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Trump Speaks Ahead Of Trip To Wisconsin; Republicans Praised Trump's Character At RNC; Two Veteran Massachusetts Congressional Democrats Face Challenges From Younger Liberals & One Challenger Is A Kennedy. Aired 11:30a-12p ET
Aired September 01, 2020 - 11:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:30:00]
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And I'm speaking really today there for law enforcement and for the National Guard because they have done a great job in Kenosha.
They have put out the flames immediately. As soon as they came in, boom, the flame was gone. Now maybe it will start up again in which case they will put it out very powerfully.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Can you give us the latest on TikTok and what percentage you want, if any, of that deal?
TRUMP: Well, I told them that they have until September 15th to make a deal. After that, we close it up in this country.
And -- and I said that the United States has to be compensated, well compensated because we are the ones that is making it possible. And so we should be compensated so the treasury has to be well-compensated.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Mr. President, do you have an update on airlines and what your administration wants to do to help airlines?
TRUMP: Well, we'll be helping the airlines, yes. We'll be helping the airlines. You have to help the airlines. Tough business. Always is. Airlines are a tough business in good times.
And we're about ready to get back to good times. You look at the numbers this morning. Many so of the numbers coming out are incredible. We have now the all-time highest stock market. If you take the average. We're at a number that nobody would even believe. We're doing well.
We have tremendous -- I'll tell you, we have tremendous, what would you say is the best word, the enthusiasm for the country, the enthusiasm for the comeback, the "V." You look at the "V." Now I think it's a super "V."
And Morgan Stanley, of course, which is one of the most respected on Wall Street, would you say, they just made a big prediction. You know what the prediction was, that President Trump is going to remain president. So we'll have to see. We'll have to see. But I don't -- I cannot imagine anything else because if somebody else got in, namely my opponent, your stock market, instead of setting records right now, they will crash. Your 401Ks will be down to nothing. Your stocks will be down to nothing. And we will have a depression like you've never seen before.
We'll have an incredible economy. Next year is going to be one of the best years that we've ever had. And everybody is getting a big tax cut.
Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE QUESTION).
TRUMP: Yes. We're working on drug companies on substantially lowering drug price. I've put out a favored nations clause. I've signed it. That means we get the lowest prices anywhere in the world, and we match whoever gets the lowest.
And the drug company is having a real problem with that. So they are coming in to see me. And we expect to get a very substantial price reduction of prescription drugs which has never been done before.
UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: (INAUDIBLE QUESTION)
TRUMP: They are coming, yes. They are coming, this week.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: President of the United States boarding Air Force One. He's at Joint Base Andrews, just outside of Washington, D.C., on his way to Kenosha, Wisconsin.
And if you're watching that exchange, forgive me, it was kind of rich. The president saying a number of things that were not true. Some of them blatantly dishonest and him saying in the biggest problem in the country is a dishonest news media. It was the dishonest president of the United States that was part of that there.
In part, him saying the situation in Kenosha has improved because of the National Guard, taking credit for that. He had nothing to do with that. The Democratic governor sent the National Guard in there after the preface because of the Jacob Blake shooting.
The president had nothing to do with it. And he called the mayor of Portland a fool, said he's willing to send the National Guard into Portland, Oregon, if the mayor or governor will ask for it in that state.
The president on his way to Kenosha. He was asked if he wanted to do something to heal racial tensions in this country and he said he's about law and order and he believes that will do it, that that will do it. Harsh words there from the president.
And that's the big question right there. He's off to Kenosha today. And Democrats are worried that harsh tone will further inflame tensions there.
If you listen to Trump loyalists, there is a softer side to the president. You just don't see it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HERSCHEL WALKER, FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER: I've known Donald Trump for 37 years. I've watched him treat janitors, security guards the same way he would treat a VIP. He made them feel special.
KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The same way President Trump has supported me, he supports you. I see it every day.
JE'RON SMITH, DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO PRESIDENT TRUMP: And I can tell you he really cares. I have seen his true conscience.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: But the president's words and tweets since the Republican convention, including what you just heard, speak for themselves.
And they carry more weight than the glossy convention testimonials because they are backed up by years of his harsh history.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I think there's blame on both sides. You look at --
(CROSSTALK)
TRUMP: You look at both sides. I think there's blame on both sides.
Any guy that can do a body slam, he's my kind of guy.
(CHEERING)
TRUMP: Knock the crap out of him, would you, seriously?
(CHEERING)
TRUMP: OK?
(CHEERING)
TRUMP: Just knock the hell -- I promise you, I will pay for the legal fees.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: We are now nine weeks to Election Day. One veteran Republican strategist -- you can read it there -- says, quote, "It would be nice to show more heart and less harshness if the president wants to win over persuadable voters."
[11:35:05]
That Republican strategist is with us now. Alice Stewart, who worked on the presidential campaigns of Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz. Alice, grateful for your time today.
You're wishing for the president to show more heart and less harshness. We were just listening to him on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. He's asked about -- he talks about criticizing Democratic mayors. He says that they are fools. He takes credit for things that he had nothing to do with.
He also was talking there, when he was asked do you want to do something to heal racial tensions, he says I do and then he says I'm about law and order.
And he's right. African-Americans would like less crime in their neighbors. Latino Americans would like less crime in their neighborhood.
But nowhere -- there was an opportunity for the president to say they would also like not to be pulled over because they are black and brown and they would like not to fear that their sons or daughters might get shot in the back seven times because they are black or brown.
Where is that from this president?
ALICE STEWART, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, that remains to be seen, John. Thanks for having me.
Look, for a day like today that is billed as one for the president to go out and show compassion and concern and caring for the people that are hurting in Kenosha, what we just witnessed was what we call getting off message, and it's not very helpful.
What we needed to take away from today was the president meeting with people, and as he said with pastors and expressing concern. And, unfortunately, I feel as though this is what's going to get a lot of the headlines today.
But the good thing is that what we saw out of the Republican convention and what I hope to see for next nine weeks is really a softer side of him.
We had Melania talk about him. I think can a Kayleigh McEnany's compassionate story was one that we hopefully will have much more because John, as you know, the -- this race will be decided by the Independent swing state voters. And those people right now want to see a softer side of the president.
Look, we know that the base of Trump loves the brashness, they love the passion. But the swing voters want permission to vote for this president.
And the way that he goes about doing that is to show that he not only has policies of law and order and strength and peace through strength but he also does it in a way that makes them feel good about it, which is really the message that the Trump campaign needs to put forth moving forward. KING: We've known each other a long time -- and I applaud your loyalty
to your party. And I understand a lot of Republicans, even Republicans who sometimes roll their eyes at the president, understand how he does in November affects how all the other Republicans do in November.
But I get your point, show more heart. But it has to be genuine, does it not? Because a lot of what we saw at the Republican convention was a mirage. And 36 percent of the speakers at the convention were women.
There are only 17 percent -- we can show you the numbers here -- 17 percent of the members are women and Republicans in Congress only 10 percent. And 23 percent of the Republican convention speakers were non-white.
And only 13 percent of the Trump cabinet is not white. And 6 percent of Republicans in Congress is not white.
So what they showed us at that convention was not the reality of the Trump administration or the Republican Party at this moment in terms of diversity.
STEWART: Well, the key is that recognizing that 52 percent of the voters are women and making sure that we convey the message to them that this president has their best interest at heart when it comes to schools and jobs and the economy and health care, with COVID being top of mind for a lot of people.
Look, I think Melania is a very underutilized tool and what she was able to do at the convention. It would be nice if the campaign were to maximize that.
Using the two of them collectively would go a long way to changing and persuading the minds of Independent voters out there. And that is a tool that I hope that they continue to use over the next nine months.
But the key is, as you say, John, being genuine and empathetic, is the key to this. And we all know this president, as they say, let Trump be Trump. He is always going to be the harsh, brash candidate.
Given the choice between a carrot and a stick, he's always going to use the stick.
But the key message-wise moving forward is letting people understand he does have an empathetic side and he does have a compassionate side.
And while it might not come out of words that he says, there are ways to do it from a communications standpoint that paints that picture in a way that will swing these really important voters.
KING: Your optimism is applaudable. Alice Stewart, you said nine months. I know it will be nine weeks.
(CROSSTALK)
STEWART: I'm sorry. Nine weeks.
KING: No. Some days, it's going to feel like nine months so I'm sure we'll go through it together.
Alice, grateful for your time and insights.
[11:39:39]
Up next, it's primary day in Massachusetts. Two veteran congressional Democrats face challenges from younger liberals. And one of those younger challengers happens to be a Kennedy.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: It is primary day in Massachusetts. And two races are very much worth watching.
The House Ways and Means chairman, Richard Neal, a key ally of Nancy Pelosi, is facing a tough primary challenge from a younger progressive.
And you can say the same for Senator Ed Markey. That Senate race gets more attention because the challenger is Joseph Kennedy III and the big names on the left are split on their loyalties.
[11:45:01]
CNN's Manu Raju is here with a closer look.
Manu, a big day in Massachusetts.
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. No question about it. In that Senate race, Joe Kennedy was seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party, seen by Democratic leaders -- they tapped him to give the State of the Union rebuttal to President Trump two years ago.
But he is now facing a very difficult challenge, an effort to challenge a sitting incumbent Senator. And if he loses tonight, as the polls suggest that he might, that he'll be the first Kennedy ever to lose an election in Massachusetts.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAJU (voice-over): He hails from a political dynasty, the grandson of the late Robert F. Kennedy. Campaigning to serve of in the Senate, like his famous great uncles and grandfather before him.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love the Kennedys.
REP. JOSEPH KENNEDY III (D-MA): Thank you. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I do.
KENNEDY: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And I think you'll do a great job.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love the Kennedys. KENNEDY: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have all her "Life" magazines.
RAJU: The 39-year-old Joe Kennedy is facing something unexpected, a 74-year-old Senator, who has been in Congress for almost 44 years, and who has managed to galvanize the support of young voters ahead of Tuesday's Massachusetts Senate primary.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think that a lot of young people that are our age and at least from our town have been similarly really inspired by Ed Markey.
RAJU: Polls show Senator Ed Markey as the favorite, threatening to make the four-term congressman the first Kennedy to lose a race in Massachusetts.
Unlike other primaries this year, where Democratic incumbents have been ousted by liberal newcomers, Markey has managed to turn that dynamic on the head.
SEN. ED MARKEY (D-MA): Because it's about ideas, I'm the youngest guy this this race.
Alexandria?
RAJU: Senator Markey seizing the mantle of the insurgent, touting his support of liberal causes, like the Green New Deal and endorsement of the firebrand, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
MARKEY: That's the Green New Deal that I introduced with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Health care justice is on the ballot. That's Medicare for All, and I stood next to Bernie Sanders when he introduced it.
RAJU: Yet, it's been Kennedy with the backing of the party establishment's leader, Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
(CHEERING)
RAJU: Kennedy allies have been frustrated that Markey has not been held to account for his full record over four decades, like his backing of the Iraq war in 2002, the NAFTA deal in 1993, his position on racial issues, like school desegregation dating back to the 1970s.
KENNEDY: If a progressive movement is going to overlook those hurdles that's up to the progressive movement.
I think an awful lot of folks in many parts of Massachusetts have a different view of that record and what that moans to our communities.
RAJU: After going door to door in working-class Boston neighborhoods this weekend, Kennedy accused Markey of abandoning the state.
KENNEDY: He's spent less time in the state than anybody else in the delegation
RAJU: In an interview with CNN, Markey fired back.
MARKEY: There's no record of Congressman Kennedy in his eight years leading on issues of generational change in Washington.
RAJU: Kennedy has waited until late in the campaign to stress that it's his family legacy --
AD NARRATOR: It's a fight for his family's blood.
RAJU: -- that he wants to continue in the Senate.
KENNEDY: I try to be really clear that it's me on the ballot. It's not me or my grandfather or brothers or anybody else. If you vote for me, you'll get me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KING: Manu is back with us. Also with us, the national correspondent for "New York Times," Jonathan Martin.
One of the fascinating things, Manu, that you mention at the end of your piece -- and, Jonathan, you're up in Maine today, in God's country in Massachusetts.
The Kennedy legacy not only on the ballot but it's playing out in the ads.
Let's listen to a snippet here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AD NARRATOR: Health care for all, for jobs and opportunity, for racial injustice, long promised by never delivered. It's a fight in his blood.
KENNEDY: We ask what we can do for our country. We went out. We did it.
MARKEY: With all due respect, it's time to start asking what your country can do for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Jonathan, when you were walking through the neighborhoods this weekend, how much of that do voters talk about? Do voters talk about loyalty to the Kennedy family, or is this about these two candidates?
JONATHAN MARTIN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Yes. Oh, you hear about the Kennedys all the time, especially with older voters and African- American voters who often bring up the Kennedys. They don't refer to Joe Kennedy. They just say the Kennedys.
The challenge, John, if you talk to younger voters and especially younger more progressive white voters, they are just not that jazzed about the Kennedy legacy. It's much before their time. If you think about it, Ted Kennedy's not been on the ballot in that
state since 2006. And so a lot of these younger voters there couldn't even vote the last time a Kennedy ran statewide.
So there's sort of a class divide and a racial divide. And I think that that has hurt Joe Kennedy.
And it's why, in the closing days of this campaign, that he's not only embracing his family legacy, he's really scouring in places like Boston, Lawrence, Lowell, New Bedford, the more modest communities of this state where the Kennedy legacy does still resound to a certain degree.
[11:50:19]
KING: Manu, a fascinating dynamic you touched on in the piece -- let's dig deeper -- in some of these other primaries, younger progressives go for the challenger. Let's put up the endorsements here for Senator Markey, others for Joe Kennedy.
This is an internal Democratic family feud, not just in Massachusetts but it splits a lot of national figures.
RAJU: Yes. Typically, you will see that newcomer come into a race and try to unseat an entrenched incumbent. We have seen that in New York. Lacy Clay, in Missouri, losing his primary.
What Ed Markey, been in Congress in the House and the Senate for more than 40 years, longer than Joe Kennedy -- has seen the endorsement of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, he mentions that on the trail.
And that's a frustration for people in the Kennedy camp and Kennedy himself because they believe Markey's full record has not been taken into account. And they believe it's been a reinvention of sorts.
But perhaps a skillful one appearing to be succeeding in a lot of ways and he can come up Victoria because of that -- John?
KING: You talked about the turnout on Election Day and could be a test of what we could see come November in the sense that so many people have voted in this primary by mail.
If you believe the polls, and Markey was leading early on, then instinct tells you the mail-in votes he would have a lead there. We could go through this election night in November where what happens on Election Day may not be what happens when you count them all.
MARTIN: Exactly right. If you check out where the early ballots cast in Massachusetts, there have been about 800,000 cast already, which is a lot of votes in a primary there, overwhelmingly have come from suburban, affluent areas, which is Markey's base.
That's advantage that Markey has going into Election Day, which is why I think Kennedy would need a huge turnout in the more working-class parts of the state to make this race competitive. And just real fast, tracking what Manu said, it's striking, John, to
hear the frustration of Joe Kennedy. I got it on Saturday. Manu got it in his piece.
He is really opening the frustration that, as he puts it, white more upscale people in the state overlooking Markey's history. As Barney Frank, the former congressman never lacking in a quick quote said to me, "I admire him as a politician the skill with which Ed Markey reinvented himself."
It is an open secret in the political class of what Markey has done in recent months but it's been pretty effective.
KING: Jonathan Martin, Manu Raju, appreciate your time. And will count the votes tonight.
It can come back.
Appreciate both of you.
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: There's no "Rs" allowed in the hub, no, sir.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Absolutely, no, sir.
[11:53:51]
Coming up, New York City announced a change for when schools will reopen there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:58:22]
KING: Major announcement out of New York City today. Schools will not reopen September 10th. Instead, Mayor Bill De Blasio said the city will set, quote, "the global gold standard," meaning he's giving teachers more time to prepare for this unprecedented school year because of the pandemic, of course.
The new plan for online classes to begin a week later, on September 16th. Then September 21st schools try a mix, both remote and in-person learning.
That delay part of an agreement the mayor has made with the major teachers union there after they threatened to go on strike.
When we come back, the president is in the air right now on the way to Wisconsin. The governor and the mayor of Kenosha say, please don't come. The president on his way. He says he's the law and order candidate.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
