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Trump and Harris Pitch Voters on Economic Message; Zelenskyy to Address U.N. General Assembly; Zelenskyy's Speech at U.N. General Assembly. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired September 25, 2024 - 09:30   ET

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

[09:30:00]

ALAYNA TREENE, CNN REPORTER: Donald Trump more on the economy than they do Harris. So that's a big reason why I think you're seeing both of them out here today talk about it, but specifically Donald Trump here in North Carolina.

Now, one thing I do also want to mention, John, because this has been coming up a lot in many of Donald Trump's recent speeches, is him trying to court the gender gap. So, I just walked you through some of the polling on the economy. But when it comes to female voters, Harris is definitely winning that fight. Our CNN national poll had likely voters under 35, women voters, with Harris for 52 percent compared to Donald Trump at 40 percent, and likely voters under 30 percent, Harris at 55 and Trump at 38 percent.

So, again, all of these polls are clearly weighing on both of these candidates' minds. But I know that Donald Trump specifically is worried about the gender gap and courting female voters.

We actually heard him address this specifically earlier this week when he was in Pennsylvania. I want you to take a listen to what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT AND 2024 PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I always thought women liked me. I never thought I had a problem. But the fake news keeps saying women don't like me. I don't believe it.

You will be protected. And I will be your protector.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

TREENE: So, as you could hear him there, John, saying that he would be women's protector.

He's also said that if he were to win the election, he thinks that female voters across the country would forget about abortion. An issue that he recognizes his campaign is not doing as well on.

But, look, this is definitely a key concern with Donald Trump's campaign. And my conversations with his advisers, they recognize that this growing gender gap is a problem for them. And I think you're going to hear him talk about that again today here in North Carolina in just a couple hours.

John.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we will be watching.

Alayna Treene, in Mint Hill, right about there. We can see her right underneath that yellow x.

Alayna, thank you very much.

Kate

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: She's like, ah there's a yellow x that just happened on my head.

Anyway, joining us right now is former special assistant to President Biden, Meghan Hays, and former Trump administration official Matt Myers.

Good to see you guys.

Let's jump into all of it, economy, women voters, and then I want to add in a little spice of young voters. Let's start with the economy.

It is - I would be surprised if it ever leaves the tier of being the most important issue. Something would really have to happen for it to - it to move. Every time I have a Democratic official on, a surrogate, a governor, I had Jared Polis on, and I asked, why isn't she gaining more ground in terms of the economy? They say, people just need to hear her message more.

What - what is the exploration data on that, do you think?

MEGHAN HAYS, DNC CONVENTION CONSULTANT: Election Day. But in all seriousness, I think she is laying out pieces of her message. And I think that people want to get to know her. But that's a tall task when she's been on the top of the ballot.

BOLDUAN: But do you think more detail is what - because I started getting a sense that - that they think they might be doing pretty well staying broad strokes in terms of their intent with their economic policy, not necessarily the, this is the level of tariff I would like to impose or not. I don't know.

HAYS: No, I don't think they need to get into the level of detail. I don't think most of the American people really understand that level of detail. I think they need to understand how this is going to affect them and their kitchen table issues. How are they going to have gas prices that are coming down? How is that going to impact them? How are groceries going to be less? And I think those are the things that we're starting to see now. And I think that she needs to start laying out. She's talking about cutting costs for the middle class and tax cuts. She's also comparing her plan against Donald Trump's economy plan, which is only cutting, you know, taxes for corporations and is going to cost the middle class more money.

So, I think, you know, while laying out her plans, she also needs to draw that contrast with the president, which I think you'll see her do today - with the former president, I'm sorry.

BOLDUAN: When I think of the economy and how people remember and feel about Donald Trump in the economy, one thing that strikes me is he paints her economic policies as extreme, extreme, extreme and radical, though polling is showing that they see her views - voters generally see her views as more mainstream. I'm - like, that - they're - they - a more - a higher percent sees her views as mainstream than anything else. And how does that all fit in then?

MATT MOWERS, FORMER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: Well, no, I think if you look at some focus groups that actually showed the opposite on those issues. And, look, that's part of the reason why the Trump campaign needs to continue to go out and show exactly why her policies aren't going to help average voters.

And I think what's really missing for Kamala Harris right now is a lack of empathy, right?

BOLDUAN: Really?

MOWERS: I mean, you know, Bill Clinton mostly won in 1992 because he was able to go out and say, I feel your pain. If you go back to that first answer in the debate where she was asked, you know, what do you say to voters who are asking if they're better off now than they were four years ago, she went to a litany of talking points. It was - it was broad and invasive. Instead of actually saying, guess what, it's been a hard time and we need to do better and here's what I'm going to do, she hasn't done that. Instead, she's gone back in saying, well, actually, don't believe your pocketbook, believe what Joe Biden and I have been saying for the last four years, everything's fine. That doesn't connect with voters right now. There are a number of voters who are honestly hurting right now because of the increased cost of gas, goods, and groceries. As long as that's stubborn, as long as she's not willing to kind of show an ounce of empathy for that, I think she's going to remain stuck in this problem right now where she's not able to overtake Donald Trump on the number one issue of this campaign. The economy's been the number one issue for over a year. And I don't see that change in the next 40 some odd days.

[09:35:01]

BOLDUAN: Does Donald Trump have high EQ?

HAYS: No. No. But I will just go back -

BOLDUAN: I'm just saying, in terms of empathy.

HAYS: No, I will just go back to say that I think in her interview that she did with Dana Bash, she did say we have to do more. She says that all the time. Where I understand your point of where people are -

BOLDUAN: Yes. HAYS: And they need to feel their pocketbooks moving. And I - they - I totally see your point on that. I do think she's showing empathy. And she has said many times, like, we need to do better. We - I see that you people are struggling. So, I just want to make that -

BOLDUAN: I want to point - I want to jump into - it's very clear that Donald Trump is focusing in on women voters are making an appeal to women voters. Obviously, Kamala Harris has been speaking to that since, well, before and - before she got into the race and during - during - when she got into the race.

David Chalian - in the new CNN polling, David Chalian pointed out to me this morning something he - that caught his eye that I wanted to pose to you guys. Donald Trump has an enormous advantage with white male voters. We have seen that over and over again. Among white women, Kamala Harris is within the margin of error. Well within the margin of error in terms of - in terms of that subgroup.

The context here is, Hillary Clinton, 2016, lost white women to Donald Trump by nine points. Joe Biden lost white women in 2020 do Donald Trump by 11 points. And if this - what this polling says about the gains Kamala Harris is making in terms of white women tracks, David Chalian says that could prove a problem for Joe - for Donald Trump. Does that - does that, at this stage in the game, does that concern you? Should it concern the campaign?

MOWERS: Well, because I think the gender gap right now is working both ways, right? We do see a historic gender gap among women voters. We're also seeing an historic gender gap among male voters. And that's actually given Donald Trump opportunities to go out and get voters that haven't voted Republican in generations. Young African American men, young Hispanic men, young white men. He's actually now potentially on the cusp of winning young men for the first time that we've seen in probably a generation for a Republican candidate. And that's in part because this this gender gap.

Now, what you are seeing is both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump's campaigns recognize that there is some risks in that strategy of just maximizing the number of male votes or female votes that can get.

BOLDUAN: True.

MOWERS: And so you've got Kamala Harris talking about, you know, shooting people coming into her house, and you've got Donald Trump now making some strong overtures towards suburban women voters. And both of them, obviously, recognize that this campaign, if we looked down at the breakdown on election night, whichever one wins that gap, so let's say it's Kamala Harris with women or Donald Trump with men, by a larger margin than they lose the other one wins on Election Day. And that's what they're trying to focus on right now.

BOLDUAN: Final thought, Meghan.

HAYS: Yes, absolutely. But I do think that the vice president - one thing that was different in 2016 and 2020 that's not - that's happening now is abortion has been on the ballot and abortion is still there and freedoms for women's health care. And I think that's where you're seeing a lot of movement with white women especially in these suburban places in these battleground states. They don't need Donald Trump to say that they're going to be a protector. They don't need a protector. They need someone that's going to fight for their health care and fight for their health care freedoms.

BOLDUAN: It is the messaging and the very direct messaging shifts that we're seeing this week I've - I've found very - very, very interesting. Let's see what happens today as they're both back on the trail.

Thanks, guys, it's good to see you.

MOWERS: Thanks a lot.

HAYS: Thank you.

BOLDUAN: Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: All right, thank you, Kate.

Just minutes from now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will give one of the most important speeches of his career at the U.N. General Assembly. He's trying to keep support from world leaders, including the United States. We will bring that to you live.

Another woman has now come forward accusing Sean "Diddy" Combs of drugging, binding, and raping her, and then videotaping the assault. What she is saying this morning.

All of that's ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:43:06]

SIDNER: (INAUDIBLE) Benjamin Netanyahu (INAUDIBLE). Chief national (INAUDIBLE) Alex Marquart at the U.N. this morning for us.

What can we expect to hear (INEDIBLE) today?

ALEX MARQUARDT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, President (INAUDIBLE) due to speak in the next (INAUDIBLE).

But, Sara, it (INAUDIBLE). He is (INAUDIBLE) Russia (INAUDIBLE) to the (INAUDIBLE) - that Russia can only be (INAUDIBLE). It's why the (INAUDIBLE).

Now, at the same time, Sara (INAUDIBLE) countries around the world. Of course (INAUDIBLE). And then (INAUDIBLE) pitching to the (INAUDIBLE) told you (INAUDIBLE)

[09:45:00]

Long term economic and military support, (INAUDIBLE) fired into Russia (INAUDIBLE). He said that a lot (INAUDIBLE) in the United States. But (INAUDIBLE) full aware (INAUDIBLE) American (INAUDIBLE) Donald Trump. (INAUDIBLE) campaigns (INAUDIBLE) for that is not on the schedule.

Sara.

SIDNER: OK, also you've got, obviously, European leaders very concerned of - their proximity as well.

We're hearing that the U.S. is expected to approve billions in new aid for Ukraine. What do you know about that?

MARQUARDT: Well, there are these regular aid packages for Ukraine that come out, usually hundreds of millions of dollars. We're expecting one soon that will be around $375 million.

But then, Sara, they are expected to spike significantly. And that's because there is nearly $6 billion (INAUDIBLE) needs to be (INAUDIBLE) by the end of the month that's going to run out. It's from what's called the Presidential Drawdown Authority. And that will expire. Congress is not extending it. So, we could suddenly see one or more multibillion-dollar packages for Ukraine, Sara.

SIDNER: All right, Alex Marquardt there outside of the U.N. Thank you so much for your reporting.

Kate

BOLDUAN: A new lawsuit accuses Sean "Diddy" Combs and his bodyguard of sexually assaulting a woman in 2001, and filming the attack.

We'll be back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[09:51:00]

PRES. VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, UKRAINE: And everyone in Ukraine was reminded of what Chernobyl means. Now the Zaporizhian nuclear power plant remains occupied by Russian forces, unfortunately. And it's at risk of a nuclear incident. This is the major source of radiation danger in Europe, possibly in the world. That's why, in the peace formula I presented, the first point is about nuclear safety. In Ukraine we know exactly what we are dealing with. And I want to thank you, the General Assembly members, for adopting a resolution in July this year on the safety of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. Most in the world understand what's at stake. The General Assembly demanded that Russian return control of the Zaporizhian nuclear power plant to Ukraine. Only then real nuclear security will return to Europe and the world.

And now about the day that must never come. Since Russia can't defeat our people's resistance on their battlefield, Putin is looking for other ways to break the Ukrainian spirit. One of his methods is targeting our energy infrastructure. And these are deliberate Russian attacks on our power plants and the entire energy grid. As of today, Russia has destroyed all our thermal power plants and a large part of our hydroelectric capacity. This is how Putin is preparing for winter, hoping to torment millions, millions of Ukrainians. Ordinary families, women, children, ordinary towns, ordinary (INAUDIBLE).

Putin wants to leave them in the dark and cold this winter, forcing Ukraine to suffer and surrender. Just imagine, please, your country with 80 percent of its energy system gone, with such a destroyed part of the system. What kind of life would that be?

Recently, I received yet another alarming report from our intelligence. Now, Putin does seem to be planning attacks on our nuclear power plants and the infrastructure, aiming to disconnect the plants from the power grid with the help of satellites, by the way, ladies and gentlemen, by the way, satellites of other countries. Russia is getting images and detailed information about the infrastructure of our nuclear power plants. But what does this really threaten? Any missile or drone strike, any critical incident in the energy system could lead to a nuclear disaster. A day like that must never come. And Moscow needs to understand this, and this depends in part on your determination to put pressure on the aggressor. These are nuclear power plants. They must be safe.

Ladies and gentlemen, two years ago in the fall of 2022 I proposed a comprehensive strategy to end the war and to ensure security. And I presented the peace formula at a highly inclusive political platform for world leaders at the G-20 summit in Indonesia, representing billions of citizens from all parts of the globe. And it's important for us that all these people can understand us, understand that Ukraine wants to end this war more than anyone in the world.

[09:55:09]

War always poses a threat to many. You all see in the media and read in the reports what is happening in Ukraine because of Russia's war. It's something many are imagining happening to themselves. And, yes, the small (INAUDIBLE) fires in war torn cities can reach other countries. And if, God forbid, Russia causes a nuclear disaster at one - at one of our nuclear power plants, radiation will not respect state borders. And, unfortunately, various nations could feel the devastating effects. Many are conserved. But the deepest understanding of war is always found in the home it destroys.

It's the Ukrainian people who fill the full pain of this war. It's Ukrainian children who are learning to distinguish the sounds of different types of artillery and drones because of Russia's war, it's our people who are forcefully separated by occupation because Putin decided he could do whatever he wants. It's our heroic soldiers who are giving their lives to defend our country from invaders trying to steal our land. That's why we say, rightfully so, there can be no just peace without Ukraine. And I think every leader, every country that supports us in this, that understands us, that sees how Russia, a country more than 20 times larger than Ukraine in territory, still wants even more land, more land, which is insane and is season it day by day, while wanting to destroy its neighbor.

And Russia found very special bodies for that. North Korea and Iran. Telling choice of friends. And now every neighbor of Russia in Europe and central Asia feels that the war could come to them as well. And just think what kind of losses that would mean for the world. And I think nearly 100 nations and international organizations that have supported the peace formula. It's truly a global community, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the pacific region, all united by the peace formula. And I am glad that the first peace summit was so reminding of the U.N. General Assembly. Everyone was equal. All nations that participated in the peace summit, large and small. No (INAUDIBLE). No blocking authority though that have been independent for ages and those that have only recently gained independence. Those that have gone through wars themselves, and those accustomed to peace all.

All were equal. That is what Russia hates the most and cannot control. That's why Russia says the peace formula doesn't suit it.

Here, at the U.N., I've already met with leaders from India, Guatemala, Japan, and Italy, Turkey and Finland, Canada, Paraguay, Slovenia, Germany, and others and - and my meetings will continue. These are different absolutely parts of the world and various political waves of life. But they share the same understanding. Peace is needed and it must be a real just peace.

Unfortunately, at the U.N., it's impossible to truly and fairly resolve matters of war and peace because too much - too much depends in the security council on the veto power. When the aggressor exercise veto power, the U.N. is powerless to stop the war. But the peace formula can. Once again, there is no veto power in it. That's why it's the best opportunity for peace. Everyone is equal. And it's effective and comprehensive.

[09:59:50]

When some propose alternatives, half-hearted settlement plans, so- called sets of principles, it not only ignores the interests and suffering of Ukrainians who are affected by the war the most, it not only