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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Fmr. Vice President Joe Biden responds to Flores accusation, 2020 hopefuls respond to kiss accusation, Administration ramps up border threats, S.C. suspect charged with murder, kidnapping, Missing S.C. college student found murdered, Rapper Nipsey Hussle shot and killed, Wall Street stages first quarter rally. Aired 5:30-6a ET

Aired April 01, 2019 - 05:30   ET

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

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[05:30:00]

[05:31:23] LUCY FLORES, MEMBER, NEVADA STATE ASSEMBLY: I'm glad that he is clarifying his intentions. Frankly, my point was never about his intention.

DAVE BRIGGS, CNN EARLY START: Joe Biden's team in damage control after a Nevada politician accuses him of inappropriate behavior.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN EARLY START: Police say a murdered college student in South Carolina mistook her killer's car for her Uber.

BRIGGS: Fans are mourning Grammy nominated rapper Nipsey Hussle outside his store where he was gunned down just hours earlier.

Welcome back to early start on a Monday, everybody. I'm Dave Briggs.

ROMANS: An April Fool's Monday, be careful out there, everybody. Be careful. Look around every corner. You don't know who's -- whether your kids or coworkers is going to try to get you today. I'm Christine Romans. It is 31 -- 32 minutes, we'll call it past the hour.

Former Vice President Joe Biden responding for the first time to allegations he made a Nevada politician uncomfortable when he kissed the back of her head. Biden is 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.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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 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 that accusation. CNN's Rebecca Buck has more from Washington.

REBECCA BUCK, CNN 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 those same democrats are also stopping short of saying this disqualifies Joe Biden from running for president, leaving that judgment to the voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MARGARET BRENNAN, FACE THE NATION, CBS NEWS: She said she's coming forth now because she thinks it's disqualifying for Joe Biden. Do you think it's disqualifying?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), V.T.: 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 that democrats or republicans, the entire country has got to take seriously.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: 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's what he will have to do with the voters, if he gets into the race.

GOV. JOHN HICKENLOOPER (D), C.O.: I think that's why we have an election. That's that 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), M.A.: I believe Lucy Flores, and Joe Biden needs to give an answer.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Should he not run as a result?

WARREN: That's for Joe Biden to decide.

JULIAN CASTRO (D), T.X.: I believe Lucy Flores. We need to live in a nation where people can hear her truth.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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.

[05:35:09]

If it is 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.

BRIGGS: Certainly not. 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, quote, the democrats are allowing a ridiculous asylum system and major loopholes to remain as a 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, unclear if that means restrictions on asylum seekers or if it's a reference to his threat from Friday to possibly close the border, a move the Chamber of Commerce said would be an unmitigated economic debacle.

ROMANS: The President also announcing in Friday, the U.S. will cut off aide to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney explaining the move on State Of The Union.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

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 on the southern border by prevents people from moving into Mexico in the first place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: Mulvaney dismissing the government's own experts who say the aide money helps curbs migration by making those countries more stable.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MULVANEY: If it's working so well, why are the people still coming? Why are these historic numbers, again, 100,000 people will cross the border this month alone? That is a crisis. It's a humanitarian crisis. It's a security crisis.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BRIGGS: Meanwhile, the White House insists republicans are, quote, working on a plan to replace Obamacare. Just days after President Trump stunned lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, by declaring the GOP will soon be known as the party of healthcare.

White House Acting Chief of Staff, Mick Mulvaney, and Presidential Adviser, Kellyanne Conway meeting skepticism on the Sunday talk shows.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLYANNE CONWAY, WHITE HOUSE COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: There is a plan. We've been working on a plan for a long time. And we hope that Congress will come along.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right, nine years, but you have never come up with a full plan.

CONWAY: Well -- but Donald Trump has only been president for two years. So give us a chance. And we'll -- we are working on a plan at the White House.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Can you guarantee if you succeed in court that all of those tens of millions of people who have health coverage guaranteed because of Obamacare will not lose their coverage?

MULVANEY: Yes, and here's why. The debate about preexisting conditions is over. Both parties support them, and anyone telling you anything different is lying to you for political gain.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: All right. Joining us this morning, Princeton University Historian and Professor, Julian Zelizer, and CNN Political Analyst. Good morning, we want to get you to weigh in on this healthcare that the White House, this White House, Trump administration is going to be the party -- the White House, the party of healthcare. And Mick Mulvaney saying there on the record, people will not lose coverage if Obamacare is struck down. How can he make that promise?

JULIAN ZELIZER, HISTORIAN AND PROFESSOR, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY: I don't know how he can make it because it's not true. So according to all estimates, you're talking about 20 million people or more will lose their coverage if this program is eliminated. And people know that, they have registered that, and that's why a lot of republicans are shaking their heads as they watch the White House put this front and center.

BRIGGS: How can the republicans bring something forward that would meet those conditions, that would cover those with preexisting conditions, or is it something they're going to let play out in the courts?

ZELIZER: Well, it's not clear they have any alternative plan. They say that and they run against it, propose ideas that would actually eliminate that. So at this point, there is no record to show that republicans have an agenda on healthcare. ROMANS: Are they just playing with fire here though? When you look at the polls, it show that healthcare is right up there with the economy and jobs for American voters and what they care about. I mean, there's a lot of risk here that they're playing with fire heading into 2020.

ZELIZER: It is. In the midterms, there are already some evidence of how that could play out in elections. And in the midterms, that was a really important issue. And remember, repeal and replace was his first major defeat. So it's unclear if there's a strategy here or it's President Trump trying to fulfill a campaign promise even if it's a detrimental one for the republicans.

BRIGGS: Another campaign promise was, of course, to build that wall. The President is staying focused on this immigration issue, talking about cutting off aide in those three countries, Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, and also threatened to close the border Friday. And one thing is clear, the President has a firm grasp on the economics of closing that border. Listen.

[05:40:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: With the deficit like we have with Mexico and have had for many years, closing the border will be a profit-making operation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BRIGGS: So that was my April Fool's joke. He does not have a firm grasp of the economics here. So when you start with that assumption, how can we negotiate to find a better deal on immigration, and where are we headed?

ZELIZER: This is a plan also that very few people understand the logic that have terrible economic ramifications. This is a major port for trade. And so, all of a sudden, he wants to close that, he wants to hurt relations with Mexico at this point, and even take money away from groups that are trying to alleviate the conditions that create incentives for people to come here. And so on all fronts, I think this is a really damaging idea.

ROMANS: I mean, the Chamber of Commerce says there are 5 million jobs that depend on this cross border trade. And when you look at any kind of manufacturer in the U.S., where you're getting parts across a complicated global trading, shutting a border. I mean, I think it's so revealing, the President thinks the shutting the border is how you can end a trade deficit.

ZELIZER: Right.

ROMANS: No serious business person thinks that.

ZELIZER: No, absolutely. And the border has been shut just a few times in recent American history, three times. Never has it had the effects that presidents want. The last time someone did it, the most comparable example is Nixon in 1969 for the war on drugs, and it was a failure. And so I don't think this is a plan again that will hold a lot of water.

BRIGGS: Okay. I want to circle back to Joe Biden, the story about the inappropriate kiss on the back of the head, made this Nevada politician feel uncomfortable that she told Jake Tapper. And all the 2020 candidates said, look, we believe this woman, we're not saying if this is disqualifying in and of itself. How does Joe Biden fit in the MeToo era? Can he survive in this era with so many touchy, feely, huggy, borderline inappropriate incidents in his past?

ZELIZER: Biden has a lot of problems. This is one of them. And not just this incident, there's other photos out there that create this picture of someone who doesn't get where the country has moved, and certainly where a lot of democrats feel that our leaders should be. And you have to add this to his policies, Anita Hill, the abortion record that he has, criminal justice and more. So he's going to have to deal with this to solidify this idea he's the most electable democrat. He'll have to make some kind of powerful statement, some kind of mea culpa. I don't know how he deals with it. But he can't just push this aside and say in two weeks, I'm the most electable democrat, again.

BRIGGS: Yes. Clearly, that statement won't silence his critics.

An interesting poll, I just want to mention before we go, 21 percent of voters, republicans, mind you, say they are comfortable supporting Joe Biden in 2020. And that was before this accusation surfaced. But that is a massive number and why many people think he's the only person that could beat Trump in 2020.

Julian, great to see you, sir.

ROMANS: Thanks, Julian.

ZELIZER: Thank you.

ROMANS: Bye.

BRIGGS: All right. Every parent's worst nightmare in South Carolina, how a college student who called for a safe ride home ended up murdered. Next.

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[05:45:00]

[05:47:29] BRIGGS: 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.

More now from CNN's Jean Casarez. JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Christine and Dave, the family, friends and roommates of Samantha Josephson are still trying to process exactly what happened here. Now, CNN has obtained the affidavits and warrants for the arrest of the alleged perpetrator in all of this, and the charges at this point are murder with malice aforethought, the most serious murder there is under South Carolina law as well as kidnapping.

Here is what we do know at this point according to police. It was this last Thursday night, Samantha and her girlfriends were out for the evening, having a good time. They parted ways and Samantha then called an Uber. Now, police are saying that a black vehicle actually pulled up to her and she got in it. They say that she must have believed that was the driver. And that was the last that she was ever seen alive. Well, the next day, Friday, her friends, her roommates hadn't seen her. She was gone.

And so a little after 1:00, 1:30 in the afternoon, they called police to report her as missing. Turkey hunters 90 miles away, and this would be about 3:45 in that afternoon, actually discovered a body. There is no date and time yet set for the next hearing. Christine, Dave?

BRIGGS: Jean Casarez, thanks.

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 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 gathered near the crime scene to pray tribute to Hussle. He was known to give jobs to local residents who were struggling or even homeless.

Hussle was scheduled to meet later today with the L.A. police chief and commissioner. They were going to discuss ways to stop gang violence. Tributes to Hussle pouring in Rihanna Tweeting, this doesn't make a sense.

[05:50:02]

My spirit is shaken by this. From NBA star Lebron James, so, so, sad, man. Damn, man, 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 up hold your legacy forever, rest amongst the stars.

The suspect in the shooting is still at large. Nipsey Hussle was just 33 years old, and leaves behind two children.

ROMANS: All right. Ten minutes at the top of the hour. Let's go and check in CNN Business this Monday morning. Global stock markets are higher across the board, some strong gains, in fact, in Asia markets. Futures pointing to a positive open here amid progress on ending the U.S.-China trade war as stocks enjoyed a huge rally in the first quarter.

You know, the numbers are in, and the S&P 500 finished up more than 13 percent. That makes it the best quarter since 2009, and the best first quarter since 1998. The Dow rose more than 11 percent, the best quarterly gain since 2013, Nasdaq even better, 16.5 percent, the best showing since 2012. All in all, a good quarter for your 401(k) after what was a pretty scary end to the year.

Retail sales for February come out at 8:30 A.M. this morning. The big question is the consumer faltering, are we seeing any signs of those concerns about slowing U.S. economy? We'll get a lot of data this week.

Now, for years, it's been a race between Uber and Lyft. And on Friday, Lyft beat its rival to become the first ride-hailing company to go public. Lyft ending its first trading day $78.29 a share, that's up 8.7 percent. Its founders announced plans invest 50 million or 1 percent of its profits, whichever is greater, every year to support transportation initiatives in cities starting with L.A. Its Wall Street debut could be a bellwether for this long list of billion dollar tech startups expected to go public later this year. They're calling it the unicorn parade, including Pinterest, Slack, Postmates and Uber.

Dumbo didn't fly quite as high as expected over the weekend. Disney's live action remake of the animated classic brought in about 45 million in its box office debut. Box office experts thought the film would make about 50 million.

In second place, Jordan Peele's Us, it has now made 174.5 million globally. Now, even though Dumbo disappointed, the Disney's live action remakes should rebound at the box office. The studio is going to release two more remakes of Aladdin and the Lion King later this summer.

BRIGGS: So hakuna matata, no worries, Disney Films.

Duke goes down, the NCAA tournament, leaving just one top seed standing in the final four. That's next.

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[05:55:00]

[05:57:05] BRIGGS: All right, some March madness on April 1st, Duke, the top seed in the NCAA tournament not going to the final four.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If you're Duke, once he gives it up, face guard, I don't know if it will help. Open look, Goins, he ends it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) BRIGGS: And that was the dagger. Michigan State pulls off the upset Sunday, beating the Blue Devils, 68-67. Also Auburn beat Kentucky 77- 71 in overtime to earn their first ever berth in the final four. The match-up is all set. Michigan State plays Texas Tech, Auburn takes on Virginia. Winners play for the national championship one week from tonight.

ROMANS: All right. You remember the old game telephone, where the message changes as it's passed from one person to another, SNL played its own version on the Mueller report. The results are your late night laughs.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dear, Attorney General Barr, officials from the Justice Department and esteemed members of Congress.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey, guys, William Barr here. You might want to sit down for this one.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guess what, guess what, guess what, daddy is about to freak.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am submitting these 380 pages.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am writing almost four pages.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am reading zero pages. But Sean Hannity has read it, and he was so excited that he texted me an eggplant.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On the charge of obstruction of justice, we have not drawn a definitive conclusion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: But I have. And my conclusion is Trump's clean as a whistle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Free at last, free at last.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As for conspiracy or collusion, there were several questionable incidences involving the President's team but we cannot prove a criminal connection.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No collusion, no diggity, no bout.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: All right. In case you missed that last night, and today is April Fool's, so be careful out there, America. Thanks for joining us. I'm Christine Romans.

BRIGGS: I'm Dave Briggs, here's New Day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FLORES: You don't expect that kind of behavior from someone so powerful. I was just shocked. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I absolutely respected her right to speak out. He didn't try and silence her. He didn't do what a lot of men have done.

WARREN: I believe Lucy Flores. Joe Biden needs to give an answer.

TRUMP: There's a good likelihood that I'll be closing the border.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He is reckless. It would be an absolutely disaster for both sides of the border.

MULVANEY: These countries could do more. That is not an unreasonable position.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ANNOUNCER: This is New Day with Alisyn Camerota and John Berman.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN NEW DAY: We're back. Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is New Day. It's Monday, April 1st, 6:00 here in New York. And it's a special kind of campaign crisis when you haven't entered the campaign yet.

[06:00:03]

But that's just where former Vice President Joe Biden finds himself this morning.

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