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Trump To Appear Every Night, Plans More Live Events; Trump To Counter Democrats' Criticism Of Pandemic Response; U.S. House Committee Grills Postmaster General. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired August 24, 2020 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: Well, it's 10:00 a.m. in Washington, 6:00 p.m. here in Abu Dhabi. Our Middle East programming hub.
I'm Becky Anderson. Hello and welcome to what is our expanded edition of CONNECT THE WORLD. This out a big week for U.S. President Donald Trump, his
party's national convention starting as we speak after a weekend of difficult news for him.
One of his most loyal advisors is quitting. A former advisor is arrested and even his own sister doesn't think he has any principles. And beginning
any moment we will hear from the President's Postmaster General set to testify before a U.S. Congressional Committee. He will be answering tough
questions on how his cost cutting measures may, according to critics make it much harder for people to vote by mail when millions more people are
expected to do so in November amid the pandemic.
Well as for the convention, President Trump expected to appear all four nights and he is planning more live events than what the Democrats had in
their mostly virtual convention last week. We know that his family members will speak throughout the week and his top advisors are promising surprise
guests. CNN has learned Mr. Trump will also appear with a group of healthcare workers responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
And that is surely meant to counter the repeated attacks Democrats have made on his response to the pandemic or he may cite this number tonight.
Coronavirus cases are steady or dropping in 39 of the 50 United States. What you probably won't hear deaths, which as we all know, by now, lag
behind cases are up in 19 states.
As we said a moment ago, the U.S. Postmaster General facing questions from U.S. House lawmakers unlike Friday's Senate hearing, the House is
controlled by Democrats and Louis DeJoy is a staunch Trump supporter. Kristin Holmes is in Washington with a look at what the Postmaster General
can expect from those House members.
KRISTEN HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, we are expecting a much more hostile reception in the Democratic-led House. Just last week, 90
House Democrats called for the removal DeJoy from his position as Postmaster General. Now, we have spoken to several Democratic aides,
several Democratic lawmakers, and this is what they say they want to know . They want more information on those changes that DeJoy made.
How exactly did he get there? Of course, we're talking about that cut to overtime. The cut to post office hours as well as the removal of those high
volume sorting machines. And they also want to know why not all of those changes will be reversed. Of course, we remember DeJoy suspended the --
these changes last week. But in his hearing on Friday, he said that not all of those changes would actually be reversed.
Particularly when it came to those high-volume letters orders that if they had been disconnected, they would not be reconnected. And he said that this
was because they were not needed. So expect questions on that. Now another topic that we hear will come up is Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. And
his role within the Postal Service. And CNN has previously reported that the Board of Governors at the Postal Service actually briefed Mnuchin on
the appointment of DeJoy.
And we are told that that is just simply not normal. That is not what usually happens. And remember, so much of what this is about is this idea
that you have President Trump talking about mail -in voting, having this rhetoric against it. And then you see these changes, and it's really fueled
allegations that the Trump administration is using the postal service in order to impact the election.
So they want to know, well, if DeJoy is not talking to President Trump, which is what he said on Friday, is there someone within the administration
he is talking to is Steve Mnuchin, that person. And it should be noted that the DeJoy has continued to say that the Postal Service is completely
equipped to handle this influx of mail-in votes come November. iI fact, the Postal Service tweeted this out on Friday while he was testifying.
They said, if all Americans vote by mail this year, 330 million ballots over the course of the election would be only 75 percent of what we deliver
in a single day. And while of course, those numbers do seem reassuring, we also have to remember why we're here right now, which was that the postal
service itself couldn't actually keep up with its daily deliveries. There have been these massive slowdowns do the changes which makes this seem a
little bit less reassuring, Becky?
[10:05:08]
ANDERSON: That hearing about to start, so we will monitor that for you. On the eve of the convention, one of President Trump's most senior and trusted
advisors, Kellyanne Conway announced that she's leaving the White House next week. She says she needs to focus on a family saying "It'll be less
drama, more mama." But her husband, George, a vocal Trump critic is ending his involvement with the anti-Trump-Lincoln project.
Joe Johns is at the White House for you. Let's start, Joe, with the departure of Kellyanne Conway. One of the President's most high-profile
spokespeople. What happened?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: You know, the timing of this departure is fascinating, isn't it? At the very eve of the President's
second Republican National Convention, but the timing that Kellyanne Conway would have us focus on is the start of schools here in the United States.
She has four children. George Conway also indicating he's stepping away from his role at the Lincoln project.
This is a group of anti-Trump Republicans that he helped to form. Conway also says he is stepping away from Twitter for a while.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
Both Kellyanne Conway and her husband said they need to focus on their family with Kellyanne Conway writing in part, this is completely my choice
and my voice. In time, I will announce future plans. For now and for my beloved children, it will be less drama and more mama. The Conways have
four children. One of their high school-aged daughters has generated attention recently on social media about her parents and their political
views.
Kellyanne Conway says in her goodbye tweet that she and her husband disagree about plenty, but she echoes what unites a lot of parents. We're
united on what matters most to our kids, our four children or teens and twins starting a new academic year in middle school and high school
remotely from home for at least a few months. Kellyanne Conway says that requires a lot of attention and vigilance, particularly during these
unusual times.
Kellyanne Conway Sunday evening announcement marks an abrupt end to her high-profile time in the White House, where she earned a reputation as one
of the President's fiercest defenders.
KELLYANNE CONWAY, COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENT: Bob Mueller's report and investigation is definitive and conclusive.
You cannot impeach a president remove him from office in a constitutional democracy centered on the rule of law.
We're accepting apologies today to for anybody who feels the grace in offering them.
JOHNS: She landed her position in 2016 after becoming the first female campaign manager to win a presidential race. Political tensions with her
husband had spilled into public view. George Conway's opposition took on new meaning when he helped found the Lincoln project late last year.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's morning in America.
JOHNS: Kellyanne Conway has this to say about his anti-Trump political action committee.
CONWAY: They've all failed. They never succeeded. The way I did his campaign manager, and they never got their candidate where my candidate got
--
JOHNS: Trump often echoed these attacks on his adversaries, including George Conwa.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's a whack job. There's no question about it, but I really don't know him. He -- I think he's doing a
tremendous disservice to a wonderful wife. Kellyanne is a wonderful woman. And I call him Mr. Kellyanne. And the fact is that he's doing a tremendous
disservice to a wife and family.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JOHNS: Kellyanne Conway is scheduled to speak before the Republican National Convention, though it's not clear whether her announcement over
the last 24 hours might change her plans. Back to Becky.
ANDERSON: Well, it's certainly a big week for Donald Trump, Joe, is opportunity to lay out
what a second-term might look like. What might we expect?
JOHNS: Anybody's guess what we do know is there really is not for all intents and purposes, a platform that the Republicans are laying out as the
president moves into this Republican National Convention. And the suggestion has been here for a while, that the Republican Party has become
somewhat of a -- if you will, the type of convention that is really geared toward the cult of the personality.
That said, President is expected to speak on each and every night of the convention, which is a departure from custom because most of the time and
most of the conventions recently over the years, that nominee who is the person the party picks to run in the general election speaks on the last
night of the convention, which is generally Thursday, Becky.
ANDERSON: Hmm. We are used to this president breaking the rule. So perhaps we shouldn't be surprised. Joe, thank you. And remember CNN has full
coverage of the Republican National Convention. That kicks off at 7:00 p.m. Eastern here in the -- sorry, not here in the U.S, in the U.S. at -- I'm
sure you can work out the times where you are watching. Well, as we mentioned, new COVID-19 cases are steady or falling in 39 of the 50 U.S.
states now.
The President has authorized the plan he calls historic. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the FDA is granting emergency useful authorization for
convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19. Now, this is made using the blood of people who have recovered from the disease and it's been given
to patients in hospitals for quite some time now, but this authorization expands its use.
The timing of this decision drawing questions about how politics are shaping decisions that should be based on science. For more I'm joined by
Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen. And Elizabeth, even the World Health Organization's chief scientist says data around this therapy is
inconclusive. Can you explain what it is? And why the controversy?
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right, Beck. And other authorities say that as well that the data around this treatment is
inconclusive. But also that last night when the President and his administration made this announcement that they skewed the data, they kind
of cherry picked and use numbers that they liked, and didn't explain why those numbers could very well be wrong.
So I'm going to get very nerdy here for a moment. But the administration chose to look at a seven-day death rate. When people got treated early in
their hospitalization versus later what happened in seven days when they should have looked at what happened in 30 days, you always look at the 30-
day number, it's more time, it's more data. So let's take a look at what that number says.
So again, the Trump administration looking at seven-day death rates saw a 35 percent decrease when you give it to someone earlier in the
hospitalization rather than later. But when you look at the 30-day death rate, which is universally agreed to be the better death rate to look at,
it was actually only a 23.6 percent decrease. So still a decreased death rate when you got plasma earlier rather than later but not as high as what
the administration was saying.
This next point is actually even more important that you don't have to be a medical genius to know that early treatment is better. The folks who got
plasma earlier, they probably got other things earlier, if they got plasma earlier, there's an excellent chance that they got steroids earlier. We
know steroids work for COVID. They also are likely to have gotten Remdesivir earlier, that's an antiviral that we know works for COVID
patients
So you give patients a bunch of things earlier, and then you said, oh, it was the plasma that did it. It was the plasma that saved their lives. That
is just bad science. And so that's why this decision is being criticized so robustly.
ANDERSON: Let's have a listen to what the President said about the granting of this authorization.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: Today, I'm pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives. This is a
powerful therapy that trans fuses very, very strong antibodies from the blood of recovered patients to help treat patients battling a current
infection. Set an incredible rate of success. Today's action will dramatically expand access to this treatment.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, he's calling it historic. The FDA a lot more measured, I have to say saying it may be effective in treating coronavirus. It though
is granting authorization for its use. So it will be easy to suggest that this is just politics playing a part here. Is it -- is that what this is
all about?
COHEN: That's what the experts who I'm talking to are feeling because they point out. The President makes it look like he invented this treatment all
of us that he says, oh, aren't I the best guy in the world for giving you this treatment? Becky, this treatment has been used by more than 101,000
people who are sick in the United States, more than 101,000 people have been -- have received convalescent plasma for COVID.
So Donald Trump is not inventing this, it's already been used by more than 100,000 people. Now will this EUA expanded and make it so that it's even
easier for more people to use? Maybe, but it was already widely used, there is a chance that this FDA authorization is sort of window dressing. It's an
optic, it's a bit of drama, but it doesn't actually change anything. People were already getting it and it was being studied to see if it actually
worked.
There's sort of a general agreement that it's probably safe, we don't know for sure, but it appears to be safe. So we're giving it to people and then
we're measuring whether or not it actually works, but the jury's still out on that.
[10:10:06]
ANDERSON: Yes, I know that CNN is learned several top health officials have been skeptical that there was enough data to justify emergency
authorization. But the FDA Commissioner, as I understand it, says that the decision was done on data only and denied there was any other influence,
correct?
COHEN: Well, he says it was on data. He doesn't name what the data is. But the data that was cited by the administration appears to be the study that
I mentioned, that study was basically plunked on the internet. It did not have any scientific review, someone sat down, typed it up, put it up on the
internet. Now, these are respectable people at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere, but we have to be clear about this. This was not published in a
peer reviewed journal.
When outsiders look at this study. Other experts look at the study, they may go, wait a second. None of this makes sense, or this doesn't make sense
or that doesn't make sense. That's very important for people to know.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Well, they say that money can't buy you happiness. The same apparently is true for Champions League titles as big spending Paris
St. German fall just short in the final.
And the U.S. Secretary of State making news in Israel, but it's not fears diplomacy and other norm is about to be shattered in the Trump reelection
effort. Meanwhile, if more Arab nations move to normalize relations with Israel, what will that mean for the Palestinian people? We'll get reaction
from the streets, up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: As U.S. Republicans gather In a few hours, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will be taking part from an ocean away in Israel. The top us
diplomat who met with the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a short while ago in a very COVID-era away with an elbow pump, assuring him that Israel
will retain a military advantage under any future U.S. arms deals with the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. politics are also on Pompeo's agenda. It all says he will record an address for the Republican convention which is this week of course praising
White House Foreign Policy. Oren Liebermann is following events in Jerusalem for us and joins us now.
Let's talk about these F-35s because there is a lot of confusion about whether or not this Israel Emirates peace deal came with permission for the
UAE to purchase these F-35 fighter jets which would be an upgrade from what they currently use or fly. Those being F-16s. What have we learned from
Mike Pompeo?
[10:20:05]
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States would and is legally obligated to keep Israel's
QMEs, qualitative military edge in mind when it moves forward with any arms deal. He certainly said arms deals with the UAE, the United Arab Emirates
are under review, but the QME for Israel will always be at the heart of it and will always be maintained.
It's one of the things he made sure to mention in his statement after meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu for his parts
that he wasn't aware of any arms deals as part of her normalization agreements, sticking to his guns here, which is the line he's held all
along. He knew nothing about the F-35 sales or intention to perhaps sell F- 35 to the UAE. Here's their statements from the -- earlier today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MIKE POMPEO, UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE: United States has a legal requirement goes back to qualitative military edge. We will continue to
honor that. We have a 20-plus year security relationship with the United Arab Emirates as well where we have provided them with technical assistance
and military assistance, we will now continue to review that process to continue to make sure that we're delivering them with the equipment that
they need.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: I have to say simply that this deal did not include as well as acceptance of any arms deal and I don't
know of any arms deal that has been agreed upon. It may be contemplated. Opposition hasn't changed.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
LIEBERMANN: Pompeo certainly left the door open to U.S. arms sales of the F-35 to the UAE. Jared Kushner spoke about that over the weekend with
Fareed Zakaria. He said that he was -- he was looking into it and the normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE should make it easier as
well as the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that they've been trying to acquire F-35s for six years.
They too, said this should make it easier for the United Arab Emirates to get the U.S.'s latest fighter jet.
ANDERSON: He absolutely said that in an interview with me last week. It's unusual itinerary for the Secretary of State's tour of the Middle East and
Africa and that itinerary causing some speculation about who might be next, already normalizing relations with Israel. Any sense from what we've heard
to date?
LIEBERMANN: We know that from the schedule from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who'd be headed to Sudan, then he'll be headed to Bahrain before
stopping at the UAE and then returning to the United States. Sudan and Bahrain are considered two of those countries most likely to normalize
arrangements or agreements next with Israel. Sudan's transitional leader met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Africa earlier this year or late
last year.
And Bahrain, of course hosted the U.S.'s economic workshop for peace, which was the first part of the unveiling of the White House's plan to solve the
Middle East Israeli Palestinian conflict. That has made it part of the speculation that Pompeo is trying to build on the momentum of the Israel
UAE normalization agreement and see if they can get other countries to move along with this as well.
That would be another feather in the cap if you will. Another foreign policy accomplishment of the Trump administration just when they're looking
to push those the most with the RNC.
ANDERSON: Yes, fascinating. It is the national convention for them this week and Mr. Pompeo will address the RNC in what will be breaking a long
standing tradition. That political activity, of course, is off limits for top level cabinet ministers, especially on foreign soil. What is the
significance then of delivering this speech from Jerusalem do you think?
LIEBERMANN: Well, for the Trump administration, Jerusalem and everything about the Israel-U.S. agreement has been part of their big foreign policy
accomplishments, that they've tapped out -- from moving the embassy to recognizing Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights. All of that has not
only been something that Trump administration is hyped, but it's been an important part of their appeal to their evangelical base.
This can be seen as an extension of that. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo breaking long standing traditions and norms and making a political speech
on an official visit. Now, those around Secretary of State Pompeo, those from his office have said it's him addressing the RNC in his personal
capacity that taxpayers won't put any part of the bill for his speech, that it'll be the entire -- the Republican Party paying for this speech as well
as bringing in a private video company to record this.
But there's no doubt that this is an official visit. And part of that official visit will be a very political speech where Pompeo touts his own
accomplishments and of course, those of President Donald Trump on this visit to Jerusalem.
ANDERSON: What's fascinating is that foreign policy in no way tops the agenda for most U.S. voters in this election cycle or and however, as
we've discussed, Pompeo's dateline in Israel is of course no coincidence. President Trump after all, touting the recently brokered UAE-Israel deal as
a win for the White House. Thank you, Oren. Pompeo's presence in the region comes as all eyes wander then to other Arab nations with question marks
raised over if -- also when other countries will follow the UAE's suit.
[10:25:13]
ANDERSON: So if more of the region does move to normalize relations, what will that mean for the prospects of a Palestinian state? Elliott Gotkine
reports.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ELLIOTT GOTKINE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: From euphoria at the White House to anger and despair for the Palestinians. They see the UAE-Israel agreement
as a betrayal. The deal that ends decades of understanding that progress on an independent Palestinian state must come before normalization with the
Arab world.
MAHMOUD ABBAS, PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY PRESIDENTT (through translator): This is trickery, and we reject it completely. And we consider it a stab in the
back of the Palestinian cause.
GOTKINE: It's a view widely shared on the Palestinian Street.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): A betrayal, betrayal to the Arab Islamic nations. The Islamic nations and some Palestinians. Israelis are
fooling them. The UAE leaders are ignorant.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): We did not expect the Emirates to take such a position. We feel they fooled us offering support to us with
their left hand and smacking us with their right hand.
GOTKINE: On social media the comments are even less polite. This peace agreement is an illegal child of an illegal marriage said one. I hope the
food you have there will be poisoned, said another.
Here in Jerusalem. There's anger at the Israeli-Emerati agreement but also resignation and a sense that an independent Palestinian state with the
eastern part of the city as its capital, is now further away than ever. To make matters worse (INAUDIBLE) may soon see the UAE's de facto leader
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan paying a visit. He's been invited to Jerusalem by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
The city's Grand Mufti says he's not welcome. A visit through normalization is haram he says, forbidden because it is an implementation of the deal of
the century which foresees Jerusalem, including the holy sites as the capital of Israel. In practical terms, though, there's little the
Palestinians can do. And more Arab states may soon follow in the footsteps of the UAE. Elliott Gotkine, CNN, Jerusalem.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Still ahead. Protests erupt in the State of Wisconsin after another police shooting of a black man in the U.S. Plus, another round of
mass opposition protests in Belarus. As the government there responds with a show of force and threats from the military. A live update on that is
just said.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:30:04]
ANDERSON: Well, authorities in Belarus have detained two prominent members of the opposition amid threats and intimidation opposition, demonstrators
just keep coming out into the streets of Belarus. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered at Independence Square in Minsk on Sunday protesting
what they call a rigged election. As that was winding down, President Alexander Lukashenko arrived to the presidential palace by helicopter seen
wearing body armor and carrying a rifle as a show of force.
Now backing the president, the Ministry of Defense issued a statement saying we are strictly warning in case of disruption of the order and peace
in these places you will have to deal not with the police, but with the army. CNN's Fred Pleitgen joining me now live from Belarus. Fred?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Becky. And the opposition actually today met in the (INAUDIBLE) of course, it's the de
facto head of the opposition in Lithuania with a senior official from the U.S. State Department. And later the U.S. essentially says they believe
that the Belarusians themselves must sort all this out. But of course, like so many other countries, as well criticize the election that happened here
about two weeks ago and said that it was neither free nor fair.
At the same time, though, you're absolutely yesterday, you did have a gigantic crowd that came out here to Minsk, people here say that it was
around 100,000 people went out on the streets. And actually, we were among that crowd. We asked some of the folks there and they told us, they feel
now is the time that they need to come out and speak their voice and demand new elections and demand that Alexander Lukashenko after more than 26 years
step aside or they feel that this moment might slip away.
At the same time. You have this extremely peaceful crowd that was out there. 100,000 people who didn't even move close to any of the security
forces, many of them carrying balloons, some of them carrying flowers as well. And then you had the president of this country, Alexander Lukashenko
who was hovering above, some of these protests hovering above the city in a helicopter with an AK-47 assault rifle by his side.
He was wearing military garb and a bulletproof vest. Later landed at one of the places, one of his palaces here on the ground. And it's expected one of
the checkpoints that was there to prevent people from going in there which is something that the crowd actually didn't even try to do.
And it seems as though the messaging on that is very clear. Alexander Lukashenko for the past couple of days has essentially been blaming the
opposition for allegedly being in cahoots with the west for being a threat to the security of Belarus.
He also claimed that there was some sort of NATO invasion that might be imminent, NATO has of course denied that. And you can also feel that
Lukashenko certainly trying to maneuver himself and the power here in Belarus closer to Russia, closer to Vladimir Putin.
Of course, many people here on the ground fear that Russia could get involved here, right now. There are no signs however all of that happening.
That's also by the way, Becky, something that the State Department said today as well, Becky.
ANDERSON: Ye. Fascinating. Two weeks in briefly, what happens next?
PLEITGEN: That's -- that is really anyone's guess. I mean, look, one of the things that the opposition has said is they wants to continue. They don't
want to take their foot off the gas. But if you see the scene right now, it's fairly color. It's completely calm here on the streets of Minsk, there
are no big protests happening today. However, the opposition has said on the weekends, it is going to come back out.
Now, of course, at the same time, there's high-level meetings going on. In fact, just a couple of minutes ago, there was another phone call between
Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin where Lukashenko once again move Belarus closer into the sphere of Russia saying for instance of the Russian
saying that Belarus is going to be the first country that's going to get the new coronavirus vaccine that the Russians are coming out.
With at the same time, of course, you also have some of these Western nations putting some pressure on as well. But the bottom line is, is that
the protests, they are going to continue to happen certainly on the weekends. And I think that what the opposition is trying to do is they're
saying, look, they're in it for the long run. They're going to keep coming out and telling Alexander Lukashenko that he certainly does not have the
majority of people in this country still behind him. Becky,
ANDERSON: Fred Pleitgen is on the ground for you. Fred, thank you. Well, Germany's government says it is fairly likely that Russian opposition
leader Alexei Navalny was poisoned.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: There you hear him moaning in apparent pain last week after falling ill on a flight. Navanly was rushed to a Siberian hospital. He was
then taken to Germany for treatments. On Saturday, German officials add Navalny will require special protection. Doctors say he remains gravely ill
for their part. The Russian doctors say, they they found no poison in Navalny's system.
[10:35:03]
ANDERSON: And the American president reticent to criticize Russia again sticking to that familiar pattern. Neither he himself neither he himself or
his administration have made any substantial statements on the suspected poisoning. U.S. president gearing up to make a big pitch. He wants a second
term. Up next, we'll show you why Donald Trump needs to rock this week's Republican convention. If that is going to be the case.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The U.S. Republican -- excuse me. Let me start that again. The U.S. Republican national convention is underway. It is day one of what is a
four- day event kicking off with a roll call votes in North Carolina. Delegates will officially name President Donald Trump and his running mate
Mike Pence is their nominees for president and vice president. Both men are expected to make an appearance from like traditional conventions.
This one will mainly be about Mr. Trump. He is expected to speak on all four nights ending with his acceptance speech from the White House on
Thursday with millions of Americans still out of work from the pandemic getting voted to give the president a second term will not be a walk in the
park. So Jim Acosta now zeroing in on the big political picture for you.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We're going to win four more years.
JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Behind in the polls and weighed down by a deadly pandemic, President Trump is trying to pull off
the ultimate sales pitch, and convince voters his first term is a success story.
TRUMP: I'm the only one probably that ever ran for office in this country that's achieved more than I said I would.
ACOSTA: The way the president described his accomplishments in the battleground state of Pennsylvania, it sounds like Mr. Trump should be
coasting to victory.
TRUMP: We've secured our borders, brought back or manufacturing jobs, rebuilt our military, wiped out the ISIS caliphate 100 percent. Killed our
terrorist enemies, achieved American energy independence. And guess what, we're just getting started.
ACOSTA: But hold on. On the president signature issue, the wall, there hasn't been that much winning. The administration has built less than 300
miles of new fencing along the border with Mexico, but most of that construction has replaced older barriers already in place. And no, Mexico
did not pay for it, as the president promised four years ago.
TRUMP: I will build a great, great wall on our southern border and I will have Mexico pay for that wall.
ACOSTA: Instead, Mr. Trump is diverting billions from the military to bankroll his pet project and he's floating the idea of setting up toll
booths at the border to somehow force Mexico to foot the bill.
TRUMP: We're going to do a toll, or we may do a toll for money being sent back and forth.
ACOSTA: The president's claims on ISIS and energy independence are closer to reality. But on the economy, it's a mixed bag.
TRUMP: They said manufacturing jobs will never come back. Remember, you need a magic wand. Where is the magic wand? Well, we have the magic wand.
[10:40:07]
ACOSTA: After inheriting a healthy economy from Barack Obama, Mr. Trump did preside over growth in the manufacturing sector. But most of the gains had
been in the south and out west, while key swing states, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin were losing factory jobs in the months before
the coronavirus.
Then, COVID-19 decimated the U.S. economy under Mr. Trump's watch, sending the unemployment rate skyrocketing. Jobs have come back, but the current
recovery is far from certain. Polls show most Americans have simply rejected the president's handling of the virus.
TRUMP: No doubt in my mind, it will go away.
ACOSTA: Mr. Trump's months of predictions that the virus will just go away have fallen flat, much like his recommendations of unproven treatments like
hydroxychloroquine, an obsession he tweeted about once again over the weekend. Questionable medical advice from a president who unforgettably
suggested Americans inject themselves with disinfectants.
TRUMP: And then I see the disinfectant. It knocks it out in a minute, one minute, and is there a way we can do something like that, by injection
inside or almost a cleaning, because you see it gets on the lungs.
ACOSTA: The numbers are chilling. The U.S. leads the world in COVID-19 deaths just by making up only 4 percent of the global population. More than
five million cases, more than 170,000 Americans death and climbing. When asked on Fox what he would do with the second term, the president failed to
provide an answer.
TRUMP: Well, one of the things that will be really great, you know, the word experience is still good. The word experience is a very important
word, it's a very important meeting.
ACOSTA: With another four years in office, aides to the president say he'll continue his focus on immigration where his crackdown on the border has
already resulted in the separation of thousands of children from their families.
One area where the president would almost certainly leave his mark, the Supreme Court. Mr. Trump will have the ability to fill new vacancies on the
high court, a tantalizing prospect for conservatives that comes with enormous consequence on critical issues facing the nation from gun control,
to abortion rights.
Jim Acosta, CNN, the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Well, as Jim laying out for you. Harry Enten is in the house. He's the man in the know the Wizard of Oz himself. He's out of New York
City for you. Harry, welcome to the show. Explain to us what we mean, when we say that Trump had a hidden advantage in the Electoral College in 2016.
HARRY ENTEN, CNN POLITICS SENIOR WRITER: Yes, so you know, remember, Hillary Clinton won more votes nationwide than Donald Trump did. She won
nationwide by two percentage points. But here's the key. The key is that in the key battleground State of Wisconsin, which was the state with a median
electoral vote plus run, remember, that's how we elect our presidents in the United States the Electoral College, Trump won by a point.
So, there was an electoral college bias in Trump's favor of three points. He could have won the presidency, even if he had lost by up to three points
nationally. So, that's what we're talking about.
ANDERSON: All right. So, Biden is ahead right now in 2020. But could there be a split in the electoral college and popular vote again?
ENTEN: Yes. So -- yes is the short answer to that. You know, Joe Biden is ahead right now and a CBS News YouGov poll yesterday, for instance, had him
ahead by 10 points. But CBS News YouGov has also been polling in the battleground states. And again, in the state with the median electoral vote
plus one, the key battleground State of Wisconsin, Biden was ahead by six. So he's ahead, but again, the Electoral College bias isn't in Trump's
direction.
If -- let's say the national vote becomes tighter, Trump could potentially win the Electoral College, if in fact, he loses by up to four points
nationally. Now to put this in another perspective for you in terms of total votes. Remember last time around Trump lost nationally by three --
lost by three million votes or 2.9. If we're not rounding. But in 2020, based upon the CBS News YouGov polling in the expected increase in turnout,
he could lose up to over -- by up to over five million votes nationally and could still win in the Electoral College. So we still got a long way to go
with this.
ANDERSON: That is fascinating. You also see a difference any demographic makeup of the voters in the battleground states, correct?
ENTEN: Yes, we definitely do see that. And, you know, if we pull the slide up, we can get exactly what we're talking about here. And that is that --
at this particular point, what we see is that Donald Trump's key groups, the key states in which he's involved in the key groups, we see that he is
in fact doing better. Those states have larger shares, whites and non- college white voters. Look at this. Those are the two groups that he does best among.
And of course, six battleground states or six closest states last time around we see that they make up whites and non-college whites make up a
larger share of the vote in those six states than they do nationally.
[10:45:01]
ENTEN: So it gives him the sort of hidden advantage, which is one of the key reasons why he's doing better in the battleground states that he's
doing nationally.
ANDERSON: That is -- that's fascinating. This is by no means a done deal. We should point out, though, that this stuff only matters, of course, if
the race gets closer, if it's really tight, right?
ENTEN: Right. That's exactly right. Look, if the election were held today, Joe Biden would most certainly be the favorite, not just nationally, but in
the electoral college as well. He would -- he's right now on the polling averages up in states containing 353 electoral votes, he only needs 270 to
win. So Biden is ahead right now.
But the key point here is that if the race were in fact to tighten nationally, you would see the electoral college margins slip faster than
you would see the popular vote, which tends to say over exaggerate Biden's edge at this particular time.
ANDERSON: Yeah. What is it? Less than eight weeks to go, November 3, we are gunning towards it. Thank you, sir.
ENTEN: My pleasure.
ANDERSON: Two police officers in the U.S. State of Wisconsin are on administrative leave after the shooting of a black man on Sunday. The
state's governor identified the man as Jacob Blake, he was shot several times in the back at close range, reportedly in front of his kids. I'm
going to warn you the video that you are about to see is very disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: That man was taken to a hospital by helicopter. The governor says Blake is critically injured. CNN's Polo Sandoval filed this report from the
state.
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, this small Wisconsin community really just the latest in the United States to feel the
results of those racial tensions. because of this police-involved shooting. And the video that many people are seeing here is certainly very difficult
to watch and we'll show that to you in a few moments because it is going to be a very important part of the investigation but first what led up to this
incident on Sunday.
According to police here in Kenosha, Wisconsin, it was a call about a domestic disturbance that led officers to the home. Now, it's still unclear
exactly who called the police and exactly why. But in the video that you're about to see, you'll see the man now identified by officials here as 29-
year-old Jacob Blake tried to distance from some officers and then try to make his way into an SUV. And that's when those shots ring out. Again, the
video you're about to watch. It is very disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANDOVAL: And Becky, almost immediately after those shots rang out, we saw some reaction not just here across the region, but across the state, even
the state's governor offering Wisconsinites -- black Wisconsinites a voice here calling for an in-depth investigation.
We do know that the local police is basically taking a step back here and allowing Wisconsin's Department of Justice tip to take over this
investigation as authorities continue to try to keep the situation fairly calm, which is what we're seeing at this hour, Becky.
ANDERSON: Yes. We will get more from the state as we move on. Breaking news to tell you about. Now, the German hospital treating Alexei Navalny Valley
said that the Russian opposition leader was poisoned. The hospital in Berlin says that tests found an unidentified toxin in his system. Now,
Navalny is in an induced coma, and he is in serious condition after suddenly getting sick on a plane in Russia last week.
Well, another week, another narrow escape in MotorGP. We'll tell you why a rider jumped off his bike while going over 200 kilometers an hour after
this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: The European football season is finally over and we are going to talk about a unique Champions League Final in just a moment but we've got
to talk about this extraordinary scene first. It's from Sunday's MotoGP race in Austria and you are looking at a rider intentionally dismounting
from his bike at 200 kilometers per hour. He is very lucky man and perhaps even luckier than it appears. Ron Riddell is here to tell us more about what on earth happened here.
DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR: It's just incredible, isn't it, Becky? They say that cats have nine lives. I'm not sure how many lives motorbike
races get but Maverick Vinales surely used up two of them in the span of just eight days. Remember a week ago, he was one of the riders who cheated
death. When two bikes got loose and flew across the track. He was just milliseconds away from a potentially fatal impact.
And then on Sunday, he was approaching a corner when he realized that his brakes had failed, and he quickly decided that it was better to take his
chances by jumping off and he looked as though he's on a slip and slide before eventually slowing to a whole. He was largely unheard but his bike
was not so fortunate. And it is a testament to the makers of those racing suits, that he has still got all of his skin today Incredible.
Okay, we finally have a European Football Champion. 85 days after the Champions League Final should have been played. Bayem Munich clinched their
sixth European Cup in an empty Stadium in Lisbon. That's because of the coronavirus of course. Mayem beat Paris Saint-German by a goal to nail the
decisive moment coming in the second half. And Kingsley Coman headed the ball into the back of the net.
He was no less than they deserve a solid team performance from one of the most established sides on the continent. They have now made history as well
by and the only team to win every game in a Champions League season. But it was bitterly disappointing for PSG, which spent roughly a billion dollars
on their team and they are still looking for a first European cup. For more perspective on this. Let's bring in our contributor Darren Lewis.
Great to see you as always, Darren. Bayem have now won the domestic and European treble this season and they will feel as though they're back where
they belong. They deserved it, right?
DARREN LEWIS, CNN WORLD SPORT CONTRIBUTOR: Absolutely, they did, Don. I think as far as buyers are concerned, it's business as usual as they return
to their position that they've occupied five times in the past as the Kings of Europe. As yourself and Becky was saying not quite the thrills and
spills of MotoGP, we've seen some real shock and awe from the serial thrillers of Germany's top division over the course of the campaign.
But last night was a display of ruthless efficiency to dismantle the French champions, and whether you call it the Champions League or the European
Cup, only A.C. Milan and Real Madrid have won it on more occasions and Bayem Munich.
RIDDELL: I don't know if this is just my perspective, but I feel as though Bayem Munich don't really get the credit they deserve. Obviously, when
Premier League teams do well in Europe, they get all the limelight and all the attention as the excitement around Barcelona and Real Madrid, but it
seems less so with Bayern Munich. Is that fair? And if so, why?
LEWIS: I think it would be fair to say that and I think the reason comes in the form of a tweet posted by Kylian Mbappe. The PSG striker ahead of the
final and the tweet Red Farmers League with a series of laughing emojis. And the reason for that tweet is that in the U.K. lots of people believe
that the French and German leagues are very uncompetitive, they're normally dominated by PSG and by Bayem Munich.
And there is a feeling that because of the uncompetitive nature of those top divisions, maybe the caliber of champion from those countries isn't as
strong as the kind of caliber you get from the Premier League. They laid waste to that over the course of the campaign. And obviously, in last
night's high quality final, there is no way on earth that you could look at Bayern Munich and say that they do utterly deserve to lifted champions
league this season.
RIDDELL: Yes. You know, there is so much to admire about this team, the established veterans guys like Robert lewandowski, the exciting youngsters,
the manager Hans-D flick, who only arrived towards the end of 2019. How impressive is it for a manager to come in and hit the ground running in the
way that he has?
LEWIS: Well, this is his first job in German football, Don, and it's only the second time ever that they've won the treble of The League Cup, the
domestic Bundesliga title and the Champions League (INAUDIBLE) did it in 2013.
[10:50:06]
LEWIS: And he took over a dressing room, Don, that was riven with discontent and low morale and he's turned them into a real juggernaut. This
is now their 21st victory in a row. H1e's developed. He's brought through young players as well. Next season we'll see the best of them. And I think
as far as he is concerned, that new contract that he signed in April three years it will last was utterly deserved.
RIDDELL: So I mentioned at the top that this final took place 85 days after it should have been played. We all know about the impact that coronavirus
has had on all sports all over the world but certainly in European football, the final played in empty Stadium, no fans, we don't know when
the supporters are going to be coming back. How do you think we're going to remember this season now that it's finally over?
LEWIS: Well, I think for very serious and very obvious reasons, there will be a bit of poignancy with which will remember this season. But we will
also remember the campaign as one that got going again -- against the odds. Lots of people and lots of players expressed their fears about sport in the
wider context resuming, and yet they managed to get it done. And they did indeed manage to lift morale as well.
The next season starts around about September the 12th in the U.K. it will start around about the same time for other countries as well. We don't know
what that campaign will hold. But this is the campaign that seemed to last forever, had a thrilling climax and got going again, where it seemed that
it wouldn't happen.
RIDDELL: Yes, it was quite something to watch the Europa League final being played at the end of last week. And around about the same time the next
season of the Europa League was already getting underway. Darren Lewis, thanks very much.
We'll speak to you again. I'm sure in the next hour. Becky, that's all the sport we've got time for just now. It has been an absolutely remarkable
Champions League season, not the kind of final we were expecting. There's nobody watching, but two good teams and a decent game as well.
ANDERSON: Yes, nobody watching the stadium. I'm sure fans around the world we're watching on telly. That is odd, isn't it? I mean, we continue to
watch these games which are empty in the stadium but yes, what a -- what a great end to fantastic event. Thank you. There's a lot more to come from me
connecting ahead. This is someone's home here, a family lived, their memories, their pets, their friends, everything they own everything they
have stolen in minutes by flames.
We're going to take you to the U.S. state where hundreds of wildfires are raging.
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END
