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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Streep Takes On Trump At Golden Globes; Donald Trump's Big Week; Trump Acknowledges Russian Hacking; Republican Assurances On Trump And Russia; Russians Mock U.S. Intel Report; Deadly Airport Shooting Caught On Video; "La La Land" Sweeps At Golden Globe Awards; Steelers Dominate Dolphins. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired January 09, 2017 - 05:00   ET

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

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: EARLY START continues right now.

[05:00:02] A week of epic proportions in this transition. An actual news conference from Donald Trump, we are promised.

Also some of his cabinet nominees ready to face the Senate, all of these on the heels of the intelligence report on Moscow's election season hack.

But all the buzz this morning, the Golden Globes. Not the movies, but that woman right there, one of the great actresses on earth takes direct aim at the president-elect.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman. It is Monday, January 9th. It is 5:00 a.m. now in the east. Christine Romans not feeling so well this morning. Send her a happy feel good tweet.

This morning, safe to say Meryl Streep has hurt her chances of performing at Donald Trump's inauguration. Overnight, the actress froze the Golden Globes Award ceremony into stunned silence as she criticized the president-elect, though, not by name, as she accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. Watch this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MERYL STREEP, ACTRESS: There was one performance this year that stunned me. It sank its hooks in my heart not because it was good -- there's nothing good about it, but it was effective and it did its job. It made its intended audience laugh and showed its teeth.

It was that moment when the person asking to sit in the most respected seat in our country imitated a disabled reporter. Someone he outranked in privilege, power, and the capacity to fight back. It -- it kind of broke my heart when I saw it.

I still can't get it out of my head. It wasn't in a movie. It was real life and this instinct to humiliate when it's modelled by someone in the public platform by someone powerful. It filters down into everybody's life because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing.

Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. When the powerful use their position to bully, we all lose.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: This is a moment she was talking about right there. When Donald Trump last year was discussing the "New York Times" reporter who is physically disabled. You can see how Donald Trump is describing him right there.

Now the "New York Times" spoke to Donald Trump overnight after the Golden Globe ceremony. He says he did not see it, but he was not surprised that he came under attack from what he called liberal movie people.

He added, quote, "I was never mocking anyone. I was calling into question a reporter who had gotten nervous because he changed his story. And remember, Meryl Streep introduced Hillary Clinton at her convention. A lot of these people supported Hillary."

We may hear much more from the president-elect himself this week. Something we have not seen in six months. For the first time since July, Donald Trump is promising to hold an actual news conference.

He did have one scheduled for December to discuss how he would disentangle his business from his presidency, but he did cancel that. So we will see if we get an explanation on those business matters on Wednesday.

We also have hearings for the president-elect's cabinet nominees this week. We have new questions about what he intends to do or not do about the intelligence report linking Russia to the election year hacking.

He did get the briefing from the intelligence leaders. He now acknowledges there was hacking by Russia, but not just Russia. He seems to blame the Democrats for being hacked.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, SENIOR TRUMP ADVISER: If you read the entire statement and follow the briefing on Friday, he makes clear that Russia, China and others have attempted to attack different government institutions and businesses and individuals and organizations over series of time.

He specifically mentions the Democratic National Committee. If you read the full report, he made very clear, Mr. Clapper, on Thursday under oath that any attempt or aspiration to influence our elections failed. They were not successful in doing that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Lots of hearings this week for the president-elect's cabinet nominees. Jeff Sessions will be nominated to be attorney general. John Kelly nominated for secretary of Homeland Security. That happens on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Rex Tillerson would be secretary of state, Elaine Chao for transportation secretary, Mike Pompeo, CIA director, Betsy Devos, the nominee for education secretary. Then on Thursday, General James Mattis who is up for secretary of defense.

Now there are paper work questions. Some Democrats are complaining they have not seen the paper work that they have asked for that the ethics office has asked for. The head of the Office of Government Ethics has written the center (inaudible).

Chuck Schumer warning that his staff is under undo pressure to rush through the nominee vetting process. The Trump team has pushed back in a statement saying, "The transition is running smoothly and some have chosen to politicize the process."

[05:05:08]Some Republican lawmakers are offering assurances that Donald Trump will not be overly friendly to Russia. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told CBS, "The proof of that is in the president-elect's slate of national security nominees and in recent history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL (R), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I don't think it is all that unusual for a new president uncommon to want to get along with the Russians. I remember George W. Bush having the same hopes. My suspicion is these hopes will be dashed pretty quickly.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Russian lawmakers and commentator greeted the intelligence report on election hacking with open scorn. Their tweets focused mainly on the fact that the unclassified version of the report offered assurances and confidence but no hard evidence. We want to get more on the Russian reaction.

I want to bring in Jill Dougherty, a global fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, CNN's former Moscow bureau chief. Jill, the scorn behind the Russian response may have a forward looking purpose.

JILL DOUGHERTY, GLOBAL FELLOW, WOODROW WILSON CENTER: I think so. The scorn has been notable. One tweet for example by a top legislator said the mountain gave birth to the mouse. In other words, a lot of talk about this report, but actually no information or data inside of it.

And I think that in a way some of this is to set the stage. You know, the focus in Russia right now is on the outgoing president, which is Obama, the person they would argue who really ruined relations with Russia.

So a lot of that they are sweeping aside and saying that is past history. The new president is coming in. Their hope is that Donald Trump will follow through on what he said during the campaign, which is to improve relations. But they are not sure whether that will actually happen. Witness what you heard from Mitch McConnell. So I think what they are doing is kind of hedging their bets and hoping the new relationship will be as Donald Trump hopes it will be. No definite promises on that.

BERMAN: Although, Donald Trump, the president-elect over the weekend, writing he is looking forward to a more positive relationship with Russia. So we will see on both fronts. Jill Dougherty, thanks so much.

I want to discuss latest on the transition as well as what we saw overnight at the Golden Globes. CNN politics reporter, Eugene Scott, movie afficianado.

But all of a sudden, you know, Hollywood in the spotlight in regards to Donald Trump. We saw Meryl Streep just go after the president- elect as she accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. We saw the crowd wrapped in stunned silence.

I want to play a little bit more of what she had to say when she was criticizing Donald Trump for his comments about the press. Let's watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STREEP: So Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners. If we kick them all out, you will have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts which are not the arts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Let's get to that specifically in a moment. But first, Eugene, your general reaction on what you saw.

EUGENE SCOTT, CNN POLITICS REPORTER: First of all, I wasn't surprised. Donald Trump himself noted Meryl Streep is a huge Hillary Clinton fan. The cameras scanned the audience. We saw people who spoken out critically of Donald Trump throughout the campaign. I was not shocked by the words nor was I shocked that they used the event to share these words. It is not uncommon.

BERMAN: It is this debate played out in front of all of us what is considered by many or some to be the liberal elite at war with Donald Trump directly. Interesting to hear that bit from Meryl Streep about football and mixed martial arts, right?

SCOTT: Sure.

BERMAN: Because even while that may be one area where people in the middle of the country may like movies and may like Meryl Streep will say, I'm a football fan. I like mixed martial arts. Say what you want about Donald Trump and comments about "New York Times" reporters, but why are you going after me?

SCOTT: Right. I don't think that was her point even although I'm pretty sure that is how it will be received. She was saying that if there is no Hollywood, we will only have sports and the follow-up line is those are not arts.

I think she respects and understands that the world works better when there is sports and the arts. When both of those communities have people from all aspects of the American society in them.

BERMAN: So Donald Trump commented on this. So far he hasn't said anything on Twitter. We are watching that very carefully. Let's take a little bit more of a look at the Golden Globes right now and watch what Jimmy Fallon had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY FALLON: This is the Golden Globes. One of the few places left where America still honors the popular vote. "Manchester by the Sea" is nominated for five awards.

[05:10:03]You might remember "Manchester by the Sea" for being the only thing from 2016 that was more depressing than 2016. The film "Florence Foster Jenkins" is nominated. The character has been dubbed the world's worst opera singer. Even she turned down performing at Donald Trump's inauguration. The ballots for the Golden Globes were tabulated by Ernst & Young and Putin.

BERMAN: He was criticized for being too friendly to Donald Trump. You can see Hollywood versus Donald Trump on display last night. Let's move on to this week. A big week. We have hearings. Lots of hearings coming up. What is the tone you think we will see?

SCOTT: The tone I think is Democrats expressing their frustration that enough paper work has not been turned in to the Office of Government Ethics to pre-clear some of these nominees. John Kelly is scheduled for his hearing tomorrow.

Betsy Devos is scheduled Wednesday, and the Office of Government Ethics said that neither of them have submitted their paper work. And I think what voters need to know is that this paper work is really important because it helps reveal if there is some conflicts of interest that can make doing their job really difficult.

BERMAN: Rex Tillerson, his hearings begin on Wednesday. He is nominated for secretary of state. He has been looked at in the past as head of ExxonMobil with Russia. Lindsey Graham told me last week that he wants to make sure that Rex Tillerson does believe that Russia is a serious hacking threat. How hard do you think he'll be pressed?

SCOTT: I think he'll be pressed very hard and not just by Democrats and I remember that interview and I remember Lindsey Graham saying that if Rex isn't very vocal and not just Rex, other nominees about their dissatisfaction with Russia, he was saying he wasn't completely sure that he could back him.

And so I think what we are going to see lawmakers do is try to figure out how committed these nominees are to making sure that Russia is not effective in the future in hurting American elections.

BERMAN: I know people say Rex Tillerson will come ready for that, though, and if anyone is impressing senators by answers, it is Rex Tillerson. Jeff Sessions, the day before, he could face a grilling too.

SCOTT: Yes, that's very much expected. You know, Jeff Sessions has been criticized by more liberal Americans for his views on voting right and the LGBT Americans. There's been conversation and concern about his past comments about civil rights. So this is going to be I think harder than the hearing he had in 1986 when he was up for a federal judgeship.

BERMAN: And then of course, Obamacare, you will see votes on some funding measures this week. Over the weekend, we heard from the Trump team members not saying exactly what or when they will push for Obamacare replacement.

SCOTT: Yes. Well, I think that is in part because it is been repeatedly said and even admitted by some Republican lawmakers that they don't completely have a plan to replace it if they want to repeal it. So there's concern about how whatever they do will affect millions, tens of millions of Americans.

We saw Rand Paul, a former presidential candidate and a doctor himself say that he wants to see a replacement happen immediately whether or not they'll be able to do that isn't clear right now.

BERMAN: All right, Eugene Scott, the beginning of a very, very big week. Thanks for being here. Appreciate it.

All right, one political programming note, tonight, a new CNN town hall event, Vermont senator, former presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, takes questions from a live studio audience about the incoming administration and future of the Democratic Party. The moderator will be CNN's Chris Cuomo. It will take place at George Washington University at 9:00 p.m. Eastern only on CNN.

At the moment, the man opens fire inside a crowded airport captured on video. The harrowing moments next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:17:07]

BERMAN: The gunman who opened fire at the Fort Lauderdale airport killing five people, wounding six others, makes his first court appearance today. New surveillance video released by TMZ shows awful moments during baggage claim Friday.

That's the gunman right there in blue. He walked casually through, pulled out his pistol, and began shooting. This alleged killer told investigators he loaded the gun in a bathroom stall and shot the first people he saw aiming at their heads. One mother who survived the attack recounted the ordeal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I looked for a place to hide. Unfortunately, there really wasn't a place. I saw a Smartcart and I went on the other side of that and laid down. A man basically climbed on top of me and told me I will protect you and it just brought me comfort during the most terrifying experience of my life. I wasn't sure if I was going to live or die.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: We have some new information this morning about the shooter. The 26-year-old was a security guard in Alaska. He served nine years in the National Guard including one tour in Iraq. His aunt told CNN that he returned from Iraq a changed man.

In November, he told FBI officials his mind was being controlled by the CIA. Authorities took away his gun. They offered him mental health -- ordered a mental health evaluation. A month later, he got the gun back and used that same gun to carry out the shooting.

He confessed to planning the attack, but it is still not clear why he targeted the Fort Lauderdale airport. He faces three charges carrying the possibility of the death penalty.

Fiat Chrysler making a big investment to two U.S. factories. This amid under pressure on the auto industry from President-elect Donald Trump. Fiat Chrysler will pour $1 billion, it says, into two plants, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.

The company says it will create 2,000 jobs by 2020 and the factories will produce SUVs and pick-up trucks. Now the president-elect has not directly targeted Fiat Chrysler in his recent crusade against automakers.

So this announcement could be a proactive move to show the company's commitment to U.S. workers. General Motors sends the most employees in Mexico of the big three with 15,000. Chrysler has nearly 13,000. Ford has 8,800. All of those significantly fewer the number of workers that the companies employ here in the United States.

All right, we did open with Meryl Streep's political speech at the Golden Globes. You know, they did also hand out some actual statutes for movies. It was a big night for "La La Land." The acclaimed musical won seven, a record setting seven Golden Globes for best comedy for musical film.

The stars Emma Stone and Ryan gosling won for best actress and actor. Other big winners overnight, "Moonlight" named best dramatic film. Casey Affleck won best dramatic actor or best actor in a drama for his role in "Manchester by the Sea."

Isabelle Huppert won for best dramatic actress for the French film, "Elle." As for television, "The People Versus O.J. Simpson." That won two Golden Globes and "The Crown" picked up two Golden Globes.

[05:20:07]All right, Aaron Rodgers carried the Green Bay Packers on his back, on his arm, on his leg. I cannot get enough of this. It's not a bad way to end a half right there. A blowout win over the New York Giants. Can he do it next week against the Dallas Cowboys? Coy Wire with this morning's "Bleacher Report." That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: When it comes to the football version of the Hail Mary, one human being has perfected it. Green Bay Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. Coy Wire, who is in Tampa, covering the college football championship game tonight, has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report." Hey, Coy.

COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Top of the morning to you, John. I'm pumped to be here for the epic rematch between Alabama and Clemson. We'll get some more on that in a second.

But check out the Miami Boat boys. Odell Beckham Jr. and company before their game in Lambeau, no shirts, no problem, right? Wrong. Off the Miami party boat trip and dropped and kept on dropping Eli Manning passes.

The Giants fans cannot like that. But the play of the game, we got to show, John, you said you wanted to see it again and again. End of the first half, time winding down, Aaron Rodgers, the Hail Mary to Randall Cobb, who somehow comes up with the catch. Incredible. We have seen that before.

That was the play that stirred up the Giants beehive. Aaron Rodgers dropping that thing down the honey hole. Giants getting blown out 38- 13.

Also advancing easily, the Steelers absolutely manhandling the Dolphins in Pittsburgh yesterday. Steelers up two touchdowns before the game was 10 minutes old. Pittsburgh wins this one, 30-12. They are red hot right now at the right time. Winners of eight straight. They are rolling.

[05:25:11]So here we have it, next weekend's divisional round all set up, Saturday, you're going to have Seattle traveling to Atlanta to take on my former team, the Falcons and then you have John Berman's Patriots. They are huge favorites against the Texans and New England. And Sunday, Chiefs hosting Steelers and the Packers are in Dallas, I can't wait.

All right, let's turn to the reason we're here in Tampa. The rematch of last year's epic national championship game between Alabama and Clemson. Alabama barely winning 45-40, but here we are again. Both teams battling back for a chance to win it all.

Nick Saban's Crimson Tide has simply dominated college ball. The nation's longest winning streak with 26 games and going. They've won four of the last seven national titles.

And then you have Dabo Swinney, who's turned Clemson into a perennial power house as well. They are the only FBS school other than Alabama to win at least ten games in each of the last six seasons.

The Tigers simply dominated number two, Ohio State, last week to make it to the title game, but now they are in the ring with the reigning kings.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DESHAUN WATSON, CLEMSON QUARTERBACK: For us to be the champions, we have to beat the champs.

DABO SWINNEY, CLEMSON HEAD COACH: You want to be the best. We are getting a chance to play the best. If we find a way to win this game, you know, we'll be just that because you knocked off the champ. That's the way it is. They got the swag. They got the belt. If we want that, we have to beat them. Simple as that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WIRE: Dabo Swinney went on to say how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. The game is at 8:00 p.m. tonight. John, I played in a lot of big divisional games here at Raymond James Stadium. No one bigger than this one. It's going to be awesome.

BERMAN: A huge one. We are looking forward to the college football championship. One question about pro-football, if I might, Mr. Wire, you listen to Buck and Aikman last night. They continue to make such a big deal out of the Giants receivers and that shirtless boat trip in Miami. Do you think that played into the result of the game last night?

WIRE: No doubt about it. Six days prior, in the early morning hours dancing with Justin Bieber in Miami and the next day on a boat with their shirts off posing. They could have been in the training room, icing up, getting massage, getting ready. If I were Eli Manning and Giants fans, I would not have been happy, John. Bill Belichick would never let that happen.

BERMAN: They would not have started or not played. There's just no question about it.

WIRE: Wouldn't even thought about it.

BERMAN: I appreciate the Justin Bieber smack down right there as well. Thanks so much, Coy. Looking forward to seeing you tonight.

All right, before Donald Trump faces reporters this week, he is facing the wrath of Hollywood. He was the prime target at Golden Globes, including one speech that did not mention him by name, but has a lot of people buzzing this morning. That's next.

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