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Trump Delivers Commencement Address At West Point; Trump Reschedules Tulsa Rally "Out Of Respect" For Juneteenth; City Leader Says Minneapolis Police System Is "Not Reformable"; LudaCris, "KidNation" Use Music To Teach Children About Prejudice; Dr. Kameno Bell: From The NFL To The Front Lines Of Coronavirus. Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired June 13, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[10:59:50]
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Let us also recognize your remarkable superintendent General Darrell Williams for his outstanding stewardship. General -- thank you very much. Great job. Thank you.
Few words in the English language and few places in history have commanded as much awe and admiration as West Point. This premier military academy produces only the best of the best, the strongest of the strong, and the bravest of the brave.
West Point is a universal symbol of American gallantry, loyalty, devotion, discipline and great skill. There is no place on earth I would rather be than right here with all of you. It's a great honor.
Across this hallowed plain have passed many of the greatest and most fearsome soldiers that ever lived. They were heroes who drove thundering columns of Sherman tanks into the heart of a wicked empire. They were legends who unleashed the fury of American artillery upon our enemies on remote islands and distant shores. They were titans who strode through cannon blasts and cavalry charge and stared down our foes through great clouds of smoke and shrapnel.
They were the Army rangers who led the way up jagged cliffs, the airborne soldiers who rained down justice in the dark of night. The infantry whose very sight meant liberation was near, and the mighty forces who sent tyrants, terrorists and sadistic monsters running scared through the gates of hell.
No evil force on earth can match the noble power and righteous glory of the American warrior. I have no doubt that the young men and women before me today will add your names to this eternal chronicle of American heroes. You will go forth from this place adored by your countrymen, dreaded by your enemies and respected by all throughout the world.
Some day generations of future West Point cadets will study your legacy. They will know your deeds. They will celebrate your triumphs and they will proudly follow your example. To the 1107 cadets who today become the newest officers in the most exceptional Army ever to take the field of battle, I'm here to offer America's salute. Thank you for answering your nation's call.
On this special occasion, we are delighted to be joined by Congressman Steve Womack, Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, Assistant Secretary Casey Mordenski (ph) and Army Chief of Staff General James McConville an old grad from the class of 1981.
Let's also express our appreciation to General Curtis Buzzard, General Cindy Jebb and all of the wonderful instructors, coaches and faculty members who are continuing West Point's two-century tradition of unrivalled excellence.
To all of the parents, grandparents and family members watching this ceremony from your beautiful home, even though you could not be here today, we know this day could never have happened without you. Your love and sacrifice have given America these phenomenal men and women.
Cadets -- please join me in sending your parents and families the heartfelt thanks that they so richly deserved. They're all watching right now. Please.
Thank you very much. The depth and breadth of the United States military's contributions to our society are an everlasting inspiration to us all.
[11:04:56]
TRUMP: I want to take this opportunity to thank all members of America's Armed Forces in every branch, active duty, National Guard and reserve who stepped forward to help battle the invisible enemy, the new virus, that came to our shores from a distant land called China. We will vanquish the virus and extinguish this plague.
I also want to thank the men and women of our National Guard who respond with precision to so many recent challenges from hurricanes and natural disasters to ensuring peace, safety and the constitutional rule of law on our streets. We thank every citizen who wears a uniform in selfless service to our nation.
The members of this class have come from every state in our union. You have come from the farms and the cities, from states big and small and from every race, religion, color and creed.
But when you entered these grounds, you became part of one team, one family proudly serving one great American nation. You became brothers and sisters pledging allegiance to the same timeless principles, joined together in a common mission to protect our country, to defend our people and to carry on the traditions of freedom, equality and liberty that so many gave their lives to secure. You exemplify the power of shared national purpose to transcend all differences and achieve true unity.
Today you graduate as one class, and you embody one noble creed -- duty, honor, country. Every graduate on this field could have gone to virtually any top-ranked university that you wanted. You chose to devote your life to the defense of America. You came to West Point because you know the truth -- America is the greatest country in human history. And the United States military is the greatest force for peace and justice the world has ever known.
The survival of America and the endurance of civilization itself depends on the men and women just like each of you. It depends on people who love their country with all their heart and energy and soul. It depends on citizens who build, sustain, nurture and defend institutions like this one. That is how societies are made and how progress is advanced.
What has historically made America unique is the durability of its institutions against the passions and prejudices of the moment. When times are turbulent, when the road is rough, what matters most is that which is permanent, timeless, enduring, and eternal.
It was on this soil that American patriots held the most vital fortress in our war for independence. It was this school that gave us the men and women who fought and won a bloody war to extinguish the evil of slavery within one lifetime of our founding.
It was the graduates of West Point -- towering figures like McArthur, Patton, Eisenhower and Bradley who led America to victory over the sinister Nazis and imperial fascists. 75 years ago, it was under the leadership of West Point graduates like the legendary General Matthew Ridgeway that the Army was at the forefront of ending the terrible injustice of segregation.
[11:09:45]
TRUMP: It was Army strength that held the line against brutal opposition and oppression from communism. And it has been thanks to patriots like you that America has climbed to new heights of human achievement and national endeavor.
This is your history. This is the legacy that each of you inherits. It is the legacy purchased with American blood at the crest of Little Round Top, on the crimson beaches of Normandy, in the freezing mud of Bastogne and the dense jungles of Vietnam.
It is the legacy of courageous, selfless, faithful patriots who fought for every inch of dirt with every ounce of strength and every last scrap of heart and drive and grit they had. And they did it because they believed in the undying principles of our founding. They did it because they cherished their homes, their faith, their family and their flag.
And they did it because when they came to this school they were taught to hold fast to their love of our country, to cherish our heritage, learn from it, and build upon it.
That is what young Americans are taught here at West Point. That is the legacy that you carry forward as second lieutenants in the United States Army. And you must never forget it. Through four long years you have honed your skills, trained your mind and body, overcome every obstacle and earned your place of pride in the long gray line. You made it through the rigors of our day and beast and intensity of CLDT and weeks of training in the blistering heat.
You have pushed yourselves far beyond every limit imaginable. Some of you have even pushed the limits a bit too much. So for any cadets who have not finished walking off their hours, as commander-in-chief, I hereby absolve all cadets on restriction for minor conduct offenses and that is effective immediately.
Congratulations. That's a nice one, isn't it? Don't you feel better now?
Surviving the 47-month experience is never easy. But only the class of 2020 can say it survived 48 months. When it comes to bragging rights, no one can boast louder than the class that brought Navy's 14-year football winning streak to a screeching halt. You did that. I happened to be there. I happened to be there.
That's right. That was a big day. I was there.
You beat Navy and brought the commander-in-chief's trophy back to West Point for two straight years. So we say, go Army, go. This graduating class secured more than 1,000 victories for the Black Knights including three bowl victories, 13 NCAA team appearances and a woman's rugby championship with the help of somebody that I just met, 2019 MVP Sam Sullivan. Fantastic job.
Thank you. Fantastic.
Five cadets won national boxing championships and Adaya Queen brought home two. Brendon Brown earned the title of power lifting national champion.
In academics, 38 cadets have earned fellowships to continue their studies, including first captain Dane Vander Waal (ph) who received one of the most prestigious awards in academia, the Rhodes scholarship. Congratulations -- Dane. That's a great achievement. Thank you.
[11:15:01]
TRUMP: Congratulations. Great achievement.
But no one modelled the values of the soldier's scholar quite like Lindy Mooradian. Lindy earned both the highest overall class standing and the highest physical program score. She has published scientific research in a prominent journal and set five new records on the athletic track.
Lindy -- incredible job. Where is Lindy? Where is Lindy?
For somebody that did so well, they didn't give you a very good seat -- Lindy. We have to talk about that. Congratulations. Right now America needs a class of cadets that lives by your motto, "With vision, we lead." We need you to carry on the spirit of the great General Ulysses S. Grant. Soon after assuming overall command, following three years of Union setbacks, General Grant encountered someone heading north to Washington during the Battle of the Wilderness. "If you see the President," Grant said, "tell him from me that whatever happens there will never be no turning back."
We need you to be as visionary as Patton who as a young man in 1917 became the first soldier assigned to the Army tank corps. One month into the job he saw the future writing, if resistance is broken and the line is pierced, the tank must and will assume the role of pursuit cavalry and ride the enemy to death. Under Patton's leadership, that's exactly what they did.
We need you to be as bold and determined as the immortal General Douglas McArthur who knew that the American soldier never ever quits. After leaving the Philippines for Australia at a low point of the Pacific War in 1942, McArthur famously vowed, "I shall return." For two years he then took great strategic risks and placed himself often in personal danger.
On October 20th, 1944 McArthur stepped off a landing boat, strode through knee-high water and proclaimed, "People of the Philippines, I have returned. By the grace of almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil."
He then called upon the islands' brave people to rise up and join the fight. America's momentum was unstoppable.
These great leaders were not afraid of what others might say about them. They didn't care. They knew their duty was to protect our country. They knew the Army exists to preserve the republic and the strong foundations upon which it stands -- family, God, country, liberty and justice.
They were true, tough American patriots. That is what our country needs, especially in these times. And that is what you are.
Each of you begins your career in the Army at a crucial moment in American history. We are restoring the fundamental principles that the job of the American soldier is not to rebuild foreign nations but defend, and defend strongly, our nation from foreign enemies.
We are ending the era of endless wars. In its place is a renewed clear-eyed focus on defending America's vital interests. It is not the duty of U.S. troops to solve ancient conflicts in faraway lands that many people have never even heard of.
[11:19:56]
TRUMP: We are not the policemen of the world. But let our enemies be on notice. If our people are threatened, we will never, ever hesitate to act. And when we fight from now on, we will only fight to win. As McArthur said, in war, there is no substitute for victory. To ensure you have the very best equipment and technology available, my administration has embarked on a colossal rebuilding of the American Armed Forces, a record like no other. After years of devastating budget cuts and a military that was totally depleted from these endless wars, we have invested over $2 trillion -- trillion, that's with a t -- in the most powerful fighting force by far on the planet earth.
We are building new ships, bombers, jet fighters and helicopters by the hundreds. New tanks, military satellites, rockets and missiles. Even a hypersonic missile that goes 17 times faster than the fastest missile currently available in the world. And can hit a target 1,000 miles away within 14 inches from center point.
For the first time in 70 years we established a new branch of the United States military -- the Space Force. That's a big deal.
In recent years, America's warriors have made clear to all the high cost of threatening the American people. The savage ISIS caliphate has been 100 percent destroyed under the Trump administration. And its barbaric leader, al-Baghdadi, is gone, killed, over. And the world's number one terrorist Qasem Soleimani is likewise dead.
As Commander-in-Chief, I never forget for one instant the immense sacrifices we ask of those who wear this nation's uniform. Already, you have known the crushing pain of losing a brother in arms. Today we remember an extraordinary cadet who made the supreme sacrifice in an accident last year, C.J. Morgan.
We're deeply moved to be joined by his father, Christopher Morgan. And C.J. was something very special. Christopher is a Secret Service agent -- a tough guy, great guy, great son is looking down right now. Christopher -- I want you to know that we will carry C.J.'s blessed memory in our hearts forever. Thank you very much. Thank you.
Tomorrow, America will celebrate a very important anniversary, the 245th birthday of the United States Army. Unrelated -- going to be my birthday also. I don't know if that happened by accident. Did that happen by accident?
But it's a great day because of that Army birthday. And as you know, the Army's first commander in chief, General George Washington called the fort that stood on this majestic point the most important post in America. It's strategic location on the Hudson River was vital to our war for independence. If British ships gained control of this river, they would have divided our young nation in two.
[11:24:44]
TRUMP: So American soldiers stretched a massive metal chain across the waters of the Hudson from West Point all the way to Constitution Island. I saw a piece of that chain. It's incredible.
No enemy ship even dared try to cross. Every link in that great chain was formed from over 100 pounds of pure American iron. Mined from American soil and made with American pride. Together those links formed an unbreakable line of defense.
Standing here before you more than two centuries later, it is clearer than ever that General Washington's words still hold true. West Point is still the indispensable post for America, the vital ground that must not lose.
And the survival of our nation still depends on the great chain reaching out from this place. One made not of iron but of flesh and blood, of memory and spirit, of sheer faith and unyielding courage.
Today each of you becomes another link in that unbroken chain forged in the crucible known as the United States military academy -- the greatest on earth. It has given you soldiers that you can rely on to your right and to your left.
And now we are entrusting you with the most noble task any warrior has ever had the privilege to carry out, the task of preserving American liberty. As long as you remain loyal, faithful and true, then our enemies don't even stand a chance. Our rights will never be stolen. Our freedoms will never be trampled. Our destiny will never be denied. And the United States of America will never be defeated.
With the grace of God and the heroes of West Point, America will always prevail. Nothing will stand in your way. Nothing will slow you down. And nothing will stop the West Point class of 2020 from achieving a true and lasting victory.
God bless you. God bless the United States Army. And God bless America.
Congratulations.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
(END OF LIVE EVENT)
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: All right. That was President Trump in a quick turnaround. You saw the taped version of his commencement address at West Point.
We're about to show you some live pictures where very soon the graduates will be receiving their certificates -- the class of 2020.
Let's talk about the message we heard from the President there. With me now is retired Rear Admiral John Kirby who is a CNN military and diplomatic analyst. And also with me is our White House Correspondent Jeremy Diamond who is at West Point.
Let me begin with Jeremy first who is on the phone with us. So Jeremy -- kind of set the scene for us about the President's address there. And while he, you know, is a nontraditional president he stuck with a fairly traditional address, didn't he?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): He did -- Fredricka. He delivered, you know, he kept to the script for this speech here to the West Point Military Academy. And what we heard him talk about was especially the history of this military academy, the history of the U.S. Army and we heard the President really talk about the importance at this time, the moments in time, for tough American patriots, which is what he called the graduates of this class of 2020.
But Fredricka, what was most interesting was what he did not talk about. We did not hear the President at this moment of national reckoning on racism speak in the same way that we have heard so many of the senior military leaders speak over these last couple of weeks.
You know, especially this last week. We have heard from so many of these senior military officers talk either about their experiences with racism that the new incoming Army -- sorry, Air Force chief of staff spoke about in a video message or hear some of the other top military officials talk about racism in ranks or importance of the military institution in terms of promoting diversity and being at the forefront of bringing about that kind of change that this country needs.
[11:29:52]
DIAMOND: We did not hear the President focus on those issues in the same way. Instead though, we did hear him make some veiled references to one of the fights that he's been having with the Defense Secretary Mark Esper and that is over the issue of whether or not to rename these confederate military bases.
The President did not reference that issue directly. But what we did hear him say was talk about the importance of preserving American heritage. That is a term that the President has previously used to refer to confederate monuments or symbols. And we know that the President days after Secretary Esper, we were told, was open to having a bipartisan conversation about renaming those military bases, the President very quickly shut down even the possibility of having that discussion.
The President, though, did not delve deep into that. He really kind of strayed from delving deeply either into the questions of this national reckoning on racism or the controversies that he himself has stoked (ph) -- Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right. Jeremy Diamond -- thank you so much.
Let me bring in now retired Rear Admiral John Kirby. So Admiral -- you know, to that point, while there was an omission, the President's direct reference to what has become a global reckoning, you know, on the issue of racism, injustices et cetera to Jeremy's point, that perhaps veiled approach the President did make by preserving American heritage.
You know, is this perhaps cementing his opposition to the idea of removing any reminders of confederate leaders by name, statute, et cetera, in any U.S. military instillations?
REAR ADMIRAL JOHN KIRBY (RET), CNN MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ANALYST: I don't know if I would go so far as to say it's cementing his determination not to name the bases. But it was I think a carefully chosen word and certainly indicative of where his head is on this. He certainly hasn't changed his mind. You can't listen to that speech and come away with an idea that he might be softening on that.
And he did talk about diversity in the ranks. He didn't go into racism in the ranks, which clearly still exists but he did talk about diversity in the fact that, you know, all of these cadets come from all parts of the country and they all form one team.
I think he was trying to get to a unity message in this speech. But he did stray -- or did not stray into any of the sort of hot political topics of the day.
WHITFIELD: He did, of course, praise U.S. military, and its roles helping to end fascism, to ending segregation.
KIRBY: Right.
WHITFIELD: But as it pertains to, you know, what has become a reported, you know, tension between the President and some members of the military, you know, some of his top military leaders, publicly speaking out over the President's use of the military against protesters and for getting dragged into the President's politicized response to the protests.
How important is it that if not today during the commencement address that the President do -- does in some way address that criticism and that fissure, if you will, between he and military leadership?
KIRBY: I think it is important for him and for the administration writ large to take a deep look at the civil-military relationship right now which is incredibly strained. All those who spoke out against the President were former -- so they have the freedom of speaking out directly against the President -- none of his four stars in uniform on active duty have done that nor would it be appropriate for them to do it.
But I would hope that the President taking a look at the events of the last couple of weeks would say, hey, you know what, we do need to have a serious discussion about the relationship between this administration and the military going forward because clearly there have been seams that have opened up.
And I don't think that it would have been appropriate for him in this particular speech in front of this audience to really get into that too much in a deep way. I think it was fairly unremarkable speech and I mean that in a positive way. I mean I don't think -- he didn't stray into partisan politics. So, I think that was a healthy thing today.
But I do hope that he takes a serious look at what's happened over the last couple of weeks and realizes that he does have problems in civil- military relations. This country does. And we ought to be working on that right now.
WHITFIELD: And how about this, you know, the President, you know, saying that with his power as commander in chief, quote, "I hereby absolve cadets on restriction from minor conduct offenses and that is effective immediately. Adding I'm quoting now, you know, "That's a nice one, isn't it? Don't you feel better now?"
KIRBY: Yes.
WHITFIELD: So, what was this minor offense or can you elaborate on that kind of minor offense and, you know, is this in jest? Is this welcome? Funny?
KIRBY: Well, look, I wasn't smart enough to get into the naval academy. Somebody very wise on their admissions board declined my application. But as I understand it, as you go to these military academies, if you have minor offenses you get these demerits, basically that sort of stack up. And if you get a certain amount, then you get certain punishments.
And it's traditional for the commander in chief when he speaks at a service academy to absolve the cadets or the midshipmen of their stacked up demerits.
[11:34:57]
KIRBY: Sort of it's a small -- small bit of trivia here but these cadets are no longer cadets. They were actually commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army before today. Today really is about their graduation academically. So, in a sense, all their demerits have already been wiped away even before the President did that.
WHITFIELD: All right. Congratulations to all these second lieutenants there --
KIRBY: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: -- on their graduation day. Rear Admiral John Kirby -- thank you so much. And Jeremy Diamond -- thank you as well. Appreciate it -- gentlemen.
All right. And how about this about face from President Trump? He now says he will push back a rally initially scheduled for June 19th, the date marking the notification that many received about the end of slavery. But will this strike the right tone in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and beyond?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:40:00]
WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back.
The President makes an about face on his upcoming Tulsa, Oklahoma rally. He now says he will push back the event by a day, this after criticism the campaign rally was to take place on a day that marks how so many African-Americans, particularly in Texas, learned about the end of slavery in the U.S. That date coming two years after the emancipation of slaves.
CNN's Abby Phillip is there. Abby, why this change of heart? And what's the significance now? ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred -- it has been a
couple of days of the White House and the President and his aides and campaign explaining that they actually intended to schedule this rally on Juneteenth. The President telling Fox News in an interview that he viewed his rally as a celebration, like Juneteenth is a celebration. That was not received particularly well from African-Americans.
And now this morning or last night rather in a series of tweets the President announced that he actually is pulling out and he says that it's because he heard from several members of the African-American community, he says, who reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for this holiday. And in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents.
So, the President is saying that he's been personally spoken to by black people in his administration, black supporters of his, about the significance of this date. But this comes after the White House has insisted that all along they knew that that's what was going to happen. That was the point that he was going to be talking about, all that he has done for the African-American community.
And I can tell you that here in Tulsa, I have been in touch with several residents on the ground including some who are organizing a counterrally for Friday who were livid about this decision to bring a presidential campaign rally to Tulsa on that day.
They had actually planned to get a number of people from the community and they had gotten interests from activists all over the country to come here and have a counter-rally in opposition to President Trump's rally.
So, all of those atmospherics I think contributed to the realization within the White House that the optics of this moment really were not going to work out for him. The President also having to explain why he's planning to have an indoor rally here in Oklahoma in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
The White House -- his campaign put out a sign-up sheet that actually had a paragraph that explained that if they agreed to come to this rally they also agreed that they could not sue the President or his campaign if they contracted the coronavirus.
I'll tell you, Fred -- here in Oklahoma, I'm seeing a lot of people not necessarily wearing masks. So it will be a big question how many of those folks who decide to go to that rally decide to wear masks and what will be the result of having thousands and thousands of people in an indoor rally during this pandemic.
WHITFIELD: Yes. Fascinating the signing of a waiver essentially saying, you're attending this rally at your own risk, acknowledging thus.
All right. Abby Phillip -- we'll check back with you in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thank you so much.
All right. Next, rapper Ludacris on his new effort to educate children about racism and intolerance.
(MUSIC)
[11:43:30]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: All right. Welcome back.
City leaders have taken another step toward establishing an entirely new policing system in Minneapolis, Minnesota. All 12 city council members voting to pass a resolution that marks the beginning of a year-long process aimed at creating a transformative new model for public safety in the wake of George Floyd's death.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALONDRA CANO, COUNCIL MEMBER, MINNEAPOLIS: We acknowledge that the current system is not reformable, that we would like to end the current policing system as we know it. And that we would like to create a completely new transformative model of public safety that centers a lot of things -- healing, restorative justice, relationships, the respect and dignity that so many of our community members want and deserve.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WHITFIELD: The city council will spend the next year working with community leaders and other experts to come up with new ideas in which to get people working together as a big collective.
All right. Today -- we've got this just into CNN.
An investigation is now under way in Georgia after Atlanta police officers shot and killed a man at a Wendy's drive-through.
Police say they were called because 27-year-old Rashard Brooks was sleeping in his car. We're told a struggle then took place once officers arrived. It involved an officer's taser after Brooks failed a sobriety test. And that's when police say Brooks tried grabbing the officer's taser before an officer shot Brooks. Brooks later died in the hospital.
We'll update you on the story as we learn more information. Right now lots of bits and pieces there, but not a huge amount of coherent information that fits a pattern of the sequence of events.
[11:49:52]
WHITFIELD: All right. Today, Black Lives Matter protests continue in Washington D.C., and across the country for the third weekend in a row. It's a movement that is hard to miss and maybe even harder to explain when it comes to our children who are witnessing all of this this right alongside the big people.
So how do we talk about all of this to our kids? Enter Christopher Bridges, better known as Ludacris. He is the co- founder of a new media platform, KidNation. And in direct response to the outcry of racial injustices, he collaborated with a diverse group of children in a new song called "Get Along".
(MUSIC)
WHITFIELD: It's touching. It's inspiring. I mean it's uplifting at the same time. Ludacris, you kind of clutch your heart like oh, these kids, you know, getting an understanding of what it is to put your hands up. I mean it's a killer.
So talk to me about what motivated you on this and how you are feeling about it now.
CHRIS "LUDACRIS" BRIDGES, AWARD-WINNING HIP HOP ARTIST/ACTOR: I mean you just talked about it. Everything is about new ideas and trying to add something positive to what's going on. And obviously, you know, making way for the new generation.
And I'm trying to use my platform to create another platform for all of the parents that are doing the online classes. And, obviously, summertime, you know -- summertime classes are not going on right now so how can I help in a positive way and have these conversations and to make way for the new generation.
That's what KidNation.com is all about. This video that you just played is getting an overwhelming response around the world so I'm just Trying to do my part in leading right now. So thank you so much for this opportunity. I appreciate it.
WHITFIELD: It really is beautiful. And you know, this is -- you know, this is broad. You know, you're talking about everything in -- with KidNation and in the music about and for kids from what this pandemic, you know, has them thinking and doing to --
BRIDGES: Yes.
WHITFIELD: -- a litany of examples of, you know, brutality. Of racism. Of things that are just too big for most kids to understand. So what was your approach? What did you have in mind? You know, what really pulled at your heart strings about what -- you know, the kind of help you could give kids?
BRIDGES: Well, I have my own children, and they are, you know, my influence and inspiration to do things like this. So again, you know, I know the current world that we're in, and that's pretty much the motivation of doing this.
And I feel like kids are innocent. They're very honest. They lead with love. And again, that's why it's so important. So I just wanted to make this happen.
And it's funny you say that about the current times that we're in. We have two videos up right now. there's another one called "Stay Clean". That's talking about hygiene in a fun way, reminding kids and reinforcing to wash their hands. So these are two videos that we have up on KidNation.com.
And we're going to launch the entire site toward the end of the summer but I'm just trying to do my part in helping right there -- exactly what I said.
WHITFIELD: It makes me smile because -- I mean, you know, these kids need all of our arms just wrapping around them. And at the same time, I can see, you know, in these videos they're having fun learning. They're also being messengers, you know, as well as, of course, the students.
So let's take a turn a little bit. You know, CNN is hosting a town hall with several mayors, including the Atlanta mayor, Keshia Lance- Bottoms. As an Atlanta native yourself, you know, what are you hoping to hear from Mayor Bottoms in terms of what you've seen in your hometown here and beyond?
BRIDGES: She's doing a great job so far. And I think that she's rallying up people. She's galvanizing individuals to do the right thing and just to continue trying to create change. Especially here in our state and in our city. And I think we're all doing our job and doing our part to try and help her as well.
WHITFIELD: Are you more hopeful now than ever as it pertains to, you know, trying to erase racial injustices, trying to promote justice for all?
BRIDGES: I feel like we're at a great start right now. I feel like we have everyone's ear. And I feel like we are -- you know, we have to keep the pressure on because there's a lot that needs to happen, obviously.
And so, like I said, using my platform on numerous fronts. I have songs. I have this KidNation platform. I'm out there in the streets with my own people just trying to continue to fight for all of the injustices. So I think if everybody does a little bit, then we will continue to push forward 100 percent.
[11:55:05]
WHITFIELD: Fantastic. Ludacris -- congratulations. Thank you so much.
BRIDGES: Thank you. I appreciate it.
WHITFIELD: Fantastic.
All right. And this quick programming note: join Laura Coates with four of the nation's top mayors: D.C.'S Muriel Bowser, Keshia Lance Bottoms, Chicago's Lori Lightfoot and San Francisco's London Breed. "MAYORS WHO MATTER: A CNN TOWN HALL ON RACE AND COVID-19" live tomorrow night at 9:00.
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WHITFIELD: From the NFL to the E.R., a former pro football player is going beyond the call on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus.
Here's CNN's Brynn Gingras.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: By the time Dr. Kameno Bell has made it to the couch to watch TV with his three girls, he's already put in a full day in the emergency room at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Like other E.R.s across the country right now, most of the patients he treats has the coronavirus.
DR. KAMENO BILL, FORMER NFL PLAYER: The volume of critically ill patients has been unprecedented.
GINGRAS: Bell thrives in the high stress pressure-filled days these pandemic brings. Before he wore scrubs, his uniform was a football jersey. Bell played for the University of Illinois. He was later drafted to the Miami Dolphins. He jokes it eventually became an easy decision to leave football.
DR. BELL: I get cut three times from the same team, you know. Somebody from above is saying, you're being hardheaded, you know.
GINGRAS: He pursued a career in medicine. His teammates now, doctors and nurses battling this disease. Hackensack Medical says it's seen more than 2,000 COVID-19 patients since the pandemic started.
What's that been like for you?
DR. BELL: When they look like me and then there was no other medical issues and then I see, you know, how critical they are, then it's like, it can happen to anybody.
GINGRAS: It came close to happening to him. Earlier this year, Bell treated a patient who later tested positive for COVID-19. He was quarantined in his basement away from his family for a week but didn't catch the virus.
Now the basement is where he goes after every shift.
DR. BELL: Before I can see the family, I have to come down here and decontaminate.
[11:59:57]
GINGRAS: The job comes with serious risk. To Bell himself, to his family and never held the fanfare that a professional football player might receive.
