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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Four People to Back Up Ford's Claim; World Leader Laugh at Trump; Bill Cosby Gets 3 to 10 Years in Prison; Birthday Bungee Jump. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired September 26, 2018 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:13] CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Breaking overnight, four people with sworn declarations Christine Blasey Ford told them about the alleged sex assault by Brett Kavanaugh in recent years. A Senate vote on the Supreme Court nomination is set for Friday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: The world literally laughs as the president claims extraordinary progress at the United Nations. He chairs a Security Council meeting today with Iran, a major focus.
ROMANS: America's dad is waking up behind bars. Bill Cosby gets three to ten years for sex assault.
BRIGGS: How did you celebrate your 50th birthday? Will Smith decided to face his fear with a bungee jump over the Grand Canyon. He does nothing small, Will Smith. It is all big with him.
ROAMNS: Good for him. Good for him.
BRIGGS: Good morning, everyone, and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. Nice to see you all this morning. It is Wednesday, September 26th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.
The president set to hold his fourth formal conference tonight as he wraps up meetings at the U.N. General Assembly. Breaking overnight, though, something in "USA Today" to bring to you. "USA Today" reports attorneys for Christine Blasey Ford have provided the Senate with signed declarations from four people, four people who say she told them in recent years about Brett Kavanaugh's alleged sexual assault from decades ago.
One declaration is from her husband whose knowledge was already reported. The three new people are coming forward with information saying Ford total them about the alleged incident between 2013 and 2017. No eyewitness accounts, but they speak to knowledge of the incident before those accusations were made public.
BRIGGS: One of them says Ford was especially angry at the light sentence for Brock Turner. That's the USC swimmer that got a six- month term for a sexual assault on an unconscious 22-year-old. Ford is said to have told her friends she was bothered because she was assaulted years earlier by someone who is now a federal judge in D.C., later naming Kavanaugh in an e-mail sent after Anthony Kennedy retired.
ROMANS: Now, just over 24 hours to the Senate hearing that could seal Kavanaugh's fate, the vote on his nomination is set before Ford has even been heard. They set the vote before they even heard from Blasey Ford. The Judiciary Committee scheduling its vote for Friday morning now at 9:30 a.m.
BRIGGS: The Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley leaving open the possibility the vote could be further delayed, but the committee's ranking Democrat, Dianne Feinstein slamming this committee vote, quote: First, Republicans demanded Dr. Blasey Ford testify immediately. Now Republicans don't even need to hear her before they move ahead to vote.
ROMANS: Committee Republicans announcing that an Arizona sex crimes prosecutor, Rachel Mitchell, will be on hand to ask at least some questions for their side. At least one critical GOP vote appears to be wavering a bit. Alaska Senator Murkowski telling "The New York Times", it's not about whether or not Judge Kavanaugh's qualified. It's about whether or not a woman who has been a victim at some point in her life is to be believed.
And Murkowski later added this --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Should there be a full FBI investigation into the allegations of Kavanaugh's past?
SEN. LISA MURKOWSKI (R), ALASKA: Well --
REPORTER: You have --
MURKOWSKI: It would sure clear up all the questions, wouldn't it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Murkowski also wants the Judiciary Committee to hear from a second Kavanaugh accuser. That's Debbie Ramirez.
Around the time Murkowski said that on Tuesday, the president forcefully rejected Ramirez's allegations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Now a new charge comes up, and she said, well, it might not be him, there were gaps. She said she was totally inebriated. She was all messed up and she doesn't know it was him, but it might have been him. Oh, gee, let's not make him a Supreme Court judge because of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: One senior Republican Senate aide says those comments were not helpful. A source says Republicans have tried incredibly lightly to keep moderate GOP senators on board.
The president wasn't exactly playing along later when he fired off this tweet: Democrats are playing a high-level con game. Pray for Brett Kavanaugh and his family.
BRIGGS: President Trump returns to the U.N. for a series of meetings with world leaders, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Shinzo Abe of Japan, and Britain's Theresa May. The president will also chair a Security Council meeting focused on Iran.
On Tuesday, he addressed the U.N. for the second time as president. And after repeated claims that the world laughed at the U.S. under past administrations, it literally happened under Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[04:05:00] TRUMP: In less than two years, my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.
America's -- so true.
(LAUGHTER)
Didn't expect that reaction, but that's okay.
(LAUGHTER)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: The reason that laughter was rolling is it had to be translated in the headphones to the various languages there.
Mr. Trump went on to push his America-first agenda stressing U.S. sovereignty and insisting the global migration crisis can be solved by making all countries, quote, great again. But the president's main focus on Iran, accusing the regime of sowing chaos, death, and destruction, and he urged other countries to join the U.S. by putting economic pressure on Iran.
Afterward, the national security adviser, John Bolton, went further.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOHN BOLTON, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: The murderous regime and its supporters will face significant consequences if they do not change their behavior. Let my message today be very clear -- we are watching, and we will come after you. If you harm our citizens, if you continue to lie, cheat, and deceive -- yes, there, indeed, be hell to pay. (APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Hell to pay.
Iran immediately lashed back at the U.S. Here's what President Hassan Rouhani told the U.N.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HASSAN ROUHANI, PRESIDENT OF IRAN (through translator): It is unfortunate that we are witnessing rumors in the world who think they can secure their interests better or at least in the short term ride public sentiments and gain public support through the extremist nationalism and racism and through xenophobic tendencies resembling a Nazi disposition.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: CNN's Frederik Pleitgen has reported extensively from Iran. Very proud to him with us, joining us now with the latest from Moscow -- Fred.
FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Christine.
Yes, if it was President Trump's thing to make President Rouhani unpopular, to weaken him, he achieved the opposite. Iranian social media absolutely blew up after President Trump's address, accusing him of being impolite and voicing support for the Iranian president, for Hassan Rouhani.
And we have to keep in mind, Hassan Rouhani is someone who is very embattled in Iran right now. The economy is not doing well, especially after the U.S. is getting a lot tougher on Iran. But it certainly seems as though if anything, he's gotten more support than before.
President Rouhani himself, of course, as we just heard there, firing back at President Trump, not only accusing him of having a weakness of character and a weakness of intellect but also saying he wouldn't want at this stage at least a meeting with President Trump saying that it would be a useless photo opportunity.
So, certainly sparks flying between these two leaders. If anything at all, it seems as though the Iranian leader was at least strengthened at home while Iran, of course, is in a very tough position with the economy not doing well, also with the recent terror attack, as well. Of course, as we've heard, seems as though today more sparks might be flying at the United Nations with President Trump chairing that U.N. Security Council meeting -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Fred Pleitgen for us in Moscow -- thanks, Fred.
BRIGGS: House Republicans planning to subpoena the Justice Department for memos written by former Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Those memos said to document explosive comments by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein last year. Sources say Rosenstein suggested secretly recording conversations with the president and discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump from office.
ROMANS: Rosenstein, who oversees the special counsel's Russia investigation, has denied the allegations. He went to the White House Monday -- remember this -- expecting to be fired. That didn't happen.
Rosenstein is set to meet with President Trump at the White House Thursday. Two officials say it would be a mistake to assume he will be fired, at least for now. The controversy fueling calls from conservative Republicans for Rosenstein to testify before Congress this week.
BRIGGS: Once America's dad, Bill Cosby sentenced to three to ten years in prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years ago. The disgraced comedian and actor escorted from the courthouse in handcuffs with his bail revoked.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEVIN STEELE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: He used his acting skills and endearing TV personality to win over his victims and then keep them silent about what he did to them. So, now, finally, Bill Cosby has been unmasked, and we have seen the real man as he's headed off to prison.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Cosby also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine, plus the prosecution's expenses as part of his sentence.
ROMANS: His lawyers have filed an appeal. Cosby's wife, Camille, was not in the courtroom on Tuesday. His husband's spokesman calling the trial the most racist and sexist in the history of the United States.
[04:10:00] BRIGGS: The Cosby sentencing will not affect his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce says the stars are intended to be permanent, and Cosby's will not be removed. They say the stars only commemorate the recipient's professional accomplishments, and it is regrettable when the personal lives of inductees do not measure up to public standards and expectations.
ROMANS: Operations are back to normal at Delta after the airline was forced to issue a ground stop on all flights for at least an hour. Delta is blaming a technology issue. Flights already in the air were not disrupted.
Some air travelers taking to social media to air their frustration. Others offering up compliments to the flight crew. One man thanking the gate agents for bringing donuts to the passengers as they waited on the tarmac.
BRIGGS: That's about a week's worth of news in the first ten minutes. ROMANS: That's right.
BRIGGS: More to come.
Could the effects of climate change make some national parks disappear? An alarming new study says that's the case.
ROMANS: And two women are the new voice of Thursday night football, awesome and talented.
BRIGGS: Yes. Bold move.
ROMANS: Awesome and --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:15:06] ROMANS: Running out of time, folks, on NAFTA. The deadline for NAFTA negotiations is this weekend. And President Trump's top trade official warns Canada time is running out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT LIGHTHIZER, U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE: I think Canada would like to be in the agreement. I think the U.S. would like them to be in the agreement. There's still a fair amount of distance between us. There are, you know, very large issues. I think Canada wants a deal, and I know we want to do. We'll see whether it happens. We're sort of running out of time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: This is a rare public comment from the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, noting there is still some distance between the U.S. and Canada on key issues like how to settle trade disputes and U.S. access to Canada's dairy market. The White House is pushing Canada to agree to a framework set between the U.S. and Mexico by September 30th.
That allows the current Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to sign the deal while he's still in office. But Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau does not want to accept the U.S. Mexico deal as is.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUSTIN TRUDEAU, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: My focus on this throughout has been simply not escalating, not opining, not weighing in. My job is very simple -- it's to defend Canada's interests.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: If Ottawa doesn't agree by this weekend, Lighthizer insists the administration will move forward anyway with or without Canada. That will likely anger U.S. businesses and farmers, both industries rely on duty-free trade with Canada. A bilateral agreement also faces an uphill battle in Congress. Congress must approve the deal. BRIGGS: Meanwhile, an alarming study finds climate change ravaging
our national parks. Scientists from U.C. Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin found by the year 2100 California's Joshua Tree National Park could lose 90 percent of its namesake trees. The risk of wildfires in Yellowstone could increase tenfold, transforming the park into essentially scarred grasslands.
ROMANS: Ice sheets in the North are expected to melt and flow into the sea, eventually making the Glacier National Park's name obsolete. Researchers observed data between 1895 and 2010, they concluded temperatures in national parks rose twice as much, and participation plunged compared to other parts of the country. That's because parks are often in places sensitive to climate change.
BRIGGS: The mother of a missing North Carolina boy with autism tearfully pleading for anyone to step forward with information to help in the search. Six-year-old Maddox Scott Ritch last seen Saturday at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia, North Carolina. His parents told police Maddow ran off, and they lost sight of him during the chase. Maddox's mom begging for continued prayers and help.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CARRIE RITCH, MISSING BOY'S MOTHER: I just want my baby home, please. Whatever you can do. Maddox is my whole world and my reason for living. I want my baby back in my arms.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The search is ongoing overnight. Authorities expanding the search area. Now, a two-mile radius around the park. Hundreds of investigators, analysts, and others have joined in the search. There's a $10,000 reward for information.
BRIGGS: NFL history about to be made in the broadcast booth. Hannah Storm and Andrea Kremer will be the first all-female NFL broadcast team when they call Thursday's match-up between the Minnesota Vikings and L.A. Rams. The two veteran sports broadcasters and journalists will be behind the mic for 11 Thursday night games this season that will stream as part of the Amazon Prime Video NFL package. Amazon says viewers will have several audio options for Thursday night football, including the number-one Fox team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four, three, two, one --
(CHEERS)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: That's how you do it when you're actor Will Smith, bungee jumping out of a helicopter into the Grand Canyon to celebrate his 50th birthday. The jump was live streamed on Smith's YouTube Channel. He described the experience as going from absolute terror to pure bliss.
Smith says he made the thousand-foot leap as a way to overcome a long- held fear --
ROMANS: Fear of jumping into the Grand Canyon. It's a common fear.
BRIGGS: And to help raise awareness and donations for education campaigns by the group Global Citizens -- are you in? She will do that for her next birthday?
ROMANS: I did jump out of an airplane once to get over a fear of heights. It turns out jumping out of an airplane and parachuting is actually --
BRIGGS: More afraid?
ROMANS: I have a new fear, fear of falling out of a perfectly new aircraft. It was really scary to step out the door. It was hard.
BRIGGS: I have never bungee jumped but jumped out of an airplane. I will do that. Yes, loved it.
ROMANS: I like to do it. We could do team-building.
BRIGGS: Let's do it. All right.
ROMANS: All right. Pope Francis says young Catholics are scandalized by the Catholic Church's sex abuse crisis but he defends church officials who try to handle abusive priests years ago.
[04:20:02] We're live in Rome.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROMANS: Pope Francis says the Catholic Church is, quote, giving it our all, in its fight against sexual abuse. In flight returning from Estonia, the pope told reporters the Pennsylvania grand jury's report showed a marked decrease in the number of priests who had abused minors in recent years. But the pope said even if one priest abused a boy or girl, that is monstrous.
For more on the Holy Father's remarks, let's bring CNN's Delia Gallagher in Rome -- Delia.
DELIA GALLAGHER, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you, Christine. Yes, in a 55-minute news conference on the flight last night from Estonia, Pope Francis only briefly touched on the question of sex abuse.
[04:25:08] He was insisting with reporters that he wanted to speak about his recent trip to the Baltics. So in effect he managed to avoid reporters' questions about details of sex abuse. He did go back to it in the last ten minutes of the press conference saying, as you mentioned, that even one case was monstrous but that he felt that the Pennsylvania grand jury report showed that there had been a decrease in the number of cases, and that the Catholic Church was giving it its all in fighting sex abuse.
Of course, the pope is correct, that there has been a decrease in sex abuse cases. But his comment largely misses the point which is that what the Pennsylvania grand jury report and other reports are showing and where the discussion is now is about cover-up and accountability. What happened to those priests, what did bishops do? Did they move them, and so forth?
And the pope also said that we shouldn't be judging the past by today's standards. So in effect, saying what happened in terms of priests may be being moved and put into psychiatric care and then being put back into ministry shouldn't be judged by today's standards. But on the whole, his comments very general, and not specifically addressing any of the questions that people would like answered today in terms of accountability, Christine.
ROMANS: Sure. All right. Delia Gallagher, thank you very much for that, Delia.
BRIGGS: And we'll just continue to peel the layers back on that story and reveal a rotten core.
ROMANS: And what we've heard so many times is that this is the old, this is not the Catholic Church of today. That that the behavior -- it's not for today. What we hear from survivors is that but I still live with what happened to me today. So, it is still my Catholic Church.
BRIGGS: Some of those people were not punished nor exposed.
Ahead, breaking news overnight, signed statements from four people who say Christine Blasey Ford told them about Brett Kavanaugh's alleged assault.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
