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Police Shoot Black Man In Back At Close Range In Front Of Children; Update On Coronavirus Responses Around The Country; Historic Dual Storms Threatens Louisiana & Texas Coasts; N.Y. A.G. Investigating Trump Finances & Asking For Son To Be Deposed; Kellyanne Conway Leaving White House After Public Family "Drama"; Hospital: Test Results Indicate Russian Opposition Leader Poisoned. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired August 24, 2020 - 13:30   ET

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

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[13:33:12]

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN HOST: A lot of questions today after a young man black man was shot in the black by police multiple times as his three children watched. It happened Sunday afternoon in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The man has been identified as Jacob Blake.

There's video of the incident. I want to warn you, it is disturbing. Here it is now.

You can see police, one with the gun drawn, following Blake walking to the driver side of the sufficient. And as he opens the driver's side and leans inside the vehicle, shots ring out. We paused the video because it is graphic.

Blake is now fighting for his life in a Wisconsin hospital.

CNN's Polo Sandoval is in Kenosha and joins me now.

First of all, what is the status of this man, Jacob Blake? Where does the investigation stand?

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Anderson, the latest update from the Kenosha Police Department, the agency involved in this shooting, the latest update now suggesting he did survive the shooting yesterday evening and was taken to a Milwaukee hospital and where he's listed in serious condition.

Anderson, speaking to the neighbors who live in this community -- the shooting happened about 40 yards down this sidewalk. And when you hear from people, a lot of people here certainly are turning to prayer and hoping that he will be able to pull through.

And they're considering this nothing short of a miracle because they heard up to seven shots. Though, we have to be clear, we don't know how many times Mr. Blake was hit.

People here are certainly surprised of this outcome and certainly hopeful that he pulls through so share his story since, of course, that video you shared -- though it's disturbing, it's a brief but very disturbing window into what happened in this neighborhood yesterday evening.

That's what we're seeing now from the investigation standpoint but also from the people that heard the shots directly.

COOPER: What we don't know is what occurred. The video, we only see it when he's moving from the passenger side around to the driver side. We don't really know the circumstances of what happened before that.

[13:35:06]

And I know -- who's investigating this? I read that it's not the Kenosha Police Department, that others have been brought in.

SANDOVAL: Almost immediately, Anderson, the Kenosha P.D. stepped back here, not only gave up the scene to an outside agency but also to Wisconsin's Department of Justice to go in actually investigate this, to investigate the shooting itself, so that is still ongoing.

And in speaking to people here, they're hopeful to get answers to the questions because all we know is that it started as this kind of domestic disturbance outside. Police responded.

And, at some point, that's when Mr. Blake starts walking towards that SUV and then those shots rang out.

We had an opportunity to speak to a 22-year-old, Shawn White (ph), who's actually the man who shot that video. He described the shock wave that was sent through this community.

And for him, as a black man, he said seeing that was traumatizing, filling him with anger. Though he's also willing to take a breath and to let the investigation run its course.

And when you step back yourself and really take a look at other similar incidents we've seen cross the country, for the community here, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, it is certainly going to fuel concerns and speculation and will certainly test the trust that many in this community, particularly African-Americans, have in the local police department.

COOPER: Quickly, it was originally a domestic violence call that the police were responding to. And we don't know what happened before this incident, other than what's on the videotape. Is that correct?

SANDOVAL: At this point, that's the only window we have. We hope to hear from authorities soon.

But as far as the two officers, they are on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

And ultimately, all we have to go on is the video that Shawn White (ph) shot with his iPhone yesterday. The video that might potentially serve as evidence.

COOPER: Yes.

Polo Sandoval, appreciate it. Thanks very much.

Just ahead, one of the president's longest-serving advisers is leaving after Kellyanne Conway said there is drama at home.

Plus, two storms targeting Louisiana which can potentially become a hurricane. This would make history potentially.

Just in the hospital, the Russian opposition leader said he was poisoned. Details on that. There's special live coverage ahead.

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[13:42:07]

COOPER: Scores of vacationers at a nudist village in the south of France tested positive for coronavirus. French health authorities say that's nearly a third of the visitors in a popular town known for the nudist beaches and resorts.

Here some other coronavirus headlines our correspondents are following.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN CHIEF BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Christine Romans, in New York. The economic slump may linger. Half of the members of the prestigious National Association of Business Economics said growth won't recover until 2022.

A majority don't expect the jobs market to fully recover until 2022 at the earliest. Worse, they forecast a one in four chance of a double dip recession.

It is a reminder that the stock market is not the economy. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ hit record highs and millions are out of work and emergency stimulus expired and now a K-shaped recovery that widens the gap of winners and losers.

EVAN MCMORRIS-SANTORO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: : I'm Evan McMorris-Santoro. Museums and other cultural institutions are set to reopen in New York City, a sign of how far this city has come since it was the epicenter of the American pandemic a few months ago.

Official state numbers now show the New York infection rate to be steadily below 1 percent, a number that officials say is low enough to allow for a greater and greater return to normalcy.

It will be a new normal when it comes to museums, however. Attendance strictly capped at 25 percent of capacity. Entrance is staggered with reserve ticket times. And masks will be required.

BRYNN GINGRAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Brynn Gingras. Police in Springfield, Massachusetts, are looking for a man who walked up to a cancer survivor, among others, and gave them a COVID hug. This happened earlier this month in a Walmart there.

Police say the suspect walked up to the store customers who were apparently unknown to him and said, quote, "Just giving you a COVID hug, you now have COVID," before apparently laughing and walking away.

And now the detectives' bureau is looking for any tips to help catch this suspect.

DON RIDDELL, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: I'm Don Riddell, in Atlanta. The Olympics legend, Usain Bolt, said he is self-isolating at home after getting a test for the coronavirus. He broke the news via video on his Twitter page.

The news comes just days after he was seen celebrating his birthday at a well-attended outdoor party.

The eight-time Olympic champion posted a picture of he and his baby daughter, describing it as "best birthday ever."

He says that he currently doesn't have any symptoms of the virus. And calls to his representatives have not been returned.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COOPER: I thank all of our correspondents.

Just as two storms are about to hit the gulf coast with a director eye on Texas and Louisiana, the state of Louisiana decided to stop all coronavirus testing for 48 hours.

[13:45:02]

Tropical Storms Laura and Marco are posing a threat to millions of Americans. One storm is weakening but the other is gaining strength and could turn into a major hurricane before making landfall.

Meteorologist Jennifer Gray is tracking the paths.

Jennifer, what is the latest?

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Two very different storms. And starting with Marco, it's expected to make landfall this evening. You can see a lopsided storm.

Gusts of 65 miles per hour moving to the north/northwest at eight miles per hour. This storm is going to head to the north and west produce possibly five to 10 inches of here's the forecast track, basically just shooting off to the west in the days ahead.

But we do have another cone that's headed straight for Louisiana and Texas. That one's going to be from Laura. This one, right now, winds of 60 miles per hour, gusts of 60. and ragged right now.

It's emerging on the other side of Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, to enter a much more favorable environment for intensification. This storm could actually rapidly intensify. And I do not think it's out of the question for this to be a major storm when it makes landfall, talking about a category 3. The cone has it has a category 2 with 105 miles per hour winds, 111 is a category 3.

So it's not going to take much more strengthening for this to be a major storm at landfall.

This one is going to have a much, much bigger impact on the coast of Texas, Louisiana, than Marco.

This one's going to push inland and head to the east. And we are talking about winds of excess 100 miles per hour. Very high storm surge. Ten inches of rain or more. And you could see a foot.

And you can see the forecast models definitely coming in line, agreeing on where this storm is going to go. Right there, either the east Texas or Louisiana border.

Lake Charles could pick up a foot of rain as the storm heads inland. Over the lower Mississippi River Valley, we'll see major flooding from this storm in the days ahead.

So, Anderson, this one is one we'll be talking about over the next couple of days.

COOPER: Jennifer Gray. Jennifer, thank you very much.

White House Counselor, Kellyanne Conway, announcing she is leaving her post a month before the election. Hear why she is stepping back and how it might affect the Trump campaign.

Plus, just in, the mayor of Tuscaloosa just ordered all bars closed after a, quote, "unacceptable rise" in COVID cases on the University of Alabama campus. We'll take you there.

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[13:52:06]

COOPER: Breaking news this hour, the New York attorney general is investigating whether the Trump Organization inflated the value of the president's assets.

Want to bring in Kara Scannell and Elie Hong.

Kara, what do we know about this?

KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER (via telephone): So, Anderson, the New York attorney general's office is trying to enforce subpoenas for their investigation into whether the Trump Organization improperly inflated assets.

They're looking at four different properties. A skyscraper down in lower Manhattan, a tower in Chicago, and the golf course in Los Angeles. The A.G.'s investigation is a civil investigation. But it's part of

the New York attorney general's investigation.

They want to depose Eric Trump, the president's middle son. He is leading the Trump Organization. And they're looking to compel him to testify under oath.

The Trump Organization has responded, saying this is simply a deceit over documents. They note there has been no lawsuit filed and no allegations.

This is part of the dispute they've had since the A.G. launched their investigation last year after Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, testified before Congress and made allegations the Trump Organization may have been inflating assets when it suited them and deflating them also -- Anderson?

COOPER: Elie, this is a civil matter. What exactly does that mean? Verses criminal matter in terms of potential liability?

ELIE HONIG, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Anderson, it's a good question. So, this is potentially real trouble for the Trump Organization.

It's a civil matter now, meaning there's not criminal charges, but they're looking at whether there are other remedies, such as disbanding the Trump Organization or financial penalties.

But civil frauds can become criminal frauds. I can't tell how many times as a prosecutor I got a criminal fraud case that started as this kind of a civil investigation.

Where this could go, we'll have to wait and see.

But, look, there has been public reporting and public testimony, including from Michael Cohen, that one thing the Trump Organization would do is, as Kara said, inflate the value of their assets when they're applying for a bank loan.

And if that's what the facts prove out, this will be a straight- forward fraud case.

COOPER: Elie, what would be the next step? So, is it guaranteed that Eric Trump would be deposed, given that they're retesting that?

HONIG: No, it's not guaranteed. It will be contested in court.

The fact the A.G.'s offices wants to depose Eric Trump tells me something important. They're not fishing around.

They have specific questions. I would speculate they probably have documents. You don't just try to depose someone cold. They have specific reason they want to depose, meaning question under oath, Eric Trump. That tells me they're on to something specific here.

[13:55:06] How does this become a criminal case? You would need a referral. The A.G. would have to basically pick up the phone or walk to it across the street, either to the D.A.'s office or the SDNY, where I used to work, and say, here it is, take it where you will.

COOPER: Kara Scannell, Elie Honig, appreciate it. Thank you very much.

One of the president's longest-serving advisors and most loyal defenders is leading the administration. White House counselor, Kellyanne Conway, has announced she will depart at the end of the month. Her husband, George Conway, one of the president's most-vocal critics says he will step down from the Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans.

They both say they need to focus on their family. This comes as one of their teen daughters, who generated attention on social media about her family's political views.

Kaitlan Collins is at the White House.

What more are learning about Kellyanne Conway's departure: When is she leaving?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: She's leaving at the end of the month. So, that means she does not have a lot of a time left.

And she informed the president last night about this decision she's made to step down from her role, which is obviously significant, not just because she was a such a public facing defender of the president.

But also, in a White House known for its turnover, Kellyanne Conway was one of the longest serving aids at the president in the West Wing. So, that spot will be opening up, citing family reasons.

And her husband, who, of course, is a conservative attorney known in Washington and best known nationally for his criticism of the president, is also leaving the anti-Trump group he helped found.

It's significant for Kellyanne Conway to be leaving right before the election and for George Conway to be leaving that role right before the election, given they've put out so many anti-Trump ads.

But they're citing their family. Anderson, you often hear people in Washington who step down from big roles say they need to spend more time with their family. People around the Conways say this is genuinely the reason both are stepping back from these high-profile roles.

Given what you seen, their young children, their teenage daughter and her criticism of both of her parents, and how public that has become as well, has played a role in all of this.

Now, one of the last times we may see Kellyanne Conway speak in her role as this White House counselor to the president is likely going to be this Wednesday at the Republican convention because she is still going to make that speech.

Another thing to consider, when noting the fact Kellyanne is stepping down, this is coming in a week where Kellyanne Conway stepping down, the president's sister is recorded saying he has no principals and is a liar. And you heard the investigation Kara was talking about.

A lot of bad news that, not necessarily someone wants when they're going to their convention, trying to convince voters to re-elect them for four more years.

COOPER: Kaitlan Collins. Kaitlan, thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Still ahead, new questions and skepticism about what's driving the Trump FDA's decision to grant emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma. What kind of pressure did the White House put on them?

Plus, breaking news, the first confirmed case of re-infection is reported with coronavirus, involving a man 142 days after his first battle.

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COOPER: Tests now indicate an outspoken critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin was poisoned. Alexey Navalny became seriously ill on a flight to Moscow last week, forcing the plan to make an emergency landing.

There were disturbing images showing the opposition figure screaming in agony as medics carried him off the aircraft. Navalny was transported to a hospital in Berlin on Saturday.

CNN international correspondent, Matthew Chance, is in Moscow.

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Anderson, German doctors confirming what many already suspected, that Alexey Navalny, an out-spoken Kremlin critic was poisoned. The exact substance has not yet been identified.

The clinic in Berlin, where he remains in a coma, says the substance was a type that act on the nervous system. The statement says that Navalny has been treated with a tropine, a medication that's an antidote to some nerve agents and pesticides.

[14:00:05]

The long-term effects of the poisoning, says Navalny's doctors, are still uncertain.