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Kentucky's Governor is Interviewed on Containing the Coronavirus; New York City's Mayor is Interviewed on Reopening the City; Prosecutors Build Case in McCann Death. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired June 26, 2020 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The greatest testing. If we didn't do testing, we'd have no cases. Other countries, they don't test millions. So we're up to almost 30 million tests. So when you do 30 million, you're going to have a kid with the sniffles and they'll say it's coronavirus, whatever you want to call it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: (INAUDIBLE) seriously. How is that taking it seriously? What's the impact of a statement like that?

GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D-KY): Well, I believe that we have to test and we need to test even more than we're doing right now. You know, in Kentucky, we're testing almost double what the White House suggests that we test each month. And I would test even more than that if we have the capacity and if we can get people to do it.

This is about protecting people. And -- and the only way that you can start doing that is by knowing where the virus is, how many people have it, and making sure that asymptomatic folks don't spread it to those that it might be a serious danger for. I believe in testing and contact tracing.

BERMAN: What about the tone though? What about the tone? What about the -- what about the tone, though, of how he talks about it? What about the refusal to wear masks?

BESHEAR: Will, I do believe the president should be wearing a mask. I say that in Kentucky, when I normally don't -- don't talk about the president. But it's a very important step in leadership and in modeling.

You know, this -- this wearing a mask, you know, it may be uncomfortable, but it's such a small step to protect your fellow human being. Whether it's based on your morals or your faith, you know, I believe that we have a duty to one another. And so many of us on Sundays, you know, go and are taught and learn about how important loving your neighbor is. We've got to show it now. Such a small step that can go such a long way.

And from those that have other concerns about it, somehow it's become this big, political divide. Well, if you want to reopen the economy, if you want us to be successful, if you want to do more of what you used to be able to do, it's pretty simple, wash your hands, stay six feet away from people, and wear a mask.

BERMAN: One.

BESHEAR: That is such a small sacrifice compared to say what our population did during World War II.

BERMAN: Very quickly, Kentucky, the Kentucky Derby, it's going to be run in the fall. And as of now, the plan is to run it before some fans. Is that a good idea? Or why is it a good idea to allow fans in given the situation?

BESHEAR: Well, what we received is a very thorough plan with a very reduced capacity, whereby the track is following the guidelines that we have for restaurants that we believe work or other venues. So what's important here is that when it's done, it's done right.

And I believe that there are lots of things that we can do out there as long as we adjust to a new normal, which means wearing masks, which means social distancing. Again, if we're just willing to take small steps to protect one another, we can still do a lot of things. But we have to remember the virus is out there, it's aggressive and it can be deadly. So now our tasks between now and the derby is to do it right.

I believe that we can. And if we can, I think it's a model for how we can adjust to the new normal before a vaccine.

BERMAN: Governor Andy Beshear, we wish you the best of luck. Thank you so much for being with us this morning. We always appreciate your time.

BESHEAR: Thank you.

BERMAN: Now, here's what else to watch today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ON SCREEN TEXT: 9:00 a.m. ET, House votes on DC statehood.

12:30 p.m. ET, Coronavirus task force briefing.

2:40 p.m. ET, Trump speaks at White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: New York City about to begin the next phase of reopening, but that brings new challenges. Mayor Bill de Blasio joins us next.

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[08:37:49]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Ten days from now, New York City is set to enter phase three of its reopening. And that means indoor dining at restaurants with a limited capacity and things like basketball courts, soccer fields and dog runs will be open.

Joining us now with this and more is New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Mr. Mayor, great to see you this morning.

I can see your excitement at the concept and prospect of reopening. And I -- you're not alone. Lots of people are excited.

But -- but -- and not to be a wet blanket, but this morning, Mr. Mayor, as you look at the national map of -- of the majority of states going in the wrong direction, are you also nervous at the prospect of what could happen in New York and if it could boomerang back here?

MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO (D), NEW YORK CITY, NY: Sure. Yes, Alisyn, excited but nervous is the right way to think about it. The -- we've been through hell. You know it. New York City went through so much. We're finally making a really strong comeback. It's exciting. It's a great feeling. We have outdoor dining now happening. A lot of businesses coming back.

And yet we're looking at states around our country, most states seem to be having more and more trouble. And that makes me worried. So we watch the data every single day, Alisyn. And I think this was the mistake bluntly some places in this country made was to make the decisions, whether it was politics or some other consideration, rather than based on the data. We watched the health care data all the time. We share it with the people. We explain how it connects to the decisions that we make.

So far, so good. We're seeing the percentage of people testing positive has been at 2 percent consistently. Relatively few people in the hospital. That's the good news. But we are watching this national situation because I'm worried about a resurgence, obviously, for all of us.

CAMEROTA: And, look, so many people love to come to New York. So many tourists. This is a great vacation spot for people. How are you going to keep travelers from those other states from coming into New York this summer?

DE BLASIO: Look, we want people, as the economy starts to rebound, as life starts to move in the right direction, we want people to visit us. But, first, they're coming from a state that's having a real problem.

[08:40:02]

We need them to quarantine. And so some people, if they're coming here for a longer stay, that could work. For other people, that may not work. But we need to be about safety and health first.

Look, if we get enough testing around this country and it's still the great Achilles heel that our federal government has never provided enough testing, and the follow through to keep people safe, eventually we're going to get out of this. Obviously, a vaccine one day. But, for now, my central concern is the health and safety of New

Yorkers. We're doing pretty well on our own. We're going to be really careful about anyone who comes to visit.

CAMEROTA: Fourth of July is coming up. How are you going to make sure that people don't congregate and are safe?

DE BLASIO: So we're doing something different this year, Alisyn. You know, we -- every year we've had the amazing fireworks show that Macy's puts on. They've been great partners with the city. But instead of one big show, we're going to split it up into sort of mini shows around the five boroughs. Late notice so it's not about a bunch of people congregating. But people watching from their rooftops, from their blocks, you know, getting to see something and feel that moment of pride in our country and how far we've come this year, but not having big mass gatherings. We don't want that.

CAMEROTA: Do you think that Broadway is going to open this year?

DE BLASIO: I'm -- look, I'm always going to hold out hope. I think it's fair to say, Alisyn, not this summer. This is something the earliest you could talk about is this fall. And it really gets back to the data. If we continue to get healthier and healthier as we have been here in New York City, I'd love to see that date. But, of course, you'd have to assume not full capacity to begin.

We're going to work with Broadway. We're going to see if there's a way. But health and safety first, again. We -- we -- we're not going to jump until we're sure it's safe.

CAMEROTA: OK, on another topic, you want to paint a big Black Lives Matter mural across from Trump Tower.

DE BLASIO: Yes.

CAMEROTA: As expected, this has gotten President Trump's attention. He tweeted about this. He says, I'm told that New York City Bill de Blasio wants to paint the fabled and beautiful Fifth Avenue right in front of Trump Tower/Tiffany with a big yellow black lives matter sign. Then he says something that is false, so I won't read it. And then he goes on to say, police are furious.

Your reaction?

DE BLASIO: Alisyn, so many things he says are so broken.

Look, this country was built by the labor of African-Americans, including enslaved African-Americans. The only reason you have a Fifth Avenue and all the greatness of New York City and America is because of the labor of black people that has so often gone uncompensated in so many ways. We need to make clear to the whole country that black lives matter. So why not put it right where it matters most, the center of the city, Fifth Avenue, and send a message to the president, because he does not embrace Black Lives Matter. He totally misunderstands. And then he tries to denigrate this movement that is about humanity and associate it with things that have nothing to do with Black Lives Matter.

Look, there's a -- our -- Alisyn, our police force is majority people of color, including a lot of proud African-Americans. He doesn't understand that police today more and more reject the past and don't want to see us go backwards. And the president only knows how to divide. I mean this is the thing that is so evident in his response. This could have been a moment for a magnanimous approach, Alisyn. The president could have said, look, I'm happy to see Black Lives Matter right in front of my own doorstep because I want this country to be whole. Instead he goes to the one trick he knows, which is to try and divide people, to be a racial arsonist when, in fact, he's supposed to be our national healer.

CAMEROTA: Look, you've been very candid about the financial dire straits that New York City is in, that this pandemic has only exasperated. And, in fact, you're saying that unless you get billions of federal dollars, you're going to have to lay off tens of thousands of city workers. And so do you think that a public spat like this, with President Trump, is going to help Republicans in Congress feel sympathy for New York?

DE BLASIO: Alisyn, I made a decision to honor the black people of this city and all of America, African-Americans who built this city by simply saying black lives matter and putting it some place where it would get the attention it deserves. That is not anything but respect, a show of respect for people who deserve that respect. The president decided to turn it into the political controversy for his own ends.

But on the question of this city, the nation's largest city, one of the great engines of the American economy, if the president wants America to restart and recover, he has to help New York City and all cities and states that are suffering. Alisyn, if we don't get the federal stimulus by October 1st, we have to lay off 22,000 teachers, educators, firefighters, EMTs, health care workers, the people who are the heroes in the fight against the coronavirus.

[08:45:04]

A lot of them now won't have a job because there's just no money. There's no revenue. We don't, as you said, the tourists -- the tourists haven't been here for a long time. A lot of what we depended on is not going to happen in this city for a long, long time. The federal government should step in and help us recover. So far Donald Trump hasn't said a word about trying to help America's cities and states back on their feet.

So, no, no, I'm quite clear, if the president was doing his job, he would have gotten the Senate to do the stimulus already so we could all move forward. He doesn't seem to care.

CAMEROTA: Mayor Bill de Blasio, we really appreciate your time. Thank you very much for explaining what these next few weeks should look like in New York.

DE BLASIO: Thank you, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Great to talk to you.

A big breakthrough in the case of Madeleine McCann. We'll see what the status is. Is it now slipping away? What investigators need to solve her disappearance 13 years ago. That's next.

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[08:50:07]

BERMAN: German (ph) prosecutors are trying to build a case against the new suspect in the possible murder of three-year-old Madeleine McCann 13 years ago. The suspect has an extensive rap sheet. CNN tracing his movements in both Portugal and Germany.

CNN's Frederik Pleitgen live in Berlin with more.

This is really interesting, Fred.

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It certainly is really fascinating. And right now, you know, John, the prosecutors say that they are very confident that they have the right guy, but they're not confident enough yet to be able to take all of this to trial. And so they are asking people for more information. Not just people who were in Portugal at the time, but also people who know the suspect and knew the suspect here in Germany.

And we did go both to Portugal and here in Germany and look around and try to retrace the steps of this man. Here's what we found.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN (voice over): Praia da Luz, the Portuguese resort from where the then three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished in 2007. Investigators believe the man they now think murdered her, 43-year-old German Christian B., lived in this house less than a mile away at the time.

PLEITGEN (on camera): German prosecutors are asking members of the public to come forward with any sort of tips they might have. They believe that even 13 years later, there might be people out there who could have valuable information about anything suspicious, not just that happened outside of this house, but that might have happened inside as well.

PLEITGEN (voice over): Authorities released these pictures and are calling on anyone who may remember having been inside around the year 2007 to come forward. But as German prosecutors trace Christian B.'s movement, we get to the village Foral, around 30 miles to the east. It was out of this house that a friend of Christian B. was running an agency taking care of children from Germany at the time, the owner of the property tells CNN. When one of the kids ran away, Christian Bruckner appeared and camped outside the house living in his distinctive camper van for more than two months until he brought the child back according to the house's owner.

Portuguese authorities are refusing to comment on the case. CNN has learned the Volkswagen camper van, about which the authorities

are also seeking further information, was found only a few miles away. Christian B. later moved to Germany, where he ran a kiosk. One of the workers there recalls him getting tense when the McCann investigation came up.

LENTA JOHLITZ, WORKED WITH CHRISTIAN B. (through translator): At some point he just said, people need to stop. The child is long dead. And I asked, how would he know? The child might just have run away or been kidnapped. But he said, after so many years, the child must be dead. And a dead body can be hidden easily.

PLEITGEN: Prosecutors say Christian B. also bought this abandoned factory about a hundred miles away. Police conducted several searches here in the past years.

PLEITGEN (on camera): As you can see, there's still a lot of stuff laying around here, but the authorities say that it wasn't until they started digging on this property that they found several data carriers with lots of pornographic material, including child porn, on them.

PLEITGEN (voice over): The local prosecutor also says that children's bathing suits were found on the premises. This as authorities say they believe Christian B. may be responsible for other crimes.

HANS CHRISTIAN WOLTERS, BRAUNSCHWEIG STATE PROSECUTOR (through translator): We're pursuing two goals. One is, of course, to solve the murder of Maddy McCann in such a way that we ultimately get a judgment by a court in which the accused is also convicted. However, it's at least as important for us to find possible further victims of our accused in Portugal and perhaps elsewhere.

PLEITGEN: Currently jailed for another crime, Christian B.'s lawyer says his client is not talking to authorities, but that hasn't stopped German prosecutors who continue to put together their case hoping to finally solve the mystery of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PLEITGEN: And, guys, I was just saying there that he's currently serving time for another crime. Well, he has now reached the halfway mark of that sentence. And one of the things that he has now done through his lawyers is ask for early release on parole. That's something that's possible under the German criminal law. And, of course, there is the possibility that that parole could be granted. So certainly, right now, the investigators here in Germany are very much under time pressure to try and get something to stick fairly quickly or risk this man possibly walking free in the not too distant future, Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Oh, my gosh, the hell that the McCann family has gone through these years is just unthinkable.

Fred, thank you very much.

Well, coronavirus has. of course, taken a devastating toll and the death of George Floyd has only brought more turmoil. Experts say the country is experiencing symptoms of grief right now. Two CNN heroes, Mary Robinson (ph) and Annette March Grier (ph), have dedicated their lives to helping people learn to cope with loss. And they share their thoughts on how to get through all of this.

[08:55:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Grieving is what we do when we lose someone or something we value. It's not just when someone dies. There's a pandemic of grief right now. We're grieving the loss of our daily lives, of all of our connections, of jobs, and we have no control over it.

CROWD: No justice, no peace.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And now we're facing what has happened to George Floyd but we can use this traumatic experience as a growth opportunity. The more we're able to act in a constructive way makes more meaning for us so that we can move forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: For more on dealing with loss, go to CNN heroes.com.

John, have a good weekend.

BERMAN: You, Alisyn Camerota, have a great weekend.

CAMEROTA: Thank you. Oh, thank you. You've upped the ante.

BERMAN: Yes.

CAMEROTA: I will.

And to all of you, CNN's coronavirus coverage continues next.

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