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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Pompeo Tells Prince He Needs To Own The Situation; Saudi Royal Family Searching For Answers; Mueller's Team Very Busy With Investigation Coming Up To The Elections; Cohen Meeting With Investigators Who Are Investigating The Trump Family; Trump Wants His Cabinet To Start Making Budget Cuts. Aired 5-5:30a ET

Aired October 18, 2018 - 5:00   ET

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


[05:00:00]

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Would he have caught it? I don't know.

Good morning and welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: I have watched that play a dozen times and I can not decide he was interfered with, but by rule not clear.

Dave Briggs here, it's Thursday, October 18th, 5 AM in the East.

We start with the ongoing controversy of that disappearance of the WASHINGTON POST journalist. President Trump meeting with Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, this morning he'll (ph) get briefed on the diplomatic swing through Saudi and Turkish capitals. The trip focused on the disappearance and presumed murder of U.S. based Saudi journalist, Jamal Kashoggi.

CNN has learned that beneath the surface of Pompeo's upbeat and smiley photo op with the Saudi Crowned Prince was a blunt, no nonsense meeting. A source tells us Pompeo warned Prince Mohammed bin Salman, known as MBS, his future as king depends on his handling of Kashoggi's apparent killing.

The source says Pompeo told the Prince he must own the situation and that every fact is going to get out.

ROMANS: The NEW YORK TIMES and the WASHINGTON POST both reporting this morning on mounting evidence that connects Crowned Prince Mohammed to the killing, including his ties to several members of the team that flew from Riyadh to Istanbul just as Kashoggi disappeared.

The POST also reports the White House and Saudi Royal family are searching for an explanation - a narrative for Kashoggi's death that does not implicate Prince Mohammed. The President says he is waiting of answers, but he also seemed to cast doubt (ph) on Intel that could implicate the Saudi's,

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not giving cover at all. With that being said, Saudi Arabia has been a very important ally of ours in the Middle East. I want to find out what happened, where is the fault, and we will probably know that by the end of the week.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You asked for the audio and video intelligence at the Turks (ph).

TRUMP: We have asked for it, if it exists. We have asked for it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (inaudible) but you haven't got it.

TRUMP: We've asked for it, if it exists.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are you surprised they haven't turned it over?

TRUMP: No. I'm not sure yet that it exists, probably does, possibly does.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Senate Foreign Relations committee chairman, Bob Corker, says the administration has, QUOTE, clamped down on intelligence about the case saying, QUOTE, I suppose they don't want us to see the Intel.

BRIGGS: Wow, now the view from Saudi Arabia, what's the reaction in Riyadh? What might the kingdom do next? Let's bring in Senior International Correspondent Sam Kiley, live in Riyadh, Sam, good morning.

SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. I think this is a - is as Mike Pompeo is quoted as saying by sources (ph) the moment in which the future kingship of Mohammed bin Salman the Crowned Prince, who is already effectively the Chief Executive in Saudi Arabia. How he reacts to this, how he handles this crisis, is going to be absolutely key to the rest of his career and indeed the future of the kingdom.

This, in some respects, is weirdly existential for the House of Saudi because of that, Dave, what is going on behind the scenes? I understand from sources that they are trying to fashion of form of narrative that, in some regard, takes account of the actual facts of the case, which we are only getting from Turkish leaks, but also insists that this was not carried out - this alleged murder was not carried out, nor was the intent to even interrogate or render Mr. Kashoggi with the knowledge or intent of the Crowned Prince.

That will be a difficult argument to make for analysts internationally. There would be a sense that this is man who's concentrated ever more power in his own hands and this is an operation that was carried out by people very close to him indeed. But that is likely to be the narrative fashioned so that the kingdom can move forward and the House of Saudi can try and get on with this without being too badly stained, David.

BRIGGS: Sam Kiley, just past noon there in Riyadh. Thank you. ROMANS: Jamal Kashoggi's final column published by the WASHINGTON

POST. It was submitted by his assistant one day after he went missing. Fittingly, it was about the value of a free press and it called out the Egyptian Government's seizure of the entire print run of a newspaper.

The column reads in parts these actions no longer carry the consequences of backlash from the International community. Instead, these actions may trigger condemnation quickly followed by silence. As a result, Arab Governments have been given free rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate.

BRIGGS: Kashoggi's says a platform is needed for Arab voices. He calls for the creation of an independent, international forum isolated from the influence of nationalist governments.

ROMANS: Ahead of the mid term elections, it has been a quiet period for the special counsels Russia investigation, publicly. Behind the scenes, Robert Mueller's team has been very busy. Sources tell CNN former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort visited Mueller's Washington office at least nine times in the last four weeks.

Prosecutors also interviewing other witnesses, gathering a grand jury weekly, and working the some kind of secret court action.

BRIGGS: Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein publicly defending the Mueller probe in a rare interview with the WALL STREET JOURNAL, he calls the inquiry appropriate and independent. Rosenstein adding the public will have confidence that the cases we brought were warranted.

[05:05:00]

One other potential problem for the president, his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, meeting Wednesday with officials investigating Mr. Trump's family business and charitable organizations.

ROMANS: New this morning, U.S. Marshals arresting the former president of USA Gymnastics on charges he tampered with evidence in the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. The Walker County, Texas, District Attorney says Steve Penny ordered documents related to Nassar removed from USA Gymnastics training center at the Karolyi Ranch. According to an indictment, the documents were delivered to Penny at USAG headquarters in Indianapolis and have not been seen since. The Marshal's fugitive taskforce arrested Penny in Tennessee. He's now awaiting extradition back to Texas.

BRIGGS: About 1,500 people were near an underground gas line in California being urged to evacuate as a grass fire threatens that pipeline. The fire caused by a fallen powerline in Bay Point, 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. Chevron, which owns the line, immediately shut it down and dispatched a field team to investigate. Emergency officials say anyone requiring assistance to evacuate should call 911.

ROMANS: And then there's this. More than $1.3 billion in lottery jackpot money now up for grabs. There were no winners in Wednesday's $378 million Powerball jackpot. The winning numbers were 3, 57, 64, 68, 69, and 15. That was the Powerball. The estimated jackpot for Saturday's drawing is now $430 million dollars. Friday's Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to - I can't even believe I'm saying this, $900 million with the lump sum option of $513 million.

BRIGGS: And the odds, 1 and 302 million Friday night.

ROMANS: You know, the odds of winning the lottery with a ticket is just a little bit better than finding the winning ticket on the ground.

BRIGGS: So you are saying there's a chance. Right?

ROMANS: I guess.

BRIGGS: There's a chance.

The GOP tax cuts sent the deficit soaring. Now the president wants his cabinet secretaries to make up some ground.

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[05:10:00]

ROMANS: All right. The federal government runs its largest deficit in six years. So President Trump wants his cabinet to trim their budgets.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I would like you to come back with a 5 percent cut. Get rid of the fat. Get rid of the waste. That's a very, very important request that I'm making of everybody sitting around this table.

(END VIDEO)

ROMANS: That was at a cabinet meeting yesterday. Trump added that some people at table could cut substantially more. Here's the issued, the deficit is up 17 percent this year to $779 billion. That's the highest, the worst, since 2012 when the country was spending big time to stimulate its struggling economy, remember after the financial crisis? We're not in a financial crisis; not even close to it. The problem now, the U.S. is spending so much more than it taks in, largely thanks to tax cuts.

Tax revenue was flat this year. Corporate tax reduction fell by $76 billion, meanwhile spending increased, mainly defense spending. Now the White House says it will eventually cut wasteful spending to make up the difference. That makes progressives very nervous. The fear that is code for cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says, "Yes it is time to look at the so-called entitlements."

(BEGIN VIDEO)

SENATOR MITCH MCCONNELL, (R) KENTUCKY: There's been a bipartisan reluctance to tackle entitlements changes because of the popularity of those programs. Hopefully at some point here we'll get serious about this.

(END VIDEO)

ROMANS: These three programs make up 70 percent of the U.S. budget.

Residents of hurricane ravaged Mexico Beach returning home for the first time since the storm hit. They were allowed - they were allowed to stay for a short time. Most of them already knew what they were in for here before they arrived. Still the scope of the devastation left them stunned.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

SHELLY BREEDLOVE, MEXICO BEACH RESIDENT: Almost an unreal feeling. It is almost like you are in a dream, like it is not really real, but you know it is.

(END VIDEO)

ROMANS: The task force that led the search for survivors has finished its job after one week. The death toll from Hurricane Michael climbed to 42 in 4 states; 22 of those fatalities in Florida.

BRIGGS: An Arizona man rescued after being trapped in a mine shaft 100 feet deep since Monday. Authorities say 62-year-old John Waddell went 48 hours without food or water and broke multiple bones. He was found by a friend who got worried when he failed to return home the next day.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

TERRY SHRADER, FRIEND OF MAN RESCUED: He called me Monday and told me he was coming to the mine and we always had a deal if he is not back by Tuesday, since he didn't come home yesterday, I was bound and determined I had to come down today.

(END VIDEO)

BRIGGS: Waddell was air lifted from the mine with non-life threatening injuries.

ROMANS: All right, a Virginia company forced to throw out 50,000 pound of meat. It is the most disgusting story you will read today or hear today. What one employee did to make that necessary.

BRIGGS: No argument there. From the beef to the big beef in baseball. Is this fan interference? A game series and potentially season-shifting call. The big debate in the sports world. Lindsay Czarniak here with The Bleacher Report next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[05:15:00] BRIGGS: A guilty plea from one of the priest accused of sexually abusing children at a Pennsylvania Grand Jury report. David Poulson served as a priest in Pennsylvania's diocese for four decades until this year.

He pleaded guilty Wednesday for the corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children, both third degree felonies. His victims were 8 and 15 years old. Poulson was arrested and charge in May, based on a recommendation from the Grand Jury.

ROMANS: The former lead detective in the Harvey Weinstein investigation has been removed from the case and is now the subject of an NYPD internal investigation. According to the Manhattan District Attorney office, detective Nicholas DiGaudio, advised a female accuser to delete anything on her cell phone she didn't want to be seen before turning it over to authorities.

The D.A. learned of the incident last week after the detective was accused of coaching (ph) a witness. Weinstein's attorney says the incident further undermines the integrity of an already deeply flawed indictment.

[05:20:00]

BRIGGS: A worker at Smithfield foods in Virginia has been suspended the outcome of an investigation after he was caught, yes, on video urinating on the production line. You may have heard the gasp of Lindsay Czarniak.

The grainy video shows the employee relieving himself then putting his gloves back on and continuing to work. In a statement, Smithfield foods confirm what it calls an isolated incident, said more than 50,000 pounds of product were disposed of. EW.

ROMANS: All right, stop, let's move on. We've got to move on. English, Math, and History are no longer the only classes required for Texas high schoolers to graduate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Passenger, put your hands on the dash. Passenger - passenger put your hands on the dash.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Ma'am put your hands on the dash please. Thank you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Driver, put your hands on the steering wheel.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: A new state law requires from 9th to 12th grade to take a class and view a 16 minute video on how to deal with law enforcement during a traffic stop. The idea is to ease tensions between police and students and to keep unarmed citizens from being shot by officers.

The video includes a reenactment of students being pulled over followed by officers answering their questions about how to behave.

BRIGGS: That is fascinating.

ROMANS: It really is.

BRIGGS: You took something similar?

ROMANS: I did, but I did a long time ago. I remember learning what to do when the police come to the car.

BRIGGS: Yes, interesting. All right, the Red Sox and Dodgers are one win away from the World Series after picking up dramatic victories and let the debate begin, Lindsay Czarniak here with the BLEACHER REPORT.

LINDSAY CZARNIAK, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: A lot of debate in this one. Yes guys, good morning. There was so much drama, especially in Houston.

(SPORTS)

[05:25:00]

RIGGS: Giancarlo Stanton with the Yankees. That is his own Powerball jackpot right there.

CZARNIAK: Right? I know.

BRIGGS: We have to conclude was it fan interference? He was interfered with, but by the rule, you have to reach over the wall. It is not clear.

CZARNIAK: Betts said he felt the fan's hand on the back of his glove, right?

BRIGGS: Oh, he's interfered with, no question.

CZARNIAK: Right. No, I know. But it is a very, very fine line. You are exactly right.

BRIGGS: Baseball may need a camera along the wall if they are going to change a series like that.

CZARNIAK: I think it is fan interference.

BRIGGS: WEEI and all the sports talk radio, we'll (inaudible) with that.

CZARNIAK: All right, or I mean search you own network there and we can talk about it, right?

ROMANS: All right, the president meets his Secretary of State this morning about the trip to Riyadh and Ankara. The smiles for the camera, but once the photo op was done, what happened then?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) ROMANS: All smiles and happiness for the camera, but Mike Pompeo's blunt message to the Saudi Crown Prince we're told, his future as King is at stake. Pompeo now briefs the president this morning.

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