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Russia's Propagandist-In-Chief on Trump and U.S. Elections; Democrats Prepare for Trump to Challenge Results; Voters React to Report on Trump's Taxes; Rise in ICU Patients in France; Parts of Europe Tighten Restrictions as Cases Spike; Global COVID-19 Death Toll Tops One Million. Aired 4:30-5a ET

Aired September 29, 2020 - 04:30   ET

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

[04:30:00]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back. Well, the man dubbed Russia's propagandist in chief is giving CNN an exclusive look at what the Kremlin may be thinking about the U.S. election. And Matthew Chance joins us live. He just met with Russian news anchor, Dmitry Kiselyov for his very first U.S. television interview. So, Matthew, what all did he reveal to you?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, very interesting conversation it was. Look, I mean, you know, as Russia braces and eyes this upcoming presidential election in the United States, you very much get a sense from state media that the optimism at once surrounded the Trump presidency. This idea that President Trump would somehow be good for Russia, has been replaced by something much more negative. Perhaps a sort of belief that no matter who wins in November, whether it's Donald Trump or whether it's Joe Biden his Democratic Party challenger, it's not going to be great for Moscow.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE (voice-over): There has been a distinct change in tone, on Russian television about President Trump.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a very nice offer from President Putin, and I could've said no thank you, or I could've said thank you.

CHANCE: This spoof video on its English language channel promoting U.S. election coverage shows Trump as the loser, taking up a job as a top Russian news anchor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And I said, I'll take it.

CHANCE: It's a humorous jab at Trump's apparent affection for Russia. But the country's actual tops state news anchor isn't laughing. In his first ever U.S. TV interview, the man dubbed the Kremlin's chief propagandist tells me how hopes of blossoming U.S./Russian relations under President Trump have vanished.

DMITRY KISELYOV, RUSSIA 1 ANCHOR: Russia has never had as many sanctions as it has under Trump, not a single state visit to Russia or to the United States.

CHANCE (on camera): Is it your hope that if President Trump wins a second term, that things will change. That he might be able to have a more positive relationship with Moscow?

KISELYOV: Nothing will change. That's America.

CHANCE (voice-over): But actually, things might change.

JOE BIDEN, U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: It will be a price to pay and Putin knows the reason he doesn't want me as president, he knows me and he knows I mean it.

CHANCE: And Kiselyov sanctioned by the E.U. for spreading Kremlin propaganda tells me a hard lined Biden presidency could plunge U.S./Russia relations into a dangerous spiral.

KISELYOV: What will he do? Go to war against us? No way to win for him.

CHANCE (on camera): But he said that he would.

KISELYOV: Let me -- let me repeat. Russia is the only country in the world with the capability to turn America into radioactive ash.

CHANCE (voice-over): With its vast nuclear arsenal, that may be terrifyingly true.

But on Russia's flagship current affairs show, it's how America's already destroying itself that's dominating coverage. The chaos and the death show the U.S. has lost its moral leadership, Kiselyov says. For the Kremlin accused by U.S. Intelligence of sowing discord, that maybe a victory of sorts, no matter who the next president may be.

(on camera): If you are forced to choose between a Trump presidency or a Biden presidency, which one would you go for? Talk in English, tell me. Which one would you go for?

KISELYOV: I would like to throw a coin. So, nothing changes. Nothing will change.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHANCE: All right, Rosemary, well that sense that nothing will change does not necessarily mean that Russia is not trying to influence the outcome of the November elections in the United States. U.S. intelligence officials, remember, saying that Russia is continuing to try and medal in those elections to favor Trump and to put Joe Biden down. Back to you.

CHURCH: Yes, Matthew Chance, many thanks for bringing us that exclusive report.

Well, the U.S. election is just five weeks away, and President Trump is doing his best to throw the results into doubt.

[04:35:00]

His false claims about voter fraud or rigged elections has Democrats making their own plans to meet any challenge. CNN's Abby Phillip explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST (voice-over): As the president continues to cast doubt out over the legitimacy of an election that is just over a month away --

TRUMP: This is going to be a disaster.

PHILLIP: Democratic officials tell CNN an army of lawyers are preparing for a wide range of obscure election scenarios that Trump himself has floated. From sending law enforcement to monitor polls, to having the election decided in Congress.

TRUMP: We have an advantage if we go back to Congress. Does everyone understand that?

PHILLIP: A disputed Electoral College result could put the fate of the election in the hands of new House of Representatives elected in November. With each state delegation getting one vote. Republicans currently have a 26 to 22 advantage. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is ready for this possibility.

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), U.S. HOUSE SPEAKER: I've been working on this for a while. I have been working almost on every scheme he might have to steal the election.

PHILLIP: Sending a letter to her caucus urging them to focus on winning a majority of state delegations in November and flipping the Senate.

Writing, we must achieve that majority of delegations or keep the Republicans from doing so.

Trump has also floated the idea of an election that is decided in the Supreme Court, like Bush v. Gore in 2000.

TRUMP: I think this will end up in the Supreme Court. And I think it's very important that we have nine justices.

PHILLIP: One of the Florida judges at the center of that recount who sided with Bush to stop the count and has since retired, making his fears of Trump clear in a rare letter to colleagues saying Trump is a threat to democracy and giving only one real solution.

CHARLES WELL, FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE, FLORIDA SUPREME COURT: There will not be a problem if the Democrats win the Senate and Biden wins the presidency. The problem will result if there is continued to be a divide between the House and the Senate.

PHILLIP: Trump falsely claiming that voter fraud is rampant. Tweeting this morning -- The ballots being returned to states cannot be accurately counted. Many things are already going very wrong.

But the president has been building a case against absentee ballots or mail-in voting for months. None of which is based on facts. Widespread voter fraud is largely nonexistent in the United States.

TRUMP: You could forget about November 3rd, because you are going to be counting those things forever. And it's very dangerous for our country.

PHILLIP: But there are real risks for the election. The FBI issuing its latest election warning, this time, about fake cyberattacks. They caution the public to be wary of internet claims of hacked voter data and compromised election infrastructure. Things that manipulate public opinion and discredit the electoral process.

Today, courts in New York and Pennsylvania ordered the post office to stop policy changes that would slow down the mail. Echoing last week's settlement with the post office, forcing it to prioritize election mail.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And just ahead, Donald Trump's taxes and what voters are thinking.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, I just think that's wonderful.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I was shocked. I'm struggling. I'm struggling this year.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Supporters cheer, critics boo and we will even hear from a rare undecided voter. Back in a moment.

[04:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: We turn to California now where two new wildfires are quickly becoming a bigger problem. The Glass Fire tripled in size from Sunday to Monday. It ripped through the state's Napa Valley destroying the vineyards and homes and for some the reality of the damage hasn't set in yet.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ADAM FORNI, ST. HELENA RESIDENT: Hard to put into words right now. It's just -- you know, I mean, you can't think about it until it's over and then when you just kind of look back and reflect on it, then you, you know, realize how crazy it is. But right now it's just about, you know, doing what needs to be done. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Meanwhile, the Zogg Fire north of Sacramento doubled in size. Three people have died. Firefighters haven't been able to contain either of these fires so far.

Well, California isn't the only U.S. state at risk. "The New York Times" reports that all major fires on the West Coast have made for the worst fire season on record. The report says possible arson in addition to outdated forest management practices have been the cause of some fires. Also at fault is climate change which has made for dryer conditions and a longer fire season providing the perfect canvass for blazes across the country.

All right. I want to return now to the revelations now about Donald Trump's taxes reported by "The New York Times." Democrats are already using the story in attack ads accusing the President of looking down on the American people. But will voters even care? CNN's Martin Savidge has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At the Marriott, a diner in suburban Atlanta, the bombshell of Trump's tax returns isn't on the menu. But it is on the minds of voters.

IRA PENCE, TRUMP SUPPORTER: That's just the matter how he runs his business.

SAVIDGE: The latest polling in Georgia before the news broke show the race between Trump and Joe Biden a dead heat. Could the revelation Trump only paid $750 in federal income taxes in 2016 and 2017 tilt the balance in Biden's favor?

(on camera): Would that make an impact on your judgment of the man?

PETER DUFRESNE, TRUMP SUPPORTER: The man -- the man is not perfect. I know that. I'm not perfect. But I think he's accomplished a whole lot.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): One look at Ira Pence tells you who he supports, and he thinks Trump's tax news is a good thing.

PENCE: I just think that's wonderful. I work very hard at trying to pay as little taxes as is legal.

SAVIDGE: And waitress Linda Trapani doesn't believe the news at all.

LINDA TRAPANI, TRUMP SUPPORTER: And here we go again. Once again, it's first of all, it's from "The New York Times."

SAVIDGE: But at a nearby booth, Nancy Macharia is furious.

NANCY MACHARIA, BIDEN SUPPORTER: I was shocked.

SAVIDGE: Originally from Kenya, she's a software engineer who says she worked three jobs to get through college and points out Trump often depicts immigrants as the ones cheating the system.

MACHARIA: We have a lot of immigrants in this country that worked very hard for such earned money, for such long hours and they pay their taxes.

SAVIDGE: Trump's campaign communications director calls "The New York Times" reporting on the president's tax returns completely inaccurate.

Retired business teacher Lamuriel Adams says Trump's tax returns prove he's no financial genius.

[04:45:00]

LAMURIEL ADAMS, BIDEN SUPPORTER: It's a lie. And I worry about that because we got our young people. I don't know what they think.

SAVIDGE: Polls have shown Trump support from white suburban women in 2020 is not what it was four years ago. But Kathryn Coffee is staying the course, unfazed by reports Trump lost tens of millions of dollars in bad business deal.

(on camera): Doesn't this prove that he is not that successful businessman he's claiming to be?

KATHRYN COFFEE, TRUMP SUPPORTER: You can look at it that way. I don't think that would be a measure that he's not a successful businessman.

SAVIDGE (voice-over): Deanna Sloan is something remarkable rare among Georgia voters, undecided. Polling suggests that percentage of undecided voters in the state to be in the single digits.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm struggling. I'm struggling this year.

SAVIDGE: Sloan says Tuesday's presidential debate could be the deciding factor. As for Trump's taxes --

(on camera): It doesn't appear that this is necessarily a deal breaker.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. I wish I could say that it was but it's not.

SAVIDGE: It's worth pointing out all the people that we talked to for this story, almost no one was surprised by the information reported about Trump's tax returns. Those that support the president say they either don't believe the news or they consider it insignificant. While those opposed to the President say they suspected all along he had financial difficulties or even irregularities in his reports. After all, he's fought so hard to prevent them from going public

Martin Savidge, CNN, Marietta, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And coming up, France is seeing a drastic increase in ICU patients from coronavirus. Now the country's imposing new closures that are sparking protests. A live report from Paris next. [04:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHURCH: Welcome back. Well right now there is a spike in COVID-19 cases in countries where the outbreak had been brought under control. Germany is seeing a dramatic increase in new infections. And Chancellor Angela Merkel is meeting with government officials on whether new restrictions will go into place.

The U.K.'s education union is urging British Prime Minister Boris Johnson make all teaching online after 1,700 students had to self- isolate at a Manchester University due to an outbreak.

And in southern France health officials say COVID-19 admissions at intensive care units have tripled since the beginning of this month. Well, CNN's Melissa Bell joins me now live from Paris. Good to see you, Melissa. So what is the latest on the situation across France?

MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT: Well, here in France, as you mentioned, the worst hit so far had been Marseilles for what is the mainland of France. There is also Guadeloupe in which is also that French overseas territory in the Caribbean also at the level of Marseilles in terms of that maximum alert.

With those tightest restrictions that we've seen, ever since Tuesday night bars and restaurants closed altogether to try and bring the COVID-19 figures back under control.

What we're seeing now is that Paris is really heading in the direction of Marseilles and it seems almost inevitably that it will itself be entering that maximum alert category shortly. Because the three criteria that decide whether it should or not have either been reached or are at the point of being reached. Of course, it remains in the hands of the health minister but what you're likely to see over the coming days, is Paris going to the same territory as Marseilles.

It will mean tighter restrictions, as you said, at a time across Europe you're seeing the tightening of restrictions being contested really by business leaders, by business owners, by politicians, opposition politicians often. And sometimes in the cases of Germany and Holland, we've seen over the last few weeks, by people in the streets.

So, it is with greater resistance that this ever tightening series of regulations is being met at a time when authorities say, and it's what authorities say about Paris, that it is once again as it was during the first wave, Rosemary, about allowing ICUs to be able to cope with this latest wave. To ensure that the health system can manage to sustain what it needs to in order to help people get better. But again, with that very political decision being made every time about how much of an economic hit a region needs to take to ensure that that can happen.

CHURCH: Absolutely, Melissa Bell, many thanks for bringing us up to date on the situation across France. Appreciate it. So just how did we get to 1 million COVID-19 deaths in just nine short

months? Here's a look back at what seems like a lifetime ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KRISTIE LU STOUT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: A mysterious new cluster of pneumonia cases is raising concerns here and across Asia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The illness is believed to have originated in a city of Wuhan, in central China. The city of China. Chinese health authorities suspect this wildlife and seafood market is the source. But the number of cases continues to rise, both inside China and outside. Cases confirmed in Japan, South Korea and island.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: South Korean government is raising the alert level to its highest right now in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In a race to contain the outbreak in the Middle East, so far, the coronavirus appears to be winning. Iran is the hardest hit country in the region. And top politicians and members of the clergy have died of disease.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Across Europe as the coronavirus outbreak worsens, authorities are imposing ever stricter measures. In France, residents already under lockdown are being warned of worst to come.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More than 6,000 people have now died in Italy, among them more than 20 doctors.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Spain has more confirmed cases of the coronavirus than China and more than twice as many deaths.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hospitals are making desperate appeals for equipment and personnel with cities and communities under lockdown, videos emerge to residents taking to their balconies to cheer medical workers. In France, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Peru and elsewhere.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The outbreak is stretching resources to their limits.

[04:55:00]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In New York governor Andrew Cuomo announcing the state will begin producing hand sanitizer for government agencies and school in the wake of the shortage there. And warning schools could be closed for weeks.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Nearly 7 million residents in California's Bay Area ordered to shelter in place.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These measures will be disruptive to day to day life.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Time Square nearly updates just one snapshot of the new normal as Americans adjust to life during the coronavirus pandemic.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Stay at home order still spreading in Ohio, Louisiana, Connecticut, Indiana, West Virginia, Michigan among the recent additions. New York state now home to around half the confirmed cases in this country.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There are now more than 100 countries and territories with confirmed cases according to the World Health Organization.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's been another difficult weekend for Latin America and the Caribbean with the region's 33 countries now reporting more than 2 million confirmed cases.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Brazil on Saturday announced that they have had 1,000 new deaths and this is tragically something that is now becoming more and more frequent.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bill Gates warning of a long road ahead, even after a vaccine is approved.

BILL GATES, COFOUNDER OF MICROSOFT CORPORATION: The end of the epidemic best case is probably 2022.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's an unmistakable spike in new infection.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Los Angeles the latest city to see a spike in cases, tripling in less than a week.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As the U.S. reaches another grim milestone, 200,000 lives lost to coronavirus, signs of the much feared fall surge in cases is already here.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Just shocking and we've all learned that the key to this is to wear a mask. Let's do that.

Thanks for your company. I'm Rosemary Church. "EARLY START" is up next. You're watching CNN. Have a great day.

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