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A Big Week Ahead For U.S. President Donald Trump; The World Awaits For The Second Trump-Kim Summit As Floats The Idea As A Potential Trade Summit With Xi Jinping; Brexit Vote Delayed; Big Night For "Green Book" At The Oscars. Aired: 8-9a ET
Aired February 25, 2019 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KRISTIE LU STOUT, HOST, "NEWS STREAM" (voice over): A big week ahead for U.S. President Donald Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: As long as there's no testing, we're happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): The world awaits for the second Trump-Kim Summit and any meaningful progress on the denuclearization of North Korea.
And on China, President Trump floats the idea as a potential Trade Summit with Xi Jinping.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT RIVERS, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: He says that has to happen before any finalized agreement could take place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT (voice over): BreXit vote delayed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: We still have it within our grasp to leave the European Union with a deal on the 29th of March.
LU STOUT (voice over): Theresa May remains optimistic. Big night for "Green Book" at the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay
and Best Supporting Actor.
LU STOUT (on camera): I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong and welcome to "News Stream." With a little more than a month until the U.K. is to leave
the European Union, Prime Minister Theresa May has delayed a Parliamentary vote on her BreXit deal, increasing the tension as the crucial day
approaches.
She is hoping to buy enough time to revise the terms of the deal she reached with the E.U. Right now, Theresa May is in Egypt meeting with E.U.
leaders. She says that she will return to Brussels on Tuesday for more talks.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAY: We're having good constructive talks with the European Union. We won't be bringing a meaningful vote back this week, but we will make sure
that that happens by the 12th of March. It is still within our grasp to have a deal with the European Union that enables us to leave on the 29th of
March with a deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: Bianca Nobilo joins us from outside 10 Downing Street in London, and Bianca, we are waiting for Prime Minister May to speak shortly and when
she does speak, we will be carrying that live, but ahead of that address in Sharm el Sheik, tell us why? Why did Theresa May announce that further
delay on her meaningful vote on her deal? Is she trying to, as her opponents say, run down the clock?
BIANCA NOBILO, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, that has been a criticism, Kristie that has been leveled against the Prime Minister for so many months
now, and indeed, the Labour Party, the main opposition here in the United Kingdom, they said it was a height of irresponsibility and also a sign of
the Prime Minister's failure that she felt the need to delay this vote again. Bearing in mind, this vote has been delayed three times now.
Now, why would the Prime Minister be trying to run down the clock? Well, from the beginning, many people postulated it was her strategy to present
MPs at the 11th hour with the choice between crashing out of the E.U. with no-deal and all the economic turmoil that that would entail, all voting for
her deal.
Now, we know her deal has been unpopular with the House of Commons and the country at large. So this might be one of the only way that she manages to
get her deal through just by having no time left at all and presenting Parliament with that binary choice.
However, the E.U. have been saying today, they have been pushing for the idea of an extension to avoid that chaotic scenario and indeed, so have
Cabinet members in the Prime Minister's own government, as well as the People's Vote Campaign and other MPs within the Houses of Parliament who
are also pushing to try and extend rather than face that no-deal situation.
LU STOUT: All right, this is a critical week for Brexit. Bianca Nobilo reporting live from 10 Downing Street. We are awaiting that speech in
Sharm el Sheik from Theresa May, when she gets to the podium, we will bring it to you live right here on CNN.
Now, turning now to a busy week of high-stakes negotiations for the U.S. President as Donald Trump prepares for that second summit with North Korea.
But before heading to Vietnam, Donald Trump announced that he is putting off tariff hikes on China as both sides say that there has been substantial
progress in trade talks.
The tariffs were originally set to take effect on Friday. Mr. Trump will head to Hanoi in the coming hours for that face-to-face meeting with Kim
Jong-un. It comes just a day after the President said he sees eye-to-eye with the North Korean leader. But U.S. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo
tells CNN, Pyongyang remains a nuclear threat.
And while the President is overseas, plenty of focus will still be on Washington. The President's former lawyer, Michael Cohen is set to testify
on Capitol Hill this week before three committees, including public testimony on Wednesday.
And then, coming up on Tuesday, the House will vote on blocking Mr. Trump's national emergency declaration for his controversial border wall. We are
covering it all from both sides of the world.
CNN's Joe Johns is live from the White House, Lauren Fox is on Capitol Hill, but first, let's go to CNN's Matt Rivers in Beijing, and Matt, Donald
Trump, he may express optimism about the progress of trade talks, does China share that optimism?
[08:05:08]
RIVERS: Yes, frankly, I think they're following President Trump's tune here because I think there's no doubt that Beijing wants to see a deal,
especially if they can get some sort of a deal that doesn't really change any of these structural issues that the United States has with China.
And yes, the President has said he is optimistic about a deal. He has always said he wants a real deal, something that doesn't just kick the can
down the road that really does address some of these structural economic issues that the United States has with China, but whether any deal that
could be looming actually does that. We simply don't know.
We don't have a lot of details about exactly what the U.S. and Chinese sides have agreed to if anything so far and what we have seen is other
officials in the Trump administration, after hearing positive things from President Trump himself, you have got people like Robert Lighthizer, the
U.S. Trade Representative who actually attempts to pour cold water on how good of a deal is actually being made here in terms of what's being struck.
So I think what we really need to wait and see, Kristie, is what is going to be in any sort of deal and of course, we are going to need to wait for
President Trump and President Xi of China to actually meet. That's what he says needs to happen before any deal can be made. When that happens, we're
not exactly sure. Late March has been talked about quite a bit. But really, we don't know a lot of what they've agreed on, other than it's
enough for President Trump anyway to be willing to let that March 1st deadline slide and not see tariffs go up.
LU STOUT: Yes, despite the optimism and the positivity, a final deal is far certain. Matt Rivers reporting live for us, thank you. And before any
meeting with Xi Jinping, Donald Trump is heading to Hanoi, Vietnam where he plans to meet with Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader for the second
time. Let's go straight to CNN's Joe Johns standing by at the White House, and Joe, what does Mr. Trump seek to extract from this meeting?
JOE JOHNS, SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Kristie, this is a non- traditionalist President, as we all know, but over the last 24 hours or so, the President has been taking a very traditional approach attempting to
lower expectations around this summit because lowered expectations means less chance for disappointment.
The President indicating that for now, he said he would be happy if he were to see just no more missile or nuclear testing from North Korea as opposed
to the long-term goal that the United States has of denuclearization. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We see eye-to-eye, I believe, but you'll be seeing it more and more over the next couple of
days, one way or the other. What's going to happen, I can't tell you. I think eventually it would, but I can't tell you and I am not in a rush. I
don't want to rush anybody. I just don't want testing. As long as there's no testing, we're happy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JOHNS: The President also touting what he sees as a good relationship with Kim Jong-un, something he hopes to build upon with the summit -- the Second
Summit in Vietnam -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: A B-week for Trump diplomacy, Joe Johns reporting live from the White House. Thank you. This is also a big week for Congress to confront
Donald Trump. Turning now to Lauren Fox, she join us live from Capitol Hill. And Lauren, later on this week, Michael Cohen, Trump's once loyal
fixer/lawyer, he will testify before Congress. What will he say? What will this hearing address?
LAUREN FOX, POLITICS CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Well, do know that Michael Cohen will appear three times on Capitol Hill, once in a closed --
or twice in a closed-door session and once in a public forum. But we can expect that that's not the only fireworks we will see on Capitol Hill this
week. There will be a hearing on the President's family separation policy, as well as a hearing on whether or not the President had the authority to
issue that emergency declaration to build his border wall.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
FOX (voice-over): A heart-pumping week on Capitol Hill. The main event: Michael Cohen, President Trump's former lawyer and fixer, scheduled for
three rounds of testimony, including his first public hearing with the House Oversight Committee, Wednesday. He'll also meet privately with
Senate and House Intelligence Committees.
Democrats are expected to grill Cohen about Trump's taxes, businesses, and finances, including paying hush money just before the 2016 election to
women accusing Trump of affairs.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM HIMES, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, CONNECTICUT, DEMOCRAT: Step one is to re- ask him the questions that he felt he needed to lie to us about when he -- when he testified in the last Congress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOX (voice over): In the private sessions, Congress will likely probe Cohen about the Russia-related issues.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROY BLUNT, U.S. SENATOR, MISSOURI, REPUBLICAN: We need to get the facts out there, get this behind us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOX (voice over): Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress last year, about Donald Trump's knowledge of a proposed Trump Tower project in Moscow
during the campaign. President Trump said last week, he's not worried about Cohen's testimony.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: No. No. No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. President are you still considering --
TRUMP: Lawyer/client, but you know, he's taking his own chances.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOX (voice over): Now with sources saying Robert Mueller's investigation is nearly done, House Democrats say they're willing go to extraordinary
lengths to make the full report public.
[08:10:10]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADAM SCHIFF, CHAIRMAN, HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: We will obviously subpoena the report. We will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before
Congress. We will take it to court, if necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOX (voice over): And now the president's emergency declaration to fund a border wall facing fresh criticism. A bipartisan group of 58 former
national security officials say there is no factual basis for the proclamation. That comes ahead of a House vote on the Democrats'
resolution to block the emergency declaration.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NANCY PELOSI, SPEAKER, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: There is no emergency at the border. It's a mythology of the President, not a reality.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
FOX: The President has already said that he would vote against that Democratic resolution against his declaration of the emergency on the
border. But what to watch for, how many Republicans actually vote with Democrats against the President's emergency declaration -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Wow, this is going to be a wild week ahead for the Trump White House. Lauren Fox reporting live for us from Capitol Hill, thank you so
much.
Now, the British Prime Minister Theresa May is in fact speaking right now at the E.U.-Arab League Summit in Egypt. Let's listen in.
MAY: Robert?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Prime Minister, your MPs, many of your ministers that you leave, none of them are convinced that you can get a deal negotiated
that would allow us to leave the E.U. on the 29th of March. Why are you so resistant to the idea of delaying the U.K.'s exit?
MAY: Look, an extension to Article 50, a delay in this process doesn't deliver a decision in Parliament, it doesn't deliver a deal. What it does
is precisely what the word "delay" says. It just delays the point until which we come to that decision. And I think that any extension of Article
50 in that sense isn't addressing the issues.
We have it within our grasp, as I just said, I have had a real sense from the meetings I've had here, conversations I've had with E.U. leaders in
recent days, a real sense that we can achieve that deal. it's within our grasp to leave with a deal on the 29th of March, and that's where all of my
energies are going to be focused. Beth.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Prime Minister, you said that leaving on March 29th, as you say now is well within our grasp. But that is rather
different from saying (inaudible), I know that it's the last thing you want to do, but you just acknowledged (inaudible) the delay?
MAY: Look, what we are working for is to deliver what Parliament asked us to do, which is to address the issue that they have a concern about in
relation to the backstop. We're doing that, we're working with the European Union on that with the Commission. We have had constructive
meetings over the last week. My team will be back in Brussels tomorrow, continuing those discussions.
As I say, I believe it is within our grasp to leave with a deal on the 29th of March and I think that's where all our energies should be focused. Any
delay is a delay. It doesn't address the issue, it doesn't resolve the issue. I think there is, as I say, the opportunity to leave with a deal on
the 29th of March and that's what we're going to be working on. Can I take Laura Hughes?
LAURA HUGHES, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, FINANCIAL TIMES: Prime Minister, you're going to have this meaningful vote on the 12th. Will it not
actually be helpful if the Cooper-Letwin Amendment was in place to encourage your colleagues in the ERG to vote for your deal on the 12th as
opposed to risking a vote in favor of extending the Article 50 on the 13th? And can I also ask, do E.U. leaders need to approve your revised deal
before there is a meaningful vote in Parliament or can Parliament vote for your deal allowing E.U. leaders to then approve it?
MAY: On the procedural point, it is possible to do it either way and I'm working, as you know, to ensure we have that vote before the meaningful
vote by the 12th of March, which is what I said yesterday. So just to confirm that, it's another meaningful vote by the 12th of March and I hope
that at that point -- you know, MPs have said that they want to leave with a deal and I hope at that point, that vote is the moment when Parliament
does come together and agrees to deliver the verdict of the British people. That's what this is about. It is about delivering the verdict of
the British people.
And I think at that point, it's important that MPs look at the decision that is in front of them. And the decision is to whether to deliver on the
result of the referendum, and to do that in a smooth and orderly way and to do that with a deal. Jason.
[08:15:08]
JASON GROVES, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR, DAILY MAIL: Thank you, Jason Groves from the "Daily Mail." We know that some of your Ministers want to vote
for that Cooper Amendment on Wednesday. Will they have to resign to do that or could -- in the extraordinary circumstances going, could they
somehow remain in government and vote against government policy?
MAY: First of all, we haven't actually laid the motion for Wednesday yet, we haven't had amendments to that motion. We don't know what amendments
are going to be selected for debate in the debate on Wednesday. What I will be doing, obviously, I'm making a statement to the House tomorrow to
update members of the House of Commons as to where we are in the negotiations and we will be making clear that we have been making progress.
We have had positive and constructive discussions.
And as I say, when we next bring the meaningful vote back, I think it's important that the people focus on the question as to whether we want to
deliver on the result of the referendum and do that in a smooth and orderly way by leaving with a deal. We are ensuring that we are working hard to
address the concerns that Parliament has raised. And we will continue to do that and then bring a meaningful vote back to Parliament. Laura.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you very much, Prime Minister. (Inaudible) question here that your party -- we'd love to hear you answer, if your deal
is rejected then next month, which would you choose, Prime Minister (inaudible) without (inaudible) or delaying (inaudible)?
MAY: And I am clear that what I'm working for is to ensure that we get a deal negotiated with the European Union that addresses the concern of
Parliament, such that Parliament votes for that deal and we're able to leave with a deal. And I will take a last question. I think -- is
Prasant Mustafa (ph) here from Mina? Yes, Prasant?
PRASANT MUSTAFA (ph), MINA: (Inaudible).
MAY: Well, thank you. First of all, I'd like to say thank you to President Sisi and the Egyptian people for the very warm hospitality that
we've all been shown here over the past two days, but also for hosting what I believe has been a very valuable summit, the first Summit of its kind and
very important.
In terms of our relationship -- of the U.K. with Egypt -- we have a strong relationship in a number of areas. We're working on it in important issues
in the regions and to address the shared challenges we face like the threat from terrorism. And we also welcome -- we have partnership in areas like
health and education, which I know are priorities for the President. So we are invested in Egypt's future. We are committed to working in partnership
with the country and we want the people to flourish.
On the issue of flights, our position is clear, the security of British nationals is our top priority. Of course, we understand the importance of
the issue for Egypt and while we haven't yet concluded that it is right to lift the restriction on flights, we continue to keep that under review.
Thank you.
LU STOUT: And that was the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, speaking live for reporters in Egypt. CNN international diplomatic editor, Nic
Robertson is also there at the site of the summit in Sharm el Sheik, he joins us now.
And Nic, a number of reporters raised the question about Article 50, in the notion that Brexit, the entire process of Brexit could be delayed. Is that
something being addressed by E.U. leaders at this meeting?
NIC ROBERTSON, INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR, CNN: You know, just before Theresa May spoke, I was at a press conference where Donald Tusk, the
President of the European Council spoke. He of course, had a meeting with Theresa May just after he arrived.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission spoke as well. Juncker spoke of his conversation with Theresa May as being
positive. Donald Tusk did not. In fact, he seemed the opposition. He seemed very down beat. In his analysis, Donald Tusk, the European Council
President's analysis is at a complete variance with Theresa May.
Theresa May there still says Article 50 should not be extended. We should not extend the Brexit date beyond the 29th of March because it merely
delays making a decision, it doesn't make the decision, it just puts it off. Donald Tusk on the other hand essentially said that he doesn't see a
deal by the 29th of March and that all he sees at the moment is the possibility of Britain crashing out without a deal or an extension.
He said that he had had discussions with Theresa May about the possibility of an extension, about what that might look like, what the legal parameters
of that might look like. Theresa May is sticking by her guns.
[08:20:09]
ROBERTSON: She said it's within reach, it's within our grasp. She gives the impression that it literally is just around the corner, just to be
held. The reality is, E.U. leaders at the moment don't feel that Theresa May has A. Been clear about precisely what she needs from them, in terms
of the guarantee she is looking for about the backstop. And it doesn't appear that they are willing to be able to give the strength of legally
binding guarantees, certainly not opening up the withdrawal agreement, but in an annex or similar to that withdrawal agreement on the backstop for
Northern Ireland that is going to win Theresa May the votes of the hard line Brexiteers and the Democratic Unionist politicians, and Northern Irish
MPs that prop up her slender majority.
There is a chiasm of difference between what we just heard from Theresa May and what I was listening to from the E.U. leaders just across the hall only
moments apart, and that perhaps epitomizes where this negotiation is at, each side on a parallel track and there doesn't seem to be an intersection
coming.
LU STOUT: Nic Robertson reporting live in Egypt for us reporting on a chiasm of difference as we see this confident Theresa May and growing
skepticism in many corners including among E.U. leaders. Nic, thank you for your reporting.
Turning now to entertainment news this day, see it improving. "Green Book," it took the top honors as Best Picture at the Oscars this year.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAHERSHALA ALI AS DON SHIRLEY IN "GREEN BOOK": I am not a medical doctor. I am a musician. I'm about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South.
What other experience do you have?
VIGGO MORTENSEN AS TONY LIP IN "GREEN BOOK": Public relations.
ALI: Do you foresee any issues --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: The drama about U.S. race relations in the 1960s also picked up awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for
Mahershala Ali. Now, CNN's Stephanie Elam is live for us in Los Angeles. She joins us now, and Stephanie, this was a night marked by so many firsts
and greater inclusiveness, and yet it was also targeted this morning by a tweet from Donald Trump.
STEPHANIE ELAM, CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Oh, well, I don't know if it's surprising that Donald Trump was targeting the show, but specifically Spike
Lee, because Spike Lee did take the chance when he won, winning his first competitive Oscar to say that, you know what, 2020 is coming, it's time for
you to get out there and vote and Donald Trump tweeting not too long ago, "Be nice, if Spike Lee could read his notes or better yet, not have to use
notes at all when doing his racist hit on your President who has done more for African-Americans." And he list a few things there and says, "Than
almost any other President."
Whether or not that's true, the most important thing about this is that, you take a look at the President staying true to form and saying his
thoughts in a tweet and Spike Lee staying true to form and talking about politics. Those two things are things that you can expect overall in a
show that did not have a host, but still managed to have some highlights that people were definitely waiting to see.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JULIA ROBERTS, AMERICAN ACTRESS: And the Oscar goes to "Green Book."
(Cheering and Applause)
ELAM (voice-over): "Green Book's" Best Picture win capping a historic night at the Academy Awards. A record 15 women winning Hollywood's top
honor, and more than a dozen people of color earning golden statues, including Alfonso Cuaron, who won Best Director for "Roma." The film won
Best Foreign Language Film and Best Cinematography. Spike Lee winning his first competitive Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for "BlacKkKlansman."
He thanked his grandmother before turning to politics.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SPIKE LEE, FILMMAKER: Make the moral choice between love versus hate. Let's do the right thing.
(Cheering and Applause)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM (voice over): Plenty of diversity in the acting categories. Regina King and Mahershala Ali winning Best Supporting Acting Awards, and Rami
Malek winning Best Actor for his portrayal of Queen front man, Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAMI MALEK, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST ACTOR: We made a film about a gay man, an immigrant, who lived his life just unapologetically himself. And
the fact that I'm celebrating him and this story with you tonight is -- is proof that we're longing for -- for stories like this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM (voice over): Perhaps the biggest upset of the night, acting legend Glenn Close losing to Olivia Colman, who won Best Actress for her
performance in "The Favourite."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIA COLMAN, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST ACTRESS: Any little girl who's practicing their speech on the tele, you never know.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM (voice over): The night beginning with a high-octane performance by Queen and Adam Lambert.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
QUEEN FEATURING ADAM LAMBERT (singing): We will, we will rock you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ELAM (voice over): The band kicking off the first host-less Oscars since 1989.
(MUSIC: "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born.")
[08:25:00]
ELAM (voice over): And this passionate performance by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. The superstar duo from "A Star is Born," singing "Shallow,"
which earned Lady Gaga her first Academy Award for Best Original Song.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LADY GAGA, ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST ORIGINAL SONG: It's not about winning, but what it's about is not giving up. If you have a dream, fight
for it.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ELAM: Now, Kristie, I have to tell you that that performance was what so many people were waiting to see. It had been long rumored that they were
going to get on stage together and perform and it did not disappoint. It was probably one of the best moments, if not, the best moment of the whole
production. Of course, now everyone is speculating whether or not Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are actually dating in real life or wondering that
that was just some really great acting.
LU STOUT: Because they were smoldering on stage. We all felt the tingle. It was amazing.
ELAM: Sure. His girlfriend was also there, too, though, we should note.
LU STOUT: Stephanie Elam, reporting live for us from L.A., Stephanie, thank you so much. Until next time, take care. Now, let's break down the
unexpected wins, the big upsets from the night with entertainment journalist, Michael Musto, who joins us live from New York. Michael, good
to see you. First, we need to talk about "Green Book."
"Green Book" beat out "Roma" which was widely expected to win. "Green Book" let's face it, had some pretty mixed reviews, so why did it
ultimately win Best Picture?
MICHAEL MUSTO, ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST: I thought for like you say, "Roma" was going all the way and Netflix spent a record $25 million to
promote "Roma." Plus it was the Best Movie of the Year, but I think some of the voters like watching the screening at home couldn't get through the
first half, which is very measureddd.
I told everyone about "Roma," stick with it. It really kicks in, in the second half, maybe some people didn't get to the second half. And some
people probably thought, "Well, "Roma" is going to win Director, it's going to win foreign film. Let's mix it up." I happen to love "Green Book."
Spike Lee wasn't happy when "Green Book" won. "Do The Right Thing" was snubbed years ago for "Driving Miss Daisy." This is basically a reverse of
"Driving Miss Daisy."
It seemed from a white point of view, but I still thought the message was terrific, blue state versus red state and how two guys who were very
different melt their fears about each other as they come to know each other.
LU STOUT: Got it, and another big thing of the night ...
MUSTO: So it's not an embarrassing choice at all.
LU STOUT: Not an embarrassing choice, a worthwhile movie to go see. Another big upset is though was for Best Actress. I know that you had your
predictions out for Glenn Close, but ultimately, it went for Olivia Colman for the favorite, your thoughts on that one for Colman?
MUSTO: I lost every voting pool because I said, "This is Glenn's year. It's her seventh nomination." It seemed like a slam dunk. I think maybe
some people felt that they're not being sentimental anymore at the Oscars. In the old days, they would give you like a lifetime achievement or if you
were nominated a lot of times, they would finally say, "We're going to give it to you." They didn't care.
Glenn didn't get it. Amy Adams for supporting was her sixth nomination. They kicked her to the curb. Diane Warren was up for song. Many
nominations. They don't care. "The Favourite" was terrific. This is the only thing that it actually won. And Olivia Colman gave a wonderful
speech. She was daffy and dizzy and intoxicatingly fun and also very grateful.
LU STOUT: Yes, I mean, at one point she was holding up the trophy and saying, "This is hilarious." She was absolutely charming. Now, Michael, I
want to share an observation that I thought was really cool that you made on Twitter. You said this quote, you pointed out "Three of the four
characters that won acting awards tonight are LBGTQ."
Now, we know the Oscars has struggled with diversity. But this - this was something to celebrate, right?
MUSTO: In a way, I mean, some of these characters are a little cracked. But still, there is diversity. Freddie Mercury was obviously gay. Olivia
Colman's character has lesbian sex and Mahershala Ali plays a gay character who is in the closet, was married to a woman. Unfortunately, there are no
gay actors, there are certainly not out LBGTQ actors winning Oscars, and I think the wrong idea is that, "Oh, gay people can't play gay, that's not
acting." That's baloney. People play things that are similar to themselves and different to themselves all the time. And this is a step on
the way, so I think in the future, they will be out LBGTQ actors winning Oscars.
LU STOUT: Absolutely. And very, very good point made. Michael Musto, thank you so much for joining us. Take care.
MUSTO: Thank you.
LU STOUT: Now, you're watching "News Stream." Still to come, amping up the pressure on Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. is sending Vice
President Mike Pence to meet with the self-declared interim President, Juan Guaido and vowing full support. We've got a live report straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: I'm Kristie Lu Stout in Hong Kong. You're watching "News Stream" and these are your world headlines. U.S. President Donald Trump is
holding back from increasing tariffs of $200 billion of Chinese goods saying that there has been substantial progress in trade talks with
Beijing. He says, if more progress is made, he may hold a new summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Florida. Mr. Trump is heading to Vietnam
in the next few hours for a Second Summit with North Korean Leader, Kim Jong-un.
The African Union Observer Mission says Nigeria's Presidential election was generally peaceful, but still, civil society groups say 39 people were
killed in election violence over two days. President Bahari is running for his second term. His main challenger is former Vice President Atiku
Abubakar. Analysts say the election will be the country's tightest since the end of military rule in 1999.
U.K. Prime Minister, Theresa May, has just been speaking to the press at an E.U.-Arab League Summit in Egypt. In it, she said, a Brexit deal is within
our grasp and possible before Britain is due to leave the European Union on March 29th. Mrs. May's comments follow her decision to once again, delay a
Parliamentary vote on the Brexit deal until just 17 days before that deadline, a vote Parliament could reject making a no-deal exit much more
likely.
The Trump administration is ramping up the pressure Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is due to arrive in Bogota,
Colombia soon for talks with Venezuela's self-declared interim leader, Juan Guaido. The meeting will be the latest blow in a series of challenges to
President Maduro's grip on power.
Colombian officials say more than 100 Venezuelan troops defected over the weekend. There have been violent clashes along Venezuela's borders with
Colombia and Brazil. Venezuelan troops blocked the delivery of international aid. At least two aid trucks were set on fire at a border
crossing. Guaido slams security forces for blocking the aid.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUAN GUAIDO, VENEZUELA'S SELF-DECLARED INTERIM PRESIDENT (Through a translator): We saw an unprecedented crime with the burning of
humanitarian aid that generously arrived at the Colombian collection point and which was then handed over to Venezuelan volunteers who are again
insisting that it is necessary to save lives. Venezuela today is again in crisis and it could have been alleviated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LU STOUT: CNN's Nick Paton Walsh is in the Colombian capital of Bogota outside the government offices where the Pence-Guaido meeting will take
place. He joins us now and Nic, after those deadly clashes, we have these talks this morning. Mike Pence is in town, will these talks help bring
about an end to this crisis?
NICK PATON WALSH, SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN: No, I mean, we're entering a new stage here. The weekend changed, I think very much
the temperature of how this crisis is playing out. Yes, there have been deaths and protests before, but not on a day that was supposed to be as
symbolic as what happened at the weekend.
[08:35:10]
PATON WALSH: Aid was supposed to cross in peacefully. That was the idea, certainly, of the United States and the opposition cynics say actually.
They were possibly expecting clash there to break out, but that has provided a backdrop for this meeting here, the Lima Group, essentially a
regional alliance focusing how to fix quote, "the Venezuelan crisis."
Obviously, the fix, all those sides wants to see Nicolas Maduro leave power. The question is how do they now achieve that? And we have Mike
Pence flying in here, meeting Juan Guaido, the opposition leader and that will happen in the hours ahead. Now, the key point, I think is what
happens to Juan Guaido next? Does he stay the leader in exile here so to speak? He's obviously safe in Bogota, gets a lot of international
legitimacy for meeting world leaders in the way he is doing today, but he's not in control of Venezuela from here at all.
He can ferment resistance inside or perhaps organize an international response but he certainly isn't running the country. Does he go back? And
if he goes back, what happens to him then? He has obviously crossed I think the line when it comes to Nicolas Maduro. He defied a travel ban on
him by leaving Venezuela, period. The question also I think, too, as the White House have been threatening sanctions and quote, "isolation" against
Maduro for what happened over the weekend. What does that actually mean? What are we going to see? There could be some things announced here,
Kristie.
LU STOUT: The political fate of Juan Guaido also depends on the allegiances inside the Venezuelan military. Colombia is reporting that
there have been defections. Are loyalties shifting right now a way that could tip the balance?
PATON WALSH: No, these are low level soldiers, I mean, over 150 now. A startling, frankly, a number to see and that will be having an effect on
the border checkpoints. Because if you wake up one morning as a Venezuelan soldier and find your kind of barracks mates are no longer there and they
had sneaked across the river bank in the night into Colombia. That is going to make you think and you can ration reinforcements, but that is a
sense of erosion certainly that I think will play in the minds of these soldiers, these police.
We have seen them ourselves. You know, standing there in the 35-degree heat holding up a riot shield, telling your fellow Venezuelan to get back
or you will tear gas them is not an ideal situation, particularly if you're not being particularly well-fed. In fact, the soldiers we were talking to
were getting Colombia water purchased nearby because Venezuela doesn't have ready supplies of that kind of thing.
But that is the low level ranks. It's that filtering up to the higher levels, the higher levels -- Major General ranks et cetera -- still we
think making money out of Maduro, loyal to Maduro. When that changes, that's when Maduro starts to worry -- Kristie.
LU STOUT: Nick Paton Walsh reporting live from Bogota. Thank you. You're watching "News Stream." And still ahead, the 5G race is taking center
stage inside one of the largest tech gatherings on the planet. We are live in Barcelona, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LU STOUT: It is the start of a new week here in Hong Kong. Welcome back. You're watching "News Stream." Now, the world's largest telecommunications
tradeshow, the Mobile World Congress is kicking off right now in Barcelona, Spain.
This year, Washington's fight with Huawei likely taking center stage. A U.S. delegation will reportedly be at the event turning up the heat on
Huawei. Now, the U.S. is already pressing allies to ditch the Chinese telecom giant's equipment saying it poses security concerns.
[08:40:10]
LU STOUT: Huawei has repeatedly denied those claims. Samuel Burke joins us now live from Barcelona and Samuel, good to see you. It is great that
you're there because what a year for Huawei and for 5G and you've been talking to Huawei execs there in the halls of the Mobile World Congress,
what are they been telling you about trade, about those serious cybersecurity accusations as well?
SAMUEL BURKE, BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY CORRESPONDENT, CNN: Kristie, it is incredible how Donald Trump and the United States have made these tech
conferences especially Mobile World Congress here in Barcelona so incredibly relevant.
I was speaking to the current Chairman, their rotating Chairman of Huawei just last night and he was telling me that of course he does believe that
these accusations from the United States are politically motivated, but he also encouraged other countries to make their own independent decision. He
is of course referencing Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence, putting pressure on countries like Hungary saying the U.S.
really may not be able to partner with them anymore if they have Huawei. He wants those countries to make their own decisions.
But when I pushed him about the relationship between the United States and China -- pardon me, between his company and China, he made clear there is a
wall between the two. But he said the company could never violate the laws of China. They would never dare to violate the laws of China or any other
country, for that matter where they operate, Kristie.
Of course, there's a lot of other talk about Huawei here not because of geopolitical concerns or cybersecurity concerns, it's that foldable phone
that they launched just yesterday with a whopping price tag, $2,600.00.
People are talking more about the price than they even are the foldable technology. Now, that is significantly more than Samsung, nearly $2,000.00
foldable phone, but the Huawei price includes taxes. Now, that will give you an 8-inch foldable phone into a tablet or tablet into a phone,
depending how you look at it. That's bigger than Samsung's 7.3 inch device when it is folded out into tablet mode.
Interesting to see the battery charger, you'll get 80% of the battery charged in just 30 minutes. Of course, Kristie, I haven't been able to
test any of this for myself because Huawei, much like Samsung, isn't making the devices available to the public to test yet. Samsung says theirs comes
out April 26th. Huawei isn't even giving us a launch date yet. In fact, we couldn't touch the device or even touch the glass that the device was
behind in the display units, Kristie.
LU STOUT: Yes, interesting. You know, Huawei is trying to shift the narrative. A new product launch helps, but you have got to get the product
out there so people could actually feel it and review it, especially you, Samuel Burke. Samuel Burke reporting live from Barcelona. Thank you so
much. Take care.
And that is it for "News Stream." I'm Kristie Lu Stout. Don't go anywhere though, we have got "World Sport" with Alex Thomas coming up next.
(SPORTS)
[09:00:00]
END
