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At This Hour

CNN's Anthony Bourdain Dead At 61; CDC: Suicide Rates On The Rise In Almost Every State; Trump Reaches Out To Russia, Rebuffs Allies Ahead Of G7. Aired 11-11:30a ET

Aired June 08, 2018 - 11:00   ET

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

[11:00:00]

PAMELA BROWN, CNN ANCHOR: I think it is this economy slowing down. This is a very serious thing. Again, this tone, this bullying, backing people into corners, the U.S. first imposing sanctions, sorry, tariffs on these other countries, it is very dangerous. It is making these leaders angry and, again, it backs them into a corner.

They are not going to back down. They are -- you know, a retaliatory sanction in the works, for now they're quite small on both sides, but the markets could react to this. He's playing with fire. Again, many viewers, you know, it is obscure diplomatic protocol, this is about the economy, this is about a trade war, this is about losing jobs in the United States.

DAVID ROHDE, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: The mistakes are no doubt very high, Kimberly Dozier, as you pointed out. There could be a trade war. This is an opportunity for the president to go there, flex some diplomatic muscle. And prevent such a thing from happening, what do you make of the strategy, though, the president has been tweeting about this, really since last night, saying, look, I'm trying to level the playing field when it comes to trade. That is why we're doing what we're doing, that's why we imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. When do you make of that?

KIMBERLY DOZIER, CNN GLOBAL AFFAIRS ANALYST: Well, I have spoken to European officials who concede that negotiations with Europe move slowly. And what Trump is doing is breaking some of that slow-moving molasses and making them all think about and re-examine their trade positions.

Will that create new possibilities behind closed doors? I think at this point you're going to have so many bruised feelings and you've got leaders who need to demonstrate to their own people that they can't be pushed around by Donald Trump, that there is only so far that they'll be able to go to meet the Trump administration on their demands.

BROWN: You kind of wonder, David, how much of the Twitter spat and so forth is for the voters and their respective countries and how much of it, you know, is going to spill out in the actual meeting or will there be, do you think there will be a more soft tone between the two, particularly with Macron who you pointed out, he had a bromance with. ROHDE: I think in a way, let's be fair to President Trump, this is a test. Maybe he's shown as negotiating skills by publicly pushing the Europeans and Macron and Trudeau and maybe there will be a change in the negotiating dynamic. This is, you know, very clear example of does something come out of this meeting, is there suddenly success in trade agreements after he uses this very unusual tone with them.

BROWN: All right, David Rohde, Kimberly dozier, thank you both for your analysis and perspective. We appreciate it. Thank you for joining us today on this Friday morning, busy Friday morning. I'm Pamela Brown. "AT THIS HOUR" with Kate Bolduan starts right now.

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kate Bolduan. It has been a very sad morning for everyone here at CNN and so many others. Today, we lost a dear friend, and colleague, beloved chef, author and storyteller, Anthony Bourdain. He has died. Found dead this morning in his hotel room in Paris.

He took his own life, the creative mind behind CNN's "PARTS UNKNOWN" was in France filming an upcoming episode. CNN's Alex Marquardt is here with me with a look at Bourdain's incredible life and legacy.

ALEXANDER MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Kate, that's right. This tragic news as you mentioned coming in overnight from France. A shock to all of us here in the CNN family, but, of course, also for what really was a legion of fans around the world.

And now as we get to reflect on his life and look back at this immense body of work that he had, all these words come to mind, giant, distinct, unique. He truly was one of a kind with a gift for connecting to people and for telling stories that on the surface were about food, but then ended up being about so much more.

So, as we at CNN grapple with this, the same time as everyone out there, I want to read part of the statement that CNN put out this morning in the wake of Bourdain's death, the company saying, "His love of great adventure, new friends, fine food and drink, and the remarkable stories that the world made him a unique storyteller. His talents never ceased to amaze us, and we will miss him very much."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUARDT (voice-over): For Anthony Bourdain, the recipe for understanding people, understanding cultures around the world and creating a hit tv show couldn't be more straightforward.

ANTHONY BOURDAIN: We ask very simple questions, what makes you happy, what do you eat, what do you like to cook, everywhere in the world we go and ask the very simple questions, we tend to get some really astonishing answers.

MARQUARDT: Bourdain was found dead Friday morning by a friend in a hotel room in France where he was filming for his award-winning CNN show "PARTS UNKNOWN." The cause of his death was suicide.

BOURDAIN: I thought I would start the show by returning to Provincetown, all the way out on the tip of Cape Cod, which is where at age 17 I started washing dishes and started working in the restaurant business and as a summer job and began my sort of trajectory in both the restaurant business and into drugs. Somebody who wakes up in the morning and the first order of business is get heroin, I know what that is like.

MARQUARDT: Bourdain started working in kitchens at a young age and would become a celebrity chef and author, as he made his way into television. The Smithsonian called him the original rock star of the culinary world, the Elvis of bad boy chefs. It was his way with words, his irreverence, curiosity, ease and warmth that fueled his massive following.

Bourdain didn't shy away from talking about past demons, heavy drug use that included an addiction to heroin as well as cocaine use, so bad he said he should have died in his 20s, but instead lived what he called a charmed life.

BOURDAIN: Massachusetts is quite small-town America.

MARQUARDT: He dressed his past head on, while highlighting the opioid epidemic in Massachusetts in an episode of his show.

BOURDAIN: This is what it was supposed to all be about.

MARQUARDT: Bourdain came to CNN in 2013, bringing his show to a global audience. Throughout his tv career, he won award after award. It was the food that lured people in, but viewers knew it was about so much more.

BOURDAIN: Incredible.

MARQUARDT: Quickly finding themselves immersed in an experience that focused on people, exotic places and faiths from around the world. He insisted he wasn't a journalist, but over the years forged a unique still of storytelling that was unmatched.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

MARQUARDT: Kate, Anthony Bourdain was 61 years old. He had a preteen daughter who he had later on in life in his 50s. He had said that he hoped that she wouldn't grow up to end up with a chef like him or in the restaurant business.

It really wasn't until he was in his 40s that he became a household name and had such great success and there is really this wonderful quote about that success, that I like to share, he said, I feel like I've stolen a car, a really nice car, and I keep looking in the rear- view mirror for flashing lights.

With all the twists and turns in his life, he clearly saw it as fleeting. He's gone far too soon, and of course, our thoughts are with his daughter, with his family, and all of those who loved him -- Kate.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Alex, thank you so much. So, the news of Anthony's passing is understandably a shock to so many. Here with me now, two friends and fellow chefs, Michael Ruhlman and Marc Murphy. Mark, what do you make of it today?

MARC MURPHY, CHEF AND OWNER, LANDMARC RESTAURANT AND LANDMARC TRIBECA EVENTS: I knew him, I didn't know him that well. He was an acquaintance of mine. He used to film in my restaurant downstairs for you guys when he would do interviews. Always an inspiration. I always looked up to him. I looked up to him for so many reasons.

I mean, bringing this world together, I think, through food was one of the things I think really struck me about him. He was just -- an amazing stories he used to tell and watching his show, he was a great storyteller.

When I travel, a lot of people in our country, we go back, I'm going to Iceland, let's see where did Anthony go, where did he go? I went to -- I was in Columbia, I went and ate in this market in Cartagena. I would have never gone unless it was for him doing it before and showing us the way.

BOLDUAN: It's amazing and so true. Even my sister told me that's what she looked up, she was going to a new city, and finding places she was going to eat, that small influence is so huge. Michael, you appeared with him on the show a few times. How are you feeling right now?

MICHAEL RUHLMAN, FRIEND OF ANTHONY BOURDAIN (via telephone): Pretty gutted, actually, devastated, confused, and really, really sad. The world seems different. He was a freak of nature, a force of nature, unexplainable and we were lucky to have him. And I am devastated that he's gone.

You know -- let me say this one thing. Marc talked about, they looked to his show to see where to go, but you could e-mail him, and he would e-mail you back. I know dozens of people who did this.

He was an extremely generous guy, humble. He always -- imagine walking through a Las Vegas casino with Anthony Bourdain. He got stopped constantly. He always stopped to take a picture, always had a kind word. He was a generous, genuine guy, he didn't put up with any bs, and that's why people loved him. He was smart as hell. And I'm just devastated by this loss.

BOLDUAN: And, Michael, I found in my very fortunate encounters with him, in very limited considering how many close friends he has, that when it comes to the bad boy exterior, the hard exterior, that is Anthony Bourdain, when you speak to him, you realize he really was a gentle soul.

RUHLMAN: He was a gentle soul who loved life. He was a guy who said I don't want to treat my body like a temple, I want to treat it like a fun house and he did. El e he embraced live. He had fun. He went places. He had a real talent for opening up the world to other people and telling great stories.

BOLDUAN: Opening up the world is a great way of putting it, Marc, right?

[00:10:01] I mean, he opened the door to the chef -- opened up the eyes of the world to the chef culture and then in like the chapter of his life, he opens up adventure and wonder through food and bringing people together. How -- what is his influence?

MURPHY: I think he brought us all together. He talked about the one thing that everybody has in common. We all eat. We all eat. We all love eating. People have to eat. He just was -- he took that one thing that is so simple to understand and brought so many other elements to it.

Between politics and, you know, the stuff he talks about with everything, I mean, it was just -- his story could go anywhere. And that's what was great about his show, he went places and talked about food, but then, you know, spiraled into so many other aspects of the cultures.

BOLDUAN: And also, so open, and open about his -- open about his struggles with drugs, with life, and he would talk about his young daughter. We both have young kids. Today --

MURPHY: It is tough.

BOLDUAN: -- how do you wrap your head and mind around that?

MURPHY: It is -- it is one of those things that you have to look at it as somebody explained it to me a long time ago, it is somebody had a problem, they have an organ that didn't work, somebody has a heart attack, they die. Somebody that has an illness like this, you know, your mind is -- there is something wrong and you take your life and it is not something I think anybody can understand. It is something we all need to understand more and all we can do is praise Anthony for what he brought to us and, you know, what he showed us and the inspiration and live on.

BOLDUAN: Absolutely. Michael, I was struck this morning that every time Anthony -- I was fortunate to have him on set, every time he would walk off set, I would always shout at him as he was walking off, I would say, in the next life, I'm coming back as Anthony Bourdain. And I wonder is that why it is maybe so hard to process this today?

RUHLMAN: It is hard to process it today for so many of us. I can hear the emotion in your voice and I was the same way when I heard about the news and let the grief wash over you and it comes and goes. It is because he touched so many people. He was a genuine soul.

And, you know, it is hard, you know, we feel grief. I also hope that we feel the grace that was in the world because of him. And, remember, that he would have hated -- he would have been appalled by the platitudes that I'm saying.

He would have told me to shut the -- up, but we were lucky to have him here and underneath he would be really proud. He was a bad boy, yes, he was. That's what made him so good and he also knew he was lucky to have life that he did, and he never underestimated that, never stopped being grateful for it.

BOLDUAN: Well, Michael, thank you so much for sharing with me. Marc, thank you. It is great to see you. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

And we do want to make sure we emphasize today that honestly, there is help out there. If you or anyone you know is struggling, needs help, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there. Take note. Take a look. And keep your eye out for your friends and your loved ones and those out there. It is there 24 hours a day, free of charge, 1-800- 273-8255.

I, of course, had the pleasure of not only watching Anthony's show on CNN, but also having Anthony on the show and I was always honored to have him here. He showed us how to live a life of exploration, wonder and adventure through food. He was here a few weeks ago and I wanted to share just a short clip of that conversation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: I was watching this episode, we noticed you were able to take some -- also turn into something of a guy strip for you.

BOURDAIN: It is a little brotastic. We try to avoid that generally there was no way around it here.

BOLDUAN: Wait. Was this a boondoggle or were we actually working this time, or it can be both.

BOURDAIN: I think I'll take the Fifth. I went with two friends of mine, very enthusiastic on the region and anywhere I go with them, I know I'll get overfed, over liquored, fed fabulous over the top wines. In fact, they brought an entire dining room set it a remote part of newfoundland, the middle of the woods for a moose hunt, all too typical of these guys.

BOLDUAN: Life goals be, to be overfed and over liquored with Anthony Bourdain. Great to see you. Thanks for coming in again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Let's let Anthony have the final word here. If I'm an advocate for anything, he once said, it is to move as far as you can, as much as you can across the ocean or simply across the river. Walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food. It is a plus for everybody. We'll be right back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[11:19:12]

BOLDUAN: Welcome back. We are talking about the life, legacy, and death of Anthony Bourdain this hour, a well-known chef, gifted storyteller, beloved CNN colleague. He was found dead this morning after an apparent suicide in France in his hotel room, he was 61. This, of course, comes on the heels of another tragic death. Fashion designer, Kate Spade, taking her own life at the age of 55. This was just earlier this week. Shining a spotlight on such tragedy.

Joining me now, CNN senior medical correspondent, Elizabeth Cohen is here. Elizabeth, these big names, their tragic deaths in the same week. What do people do with this?

ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, unfortunately what happens is there is sometimes a trend where people will call a copycat suicide. We are not saying that's what happened here. But, you know, for anyone who is listening this and hearing this and brings up feelings, it is so important to get help. It is so important to reach out to those around you, the suicide prevention hotline.

[11:20:10] We had that number on our air throughout the morning. Unfortunately, I think sometimes these -- mental health experts will tell you is that when they see other people, sometimes when people see other people doing this, it brings up those feelings.

This is a vulnerable time for a lot of people. You and I are feeling it and other people are going to feel this. It is OK for all of us to say this is a tough time. And if you've been struggling with mental illness or with suicidal thoughts before, this is a particularly tough week.

BOLDUAN: And there is just a new -- a new study out, showing that there has been a real increase in suicide in the United States.

COHEN: Right, about a 30 percent increase 1999 to 2016. So that's a huge increase.

BOLDUAN: Did they discussed a reason why?

COHEN: You know, they're not sure. They think one of the reasons might be that that time encompasses the economic downturn of 2008. And so that that was a time when a lot of people were really suffering. It also encompasses a time when substance abuse was on the rise.

And that might have something to do with it, proximity to handguns, nearly half of the suicides were handguns. When you're feeling that -- in that moment, when you're feeling desperate and there is a gun right there, that is very different than feeling desperate and there is no gun.

BOLDUAN: How do people help today? How do people -- what do people need to look for in their loved ones, what do people need to ask of their loved ones and friends? How can people help?

COHEN: So, the first thing I think is that what experts will tell you is you don't know what you don't know. So, don't assume that someone is OK because you don't know. Watching that segment that Anthony Bourdain did with you, the joy in his face, he loved talking to you. He almost looked like a little boy the way his face was lighting up. You would not have thought that was someone thinking about suicide. You don't know what you don't know. The signs to look for is if someone is talking about feeling hopeless, if someone is talking about feeling like they're in despair.

That certainly is something that should be paid attention to and a change in habits. People who -- we all have things we love to do. If all of a sudden, those kind of go away, there say big change how they're acting on social media. That makes that -- those mean something.

It is OK to say to someone, are you thinking about suicide? You might shy away from that question. If the idea is in their heads, you're not putting it there and they will feel relieved hopefully to talk about it.

BOLDUAN: So important. If you have a broken bone, you seek out medical help. If you have a broken spirit, there is help. You need to seek it as well.

COHEN: Absolutely. Absolutely. That's so important to remember. There should be no shame in here. We don't feel shame when we break our arm, right? We shouldn't feel shame if we have these feelings.

BOLDUAN: Thank you so much. Really appreciate it.

Again, we want to say this, if you know anyone, if you're struggling or know anyone who needs help, it is there, right there in that phone number. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24 hours a day, free of charge, reach out, 800-273-8255. They're there. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:27:25]

BOLDUAN: President Trump arrived in Canada just a short time ago for the G7 Summit. As he was leaving the White House, he had a lot to say already this morning. As if tensions weren't high enough already, the president is showing no signs of ratcheting things down as he throws another grenade into what was already to be some tough meetings. Let's -- he announced -- let's let Russia back in. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: You know, whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run and in the G7, which used to be the G8, they threw Russia out, they should let Russia come back in because we should have Russia at the negotiating table.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: Let me remind you, though, why Russia was kicked out of the group of industrialized nations in the first place. How we got here. Russia invaded Ukraine and took over Crimea. Simple as that. As a result, what was then the G8 suspended Russia's membership in 2014.

I want to read you part of the statement from the group back then. They didn't mince any words. International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state's territory through coercion or force. To do so violates the principle upon which the international system is built.

We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine's Constitution. They also said we strongly condemn Russia's illegal attempt to annex Crimea and contravention of international law and specific obligations.

Nothing has changed since then. Russia hasn't left Crimea and the first sanctions announced in January of 2018 were against Russia for the annexation of Crimea. But now despite all that, President Trump says Putin deserves a seat at the table.

Once again, negotiating tactic, tough love, or yet another example of Trump's friendliness to adversaries and hostility toward allies? Here is Trump today talking about those allies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT TRUMP: They're trying to act like, well, we fought with you in the war, they don't mention the fact that they have trade barriers against our farmers, they don't mention the fact they're judging almost 300 percent tariffs. What it all straightens out, we'll all be in love again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BOLDUAN: CNN's Boris Sanchez is traveling with the president, joins me now from Quebec City. Boris, what is going to happen today?

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, there, Kate. Yes, President Trump just arrived in Quebec. He's now moving to where the summit is actually taking place, some two hours from the site where we are right now.