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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Trump Attacks GOP Delegate System; Obama Defends Clinton in E- mail Controversy; U.S. Stock Futures Flat; Belgium Terrorists Had Planned to Hit France; Taliban Gaining Ground in Afghanistan. Aired 4- 4:30a ET

Aired April 11, 2016 - 04:00   ET

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

[04:00:14] JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: Donald Trump back on the trail. Back on the Twitter. Making some pretty strong accusations about the voting system.

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN ANCHOR: Bernie Sanders no longer going after Hillary Clinton's qualifications. Instead attacking her judgment. The fight for New York heating up.

BERMAN: New developments in the investigation in the Brussels bombings. Terrorists plotted more attacks in France. The last-minute changes that led to the deadly airport and subway blast.

Good morning, everyone. Welcome to EARLY START. I'm John Berman.

KOSINSKI: And I'm Michelle Kosinski. It's Monday, April 11th. It's 4:00 a.m. in the East.

BERMAN: Indeed it is.

KOSINSKI: This morning Donald Trump's moment of Zen is over. After days of no public events and tamed tweets, the bluster is back aimed squarely at the Republican Party's complex delegate system. Trump is threatening to challenge the big delegate haul. Ted Cruz won this weekend Colorado. Overnight he complained about the state Republican Party picking its delegates at a convention instead of primary or caucus.

Trump tweeted, "How is it possible that the people of the great state of Colorado never got to vote in a Republican primary. Great anger, totally unfair."

And Trump's new convention manager charges that the Cruz campaign won delegates with, quote, "Gestapo tactics."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHUCK TODD, MSNBC'S MEET THE PRESS MODERATOR: Is threatening a fair game? Is threat a fair game?

PAUL MANAFORT, TRUMP CAMPAIGN CONVENTION MANAGER: It's not my style. It's not Donald Trump's style.

TODD: What if -- MANAFORT: But it is --

(CROSSTALK)

MANAFORT: But it is Ted Cruz's style. And that's going to wear thin very fast.

TODD: You think he's threatening delegates?

MANAFORT: Well, he's threatening the -- you go to his county conventions and you see the tactic, Gestapo tactics.

TODD: Gestapo tactics. That's a strong word.

MANAFORT: Well, you look at -- we're going to be filing several protests because reality is they are not playing by the rules.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: So Cruz's campaign now lashing back saying Cruz won Colorado by putting in what the campaign calls the hard work to build a superior organization.

For the latest, let's bring in CNN's Chris Frates with the Trump campaign in western New York.

CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, John and Michelle. After a three-day break, Donald Trump back on the campaign trail here at his home state of New York and New York crucial to Donald Trump. A battle ground here April 19th with 95 delegates at stake. Donald Trump has a shot at winner-take-all. And that's crucial particularly as Ted Cruz has been on a bit of a winning streak. In fact, Donald Trump starting to call into question those delegate wins by Ted Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We've got a corrupt system. It's not right. We're supposed to be a democracy. We're supposed to be -- we're supposed to be, you vote and the vote means something.

I want to tell you, it's a corrupt deal going on in this country and it's not good. It's not good. And it's not fair -- and it's not fair to you people. They're taking your vote away. They're disenfranchising people that want to see America be great again and politicians will never do it. They don't want to do it. They can't do it because their lobbyists and special interests are saying, we're not going to let you do it. It's no good and we've got to change the system, and it's got to change fast.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRATES: Donald Trump doing very well here in New York, still leading in the polls. In fact, on Sunday, a new FOX poll came out showed that he had 54 percent support, Ted Cruz just 15 percent support. Cruz lagging even John Kasich here in the state and Donald Trump using Ted Cruz's words against him. They remember Ted Cruz criticizing New York values. Donald Trump jumping on that, saying Ted Cruz was insulting New Yorkers. Ted Cruz firing back saying he was insulting the liberal political New York class, not New York voters.

But if you look forward here, Ted Cruz is doing very well in the delegate hunt. In fact, four consecutive wins, big wins in Wisconsin and Colorado. This week in Colorado, he took 34 delegates. The Donald Trump campaign saying that he used Gestapo tactics to win those delegates and threatened delegates. Ted Cruz folks said now way. We are -- that's just a Donald Trump temper tantrum. That's what we usually here the kind of sour grapes from the Trump campaign. We won because we have a superior organization.

In fact Donald Trump beefing up that delegate organization of his own, bringing in a delegate expert that conceded to compete here, going forward for New York, the next big battle ground, could be a winner- take-all. We should continue to hear Donald Trump throughout this week here in New York -- John, Michelle.

BERMAN: That's Chris Frates and "The Rolling Stones" in Rochester, New York.

On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders ratcheting up the rhetoric against Hillary Clinton with a crucial New York primary just eight days away. Sanders kind of expanding the argument over who's qualified to be president, now questioning the secretary's judgment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[04:05:01] SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: She may have the experience to be president of the United States. No one can argue that. But in terms of a judgment, something is clearly lacking.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Sanders also criticized Clinton in an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN's "STATE OF THE UNION," calling her -- calling her out for saying that young people who link her to the fossil fuel industry have not done their research.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SANDERS: I think that's a little bit condescending. I think in my experience with young people, you know, and I see them every day because they're coming out to our rallies, these are young people who want to be involved in shaping the future of the country. They are proud of this country. They want to make it a better country. I think they do a whole lot of research.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So in her interview with CNN, Secretary Clinton seemed to be drawing implicit contrast to Sanders saying she would keep any promises that she made.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Look, I have said repeatedly that I'd take him over Donald Trump or Ted Cruz any day. I think people know that I will be a president who will follow through on what I said.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Now Clinton picked up the endorsement of Maryland Congressman Elijah Cummings. He is the top Democrat on the House Benghazi Committee.

KOSINSKI: And a three-night CNN town hall event begins tonight at 9:00 p.m. This time there's a new twist with Republican president candidates and their families, answering voter questions. It's family night.

Tonight is John Kasich and his wife Karen and their twin teenage daughters. Tomorrow night is Donald Trump with his family, and Wednesday night it's Ted and Heidi Cruz. Live at 9:00 p.m. each night only on CNN.

BERMAN: Just like a family dinner which means awkward stares.

KOSINSKI: Family dinner.

BERMAN: You know, resentment.

(CROSSTALK)

KOSINSKI: You get everybody together.

BERMAN: Survey says?

KOSINSKI: Yes.

BERMAN: Then on Thursday night, it's the Democratic presidential debate. That's at 9:00 p.m. in Brooklyn. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders they face off for the final time before the crucial New York primary. The debate only on CNN.

KOSINSKI: President Obama speaking out on the controversy over Hillary Clinton's private e-mail server. In an interview with "FOX News Sunday" the president defended Clinton again but he said he will not interfere in any way with the ongoing Justice Department and FBI investigations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I continue to believe that she has not jeopardized America's national security. Now what I've also said is that -- and she has she's acknowledged, that there's a carelessness in terms of managing e-mails that she has owned. And she recognizes. But I also think it is important to keep this in perspective. This is somebody who has served her country for four years as secretary of state and did an outstanding job.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: This was a wide-ranging interview. And the president also admitted to what he thought was his biggest mistake in office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Probably failing to plan for the day after what I think was the right thing to do in intervening in Libya.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: The president also explained why he keeps pushing for hearings on Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland despite Republican leaders' firm vow the hearings will never happen. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: I don't object to Republicans saying, look, Merrick Garland may be a fine man. He may be an excellent judge, but I just disagree with them philosophically on a whole range of issues. So I'm going to vote against him.

I think that if they go through the process, they won't have a rationale to defeat him. So my point is go through the process. Go through the hearings. I think if you do that, the American people and the majority of senators will determine that in fact he's qualified to be on the court.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: So Hillary Clinton's subway troubles from last Thursday, they were discussed on "Saturday Night Live." Kate McKinnon, she got mocked Clinton's struggle to swipe correctly through New York's notoriously finicky turnstiles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE MCKINNON, COMEDIAN: The New York City subway is the best way to get around. This isn't working, Metrocard. I'll just go in the old fashion way. I'll take a cab. Cab is the best way to get around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: How many times has that happened to you? All right. Clinton also joked about her swiping snag in a charity event over the weekend asking Mayor Bill de Blasio to, quote, "Do me a favor. Will you just fix these Metrocard slots? It took me, like, five swipes."

KOSINSKI: Swipe-gate.

BERMAN: Exactly.

(CROSSTALK)

ALISON KOSIK, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Over is not really what I would do. BERMAN: Joining us now, for a look at your money, Alison Kosik.

KOSIK: Good morning. We are seeing a lot of red arrows around the world right now. Asian markets mostly lower, so are European markets. And U.S. futures are following their lead.

[04:10:03] On Friday oil prices soared more than 6 percent. But that wasn't enough for Wall Street. The Dow gained just 35 points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq also closing slightly higher. All three ending the week down more than 1 percent.

Question for you. Could a Yahoo!-Daily Mail merger be in the works? The company that owns the British tabloid, is just one of the about 40 parties interested in Yahoo! including Verizon and CBS. Any one of those groups could acquire all of Yahoo! or parts of the company like the media and news properties. Now the "Daily Mail" tells CNN Money that discussions right now are in the very, very early stages, although, Verizon seems to be a top contender because it's looking to expand its advertising and digital property.

BERMAN: Looking to acquire part of Yahoo!. Just looking for Ya?

KOSIK: Just the Ya.

BERMAN: See, I want to echo --

KOSIK: And somebody else will get the Hoo.

BERMAN: Just want to get the Ya.

KOSINSKI: Yes, I've been hearing about this merger. Not a possibility for a long time, though.

BERMAN: Yes.

KOSINSKI: Somebody has always wanted to buy Yahoo.

KOSIK: Because Yahoo! Is in trouble. Yes.

BERMAN: A long decline.

All right, Alison. Thanks so much.

KOSINSKI: Thank you.

So there's new information now coming out from Brussels. The terrorists behind the deadly plot planned more attacks in France. We'll tell you how and where next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[04:15:14] BERMAN: Dramatic new details this morning about the terrorists who attacked Brussels last month. New word they initially planned to attack France again, but changed their minds when police closed in. This is according to authorities in Belgium who now confirmed the Brussels bombings and the Paris attacks were carried out by the same ISIS network.

This morning we're learning more about Mohamed Abrini who says he was the man in the white hat believed to be the third and only surviving suspect for the Brussels airport bombing. He was taken into custody Friday.

Let's go live to Brussels and bring in CNN's Kellie Morgan.

Kellie, what are you learning this morning.

KELLIE MORGAN, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, yes, since Friday we've had lots of developments over the weekend. Abrini, he does appear to be talking to police in addition to confessing to being the airport bomber. He has told police that he dumped his significant or his distinctive, rather, white jacket as he made his escape from the airport. He dumped it in a rubbish can.

He says he also told them that he sold his hat. So he does appear to be talking. Whether or not police believe him is another thing. But remember there were five other suspects arrested on Friday as well. Among them a man by the name of Osama Krayem. He's another suspect linked to the Paris attackers. Now police alleged that he is the second man that they were hunting in connection to the bombing at the Maelbeek metro station.

So we have these key suspects arrested on Friday who have direct links to the captured Paris suspect Salah Abdeslam. So we are now learning that Brussels wasn't the actual -- the initial target. It was Paris, specifically the Le Defense business district and the Catholic Association. So we're wondering whether or not these six suspects are helping police piece together the data they found on the computer that was seized outside the Schaerbeek apartment. We don't know how much they are cooperating and we certainly want more details -- John.

BERMAN: Kellie, what's the level of security right now? They must be concerned given that when they first arrested Salah Abdeslam it was then the Brussels attack took place just days after that when there was a major arrest. It seems there should also be reason for concern.

MORGAN: Absolutely. And that is the concern. We are now at the same -- it was four days afterward. We're now at that same -- almost the same time period again. You can be sure that in Paris they'll be stepping up security. This will come as a shock then that they were the intended target of the attack that was carried out here on March 22nd. Everybody will be on high alert here in Brussels, in France but also across Europe. Because we know that these terror cell has links stretching across Europe -- John.

BERMAN: It does seem they are having success in rolling up at least some of the members of that cell right now.

Kellie Morgan in Brussels, thanks so much.

KOSINSKI: And history is unfolding in Hiroshima this morning with John Kerry becoming the first U.S. secretary of state to ever visit the Japanese city. He's there for a two-day summit with G-7 leaders. The White House says Kerry will not apologize for the U.S. dropping an

atomic bomb on Hiroshima to end World War II. He'll acknowledge the enormous loss of life, though, after America became the first and only country to ever use a nuclear weapon.

BERMAN: A U.S. Navy officer in custody this morning, awaiting trial for espionage. Officials say the unidentified officer was arrested eight months ago, but details kept under wraps for reason of national security. All we're being told right now is the officer was a lieutenant commander who's accused of illegally sharing secret information and wrongfully transporting classified material along with one count of paying for a prostitute and another for adultery.

KOSINSKI: Danny Willett is the 2016 Masters champion. The 28-year- old Englishman shot a bogey free 67 in the final round, winning the season's first major by three shots. But it was an epic collapse by Jordan Spieth that everyone will remember.

BERMAN: Yes.

KOSINSKI: The defending champion squandered a five-stroke lead with nine holes to play hitting two balls in the water at the 12th for a quadruple bogey.

BERMAN: I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What I was watching Jordan Spieth who doesn't really make mistakes like this. Make them again and again and again at the 12th. He did bounce back, though. Look, that would have, you know, absolutely ended most golfers.

KOSINSKI: Bad day.

BERMAN: But he came back at it. He shot pretty well for the rest of the round. But it's not enough.

KOSINSKI: It hurts.

BERMAN: He'll just have to go back with (INAUDIBLE). He's got a long career out of him, though.

All right. Bond set at $1 million for the 30-year-old suspect who allegedly shot and killed former New Orleans Saints football star Will Smith. This is an awful story. Cardel Hayes booked on second-degree murder charges Sunday. New Orleans police say he and Smith exchanged words after their vehicles collided Saturday night. Shots then fired with Smith fatally injured and his wife Raquel wounded.

Nineteen minutes after the hour right now. The Taliban closing in on Afghan government soldiers.

[04:20:03] CNN speaks with defectors exclusively about why they left the army to join the Taliban. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: New gains this morning for the Taliban in Afghanistan. The militant group moving ever closer to reclaiming Helmand Province. That's the largest region in the country and a strategic location along the border with Pakistan. An area heavily fought over now for years including by U.S. troops, many of whom died there.

Let's go to CNN's senior international correspondent Nick Paton Walsh in Kabul with some CNN exclusive reporting this morning.

Nick, what are you learning?

[04:25:02] NICK PATON WALSH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, John, you know, so many assurances from U.S. and NATO officials that the Afghan will be able to hold ground once U.S. troops and a majority left here. But that isn't the case in Helmand. A vital province, so much money potentially available there for the Taliban if they get their hands on the opium trade and they're losing territory fast here, the Afghan Army, partially because of defections.

We spoke to two Afghan soldiers who had in fact changed sides, saying they weren't getting the resources and assistance they needed and their commanders to keep fighting for the Afghan Army and joined the Taliban instead. But I say, too, the Afghan officials very clearly say they don't think that a key city in Helmand will fall, Lashkar Gah. In fact the Defense minister offered to resign if it did. Here's what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MOHAMMAD MASOOM STANEKZAI, ACTING DEFENSE MINISTER OF AFGHANISTAN: Will not fall.

WALSH: At all?

STANEKZAI: At all.

WALSH: If it does, would you resign, or if it did?

STANEKZAI: It will not fall. If it fall, there is no doubt I will resign, but sure, it will not fall.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALSH: A pretty stark admission, frankly, that is something so key that if it did fall in Taliban hands, he'd have to reconsider his position. U.S. officials feel similarly confident but I have to say talking to police in Helmand, they say that city along with much with Helmand heavily pressured by the Taliban, they're on the advance here. Many concerned it could be worse in the months ahead, John.

BERMAN: All right. Nick Paton Walsh for us in Kabul this morning. Thanks so much, Nick.

KOSINSKI: And Donald Trump is angry. Maybe we should put a breaking news banner on that. The billionaire scrambling to keep up with Ted Cruz calling this weekend's contest in Colorado unfair. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)