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Senate Intel Committee Eyes Moscow Man With Links To President Trump; CNN Reality Check: Why Trump Investigations Won't End After The Mueller Probe; Bernie Sanders Raises $6 Million In 24 Hours; "Empire" Actor Jussie Smollett In Custody, Accused Of Faking Attack. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired February 21, 2019 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00] SEN. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL (D-CT), MEMBER, SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: -- because we depend on these dedicated professionals who go to work every day and do the critical work for this country and law enforcement. And the president is undermining their credibility and morale.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: I mean, all you have to do is imagine if they hadn't caught him. If they hadn't done such great police work what might have happened.

But I must say I'm a tad troubled that you had to hear it on the news. Shouldn't the FBI have told you that you were one of his targeted threats?

BLUMENTHAL: I think the FBI may have alerted the Capitol Police. I've been in Connecticut for most of this week so that may have been a glitch in communication. One way or the other, I'm safe, I'm here, and I'm in good shape.

CAMEROTA: Yes, we can see that and we're grateful for you being here.

BLUMENTHAL: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Senator Richard Blumenthal, thanks so much for all of the information.

BLUMENTHAL: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: John --

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right.

New to CNN, an American businessman based in Moscow says he has details about Donald Trump's business relationship with Russia. We'll tell you who wants to speak with him. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: This morning, we have a CNN exclusive.

The Senate Intelligence Committee wants to speak with an American businessman based in Moscow who says he can shed light on President Trump's personal and commercial activities in Russia during the mid- 1990s.

[07:35:08] CNN's Nina dos Santos live in London with this exclusive reporting. Nina, what have you learned?

NINA DOS SANTOS, CNN EUROPE EDITOR: Thanks so much, John.

Well, we're talking about an individual called David Geovanis, a 58- year-old American businessman who since 2014 has also had a Russian passport. He's been based in Russia since the early 1990s, about the start of Vladimir Putin's long tenure as president of Russia, and has a well-known reputation for being an important fixer.

He's worked for many years in senior positions for Oleg Deripaska -- of course, a sanctioned Russian oligarch who is a key figure in the Russia investigations. And he's also worked for some key U.S. donors of Donald Trump.

It appears as though it is a 1996 meeting and trip that David Geovanis, as a young man, accompanied Donald Trump on to the Russian capital with plans to try and explore an initial plan to build a Trump Tower there that has piqued Senate Intelligence investigators' interest.

On that 1996 trip were two U.S. real estate moguls. Howard Lorber, whose name recently came up in connection with those blocked cell phone numbers that Donald Trump, Jr. is said to have called after having held a much-scrutinized meeting in Trump Tower in New York in 2016.

And also, another member of that 1996 trip is Bennett S. LeBow, who appears to have reemployed David Geovanis recently for another project back in Russia.

Now, the Senate Intelligence Committee has repeatedly, according to many sources I've spoken to, tried to gain information from David Geovanis -- requested that he return to the United States to cooperate and provide information. They originally contacted him back in the spring of last year. But thus far, they haven't yet managed to coax him back to America to find out what he knows.

BERMAN: Bigger picture, Nina. What information do they expect that he could provide?

DOS SANTOS: Well, the important point here about him not having returned to America -- friends and family, by the way, say that they haven't seen him since the early days of 2017, around about the time of the inauguration of President Trump -- is that until he goes back, obviously, it's unclear what information he may well provide.

And so, the Senate Intelligence investigators have had to rely heavily on witness statements. They've spoken to two witnesses I've spoken to under the condition of anonymity who say they've been asked probing questions about Geovanis's personal and business relationships. And there's also a third piece of testimony that I have seen

personally, which refers to Geovanis being a crucial figure who could provide any information on whether or not Russia has personally embarrassing material on Donald Trump.

So the big question here is, until this individual does manage to return to the United States and be questioned, with the Mueller probe set to potentially wrap up soon, will this be somebody who will be a figure -- a peripheral figure who may well not have had to face the scrutiny that other figures have faced in the past.

I should point, since 2017, he's been reemployed by a key Trump donor, Bennett S. LeBow, working in the field of clean coal, which as we know, is something that is close to the president's heart.

Back to you.

BERMAN: Intriguing questions, to be sure. Nina dos Santos, thank you very much -- Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: All right, John, one of our big stories.

CNN has learned that Robert Mueller's report could be in the hands of the Attorney General Bill Barr as early as next week. But the investigations into the president will not end with Mueller's findings.

CNN senior political analyst John Avlon has our reality check. What are we expecting, John?

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it looks like Mueller time is almost here with CNN's report the special counsel could hand over its work to the A.G. as soon as next week.

But at the same time, "The New York Times" did an epic analysis that found President Trump has attacked the Russia investigation -- get this -- more than 1,100 times since taking office. And it seems like he's lashing out more as the scope and scale of the investigations grow. CNN contributor Garrett Graff puts the number of pending legal cases alone at 17.

But beyond that, there are also separate investigations running the full range of Trump's life, work, and world, from allegations of Russian collusion to obstruction of justice to immigration fraud and much, much more.

Now, looking into everything from the Trump campaign, how he won the White House, the Trump transition. What he did while taking over the White House, the Trump inauguration. Who paid and why, and where the money went for the party before the White House. And the Trump administration -- what he's done since getting into the White House.

Investigations are even digging into the Trump Foundation, Trump's former charity whose favorite cause seems to have been himself, including the purchase of massive portraits of the Donald. Now, it's being looked at for possible campaign finance violations as well. The Trump Organization -- and investigations into this could potentially scoop up members of the Trump family.

All told, this represents the totality of Trump's public and private life.

And who's investigating what? Well, the FBI began looking into links between the Trump campaign and Russia officials as early as July 2016. The Senate Intel Committee was spurred on by a DNI report saying Russia meddled in our elections.

The House Intel Committee, now controlled by Democrats, who seem determined to follow the money.

[07:40:03] The House Oversight Committee has started looking into former National Security adviser Michael Flynn and then turned to the firing of FBI director James Comey. Comey was also the initial focus of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which demanded all the documents related to Trump's interactions with him.

And then, of course, there's the special counsel investigation -- the Big Kahuna.

And let's remember that Robert Mueller was officially authorized to look into quote "Any links and/or coordination between the Russian government and individuals associated with the campaign of President Donald Trump. And" -- this is significant -- "any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation."

Now, to date, the special counsel investigation has resulted in more than three dozen people charged with nearly 200 criminal counts. Seven people pled guilty, four have been sentenced, and one convicted at trial. It's not exactly evidence of a hoax or a witch hunt.

In addition, the special counsel has passed on investigations to various U.S. attorneys to pursue. That's what snapped up former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

Now, the New York Attorney General looking into the Trump Foundation and local real estate deals that may have included Russian and other foreign money.

The New Jersey Attorney General looking into the Inaugural Committee and claims of immigration fraud at Trump's Bedminster Golf Club.

And the attorneys general of the District of Columbia and Maryland, which are investigating whether Trump's Washington hotel and its revolving door of foreign guests may have violated the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution.

And it's important to know that the president can't pardon people convicted in the state attorneys general investigation.

All of this is just the investigations we know about. So even if we see the special counsel's report very soon, trouble in Trump land could be just beginning. And that's your reality check.

CAMEROTA: That's such a good reality check. Just when you think it's over, it's not over.

BERMAN: Not even close.

All right, John. Thank you very much.

Bernie Sanders' campaign officials say they raised nearly $6 million in the 24 hours after announcing his 2020 run. But does big money just mean big shoes and big gloves or big results at the polls? We're going to dig into the numbers, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:45:40] BERMAN: Rolling in dough. Senator Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign, about 48 hours old and already has a lot of cash. Campaign officials say his campaign raised nearly $6 million in the 24 hours after his 2020 announcement.

What does that tell us about how he might do in the early primaries?

There's something about Harry. Let's get the forecast and some answers with "CNN POLITICS" senior writer and analyst, Harry Enten -- sir.

HARRY ENTEN, WRITER, SENIOR WRITER AND ANALYST, CNN POLITICS: Making it rain, Sen. Sanders is. That's the last time I'll ever say that.

So, this time around, in 2020, he's raised $5.9 million in his first 24 hours. That's much better than he did in his first 24 hours in 2016 when he raised only $1.5 million.

CAMEROTA: Wow, look at that.

ENTEN: That --

CAMEROTA: That is really significant.

ENTEN: It turns out love is better the second time around.

And not only that but let's compare it to some other candidates that are running this time around.

Kamala Harris came in with only $1.5 million in her first 24, so he's clearly doing better than that. Senator Klobuchar, she said that she came in with $1 million over first 48 -- clearly better than that. And clearly, better than Julian Castro. According to an FEC report, his presidential committee raised $220,000 in the first two weeks.

CAMEROTA: I'm glad that you brought up "according to" because Bernie Sanders' numbers are according to the Bernie Sanders campaign.

ENTEN: That's correct.

CAMEROTA: Is that reliable?

ENTEN: I would say so. I mean, we're going to find out, but why would you like about it?

CAMEROTA: Well, we don't find out for a while. We don't get the actual numbers for the next three -- whatever -- for a month.

ENTEN: We don't, but traditionally, these numbers are quite reliable.

CAMEROTA: Yes.

ENTEN: But we still should note where exactly it's coming from.

Now, let's talk about how important is this. So, people -- I went back to the 1980 cycle and if this was an open primary, how often did the person who led in early fundraising actually go on and win. And it turns out more often than not, the person who does lead in early fundraising does win.

Of course, there are five instances where that was not the case, one of which -- this kind of perhaps reminds me of is actually this one, 2008, with Barack Obama because even though he didn't win, the FEC reports in that case was a leading indicator because he came so close to Sen. Clinton that a lot of people said wow, whoa, this is clear indication that he's a serious competitor, which I think the Bernie Sanders numbers perhaps tell us if you didn't believe so before.

BERMAN: What's a better indicator than money?

ENTEN: Yes. So this, to me, is also really interesting because let's talk about the fact that right now in the first state, New Hampshire -- it's the first primary state -- Bernie Sanders is actually trailing Joe Biden 25 percent to 20 percent in my average of polls, which is really interesting because remember, Sen. Sanders ran away with the New Hampshire primary last time around, so he's weaker.

BERMAN: He's also from Vermont, a border state.

ENTEN: He's literally from next door in the fact that he can't be leading perhaps is a -- not such a great sign because take a look at this. If we look at the predictive power of first-state primary polling in New Hampshire one month after a person leads a race, look how predictive this is.

Pretty much all of the eventual nominees were, in fact, leading in New Hampshire one month in. The only two who weren't were Michael Dukakis, who was leading two months in, and Barack Obama, who obviously went on and won the nomination just barely.

BERMAN: Lost New Hampshire.

ENTEN: He did lose New Hampshire, which --

BERMAN: But he won New Hampshire.

ENTEN: Right. it should be pointed out that a few of these actually did lose New Hampshire eventually, but the New Hampshire polling, itself, tends to be a leading indicator, perhaps because they're a little more tuned in to the process.

CAMEROTA: I'm sorry, who's leading in New Hampshire right now?

ENTEN: So if we look back at who is leading in New Hampshire right now, we see that Joe Biden is leading with 25 percent which, of course, matches the national polls. Joe Biden tends to be leading everywhere. Of course, he hasn't declared yet that he's running so he hasn't raised any money.

CAMEROTA: OK. What do you have tell us about runner-ups?

ENTEN: Yes. So this is another thing, right? Is love, in fact, better the second time around?

BERMAN: You told us it was.

ENTEN: I said it was, at least, for money.

It turns out these are people who ran a second time after coming in second place. And take a look at how often they've won since 1972. It turns out that they've won actually a fairly decent number of times, six out of 13, which isn't -- which is not above 50 percent. You lose more often than you win.

However, of course, in primaries where so many people are running, if I tell you you have a 50 percent chance of winning that's actually not such a bad thing. Of course, there are a number of people who ran again and didn't actually win. By the way, this is Eugene McCarthy.

BERMAN: It's Eugene McCarthy right there, yes.

ENTEN: Eugene McCarthy, and he ran in '72. But, you know, whatever. A slightly different gentleman but you get the point.

But here's the interesting thing. Now, take a look at the people who were, in fact --

BERMAN: It's OK.

ENTEN: -- who, in fact, were leading in the New Hampshire polls at this point if they ran again. And it turns out the people who ran again and actually won the nomination, they tended to be leading in the New Hampshire polls at this point. And, Bernie Sanders, who is not leading -- is actually trailing in New Hampshire polls at this point -- zero percent of them won.

[07:50:07] BERMAN: Ah, all right.

ENTEN: Now, I should point out it is a small sample size but the fact that he's not ahead in New Hampshire, to me, is perhaps a little dangerous given the fact that he's running and so well known.

BERMAN: All right. The Academy Awards, I believe, are this Sunday night. Will "The Meg" get the recognition it deserves? ENTEN: Well, here you go. I want to point out you are so worried about "Bohemian Rhapsody".

BERMAN: I am worried about "Bohemian Rhapsody".

CAMEROTA: Oh, gosh.

ENTEN: But I know you're very worried, but it turns out -- I told you that usually the Golden Globes aren't a great indicator and this is, right now, the betting markets -- the implied chance of winning. "Roma" looks to be well out ahead.

CAMEROTA: But, "Roma" is so controversial, right?

ENTEN: Look, the one that I like was the "Green Book" -- I will say that. Twenty-one percent chance. Look, 21 percent -- things happen all the time.

In fact, Bernie Sanders' chance of winning the nomination, according to the betting markets, is right around 21 percent. So, if the "Green Book" wins, it's a good indication that sometimes underdogs do win come --

CAMEROTA: What happens if "Bohemian Rhapsody" wins? What will happen to John Berman's mood?

ENTEN: Well, John Berman may, in fact, go down south. But I do have good news. Maybe the Red Sox can win and bring his mood a little bit up.

BERMAN: It's happened before.

ENTEN: It's happened before. They're a pretty good franchise.

BERMAN: Can I just ask you the implied chance of winning, how often do they get it right?

ENTEN: I mean, normally, this is -- this is a pretty decent shot of winning, right? We would suggest that 62 percent of the time, that tends to be what would -- what would happen. So they will win more often than not, but it's not a runaway.

BERMAN: Hollywood's not going to love that. I can tell you that right now.

ENTEN: No.

BERMAN: They want a big bunch of blockbuster to win.

ENTEN: Yes.

BERMAN: Harry Enten, great to have you with us.

ENTEN: Thank you.

BERMAN: Thank you very much. CAMEROTA: Thanks, Harry.

BERMAN: We do have a programming note. CNN will hold a presidential town hall with Sen. Bernie Sanders, moderated by Wolf Blitzer, next Monday night, 8:00 Eastern, only on CNN.

CAMEROTA: All right.

Is the president influencing the heads of the Federal Reserve? CNN asks the vice chairman of the Fed, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:56:05] CAMEROTA: OK, it's time for "CNN Business Now". Are the worries about higher interest rates over, at least for now?

Chief business correspondent Christine Romans is here with more. What do you think, Christine?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT, ANCHOR, "EARLY START": Alisyn, it looks that way. Patience, they say, is a virtue and it looks like the Federal Reserve thinks so, too, especially in the midst of a trade war and a global slowdown in economic growth. That means keeping interest rates on hold after four rate hikes last year.

The minutes of the Fed's meeting in January show policymakers split on whether to raise rates later this year and they're taking a wait and see approach.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD CLARIDA, VICE CHAIRMAN, FEDERAL RESERVE: I think policy, right now, is in a very good place and that's appropriate because the U.S. economy is in a very good place. We can afford to be patient and we can afford to let the data come in and tell us a little bit about where the global economy is going.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: There's that word again, patient.

In a strong U.S. economy, the Fed had been raising rates and shrinking its $4 trillion balance sheet. Now, most Fed officials indicated they were ready to stop shrinking that, too.

The Fed tightening those rate hikes and the $50 billion a month in asset sales had infuriated President Trump. He has attacked the Fed and called it the biggest threat to the American economy, something Fed officials say does not influence policy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLARIDA: Our job is to use our tools to achieve maximum employment and price stability. That is the only thing that motivates me and my colleagues. (END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The central bank has penciled in two rate hikes in 2019.

And, John, we've also got trade talks with China underway in D.C. and things are looking a little more optimistic than we've seen in some time. So stay tuned for that.

BERMAN: People watching that very closely.

Christine Romans, thank you very much.

Romans was talking about the Fed. What is funnier than the Fed?

CAMEROTA: What?

BERMAN: "Late-Night Laughs" -- watch this.

CAMEROTA: Oh, OK.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TREVOR NOAH, HOST, COMEDY CENTRAL "THE DAILY SHOW WITH TREVOR NOAH": So the story is that President Trump asked Matt Whitaker to interfere in the Michael Cohen investigation, which is highly unethical. And he even rubbed Whitaker's head to see the future of the investigation, which is also highly unethical.

Basically, right now, we're at the point where Trump may be obstructing justice into his obstruction of justice case, which is like a pickpocket who just got caught and the cop goes you're busted, put your hands behind your -- wait a minute, where are my handcuffs? Oh, you scallywag.

JAMES CORDEN, HOST, CBS "THE LATE LATE SHOW WITH JAMES CORDEN": It's been a long two years for the special counsel. After the report is concluded, Mueller says he's just looking forward to going back to his regular job as Sam the Eagle from "THE MUPPETS".

STEPHEN COLBERT, CBS HOST, "THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT": Although the release may be soon, Mueller and his prosecutors are still reporting to work as frequently as ever, with some even coming in on Presidents' Day.

Well, of course -- of course. That's their Presidents' -- that's their Presidents' Day blowout. Everyone in the Oval Office must go.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: I want that echo.

All right. We do have breaking news this morning in the Jussie Smollett case, so let's get right to it.

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

BERMAN: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to your NEW DAY. It is Thursday, February 21st, 8:00 in the East.

And we do have breaking news. "EMPIRE" actor Jussie Smollett -- he is in custody. He turned himself in to Chicago police just a short time ago. He's facing a felony charge, accused of filing a false police report claiming that two men attacked him in a hate crime last month.

CAMEROTA: Police sources tell CNN that Smollett paid the two men to orchestrate the attack. We are expecting to hear from Chicago's police chief soon, ahead of Smollett making his first appearance in court this afternoon.

CNN's Ryan Young is live in Chicago with all of the breaking details. Ryan, you've been on this story for weeks. What a conclusion today.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Honestly, what a conclusion. You never knew when this whole thing started that it was going to unravel the way it did.

I can tell you this. I expect the Chicago Police Department started to punch back today because they haven't really been talking too much in public about this case. But I know everyone was pretty upset because they thought this made the city look bad in terms of this whole allegation.

But let me get you what we know so far. We know around 5:00 this morning that Jussie Smollett, with his attorneys, turned himself in to central booking.