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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Polar Vortex Brings Dangerous Weather; Another Trump-Putin Debacle?; Trump Versus Intelligence; iPhone Sales Tumble. Aired 4- 4:30a ET
Aired January 30, 2019 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:19] DAVE BRIGGS, CNN ANCHOR: It will feel a bone-chilling 70 below zero for parts of this country. Tens of millions, the coldest temperatures you will ever feel.
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: More substance and no translator. A new report says there was more to the Trump/Putin chat at the G20 than the White House revealed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have won against ISIS.
DAN COATS, DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE: ISIS is intent on resurging.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: The commander-in-chief and the intel officials he appointed on very different pages, concerning threats facing the U.S.
ROMANS: And the big dip in iPhone sales. Why the numbers fell during the holidays, what it means for one of the most widely known stocks on the planet. You probably have Apple shares somewhere in your 401(k).
Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm Christine Romans.
BRIGGS: Good morning. Good morning to all of you. I'm Dave Briggs, Wednesday, January 30th, 4:00 a.m. in the East.
It feels like 50 below in Minneapolis right now. Cold does not describe the truly life-threatening conditions for a huge swath of the U.S., more than 300 million Americans will see temps below freezing. That's more than 70 percent of the population. Eighty million people face subzero weather without even factoring in wind chill.
In Minnesota, those wind chills will drop to a historic 70 degrees below zero.
ROMANS: There's already a minus 66 degree wind chill in Ponsford, Minnesota, and a wind chill of minus 62 in Swift County. And the state patrol has reported at least 153 crashes during the storm. Highway crashes in Michigan as well. This multicar pileup captured by a Facebook user. Oh, my goodness. And blowing snow reduced visibility in Buffalo to near zero.
BRIGGS: State offices closed in Michigan and Wisconsin. U.S. Postal Service delivery suspended in all or parts of 10 states. Schools in much of the region are closed. Check before you head out, and if you don't have to, don't.
Amtrak canceling all service to and from Chicago today.
For the latest, bet's bring in our meteorologist Pedram Javaheri live in the CNN weather center.
Pedram, how wicked will it get?
PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: You know, it's a pretty remarkable pattern, right? You're looking at this trend that's continued for a couple of days. It will go on for at least another few days.
And really what's more impressive about this, is a lot of people can't relate to 55, 65, 70 below zero wind chills that we're seeing. But maybe you fell 15, 20, 25 below, there's an enormous difference between that and getting into the 50 and 60 range. All you got to do is talk to Alaskan pipeline workers. They'll tell you, it takes specially designed clothing to be outside of this sort of wind chills that we've seen across the northern portion of Minnesota and be able to withstand that, even for a matter of minute. So, 20 or 30 below zero can be fun for a couple minutes. But when you get to this range it becomes life-threatening, minus 50 in northern Minnesota, in Minneapolis, minus 53 degrees. In Chicago, currently feels 45 degrees below zero.
But, of course, we're talking about the heart of winter but we're still 40 degrees below what it should feel like even in the coldest time of the year. We're shooting for a very, very close temperature here, it's all time record for Thursday morning. The coldest Chicago has ever experienced right around minus 27 degrees.
At this point, the forecast brings us down to minus 32 on Thursday morning. But 17 is what is normal for this time of year. So, records possibilities, about 27 possible across portions of the Midwest this morning. Going towards the Midwest and the Northeast tomorrow morning, as much as 40 records could be set cumulative across his region.
So, again, to talk about the scale. As quick as we dip below zero, we surge right back up. In fact, milder temperatures as early as this weekend in the forecast. So, 15 below would be the coldest afternoon ever in Chicago, 25 below goes in line for one of the coldest days in decades.
But notice here, guys, going to Saturday and Sunday, we actually climb above average for this time of year. So, at least the rebound is a rapid one over the next couple of days.
ROMANS: Pedram, those afternoon highs, those afternoon highs are so low.
BRIGGS: Yes.
JAVAHERI: It is out of this world. Yes, something we've not seen in many, many years. So, at least it's returning back to normality.
ROMANS: And a reminder, unsurvivable without proper gear. So, stay home.
BRIGGS: Check on the elderly, your grandparents, and hopefully the homeless have shelter this morning.
ROMANS: All right. Pedram, thanks so much for that. Talk to you again soon.
All right. A new report says talks between President Trump and Putin last November were far more substantive than the White House acknowledged.
[04:05:02] According to "The Financial Times," the president sat down with the Russian leader with no translator or notetaker from the U.S. side. Instead, the president was accompanied by his wife Melania, Putin was accompanied by his translator.
BRIGGS: The White House had characterized the encounter with Putin as one of several informal conversations. But according to a Russian official's account, the two leaders discussed a number of foreign policy issues, including the conflict in Syria and Russia's November attack on three Ukrainian naval ships.
The White House had characterized the encounter with Putin as one of several informal conversations. But according to a Russian official's account, the two leaders discussed a number of foreign policy issues, including the conflict in Syria and Russia's November attack on three Ukrainian naval ships.
ROMANS: All right. Another private meeting there and we don't know what the substance was.
The president and his top intelligence officials clearly do not agree about the biggest global threats facing the U.S. In a testimony before Ccongress, the intel chiefs wound up highlighting a wild gulf between their views and the president's. The directors of the intelligence community, or I.C., flat out contradicted several claims by President Trump to justify core principles of his foreign policy on Russia, North Korea, ISIS, climate change and more.
CNN's Alex Marquardt has more from Washington.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine and Dave.
What we saw on the Senate Intelligence chamber was really nothing short of a rebuke of President Trump on a whole number of different issues. And to have it done by the top intelligence chiefs in the country who are appointed by the president made it all the more stunning.
Now, this worldwide threat assessment which comes out annually was a wide ranging look at a threat against the United States, that the intelligence community says will expand and diversify in the coming year, on issue after issue with the top national security officials in the land said contradicted what the president's positions have been. And what he has claimed.
TRUMP: We have won against ISIS. We have beaten them and we've beaten them badly.
COATS: ISIS is intent on resurging and still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria.
TRUMP: Chairman Kim -- we have a great chemistry and we're well on our way. You know, we signed an agreement that said we will begin the immediate denuclearization.
COATS: North Korea will seek to retain its WMD capabilities and is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons and production capabilities.
TRUMP: I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say this, I don't see any reason why it would be.
CHRISTOPHER WRAY, DIRECTOR, FBI: Not only have the Russians continued to do it in 2018, but we've seen indication that they're continuing to adapt their model.
MARQUARDT: Finally, the I.C. is saying that climate change is causing national security threats while the president himself routinely cast out on the existence of climate change. So, just a remarkable series of contradictions from the intelligence community to their boss -- Christine, Dave.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRIGGS: Alex, thank you.
Another high profile view for the president, Senator Mitch McConnell pushing an amendment to the Middle East technology bill acknowledges ISIS and Afghanistan. Listen to the Majority Leader offering of history of sorts to the president.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY), SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: It would recognize the danger of a precipitous withdrawal from either conflict. Mr. President, we've seen the cost of a precipitous withdrawal before in Iraq. And in Afghanistan, we've seen the downside of telling the enemy they can just wait us out.
(END VIDEO CLIP) BRIGGS: Still, no exact date for a final vote on the bill. It does have bipartisan support. The president recently decided to withdraw the U.S. troops from Syria, claiming ISIS has been defeated. This week, the U.S. and Taliban agreed to the framework of a deal that could bring the long war in Afghanistan to an end.
ROMMANS: Medicare is suddenly the hot topic on the 2020 campaign trail began with these remarks from Senator Kamala Harris at Monday night's live CNN town hall.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And the idea is that everyone gets access to medical care.
And you don't have to go through the process of going through an insurance company, having them give you approval, going through the paperwork -- all of the delay that may require. Who of us has not had that situation where you've got to wait for approval and the doctor says, well, I don't know if your insurance company is going to cover this?
Let's eliminate all of that. Let's move on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Polls show a vast majority of Americans like the idea of Medicare for All to help guarantee coverage, but they don't approve of getting rid of private insurance companies and the coverage that they already have, which could force them to pick another doctor.
BRIGGS: Two billionaires considering 2020 runs are pushing back against this idea. Here's Democrat Michael Bloomberg.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (D), FORMER MAYOR OF NEW YORK CITY: I think you could never afford that. You're talking about trillions of dollars.
I think you can have Medicare-for-All for people that are uncovered, but -- because that's a smaller group and a lot of them have taken care of Medicaid already -- Medicare.
[04:10:01] But, to replace the entire private system where companies provide health care for their employees would bankrupt us for a very long time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: And here's former Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz who may run as an independent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD SCHULTZ, FORMER STARBUCKS CEO: Senator Harris is saying she wants to abolish the insurance industry. That's not correct and that's not American. What's next? What industry are we going to abolish next? The coffee industry?
Again, this is exactly the situation. It's far two extremes on both sides. And the silent majority of America does not have a voice.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Schultz clarified his un-American comment to our Poppy Harlow.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SCHULTZ: It's not that it's not American. It's unaffordable.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Senator Harris is now backtracking a bit on her call to eliminate private health insurers. A spokesman tells us she is open to more moderate plans that preserve the private health care industry.
As for the rest of the field, former Vice President Biden tells CNN the race is starting off awfully early and he won't be rushed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JOE BIDEN, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT: I don't think there's any hurry to have to announce. I don't think there's any hurry, but there's a bigger hurry to decide just personally.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: One person who will not enter the Democratic field, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. He announced last night he has decided against it.
BRIGGS: CNN learning talks are under way for a possible meeting at the White House today between President Trump and this bipartisan conference committee picked to hammer out a long-term budget deal. At this point, it's not clear if the meeting has yet been agreed to, and whether it will include Democrats and just Republican members. Right now, 16 days of funding remain, and the impact of the shutdown could go on for a long time like centuries in one case.
ROMANS: Yes, a former Joshua Tree National Park superintendent said what happened to the park is irreparable for the next 200 or 300 years. That's because vandals cut down industries in the park and damaged rocks.
In Nevada, federal prison worker Anthony Martinez was forced to leave their home after the shutdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY MARTINEZ, FORCED TO VACATE HOME AFTER MISSING RENT DUE TO SHUTDOWN: I'm going to get paid. I'm working. I have to be at work. What am I supposed to do?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: And letters from the property manager, the owners were apologetic, but say they can't afford to pay their own mortgage on the property without the revenue. Meantime, most government workers furloughed by the government shutdown will receive their pay tomorrow.
ROMANS: Oh, just think of that knock-on effect. I feel so bad for him and his family. Someone owns that apartment. They can't pay their mortgage. He can't pay his rent. They have to pay their mortgage.
And then it just goes -- I mean, it's just such a stupid self- inflicted wound by this government.
BRIGGS: And yet we could be having another shutdown ahead.
New overnight, Nicolas Maduro said he's open to talks with the Venezuelan opposition. Huge protests expected on the streets today.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:17:15] ROMANS: All right. Apple has an iPhone problem. Sales growth on that profit engine are slowing. Revenue for the holiday quarter hit $84.3 billion. That's slightly lower than what Apple warned investors to expect earlier this month. But that's still a 5 percent decline from the same quarter a year ago.
The sales of decline driven by the iPhone. Apple's iPhone revenue fell 15 percent, just over $51 billion. During an earning call, CEO Tim Cook chocked up the decline to a mix of factors including foreign exchange rates, a popular battery replacement program and decrease in their carrier subsidies. Cook also noted more severe macro economic conditions in China, reiterating a point he made to investors earlier this month. Apple sales also fell, reported revenue in the area of $14 billion, down from almost $15 billion the same period a year ago.
All of this as China's vice premier and officials are scheduled to end a bruising trade war.
BRIGGS: Another day of protests expected against Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. Self-proclaimed interim President Juan Guaido calling on supporters to take to the streets to convince the military to side with him.
Maduro apparently starting to feel the pressure. Overnight, he said he is willing to negotiate with the opposition leader with international mediators. But he did not also rule out new presidential elections until 2025 -- did rule out, excuse me, that decision coming one day after the U.S. slapped new sanctions on the Maduro regime cutting off oil revenue.
ROMANS: Meanwhile, Venezuela's Supreme Court freezing Guaido's bank accounts and restricting his travel.
The State Department issuing a warning to all Americans, do not travel to Venezuela. At least 40 people have been killed in recent protests there.
National advisor John Bolton was seen holding that yellow legal pad with the words "5,000 troops to Colombia" on it, second line right there. He said there's no plans to send U.S. troops there. He says the nonmilitary action against the Maduro regime will be, quote, very tough.
BRIGGS: Clearly, intentionally, he wanted to put that out there. He did not write two lines and expect that White House reporters would not catch on.
Ahead, a major recall overnight, Tyson Foods recalling chicken nuggets. Parents nationwide likely put in your freezer.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[04:24:00] ROMANS: This morning, police in Chicago are looking for surveillance video of the attack on actor Jussie Smollett. The FBI assisting Chicago P.D., which is investigating that attack as a possible hate crime.
The 36-year-old, who stars in the T.V. show "Empire " says he was assaulted by two men in a homophobic and racist attack near his home. He told police they doused him with an unknown substance and placed a rope around his neck. Smollett was not seriously injured.
Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker all issued statements condemning the attack.
BRIGGS: A major recall this morning. Tyson Foods recalling more than 36,000 pounds of chicken nuggets because they may contain rubber. The affected products, 5-pound packages of Panko Chicken Nuggets have a use-by date of November 26, 2019.
The company says that people have complained of extraneous material in the chicken but there are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions. The recall comes a day after Perdue recalled more than 16,000 pounds of refrigerated chicken nuggets because of an undeclared allergen.
ROMANS: The FBI has wrapped its investigation of the Mandalay Bay shooting in Las Vegas. That gunman's motive is still unknown. We may never know why Stephen Paddock killed 58 concertgoers in the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.
A list of key findings found Paddock was similar to other mass shooters. He had no obvious grievance and wanted to die by suicide. The FBI found Paddock acted alone. Analysts did find a decline in his mental and physical health and his finances in the final years before his massacre.
BRIGGS: If you're a driver in California, you need to hear this. A mystery surcharge costing you extra money for gas, anywhere from 20 to 40 cents a gallon.
According to a new report by the State Energy Commission, California drivers have been paying the premium since at least 2015. That's when prices spiked due to a refinery explosion and never went back down.
The mystery surcharge has cost Californians anywhere from $3 billion to $5 billion a year. More than a dozen state lawmakers calling on the state attorney general to investigate.
Coming up, the weather could be so cold today, even the post office will not deliver mail in ten states. Don't underestimate this historically cold weather. It feels bad as 70 below zero.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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