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White House Correspondent's Dinner Tonight; Media Manager Fired Over Sterling Comments; More Than 200 Girls Kidnapped In Nigeria; Kidnapped OSCE Military Monitors Set Free
Aired May 03, 2014 - 18:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, well his bid? Case you're wondering might include Oprah also. She has given show audience cars. What would she give an employee?
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: She would get a lot of eyes and publicity and goes a long way and that will get you paid.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I agree with that one. Music and showbiz insider David Geffen is another possibly. Worth more than $5 billion.
LEMON: I would like that. I would like him. He would be cool.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: So you're going to be here and people, I guess, you guys can all tweet don and let him know your pick for the night, right? See if anybody agrees with you on Oprah or anybody else?
LEMON: But I'm not just sloughing off here. I have an outfit I'm going to change into.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Right. Because you're handling the correspondents dinner.
LEMON: The White House correspondence dinner. So I will be wear a tuxedo later. I think so.. Why not? If you are going to do it, you are going to commit.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Pretty fancy. Do you have time like in a commercial break?
LEMON: Wait until you see who is the opening announcer.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK.
LEMON: Should I tell?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
LEMON: Don't tell?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Don't tell.
LEMON: Very excited.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Big secret.
All right, well, everybody, that's it for me tonight. Don will take over for our special coverage, as we mentioned, the white accordance dinner.
LEMON: Make sure you watch. And you too.
Hello, everyone. Top of the hour. I'm Don Lemon. You are on the CNN NEWSROOM.
We are watching four big stories around the globe today.
These people are free today after being hostages for more than week. Their monitors of several countries. They went to check on the situation in Ukraine. And while they are now free of the tension and violence, the Ukraine remain high.
In Nigeria more than 200 girls are being held hostage. Demonstrators from London to New York rallied today to call for their freedom. We are going to take you inside a global push to help these girls. Make sure you stay tuned for that.
And in Los Angeles, the Clippers are gearing up for a game seven of the playoffs. This after owner Donald Sterling dominated headlines this week for racist remarks leaked to the media. We have new comments from Sterling and the woman, and the woman who leaked his remarks or is accused of leaking his remarks.
A very real possibility of a civil war, though, and moving into eastern Ukraine. That's where we will start. That is a part of the country, that borders Russia. These Ukrainian soldiers today roll through one of several town that have been overrun by armed separatists who believe those towns should be Russians. And this is happening not right on the border. It is happening more than 150 miles into Ukraine.
It's after midnight in Ukraine now. And government leaders are promising that active military operations will continue when the sun comes up. Dozens of civilians and separatists have been killed in the fighting so far and people who live in the region are being told to stay in their homes for safety.
As I said a minute ago, a team of military monitors from the OSCE was taken hostage more than a week ago but they are now free. They were held against their will by Ukrainian separatists who are trying to take over their cities and their towns.
On the phone with me now is NTF Michael Bossercue (ph). He is a spokesman for the organization of safety and cooperation in Europe.
Michael, thank you for joining us. I know you are very busy.
First of all, the condition of your colleagues who were released today, were any of them hurt?
MICHAEL BOSSERCUE (ph), SPOKESMAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF SAFETY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (via hone): Hi Don. Well, thank you for asking. Of course, we are delighted that they are released and yes, they are fine. They are actually on their way to their home country as we speak.
The OSCE played a important role in talking to their captors of the course of seven days under very, very difficult conditions. So, we were able to receive them today and bring them back to the nest and now they are on their way home. So very delighted they are free now.
LEMON: Why were they let go? I mean, who negotiated and did the separatists make any demands?
BOSSERCUE (ph): Our understanding it was an unconditional release which is what our head of mission and other task in calling for. All right, we know, Don, is that we had quite an intense series of talks over the past few days. Sometimes those talks lasted for hours but it was quite a sudden release. We started getting word of it may be about 24 hours ago is that they are free and healthy.
LEMON: Will the OSCE advise retaliation against these hostage takers?
BOSSERCUE (ph): No. I mean, our main role here is to work towards de-escalation. So, the way we do that is by reporting factually what is happening on the ground and also bringing people to the table to work towards this reconciliation.
I can tell you, Don, that today we reported that over the last 24 hours the situation in the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine have worsened quite significantly and should have this included, for example, the reporting of manned anti-aircraft type of equipment in the eastern part of Ukraine around Sylviaance (ph). So this is quite -- this represents quite an escalation because of this type of equipment hasn't been used up until now. Also, the worsening situation in Odessa where over 40 people died last night.
LEMON: Do you feel safe?
BOSSERCUE (ph): Well, I have been around I still have my colleagues. We have about 150 of them and it is going every day. We face challenges every day and more and more road blocks such as armed men at checked points but we feel the OSCE plays a very key role in trying to, as much as, keep the region stabilized. We are getting closer and closer to the May 25th presidential elections and it's very important this take place in a safe manner.
LEMON: Now that you have people watching in the United States and around the world, what should people know about the conditions there?
BOSSERCUE (ph): People should know that the worst thing that could happen right now is that de-escalation continue. There's lots of many different demands being made and told on our monitors on the ground. So it's very important as our head of mission said today that maximum restraint be used by all parties and that these elections happen in a very free and fair manner. It's a very volatile situation and we are really hoping for de-escalation as soon as possible.
LEMON: Michael Bossercue (ph), we thank you very much. We are glad that you colleagues are safe. We appreciate it.
Now from New York to London, people in cities around the world demanding more to help rescue 223 girls who were kidnapped from their boarding school in Nigeria more than two weeks ago.
(VIDEO CLIP PLAYING)
LEMON: That is London. That is where people chanted not for sale because it's believed and militant Islamist group (INAUDIBLE) kidnapped the girls to sell them into sex slavery, but so far the authorities have failed to rescue the girls and calling for an international outcry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our eyes are watching!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barack Obama! Our eyes are watching! To the U.N.! Our eyes are watching!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our eyes are watching!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: That is the scene from a rally in New York where CNN's Rosa Flores was earlier today. Rosa Flores joins us live.
Rosa, this story is catching on social media and people around the world are wondering what is happening to these girls? They believe they want to kidnap them to sell them into sex slavery, right? But they do not want any western influence so they may have kidnapped them just so that they do not go to school. They don't believe in girls going to school.
ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And you are totally right. This is a conversation that is going on everywhere. And just imagine, I mean, it is the parents' worst nightmare to send your daughter to school and never to see her again because your daughter has been kidnapped.
And so we have been seeing these demonstration in different cities. You're seeing the one in New York but other demonstrations in Washington, D.C., also in London. And here is what we know about this. So Borno reportedly went into this school into the dorm room and took these girls at gunpoint and took them into a forest and selling them for about $1 and forcing them into Islam and marrying them off.
And so these parents as you imagine are very frustrated. They are scared. They are afraid. They feel helpless because they haven't been able to do anything really to try to go get them from wherever they are.
LEMON: Some of the families tried to go into the forest and they were told that they should not to turn around because the conditions were terrible and it was so dangerous. And so, now these families feel like they don't really have any recourse in finding their children. FLORES: And there is conversation of what do you do to get them? I mean, you can't just do an air strike because you put the girls in danger. And then how do you good into these areas of the forest where they are really not familiar with the area and the terrain so it puts the girls in danger again.
And you know, Boko Haram means sin. And I'm going to quote this. Western education is a sin. And so, a lot of the women that I talk to as this demonstration earlier today we are saying, you know, that is what they want. They want women not in the education system. They want women inside the home taking care of children and of their husbands. That is one of the reasons why they target schools in particular so it's so disturbing in so many ways, Don.
LEMON: We will be following this story for you. Our international unite has been on top of this for weeks.
We appreciate it. Thank you very much, Rosa Flores.
For more on the kidnap Nigerian girls, you can follow the latest development on our website, CNN.com and we will have more throughout the hour right here on this broadcast.
We are learning more now the woman who recorded L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling make those racist remarks. V. Stiviano told ABC's Barbara Walters that she doesn't believe Sterling is a racist at heart. But says she doesn't believe Donald Sterling is a racist at heart but what should he do now?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARBARA WALTER, ABC REPORTER: Do you think that Donald Sterling should apologize?
V. STIVIANO, DONALD STERLING'S EX-GIRLFRIEND: Absolutely.
WALTERS: Did you discuss this with him?
STIVIANO: Yes.
WALTERS: Will he apologize?
STIVIANO: Only God knows.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well, how does she describe her relationship with Sterling after revealing that damaging phone conversation? Stiviano says she is indispensable.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STIVIANO: Mr. Sterling's right hand arm, man, I'm Mr. Sterling everything. I'm his confidant, his best friend, his silly rabbit.
WALTERS: His what? STIVIANO: His silly rabbit.
WALTERS: Silly rabbit?
STIVIANO: Yes.
WALTERS: Is that what he calls you?
STIVIANO: No. But I called myself. I joke around and I make him laugh. I do things that some people find very silly.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How are you, sir?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: I'm with Barbara. His what? That clearly didn't satisfy Barbara Walters who pressed Stiviano on her relationship with Sterling. Among other things she brought up the age difference. Well, Stiviano says she sees Sterling as a father figure but denies romantic involvement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WALTERS: Donald Sterling is in his 80s. You are in your 30s?
STIVIANO: Yes, I'm 31.
WALTERS: And you're a beautiful young woman. So I'm not sure that I understand the relationship.
STIVIANO: Well, I'm Mr. Sterling's personal assistant. Like I said I'm his right hand. I'm his wing man. What isn't there to understand?
WALTERS: Well, let me ask this. Do you and Donald Sterling have a financial arrangement? You say you're his assistant. Does he pay you?
STIVIANO: Yes.
WALTERS: And he pays you as an employee?
STIVIANO: At first, he started paying me as an employee and then he started paying me off the books.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LEMON: Well now, Sterling wishes he had quote "just paid her off." That is what sais. He said that in an interview with "Dejour" magazine, finally breaking his silence about the scandal. Sterling is banned from the NBA because of those racist remarks and owners are meeting next week to force him to sell the team trying to force him to sell the team. The Clippers play deciding game seven tonight in the first round of the playoffs so stay tuned for that.
Hollywood has the Oscars but tonight, guess what the spotlight is on, Washington the spotlight tonight is on Washington, D.C. for its most glamorous night of the year. And of course, I'm talking about the correspondents dinner. Well, for one night only, D.C. elite will rub shoulders are Hollywood's hottest stars including our very own Nischelle Turner who is a hot star and she joins us now from the red carpet.
So, who are you wearing and who are seeing?
NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Well, my dress is by Laura Jones (ph). And I just also be ever (INAUDIBLE) walk right pass us. I was trying to make Don, come one so we can get her. She looks beautiful in a golden white dress. But that is just the beginning. Because the entire cast of "Modern Family" and scandal. Lots of heavyweights are blending with the political bandits tonight. It is going to be fun night. It was affectionally what is called the nerd prom -- Don. And I'm geeking, but out so there you go.
LEMON: We are going to geek out more after the break.
LEMON: The Oscars -- it's not. But for D.C., it's the biggest night of the year, really. I guess besides inauguration, right? I'm talking (INAUDIBLE). You can see in a second. The White House correspondents is what I'm talking about. The event should really called nerd prom.
The event is Washington's most glamorous opportunity to journalist and D.C. power players to rub elbows with celebs, poking fun at whatever they can along the way.
Joining me now is our political commentator right here Mr. Mark Lamont Hill and also Ben Ferguson is going to join me as well and him telling me to move the prompter up.
OK. So Ben, is there a crisis in Ukraine, dozens of girls missing in Nigeria, there is a search for bodies of the 239 people aboard the Malaysian Airline, there is Ukraine, there is all kind of stuff. This dinner often pokes fun at world events but, I mean, what is funny?
BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: You know, certainly those things are not going to be funny and I hope the president and everybody else is able to take a little bit of a break tonight and relax for a while.
I mean, it's been a stressful couple of months whether it be the intense rain and then we had snow and blizzards before that. Everything else you just described certainly what is going on in Ukraine. And I'm sure that everyone has their thoughts on that a little bit but tonight is one of those nights, like you said the nerd prom. Its where everyone that works in politics is actually cool for a night in Washington, D.C. And everybody wants this ticket and it's become so popular that even the stars from Hollywood have a hard time getting in which is like the ultimate irony of all of this! It's kind of a fun night.
LEMON: So then why aren't you there?
FERGUSON: You and I got to be here. Somebody has to be on the desk, right?
LEMON: All right, so stand by, mark. Hold on a second because there is always turmoil whenever there is a White House correspondents dinner.
Let's go to the -- there is Wolf Blitzer. Is that Diane Lane?
Nischelle Turner, we are live now! We want to get in on the conversation.
TURNER: Yes, Don. I know that we are live now. I know you want in on the conversation so give us one second.
LEMON: OK!
TURNER: It's Don Lemon.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Are we live on CNN?
TURNER: We are live on CNN!
BLITZER: Wow. Can you believe we are live on CNN? Very exciting.
TURNER: Wolf's date is Diane Lane. I need to move out of the way so you all can see this. I mean, come on! Give me a break.
LEMON: Fabulous.
TURNER: Diane now, we were just talking about how Wolf gets great dates. But what is it like come here with? Because he is a bit of a rock star himself.
DIANE LANE, ACTRESS: I know. I was hearing all about his repertoire and he is in the motion picture and it is really quite impressive. Honestly, he never has to audition because he is always perfect for his roles.
BLITZER: I always play myself.
TURNER: Tell me this because can we bring in just a little bit? Because I'm connected here, guys.
LANE: I know. It's crazy.
TURNER: But who has the most fascination with each other? It is this the political world with Hollywood or the Hollywood with the political world?
LANE: Well, I would say Hollywood with the political world. I mean, certainly lately it's just a free for all in terms of being inspired. There's so much controversy all the time. So it's a lot to cook with in the kitchen of Hollywood.
TURNER: Wolf, what about you? What do think?
BLITZER: I love Hollywood. I love motion pictures and I love Washington. I love politics. I love everything. I'm a greedy guy. I want it all.
TURNER: Now, I have to ask you. Did Wolf give you an earful about his Washington wizards on the way over here? Because this man has been on cloud nine because his wizards won a playoff series!
BLITZER: It's early in the evening. We will have plenty of time for that.
LANE: He will be checking it on his phone under the table, I have a feeling, right?
TURNER: Besides Wolf Blitzer, anybody in there, Diane, that you are like OK, I got to get the handshake, I got get in their ear a little bit?
LANE: I will be so star-struck tonight with all of the politicians that I'm going to get to finally to see in person. But I'm most excited because I do believe I have an opportunity to meet Mr. And Mrs. Obama tonight so I'm just beside myself.
TURNER: Well, you know, you don't get better than that. Have a wonderful time. You look beautiful. Wolf, you look dapper.
BLITZER: Thank you very much.
TURNER: Don Lemon, did you get into the conversation. Do you have a question? Yes.
LEMON: They said interrupt her and tell her! So don't be snipping at me, girl!
TURNER: I can hear you, Don Lemon. I'm listening to your wonderful melodic voice all night!
LEMON: Ask Wolf how he is doing.
TURNER: Don wanted me to ask you how are you feeling?
BLITZER; I feel strong. I feel very strong. I feel very lucky that I have a great date here at the White House accordance associations dinner and we are going to have a good time, right?
TURNER: There you go. We are.
All right, you guys have a wonderful evening. All right, thank you so much.
What do you think about that? Wolf Blitzer and Diane Lane.
LEMON: I think that is fabulous. The reason I asked him is if you've ever been on Wolf's show which Mark Lamont Hill has been on, you've been on, what he says in a commercial break, he'll ask you, he'll say, thanks for joining me on the show, how are you feeling? Are you feeling strong? You feeling strong? Right?
So Nischelle, thanks you. Nischelle, you look great. You know, don't get mad at me because they told me to interrupt. There is Susan Malveaux with Chuck Schumer and this is name from Dallas, Patrick Duffy, that's right. Can she hear us? No.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What was that conversation like?
LEMON: All right. So, we got everybody there. We still have Nischelle Turner?
TURNER: Yes, I'm here. yes, bring him on in.
Hey, I have Morgan Spurlock here.
LEMON: OK, go for it, Nischelle. How are you, Morgan? You know, we have been having a good time here already. This is what they call nerd prom.
MORGAN SPURLOCK, CNN HOST, INSIDE MAN: I just met the whole cast of "Eve Outside" and I had to like completely nerd out and get a picture with all of them. I was so excite. Yes.
TURNER: So, it really is nerd prom. And I think all of us who are journalists, I mean, cover the entertainment industry so I do interact a little bit but I'm a nerd at heart. And I get kind of excited about the political folks in the room.
MORGAN: Yes. Come on. There is Chuck Schumer! I was like what is up, Chuck?
TURNER: They are rock stars to me, of course, and Wolf Blitzer who just got in here. He is the biggest rock star around.
MORGAN: The biggest rock star around. When you see movie stars are so excited to meet Wolf Blitzer, it restores my faith in humanity.
TURNER: Now, I know you were at a special screening with Robert De Niro the other night. So when you , you know, he is going to be here tonight. When you're in the presence of like an a-list actor like that, come on.
MORGAN: Yes. It's intimidating. No, I mean, it's one of those where somebody you watch so long and seen it on the screen so many times and you're afraid to talk to him but is he is such as wonderful, like warm guy. It was a beautiful night last night.
TURNER: Well, here is my question.
MORGAN: Yes.
TURNER: If everybody can come into this room and get along tonight and really have a great time, why can't they do it 364 other days of the year?
MORGAN: I'm-with you. I think tonight anything is possible. You know, you got incredibly, you know, brilliant people who aren't that attractive in D.C. Very attractive enough and smart people in L.A. You get them together and they should just make babies and save the world.
TURNER: I love it! And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar walked in. So if you saw me shift, just because a very tall individual is over your shoulder!
MORGAN: I saw the eclipse there for a second!
TURNER: All right, Morgan, thank you so much. Yes, Don?
MORGAN: I know it's tough on the red carpet but behind you is Barbara Walters. And I don't want to be rude and I ask her. But I would love to, if you can get her to ask about her interview the last night.
TURNER: Sure. Absolutely. I will try.
LEMON: Yes. So you see Kareem?
TURNER: Yes. Kareem is over to my left and Barbara Walters to my right. And I'm hoping that I can get -- can we get Barbara for one second?
LEMON: She's in the middle of something.
TURNER: Miss Walters, could we get Miss Walters really quick?
Miss Walters, we are live on CNN, could we get you really quick? We are live right now. Can we get her right now? OK, I understand. You know live TV. Thank you, ma'am!
LEMON: Thank you. That's how you do it!
TURNER: I have to ask you the burning question. Your interview with V. Stiviano. Number one, how did you get it? Because everybody is wanting that.
WALTERS: I think she wanted to do it. I think she wanted to be heard. I think she feels there has been a lot of bad things said about her and this was her chance to show that she was intelligent and she wasn't a little bunny which is what she calls herself.
TURNER: A silly rabbit?
WALTERS: A silly rabbit.
TURNER: Yes. I heard you say what when she said that. It seemed like she was careful with what she was saying. Did you get that feeling?
WALTERS: I think she was very careful but I think it's important for her to have people know she was wearing the visor so that people wouldn't really see her and now she felt she wanted to speak out. She also said that she thought that Sterling should apologize. He didn't while I was there.
TURNER: Did you believe her when she said she didn't think he was a racist?
WALTERS: I asked her what her opinion was. That was her opinion.
TURNER: There was a report out that you were also supposed to do an interview with Donald Sterling and he backed out. Is that true?
WALTERS: No. Had never been confirmed so it isn't that he stood me up. He just he didn't do any interviews. He was going to and then wasn't going to and thought he might and now no lawyer. She is his number one adviser so she decided to take her own advice and do the interview.
TURNER: I think they are waiting for you. I appreciate it. May 16th is Barbara Walters day in New York. Has it sunk in?
WALTERS: I'm going to abolish all taxes.
TURNER: Thank you very much, Miss Walters. All right, there you go, Don.
LEMON: You are the best, Nischelle Turner. That is tough to do especially with handlers, you know, trying to get her to other interviews and who knows if she wants to talk.
TURNER: She says she understands live TV and I'm going to the live camera first so kudos to her for that.
LEMON: Absolutely. Who do you see? Anybody else there you got?
TURNER: Well, there is Kareem right here on my right. So you see it is a little packed in here. And then there is "Today Show" folks. Kareem is on my left and "Today show" folks on my right. So yes, it is beginning to get pact in here. Richard Marx is right behind me with Barbara Walters. So, there he is.
Sure, yes. let's bring him on in.
And then on the right of your screen you're seeing Judy Smith who is the real life Olivia. (INAUDIBLE).
Go ahead. Let's talk to Richard Marx. Tell him I said "hold on to the night."
TURNER: Don lemon just made a really corny joke. "Hold on to the night" he told me.
RICHARD MARX, MUSICIAN: It's not corny. I wrote that. That's not corny!
TURNER: Listen. Richard Marx doesn't know this but my high school prom, the theme to my high school prom was "right here waiting".
MARX: Really?
TURNER: YES.
MARX: Your whole class would be waiting there for you? "Hold on to the night." but it's cool. Awesome. TURNER: Absolutely.
So, OK. You're here at what is called the nerd prom. Are you nerdy or are geeking out at all yet?
MARX: No, just sort of hanging out. I've never been here before. I'm thrilled to be invited. I'm a big fan of Joel's who is going to do a great job, I'm sure. And yes, I'm just here to hang out and have fun.
TURNER: You know, it is so interesting to me because it's like political pundits and Hollywood heavyweights and everybody blending tonight and kind of having this weird mix of fun that you don't know how it works. It just kind of does.
MARX: Yes, Well, you know, I've already run into like Ginger Zee and a couple of people that I know because I have done many charity events where I've had news people perform with my band to raise money for cystic fibrosis. So I've actually gotten to know a lot of people in the news media and bring out their inner rock star. And so I've run into a couple of them tonight so it's like old home week for me.
TURNER: OK. I'm going to go really millennial on you right now. If you could take a selfie with anyone tonight, who would that be?
MARX: A selfie with anyone? I just passed Kimberly (INAUDIBLE) and she is pretty gorgeous so I would do a selfie -- not a selfie but a two-some!
TURNER: Yes, because if you're with someone else, I always wonder that. Why do we call them selfies? You're not by yourself any more.
MARX: I guess, well, it's a selfie because you took it yourself but if she is in it with me, it's a two-some. So I'd like to do a two-fi with Kimberly.
TURNER: There you go.
You know, this is such an interesting night for me, Don, and for everyone here. And when you get these kind of combinations with Hollywood and politics it's really, really neat. Like I just saw Barbara Walters and Patrick Duffy hugging.
MARX: You'll never see that again.
TURNER: Yes, Patrick Duffy is right here.
But Richard, have a great time here.
LEMON: And Richard Marx does not age, Nischelle, right?
TURNER: Not at all. And I am close and his skin is really good.
LEMON: Really? So there is Patrick Duffy -- can we -- is he talking to somebody?
TURNER: We will try.
Patrick, can we get you real quick? He is talking to "Inside Edition." hi, Dana Bash.
LEMON: Well, then, let's talk to Dana.
TURNER: How are you?
DANA BASH, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello.
TURNER: Hi, Spencer. Yes, indeed, how are you? You guys make a lovely couple.
First of all, I have to give Dana Bash her dues. No, no, no. You look phenomenal.
BASH: Thank you.
TURNER: Are you geeking out yet here at the nerd prom?
BASH: Are you kidding? I've been geeking out for days. This is the best thing in the world, right?
TURNER: No. It really is fun. And I just said when you see kind of the combinations that happen here that is what is the best for me.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's the strangest collection together. It's wonderful. It's like a big crazy salad of people.
TURNER: It is.
BASH: And that blend mixes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It does.
BASH: And he is a political junky. So he loves to come here and see all these people who I see every day. And I'm like, really? you want to meet them?
TURNER: But that has been my question all night. Who has the most fascination with the other, Hollywood in politics or politics with Hollywood?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think it is a little bit of both.
BASH: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think a mutual admiration society. I geeked out the other night over Leon Weasel, who is here, and a writer at "The New Republic."
(LAUGHTER)
I was so excited to see him. You don't get to see that walking down Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.
TURNER: Well, Spencer and Dana, get your geek on tonight and have a good time. You look fabulous.
(CROSSTALK)
TURNER: I know. Jay is good people.
Jay is taking care of me, Don, back here.
(LAUGHTER)
DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: You are hilarious. And Dana looks amazing, and you do, too. A tough crowd you have out there. Looks like everybody is rushing in to get ready to start the dinner. So, Nischelle --
TURNER: Can you see the sweat beads?
LEMON: No, you look amazing. You know what we are going to do? Because we haven't taken a break in a long time. Just so the viewers know, complete transparency here, in the meeting, I said that you and Suzanne are my angels. So I wanted an old-school speaker phone like Charlie, and I would say, "Angels, who is on the red carpet? This is Charlie"!
MARK LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I'm glad that was vetoed.
LEMON: Are you glad they said no?
LAMONT HILL: Yes.
LEMON: All right, I'm sure.
Do we still have Ben Ferguson there as well? Ben? No Ben?
BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Yes.
LEMON: Ben, are you geeking out? Are you excited?
FERGUSON: I'm telling you, this is the only place that actually Wolf Blitzer can actually be the hot ticket for a Hollywood star tonight!
(LAUGHTER)
This is like revenge of every guy that ever went and studied hard in college, and it's like, so, wait, who wants to go with me tonight? Seriously!
LEMON: Ben?
FERGUSON: In what world does this happen? I love it.
LEMON: Marc and I are sitting here going, don't hate.
(LAUGHTER)
With that said, we will be right back. FERGUSON: I love it!
(LAUGHTER)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK we are back now. We are covering the White House Correspondent's Dinner as well as other news around the world. Let's get to our red carpet. I think Suzanne Malveaux is with someone.
Do we have it? No?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Are we live?
LEMON: There it is.
Suzanne, can you hear me?
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, hey, Don. I've got Scott Foley here --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Tell Scott I said hello. It's Don.
MALVEAUX: Yes, OK.
Our anchor, Don Lemon, says hello.
We were talking a moments ago the program that everybody talks about the spying.
SCOTT FOLEY, ACTOR: The B-16.
MALVEAUX: Whether or not we think that is possible that could happen.
FOLEY: I hope not, although I never say never these days. We have learned on the show that you can make something up and three or four months later, it actually shows up in the news. So I hope there's not an agency out there like B-613. I hope it's an amalgam the CIA and FBI rolled into one and set on fire.
(LAUGHTER)
MALVEAUX: What do you make of the fact that -- are just fascinating with this show and it's so incredible. Nobody thought that the White House could be that scandalous or sexy.
FOLEY: I think it's great. As an actor you always want to be on a show doing something that is relevant and relatable and it's fun with us and coming to an event like this, obvious that a ton of people really enjoy the show. A great feeling.
MALVEAUX: When you were at the White House earlier today, did you meet the president and first lady? Do you think that will happen tonight? FOLEY: I wasn't at the White House. I got a private tour with my wife and we had a great time, but I did not get to meet the president or first lady or their children. You never know. Again, I'll never say never.
MALVEAUX: Great to see you.
FOLEY: Thanks.
MALVEAUX: Take care. Thanks again.
LEMON: Scott Foley. Where did that airplane go with him and Olivia? That's what I want to know.
MALVEAUX: I know. He wouldn't tell us! He wouldn't tell us. We're going to --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: He wouldn't tell you?
MALVEAUX: Oh, my gosh. Valerie Jarrett!
LEMON: Hi, Valerie Jarrett.
VALERIE JARRETT, WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR: I made it! I'm here!
MALVEAUX: So many people from "Scandal" are here and it's so much fun.
JARRETT: They are great.
MALVEAUX: They are making it so much more interesting. Every year, this attracts more celebrities.
JARRETT: I know.
MALVEAUX: And more fun.
JARRETT: It's a great gathering. Everybody has a lot of fun. We have several of the members of "Scandal" come to the White House yesterday for tours and meeting with them about what we can do together. It's just a great evening. Looking forward to it.
MALVEAUX: Can you give us a little preview from the president, what we are expecting to hear? I know he's got something cooking. He always has something up his sleeve.
JARRETT: He does.
MALVEAUX: Trying to be funnier than the year before.
JARRETT: I will not get ahead of him. But I will tell you he has perfect timing and it's quite amusing. I've only read it and I can't wait to see him deliver it.
MALVEAUX: What do you make of "House of Cards" and "Scandal," people obsess over these shows?
JARRETT: They are great shows and I watch all three of them and delighted to have the cast here and a part of this celebration. A fun night. Enjoy.
MALVEAUX: Thank you, Valerie. Appreciate it.
LEMON: Suzanne, thank you. We will get back. I see you've got a bunch of celebrities. Looks like they are waiting in queue for you!
MALVEAUX: We got it like that. It just happened. It just started!
(LAUGHTER)
We will bring that to you. We will bring more, so.
LEMON: We will see you in a bit.
We'll see Suzanne and Nischelle in just a little while.
We have been talking to the famous. Let's talk about the infamous. The Donald Sterling controversy may have cost someone else a job. In an exclusive interview, and talk to a Los Angeles social media manager who says his boss canned him over tweets about the Sterling Scandal. I want to read you some of Josh Olin's tweets. He says, "Here's an unpopular opinion. Donald Sterling has the right as an American to be an old bigot in the security of his owner honor. He's a victim." Then he said this, "When you were raised in an era where segregation was perceived as right, that will stick with some people, and it doesn't make him a monster." After he was canned, Olin tweeted, "I will remind you my remarks were in condemnation of sensational media and support of one's privacy and not in support of Sterling's actions."
Joining me now is Josh Olin, who is in Los Angeles.
Josh, you say part of your job description was to stir up conversations and you got canned. So why did your boss fire you?
JOSH OLIN, FORMER SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER: Right. Well, that's a great question and that is a question that I am still waiting for a more solid answer on. I can tell you that it seems I wasn't just fired for exercising my constitutional rights. I was fired for supporting the mere existence of constitutional rights. I wasn't on some sort of controversial tear on social media. I was trying to point out, even Donald Sterling have these rights no matter how controversial, like the rights to privacy and in his own home.
LEMON: How did they fire you? Did they call you up or bring you in? What happened?
OLIN: It wasn't even that grateful. I just sort of -- I work all the time. I work at home, you know, in the morning before I go into the office and when my e-mail stopped working and I had read the sensational headline that broke about my tweets, that is kind of what gave me the indication. LEMON: Here is how your former employer, your company responded. They said. "The comments made by our former community manager stand in contrast to our values as a game development studio. We sincerely apologize for his remarks and in no way support or endorse those views."
OLIN: Right.
LEMON: So you say that the Sterling controversy is about privacy. Why did you decide to weigh in publicly on the Sterling scandal? I mean, did you give up your privacy when you made public comments on Twitter?
OLIN: Yeah. And that is, you know, that is part of my job. Like you had mentioned, to stir up conversation, to participate in conversations of national and global scale, not just pertaining to the products I'm working on. And so in so doing that, I clearly had certain people misinterpret my tweets. Anybody who knows Twitter, you can only cram a certain amount of messages -- certain amount of words into each message, so I had to send a series of those messages. And, unfortunately, you know, a journalist in the games media space wanted to sensationalize that and make it sound like I was supporting racism or bigotry, when I clearly don't. That is kind of the misleading --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Are you a contracted employee? Do you have a contract?
OLIN: No, no. I understand that a company has the right to terminate somebody for exercising their First Amendment rights. I was trying to represent the fact that those rights do exist to Donald Sterling.
LEMON: OK. So here is the thing, Josh. I don't want you to go anywhere but I want you to ponder this, you and the viewers. Everyone has a right to free speech, just like Donald Sterling and just like Josh, but then people have a right to react as well to that free speech, and they can exercise their free speech, which your company did with that statement.
So stick with us. Ben and Marc are still with me and I know they are dying to weigh in on this. And we will continue this conversation after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: OK. A lot going on here. We have the -- I was about to say the White House Christmas party!
(LAUGHTER)
The White House Correspondent's Dinner. Suzanne is talking to Joe Morton now from "Scandal." Our Nischelle Turner is interviewing people.
And now we are told there's been a winner in the Kentucky Derby, and it's California Chrome. California Chrome won the Kentucky Derby and Commanding Curve is number two and Danza is number three. We'll have a live report from the Kentucky Derby coming up. Don't go anywhere.
Let's get back to the Donald Sterling scandal. We learned that the NBA and the Clippers will appoint a CEO to supervise the team's day- to-day operations. The 80-year-old L.A. Clippers owner has been banned by the league for racial comments that were recorded and leaked to the media.
We're talking about this controversy reflects racial tension in the 21st century and also privacy issues.
Joining me is CNN commentators, Marc Lamont Hill and Ben Ferguson, and Josh Olin, who said he got fired over his tweets on the Sterling scandal.
Ben, first to you.
Does Josh deserve to get fired over his remarks?
FERGUSON: His company has the right to fire him and they decided that the way he phrased it and using the words he was a victim did not sit very well with them. In radio and tv -- Don, you know this -- you can say about anything you want to one time, for sure, and after that, if your employers disagree with it and think it's over the line, outside the box of the gaming world or claiming a guy who says something like this is a victim, you have the right to say that, but there are repercussions with companies when you say certain things. So --
LEMON: Right.
FERGUSON: -- I think they have just as much to fire him as he had the right to say it. But --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: But the thing is, should they have fired him?
Marc, you and I talked about this, and we have been exchanging with people on social media. Free speech comes with consequences. Yes, there is a question about him and his privacy in his own home. But supposedly, she was his archivist. Should he have been fired?
LAMONT HILL: I hate to say it but, yes, he should have been fired if the company so chooses. Even if I agree with what Josh said, but the point is he made it publicly. He said it wasn't a political statement he was making but it is a political statement when you say Don Sterling was a victim. That is his choice. I don't think he is advocating bigotry but he is advocating a particular response to bigotry. It's OK for people say I don't want to stand next to people or employee people with this perspective.
LEMON: The reason I asked you, Josh, if you had a contract, I'm sure in the contract that I have or Ben has with this company, it says if you bring any undue, you know, publicity to the company, a morality clause, they have a right to fire you for it. That company didn't want the kind of publicity you brought to them so they have every right to fire you. You just think they just went over the line? OLIN: Exactly. Having the right to fire somebody doesn't make it right. And additionally, the context in which I was making those tweets is something that I think more employers need to understand a little bit better, especially when you're talking about employee like myself who have to put themselves out there and have to be involved in these national discussions, sometimes controversial ones, for the sake of extending that reach of their message, which will eventually come back around. I would, as sort of a parting thought, point that, you know, I think that the controversy that has stirred up surrounding my termination has been far worse than any controversy that was starting around my initial --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Wait, wait, wait --
(CROSSTALK)
FERGUSON: You said that Donald Sterling --
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Hang on, hang on.
Say that again to make sure we get it. Say it again.
OLIN: The controversy surrounding my firing has been far worse than the controversy around my initial statements, which were, you know, confined to a single sort of sensational headline from a -- in my opinion, an irresponsible journalist.
LEMON: I have to get in a break, but quickly, go ahead.
LAMONT HILL: That might be true but, in this conversation, even if it's a bigger one, the company is able to say, look, we distance ourselves from someone who said that Donald Sterling is not a monster despite saying racist things and having discriminatory housing problems et cetera. They are willing to separate themselves. And it's OK to do that. Whether you're right or not isn't the point. They have a right to say we don't want to be next to people who have your perspective.
LEMON: Ben?
FERGUSON: I think saying that Donald Sterling is a victim is the part that probably got you in trouble, because most people look at him and say, you had this woman over here, outside of your marriage on top of that, you're paying her a bunch of money to hang out with you, she records a conversation, I don't think that is a definition of a victim when you say something like this. Don't say something like this and you won't be a victim.
(CROSSTALK)
LEMON: Josh, we don't mean to beat up on you.
OLIN: -- wiretapping.
LEMON: Josh, this is not illegal wiretapping. We still don't know if she recorded him legally or illegally. That is the point.
(CROSSTALK)
OLIN: -- moral breach of privacy.
LEMON: Well, not really because we don't know that. We don't even know if she leaked it, so we don't really know. We don't mean to beat you up, but that is -- you know, you're a big boy, all right?
We will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: Do you ever wonder what Tim Tebow is doing now that he is not a quarterback in the NFL? Here he is! He is doing red carpets. He is attending the White House Correspondent's Dinner and he is also doing commentary, right?
And he is not the only person of note to show up on the red carpet at the White House Correspondent's Dinner. Lots of folks. As a matter of fact, Will. I. Am is talking to our very own Suzanne Malveaux.
More from the White House Correspondent's Dinner right after this break.
WILL. I. AM., SINGER: -- we can't wait for someone --
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
LEMON: It's kind of the top of the hour. Actually, we have two and a half minutes or so before the top of the hour. Or is that three minutes? I'm not good at math.
But, listen, we are following the White House Correspondent's Dinner. Our special coverage is going to begin in full in 60 minutes of the White House Correspondent's Dinner. It's a magic night for reporters in Washington. They get to fawn over the elite and rub shoulders with the celebrities and politicians in power. Did you notice the sarcasm in my voice? I'm not hating because I'm not there. Don't, don't --
LAMONT HILL: Maybe a little bit.
LEMON: No. Actually, I'm not. Oh, my god, I love your work! You look beautiful! Whatever.
An annual event where no one is safe from light-hearted verbal jabs. Listen. Everybody gets to be snarky tonight. The president will be too, right?
Joining me now is entertainment correspondent, Nischelle Turner, who is on the red carpet for us.
TURNER: Do you see me fanning myself? LEMON: No, we didn't see you fanning yourself.
Plus, we have our national correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, a former White House correspondent herself. Suzanne just wrapped up an interview with Will. I. Am.
Can we show with our camera? You can see there that is Will. I. Am's ear. That's his shoulder. She just interviewed him.
Nischelle, we'll start with you.
TURNER: Yes.
LEMON: Who are the big names in attendance this year?
TURNER: Oh, my gosh. I can run down a whole bunch of them. But definitely, I mean, there are definitely A-list stars here. The whole cast of "Scandal" is here. And I'm a little bit of a sports geek so I just got done interviewing both Cam Newton and Tim Tebow and Andrew Luck, so I was in a little bit of seventh heaven here. And Frieda Pinto. She looked gorgeous and didn't stop to talk to the cameras, but went on in. If that gives you any idea, like you said, Suzanne, just interviewing Will. I. Am. There's such a different mix of folks here tonight. I just spoke to Senator McCain and Meghan McCain. It's a lot of fun when the Hollywood heavyweights and the political pundits blend, get together and see what they come up with at the end of the night.
LEMON: Miss Turner, what about Tim Tebow? What is Tim Tebow doing, now that he's not a NFL quarterback, what is he doing? What did he say to you?
TURNER: He's trying to take your job, Don Lemon.
(LAUGHTER)
