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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Hackers Hack 30 Million Facebook Users; Trump, Saudis Trade Threats Over Khashoggi, Vows to Punish Saudis if they Killed Journalist; Allies Stand Behind Saudi Arabia Amidst Khashoggi Murder; Turkish President and Saudi King Praise Each Other, Propose a Working Group to Discuss Khashoggi's Disappearance; President Trump Bridles at Lawmakers' Pressure, Says Effort to Halt Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia would Hurt American Workers; Saudi Arabia's Stock Market Plunges; Trump Defends Separation of Families at Border; Hillary Clinton Denies Husband's Affair with Lewinsky was an Abuse of Power; Sears Declares Bankruptcy; Duke and Duchess of Sussex Announce Pregnancy; President Trump and First Lady to Visit Florida After Michael's Devastation; Mexico Beach Left in Ruins After Hurricane Michael's Devastation; Patriots Outlast Chiefs in Epic Shootout, Beating the Chiefs 43-40; Red Sox Even ALCS with 7-5 Win Over Astros. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired October 15, 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, CO-HOST, EARLY START: EARLY START continues right now --
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CO-HOST, EARLY START: Party hack -- do you think consumers have fatigue or do you think they're angry? Dave has fatigue --
BRIGGS: Fatigue. Fatigue --
ROMANS: Yes --
BRIGGS: It's sad, it's unfortunate. EARLY START continues right now with the latest on the disappearance of a Saudi journalist.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're going to get to the bottom of it. And there will be severe punishment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: President Trump under pressure to take action after the suspected murder of a Saudi journalist.
ROMANS: The president and the first lady head to Florida today where dozens are still unaccounted for after Hurricane Michael.
BRIGGS: Sears just filed for bankruptcy and announced the closing of dozens more stores. A dramatic fall for what used to be America's largest retailer. ROMANS: And breaking news out of Kensington Palace. Prince Harry and
his new American bride Meghan Markle are expecting a baby. We see them Friday at Princess Eugenie's wedding, and a coat, there're a bump. Good morning, welcome to EARLY START, 15th --
BRIGGS: Let the obsession begin, 5:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Monday, October 15th, good morning everybody. President Trump and the Saudis trading threats over the weekend over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The president telling "60 Minutes", the Saudis face severe punishment if they killed Khashoggi during his visit to a Saudi Consulate in Turkey. Al; a Saudi-owned news channel publishing an op-ed, saying, the U.S. faces an economic bloodbath if it imposes sanctions on Saudi Arabia.
For the latest, let's bring in international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson in front of the very door where Khashoggi was last seen entering. Nic, that op-ed would that come without the approval of the royals?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Dave, it's hard to imagine that it would. I mean, this -- the person that wrote it was a general manager of this essentially state arm of the media there in Saudi Arabia.
It wouldn't have happened without the say so. At least, that's sort of understanding that this is the thing that you want us to write. But it also is in keeping with what we heard from the state news agency yesterday which said in slightly toned-down language, that if there were any sanctions put on Saudi Arabia, then Saudi Arabia would double down and be just twice as strong.
So that was very much perceived in many places as a threat of what President Trump had said. So it wasn't too much of a surprise, but a little later, we heard the Saudi Embassy in D.C. rolling back the rhetoric, saying that actually the kingdom was grateful for countries like the United States for waiting to see what comes out of the investigation.
There does seem to be, you know, an inconsistency coming out of Riyadh at the moment as they try to figure out the next move forward. They are supported by their allies in the region, the king did call yesterday to President Erdogan here in Turkey.
But the outcome of that phone call that we have been briefed on, at least that they have agreed to form a working group doesn't change anything on the ground here at the moment. There was an agreement between the Saudis and Turkish officials last week to form a working group on how to get Turkish investigators into the consulate.
And days before that, the Saudis had even said Turkish investigators could go into the consulate. There's a standoff on this issue right now, and it's not clear, you know, quite which direction the diplomacy is going to go in coming from Riyadh. But at the moment, with the strongest language we have from the
Turkish officials, the Foreign Minister saying that the Turkish investigators, the chief prosecutor and his team of experts must get inside that consulate building and there's no indication we're getting anywhere close to that at the moment, Dave.
BRIGGS: Nic Robertson has written extensively on this. we recommend you read all of this stuff on Twitter. Nic, thank you.
ROMANS: All right, President Trump avoiding a firm stand on Saudi Arabia's role in the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi. In an interview with "60 Minutes", the president said, quote, "nobody knows whether Crown Prince Bin Salman ordered Khashoggi's murder.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: It's being investigated. It's being looked at very strongly and we would be very upset and angry if that were the case. As of this moment, they deny it and they deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Cnn's Boris Sanchez has more this morning from the White House.
BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Dave, President Trump has not explicitly pointed the finger at Saudi Arabia over the disappearance of "Washington Post" columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Instead, President Trump saying the White House will get to the bottom of the disappearance of that journalist. Now, the president though has chafed at a bipartisan group of senators who have suggested that Congress should intervene and get involved.
Potentially, by blocking $100 billion arms deal that President Trump secured with Saudi Arabia shortly after taking office. The president suggesting that it would likely hurt the American economy and jobs more than it would hurt Saudi Arabia or send a message to them.
[05:05:00] The president spoke with "60 Minutes" on Sunday night suggesting that if the White House found that Saudi Arabia was responsible, there would be a steep price to pay. Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: There's a lot at stake, and maybe especially so, because this man was a reporter. There's something -- you'll be surprised to hear me say that. There's something really terrible and disgusting about that if that were the case. So we're going to have to see. We're going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: Now the hesitation from President Trump to really condemn the Saudi Arabians could be seen as an indication of how much this administration has staked on Saudi Arabia and the future of the Middle East.
We know that this administration believes very strongly that Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is an intricate part of the future of the Mid East, not only with countering Iranian aggression, but also any potential Israeli-Palestinian peace plan moving forward. Dave and Christine?
ROMANS: All right, Boris at the White House. Thanks for that. Talk of sanctions hit Saudi Arabia's stock market. Riyadh's main index fell 7 percent Sunday, wiping out billions of dollars in market value for top Saudi companies.
Stocks there have dropped as much as 9 percent since Jamal Khashoggi disappeared October 2nd. For more than two years, Saudi Arabia has been working to modernize and diversify the economy away from oil, but his disappearance is prompting some big-name business partners to cut ties.
Richard Branson suspended billion-dollar investment talks and many execs are pulling out of a high profile Saudi investment conference dubbed "Davos in the Desert".
The head of Uber and Viacom is out, many international media partners pulled out sponsorships including "New York Times", "Bloomberg", "Cnbc" and "Cnn". And now JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon no longer attending.
A spokesperson did not say why. Also the Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford will no longer go due to scheduling, we're told from the company. But Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin still plans to be there, at least for now. The Treasury's spokesperson said officials will be evaluating the information that comes out this week.
BRIGGS: The president refusing to rule out more family separations at the Mexico border. Mr. Trump expressing support for the controversial policy, insisting it defers families from trying to come to the U.S. illegally.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Frankly, when you don't do -- when you allow the parents to stay together, OK? When you allow that, then what happens is people are going to pour into our country --
LESLEY STAHL, CBS: So you're going to go back to that?
TRUMP: Well, we're looking at a lot of things. Really, what we want to do is change the immigration laws because they're laughing stock all over the world.
STAHL: Are you willing though -- I think that you're saying your -- it's under consideration.
TRUMP: No, I want all the laws changed --
STAHL: Change is -- TRUMP: There have to be consequences, Lesley, for coming into our
country illegally. And part of -- I mean, part of the reason I have to blame myself, the economy is so strong that everybody wants to come into the United States.
STAHL: Can I just ask this simple question, yes or no?
TRUMP: Go ahead.
STAHL: Are you willing to reinstitute that policy? You said we're looking at everything, and yes or no?
TRUMP: I will -- you can't say yes or no, what I can say is this, there are consequences from coming into a country, namely our country, illegally.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Now, the president repeatedly insisted that Obama also had the same law, but PolitiFact has rated that as false because it was the Trump administration that reinforced this policy and separated thousands from their children.
Hillary Clinton meanwhile also speaking out, rejecting critics who claim her husband should have resigned the presidency during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The former Secretary of State insists to "Cbs" that she played no role in criticizing the character of her husband's accusers, and says she takes full responsibility for her actions.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In retrospect, do you think Bill should have resigned in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal?
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Absolutely not.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It wasn't an abuse of power?
CLINTON: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are people who look at the incidents of the '90s and they say a president of the United States cannot have a consensual relationship with an intern. The power imbalance is too much --
CLINTON: She was an adult, but let me ask you this, where's the investigation of the current incumbent against whom numerous allegations have been made? And which he dismisses, denies and ridicules.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Clinton went on to say the way Donald Trump debated her in 2016 was quote, "imbued with sexism". ROMANS: All right, Sears; the iconic retail chain that changed how
Americans lived and shopped is now bankrupt. Sears started as a mail order business with that famous catalog. Look at that, remember but at midnight. The 132-year-old company filed for bankruptcy.
Sears has been struggling for years, losing nearly $12 billion since 2010. Since then, sales have plunged 60 percent, it shut more than 2,600 stores. The final straw, a $134 million debt payment, that was due Today, it couldn't pay it.
[05:10:00] Sears is one of many prominent retailers who declared bankruptcy, thanks to the rise of online shopping at big-box stores, but Sears also failed to modernize and invest. It will stay in business, keeping profitable stores open and its website open.
But Sears will close nearly 200 more stores this year. Eddie Lampert; Chairman of Sears Holdings will give up his title as CEO. He says the bankruptcy process will allow Sears to become profitable, but you know, many retailers have gone out of business after filing like Toys R Us, RadioShack and sports authority.
This was the original --
BRIGGS: Yes --
ROMANS: Everything store, one had lines that the original everything store, now you think of Amazon as the everything store --
BRIGGS: It was the original Amazon --
ROMANS: Right --
BRIGGS: Really of the catalog --
ROMANS: Auto parts, you know, mail order homes, and you get --
BRIGGS: Yes --
ROMANS: That catalog for generations, you get that catalog and women and men -- the style would be --
BRIGGS: Yes --
ROMANS: Determined by what was in the catalog, right?
BRIGGS: Just failed to make the digital turn.
ROMANS: Yes --
BRIGGS: Seventy thousand employees, you hope they --
ROMANS: Yes --
BRIGGS: Can emerge out of this --
ROMANS: Absolutely -- BRIGGS: We shall see. Breaking news this morning out of London. The
announcement from Kensington Palace a short-time ago, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are expecting a baby. The newest bundle of joy expected to arrive next Spring. Joining us live from London, just past 10:00 a.m., Max Foster, good morning, Max.
Royal baby --
MAX FOSTER, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Dave --
BRIGGS: Trending once again on Twitter.
FOSTER: Here we go again, and everyone is going to be looking out for that bump during this tour of Australia, New Zealand, also Fiji as well. A moderate risk of the Zika virus in Fiji, but I have just been told that there will be no change in the itinerary, they're still going to go there.
Nothing is changing here. They're taking medical advice, they're not too concerned about that. The other thing I heard, Dave, in the last half hour since I spoke to you is that they announced the news to the royal family at their cousin Eugenie's wedding on Friday which some believe is a bit controversial.
But I understand that the queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince of Wales, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are all delighted by this news. I have been told that and also Mrs. Ragland who is Meghan's mother has been informed.
She won't be speaking to anyone on this, but she has said that she's very happy about this lovely news, and she looks forward to welcoming what is her first grandchild as well. This baby will be seventh in line to the throne after Prince Harry.
So not a senior royal, but one with a very high profile due to his parents or her parents, indeed, we'll find out the sex when the baby is born.
BRIGGS: Seventh in line, ain't bad. Max Foster live for us in London this morning. Is that cool when you're at someone's wedding and you announce you are pregnant? Is that stealing --
ROMANS: I don't know --
BRIGGS: Their thunder?
ROMANS: I don't know --
BRIGGS: What's the protocol?
ROMANS: That might be the controversy there, I'm not sure. I'm not sure. Well, everyone, congratulations. All right, 12 minutes past the hour, President Trump set to tour hurricane-ravaged Florida just hours from now. More on the damage and the missing ahead.
[05:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK) ROMANS: President Trump and the first lady travel to Florida this
morning for a firsthand look at the devastation left by Hurricane Michael. The White House is not revealing which locations they will visit.
In hard hit Mexico Beach, a grim announcement from local police, dozens of people who decided to ride out the storm are still unaccounted for. Martin Savidge is in Mexico Beach.
MARTIN SAVIDGE CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Dave, good morning Christine. President Trump is expected in fashion to visit Mexico Beach here. And whether he actually just flies over it or touches down on the ground, he is going to like many people be impacted by what he sees.
There's just no way that television does justice to the amount of destruction that you will find here. The words you can't find them, and the video just doesn't seem to be enough of it to give you the full scope and scale of it.
But even as the president visits, and even as of course he promises more resources to be brought to bear, the biggest thing that they're worried about in this community is finding those who are unaccounted for.
They know that they were about 300 people that rode out this storm or at least said they were going to. And the problem is trying to account for those people in the aftermath with so much devastation. Communication has been a problem, although the cell service is back.
And there's also been the problem that they had the addresses of where people were. But when they went to find their homes after the storm in some cases, those homes were completely gone. Now a lot of those people have been accounted for in some way. They have either self- reported or they have been seen by witnesses alive and well afterwards.
The problem is there's a number of people who haven't been found. And the longer time goes on, and there's no word from them, well, the greater the concern goes that they are still here somewhere.
So search and recovery teams from across the state and beyond had been going through the buildings and they've searched just about all of them. Now, they're left with the debris and there's just so much of that to be sifted through.
It could still be several more days before they can make a full account. And until then, they're encouraging residents to stay away. This community cannot support the people that used to live here. There's no power, there's no sewer. There's no running water.
And we've already pointed out communication is pretty spotty. Then there's the risk of fire. There's so much timber on the ground here, you could have another disaster on top of the one you already have. Dave and Christine?
ROMANS: That's just really a sad story there, and a lot, they're doing so much hard work --
BRIGGS: Yes, a long road ahead. OK, Sunday night, a nail-biter for New England sports fans, the Patriots and chiefs, what might be the most entertaining game of this NFL season, tied at 40 in the final seconds, how it ended next in the "BLEACHER REPORT" with Coy Wire.
[05:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRIGGS: It was a late and a great night for New England sports fans. Coy Wire has more in this morning's "BLEACHER REPORT", Coy, good morning to you, John Berman must be one tired, but thrilled sports fan this morning.
COY WIRE, CNN SPORTS REPORTER: Yes, might tune into "NEW DAY" and see how that one goes, and see those bags under Berman's eyes. Good to see you, Dave, and just one evening, the Red Sox and Patriots gave their fans two thrilling victories that are going to be talked about for quite some time.
The Patriots had a huge lead at halftime, KC's young phenom quarterback Patrick Mahomes, he would not go quietly into that good night though. He hits Tyreek Hill on this 75-yard bomb. KC tying the game at 40 with just over three minutes to go, and Tom Brady is thinking, three minutes, that's plenty of time to do what I do, and I'm going to do it like I'm doing it for TV.
Gronk comes to life on this huge connection, and that would set up a field goal attempt with time expiring and Stephen Gostkowski from 28 yards, that's the game winner, New England handing the Chiefs their first loss of the season, 43-40. Brady says, hey, there's more of that to come.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[05:25:00] TOM BRADY, QUATERBACK, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: I think we have a lot of clutch players. I think we have no problem grinding it out. That's what the football season is all about.
I don't think we've seen our best, and I think we all can play a lot better, and I guess we plan to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WIRE: Look out, 20 miles down the road from Foxborough, game 3 of the American League Championship Series, Red sox, Astros and Jackie Bradley Jr. coming up big for the ball stop. A three-run double off Fenway's Green Monster in the third.
The Astros though, they kept at it too -- go to the ninth inning, Alex Bregman, he launches one, it's heading to the wall, would be a two-run homer, but falling just short there. That's the final out of the game, Boston ties up this series at one game apiece, a 7-5 victory.
More playoff baseball tonight, Dodgers hosting the Brewers in game 3 of the NLCS, we have that Monday night football too. Brady came to life and shined, can Aaron Rodgers get those Packers a win over the 9ers?
BRIGGS: And one undefeated team remains, the Rams, Coy, who just ran right over my Broncos, but thank you for not mentioning that, I appreciate it.
WIRE: You got it.
BRIGGS: Romans, over to you.
ROMANS: Good weekend for my cyclones, but not for my various --
BRIGGS: This is true --
ROMANS: Mixed results, all right, thanks Dave. Twenty six minutes after the hour. President Trump facing a growing and complicated crisis over the suspected murder of a Saudi journalist, a live report just ahead.
And the royal family expected to grow once again. A big announcement from Kensington Palace coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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