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President Donald Trump On GOP-Led Committee's Russia Meddling Report "Witch Hunt"; President Donald Trump: Ex-Adviser Bannon's Fraud Arrest A "Sad Event"; Clinton, Obama, Harris Rally The Vote At Democratic Convention; Tonight: Joe Biden Delivers Speech As Democratic Nominee; Testing Czar Warns To Keep Guard Up As Cases Decline Across U.S. Aired 12-12.30p ET

Aired August 20, 2020 - 12:00   ET

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

[12:00:00]

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: My interpretation is essentially they don't have to do it. So we'll probably end up back in Supreme Court. But this is just a continuation of the most hideous witch hunt in the history of our country.

We beat Mueller. We won at every level in this - in Washington and D.C. We won at every level so now what they do? They send it into New York. So now we have all Democrat state and they send it into New York it should never be allowed to happen to another president.

This is a continuation of the most disgusting witch hunt in the history of our country. All it is. But the Supreme Court said phishing expedition. This is the ultimate phishing expedition nobody has anything. We don't do things wrong. But they'll say let's go in and expect every deal he has ever done.

Let's get papers from ten years, every paper, every deal he has ever signed maybe we can find where some lawyer made a mistake, where they didn't dot an "I" where they didn't put a coma down some place. And then we can do something. This is a disgrace I think should never, ever be allowed to happen again. Thank you very much.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, on Navalny the Russian opposition leader, he is hospitalized and I think he was poisoned. Is that the U.S. government's determination that--

TRUMP: We haven't seen it yet. We're looking at it and Mike's going to be reporting to me soon. OK? Thank you very much, everybody.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Let's go. Let's go. This way, please. Press, thank you.

JOHN KING, CNN HOST, INSIDE POLITICS: Hello, everybody. I'm John King in Washington. You're seeing there the end of an Oval Office session the President of the United States with the Prime Minister of Iraq Mustafa Al Kadhimi.

The president talking about a number of issues including his plans to eventually draw down U.S. troops in Iraq and U.S. troops in Afghanistan but the big news conversations with the president and questions from the reporters about two big legal developments today.

One a setback for the president, a Federal Judge in New York saying the president must turn over his tax returns to a Manhattan prosecutor investigating the president's business conduct and his personal finances and the president also commenting calling it a sad development on the indictment, the charges against his Former Top Political Adviser Steve Bannon.

Mr. Bannon and three associates charged essentially with a fraudulent shell game. A private enterprise set up to raise money promising all that money would go to help build the president's border wall. Well, federal authorities in New York the Trump Justice Department charging Steve Bannon and three others saying they skimmed hundreds of thousands of dollars of that money for personal use.

Lavish personal use essentially defrauding the very base Steve Bannon and the president help build those are the allegations. Joining us now to discuss is our CNN Justice Correspondent Evan Perez our Crime and Justice Correspondent Shimon Prokupecz and also Toluse Olorunnipa he is a White House Reporter for "The Washington Post."

Toluse, I want to start with you because of the president's reaction to this and then we'll get into the legal details. And this is unfolding on what should be Joe Biden's big day but we'll get to that later, the end of the Democratic Convention.

The president being asked her about Steve Bannon once a top aide now yet another member of the president's inner circling to face criminal charges, the president called it a sad day, said he had nothing to do with it. This allegation is that this Steve Bannon essentially bilking the Trump base.

TOLUSE OLORUNNIPA, WHITE HOUSE REPORTER, THE WASHINGTON POST: Yes. The president is trying to distance himself from not only his Former Campaign Manager but his Former Chief Strategist in the White House from a project which the president's own son participated in, privately funded project to fund the border wall back in early 2019, late 2018 when the president was not able to get money for the wall.

And you know there was a government shutdown and the president seems to be trying to put as much distance from Steve Bannon as possible but it does remind a lot of Americans that this is a president who has been surrounded with people who have been indicted.

His Former Campaign Manager, Former National Security Adviser, his other Former Campaign Manager and it just sort of adds to the theme that we have been hearing this week at the Democratic National Democratic Convention that the president is out for himself, he is trying to line his own pockets, him and his cronies are not following the law instead they are trying sort of grafters who are trying to take advantage of the American people.

So it is a tough headline for the president to get just on the eve of his own convention seeing that his Former Campaign Manager who was a major part of the last convention is now being potentially locked up for crimes against the president's own supporters.

KING: Evan Perez, take us inside what the charges allege? Because essentially tell me if I have this right? There is this fund raising group build the wall set up it includes belatedly Steve Bannon came into the game. They promised everyone all your money will go to help build the wall. We will not be paying ourselves big personal salaries and instead the feds alleging it was a shell game and that hundreds of thousands of dollars went to lavish personal expenses, right?

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: That's right John. $25 million is what this group says that they raised from go fund me campaign to build sections of the wall on private land along the U.S./Mexico border. And according to the reputations they made they said that they were not - the members, the people involved including Steve Bannon.

Brian who was the Former Air Force service member who was leading the campaign they all said that they were not going to get a single - that all of it was going go towards building what the president had promised, which was this wall along the U.S./Mexico border.

[12:05:00]

PEREZ: And that essentially what Steve Bannon set up was essentially a shell company or a nonprofit that essentially was taking about a million dollars, some of it was being funneled back to - and other members of what is - what the U.S. government says is a conspiracy.

And so this was money that they were using to fund their lavish lifestyles according to these charges from the prosecutors there in Manhattan. This was a case being done by the U.S. Postal inspection service they're the ones that went out and made this case.

Bannon was arrested by the way John this morning. Apparently he was on a boat off of the coast of Connecticut. And so we expect that he is going to be making his first appearance in court. But it just goes to show you I think the president just in the sound that you just played was asked, you know, how is it that you keep having members, people associated with your administration who keep getting arrested essentially long line of grafters?

And he sort of deflected and tries to make it about the Obama Administration but this is obviously something that was part of what the president was promising his base. People associated with him were trying to accomplish it because, again, some of the federal efforts to build the wall were being delayed and we now see what was being done with the money.

KING: Right. We have seen a number of the political advisers to the president trade in on his name which is trading him on his name. Not all that common in Washington the level at which they do it might be extraordinary. But this is alleged criminal conduct, this is not swampy conduct this is alleged criminal conduct. I'll come back to this in a minute. But the other big development, Shimon Prokupecz, was this federal judge saying in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling essentially throwing out the Trump lawyers arguing yet again we should not have to give the president's tax returns to - the Manhattan prosecutor and a Federal Judge not only saying yes you do but in quite strong words saying you must.

SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, very strong words. Again, this is the same judge, Judge Victor Marrero, who had the initial case and of course had strong words for the president and this idea that he has immunity from prosecution.

The Judge again today, you know, despite what the president may be saying today that this is a witch hunt, a continuation of a witch hunt, a federal judge again today said that the idea that this is somehow politically motivated or some kind of phishing expedition dismissed that idea.

This Federal Judge has been with this case now for over a year. He has information that's not publicly known. So he knows based on what he has seen that is not some kind of phishing expedition and that the Manhattan D.A.'s office is entitled based on what they know and based on what their investigating.

They're entitled to eight years worth of the president's tax returns and information to prepare those tax documents. He also said, the judge, that justice is relevant here. That this needs to come to an end and that the Manhattan D.A.'s office needs to be able to pursue their investigation.

One of the other concerns in all of this, of course, for the judge here and for investigators is that in some ways that the team here, the defense team, the lawyers for the president is trying to run out the clock here so that the statute of limitations would expire and therefore some of these charges can't be brought.

We should know that the president's team has already quickly sent in their appeals saying that they need an emergency response from the appeals court here in Manhattan because what happened is the judge and everyone has agreed, they have seven days, basically from the time that once this decision is made prosecutors should be able within seven days to get these documents.

So the president's attorneys have gone in, seeking an emergency relief. Everyone now expects and certainly people at the district attorney's office that this is going to wind up back at the Supreme Court and ultimately at the hands of Justice Roberts.

If they choose to intervene, that decision may ultimately land on his lap so still could be months away but we could see the courts here move quickly which would allow the district attorney's office to get these documents before Election Day.

It would not be made public because this is a grand jury investigation. But given how quickly the local judge here at the federal court has moved and perhaps we could see the appeals court move this could happen much quicker than anyone thinks.

KING: Very important legal developments and the president's reaction there. We'll stay on top this story. Shimon Prokupecz, Evan Perez and Toluse Olorunnipa I appreciate your insights. A quick break when we come back this is Joe Biden's big night, third time is the charm, tonight he accepts the Democratic Presidential Nomination and heads into the fall campaign.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:10:00]

KING: This is Joe Biden's big night, the final act of the Democratic Convention. Tonight the Former Vice President has the national stage to make his case that one term of President Trump is more than enough and that him Mr. Biden the blue collar kid from Scranton who rose to the Senate and then the Vice Presidency he will make the case that he is the man the country needs right now.

Aides suggest the speech will be more about him, more about Joe Biden, his plans and why he believes he is best to meet this moment of American crisis? That to close a convention whose constant refrain is that the incumbent lacks the character and the competence the Oval Office demands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job because he can't.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: The Coronavirus pandemic of course is the backdrop every day of this campaign and Democrats say the bruising numbers make their case better than any speech. 5.5 million plus cases, 173,000 plus American deaths six plus months now of Coronavirus stress and sadness.

[12:15:00]

KING: To Democrats proof of the president's limitations and proof of their case for change.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA) VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We're at an inflection point. The constant chaos leaves us adrift. The incompetence makes us feel afraid. The callousness makes us feel alone. It's a lot. And here's the thing. We can do better. And deserve so much more.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: With us now, Julie Hirschfeld Davis of "The New York Times" Matt Viser of "The Washington Post". Julie one of the striking things I want to listen to some of the sound from the convention last night. You always hear at a convention it is about ginning up excitement, it is about convincing people you need to vote but because of the controversy about mail-in voting, all the president's attacks on it, what striking to me and we'll listen to some of the top speakers here as they talk about voting they say people don't just have to vote. They have to have a plan. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HILLARY CLINTON, (D) 2016 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Don't forget, Joe and Kamala can win by 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me. So we need numbers overwhelming so Trump can't sneak or steal his way to victory.

OBAMA: They're hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote and to convince you that your vote does not matter. That is how they win.

HARRIS: We have shown that when we vote, we expand access to health care and expand access to the ballot box and ensure that more working families can make a decent living.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Such a big concern that almost every speaker gives the text. Text in to the Biden Campaign so they can tell you what is the process in your state to get an absentee or mail-in ballot, what are the deadlines? How do you go about it, pretty striking?

JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS, CONGRESSIONAL EDITOR, THE NEW YORK TIMES: Absolutely. I think that the recognition is, A, what we heard in some of those clips there are all of these efforts under way to both sort of lessen people's confidence in the normal voting systems but also they understand that they have to build up intensity among a lot of voters.

They spent many, many months and all of the nights so far of this convention sort of softening the ground to making the case for why President Trump is not fit to stay the president?

But Joe Biden's big assignment tonight and I think what you heard all of the speakers try to do in the nights proceeding it is to really get people energized and eager and feeling urgent of the idea to vote because if they don't have that they understand that this could be a real uphill slog and has been the challenge for Joe Biden during the campaign.

There's a lot of intensity, look at the polling a lot of intense feeling against President Trump and his leadership but when they need is for people to really feel intensity that they want to vote for Joe Biden and that they're going to do everything they can to get out there and make sure that that happens.

KING: And that's what makes this moment so fascinating. You look at any piece of data you want whether it is political polling, country on the right or wrong track, consumer sentiment, the American people are wide open to change, wide open to change. The question is can Joe Biden make the case that I'm acceptable change; I'm good change you want to come to me?

Matt, you have a great piece in the newspaper today about this moment, this improbable moment for Joe Biden. This is a piece of it to those who know him best including some who have been by his side for decades Biden's improbable ascent so late in the life and during this unsteady period for the country can at times feel less like a man seizing the moment than the moment finally coming to him.

It is an interesting perspective that Joe Biden frustrated in his first two campaigns, sat out 2016 when the establishment rallied around Hillary Clinton suddenly in a crisis this man of empathy thinks maybe this is my time.

MATT VISER, NATIONAL POLITICAL REPORTER, THE WASHINGTON POST: I mean it is interesting tonight to just reflect a little bit on the arc of his career. And as you point out he has had two successful attempts at running previously and of course he sort of thinks about running every four years just about.

But in past campaigns he has not been the man for the moment. In '88 his campaign ended kind of in scandal over Plagiarism issue and in 2008 he was the experienced guy, at a time when the party went for hope and change and a new and charismatic leader in Barack Obama.

This moment is different and finally the moment has kind of come to Biden in a different way. You know? Where they do think that it's a moment of empathy for the country and as a moment sort of crying out for somebody who does have experience and so that I think is what you will hear a lot from him tonight in this speech.

A speech he's wanted to give for a long time. You know? He's given lots of speeches over his career. This will be like none other and a moment like none other in a room without a crowd.

KING: And that's a great point because Joe Biden has been on the convention stage before but the guy that speaks last or the woman that speaks last four years ago for the Democrats is the nominee, is the leader of the party.

[12:20:00]

KING: A job Joe Biden wanted for quite some time. In the past and let's listen, Julie and Matt he's been a backup singer if you will.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOE BIDEN (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our greatest presidents from Abraham Lincoln to Franklin Roosevelt to John Kennedy, they all challenged us to embrace change. Now it is our responsibility to meet that challenge.

Work recovery is not yet complete. But we are on our way. The journey of hope is not yet finished but we are on our way! And the cause of change is not fully accomplished but we are on our way. His Sinicism is unbounded his lack of empathy and compassion can be summed up in a phrase I suspect he's most proud of making famous, you're fired.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: It will be interesting tonight to see Julie how Biden tries to make the case. A lot of you don't like him, why me?

DAVIS: Right. I mean, it is unusual given that he's gone to - he's been at Democratic Conventions for at least 40 years on the stage giving these speeches and the American people and voters really do know Joe Biden but in a tonight he has to really reintroduce himself to them as somebody who they want to be their president.

And again it isn't really enough for him to make an effective case against President Trump the way he's certainly has been doing throughout the campaign and all his supporters have been doing this week. But he really has to make the proactive case for himself and why he is the person who belongs in that job?

And that's a challenge that he hasn't had to confront in any of his other prior convention speeches so it should be an interesting moment.

KING: Interesting moment, last chance for the Democrats, the president gets his turn next week. Matt Viser and Julie Hirschfeld Davis I appreciate your reporting and your insights. Up next for us the Coronavirus warning coming from inside the Trump Administration even as the case count does improve some.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[12:25:00]

KING: The White House announcing this morning the Vice President Mike Pence will lead a Coronavirus Task Force meeting at the White House this afternoon. A reminder the threat of this virus is still very real and a reminder it is running parallel if you will to the big debate with presidential campaign.

Let's take a look at where we are right now and go through the trends. You see a lot of green and a lot of beige on the map, that's good, that's steady and going down. 12 states heading up, that's the orange and the red. 12 states reporting more cases right now compared to a week ago.

18 states holding steady, 20 states there are the green ones fewer cases including Florida and including Arizona states that were big drivers of the summer surge show an improving situation at the moment at least in those states.

This is the lagging indicator, deaths, cases first and then deaths later 18 states still reporting more deaths right now than a week ago a lot of pain and sadness in this map. 18 states up 14 states holding steady, 18 states trending down they're the green states reporting fewer deaths now compared to a week ago.

The cases trend line this is interesting we are at an interesting moment and this is fascinating we need to watch it. This is the peak of the summer surge, up to 77,000 cases a day plus here's where we are now. 47 you saw a couple days to begin the week we through maybe we could drop below 40. Stubbornly high number though still 47 and this is the big debate, is we coming all the way down?

Can we keep coming down? And a lot of experts say, why, why back here in June couldn't you keep it here? This is the summer surge all these cases and the death numbers I just showed you. The question is where are we headed? Death trends just numbingly sad 22 days of 1,000 plus deaths over the past month.

22 days in the past month more than 1,000 Americans have died because of the Coronavirus. A big question now as that case count does start to come down some, can you keep it there? Still again above 40,0000 a day that's a pretty high baseline. Can you push it lower? It gets hard when you have these outbreaks now on colleges campuses.

16 states with colleges that have COVID cases and this is why it is significant. If you look at Iowa and Kansas they're trending up anyway but a lot of these cases popping now up, Arizona, Colorado and Indiana. States that are going down, Mississippi and Georgia or states like Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee, Oklahoma, states that were holding steady.

The challenge is if you had an improving Coronavirus situation will these outbreaks on campuses make it worse? One of the reasons Admiral Giroir the testing CZAR for the Task Force says things are looking better but.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADMIRAL BRETT GIROIR, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, HHS: We need to be absolutely diligent about adherence to public health recommendations or else we can have flares and outbreaks. This thing could turn around very quickly if we're not careful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Dr. Paul Offit joins us now. He is the Director of Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Offit, thank you. It is great to see you again. I'm grateful for your insights.

Explain what the Admiral is saying there that look, I would still argue and I think you agree that more than 40,000 cases a day is still a pretty devastating place to be at for the country. You need to get it down way lower than that but the Admiral's point is if people suddenly get lax again, masks, social distancing and the like it will go right back up.

DR. PAUL OFFIT, DIRECTOR OF VACCINE EDUCATION AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL PHILADELPHIA: Yes. I think we have been consistently lax, actually. I mean, this really shouldn't be that hard.

[12:30:00]