Return to Transcripts main page

Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Remembering Bush 41; Trade Dispute On Hold For Now; Roger Stone, I Engaged In Politics; Cohen's Lawyers File Late-Night Court Brief; Kareem Hunt Apologizes; Comic Mock Trump's Latest Problems; Apple Music Is Coming To Amazon Echo. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired December 03, 2018 - 04:30   ET

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


[04:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DAVE BRIGGS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: Special air mission 41 takes flight today. A final farewell to the late President George Herbert Walker Bush.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, EARLY START SHOW CO-HOST: Trade, truce, no new tariffs for now on Chinese goods while the U.S. and China begin working to end their trade war.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where is the crime? I engage in politics.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Roger Stone maintains he did not wrong in 2016 despite questions about what he knew and when he knew it about hacked Democratic e-mails.

ROMANS: And the New York police department saves the day after an engagement ring gets lost in Times Square down the grate, never to be seen again. Welcome back to Early Start. I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs. 31 minutes after the hour. In a word, George H.W. Bush, patrician?

His entire life was dedicated to service. Enlisted in the navy at 18. You know, tearful tributes and final good-byes begin this morning for George Herbert Walker Bush. The nation's 41st President. He died Friday night at the age of 94. The same aircraft that took President Trump to Buenos Aires in the G20 summit will bring Mr. Bush back to Washington D.C. one last time. In the ceremony today, Vice President Pence will deliver remarks. Listen to former Secretary of State James Baker, describing the late president's final hours to CNN.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAMES BAKER, FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: One of the aids who assisted him physically as Mr. President said Secretary Baker's here. And he open both eyes, he look at me and said hey, Bake, where are we going today? Then I said well, we're going to heaven. And he said, good that is where I want to go. Little did I know that he know of course, that by 10:00 that night he would be in heaven.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Also making the trip to D.C. today is Mr. Bush's Labrador Sully. That is Sully lying next to the late president's casket. Bush 43 post the photo and writes, as much as our family is going to miss this dog, we are comforted to know he will bring the same joy to his new home Walter Reed, that he brought to 41. More now from CNN's Suzanne Malveaux in Houston.

(BEGIN VIDEO)

SUZZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine and Dave, the mission is called special air mission 41. The presidential aircraft at Ellington Field now here in Houston that will carrying President George H.W. Bush's body that will be brought to Joint Base Andrews later today at about 11:30 Eastern is when they will go ahead and have a departure ceremony and then in Washington and that is when the formal procession in and the formality gets underway for 45 the arrival ceremony, U.S. Capitol rotunda were President Bush will lie in state and then it will be 7:30 Monday evening through 8:45 Wednesday morning in the public will be able to pay their respects. 11 o'clock is when a memorial service at the national cathedral will take place with dignitary's friends and family and then Wednesday evening, the president's body again being returned here back to Houston where he will lie in repose until Thursday morning.

Thursday, another second memorial service at St. Martin's episcopal church. That is the same church. You might recall that Barbara Bush was memorialized at and then on to the casket, the body traveling by train to its final destination, College Station, Texas and the presidential library and museum that is where he will be buried alongside his wife Barbara Bush and their little child. Their daughter who died at three years old, Robin.

In the meantime, many people here in Houston paying their respects statues throughout the city with flowers, teddy bears, and even those colorful socks as they pay tribute, Dave and Christine?

(END VIDEO)

BRIGGS: Suzanne, thank you. If you don't know, I too love colorful socks. This is one of the reasons why I spoke to him about it in person a couple of years ago at a Texas football activity. These are his signature socks. These are the George H.W. Bush sock that he actually designed himself. So, I had to wear those today.

ROMANS: That is something.

BRIGGS: You know, I talked to him about his love of socks and his love of football. He was a sports nut. All things Texas A&M and Houston. And he knew everything about them. Didn't just care about it, but loved sports. What a man.

All right President George H.W. Bush being remembered around the world for guiding the United States through difficult global challenges. Including the collapse of the Soviet Union.

[04:35:06] This morning, the last soviet leader is sharing his thoughts about President Bush. Let's go to Moscow and bring in Matthew Chance. Matthew, good morning.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: All right Thanks very much. Well, despite the current tensions between Moscow and Washington, President Bush Senior is remembered with, with great affection here. There had been words of condolence issued both by the current Russian President Vladimir Putin and of course, the former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Now, of course, you know, Gorbachev who ruled the Soviet Union in time it collapsed back in the early 90s. There was also during the Bush presidency that the Berlin wall came down in November 1989. Sometimes associate Ronald Reagan, when he called on Gorbachev to teardown that wall. But it was under the Bush administration that actually happened.

Here is what the former Soviet leader have to say, Mikhail Gorbachev, basically saying that I have a lot of memories associated with this person, he had a chance to work together during years of tremendous changes. It was a dramatic time to demand a great responsibility for everyone. The result was an end to the Cold War and the nuclear arms race.

So a huge legacy left that from a Russian point of view by President Bush. The current Russian president Vladimir Putin also issuing his condolences advising to Bush Junior in fact saying that your father had political wisdom and foresight and strove to make informed decisions and in the most difficult situations. He did a lot to strengthen Russian-American cooperation in terms of global security and so the impression a site slide swipe -- sideswipe at the current situation between Moscow and Washington, whether not sitting down and discussing any of these issues of mutual concern.

BRIGGS: Yes, subtle job such a consequential foreign policy president was H.W. Bush. Matthew Chance, live for us in Moscow this morning. Thanks.

ROMANS: All right. Trade truce, President Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had hammered out a pause in a trade war. The U.S. will now hold off on raising tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 percent to 25percent in January, one in exchange, China said it is willing to purchase a very substantial amount of agriculture, energy and other goods from the U.S. to help reduce the trade imbalance. Two countries now have 90 days to make progress. That's the dinner meeting where at all was hammered out.

In a tweet late Sunday night, the president said China had agreed to reduce and remove tariffs on cars in imports from the U.S. which currently stand at 40 percent. The president did not specify when the change would happen or what the new tariff level would be in addition to a temporary truce with China, the president along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, an out outgoing Mexican president, Enrique Pena Nieto. They sign that United States, Mexico, Canada agreement USMCA at the G-

20. The president now put a pressure on Congress to approve the agreement or risk no trade deal in place at all.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We get rid of NAFTA. It caused tremendous amounts of unemployment and loss and company loss and everything else. That will be terminated. And so Congress will have a choice of the USMCA or pre-NAFTA which worked very well.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Each country's legislative bodies needs to approve the agreement before it goes into effect.

BRIGGS: Long time Trump adviser, Roger Stone insisting he has never been in touch with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Stone is facing questions about whether he knew ahead of time that WikiLeaks plan to release hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential campaign. A draft special counsel document recently indicating prosecutors are looking into his efforts to get documents from WikiLeaks ahead of the email dump.

ROMANS: Stone also tells ABC news his emails about Assange are being mischaracterized. And he's had no contact with Robert Mueller.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Does this suggest to you that you actually are a target, usually when you speak with witnesses first?

ROGER STONE, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LONG-TIME ASSOCIATE: Well, I suggests nothing at all. Again, where is the crime? I engaged in politics.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Democrat, Mark Warner, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee tells CNN he believes that Special Counsel Mueller will have a lot to reveal about the suspected ties between WikiLeaks and Roger Stone.

BRIGGS: Former FBI Director, James Comey has agreed to sit for private deposition with House Republicans. At first he objected to a closed-door hearing but the two sides reached an agreement on transparency. Mr. Comey tweeting that quote, he will sit in the dark. But Republicans agree, I'm free to talk when done in transcript released in 24 hours. This is the closest I can get to public testimony.

House Republicans will question Comey on Friday. A FBI Republican will be there to provide advice about the disclosure of sensitive information.

ROMANS: Lawyers for Michael Cohen say he should not go to prison, even though he has pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. In a Friday night court briefing Cohen's attorneys argue he is a changed man who is eager to share his knowledge with law enforcement.

[04:40:03] They go on to detail what they describe as Cohen's extensive cooperation, including seven voluntary interviews with special counsel Mueller's team and meetings with federal prosecutors in New York. They also claim Cohen, lied about efforts to finalize a Trump business project in Moscow, because he was abiding by Mr. Trump's strongly voice mantra to minimize the investigation into links with the Kremlin. Cohen is expected to be sentenced on December 12.

BRIGGS: And ahead, violent protests again grip the streets of Paris. Now officials are considering new measures to keep the City calm. We are live in France ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Welcome back. French officials promising a firm response after another weekend of violent protests. Long drawn out street battles between police and demonstrators leading to widespread damage Saturday in streets of Paris, more than 400 arrest.

[04:45:06] New tax hikes triggering the yellow vest protest in the French capital, some of the big challenge facing Emmanuel Macron. Melissa Bell joins us live from Paris. Melissa?

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine, this morning as substantial cleanup operation is underway here in the French capital. It is off these extraordinary scenes on Saturday. Now it was the third Saturday in a row that these yellow vest took to the streets on Paris. But this time much more violence and many more arrests. And I think one of the interesting thing is the fact that so far the government's narrative has been that the yellow vests who are out there to protest that rise of violence and the cost of living where the majority and minority of trouble makers within them. What we saw in the streets of Paris this Saturday, Christine, is more fervor on part of the yellow jackets themselves.

And that is confirmed by a proportion of them that were arrested. So, a great deal of anger from the people that feel that Emmanuel Macron, the French president is simply not listening to them, not hearing their anger, not hearing their pain. The question is what does the government do about it? On one hand, the meeting with some of the representatives of the yellow vests on Tuesday and on the other, how to prevent those repeat scenes that are already calling for another protest on Saturday. There was talk of the implementation of the state of emergency. That is now been set aside by the French government. But clearly in terms of the security of Paris and in terms of keeping the streets calm next Saturday, the pressure is on to do much better than they did this weekend.

ROMANS: Yes. Melissa Bell for us in Paris this morning. Thank you.

BRIGGS: Ahead, Amazon and Apple were playing nice, you would be able to ask Alexa for play your favorite songs on Apple music. CNN Business next.

[04:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK) BRIGGS: Jews around the world celebrating the first night of

Hanukkah. It was especially bittersweet there in Pittsburgh with hundreds of people showing up outside the Tree of Life Synagogue were 11 people were massacred in October. Those who came said it was an opportunity to honor the dead and embrace Hanukah's theme of survival. The festival of lights lasts for eight days.

ROMANS: A rare blitz of tornadoes devastating parts of central Illinois, 22 twisters reported to the National Weather Service, the town of Taylorville, 30 miles southeast of Springfield was hardest hit. Storm winds wrecking homes, downing the power lines and pulling of trees by the roots. Governor Bruce Rauner says it's a miracle that no one was killed at least three people are being treated for serious injuries, 18 others suffering minor injuries. You know, Illinois has average 47 tornadoes a year, May as usually the peek time.

BRIGGS: The city manager in Anchorage, Alaska, says a boil water advisory that has been in effect since last Friday's earthquake has now been lifted. Anchorage water officials declared tap water safe for all use this Sunday. The water system is operating normally and was not contaminated as a result of the 7.0 magnitude quake.

City officials also say electricity is on, heat is on the communication lines are up. There have been more than 1000 aftershocks since Friday.

ROMANS: Students in Paradise California will be returning to class today in the wake of the campfire. It burned down 90 percent of their town. Most of the schools in Paradise were destroyed. The worst wildfire in California state history. Students will temporarily attend schools in neighboring communities for the remainder of the school year at least 88 people died in that campfire.

BRIGGS: A potential tragedy narrowly avoided at a preschool in Hawaii. Listen to this, the Department of Health reporting a classroom assistant mistook a bottle of Pine-Sol cleaner for apple juice and used it to prepare snacks for the kids. Three of the students took sips before a teacher smell the Pine-Sol and stop the class from drinking it. All the kids are OK. CNN affiliate, KHON reports the assistant no longer works at school.

ROMANS: Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt says he regrets pushing and kicking a woman. Footage of the February incident emerged Friday, prompting the Chiefs to let him go. The video shows Hunt shoving woman several times and kicking her as others, numerous other people try to hold him back.

Hunt admitted he was not honest that the team when asked about the incident. He apologizes as he doesn't blame the Chiefs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HUNT: I am asking for forgiveness and I definitely believe I deserve forgiveness and everything is really you know, happening faster now and I just want everybody to, you know, forgive me and I know it is going to be hard on. I made a bad choice and I am not going to let this bring me down.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Hunt also told his ESPN, the NFL never questioned him about that night, the NFL reiterating the point first made Friday that it began investigating immediately after this February incident.

BRIGGS: A lot of questions still remain there. College football's final four all set. The playoff field and future top-seeded Alabama against number four Oklahoma the orange ball and the other semifinal number two seed Clemson will play three Notre Dame in the cotton bowl.

[04:55:02] The semifinal games on December 29, your national championship game will be January 7 in Santa Clara, California.

ROMANS: All right. The story book ending for a man and his fiance after he dropped the engagement ring through a sidewalk grate in Times Square over the weekend, the New York City police department tweeted a video showing the man dropping to the ground to try to rescue the ring but no luck. Fast-forward to Saturday, police found the ring and then put out an all points twitter bulletin to locate the couple. Social media, detectives helped and by Sunday. The foreign couple only identified as John and Daniela were located in their home country, the NYPD tweeting its thanks on Twitter saying the case was closed. Arrangement been made to reunite the couple with the ring. John was apparently so convince the first was gone, he bought another one after returning home.

BRIGGS: What a wonderful story there. OK. Saturday Night Live tackling President Trump latest issues and the Putin MBS handshake at the G-20 in Argentina they got a lot of attention, here's your late- night laughs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sad you're going to prison, Michael. You were like a son to me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why did you make me do all that illegal stuff?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Because you are like a son to me.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: When I killed that guy the other day, Trump would like, oh please tell me you didn't do it. I was like, bitch, you want oil or not?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't cry for me Argentina the truth is I'm very guilty some little no-no's, and maybe treason, but I kept my promised, oops no idea what it is.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: The show also honored George H.W. Bush with a montage of clips with Dana Carvey and Bush himself.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am watching you do your impression on me. And I

got to say, it's nothing like it. There is no resemblance. It's bad. It's bad.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I'm sorry, Mr. President, I think it is a fair impression.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Don't see it. It's totally exaggerated. It's not me. Those crazy hand gestures. The pointing thing. I don't do them. Also na, da, da? Never said it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Remember the President who embraced who those made fun of them?

ROMANS: I love it wouldn't be prudent at this juncture.

BRIGGS: That is a great one.

ROMANS: Let us go check on CNN business this morning. Global stock markets are higher as investors react to news of the temporary trade truce between the U.S. and China at the G-20. In Asia, the Nikkei closed up 1 percent. Big move for Shanghai and Hang Seng, wow these were good moves for one day. It shows you the enthusiasm about even just a truce.

European markets. Big game for the German DAX and FTSE and CAC are all up more than 2 percent. On Wall Street, futures look to open higher this morning. Friday, the DOW closed up close to 200 points. NASDAQ and S&P 500 both closed up about a percent. The stock exchange will observe a moment of silence today and will close Wednesday to honor the memory of the former President George H.W. Bush.

Qatar will withdraw from the Oil Producer's Cartel, OPEC in January 1st 2019. The state owned Qatar petroleum announced today. Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to pull out of the organization after nearly 60 years of membership. According to OPEC data, Qatar is the 11th biggest world producer producing in OPEC, pumping 610,000 barrels a day. In October, less than 2 percent of the overall 3.3 million total. According to a report from Bloomberg, the decision comes as OPEC prepares this week to review the output and just after Saudi Arabia and Russia reaffirm their commitment to manage production to balance out the oil market.

All right. Soon you will be able to ask your Alexa app to play music -- your Amazon music -- you Apple music. Amazon's echo smart will work with Apple music starting December 17. Amazon announce this Friday. The announcement comes after Amazon says it was working with Apple to carry the newest Apple products as part of that deal. Amazon agrees to prohibit unauthorized third parties from selling Apple goods on its site. But Apple and Amazon still competitors here, a thaw, but they are still competitors. Amazon, it will still not sell the home pod smart speakers, sticking to its own echo products and you cannot access Amazon music through Siri on Apple products.

BRIGGS: I can just picture my kids saying, Alexa, play "Hamilton." that is just the mantra in our kitchen for months.

OK. "Early start" continues right now. Remembering George H.W. Bush.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: Special air mission 41 takes flight today. A final farewell to the late President George Herbert Walker Bush.

ROMANS: Trade, truce, no new tariffs for now on Chinese goods while the U.S. and China begin working to end their trade war.