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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Hurricane Michael Thrashes Six States; Kanye in the Oval Office; New Evidence in Case of Missing Journalist; Will Turkey Release Pastor Brunson?; Dow Lost 1300+ Points in Two Days; Eagles Dominate Last-Place Giants. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired October 12, 2018 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: A live report from Florida as the death toll rises.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[05:00:03] KANYE WEST, RAPPER: I love this guy right here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump facing criticism for spending his afternoon with Kanye West as millions of Americans pick up the pieces from Hurricane Michael and the stock market tanks. Their bizarre Oval Office meeting.
BRIGGS: Turkish officials claim they have evidence to prove that a missing "Washington Post" columnist was murdered inside the Saudi consulate. What they say led to his killing.
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans this Friday morning. It's Friday, October 12th. It's 5:00 a.m. in the East. Nice to see you all.
Cleanup underway this morning in the wake of the worst hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle ever. The death toll from Hurricane Michael has risen to six people in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina, including an 11-year-old girl killed when debris punctured her trailer home.
Nearly 1.4 million customers without power this morning in six states. Officials say nearly 4,400 remain in shelters. Recovery efforts underway now in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas.
BRIGGS: From the air, in this Coast Guard footage, you can see the rows of houses and oceanside businesses in Mexico Beach, Florida reduced to wreckage. Some residents returning to find their homes completely destroyed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's so many memories here. I can't describe it. It's just terrible.
It's -- I just can't describe the feeling and I know I'm not the only here that feels the same. They've lost everything.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Many survivors who stuck it out in their homes say they feel lucky to be alive. Recounting the surreal experience.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCOTT, SURVIVED HURRICANE MICHAEL: The cars started floating by and stuff and all the debris was in the air, and the wind was just so tremendous, so strong. We had furniture in our house that wasn't even our furniture. That's what -- the surge had brought stuff in so bad.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: National correspondent Dianne Gallagher live for us in Panama City, Florida.
Dianne, good morning. What are you seeing?
DIANNE GALLAGHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave.
It is still probably hard to hear me right now because of the generators running. We don't have power in Panama City. We don't have water in Panama City.
And to give you an idea of the destruction now for the third day since the hurricane came. This is on the campus of the Bay Medical Sacred Heart. This is the largest hospital in the county here.
Now, the good news is this is the receiving building. If you look in there, this is where the facilities and maintenance and this is where they receive equipment and storage, and things like that. Patients weren't here.
But the hospital says it did receive structural damage during Hurricane Michael. And so, they moved patients during the hurricane down to different floors, the maternity floor. They moved them down.
But after the hurricane, running on generators, it is very difficult just to get to the hospital from certain areas as it is all around Panama City right now. They are in the process of evacuating patients now to hospitals in Pensacola and Jacksonville and Mobile right now.
Another hospital here in the county Gulf Medical, they are doing the same. They started yesterday morning here in the county. It should probably take another 24 hours. Now, in the meantime, they are using helicopters and ambulances to do that.
In the meantime, they are setting up DMAT, a full self sufficient portable hospital to help with the people who live here in Panama City who need medical attention so they can serve them and get the most critical patients out -- John and Christine.
BRIGGS: Good to see you, Dianne Gallagher. Thank you so much.
Dave. John works. I'll take John Berman.
ROMANS: At this hour, Michael remains a tropical storm packing 50- mile-an-hour winds. More than 60 million people now under a flash flood watch from the Carolinas into New England. Michael still driving weather as it moves northeast.
In Philadelphia, New York and Boston, tropical moisture coming binding with -- combining with a cold front to reduce flooding.
Meteorologist Karen Maginnis is tracking that for us from the CNN weather center.
Good morning there. What are you seeing?
KAREN MAGINNIS, AMS METEOROLOGIST: All right. Well, we know thousands of people are impacted from Michael which made landfall just a little less than 48 hours ago. The damage wasn't just in Mexico Beach, wasn't just in Panama City, but all those beautiful communities along the coastal areas, downed trees, downed power lines, cars floated away, homes that were swept off of the beach. It has been devastating.
But not just there. We have seen the devastation continue across the mid-Atlantic. This is the Dollar General store. This is in Millville, Florida. That's just right next door to Panama City, Florida. You see the devastation impacted Mexico Beach.
A lot of people did not leave when the warnings and watches were issued in the coastal area.
[05:05:00] We know the death toll now, it stands at six. That will go up. There are missing people.
But not just that, now we've got the devastation that is in its wake across North Carolina and into Virginia where larger cities have reported heavy downpours, power outages and several fatalities already. We'll keep you updated.
Back to you, guys.
BRIGGS: Karen, thank you.
For ways to helped those affected by the storm, go to CNN.com/impact.
ROMANS: All right. While millions of Americans were fighting to recover from Michael, President Trump was hosting a bizarre working lunch with Kanye West. This was billed as a meeting about prison reform. But it went off the rails in a hurry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WEST: Trump is on his hero's journey right now and he might not have expected to have a crazy mother (EXPLETIVE DELETED) like Kanye West run up and support. But best believe we are going to make America great.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: For more on the lunch with Kanye, we bring in CNN's Jeff Zeleny.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Dave, for all the surreal scenes we have seen at this White House, for all the unorthodox moments, there certainly was a major one yesterday here at the White House when rapper Kanye West was coming for a meeting -- a private meeting with President Trump to talk about prison reform. They were scheduled to have a private lunch and nothing on the public schedule.
Well, all that changed when the president invited Kanye West into the Oval Office. Sitting right there in the Resolute desk, the president listened as Kanye talked.
WEST: I love Hillary. I love everyone, right? But the campaign, "I'm With Her" just didn't make me feel as a guy that didn't get to see my dad all the time, like a guy that could play catch with his son.
There was about when I put this hat on it made me feel like Superman.
If he don't look good, we don't look good. This is our president.
He has to be the freshest, the flyest, the flyest planes, the best factories, and we have to make our core be empowered.
ZELENY: Now, for nearly 10 minutes or so this went on in somewhat of an incoherent rant, with Kanye talking about everything under the sun. About -- you know, about race relations, about other matters.
The president clearly enjoying this moment -- enjoying this celebrity moment, but other eyebrows were indeed being raised because so much else is on the president's agenda -- the stock market slide, of course; the hurricane recovery and damage and devastation in Florida; and certainly, the escalating crisis with Saudi Arabia.
But the president clearly had time for Kanye West in two separate sessions. The old adage if the most valuable thing is the president's time -- if that's true we certainly saw what that was yesterday -- Dave and Christine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRIGGS: Jeff, thanks.
Kanye even revealed his passcode. All zeros on the iPhone, not a safe passcode if you're wondering.
The president's legal team is answering questions from special counsel Robert Mueller. According to a source familiar with the matter, the questions are focused on possible collusion with Trump associated and the Russians to influence the 2016 election. Still no agreement if the president is interviewed in person.
Mr. Trump suggesting he has not ruled it out.
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DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Well, it seems ridiculous that I have to do it when everybody says there is no collusion. But I'll do what is necessary to get it over with.
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BRIGGS: The first round of questions may not be the last. The special counsel negotiated an opportunity to ask follow-up questions before the two sides finally agreed to begin the process.
ROMANS: The White House is now eyeing Nancy Brinker to replace Nikki Haley as ambassador to the U.N. Brinker, of course, is the founder of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. According to a source close to the administration, officials believe she could be fast tracked to confirmation since she already went through the process before as she served as ambassador to Hungary back in 2001.
Former Deputy National Security Adviser Dina Powell is out of the running. She informed the president she will keep her job at Goldman Sachs. One official tells CNN her nomination became more complicated by the escalating diplomatic crisis with Saudi Arabia because, quote, no one knows more about the relationship with Jared Kushner and Crown Prince Salman than her.
BRIGGS: Wow.
All right. CNN learned that the U.S. is working on the assumption that a missing "Washington Post" columnist was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Turkey. We will go live to Istanbul, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[05:13:39] BRIGGS: Breaking news this morning. New evidence that missing "Washington Post" columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate.
A CNN source brief by Western intelligence says the evidence shows Khashoggi was killed following some kind of assault and struggle. The source saying the Turkish government told a foreign intelligence service the evidence is in audio and visual form.
"The Washington Post" reports the recordings include voices speaking Arabic and the sounds of Khashoggi being, quote, interrogated, tortured, and then murdered.
Turkish media reports a team of 15 Saudi men, including a forensic expert, arrived by private jet in Istanbul and left the same day. Saudi Arabia categorically denying any involvement in Jamal's disappearance.
ROMANS: That has not slowed momentum in Congress where leading senators are putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to account for him.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BOB CORKER (R-TN), CHAIRMAN, SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: My instincts say that there's no question the Saudi government did this. And my instincts say that they murdered him.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R), SOUTH CAROLINA: I've never been more concerned about his well-being than I am right now. And all the indicators point to Saudi Arabia and if it turns out to be Saudi Arabia, as I've said before, there will be all hell to pay.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: The White House resisting calls for action against Saudi Arabia.
[05:15:00] President Trump Thursday said the U.S. sent investigators to work with Turkey. That is something Turkish officials flatly deny.
International diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is live for us in Istanbul with the latest.
And the pieces are starting to come together. What do we know about the evidence the Turkish authorities have?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: We know that according to one western intelligence official who has seen it and viewed it that it is utterly shocking. The source we spoke to said that the Turkish authorities shared this evidence with a number of allies, and that it showed very clearly that Jamal Khashoggi was killed following a violent struggle and assault on him.
The precise details we're not clear on, but what the sources are communicating to us and communicating clearly is the nature of it was so shocking for those intelligence agencies which have witnessed this, that it took them some time to digest it and really be sure they were not being fooled or tricked. They come to the conclusion they are not, that this is genuine.
And we heard as well from the Turkish president yesterday, saying that he cannot remain silent on this, that this is not a normal occurrence. So, the evidence really here is beginning to mount up, and put Saudi Arabia in a difficult position. The substantive evidence of the planes that flew from Saudi Arabia, the 15 men who flew here from Saudi Arabia and the movements from the consulate when Jamal Khashoggi was there, and the fact that the Saudis would not let the Turkish authorities into the consulate is very damning.
But this latest evidence tells us how horrific it all seems to be -- Christine.
ROMANS: All right. Nic Robertson for us in Istanbul -- thank you, Nic.
BRIGGS: Meanwhile, U.S. officials believe an American pastor is on the verge of being released by the government of Turkey. Pastor Andrew Brunson has been jailed since 2016 for plotting a coup against President Erdogan. At this hour, Brunson making a critical court appearance.
Let's go live to Turkey and bring in CNN's Ben Wedeman.
Ben, good morning.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave.
Yes, this is Pastor Brunson's fourth appearance before this court in this trial. Now, we have heard persistent reports and also out of Washington as well, that some sort of deal between the United States and Turkey is in the offing. The idea is the United States will unfreeze frozen assets of two senior Turkish officials, the minister of the interior and minister of justice. Those assets were frozen in retaliation for the trial of Pastor Brunson.
In addition to that, the United States will lift tariffs it imposed this summer on Turkish exports of steel and aluminum. In addition, the United States will take off the deal to sell Turkey F-35 fighter jets.
In exchange, Turkey will lift the travel ban that's currently on Pastor Brunson which would allow him to simply book a ticket and leave the country probably better not to return -- Dave.
BRIGGS: All right. We're on stand by for that. Ben Wedeman, live for us in Turkey this morning, thanks.
We'll talk sports ahead. An ugly night in the Meadowlands for Big Blue after embarrassing loss to the Eagles. Is the Eli Manning era over for the New York football Giants?
Andy Scholes has the "Bleacher Report" next.
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[05:23:02] ROMANS: Another brutal day on Wall Street. The Dow fell 546 points yesterday. The damage report the last two days is now 1,300 points. The broader S&P closed 2 percent lower.
That is the sixth straight down day. That's longest slump before the 2016 presidential election. The market could bounce back today. Global stocks and U.S. futures are higher.
Investors are concerned about two things, the U.S. and China trade war that will slow growth and they're really concerned about rising interest rates. Higher rates made borrowing more expensive, which eats into company profits. President Trump often uses the stock market as, you know, as a personal scorecard.
So, he is blaming the Federal Reserve which is raising interest rates for the drop.
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TRUMP: I'm paying interest at a high rate because of our fed. I would like our Fed not to be so aggressive. I think they're making a big mistake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: He also called them crazy and loco.
But Trump's top economic adviser says he is not trying to influence the independent agency.
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LARRY KUDLOW, WHITE HOUSE ECONOMIC ADVISER: The president is not dictating policy to the Fed. He didn't say anything remotely like that. And as I say, they are independent. They're going to do what they're going to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Kudlow also said raising rates means a strong economy, and it is true. Consumers are spending. Unemployment is the lowest in a generation.
But Trump's tax cuts juiced corporate profits, like pouring gasoline on an already hot economy. The Federal Reserve is slowly raising interest rates to keep that economy from overheating -- Dave.
BRIGGS: So, compared to the Dow, the Giants loss wasn't really that bad. Another rough outing for Eli Manning and the Giants. The Eagles just beat down the G-men.
Andy Scholes has more in the "Bleacher Report".
Hey, buddy.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Dave.
You know, for the second straight year, the Giants are 1-5 to start the season. It sure looks like the Eli Manning era in New York is coming to an end. Eli struggling all night against the Eagles defense. He had 19 incomplete passes.
[05:25:02] He was sacked four times in the game. Didn't throw for a touch down.
And Odell Beckham Jr. who hasn't exactly given Eli a vote of confidence in recent interview, showing his frustration by head butting one of the blowing fans on the sideline.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ODELL BECKHAM, JR., GIANTS WIDE RECEIVER: I was trying to get myself fired up. And I did that, and it helped me. You know, there were a lot of things that had me fired up. Like I said, it helped me bring out the best me I can bring out that energy. I don't know a way around it, but to get myself going.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SCHOLES: It didn't help too much. Eagles were up 24-6 by halftime. Carson Wentz throwing for three touchdowns, as Philly just dominated this one, 34-13.
All right. The National League Championship series, it's been Dodgers and Brewers get started tonight. Milwaukee has not lost a game in nearly three weeks. They won 11 in a row.
People in Milwaukee know how important that number is because if the team wins 12 in a row, everyone gets free burgers thanks to the food chain George Webb. And this tradition goes back decades. The Brewers, they've only won 12 games in a row once. I found that fascinating. It was back in 1987. People lined up in the rain for hours to get those free burgers. They ended up giving out 170,000 of them in an eight-hour span, Dave.
So, the restaurant is prepping for that situation again. It will be tough in game one of the NCLS going up against Clayton Kershaw tonight.
BRIGGS: I'm looking forward to the game, Scholes. I wish we had a split screen on Christine Romans. Usually when we talk sports, she loses her train of thought, but you said burgers.
(LAUGHTER)
BRIGGS: Christine, we're hungry. It's okay.
ROMANS: I'm hungry.
BRIGGS: I haven't had a George Webb burger but it sounds good at 5:26 a.m.
ROMANS: A little animated burger gets my attention. All right. Thanks, guys. Nice to see you this morning, Andy.
First responders are just getting to the hardest hit areas from Hurricane Michael. A live report from Florida is next.
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