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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

President Trump Slams Both French and Canadian Leaders Ahead of G7; President Trump May Invite Kim Jong-un to U.S. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired June 08, 2018 - 05:00   ET

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


[05:00:00] DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: Congratulations to Alex Ovechkin, everybody. I'm Dave Briggs. It's Friday, June 8th, 5:00 a.m. in the East. We start with the group of seven.

Air Force One will be wheels up this morning for Canada and the G7 summit. But President Trump, he won't be staying long. He plans to leave Quebec mid-morning tomorrow, skipping sessions on climate change and the environment.

The president expecting a brawl with top U.S. allies over trade. As late as Thursday afternoon he was questioning whether it even made sense to attend since he'll be outnumbered on key issues. But our sources say the president was told that canceling the visit outright would make it look like he is shrinking from a fight he very publicly started. With that on his mind, the president told advisers he will enter the talks swinging.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: No official reason given for leaving the G7 early, but we know from Trump's own words that it's not to prepare for the North Korea summit next week.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: What are you doing to prepare for the summit with North Korea?

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I think I'm very well prepared. I don't think I have to prepare very much. It's about attitude. It's about willingness to get things done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: All right. Let's talk about all this with Greg Valliere, chief strategist at Horizon Investments live in D.C. this morning.

ROMANS: Good morning, Greg.

BRIGGS: I'm sure you haven't had much sleep. I know you were up watching the Stanley Cup final game fight.

GREG VALLIERE, CHIEF STRATEGIST, HORIZON INVESTMENTS: I was.

BRIGGS: We'll talk about that in a moment but let's talk with what happened one year before the Washington Capitals went to Washington, the group of seven was formed. Yes. One year before, if you're wondering.

ROMANS: Really?

BRIGGS: But this is an unusual situation given the dynamics between the president and our allies. And let's start where else? With tweets. Emmanuel Macron, French president tweeting at 4:49 yesterday, "The American president may not mind being isolated, but neither do we mind signing a six-country agreement if need be. Because these six countries represent values, they represent an economic market which has the weight behind it and which is now a true international force."

As you might imagine, Donald Trump fired back on Twitter. "Please tell Minister Trudeau and President Macron they are charging the U.S. massive tariffs, create non-monetary barriers. The EU trade surplus with the U.S. is $151 bullion. Canada keeps our farmers and others out. Look forward to seeing them tomorrow."

OK. So a face-to-face between Trump and Macron, Trump and Trudeau today. It should be interesting. What are the implication of this Twitter spat?

VALLIERE: Let me say two things, Dave. First of all, you've got to say this is starting to become really personal. The level of acrimony between Macron and Trudeau and Trump.

ROMANS: Yes.

VALLIERE: It's not healthy. And I'm wondering is Trump going to start calling them nicknames like, you know, low energy Jeb or, you know, lying Marco. I mean, is he going to get that juvenile? And Trump might go that way, and I think that's a concern.

The second point I'd make is this. You talk to people on Capitol Hill and it's the Republicans who are the most uneasy about this fight.

ROMANS: Yes.

VALLIERE: Because they realize the retaliation will largely hit the farm belt. The Republicans are strong in the farm belt. This could really hurt their political standing.

ROMANS: But it also goes against sort of everything the Republican Party has been -- stood for from the second half of the 20th century and into the 21st, right? Open markets and free trade. Also there is something so interesting about the Canada piece of this in particular. And this is why the Canadians are so flummoxed. There is a U.S. trade surplus with Canada.

VALLIERE: Right.

ROMANS: An $8 billion trade surplus. The president is focusing on certain categories, I mean, maybe butter and certain kinds of dairy. We've been fighting about those things back and forth for years. Why is the president so fixated on arguing, do you think, with our allies and ironically potentially, especially the fury in Europe against the United States, you know, driving these allies closer to China and Russia?

VALLIERE: Yes, it's mind boggling. I'm sure he's been advised by Larry Kudlow. I'm sure he realizes that the "Wall Street Journal" and a lot of traditional conservatives think this is very ill advised. But he can't be talked to. I mean, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, feels this is not good policy. So he's not listening to these critics. And I do think on trade tariffs, things are going to get worse before they get better.

ROMANS: You know, Greg, I'll tell you, though, from inside the White House, the feeling is that there has never been a better time. Larry Kudlow himself has said the international trade system is broken. And others say look, the economy is so strong.

VALLIERE: Yes.

ROMANS: We're going to go to G7 and we're going to show Europe and our allies and Canada and Mexico, look, how great the American economy is, don't be -- don't be telling us we can't do tariffs because we're the strongest economy in the world right now.

VALLIERE: Yes.

ROMANS: They think now is the time. Now is the time to do it.

BRIGGS: Is it?

VALLIERE: And I'd say, guys, and you've heard me say a lot how strong this economy is. It's really red hot. So it's not going to dramatically hurt the U.S. economy. Although there is one angle that I think we have to worry about. That's business confidence which went through the roof last year with regulatory reform and tax cuts. Now all of a sudden businesses face uncertainty.

[05:05:03] Do they have to deal with tariffs? When they plan ahead, is this going to become an issue they have to factor in? That takes a little of the luster off the tax cuts.

ROMANS: Yes.

BRIGGS: And because of this economy, Mitt Romney, former GOP presidential candidate, said he thinks Donald Trump will get reelected, saying -- really on the back of the economy. But he also added this. "I think it's true our Democrat friends are likely to nominate someone who's out of the mainstream of American thought and will make it easier for a president who is presiding over a growing economy."

Do you agree with that assessment from Mitt Romney, the Senate candidate?

VALLIERE: It's still so far ahead, Dave. So hard to make a definitive call. I think if Trump wants to get re-nominated, he will be re-nominated. No one in that party can take him out. But in a general election, we're a long, long way away. People eight years ago have never even heard of the name Barack Obama. So that's still kind of way out there but I would say this. If the economy continues as red hot as it is right now, I do not see a tidal wave election this fall. Maybe a high surf warning for the Republicans, but no tidal wave. And so the pocketbook issues will be the dominant ones.

ROMANS: All right. We'll talk about ZTE and how stocks can be rising so much if there are worries about a trade war and tariffs. We'll talk about that about in about half hour, Greg.

VALLIERE: OK.

BRIGGS: And congrats to your Caps, Greg.

All right. A longtime Senate staffer arrested for allegedly lying to federal agents in a probe of unauthorized leaks. 59-year-old James Wolfe is the former security director for the Senate Intelligence Committee. Prosecutors say he lied to FBI agents in December about his contacts with three reporters. In some cases using an encrypted messaging app. Wolfe worked under the leadership of both parties since 1987 before abruptly leaving at the end of the 2017. He's due in court later today.

ROMANS: In connection with the Wolfe investigation, "The New York Times" reports prosecutors secretly seized years' worth of phone and e-mail records of one of its reporters. The government did not obtain the contents of the e-mails and calls. The reporter, Ali Watkins, had been dating Wolfe for three years. The "Times" reports she denies receiving classified information during their relationship. The seizure suggests federal prosecutors are not letting up on their aggressive efforts to deter leaks, tactics that were also used under the Obama administration.

BRIGGS: President Trump boasting there is no need for him to do a lot of prep work for next month's historic summit with North Korea. That doesn't seem to bother his secretary of State.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE: There were few days that I left the Oval Office after having briefed the president that we didn't talk about North Korea. So over months and months, days and days, President Trump has been receiving briefings on this issue.

I am very confident the president will be fully prepared when he meets with his North Korean counterpart.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Now the president says he may even invite Kim Jong-un to the United States. Perhaps meeting at the White House.

Let's bring in Anna Coren live from Tokyo for us tonight over there.

Anna, hi. What's the latest on all these in the region?

ANNA COREN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Dave, there's certainly a lot of anticipation for the summit in Singapore next week. Obviously people in this part of the world want to see change. They want something constructive to come out of the summit considering they've been living with the threat of North Korea for the past 30 years. People were taken aback by Donald Trump extending an invitation to Kim Jong-un on the condition that the talks go well.

What does that mean? What is his definition of successful talks? We just don't know. Does it mean full denuclearization of the Korean peninsula? Which is something that Mike Pompeo, the secretary of State, has alluded to. He said that North Korea has committed to that. Well, we haven't heard it come out of the mouth of the North Koreans. Does it mean striking a compromise?

Allowing Kim to keep his short-range missiles in exchange for the longer range ICBM that would reach the United States? Or does it just mean good chemistry between Trump and Kim? Now Trump has gone out of his way to say that this summit will provide substance, that it's not just about optics. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: This will not be just a photo-op. This will be at a minimum will start with perhaps a good relationship. And that's something that's very important for the ultimate making of a deal. I'd love to say it could happen in one deal. Maybe it can.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COREN: He loves a deal. And he believes that he can make a deal. But I think, Dave, we need to remember this is an extremely complex issue. The previous U.S. administrations have tried and failed so really Trump goes into this, you know, talking a big game but the critics say Kim will never fully give up his nuclear weapons program because they are vital to the legitimacy of the North Korean regime and to Kim's leadership -- Dave.

BRIGGS: Yes, it's interesting. Pompeo describes the preparation of Kim Jong-un in a lot more detail than he does the president of the United States. That could be fascinating to watch.

Anna, thank you.

[05:10:00] ROMANS: All right. Ten minutes past the hour. It appears Rudy Giuliani's act is starting to wear thin with President Trump's inner circle a day after the president's lawyer said this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RUDY GIULIANI, MEMBER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM: They insulted the vice president. They insulted the -- his national security adviser. He said we're not going to have a summit under those circumstances. Well, Kim Jong-un got back on his hands and knees and begged for it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: "Back on his hands and knees and begged for it." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo responded this way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

POMPEO: We're focused on the important things. I know Rudy. Rudy doesn't speak for the administration when it comes to this negotiation, these set of issues.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Giuliani also weighed in on the Stormy Daniels sage and whether Melania Trump believes her husband about the alleged affair.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GIULIANI: She believes in her husband. She knows it's not true. I don't even think there is a slight suspicion that it's true.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: A day later, the first lady's spokeswoman delivered a sharp rebuke. She said, quote, "I don't believe Mrs. Trump has ever discussed her thoughts on anything," underscore anything, "with Mr. Giuliani." The first lady has never publicly addressed the Stormy Daniels story. Asked for a response, Giuliani tells CNN that he never interviewed Melania Trump about Stormy Daniels.

ROMANS: Yes. That was remarkable to see the first lady's office come out so strongly to say Rudy Giuliani does not speak for the first lady.

BRIGGS: But again it appears the president is comfortable with everything Rudy is doing out there. He likes this PR attack on all fronts.

ROMANS: All right. Another troubling video. New video out of Mesa, Arizona.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell me where the gun's at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun. No gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where's the gun?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun, no gun, no gun. No gun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: That's a 15-year-old suspect there. A second investigation of excessive force by police is under way.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:51] ROMANS: Mesa, Arizona, police facing new questions about excessive force. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell me where the gun is at?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun. No gun. No gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is the gun?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is the gun?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No gun.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The department releasing this body cam footage of an incident involving a 15-year-old boy arrested and charged with armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. So far no word any gun was actually found. After a review of body cam footage, officials launched an internal investigation into excessive force. Two officers were placed on administrative leave.

BRIGGS: This as additional officers placed on administrative leave over the police beating of Robert Johnson. Bringing the total number of officers on leave for that incident to five. Police releasing the incident report saying Johnson was aggressive calling them names and spitting. But one of Johnson's attorneys responded by saying there is a lot in the police report we disagree with.

Mesa's police chief will hold a news conference this afternoon to talk about both excessive force investigations.

ROMANS: A New York City man is facing deportation after trying to deliver a pizza to the Ft. Hamilton military base in Brooklyn. Pablo Villavicencio showed his city I.D. card to the guard last week as he had done several times before. And this time the undocumented immigrant from Ecuador was asked to get a daily visitor's pass. Military and ICE officials claim Villavicencio wound up signing a waiver permitting a background check which revealed an active warrant for deportation.

BRIGGS: But Villavicencio tells the "New York Post" that's lie, insisting he did not sign any waiver and claiming video cameras will prove it. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the state has secured pro bono legal counsel for Villavicencio.

Some alarming new numbers from the CDC. Suicide rates increased by 25 percent across the United States between 1999 and 2016. More than half of those who took their own life had not been diagnosed with a mental health issue. Numbers went up in every state except Nevada. The increase has ranged from 6 percent in Delaware to nearly 58 percent in North Dakota. Researchers suggest an economic factor related to the number of

suicides out west since people in rural areas have less access to mental health services. Health experts say not every suicide is preventable but many are. There are steps to help like conversation and a follow-up, if you see warning signs like a change in mood or behavior or alarming social media posts.

Help someone.

ROMANS: All right. New --

BRIGGS: If you can.

ROMANS: Absolutely. All right. New progress in the search for signs of life on Mars. NASA says organic matter was found in soil from a three billion-year-old mudstone found by the Curiosity rover. Organic compounds like the ones found are the building blocks of life, though it can also exist without it. Curiosity rover also detected methane in the Martian atmosphere. It is the simplest organic substance also found in other places in our solar system that could support life.

BRIGGS: OK. Lord Stanley has a new home. The nation's capital. Andy Scholes is here in studio with the Caps cup clinching victory and the great eight finally gets to hoist the Stanley Cup. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:23:03] BRIGGS: For the first time in team history, the Washington Capitals are Stanley Cup champions.

ROMANS: Andy Scholes has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report." And he's here with us. Good morning.

ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Good morning. Good morning to be here. Yes, and you know, the Capitals have waited a long time for this. The entire city as well. You know, with all the -- of all the major three big cities, with at least three major sports teams, D.C. had the longest drought. Their last championship was when the Redskins won the Super Bowl back in 1992. So as you can imagine, the party is probably still going on as we speak.

It was a sea of red in downtown D.C. last night. And we all know fans have very different ways of celebrating championship. Some like jump on cars, others climb street poles. But good times being had by all of there in D.C.

The game was won in Las Vegas. Alex Ovechkin, who's considered the best player to never win a cup, scoring a huge goal in the second. He was named MVP of the playoffs. Lars Eller coming with the game winner with less than eight minutes left in this one as the Caps would take the game 4-3 to win the series in five games over the Golden Knights. And for the first time in their 44-year history, the Capitals got to skate around the ice hoisting the Stanley Cup.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) ALEX OVECHKIN, WASHINGTON CAPITALS: I'm so happy. I'm probably the happiest guy. I'm so happy for my teammates, for all the fans who were watching back in Washington. The guys who flew here. My fans, my family, all my friends.

TJ OSHIE, WASHINGTON CAPITALS: My dad -- oh, boy. He doesn't remember a lot of stuff these days. He remembers enough. But I tell you what, he's here tonight. I don't know where he's at but this one will stick with him forever.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SCHOLES: That was Caps star TJ Oshie, getting very emotional in talking about his dad who's diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago.

[05:25:01] And he found his dad right after that interview. And as you can expect, he got to share a very special moment with him.

All right. For the first time since 2001 an American woman not named Williams will be playing in the French Open Finals. Sloane Stephens advancing after beating good friend and fellow American Madison Keys in the semifinals yesterday. Stephens will now face Simona Halep in the finals. The 25-year-old trying to add to her grand slam trophy. Stephens of course won the U.S. Open last year.

And guys, it's a big sports weekend. Of course we got game four of the NBA Finals tonight. The Warriors going for the sweep. Then you got the Belmont tomorrow where Justify is going to try to win the Triple Crown.

BRIGGS: What say you? Triple Crown coming?

SCHOLES: So I don't think it's going to happen.

BRIGGS: Bob Baffert does it again?

SCHOLES: I don't think so. Just because we waited, what, 30 something years for another one? Are you going to get two in three years? Come on. No.

BRIGGS: Yes. It can't be that simple.

SCHOLES: We'll see, though. We'll see.

ROMANS: At least we can --

(CROSSTALK)

SCHOLES: Could be another special day.

BRIGGS: It's going to happen. Baffert is the master.

Andy Scholes, good to see you, my friend.

ROMANS: All right. G7 leaders ready to do business without the U.S. The president heads to Canada this morning. He's so unimpressed with the agenda, he'll also leave early.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)