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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin
Joe Biden's Defense; Grammy Nominee Gunned Down; 2020 Hopefuls Respond To Kiss Accusations; Border Battle; Suspect Arrested In Death Of SC College Student; Rapper Nipsey Hussle Shot And Killed; Brexit Meltdown. Aired 4-4:30a ET
Aired April 01, 2019 - 04:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[04:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LUCY FLORES (D), 2104 NOMINEE FOR LT. GOVERNOR OF NEVADA: Glad that he is clarifying his intentions, frankly, my point was never about his intention.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN HOST: Joe Biden's team in damage control mode after a Nevada politician accuses him of inappropriate behavior.
DAVE BRIGGS, CNN HOST: Police say a murdered college student in South Carolina mistook her killer's car for her Uber.
ROMANS: Fans are mourning Grammy nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle outside his store where he was gun down hours earlier.
BRIGGS: And down goes Duke in the NCAA tournament. One top seed left standing in the final four, a final four no one saw coming and this Duke fan on this Monday morning a bit devastated, Romans. You know, I like my Devils. That was a hard loss. Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Early Start, I'm Dave Briggs.
ROMANS: And I'm Christine Romans. Nice to see everybody this morning. It is Monday, April fool's day. So watch out for practical jokes. It is 4:00 a.m. in the East. That is no joke. That's actually, it sound like a cruel joke. It's not. It is really 4:00 a.m. in the East this morning.
Let's begin here with the former Vice President Joe Biden, responding for the first time to allegations he made in a Nevada politician uncomfortable when he kissed the back of her head. Biden saying it was not his intention to act inappropriately, but one time Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Lucy Flores, says, the kiss left her feeling uneasy, gross and confused.
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FLORES: Very unexpectedly and out of nowhere, I feel, Joe Biden put his hands on my shoulders, get up very close to me from behind, lean in, smell my hair and then plant a slow kiss on the top of my head. And that in and of itself might not sound like it's a very serious thing. That in and of itself might sound like it was innocent and well intentioned, but in the context of it, as a person that had absolutely no relationship with him afterwards, as a candidate who was preparing to make my case for why I should be elected, elected the second in command of that state, to have the vice president of the United States do that to me so unexpectedly, and just kind of out of nowhere, it was just shocking.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: Other Democrats eyeing the White House in 2020 also weighing in on the accusation. CNN's Rebecca Buck has more from Washington.
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REBECCA BUCK, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Good morning, Christine and Dave. Well, multiple 2020 candidates are responding to these allegations against the former vice president saying, Lucy Flores should be believed, but the same Democrats are also stopping short of saying this disqualifies Joe Biden from running for president, leading that judgment to the voters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She says she is coming forth now, because she thinks it's disqualifying for Joe Biden. Do you think it's disqualifying.
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I-VT), U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I think, that's a decision for the vice president to make. I'm not sure that one incident alone disqualifies anybody, but her point is absolutely right. This is an issue not just the Democrats or Republicans, the entire country has got to take seriously.
SEN. AMY KLOBUCHAR (D), U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have no reason not to believe her, Jonathan, and I think we know from campaigns and from politics that people raise issues and they have to address them, and that is what he will have to do with the voters if he gets into the race.
JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think that is why we have an election. That's set process, but certainly it's very disconcerting and I think that, again, women have to be heard. And we should really -- we should start by believing them.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA), 2020 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe Lucy Flores and Joe Biden needs to give an answer.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should he not run as a result?
WARREN: That is for Joe Biden to decide.
JULIAN CASTRO (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe Lucy Flores. We need to live in a nation where people can hear her truth.
BUCK: Vice President Biden responded to the allegations with a statement Sunday saying in part, in my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once never did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it's suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully, but it was never my intention.
According to our reporting, Biden is expected to announce his decision on the 2020 campaign in the coming weeks. It's not clear how this will impact that rollout or his candidacy more broadly, but certainly, Christine and Dave, this cannot be the focus Biden wants as he prepares to jump into the race.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BRIGGS: No doubt about that. Rebecca, thanks. The Trump administration doubling down on threats to close the southern border and cut aide to three Central American countries. The president blaming congressional Democrats, for the border crisis, in a tweet Sunday.
[04:05:00] Democrats are allowing a ridiculous asylum and a major loopholes to remain as mainstay of our immigration system. Mexico is likewise doing nothing, a very bad combination for our country, adding Homeland Security is being so very nice, but not for long.
ROMANS: Unclear what did that means new restrictions on asylum seekers or is it just a reference to his threat from Friday to close the border, a move trade experts say would hurt American companies, workers and consumers. The president also announcing Friday the U.S. will cut off aid to El Salvador Guatemala, and Honduras.
BRIGGS: Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney explaining the move on State of the Union, Sunday.
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MICK MULVANEY, ACTING WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF: Mexico could help us do it, they need to do a little bit more. Honduras could do more. Nicaragua could do more. El Salvador could do more. And if we're going to give these countries hundreds of millions of dollars, we would like them to do more. That, Jake, I would respectfully submit to you is not an unreasonable position. We could prevent a lot of what's happening in the Southern Border by preventing people from moving in the Mexico in the first place.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Mulvaney dismissing the government's own experts who say the aid money helps curb migration by making these countries more stable.
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MULVANEY: If it's working so well, why are the people still coming? Why are these historic numbers, again, a hundred thousand people across the border this month alone? That is a crisis. That is a humanitarian crisis, it's a security crisis.
(END VIDEO CLIP) ROMANS: All right. Meantime in the number of undocumented immigrants
released by federal authorities do the overcrowded facilities in the Brownsville, Texas area is soaring. Border officials say as of Friday, 2,000 immigrants have been released from three facilities. Initially Brownsville's city managers sent about 50 people a day or dropped off, more recently the numbers climb around 300. A letter obtained by CNN says customs and border patrol told city officials in the Rio Grande valley, the number is actually much higher. Brownsville's mayor says, for now the city has been able to manage the influx.
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TONY MARTINEZ, BROWNSVILLE MAYOR: Right now they're bringing them here. We're feeding them, sheltering them, clothing them, whatever they need at the time. Any health issues that they shouldn't have when they get here, but if they do, and we have, you know, we have asked some of our local doctors and friends in the medical profession to come give us assistance, and that is what we're doing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROMANS: A customs spokesperson says about a thousand undocumented immigrants are being apprehended each day in the Rio Grande Valley sector. CNN contacted the agency to get comment on how many people will be released in the coming days, officials declined to comment.
BRIGGS: The White House insists Republicans are working on a plan to replace Obamacare just days after the president stunned lawmakers on both sides of the aisle by declaring the GOP will soon be known as the Party of healthcare. White House Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, and presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway meeting skepticism on the Sunday morning talk show.
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KELLYANNE CONWAY, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR: There is a plan. We've been working on a plan for a longtime and we hope that --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Not on the air. You've never actually come up with a plan.
CONWAY: Well, Donald Trump surely been president for two years. So, give us a chance. And we'll have it -- we are working on a plan at the White House.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you guarantee that if you succeed in court that all of the tens of millions of people who have health coverage guaranteed, because of Obamacare will lose their coverage?
MULVANEY: Yes, and it's here's why. The debate about pre-exiting conditions is over. Both parties support them. And anyone telling you anything different is lying to you for political gain.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Republican Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming a position says the Republican plan will be about health care choices. He says people will be able to buy what works for them.
ROMANS: All right. Eight minutes past the hour. A suspect is in custody this morning in South Carolina charged in the death of a missing college student, police say 21-year-old Samantha Josephson was last seen early Friday getting into the suspect's car thinking he was her Uber driver. Her body was found 14 hours later in a field, some 90 miles away. 24-year-old Nathaniel Roland is charged with murder and kidnapping. Police say Josephson's blood was found in his car. They also questioning a woman who was in Roland's car when he was arrested.
BRIGGS: This morning, rap fans are mourning the death of performer Nipsey Hussle. He was shot and killed in broad daylight Sunday afternoon outside his south Los Angeles clothing store.
Police say the Grammy nominated actor -- rapper was hit multiple times in a burst of gunfire that left two other people wounded. It happened in front of the rapper's marathon clothing store, one of several businesses he owned on the block where he was shot. Hundreds of mourners gathering near the crime scene to pay tribute to Hussle. He was known to give jobs to local residents who were struggling to get by or homeless. Hussle was scheduled to meet later today with the Los Angeles police chief and commissioner. They were said to discuss ways to stop gang violence.
[04:10:05] Tribute's to Hussle pouring in. Rihanna tweeting, this doesn't make any sense. My spirit is shaken by this. From NBA star, LeBron James, so, so sad, man. Damn, this hurts and singer Pharrell Williams tweeting, you were about something positive for your community and every chance you had to speak and because of that, you inspired millions, millions who will hold your legacy rest amongst the stars. The suspect in the shooting is still at large. Nipsey Hussle was 33 years old.
ROMANS: All right, 10 minutes past the hour. It always concerns about slowing U.S. growth and of recession indicator flashing red. Wall Street enjoyed a huge rally in the first quarter. Look at this, the S&P 500 finished up more than 13 percent. That's the best quarter since 2009 and the best first quarter since 1998. The DOW rose 11.2 percent for the quarter, the best gain since 2013. NASDAQ up 16.5 percent, best showing since 2012.
But the week ended with progress on ending the U.S.-China trade war. Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin, called talks in Beijing constructive. On Friday, a Chinese delegation travels to Washington this week. Ton of data this week it could help you there confirm what the bond market has been telling us or it could tell us, if the bond rally is overdone here. Retails sales effect would come out at 8:30 a.m. today. The big question is the consumer faltering, the jobs report comes out on Friday, was February, that was a weak jobs number in February. Remember a hiccup? Or the beginning of a trend. This week could be crucial. BRIGGS: OK. Let's talk some hoops. Dukes the top seed in the NCAA
tournament not going to the final four.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is going to come out with it, and Michigan State is headed to Minneapolis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: There's magic. Michigan State pulling off the offset Sunday beating the Blue Devils, 68-67 to punch their ticket in the other regional finals. Sunday, Auburn beat Kentucky, 77-71 in overtime to earn their first ever (inaudible) in the final hour. Spartans and Tigers will join Texas tech and the lone top seed still standing, Virginia in Minneapolis next weekend.
So, the final four matchups all set. Michigan State plays Texas tech in one national semi-finals Saturday. Auburn takes on Virginia and the other winners play for the national championship one week from tonight, and college hoop fans wondering what's next for Zion Williams and the star of Duke. And he's going to be the top pick in the NBA draft. No way, this guy stays in college.
ROMANS: Yes. All right, 12 minutes past the hour. Political upheaval in the U.K. Lawmakers shooting down the Prime Minister's Brexit plan for the third time. Up in the odds for two possible scenarios no one wants. We're going to go live to Downing Street, next.
[04:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BRIGGS: Four Sixteen Eastern Time and chaos in the U.K. this morning after lawmakers rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal for the third time. That likely killed off her plans permanently and increases the odds of too troubling alternatives. The lengthy Brexit delays or Britain crashing out in the E.U. without a deal on April 12. Let's go live to London to bring in Nic Robertson. Nic, anyone's guess once again?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Anyone's guess Dave. Look, I mean, what we do know is that Theresa May is running out of time. We have said she is been running out of road on this for months and months, but his does seem to be the week, I'll say that. Let's see what happens by the end of the week.
The reality is this, that today there will be some indicative votes in parliament. Again, the M.P.'s taking control and essentially saying to Theresa May, this is what we can agree on, you should use this idea, being part of the customs union or a second referendum or a Norway type relationship with the European Union.
However, there may not be a majority for any of those. Half of Theresa May's party is opposed to her picking up on any of those ideas. 170 M.P.'s, including 10 government ministers have written to Theresa May over the weekend saying that they will resign -- that they want her to back a no deal Brexit.
Another part of her cabinet has said, if you do go that route, then we will quit. So, she is faced with these divisions, which have weighty turns, and then there's the possibility of calling a general election, and one of the previous Prime Ministers, conservative Prime Minister John Major over the weekend said this is the time for a government of national unity. That is where things have gone to, the road really ending on decision making for Theresa May it seems this week.
BRIGGS: Another day, another debacle. Nic Robertson live for us in London. Thank you, sir.
ROMANS: All right, 18 minutes past the hour. Virginia's lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax, once again, denying allegations of sexual assault. He claims he has even taken two polygraph tests to show he is telling the truth. Televise interviews with his two female accusers are scheduled to air over the next two days. One of those accusers, Dr. Vanessa Tyson sat down with CBS's Gayle King. She wants a public platform in Virginia to air her accusations. Here's an excerpt from her upcoming interview.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do you want to happen to Justin Fairfax, why are you coming forward?
DR. VANESSA TYSON, FAIRFAX ACCUSER: In my ideal world, I would want him to resign. I think there should be a public hearing. I think that --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Not an investigation?
TYSON: There's a difference between hearings and investigations. Investigations often allow people in power to sweep things under the rug. Right, and that is just, you know, kind of a pattern that, as a political scientist, that I have witnessed and seen emerge. Right.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You would be prepared to testify in front of the Virginia general assembly?
TYSON: In front of the Virginia general assembly under oath, and particularly for survivors, I think this is incredibly important. And they need to be heard. We need to be seen, right, and we need to be treated as the human beings that we are.
[04:20:14] ROMANS: Fairfax claims two lie detectors tests show he was being truthful when he denied any non-consensual sexual activity. Polygraph exams are not admissible in Virginia courts.
BRIGGS: All right, coming up. Jussie Smollett slammed by comedian Chris Rock and the cast of SNL all in one night. Hear it for yourself, next.
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ROMANS: A streaking meteor lighting up the sky over Florida and lighting up social media this weekend. The greenish blue fireball was captured on the dashboard cam in Gainesville late Saturday night.
[04:25:11] Look at that, the national weather service confirming it was indeed a meteor. Sightings of the shooting star were reported across northern Florida. It is not known whether the space rock actually landed or broke up before impact.
BRIGGS: Very cool. From a space rock to Chris Rock to comedian ripping empire star Jussie Smollett at the NAACP image awards Saturday night. Smollett was a no show at the event, even though he was nominated for best supporting actor in the Fox series. Listen to Rock here, pulling no punches when he took the stage.
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CHRIS ROCK, ACTOR: They said no Jussie Smollett jokes. I know. I know. What a waste of light skin, you know. You know what I can do with that light skin. What the hell was he thinking? From now on, I will never -- you're Jussie from now on. You don't even get the, you no more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Trevor Noah like that joke. Smollett lost to Grey's Anatomy star Jesse Williams, stunning at (inaudible) on Saturday Night Live in a skit featuring, network execs, preparing to fire the actor.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know, I think it's a bag of clues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jussie, please, don't.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Hang on. Look guys, the killer, he left me a bunch of clues.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What killer?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're still alive, Jussie.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Only because I fought back, because I'm the gay Mike Tyson.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Jussie, please, just stop.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It has more.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Another K? Three K's? Like what do you think that means?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIGGS: Prosecutors dropped 16 felony counts against Smollett last week. Police accused him of faking a racist anti-gay attack on himself, but Smollett continues to maintain his innocence and insist he was assaulted.
ROMANS: Some people think that was too soon. It was such a serious matter.
BRIGGS: It seemed warranted.
ROMANS: Yes. All right.
BRIGGS: Certainly in some of the audience there.
ROMANS: (Inaudible) minutes past the hour, Joe Biden's team trying to get ahead of a potential metoo crisis before his 2020 race even officially begins. We've got the full details next.
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