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Double Legal Threat For Donald Trump Today: $46 Million Bond Deadline In Civil Fraud Case And Hearing Ahead Of Hush Money Trial; Four Suspects Charged With Committing Terrorist Act In The Moscow Terror Attack; Kremlin Defends Intelligence Services In Wake Of Attack; $464 Million Bond Deadline Looms; Boeing CEO To Step Down; United Nations Security Council Passes New Gaza Ceasefire Resolution. Aired 10-11a ET
Aired March 25, 2024 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:00:32]
ELENI GIOKOS, CNN INTERNATIONAL HOST: Welcome to the second hour of CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Eleni Giokos in Abu Dhabi.
JIM SCIUTTO, CNN INTERNATIONAL: And I'm Jim Sciutto in Washington. We are following an extraordinary day for Donald Trump and his many legal battles.
Two of his court cases on the front burner today, each with potentially big consequences.
First, this hour a pretrial hearing just getting underway in Manhattan. You could see the former president a try -- arriving there through the court
doors. The cameras flashing.
This is in the so-called hush money case involving the adult film star Stormy Daniels, the former president accused of paying her money to cover
up an alleged affair.
The bottom line, the judge today could deny any further delay sought by Trump's lawyers, keeping a start date for this trial in April. That would
make it the first of Trump's four criminal cases to go to trial. It would also mean a verdict would be possible before the November election and
outcome not clear with the other trials.
GIOKOS: Yes, and that's not all, at the same time, it is the deadline and the day for Trump to pay up in that massive civil fraud judgment. If he
does not come up with a $464 million bond today, the New York attorney general's office can start seizing his assets and that includes anything
from bank accounts to private planes or even his prized real estate.
We've got this covered from all angles. And joining us now from Washington, Senior Crime and Justice Reporter Katelyn Polantz, reporter Alayna Treene
and former federal prosecutor Michael Zeldin, great to have you all with us.
As we've just seen, those images of Donald Trump arriving at the courthouse. We've discussed Katelyn, how that April 15th trial date has
been penciled in. But the question is now, does the Trump team, the legal team have grounds to request a further delay?
KATELYN POLANTZ, CNN SENIOR CRIME AND JUSTICE REPORTER: Well, they think that they do they think that because they've gotten 100,000 records
additionally just at the end right before trial through some of their pursuits of records, that that's enough for them to try and ask the judge
and hopefully convince him to move the trial date perhaps into June. We have to wait and see what the judge responds, how he responds.
What Trump was saying just there into court, you couldn't really hear him. But according to our team over at the courthouse in New York, he was saying
this is a witch hunt. This is a hoax. And now he's in the court, waiting for the court to come to order for the judge to take the bench.
But one of the things that this highlights this hearing is the rigorous standards that the judges look at before cases go to trial, Trump may be
saying it's a witch hunt and it's a hoax. But every step of the way, when the defense team gets additional documents right before trial, when there
are requests from the defense team to dismiss the case on legal grounds or things the prosecutors are doing, that's why there's a judge and a court.
They're looking at all of these instances before the case gets to go to the jury.
And so, we are going to hear a little bit more of the judges thinking today. He has not provided much sympathy. He's not given a lot of room for
Donald Trump's team to get everything they've wanted in this case leading up to trial. And had really told them at the last hearing, they were not
going to get the delays that they were pursuing which were as long as possible. They were trying to take every opening that they could get.
Right now, in this case, the date on the calendar is April 15th. That's what the New York D.A.'s office is going to be arguing to have hold. They
want to go to trial as soon as possible and that looks to be the first date that's penciled in.
But as this hearing progresses, we should get a better understanding of whether that's where the judge sees things as well.
SCIUTTO: On hoax, that's a description Trump gives to anything even in cases or accusations where there's evidence against him.
Michael Zeldin, criminal legal question for you here. It's about hush money payments to Stormy Daniels prior to the 2026 -- 2016 election. But the
legal issue here is whether he falsified records to cover up a crime. Can you explain what he's actually accused of what the legal question is here?
[10:05:01]
MICHAEL ZELDIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Right. So, under New York law, you have to reflect your business dealings accurately on your books and your
records. And if you do so inaccurately in order to cover up another crime, it's a felony. If you just do it, books and records misstatements, it's a
misdemeanor.
What Bragg is charged here is two misdemeanors, false statement records combining to create a felony and in violation of another law being a
federal election.
So, there's a big open question about whether or not adding two misdemeanors to create a felony in violation of a federal law is kosher
under New York state law. And the judge is going to have to deal with that issue. That I think is the biggest problem that the prosecution has.
There's a related statute of limitations issue.
But if they can get over that hurdle, then the facts of the case are pretty straightforward. Trump paid Cohen to pay Stormy Daniels, who then was
reflected on the books of records of having received repayment in the form of legal fees.
So, the facts are pretty straightforward. Is this curious question, Jim, of can you add two misdemeanors in violation of a federal election and have a
New York State charge withstand appellate or trial, you know, judge dismissal motions?
GIOKOS: All right, Alayna, I want to talk about the sort of the state of Donald Trump not only today, but in the lead up to all these legal worries,
he usually lashes out on social media, he's been very vocal, and he always says this is an attack on him politically.
ALAYNA TREENE, CNN REPORTER: Well, that's exactly right. And I do want to start with the bond deadline, because that is the thing that has been
really consuming Donald Trump behind the scenes. And part of that is because it strikes to the core of who he is, he is a businessman, he wants
the world to see him as a wealthy businessman.
And not being able to put up the amount of cash for this bond is something that is embarrassing to him. And a lot of this comes down to public
perception as well. He -- you know, the idea that he doesn't have as much cash that he claims is something that he does not want the public to see or
to believe.
And I do want to just read from you what we heard from Donald Trump, he sent a message or a post on Truth Social as he was heading to the courtroom
for his hearing in the criminal trial, but this was him addressing this bond on deadline. He said, "Crooked pols," that was referring to
politicians. There should be no fine, did nothing wrong. Why should I be forced to sell my, "babies", because a corrupt New York judge and A.G. set
a fake and ridiculous number? The post went on to say, witch hunt.
So, again, this is the type of rhetoric we have heard from Donald Trump. He's talking about his babies, referring to his assets and properties that
could be seized depending on how that -- what happens today with this bond deadline.
But again, something that Donald Trump is -- something that is very personal to Donald Trump, I should say. And he has for years as a real
estate mogul really been tangled up in a lot of different legal battles, but has always been able to avoid this type of situation where there is the
potential that some of his properties and assets could be seized.
And so, that is really what is very concerning to Donald Trump. And I know he's in this hearing in New York for that hush money case, but this is
where a lot of his attention is on.
Now, I just want to also quickly address how he's thinking about the criminal -- potential criminal trial. The big thing here is will they get a
deadline for that trial, as you guys mentioned, it could be the first trial that he faces or only trial even before the election, and that is a concern
of Donald Trump. One of his biggest fears has really been facing a criminal conviction.
But at the same time, his attorneys behind the scenes do see this as the least politically damaging of the four criminal indictments that he is
facing despite some of the personally mortifying details in this. It is the one that they think they can fight the most easily.
SCIUTTO: You know, it's interesting. There's been a question, Michael Zeldin, from the beginning, will Trump face any consequences, right? But
when you look at these cases here, the civil case, it's already been decided he's got to come up with half a billion dollars however he does
that and however his supporters react to that.
You have the other case, this is just for folks at home who might have trouble following, you have a January 6 case federal. You have a federal
case regarding his handling of classified documents. You have a state case in Georgia, attempts to overturn the election, then you have this New York
case here.
Just on this New York case, Michael Zeldin, what is the biggest consequence that Trump might face out of this? The biggest penalty if he were to, the
trial moves forward before the election and if he's convicted.
ZELDIN: Well, I think that under the federal -- under the felony laws of New York, this carries up to four years imprisonment, whether he gets that
is very unlikely, but in theory, he get jail term plus play, pay fines and have the reputational damage that incurs from him having been found guilty
of having made hush money payments to a porn star who alleged that they had an affair.
[10:10:14]
So, the facts of that are, I think, more politically damaging than they would appear on first blush. But of course, liberty is way more important
than reputation for most of us.
GIOKOS: I mean, Katelyn, to that point, you know, in terms of what we've been seeing on the bond that is due today, and Alayna was, you know,
referring to this, that this is really going to hurt him financially. I mean, the core and the crux of what Donald Trump stands for is this
successful, wealthy businessman.
We don't know what will happen by the end of today. But Will there be an 11th hour savior or funder that could step in, is that one probability? And
also the appeals court question in terms of a decision coming through, and whether that might be a possibility, either today or tomorrow?
POLANTZ: Very possible. So, that's in the civil case, that's not going to be addressed in the proceedings today that Trump is currently sitting in
court in Manhattan, that's the criminal case. And that's going to be the very narrow discussion about those documents, what it means to the case
that Donald Trump's team got a number of documents recently to prepare for their defense.
But in the civil case where he has lost that case, and the judgment of nearly $500 million, half a billion dollars has been entered. There was a
30 day window where Trump was able to post bond so that he could continue appealing to hold off essentially New York State the Attorney General from
collecting the money that they are owed, that they have won in court in that case after a trial.
And today is the day, the reason that today's important is because today is the deadline where the attorney general's office can start collecting on
that money. They've told Westchester County, they've told authorities in New York City, that they are ready to collect this judgment. Now they're
going to have to go piece by piece to try and freeze bank accounts, potentially foreclose on properties, file liens on properties on major
assets that Donald Trump may have. That process will take time. We may not see that much today.
The only thing that we may see today that would give us a little bit more clarity on what's going on is if Donald Trump were to post that bond, or
write a check to the court for $464 million to keep appealing, or the appeals court in New York State could step in and say he doesn't have to
post the bond. He can continue his appeals. We believe he's rich enough, or he has enough money to post. There are things that he is asking just to
sort of drag things out a little bit more to allow him to keep appealing and hold off the attorney general.
But we're watching for moves there that could come simultaneously as this court hearing in New York in his criminal case.
GIOKOS: Exactly. I mean, a lot going on, the court hearing in New York on the hush money case, and then we've got the bond deadline today. There's
lot happening Katelyn Polantz, Alayna Treene as well as Michael Zeldin, thank you so much for joining us. Good to have you on for analysis as it's
playing out live.
Well, CONNECT THE WORLD is also covering the major international stories and just ahead, we're on the ground in Moscow where the Kremlin is staying
silent of accusations of torturing four suspects in the concert hall terror attack.
SCIUTTO: And what the Boeing CEO is telling employees about the company's future as he announces he is stepping down (INAUDIBLE).
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[10:15:58]
GIOKOS: As the Kremlin defends its intelligence services, four suspects in the deadly Moscow concert hall attack have been charged with committing a
terrorist act. Each had a number of visible injuries as they went before a judge but the Kremlin is staying silent over accusations the four men have
been tortured. They're accused of storming a rock concert in a Moscow suburb on Friday, shooting civilians at point blank range and then setting
the building on fire. The death toll now stands at 137. Outside the concert hall, thousands of people have been coming to remember the victims. CNN's
Matthew Chance is there and sent us this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, a shocked Russians continued to lay flowers here outside the concert hall, where more
than 130 people were killed last week. The four suspected attackers have appeared in a Moscow court charged with acts of terrorism. The men all from
Tajikistan in Central Asia appear to have been beaten. Videos showing their brutal interrogation have been leaked and widely shared that one suspect
appears to have lost an eye, another has what appears to be a torn plastic bag around his neck. The Kremlin hasn't commented on allegations of
torture.
But it was here at the Crocus City Hall near Moscow that four gunmen dressed in camouflage went on a killing rampage, firing automatic weapons
to innocent bystanders before setting fire to the crowded building where thousands had gathered for a rock concert.
ISIS the terror group has said it was responsible for the attack, releasing horrific video apparently taken by the government themselves as they
stormed the venue.
The U.S. says it's been warning Russia for months about intelligence suggesting a threat. But the Kremlin dismissed the recent U.S. Embassy
alerts about an imminent attack as a provocation intended to destabilize the country.
The Russian president that has attempted to link the events here to Ukraine, although the Ukrainian government has categorically denied any
involvement. There are now though concerns about what comes next, how the Kremlin may use this tragedy to further tighten security laws and rally
Russians who are more anxious about security now than at any time for years.
Matthew Chance, CNN, outside Crocus City Hall near Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: Our next guest is professor of Security Studies at King's College London, former head of the International Centre for the Study of
Radicalization and political violence. Peter Neumann joins us now from London. Peter, thanks for taking time.
PETER NEUMANN, PROFESSOR OF SECURITY STUDIES, KING'S COLLEGE LONDON: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: So, let's begin with what we know about ISIS, which is an ISIS-K, kind of a splinter group of ISIS, the degree of the threat it's claiming
responsibility. One, do you believe that claim of responsibility? And two, what is the degree of the threat from this group? Do they have the
capabilities to carry out attacks like this?
NEUMANN: So, I absolutely believe that claim of responsibility, in fact, we've seen not one, but four claims of responsibility, all of which were
disseminated official ISIS channel. And that's typically an important characteristic of genuine authentic claims.
And of course, as your correspondents said, we've also seen video taken by the attackers themselves that was part of one of these claims. So, I'm
absolutely certain that ISIS claimed this attack that was responsible. And ISIS Khorasan, as you mentioned, is currently the most ambitious, the most
active and most aggressive group abroad, it is trying very hard to carry out external operations. And it does have the capability. Moscow is one of
them. But it has already tried to carry out similar attacks in Western Europe before present.
SCIUTTO: So, ISIS Khorasan or ISIS-K, as it's sometimes shorten operates in Central Asia. And this appears to be where these attackers came from a tie
to there. Is there -- you say that they target -- obviously, they target Russia here, but they target other places as well. What other places do
they put in their sights?
[10:20:14]
NEUMANN: Absolutely. So, again, ISIS-K is very ambitious that it wants to basically take over the leadership of ISIS. And it believes that the best
way to do that is to carry out spectacular attacks abroad, non-Muslim countries, Russia is one example. They carried out an attack in Iran this
year, they carried out -- carried out another attack in Turkey, often trying to attack Christian churches. And that's exactly what they were
trying to do before Christmas in Western Europe. They were trying to attack the cathedral in Cologne in Germany, and the cathedral in Vienna in
Austria.
SCIUTTO: Wow. So, shows a direct threat to Europe as well there.
You know, it's interesting, you mentioned ISIS-K having been behind the attack in Iran that we saw. What strikes me and I believe I have this
right, I believe the U.S. warned Iran about an upcoming attack prior to that one similar to this where the U.S. intelligence warned Russia about
the possibility of an attack going forward. That would presume to show that U.S. intelligence has some decent access to the movements and plans of this
group?
NEUMANN: Absolutely. That's exactly right. So, U.S. intelligence has been very much focused on this particular group, because it's not really a new
story. I mean, everyone is focused on it because of what happened in Moscow.
But for a year and a half, they've been plotting abroad, especially against Western Europe, but also other countries. So, the entire U.S. spy network
is very much focused on that, that's how they got the information about the attacks in Moscow that they tried to warn the Russians about. That's why
they warned the Iranians.
And the Americans have a policy that even hostile countries that they will warn about terrorist attack. First, because there could be American
citizens in those countries that need to be protected, but also because U.S. hopes that those countries will also give them information if they do
have any about impending terrorist attack.
SCIUTTO: So, Vladimir Putin, of course, has -- well, quite a record in terms of responding to terror attacks. If you look back to the alleged
department bombings in Moscow, the reaction, the war in Chechnya, how that war was propagated, basically burning down a country. What do we expect
Putin to do next year here in response to attack like this? Targets inside outside the country, crack down more broadly?
NEUMANN: So, for Putin, this is a very difficult situation, because he dismissed the warnings from the Americans, he stood up publicly five days
ago and said, there is nothing to it. So, this is a very bad situation for him.
So, what he's trying very hard to do is to actually sidetrack his own population, and basically not talk about ISIS at all. But he's constantly
talking about Ukraine, and he's trying to link Ukraine to this attack, all the Russian disinformation that we've seen being put out is all about
Ukraine.
And by doing so, he's trying to -- he's trying to actually make people forget about the fact that he ignored this warning, but he's also trying to
channel the wrath of the Russian people into from his point, a more productive direction, which is to pursue his war of aggression in Ukraine.
SCIUTTO: No question. I mean, what about his domestic power, right? I mean, his whole aura, right, is about protecting the country from threats abroad,
his strength, that's the aura and -- listen, that is based on lies and exaggeration, oftentimes, but that's at least what he tries to project. Is
this -- is this a wound to that domestically to that image?
NEUMANN: It is under threat. That's why it's such an uncomfortable situation for him. And that's why he's trying so hard to distract the
Russian people. And to tell them this has nothing to do with ISIS. ISIS is under control. I'm protecting you from the bad jihadist. This is all about
the bad Ukrainians that I'm fighting anyway. And you should support that even more.
So, he's trying to turn what could potentially be a negative for him into a positive by making it all about Ukraine.
SCIUTTO: No question. Peter Neumann, thanks so much. And we should note, U.S. intelligence has said this and others that there is no connection
despite what the Russian president has said. No connection to Ukraine.
Coming up on CONNECT THE WORLD, Israel and Hamas could be closer to a hostage for prisoner swap, although we always inject those predictions.
With some skepticism given recent record. We're going to take a look at what that latest proposal offers.
Plus, Donald Trump is in the building, former president has a great deal on his plate as he attends a hearing in his criminal hush money case. We're
going to have details ahead. That's a picture of him arriving there.
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[10:28:04]
GIOKOS: Welcome back, I'm Eleni Giokos in Abu Dhabi, our top story today was supposed to be the start of Donald Trump's hush money trial in New
York. But that is not happening. Instead, he's inside the courtroom this hour asking for a further delay or possibly even to dismiss the case
involving payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. These are fresh pictures taken just a short time ago.
Also happening today, Trump faces a deadline to pay a $464 million penalty in the civil fraud judgment against him. If he does not come up with the
funds, the New York Attorney General's office can start seizing his assets.
CNN Politics Senior Reporter Stephen Collinson has written an op-ed titled, Why this is a wild week for Trump even by his standards, and he writes that
while Donald Trump's life has been rocked by scandals.
Nothing quite compares to the personal and financial crisis facing the once-and-possibly future president this week.
Stephen joins us now from Washington. Stephen, great to have you with us. As we say, Donald Trump now in the courtroom. We know that the attempt to
delay this even further hopefully even propose a dismissal that that kind of is on the cards. We just don't know how that is going to be playing out.
But anything can happen, of course, as this trial or this pre hearing gets underway.
I'm just -- I'm curious in terms of how this is going to affect his campaign for president if at all.
STEPHEN COLLINSON, CNN POLITICS SENIOR REPORTER: That's a good question because if this trial goes ahead, for instance, possibly next month or the
month after that Trump will have to spend every day while the trial is going on in court. That will be his obligation. That means, of course, he's
going to find it very difficult to travel around the country and campaign in a accelerating general election campaign. So, that is one practical
impediment if this trial goes ahead.
[10:30:04]
The other issue, of course, is that Trump is facing massive legal fees already from his multiple criminal and civil cases. Some of his fundraising
committees have been spending a lot of the money they have been raising to pay his legal bills are not setting up the infrastructure of a general
election, and Trump has a real fundraising deficit at the same time to President Joe Biden. So that's another disadvantage of this.
In terms of what would happen in the election, if Trump is convicted, for example, or actually, if he is acquitted, we don't really know. We have
seen how he's used these cases to solidify the Republican base voters around him in the Republican primary race. Now, he's the presumptive
nominee, the field -- the election widens, he's already had trouble courting independent, moderate Republican voters, in suburban districts in
swing states that will decide the election. And this is an election that could be decided by 150,000 votes in a few states. It looks difficult to
see that a conviction would help him at all with those voters.
But yet again, Donald Trump breaks all the conventions of elections. And we'll just have to see what happens.
GIOKOS: Exactly. And look, this is let's be realistic here. This is one of -- the first of Trump's four criminal trials that are set to start at some
point.
You know, one of our reporters made a really interesting point in terms of the separate case, of course, the bond that is due today. And that is
really going to hurt him financially, and hurt what he really stands for the success -- successful, wealthy businessman, you know that, you know,
he's always sort of boasting about his wealth.
Of course, interestingly, it's the fact that he inflated his wealth that got him into this trouble. You know, what are we expecting for the rest of
the day? I mean, this is, you know, there are lots of probabilities that we could be looking at, lots of scenarios. But if he doesn't meet the
deadline, are we going to start to see the seizure of his assets?
COLLINSON: I don't think we'll see anything taking place today. There is a possibility that the New York authorities may decide to wait for an appeal
in this case, in which Trump is trying to lower the level of the bond to about 100,000 or even throw out the Jit-grunt altogether, that's going
through the New York courts. That could come at any time.
I think the first scenario would not necessarily be seizing a building, it would be Letitia James and New York attorney general subpoenaing Trump to
get a full picture of exactly what assets he has.
She could go after any cash she has. Cars, furniture, even his plane before she moves on some of these buildings.
We do know. She's put court paperwork in already. That suggests one of her first targets might be a big Trump estate in Westchester County outside
Manhattan, where he used to live, which is one of the jewels of his real estate portfolio.
Trump spent the weekend claiming on social media that people were going to try and seize Trump Tower. It seems unlikely that the authorities would go
immediately for that, given the fact that it's a citadel of the Trump Organization. It would cause a huge political backlash, and it would play
into his claims that he's being victimized.
I think we see this happening in step by step by step until they get to that $500 million figure.
GIOKOS: All right. Stephen Collinson, thank you. Always good to have a chat with you.
COLLINSON: Thanks.
GIOKOS: Look, while Donald Trump's hearing in New York is currently underway, his legal troubles do not stop there. Trump is expected to pay a
$464 million bond in the New York civil fraud judgement against him. The deadline for this bond is today. If not paid, the New York attorney general
could begin seizing his property. Here is CNN's Harry Enten, on the details of Trump's properties.
HARRY ENTEN, CNN SENIOR DATA REPORTER: Perhaps, there is no more famous property that Trump has than his triplex on Fifth Avenue. And the values
aren't always easy to figure out. Because Trump claimed back in 2015, that this was worth $350 million. Now that's a large chunk of change. New York
Attorney General Tish James called that an "obvious falsehood". And you know what? Experts agree with that because Forbes said just last year that
it was only worth $52 million. And this falls in line with something that a lot of critics of Donald Trump has said -- have said that he inflates the
prices or the values of his properties and certainly in this case, when it comes to the triplex, Forbes certainly agrees with that.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: That's around a $300 million difference.
(CROSSTALK)
ENTEN: It's just a little bit -- just a little bit.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All right. Take us through Park Avenue. What is that one look like?
[10:35:00]
ENTEN: Yes. All right. So, let's stay on the island of Manhattan. All right?
Even within Trump's own valuation, sometimes these values can differ a little bit. All right? So, this is the Park Avenue value.
The Trump Organization 2020 put out a statement that said that this was worth nearly $136 million. Again, a lot of money. But the Trump
Organization received an appraisal back in 2020 -- that same year that it was only worth $84.5 million.
So, this again goes to the idea that Donald Trump's Organization or he, himself, puts out values to the public of how much these properties are
worth that simply put, aren't in line with what most experts are finding. And in this particular case, what the Trump Organization actually received
an appraisal of in that very same year.
SCIUTTO: Well beleaguered aerospace giant Boeing is facing yet another blow after already enduring months of trouble concerning its commercial plane
division's CEO, Dave Calhoun has announced his plan to leave the company by the end of this year, a choice he told CNBC on Monday is 100 percent his
own.
Also making an exit, Boeing's chairman and the head of the commercial airplane unit. CNN aviation correspondent Pete Muntean knows all about
Boeing's troubles, but reporting on them over the last several weeks and months. He joins us now from Washington.
I mean, this is quite a housecleaning at the most senior levels of Boeing. Two people --including people who were brought in to clean up the last
mess. I just wondered, a direct result, and was it actually Calhoun's decision to leave himself?
PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: Calhoun says the Max 9 door plug blowout was the watershed moment and this really comes as there have been
calls for this major shake-up at Boeing.
The only person to get the axe before this was the head of the 737 Max line, which many saw as sort of a scapegoat.
Now, CEO Dave Calhoun is leaving the company along with Larry Kellner, the board chair, as well as Stan Deal, the head of Boeing Commercial airplanes.
But as you note, Jim, Dave Calhoun became the CEO after the two 737 Max crashes of 2018 and 2019. 346 people killed.
Nobody died in the January 5th, Alaska Airlines door plug blow up, but it exposed a huge quality control issue at Boeing. And Calhoun said this in
his message to employees. "As you all know, the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 accident was a watershed moment at Boeing. We must continue to respond to
this accident with humility and complete transparency."
There's some surprises in the aviation community that Calhoun is not leaving immediately, and his resignation doesn't take hold for another
year, or until the end of the year rather. But Calhoun notes in that statement, there are these investigations taking place. Not only the NTSB
investigation that found that Boeing workers did not reinstall the door plug bolts at the factory in Renton, Washington. But also, the FAA audit
and Boeing quality control and the department of justice investigation to see if passengers on that flight may have been victims of a crime.
The timing is so telling here. And just last week, Boeing reported a huge financial loss in the first quarter. Boeing has also lost the confidence of
some of its major customers.
Alaska Airlines, want's compensation from Boeing. United Airlines says its new plane orders are now in limbo. The saying in corporate America, the
buck stops at the top. But in this case, it seems the money does do as well, Jim. It's really significant that this is happening now. Although,
it's a little too -- little too late when you ask many in the aviation community.
SCIUTTO: Yes. Listen, it's all about confidence, right? Folks want to have confidence.
(CROSSTALK)
MUNTEAN: Yes.
SCIUTTO: And I'm sure buyers of those jets, they are very expensive, they want to have confidence as well.
Pete Muntean, thanks so much.
MUNTEAN: Thank you.
SCIUTTO: And coming up next. Hamas is pushing back on reports that a prisoner hostage exchange could be close. We're going to have a live report
coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:41:01]
SCIUTTO: This "BREAKING NEWS" just in to CNN. The U.N. Security Council has just passed a new Gaza ceasefire resolution. The U.S. abstained from the
vote. Still significant though, it did not veto all other members of the Security Council voted in favor.
This comes after the Security Council failed to pass a resolution put forth by the U.S. on Friday. This new resolution was put forth by some of the
non-permanent members of the council. The new text demands an immediate ceasefire leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire.
It also demands "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and that all barriers are lifted to providing humanitarian assistance
needed for Gaza. Those all the issues that had been brewing over this question for some weeks now.
We should note, at least, 30 civilians were killed in a series of Israeli airstrikes. These strikes on residential buildings in Rafah on Sunday
according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.
Hamas says there are still a number of issues unresolved in a potential prisoner hostage exchange. It is accusing Israel of trying to apply
pressure to the terrorist organization. To make it sign an agreement, Israel reportedly agreed to the number of Palestinian prisoners it would
release in exchange for hostages to be released by Hamas, those that are currently held in Gaza, according to CNN analysts Barak Ravid.
CNN's Paula Hancocks is back with us this hour from Doha, Qatar. And Paula, this is significant because there have been a number of resolutions going
back really to the very start of this war series of them rejected vetoed by the U.S. one of the permanent members.
The U.S. put forward its own proposal on Friday that was rejected by -- vetoed by China and Russia and two other non-permanent members this one
gets through. And that U.S. abstention is significant here to allow it to pass. Tell us what this means going forward.
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jim, you're right. It is significant. This, has calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
It's also calling for the release of the hostages, and calling for instant access to humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza itself.
Now, while may not be legally binding, it is certainly symbolic the fact that this has passed the U.N. Security Council with the U.S. abstaining. Of
course, it's significant that they didn't veto. They are one of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
If they had vetoed as they have, as you say a number of times in the past, then, this would not have passed. This is not the first attempt to get this
kind of resolution through the Security Council. There have been a number of these resolutions.
We did hear though from the Russian U.N. ambassador just on Friday after they vetoed the U.S.-lead proposal that this proposal would be coming up.
And it has been worked on by some of the non-permanent members, it has been worked on for some time to try and push this resolution through.
So, I mean, what it does is it shows the international community's feeling at the moment that there needs to be this immediate ceasefire. So, a
significant move that this has gone through and, of course, a significant move that the U.S. did not veto in the past. The U.S. has been wanting a
ceasefire to be very closely linked to releasing hostages from Gaza.
It wanted to make sure that one was not exclusive from the other. And it appears that this resolution was acceptable to the U.S.-side. Jim?
SCIUTTO: Paula, let me ask you then about the other ongoing question, and that is a potential deal to release some of the Israeli hostages in
exchange for many hundreds Palestinian prisoners currently held by Israel stops and starts in these negotiations. As we noted last hour, where do
they stand right now?
[10:45:04]
HANCOCKS: Well, at this point, we do have the reports that there has been agreement, at least between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to how many
Palestinian prisoners would be released?
We heard from CNN analyst Barak Ravid, that would be 700, and there would be 100 of them being -- Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences. Now,
we heard just 10 days ago from Hamas that they wanted between 700 and thousand. So, it's certainly within that range.
But we're also hearing today from Hamas pushing back on suggestions that this is a significant step forward, saying that there are many other issues
that need to be looked at as well.
Saying, that they haven't had any kind of answer from Israel on some of the other questions it has. For example, this permanent ceasefire, which we
know, at this point, Israel does not want because they still want to do this ground defensive, in Rafah. Hamas senior leaders also pointing out
that they have not had an answer on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, or at least parts of Gaza when this deal goes through.
Again, that is something we've heard publicly from Israel that they would resist, given the fact they do not consider that they have finished the
job, in their words, when it comes to trying to defeat Hamas.
And then also, the issue of allowing some of those displaced Palestinians from within Gaza to go back to their homes, or in many cases, what is left
of their homes. So, this is almost a reality check from Hamas to show that there are many other issues at stake here.
Yes, the Palestinian prisoners' issue is a significant one and not to take anything away from the fact that there may be progress on that one
particular issue.
(CROSSTALK)
SCIUTTO: Paula -- apologies. Apologies. I need to cut in because the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She is now addressing the
Security Council. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO UNITED NATIONS: -- about an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, secure the immediate release
of our hostages, and help alleviate the tremendous suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, who are in dire need of protection and life-saving
humanitarian assistance.
The United States fully supports these critical objectives. In fact, they were the foundation of the resolution we put forward last week, a
resolution that Russia and China vetoed. But colleagues, the United States support for these objectives is not simply rhetorical. We're working around
the clock to make them real on the ground through diplomacy, because we know that it is through -- only through diplomacy that we can push this
agenda forward.
We are getting closer to a deal for an immediate ceasefire with the release of all hostages, but we're not there yet. Now, let's be clear. A ceasefire
could have come about months ago if Hamas had been willing to release hostages. Months ago.
Instead, Hamas continues to stand in the way of peace, to throw up roadblocks, cower in tunnels beneath Gaza cities, and behind under civilian
infrastructure, and hide among the civilian population.
So today, may I ask to members of this council, and to member states in every region of the world is this. Speak out and demand unequivocally that
Hamas accepts the deal on the table?
Now, I hope I'm wrong. I really do. But I don't expect that from Russia and China. Especially, because, they still can't bring themselves to condemn
Hamas's terrorist attacks on October 7th.
Just last week, Russia and China vetoed a resolution that condemned this horrific attack, a resolution the vast majority of this council supported.
They have shown time and time again that they are not actually interested in advancing adorable peace through diplomatic efforts. Nor for all their
rhetoric, are they interested in making any meaningful contributions to humanitarian efforts. Instead, they are using this devastating conflict as
a political cudgel to try to divide this council at a time when we need to come together. It is deeply, deeply cynical, and we should all see through
it.
Colleagues, we appreciated the willingness of members of this Council to take some of our edits and improve on this resolution. Still, certain key
edits were ignored, including our requests to add a condemnation of Hamas. And we did not agree with everything in the resolution. For that reason, we
were unfortunately not able to vote yes.
However, as I've said before, we fully support some of the critical objectives in this nonbinding resolution.
[10:50:00]
And we believe it was important for the council to speak out and make clear that our ceasefire must -- any ceasefire must come with the release of all
hostages.
Indeed, as I have said before, the only path to a doable end to this conflict is the release of all hostages.
Critically, a ceasefire and the release of hostages will allow much more humanitarian aid to get into Gaza at a time when famine is looming large,
and provide an opportunity to work toward a sustainable cessation of hostilities, toward a future where Hamas can no longer threaten Israel, and
never repeat October 7th, and no longer control Gaza, and use civilians as shields.
Toward a future where Palestinians and Israelis lived side by side, in peace and to democratic states of their own. Something that will never
happen with Hamas, a terrorist organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews, a terrorist organization this body still
fails to condemn controlling Hamas -- controlling Gaza.
Colleagues, we meet during the holy month of Ramadan, this should be a reason -- a season of peace for Muslim communities around the world. Just
as October 7th Simchat Torah, should have been a day of peace for Jewish communities.
This resolution rightly acknowledges that during the month of Ramadan, we must recommit to peace. Hamas can do that by accepting the deal on the
table. A ceasefire can begin immediately with the release of the first hostage. And so, we must put pressure on Hamas to do just that. This is the
only path to securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages, as we have all called for today. That is what this resolution means a ceasefire of any
duration must come with the release of hostages. This is the only path.
Thank you very much, Mr. President.
YAMAZAKI KAZUYUKI, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS: I thank the representative of the United States for their statement. I give
the floor to the representative of Slovenia.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much, Mr. President. Today is an important day.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCIUTTO: We've been listening there to the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, explaining the U.S. decision to abstain from this
U.N. Security Council vote, passing a new Gaza ceasefire resolution.
That abstention well in the recent history of the United Nations from the United States as relates to Israel is in effect a vote for that resolution.
As we noted earlier, this resolution demands an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza, then, leading to a permanent, sustainable ceasefire. It also
demands the immediate unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.
And crucially, that barriers be lifted to aid entering Gaza -- humanitarian aid as the residents of Gaza continue to suffer through shortages of basic
supplies, including food.
CNN Paula Hancocks, she's back with us this hour from Doha, Qatar, and we shouldn't underestimate the significance of a U.S. ambassador standing
before that body there defending a decision to allow a resolution to pass, which is pressure, very public pressure on Israel to do what we've heard
privately, U.S. officials have been urging Israel to do for some time, which is to stop military operations, allow aid to get in and find a path
to resolution in this war.
HANCOCKS: Well, that's right, Jim. And that's what the U.S. ambassador alluded to as well. Saying, this is the will of much of the international
community. It's not just the U.S., it's not just Russia or China, those permanent U.N. Security Council members.
This is what much of the world wants. They want this ceasefire linked to the hostage releases, and crucially, linked to allowing humanitarian aid
into Gaza.
Now, we heard from the U.S. ambassador there, saying that we are getting closer to a deal talking about these negotiations that have been ongoing
here in Doha. But we are not there yet. Now, saying that it's important for Hamas to take the deal on the table.
So, even though we -- this is effectively a very strong message to its ally to Israel, saying this is what needs to happen. If they are also publicly
saying that more pressure needs to put on Hamas to accept the deal that is on the table at this time. Meaning, there would be an immediate ceasefire.
[10:55:01]
But it comes at a very interesting time. I mean, the Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant is in Washington at the moment and will be meeting
with Biden administration officials, who are expecting another Israeli delegation to go later this week to work to Washington so that the Biden
administration can convince them that there are alternatives to this massive ground offensive in Rafah that Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime
minister has said that he is determined to carry out.
So, you're right, it is an abstention, but it is effectively voting for this resolution -- an immediate ceasefire, linked to the release of
hostages and allowing immediate humanitarian aid into Gaza. Jim.
SCIUTTO: Paula Hancocks, there in Doha.
As we note, the breaking news, just the last few minutes, U.N. Security Council, passing a new ceasefire resolution calling for an immediate
ceasefire leading to a permanent sustainable one.
Eleni, notable moment this morning. No question.
GIOKOS: Yes, absolutely. Look, it's been great having you on CONNECT THE WORLD with us today. And thank you so much to you at home for joining us.
I'm Eleni Giokos.
Stay with CNN. "NEWSROOM" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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