attacks are increasing since the election. We'll hear from the people who've reported harassment since the election, next.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NATASHA NKHAMA, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY STUDENT: Racism is not something that Donald Trump caused, but I feel like people kind of feel like they have an open door to be that way now.
[11:20:01] UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt fear. I did feel fear inside.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: As President-elect Donald Trump continues to build his administration, many Americans are still very disturbed and up in arms.
[11:25:03] Dozens of protesters scheduled across the country today. And while largely peaceful, last week some of those protests resulted in blocked highways and a number of arrests. Across this country, there has been a deeply disturbing increase of reported hate crimes since the election.
CNN's Polo Sandoval is covering all of this. He joins me now. Hello, Polo.
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And Martin, it has been a disturbing increase here. We have seen it really on both sides. Even some Trump supporters have also been attacked here. Level of -- at least these numbers that we're seeing quite disturbing. We're hearing not only the nation's top cop but also the future commander-in-chief weighing in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I felt fear. I did feel fear inside.
SANDOVAL (voice-over): Solanika Nicki Pancho Lee (PH) has experienced heightened prejudices after recent elections. Poncho Lee was hiking when someone confused her head scarf for a hijab. They smashed the windows of her car, stole her purse, and then left a threatening node on the windshield.
LORETTA LYNCH, U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I know that mean Americans are concerned by a spate of recent news reports about alleged hate crimes and harassment. Some of these incidents have happened in schools. Others have targeted houses of worship. And some have singled out individuals for attacks and intimidation.
SANDOVAL: Like attacks against a transgender woman in Denver.
AMBER TIMMONS, TRANSGENDER WOMAN: The first thought is shock. You just -- you can't believe it.
SANDOVAL: Amber Timmons was on her way to work when she noticed a Swastika symbol and the words "Trump" and "Die" spray painted on her car. At Baylor University, a student pushed student Natasha Nkhama using racially offensive language and telling her to get off the sidewalk. When other students defended Nkhama, the guy replied, "I'm just trying to make America great again." Nkhama says --
NKHAMA: Racism is not something that Donald Trump caused, but I feel like people feel like they have an open door to be that way now.
SANDOVAL: Days later, hundreds of students walked Nkhama to her class to support her and against racism.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Violence is never the answer, no matter what side it's on.
SANDOVAL: Trump supporter Cory Cataldo (PH) wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat says he was assaulted while riding the New York City subway.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Next thing I know I have hands around my neck. I'm being choked. And another gentleman comes over. He shoves me up against the wall.
SANDOVAL: The Southern Poverty Law Center has counted more than 700 cases of hateful harassment and intimidation since Election Day. When President-elect Trump was asked about the harassment on CBS's "60 Minutes," Trump had one request.
TRUMP: I am so saddened to hear that. And I say stop it. If it -- if it helps, I will say this. And I'll say it right to the cameras. Stop it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANDOVAL: Several of these recent cases currently being investigated by the FBI as possible hate crimes, Martin. But again when you look at the numbers here, over 700 documented cases. The attorney general is saying that number is likely higher, as many of these cases don't necessarily go reported.
SAVIDGE: Right. There are many that don't. Polo Sandoval, thank you very much.
SANDOVAL: You bet.
SAVIDGE: We're keeping an eye on Donald Trump's transition meetings. They're taking place today, and taking a look at who the president- elect has already selected to fill out his Cabinet.
Coming up, a look at Senator Jeff Sessions, who's been tapped for attorney general.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[11:31:02] DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT-ELECT: I will win the Trump University case. I already am, as far as I'm concerned. I will win the case in the end. I just didn't want to be forced to settle.
This is a case I could have settled very easily, but I don't settle cases very easily when I'm right. We'll win the Trump University case.
(via telephone): I could settle the case now if I wanted to settle the case. I don't settle cases.
We have a situation where we will win in court and I'll win the Trump University case. I could settle that case.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: That was President-elect Donald Trump on the campaign trail, but Trump has given in. He's agreeing to pay $25 million to settle three lawsuits against his now defunct business school, Trump University. About 6,000 former students will get at least half of their tuition back.
Trump isn't acknowledging any liability in the settlement. The students accused the program of misleading them with deceptive claims and high-pressure sales tactics and not delivering the promised real estate sales techniques.
Trump in offering an explanation on Twitter this morning saying, quote, "I settled the Trump University lawsuit for a small fraction of the potential award because as president I have to focus on our country."
Today, Donald Trump is meeting with a host of potential cabinet picks at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, but one nominee we know for sure, Senator Jeff Sessions. CNN's Pamela Brown takes a look at the nominee for attorney general.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How's everybody? Here we go.
PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Alabama Republican Senator Jeff Sessions stands in stark contrast to the two prior Democratic appointed attorney generals, Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch.
His nomination for chief law enforcement officer comes at a time when tensions are running high between communities of color and police following the shootings of unarmed African-American in Ferguson, Charlotte, and other cities.
The current attorney general released a video statement saying hate crimes fight 6 percent last year with the largest group of victims targeted because of their race or ethnicity.
LORETTA LYNCH, ATTORNEY GENERAL: We will continue to enforce our nation's hate crimes laws to the fullest extent possible.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The senator from Alabama.
BROWN: Sessions argued on the Senate floor in 2009 against expanding the hate crimes law to cover gay and lesbians. Incoming Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer, released this statement saying in part he is very concerned about what he would do with the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice."
TODD A. COX, NAACP LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATIONAL FUND: On balance, his record should give everyone pause that he will be placed in a position to be the chief law enforcer of our civil rights. His record reflects a real hostility towards those rights and the very statutes that he will have to enforce.
BROWN: President-elect Trump calls Sessions a former attorney general and U.S. attorney in Alabama a, quote, "world class legal mind," and some of Session's Senate colleagues are applauding the appointment, with Senate leader, Mitch McConnell saying, quote, "He cared deeply about his country and the department he will be nominated to lead."
It is likely Sessions' alleged racist comments in the past that cost him a federal judgeship will resurface during the confirmation hearing. During his 1986 confirmation hearings, colleagues testified he called the NAACP, quote, "Un-American and communist inspired."
An African-American who had worked under Sessions testified that Sessions called him boy, and joked about the KKK saying he was OK with them until he learned that they smoked marijuana.
SENATOR JEFF SESSIONS, U.S. ATTORNEY: This assertion is ludicrous. I detest the Klan. The rule of law is an important thing.
BROWN: As U.S. attorney in Alabama, Jeff Sessions prosecuted the head of the state KKK for abducting and killing an African-American teenager and he has said he sought to end segregation in Alabama schools. Sessions told CNN in 2009 he has never been a racist.
[11:35:08]SESSIONS: Those were false charges and distortions of anything that I did, and it really was not. I never had those kind of views and I was caricatured in a way that was not me.
BROWN: Sessions was later elected Alabama's U.S. senator and became a ranking member of the same committee that denied him the job as a federal judge. Over the last 20 years in the Senate, Sessions earned respect from colleagues on both sides of the aisle and developed a reputation as a staunch conservative with a strong stance against illegal immigration.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: That's CNN's Pamela Brown reporting. In less than two hours from now, the president-elect will meet with former presidential candidate, Mitt Romney. We have just found out that this hour, more appointments could come as early as today. Here's RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEAN SPICER, CHIEF STRATEGIST AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR, RNC (via telephone): Yesterday obviously the focus between the announcements and the landing teams arriving at the various agencies with national security, it is very possible that you will see an additional announcement today of an appointment in that same area -- president- elect's schedule, we may have an additional announcement in that area.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: You're going to have an announcement and we've got Mitt Romney meeting with Trump today. That is very intriguing. Let's talk all of this over with our panel, CNN political analyst, Rebecca Berg, and CNN presidential historian, Tim Naftali.
Tim, let me start with you. What do you think we should expect from Trump's team if we do get another announcement today. What do you expect it to be? TIMOTHY NAFTALI, CNN PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN: Well, I would be very interested if it were the secretary of state position. I don't think they have sent us any hints. The only hint we've gotten from them is with regards to Mitt Romney.
But let me tell you what I'm looking for and I think a lot of people in our country are looking for this. Will they expand beyond the inner circle that we saw stumping for Mr. Trump in the campaign.
President-elect Trump had a group of surrogates, and so far his choices with the exception of Mike Pompeo, perhaps he was doing some stumping, I just wasn't seeing that, but basically it's the same group.
Is he going to expand beyond that group to include small government conservatives, to include people that were not on his team, in fact people who were vocally against him on the right side of the aisle? That's the key.
Because what we're looking to see is whether Donald Trump has the willingness to create a national Republican team, not simply a Trump Republican team.
SAVIDGE: Another thing I would think, Rebecca, we're looking 4zr, at least a large part of this population is looking for is diversity. Right now, it seems we've got five white men that are being either nominated or considered. Where is the diversity, which is the nation we want and hope to see?
REBECCA BERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: That's a great question, Martin, and certainly we've seen presidents during their transitions in the past use the transition process and the nomination process to send signals about how inclusive their administrations will be.
In 2000, George W. Bush, his first pick for his cabinet was Colin Powell as secretary of state. Part of the calculus for them was that they wanted to send a message about the inclusivity and diversity of their administration.
We are not seeing that yet with Donald Trump. Clearly, they are focusing right now, as Sean Spicer has said, on national security type appointments to send the message that that's going to be a focus of their administration.
But a lot of people, especially after the divisiveness of this campaign, would like to see some women being talked about for cabinet positions, some minorities, but we're not seeing that yet. I would not be surprised if in future appointments, future nominations, we begin to see some signs of that.
SAVIDGE: Let me bring in this full screen we've got and it comes from Chief Strategist Steve Bannon, who is closely connected with Donald Trump. Here's what was said, "Darkness is good. Dick Cheney, Darth Vader, Satan. That's power. It only helps us when they (liberals) get it wrong. When they're blind to who we are and what we're doing." That is a loaded statement. Is this indicative of the kind of rhetoric that's to come from the Trump White House? Tim, I'll start with you.
NAFTALI: Well, this is the rhetoric of Charles Colson, a man who was special counsel to Richard Nixon, a man who went to jail. This is the kind of rhetoric you get from those who do not understand our history, do not understand our constitution and ultimately will fail.
Although how long it takes for them to fail that depends on the working through of the tree branches of our government. This kind of language is extraordinarily harmful and it threatens the nature of our country. To argue in any way that power in and of itself, not unchecked, is the American way is to misunderstand the Constitution of the United States.
[11:40:00]SAVIDGE: Very true. Rebecca, I apologize, time doesn't allow. You will get the first question when next we speak. Thank you both very much for joining us.
Coming up, Trump says that the cast of "Hamilton" harassed his running mate, Mike Pence, while he attended the New York musical. We'll speak to someone who was there in the audience and find out from them with a firsthand account.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
SAVIDGE: There is a hit Broadway musical and it's striking a political tone this morning. Donald Trump tweeted that his running mate was, quote, "Harassed by the cast of "Hamilton." This after Mike Pence unexpectedly became part of the show that he was watching last night. Pence entered the theater to cheers and you can hear boos. Later during the curtain call, one of the stars made this plea to Pence.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRANDON VICTOR DIXON, PLAYS AARON BURR IN "HAMILTON": Vice President- elect Pence, we welcome you and truly thank you for joining us here at "Hamilton" we really do. We, sir, we are the diverse America, who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights, sir.
But we truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us, all of us.
[11:45:03]In the spirit of the show, this wonderful American story told by a diverse group of men, women, colors, creeds and orientation -- it represents all of us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SAVIDGE: Jason Matzke joins us on the telephone from New York. He was in the audience. He got far more of that show than he ever expected. Let me say, first of all, Jason, thank you very much for joining us. And ask you was there any indication that Vice President- elect Mike Pence was going to be there beforehand?
JASON MATZKE (via telephone): Not that I saw. The only thing was that there was a lot of seats next to us that were empty, which is obviously that doesn't happen at a show that's sold out every night. One of the ushers did make an announcement that there will be a late comer because they came after the lights has gone down.
SAVIDGE: There was booing.
MATZKE: Lots of booing.
BLACKWELL: When did that begin? Was it the moment that he walked in?
MATZKE: Yes. It was -- like as soon as -- as soon as he came in through the doors and they recognized who it was -- I didn't recognize him immediately because he was flanked by the Secret Service. But a lot of people recognized him immediately and then there was some applause as well, but it was mostly like jeering and booing.
SAVIDGE: Right. That definitely came through at least on the audio I heard. So we go through the performance and then you have the statement that was made by the cast afterwards. What was the atmosphere like inside the theater then?
MATZKE: There was several parts during the show that because of what the performers were saying and it just made it -- the whole situation more heightened with having the vice president-elect in the show. The performers would have to stop at times because there would be so much applause.
(Inaudible) was a lot calmer and then at the very end, of course, the Secret Service, they tried to, you know, remove him before the very end so that he wouldn't be around all the people up and about, but the cast had come up and that's when they addressed him.
He did -- he did stop in the doorway and he paused. I don't know if he listened to everything they had to say, but I think he listened to quite a bit of it and I thought it was really beautiful. It was poignant. The cast asked not to boo because that was a natural reaction to a lot of people in the audience.
SAVIDGE: Let me just -- I'm going to read you something from Donald Trump because I want to get your thoughts. He tweeted out, and here it is, "Our wonderful future VP, Mike Pence, was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of "Hamilton," cameras blazing. This should not happen." Harassed, that's a strong word. Would you have used that word?
MATZKE: No, I would not have used the word "harassed." I would have used the word -- I think it's -- there's a lot of people that are concerned. I feel like it was a very positive moving response and I think it was completely fair.
I don't think there was any harassment. Even when people did start booing, the cast knows that they were not going to accomplish anything that way and I felt like it was really beautiful. SAVIDGE: Mike Pence did hear the statement, we understand he wasn't in the theater. Was he already moving out before the cast got to make this statement?
MATZKE: He was on his way out when the cast started speaking, yes, and the cast -- they asked for him to stop and he did stop in the doorway, yes.
SAVIDGE: It could be quite possible that he did want to stop and maybe even engage, but the Secret Service it appears at this time may have felt that they should retreat.
MATZKE: Right. When he originally came in, because he was sitting the next seat over, and there was so much booing, you know, he kind of grinned and (inaudible) it. So I don't think it's something he's not used to.
SAVIDGE: True, he's been in public life quite a while. Jason Matzke, thank you very much for the view from the audience.
And we've got this reminder, Trump's White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, will speak with Jake Tapper tomorrow right here on CNN. You don't want to miss that interview live at 9:00 am Eastern Time. I'm sure some of the talk will be about this. We'll be right back.
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[11:53:18]
SAVIDGE: It's not all politics these day. Actually this is the day that a lot of college football fans have been waiting all week for, game day. Coy Wire joins us now from outside one of the biggest stadiums in the nation at the University of Tennessee with "The Bleacher Report." Good morning.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Mr. Martin. I have new fends with games today across the country. Number 16 LSU versus 21, Florida. Up here, at the University of Tennessee, where there's a big game today here as well. There's rich tradition.
My first stop was AT the memorial for the late Pat Summitt, the iconic women's basketball coach here at Tennessee, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history. She won eight national titles over her 38- year coaching career.
She's fired thousands of people over the years, not just through coaching, but writing books and not just athletes she inspires. I left a note thanking her for being an inspiration to my dad, who travels all across this country speaking to student athletes. He met coach Summitt years ago, about ten years ago.
To this day, his photo with her is the screen saver on his computer. Pat Summitt is a legendary different maker. Another thing that makes this special, Navy. They don't just tailgate here, they sail-gate here. One of only two football stadiums in the country where you can float up right up to the game. How sweet is that?
The next stop was the Neeland Stadium, home to the football team. More than 102,000 fans packed this stadium on game day. That amount of people would be enough to be the seventh largest city in Tennessee.
[11:55:00]And so today the 73 Balls take on the Missouri Tigers for their last home game of the season. If Florida loses and if the Balls win this and their next game, they are going to find themselves in the SCC championship game, but today, it's Missouri.
I can't imagine what Neeland Stadium is like at game time, way bigger than any NFL stadium I ever played in so who better to ask than someone that's been there. Martin, this is my friend, Jack. What is it like in that stadium?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: You can't even hear your own thoughts. You can't describe it. If you are up high, you look close and you can see the flag poles waving.
WIRE: Wow! It's 102,000 people, one of the biggest stadiums in the country. You bring your son, Jack, here, right? Drew is over here, right? How long have you been coming to the stadium?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been coming to this stadium since I was younger than these guys.
WIRE: What is something you love about Tennessee Balls fans nation?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's one big family. I remember coming here with my dad as a kid and bringing my kids here is really special. So when that team comes through the tee and the crowd goes crazy is the best part.
WIRE: All right, well, this crowd is about to go crazy, right? Are we going beat Missouri today? Yes. It's great to be a Tennessee Volunteer. It's game day. College game day. Good luck to the Balls and all the guys in action. Martin, back to you.
SAVIDGE: Coy, thank you very much. Those college kids get younger and younger every year. We'll be right back.
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