Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Fox Host Peddles Baseless, Outrageous Smear Against Biden & Conspiracy Theories; Judge Says Breonna Taylor Grand Juror Can Speak Publicly; Clock Ticks on Deadline Tonight for COVID Stimulus Deal; Sensing Loss, GOP Senators Keep Distance from Trump & Ponder Future; Update on Coronavirus Responses Across the Country; Georgia Early Voting "Setting Records with Each Passing Hour". Aired 2:30-3p ET
Aired October 20, 2020 - 14:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[14:30:00]
MARIA BARTIROMO, FOX BUSINESS HOST: Then you had China throw the curveball at you with the virus. Democrat mayors and governors refusing to stop crime and vandalism. This is all your first term.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: That wind up ended with his hard-hitting question.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: What was most difficult and most surprising for you in this last three and a half years, Mr. President?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Then Maria Bartiromo fueled the president's favorite attack line, on Biden's health.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: Mr. President, I have reported on FOX Business before that my medical sources have told me that Joe Biden had two brain aneurysms. Not one but two brain aneurysms.
I pray to God it's not true. But my medical sources are solid on this, that he has had two brain aneurysms. I hope he's OK.
Do you believe that he should be disclosing that?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Maria, it is true, because Joe Biden revealed that he suffered aneurysms decades ago. Maybe one of Maria Bartiromo's medical sources is the Biden campaign
Web site. Click. It's all on there. Two aneurysms in the 1980s. And 2014 brain imaging giving him an all-clear.
But go on.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: There's this movement now in the media trying to get Joe Biden to not debate you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Trump pulled out of the second debate ensuring Joe Biden would not debate Trump.
Check out this line of questioning:
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: Can you explain why the Department of Defense has set up a UFO Task Force? Mr. President, as we wrap up here, are there UFOs?
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We'll I'll have to check on that. I mean, I've heard that. I heard that two days ago. So I'll check on that. I'll take a good, strong look at that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Threw that one in there just because.
Of course, Maria Bartiromo wouldn't be a FOX host without a book plug.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: You told me, you told me for my book, when we did the interview for my book, that there are people in government that are just protective.
(CROSSTALK)
BARTIROMO: -- a couple of weeks ago -- you and I had a meeting a couple of weeks ago for my upcoming book --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: And the endings of her interviews always greasing the hinges of the Oval Office door.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARTIROMO: Mr. President, thank you so much for the time this morning. Thanks for your leadership, sir.
(CROSSTALK)
BARTIROMO: Well, I'd like to come back to the White House soon to do another interview, Mr. President.
TRUMP: We'll do that for you.
BARTIROMO: I'd like to come back to the White House.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: I'm sure that can be arranged.
And ahead, stimulus stalemate on Capitol Hill. Tonight's deadline is fast approaching. Find out what both sides are saying about the negotiations, next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:36:39]
KEILAR: We have breaking news. A big development in the case of Breonna Taylor. A judge ruling that a grand juror in the case is allowed to speak publicly about the previously secret proceedings.
I want to get to CNN's Shimon Prokupecz with details on this.
We've been wondering if this grand juror would be successful, Shimon. It appears they have been.
SHIMON PROKUPECZ, CNN CRIME & JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: They have been. And the judge there, in basically saying that the veil of secrecy on these grand jury proceedings needed to be lifted, that it was in the interest of citizens, and that, quote, "the ends of justice require disclosure."
Let me -- within minutes of this judge's ruling, this juror -- this juror is still anonymous, it's grand juror number one -- released a statement through their lawyer. And it's really striking.
I think people need to understand how unprecedented something like this, for a grand juror to take this kind of action to come out and publicly speak about something that they disagree.
And when you read this statement, which I'm going to go ahead and read to you in a second, you understand why this grand juror did this.
And what this grand juror says is that, "Questions were asked about additional charges and the grand jury was told there would be none because the prosecutors didn't feel they could make them stick."
The grand juror also says that, "They didn't agree that certain actions were justified, nor did it decide that the indictment should be the only charges in the Breonna Taylor case."
"The grand jury was not given the opportunity to deliberate on those charges and deliberated only on what was presented to them."
And the juror writes, "I cannot speak for other jurors, but I can help the truth be told." That's been the big question here: Exactly what did the attorney
general present to the grand jurors in this case?
He did admit that the only charges he did present to this grand juror -- to this grand jury was those wanton endangerment charges.
Of course, I was out there. We were on the air as this was --
(CROSSTALK)
KEILAR: Just to be clear, Shimon --
PROKUPECZ: Yes.
KEILAR: -- wanton endangerment charges that had nothing to do with Breonna Taylor's death.
PROKUPECZ: That's right.
KEILAR: These were wanton endangerment charges that had to do with bullets from an officer that went into an adjacent apartment to Breonna Taylor where it would have endangered other people, not her life.
PROKUPECZ: That's right. That's right.
None of the charges that have been brought against the former Detective Hankison have anything to do with the death of Breonna Taylor. And that was the big controversy in all of this.
You can see by reading this statement from this grand juror that they wanted to consider these other charges. They actually -- based on this statement, I'm mystified whether or not they were ever given the opportunity.
And in reading this, you can see why these jurors have all of these questions now.
Because also, they argue that the attorney general, when he came out and publicly spoke about this case in that press conference, he wasn't truthful. He didn't give all the facts.
That is what this juror is ultimately saying that we were never given the opportunity to consider what we thought we should consider, the law, the crime.
They were never explained any of the homicide offenses. They were never explained any of the self-defense offenses and how maybe perhaps they wouldn't charge any of these officers because there was a claim of self-defense. Simple what this juror writes.
[14:40:10]
And this is pretty much -- this is just unprecedented, Brianna, in the sense that this juror says that basically that prosecutors didn't bring any of these other charges or have them consider it, because they didn't think that it would stick.
Ultimately, part of this is what happens is prosecutors need to bring charges they think they can ultimately prove in a court of law. And perhaps that could be their argument here from the prosecutors.
But this is just an unprecedented step in this entire investigation.
KEILAR: Yes. Kentucky A.G., Daniel Cameron, didn't make that clear at his initial press conference.
It really -- a lot of this was put on the grand jury about what they did and did not return. And really, they weren't given all of the options, it sounds like the grand juror is saying.
Thank you so much, Shimon, for that report.
PROKUPECZ: Thanks.
KEILAR: We appreciate it.
We are now just hours away from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's deadline to reach a stimulus deal. Hanging in the balance, millions of Americans who desperately need relief.
After months of debate, Speaker Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin still need to resolve significant policy disputes if they want to pass a relief bill before November 3rd. The two are expected to speak in minutes.
President Trump weighed in this morning, saying he'd like a bigger stimulus deal than even Democrats want.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP (voice-over): I want to do it even bigger than the Democrats. Not every Republican agrees with me but they will.
But I want to do it even bigger than the Democrats, because this is money going to people that did not deserve what happened to them coming out of China.
Now, to just put it very simply. We want to do it, but Nancy Pelosi doesn't want to do it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: CNN's senior congressional correspondent, Manu Raju, is on Capitol Hill for us.
Where do the talks stand, Manu? Is there reason for people who need help to be hopeful at this point?
MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: They're still ongoing. It's still going to be difficult to get anything accomplished before Election Day just because of the significant differences that are still outstanding between the two side. Nancy Pelosi has said they have come closer on some sticking points
such as the amount of money to be provided for testing for the coronavirus, with contact tracing.
But there's a whole host of other issues, liability protections for businesses the Republicans want, state and local money that the Democrats want, tax provisions of workers that Democrats are pushing for.
So there are a whole wide range of issues, including spending issues that would be part of this massive package, roughly $2 trillion or so is the ballpark in which they are still negotiating. And there's so many details that they have to resolve.
And then you have the issue about the Republicans, whether they or not they are on the same page.
Senate Republicans are not comfortable with going to the levels the president is talking about, around the $2 trillion range.
Now just moments ago, Mitch McConnell did make some news. He indicated that if deal were reached between Senate Republicans, between the administration and Nancy Pelosi, he would at least put it on the Senate floor for a vote.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): I'm aware that discussions continue between the president and the speaker about a larger package. Obviously, if that were to come over, we'd have to consider it and would consider it.
If a presidentially supported bill clears the House, at some point we'll bring it to the floor, yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RAJU: So I asked him: What about that price tag, $1.8 trillion, $2 trillion, that the president is saying he wants a bigger deal? McConnell pointedly would not say if he was comfortable with anything in that price range.
So even, Brianna, if this deal is reached, so many more hurdles about getting it across the finish line and onto the president's desk in just two weeks -- Brianna?
KEILAR: And I know, Manu, you have some new reporting how Republican lawmakers are preparing for Election Day?
RAJU: Yes, a lot of Republicans are fearful that the president is poised to lose on Election Day looking at polls. A number of them say they still believe he can pull it off.
But already a debate ongoing within the Republican Party about what exactly a post-Trump world would look like.
Some saying they need to go back to that more moderate image, court younger voters, court more women voters.
Others say they need to dig into the president's populous style of governing and campaigning and they should go back to those old ways.
A number of Republicans I've talked to on the Hill are talking about that.
And some are also concerned about the president's message on the run up to Election Day, his attacks on Anthony Fauci, calling Joe Biden a criminal.
John Thune, the number-two Republican, told me, "I would like to see in the closing days of the campaign him prosecute the argument against the Democrats and the differences in policies."
He says, "Quit attacking the media. Stay away from personal attacks. Quit attacking Fauci. And focus on issues."
And, Brianna, one Republican who has been critical of the president, Mitt Romney, does not plan to support the president. But of course, was the presidential nominee in 2012.
Told me that, "I think our party is in trouble with young people, increasingly with older people, with minorities and those young people we are in trouble with five years ago, now are voting. So we've got some work to do."
[14:45:10]
So already, Brianna, the election is not here yet, the president could still win, but the party is bracing for potential loss and debating how to move ahead in case that happens -- Brianna?
KEILAR: Yes, and the damage with those groups is not the kind that you just undo overnight. We're seeing, Manu, for instance, vulnerable Republicans start to distance themselves from President Trump.
If he does lose, do you see in a way that sort of internal debate that you were talking about playing out as a schism in the Republican Party?
RAJU: Yes, no question about it. One Senator, Josh Hawley, of Missouri, says he still thinks the president will win but he said there's going to be, quote, "there's going to be a fight within the party no matter what happens."
He is not on the side of the people like Mitt Romney. He says they should not go back to trade without limits, should not side with Wall Street in this view.
In other words, don't endorse those pro-business policies that really have been the hallmark of Republican policies for so many years, before President Trump came to office. And you'll see that debate play out.
Most of the people that were thinking of running for the White House in 2024 and as Republicans comes to grips, particularly they find themselves in the Senate minority, how do they restructure themselves as a minority, post-Trump.
So a lot will -- that debate, Brianna, will happen. And it will happen intensely, both publicly and privately, should the president go down on November 3rd -- Brianna?
KEILAR: All right. Manu Raju, thank you so much.
Up next, Mississippi's second surge. First, it was big cities. Now outbreaks are popping up in rural America. And experts say race is playing a key role.
Plus, a significant step in reopening Disneyland. Employees say they are ready to return to work but this is not a done deal just yet.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:51:18]
KEILAR: Months after the pandemic shut down the so-called happiest place on earth, workers in Disneyland in California say they are ready to return to work.
For that and more coronavirus headlines from around the country, let's check in now with our CNN correspondents.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NICK WATT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Nick Watt in Los Angeles, California. It appears Disneyland workers are ready to go back to work.
Their unions want to meet state officials to talk about the fine details of the safety precautions that Disney has been working on.
They say that they're ready to go to Orange County, where Disneyland is, when it moves into a better tier.
Remember, last month, Disney laid off 28,000 workers connected largely with the resort division.
DAN SIMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Dan Simon. The number of people currently hospitalized in Colorado with COVID-19 has reached its highest point since May, which, of course, is a concerning trend for the state.
Health experts point to a variety of factors, including cooler weather, more people staying indoors, school and college reopenings, as well as general COVID fatigue.
In terms of hospital beds available, though, right now, things appear to be OK with about 77 percent of the ICU beds in use.
In the meantime, the state has been feverishly working to increase the number of free testing sites available. Right now, there are approximately 50 scattered throughout Colorado.
ADRIENNE BROADDUS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Adrienne Broaddus in Chicago. Here in the Midwest, a Kansas nursing home is reporting 62 residents contracted COVID-19.
Among the 62, 10 people died and one person is in the hospital. The others are receiving treatment at the facility.
A representative with the nursing home says they are taking steps to prevent a future outbreak.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS ANCHOR: I'm Andy Scholes in Arlington, Texas. A rocky regular season saw COVID outbreaks with the Marlins and the Cardinals.
Major League Baseball has made it to the World Series. The Dodgers and Rays will face off at brand new Globe Life Field. The home of the Texas Rangers will serve as the first-ever neutral site for the World Series.
Just like the National League championship series, about 11,000 fans will be allowed to attend these games. Fans have to wear masks and they'll be separated throughout the stadium in order to keep a safe distance.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KEILAR: All right. Thank you, everyone, for those reports.
And in Georgia, a key state in the Biden/Trump race, officials say that early voting is setting records with each passing hour.
[14:53:47]
Plus, the man that oversaw the Obama raid endorsing Joe Biden and responds to the president peddling a ridiculous conspiracy theory about the raid. Admiral William McRaven joins CNN ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[14:58:38]
KEILAR: Thousands of Georgians are still going to the polls, setting new early voting records. State election officials say pre-election voter turnout is up 142 percent. And they're predicting more than two million early votes could be cast.
CNN's Amara Walker is in Atlanta with more on Georgia's record turnout.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMARA WALKER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brianna, it is day nine of early voting and Georgia voters are continuing to turn out in record numbers. As of 8:00 p.m. Monday, nearly 1.7 million early votes had been cast
in person or via absentee. That's according to the secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger.
Compare this to this time in 2016 when about 700,000 ballots had been cast. That's a 142 percent increase in total turnout.
Georgia also seeing a 640 percent increase in the number of absentee ballots that have been accepted so far.
Now, reports of those hours-long wait times have gone down as well. Raffensperger says the band width issues related to the electronic poll pads that check in voters have been fully fixed -- Brianna?
KEILAR: All right, Amara Walker, thank you so much.
After a chaotic first debate, a presidential health crisis, a controversial debate cancellation and competing town halls, Joe Biden and Donald Trump will face off one last time.
The final presidential debate is coming. And special live coverage starts Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern here on CNN.
[15:00:05]
And our special coverage today continues now with Jake Tapper.
