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Trump Invites Michigan Republican Lawmakers to the White House; New York Attorney General's Office and Manhattan's District Attorney Investigate Trump Organization. Aired 7:30-8a ET

Aired November 20, 2020 - 07:30   ET

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

[07:30:00]

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: This morning, President Trump is focusing his effort to overturn the election results on Michigan. He has reportedly personally reached out to Michigan state lawmakers and taken the unusual step of inviting two Republicans to the White House.

What will happen next? I am joined now by Michigan's Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson. Secretary Benson, thank you very much for being here. Do you -- have you been able to confirm whether these two Republicans, state lawmakers have accepted the invitation and will be going to the White House today?

JOCELYN BENSON, MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE: You know, I only know what's been reported publicly, which is that it appears the invitation was accepted and you know, I also know, though, that quite publicly, both the Senate Majority leader and the speaker have stated they won't obstruct the will of the voters, and so we also see no indication that that's going to change, either.

CAMEROTA: They have stated that publicly, but I don't know. I mean, everything seems to be so topsy-turvy right now, things do seem to change every day. Have you spoken to them directly?

BENSON: No, I haven't. And I'm trying to, you know, just stay focused on the facts and the data and the reality. And actually, the speaker just texted me and said he hasn't confirmed with anyone that he's going or not. So we'll leave it at that.

CAMEROTA: Oh, I appreciate that. So, you just got a text from the speaker who has been invited and he said he has not yet confirmed. Doesn't he have to sort of, I don't know, make travel plans soon if he's going?

BENSON: I'm just sharing with you all the information that I have, which is simply that. And -- but I'll say this. You know, again, I know both the speaker and the Senate Majority leader well. They're folks who do respect the law. They're folks who do follow the rule of law. And so, again, you know, I'll take their public statements or what they are, which is that they've said that they stand with the will of the voters, which again in our case has been very clear. [07:35:00]

CAMEROTA: I hear you, and I appreciate that, and you do know them personally. But for those of us who know President Trump personally, he can be very persuasive. He, somehow, persuades people in his orbit and around him, and certainly one on one, I mean, and that's -- I think why he invited them, he knows his powers of persuasion one-on- one alone in a room to get people to go along with him. Do you have any concern that, that might happen today?

BENSON: Well, I know that, you know, regardless of anyone's power of persuasion, you can't persuade away the facts and the truth. Which is again that it's very clear that the voters of Michigan have spoken, the election has occurred, the vote has been tallied and tabulated very securely, very accurately.

There's no legal or factual basis to question that. There's been no irregularities, no widespread fraud despite significant scrutiny and folks looking for that. So all of that said, I think, you know, the facts and the truth remain what they are, and I do expect those in every position of authority here in Michigan to respect that and recognize that.

CAMEROTA: Here's what gives me pause. And I will read to you what the Senate Majority leader Mike Shirkey has said. He said -- and this was on November 17th. He said, "I do think we're going to find holes in our elections law, particularly this new reality of mail-in vote."

In that entire analysis, I don't expect it to change the result in Michigan. But that first sentence, secretary, is just enough that maybe there could be an in-road to saying, as we have seen in other states, well, we're just going to have to wait. We can't certify anything because there could just be some abnormality that has to be adjudicated.

BENSON: Well, notably, every county, you know, despite some even confusion about that, every county in Michigan has voted to certify the election. And you know, the state certification that the state board of canvassers we expect on Monday to go similarly, because they have a very clear role also under the law to respect the will of the voters and there's really no wiggle room to interfere or intervene with that. However, we also are going to do after the certification, a statewide risk limiting on it as well as local performance audit to, you know, see where we can improve for future elections. I think there's always opportunities for that.

And certainly, I hope and I've always hoped to work with the legislature on making it, you know, easier to vote, harder to cheat, and to continue to protect the integrity of the system while also ensuring that our clerks and our voters have everything they need to participate in it and ensure that the system works well.

CAMEROTA: So where -- from where you sit this morning, you don't think there's any chance that these two Republican state lawmakers could choose different electors, could choose Republican electors that do something that go rogue somehow. BENSON: No, I know these individuals who are -- people who respect

the rule of law, and the rule of law is quite clear here. And the will of the voters is also quite clear.

So, you know, my hope is that we can all work together collaboratively after we get through this moment to identify any bipartisan, nonpartisan ways to improve our -- but again, we have to also state the truth and the facts which there's also been no irregularities or fraud, widespread fraud that in any way would or should give rise to concern for anyone.

CAMEROTA: Secretary Jocelyn Benson, I think you have made our viewers, many of our viewers feel much better this morning. Thank you very much for sharing what you think is going to happen next with us.

BENSON: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

CAMEROTA: Great to talk to you.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So what just happened there was really important. So, Lee Chatfield is the Michigan speaker of the house who apparently is watching NEW DAY right now, texts the Secretary of State in real-time on our air to say, I haven't confirmed I'm going to the White House yet. Now, I guess he still could go.

CAMEROTA: It's early.

BERMAN: But for him to be so concerned that this idea is out there that he's definitely going, that he's texting her while she's on TV, that tells you something.

CAMEROTA: OK, well --

BERMAN: That's important. This is a marker --

CAMEROTA: I don't want to run on your parade, but in fairness, she reached out to him.

BERMAN: But still --

CAMEROTA: So, I mean, in other words, it wasn't that he wanted to correct the record right then, it was that she was asking, what's the deal, and he said, I don't know yet.

BERMAN: Well, but that, my point is, if he's saying he doesn't know yet right now, I mean, look, you know, this thing -- there are -- he's gauging whether or not this is something he should do. And he hasn't decided yet.

CAMEROTA: True, but the night is young.

BERMAN: Yes, we'll see.

CAMEROTA: Still ahead, new details on the long-running fraud investigations into the Trump Organization in New York. The new phase of the investigation and why it caused Ivanka Trump to take to Twitter.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:40:00]

BERMAN: So this is something. Developing this morning, sources tell CNN that New York authorities are expanding their investigation into the Trump Organization. They're now taking a look at millions of dollars in tax write-offs for what they describe as consulting fees. CNN's Kara Scannell live in New York with the latest into an extent this puts some focus on Ivanka Trump.

KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: Yes, that's right, John, good morning. Sources telling CNN that New York authorities have expanded their investigation into the president and the Trump Organization. They're now looking at millions of dollars in tax write-offs the president had taken in connection with these consulting fees.

And there are two investigations at play here, criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and a civil investigation by the New York Attorney General. Investigators with both offices have subpoenaed the Trump Organization.

Now, this all relates to reporting that "The New York Times" broke several weeks ago where they first disclosed that the president had taken $26 million in tax write-offs relating to fees that were paid to consultants. One of those potential consultants here, "The New York Times" is reporting is Ivanka Trump. According to "The Times", she received a $747,000 payment as a fee. Now, that matched a payment that Ivanka Trump herself had disclosed in her own financial disclosure forms as a member of the administration.

[07:45:00]

So that is now a focus of investigators from both the DA's office and the New York Attorney General's Office. A lawyer for the Trump Organization told "The Times" that everything was done in strict compliance with the law, and that all applicable taxes were paid.

But last night, when "The Times" first broke the story of the subpoena, Ivanka Trump had tweeted out a response. Here's what she said. "This is harassment, pure and simple. This inquiry by New York City Democrats is 100 percent motivated by politics, publicity and rage. They know very well that there's nothing here, and that there was no tax benefit whatsoever. These politicians are simply ruthless."

Now, these investigations will come to ahead and even into more focus in January when the president is out of office. There is an ongoing battle between the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and the president over a subpoena for his tax returns. That is back before the Supreme Court for a second time. And Alisyn, we're expecting a decision on that any day now.

CAMEROTA: Kara, really interesting. You don't often see Ivanka go full Twitter Trump. And so, it is notable that she felt compelled to do that yesterday. So thank you very much for the update on those inquiries. All right, today, a heart-warming reality check, and yes, that's an oxymoron. Even though, outgoing President Trump continues trying to overturn a free and fair election, we may not be as divided as we seem. John Avlon has our reality check.

JOHN AVLON, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Are we really as divided as we seem? Well, some hopeful data suggests otherwise. Even in 1968, a year of assassinations and riots, the presidential election was decided by a razor-thin margin of 521,000 votes.

This year, with more than 5 million popular vote gap separating Joe Biden from Donald Trump, the nation's bitterly divided with a president who for the first time in the modern history is refusing to concede. But Biden won big, and there's a reason beyond the rejection of Donald Trump, the only president to lose the popular vote twice.

Because even with all our deepening partisan and regional divisions, we're actually less divided than meets the eye when it comes to public policy. Take immigration, one of the most bitterly divisive issues of our time. Well, according to a 2020 Pew Research survey, 74 percent of Americans support legal status for immigrants brought here legally as children, often known as dreamers or DACA recipients.

That might surprise you to know that a majority of Republicans surveyed, 54 percent, support such a move. OK, but maybe that's an odd-outlier you say. What about climate change? Well, turns out in another Pew Survey that 65 percent of Americans think the government should do more to combat climate change.

And a majority of Republicans support policies like tougher restrictions on power plant carbon emissions. Against that backdrop, it shouldn't surprise you to know that another Biden priority, infrastructure investment is also broadly popular with the support of 83 percent of Republicans and 90 percent of Democrats. So maybe we'll finally get infrastructure week for real.

But how about cultural war hot button issues like gun reform? Well, if you get past the absolutist rhetoric, you'll find that 92 percent of Republicans favor preventing people with mental illnesses from buying guns, 82 percent of Republicans favor making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks, 54 percent of Republicans favor banning high capacity ammunition magazines.

And 50 percent of Republicans even support banning assault-style weapons. Leadership matters, so does public opinion. As Lincoln said, in this country, public sentiment is everything. With it, nothing can fail, against it, nothing can succeed. That's why this data should give you a little bit of hope for the future. We are not, in fact, as divided as we seem. And for that reason, let's give thanks as we head towards Thanksgiving. And that's your reality check.

CAMEROTA: And we thank John Avlon for that reality check. All right, coming up, more from Dr. Sanjay Gupta's exclusive sit-down interview with Dr. Deborah Birx. But first, CNN goes inside a hospital in Texas that is already overrun with coronavirus patients, and doctors there fear it will get worse.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DENISE MOURNING, ACUTE CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER: For the last few weeks, we're busting out of the seams.

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: When you first have to make that declaration, what is the first thing that goes through your mind?

MOURNING: Please not another one. You know, it's a prayer.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:50:00]

BERMAN: This morning, the coronavirus pandemic is pushing communities to the breaking point. I want to show you hospitalizations in Texas, you can see how much they are now on the rise. It's putting a particular strain on rural communities that don't necessarily have the healthcare capacity of some urban centers. CNN's Omar Jimenez joins us now live from Odessa, with what you've seen and some remarkable reporting, Omar.

JIMENEZ: Well, John, for starters, we are coming off of a day where we have set a new record for single-day coronavirus cases here in Texas. And within this newest surge, the major difference we're seeing when you look at COVID explosions and population centers versus out here in West Texas, for example is simply availability of healthcare. And in Odessa, there are two hospitals, and the pressure to keep up with what has been an unprecedented pace of patients is higher than it's ever been and what it's felt like a never-ending fight.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ (voice-over): It's a reality this part of Texas has only seen in its nightmares. The ICU at Odessa Regional Medical Center in Odessa, Texas, is at its capacity with COVID-19 patients. Even with this hospital at maximum capacity, they're still trying to find places to put COVID-19 patients. All of the beds that you see in this section curtained off at the moment did not exist before the pandemic.

[07:55:00]

Now, it's filled to its absolute capacity while patients here literally are fighting for their lives.

ROHITH SARAVANAN, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, ODESSA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER: We lost about 10 patients last week, and one of them had been on a ventilator for about a month. The ones that are here now on average they've been on a vent for about a week or so.

JIMENEZ: Denise Mourning --

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're getting closer, OK?

JIMENEZ: Is an acute care nurse practitioner. MOURNING: There was only a few times in the Summer where we were

really pushed to the extreme. But now for the last few weeks, we're busting out of the seams.

JIMENEZ: But she and everyone else remain at war with the virus even as some patients begin to take a turn for the worse.

(on camera): When you first have to make that declaration, what is the first thing that goes through your mind?

MOURNING: Please, not another one. You know, it's a prayer. It's inevitable and we know it's going to happen, but the probability of it being a good outcome is very low.

JIMENEZ (voice-over): But most are able to fight it off.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Look at you!

JIMENEZ: And turn the corner. Ruben Romero(ph) is feeling better after two weeks in the hospital, and says this isn't a game. I asked why? Because this is really serious, he says. This virus is not for people to be playing with. It's very dangerous. It attacks your entire body. I'm living it, he says, and it's become life for so many in this part of the state.

Hospital officials in Odessa say anywhere from 35 percent to 40 percent of the people getting tested are testing positive for COVID- 19. They fear becoming what El Paso has become, mobile morgues for the dead. Hundreds in the ICU amid record hospitalizations and roughly one in every 24 people actively with COVID-19. It's required a regional coordination like never before.

WANDA HELGESEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BORDERRAC: You know, in a relatively short period of time, our hospitals have added over 600 beds.

JIMENEZ: Wow --

HELGESEN: Even with that, we have flown out about 84 ICU patients to other communities in Texas.

JIMENEZ: And smaller towns, once thought to have escaped the virus' grip, find themselves right in the crosshairs. Towns like Lamesa, Texas, near Odessa, Shelley Barron was hospitalized twice with COVID- 19, a diagnosis she's hearing more and more in her community.

SHELLEY BARRON, LAMESA, TEXAS RESIDENT: The scary word is positive. I'm positive. You know, we tested positive. We've got two more right now, we experienced a death in our church yesterday. This stuff is real. It's scary.

JIMENEZ: Medical Arts Hospital where she was mostly treated now has an entire wing dedicated to COVID-19 patients. Transformations that have become shared experiences.

SARAVANAN: We're actually sending home patients on home oxygen to recover at home. That's not something we would normally do, but there is no space.

JIMENEZ: All for a month's long fight with no clear signs of an end.

MOURNING: People aren't taking the precautions that they need. Yes, we're frontline here in the hospital, but the real frontline is on the streets, in the grocery stores. Wash your hands. Wear your mask, stay away. I promise that the little bit of time and the little bit of effort it takes outside of here is worth it because once you're here, wearing a mask is better than having a tube down your throat. I promise.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JIMENEZ: And one of the things Denise went on to say is that in the beginning, she and her co-workers were cheered as frontline workers. Now she says she's getting threats as people think she's the reason they can't come see their loved ones. John?

BERMAN: Oh, man, wearing a mask is better than having a tube down your throat, says the frontline worker at this point. Omar Jiminez, thank you for that report. Important, to say the least. Coming up, we're going to have more of CNN's exclusive interview with Dr. Deborah Birx as cases hit a new all-time high. NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Trump's assault on the outcome of the election taking on a new intensity.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Inviting Michigan Republican state lawmakers to the White House, hoping he can twist their arms into overturning the election.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT-ELECT, UNITED STATES: Incredibly damaging message is being sent to the rest of the world. He'll go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nearly 80,000 COVID patients nationwide.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As testing lines grow ahead of Thanksgiving, this stark new advisory.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It is much better to have a Zoom Thanksgiving than an ICU Christmas.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world, this is NEW DAY, so here we are. Two months from today, Joe Biden will be sworn in as president. He will. But before we get there, the defeated president is explicitly trying to overturn the election, which really should shock you. It's a historical aberration, as is the fact that the U.S. reported 2,015 new COVID deaths overnight.