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Early Start with Rahel Solomon
Warren Buffett Slams Trump's Tariffs, Says Trade War will Hurt the U.S.; Former U.S. VP Mike Pence Receives JFK Profile in Courage Award for January 6 Actions; Jury Selection Begins in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' Sex Trafficking Trial. Aired 5-5:30a ET
Aired May 05, 2025 - 05:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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RAHEL SOLOMON, ANCHOR, EARLY START: Good morning and welcome to our viewers joining us from the U.S. and all around the world, Rahel Solomon -- it's Monday, May 5th, 5:00 a.m. here in New York and straight ahead on EARLY START.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Investors and businesses still waiting to hear any concrete details on deals in the works.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're negotiating with many countries, but at the end of this, I'll set my own deals.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They broke through the police line, and people are going in. The doors are open.
MIKE PENCE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When I think of that fateful day four years ago, the only heroes I saw were wearing uniforms.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How do you pick a jury in a case where everybody knows the defendant? It will be tough, but it's certainly not impossible.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: President Donald Trump sitting down with "NBC News" to discuss a wide-range of issues this weekend, from the constitution to Greenland, Alcatraz and Mexican cartels. But the biggest news continues to be on concerns about the economy and Trump's trade war. President says that he's confident that good things will come from trade deals.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We're negotiating with many countries, but at the end of this, I'll set my own deals because I set the deal. They don't set the deal. I set the deal. They've been ripping us off for years. I set the deal. So, every country, almost without fail, friend and foe, has been ripping us off for years. So, we're meeting with almost all of them, including China. And at the end, I'm setting the deal.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: He said the tariffs would eventually be lowered on China, as both Beijing and Washington appear to soften their positions on potential trade talks. Tariffs on auto parts went into effect this weekend, and Trump hopes that, that will help bring manufacturing back to the U.S. And now, a new focus for tariffs.
Foreign-made movies. The President is asking for 100 percent tariff, although it's not clear how exactly it will be implemented. Movies are considered intellectual property, not something that can currently have a tariff. Also over the weekend, Warren Buffett, announcing his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, the legendary investor using the occasion to suggest that there is such a thing as an economic act of war and that trade shouldn't be used as a weapon.
And last hour, I spoke with economist Ryan Patel and asked him, how long will it be before the U.S. economy can be considered the Trump economy after Trump's comments over the weekend? Take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RYAN PATEL, SENIOR FELLOW, DRUCKER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, CLAREMONT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY: It's going to have to be looked at from one year to a year and a half to really see how the economy has grown, not just in the short term reel. It is really focused on, did you bring back more manufacturing to the U.S.?
Are there other companies producing more? That would be the metrics. You have to have some metrics behind it, not just the market. So, truly you see if the Trump economy is working, you really have to see it at that point.
SOLOMON: What about the labor market and concerns that some of these tariffs and some of the trade war could cause some impacts to U.S. workers in the the near term?
PATEL: Yes, I mean, I think that's what the talking point was. I think when he was in that "Meet the Press" interview, you know, it was kind of he was firing shots toward Powell to make sure that everyone knows he could replace him soon. And -- but, you know, to have stability like you were mentioning about unemployment, to be able to have the GDP, which wasn't really a great first quarter, contracted just a little bit down, it allows the Fed to make a pause and to that degree.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: This weekend, President Trump also said that he doesn't know if he has to uphold the U.S. constitution, as he was speaking on "NBC's" "Meet the Press" on the right to due process for people living in the U.S.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KRISTEN WELKER, MEET THE PRESS: Your Secretary of State says everyone
who is here, citizens and non-citizens deserve due process. Do you agree, Mr. President?
TRUMP: I don't know, I'm not -- I'm not a lawyer. I don't know.
WELKER: Don't you need to uphold the constitution of the United States as President?
TRUMP: I don't know. I have to respond by saying, again, I have brilliant lawyers that work for me, and they are going to obviously follow what the Supreme Court said. What you said is not what I heard the Supreme Court said. They have a different interpretation.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: President Trump was also asked about his administration's targeting of universities, law firms and the media. And when asked what he would say to those who believe that he's taking the country down an authoritarian path, Trump said that he was elected with a lot of votes and that, quote, "those people are going to be very happy."
Meanwhile, Trump's former Vice President is being recognized for his role in upholding the constitution. Mike Pence is this year's recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for this moment on January 6th, 2021.
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PENCE: Joseph R. Biden Junior of the state of Delaware has received 306 votes. Donald J. Trump of the state of Florida, has received 232 votes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: That was Pence certifying the 2020 election results. He did so despite pressure from Trump and despite the violent rioters outside the U.S. capitol. Accepting the award on Sunday, Pence said that, quote, "tragic day became a triumph of freedom because Congress was able to do its duty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PENCE: I will always believe, by God's grace, I did my duty that day to support the peaceful transfer of power under the constitution of the United States of America.
(APPLAUSE)
When I think of that fateful day four years ago, the only heroes I saw were wearing uniforms.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SOLOMON: Police in Rio de Janeiro say that Lady Gaga's long-awaited return to Brazil on Saturday was almost marked by tragedy. Our Julia Vargas Jones has the latest on the alleged plot targeting the pop star's massive concert.
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JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): Disconcerting new details emerging as we're learning one man believed that Lady Gaga had a Satanist religious inclination, and as such, he wanted to respond in the same way by carrying out a Satanic ritualistic killing of a child or a baby on a livestream during her show.
This man had been watched by U.S. consulate who alerted authorities in Rio de Janeiro, and now he's charged with terrorism and inducing crime. In total, 15 warrants of search and seizure were carried out across Brazil in four different states. This is also unfolding as we're learning an extremist group that communicated on Discord was posing as little monsters or Lady Gaga fans online, recruiting participants, including under-aged people to orchestrate attacks with improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails at the concert.
The leader of this organization was arrested in southern Brazil for illegal possession of a firearm, as well as a teenager who was in possession of child pornography. The police said that they've carried out this work with discretion and precision to avoid panic of the crowds, but the Lady Gaga team did say that they were not aware of these threats before the event, saying, quote, "we learned about this alleged threat via media reports in the morning prior and during the show.
There were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks. Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert, and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place."
And we did speak, though, to one of the concert-goers who told us a little bit about what it was like to find out the next day that they had been a target of a potential terror attack.
DANI MORERA TRETTIN, CONCERTGOER: To know that there was a group actively targeting us and the LGBTQ-plus community, definitely put a bitter taste in my mouth. I mean, I am glad that they didn't tell people about what was going on, and they did it with discretion because I believe that could have caused a major panic and would have caused many people not to come.
JONES: Lady Gaga, of course, has amassed a massive following, the LGBTQ-plus community has been a staunch defender of the rights of that community for years, but she also seems to not have let this terror attack plan put a stain on what was a very successful show. She posted on Instagram on Sunday, thanking her fans and saying, quote, "your heart shines so bright. Your culture is so vibrant and special." I hope you know how grateful I am to have shared this historical moment with you." Julia Vargas Jones, CNN, Los Angeles.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SOLOMON: Major staffing shortages causing historic delays at one of the busiest airports in the U.S. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey has seen widespread delays for now, an unprecedented seven consecutive days. At last check, there were more than a dozen delays and even more cancellations at Newark today, that's according to FlightAware.
U.S. and airline officials say that other factors are also contributing to the delays, including a lack of air traffic controllers both at the airport and nationwide, as well as technology failures caused by outdated equipment. Still to come for us, President Trump says that he wants to put criminals back into Alcatraz, a prison that hasn't been operational for more than 60 years.
We'll hear where that idea comes from straight ahead. And jury selection begins today for the federal sex-trafficking trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. Just ahead, we'll take a closer look at this high profile case.
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And CNN makes a rare trip to Tibet, where the succession of the next Dalai Lama could be controversial. We'll be right back.
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SOLOMON: Welcome back. Jury selection begins today in the federal trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs. He has pleaded not guilty to five charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex-trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Now, if convicted, Combs could spend the rest of his life in prison.
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Among the witnesses we are expecting to hear from is Combs' ex- girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Surveillance video showing Combs assaulting Ventura in 2016 will be shown during the trial. Let's get to CNN legal analyst and former prosecutor Joey Jackson joining us live for more on this trial. Joey, always a pleasure to have you. Good morning. If you're the prosecution here with jury selection, who are you hoping to get on the jury?
JOEY JACKSON, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes, Rahel, good morning to you. So, what happens is, there's a lot of people, obviously, who are mindful of this case. It's not lost upon people. The issue is whether or not, notwithstanding the fact that you may have heard about this case, have you formulated opinions? So, it's not even about the prosecution who the defense wants, it's about who they can get predicated upon their knowledge and their commitment really to the truth.
And so, if you're prosecutor, certainly, you want law and order people who are not opposed to the government, who are aware that government invest -- governments investigate and people get prosecuted, right? And sometimes for meritorious reasons, from the defense's perspective, many times not. And so, from a defense perspective, you want people who are predisposed to different types of lifestyles and an awareness that, you know, sometimes the government gets it wrong.
And I think at the end of the day, as long as you have jurors who can swear to the truth and their social medias, Rahel, will be evaluated of the jurors, what they say will be vetted with respect to who they are and what they've posted, if anything. So, I think they have an opportunity, both sides, to pick jurors who really can try to get it right, notwithstanding the fact that they may have heard about the case and may have formulated opinions about it.
SOLOMON: Joey, what do you make of the fact that Combs obviously rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors? What does that signal to you about the defense's plans here or their strategy here?
JACKSON: So, plea deals are important part of -- are an important part of the process. And as much as many times they're offered as we look at the five counts that can keep them in jail for the rest of his life, the good news about a plea deal is always that you can control the outcome. There's finality, you know what it is. The problem from a defense perspective is the buy-in sometimes might be quite high.
And when a client looks at it, and if the amount of years are too high, and if the fine associated with is too high, it may be such that, hey, we might as well take our chances and move forward. And so, plea deals are generally offered in cases, right? It doesn't mean anything in terms of whether the prosecution has a strong or weak case.
It means that it might be an appropriate opportunity for both sides to reach a suitable resolution. But here, I think, Mr. Combs has said the buy-in is too high, and I'm going to go forward, I'm going to take my chances with a jury of my peers who could be fair and who could evaluate the facts and the evidence based upon what's presented.
SOLOMON: Now, we know once that jury is ultimately selected, they will see that surveillance video that likely everyone watching has seen, we've all seen it, of Combs hitting, kicking his ex-girlfriend Cassie. She herself is also expected to testify. Joey, how important will both of those things be here in this trial?
JACKSON: Yes, I think it's critical, right? The defense has tried to exclude that videotape, meaning not have the jury see that. Why? Because while the jury may not be -- while the tape itself may not be indicative of guilt, yes, it's vicious, it's violent, it's not something you want the jury to see. The defense -- from the defense perspective, it doesn't determine whether he was running a criminal enterprise.
It doesn't determine whether or not he was transporting people over and coercing them with regard to sex. It doesn't determine whether or not there was prostitution. Nonetheless, it will be seen. And the problem for the defense is, if the jury believes that your client is a bad person, you know, sometimes where there's smoke, there's fire. And so, it's not something they want the jury to see. Defense is going
to have to explain it and have to indicate to the jury while this may have been the case here, it doesn't represent who he was, what he was doing, or the fact that he was running a criminal enterprise.
SOLOMON: Yes, speaking of who he was, what he is doing, two days after that video surfaced, which in this show, we are choosing not to show again, we've all seen it -- he apologized. He apologized on video. Joey, which version? You have been in your fair share of trials on both sides of the courtroom. Which version of him do you think shows up?
Do we see the confident media mogul, or do we see the apologetic version, and speaking of apology, I mean, Joey, that has to be sort of a fine line because you're pleading not guilty, at the same time, you have apologized for what we saw in the video.
JACKSON: Yes, without question, and great question, Rachel. Look, this is a case from a prosecution's perspective about coercion, from a defense perspective about consent. And that will be the battle of the narratives. The prosecution will paint him out as a monster, a person who abused his authority by all accounts, who exploited people for his own sexual gratification, who ultimately engaged in this business, right? For the purpose of just gratifying himself in every way.
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You'll hear about these parties that were wild and bizarre. You'll hear about guns, you'll hear about drugs, you'll hear about just really sensational things. From a defense perspective, I think the issue with them is going to be, hey, our client may be a flawed person, right? He may be a person who might have had some things which we might consider seedy, immoral, unsavory, it doesn't make him a criminal.
And so, I think there's that balance where the defense is going to try to say to co-opt the narrative, he's not a monster, he's a person who, while deeply-flawed, engaged in activities which you may not engage in. But they were not criminal. They were predicated upon consent. And ultimately, he didn't engage in any of this prostitution, any of this drug-trafficking or anything else. So, it's that balance and whatever narrative the jury accepts, which will determine, Rahel, whether he's declared guilty or ultimately exonerated.
SOLOMON: Joey, last question here. I read that the prosecution here will be an all-female team, an all-women team of prosecutors. What do you make of that move? I mean, do you think that has an impact in terms of the optics when we're talking about crimes committed against women, allegedly committed against women?
JACKSON: Yes, I think it certainly sends a strong message, at the same time, it could backfire. There are various perspectives in the world, and there's a perspective, certainly a female perspective, which is valued, valued highly. And there's a male perspective, and there's just a generic human perspective in terms of decency and conduct in which should be engaged in. And so, I think that in preparing trial strategy, you have to be
mindful of those two worldly perspectives. And in defending, you have to be mindful of that. And so, I think it sends a total message, it certainly sends an optical message. But at the end of the day, it's the message that resonates with the jury, regardless of whether you're all male or you're not or you're mixed as the defense team is.
And so, we'll see. It's a salacious trial. We're going to hear a lot of things, the jury certainly will, that we don't hear every day. But I think both sides will say, Rahel, keep your eye on the prize. The defense will say, beware of shiny objects, beware of issues about drug use and everything else. It's about coercion.
The prosecution will say, the defense will say, hey, you know what this is all about? Consent and the people who are testifying are long- term girlfriends of his who they engage in this behavior. So, don't let them change the script on it now. We'll see which narrative carries the --
SOLOMON: Yes, absolutely. Joey Jackson, good to have you today. Thank you.
JACKSON: Thanks, Rahel.
SOLOMON: All right, still ahead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushing back on Russia's plans for a unilateral three-day ceasefire. Coming up, what he says needs to be done instead. And a new rule for the popemobile. We'll tell you more about Pope Francis' final wishes for his iconic car when we come back.
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SOLOMON: Welcome back. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging allies to put more pressure on Russia to end the fighting in Ukraine. Otherwise, he believes that Moscow won't take any real steps to do so. He made the remarks Sunday while visiting Prague and the President of the Czech Republic, a key ally of Ukraine throughout the war.
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VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT, UKRAINE (through translator): In my opinion if Ukraine is strong, the war will be over as soon as possible. United States and our European colleagues have all instruments at their disposal to preserve alliance between United States and Europe is a top priority, to force Russia to agree on full and unconditional ceasefire.
It was a proposal by the U.S. and we supported it. It is also a priority task. I think level of pressure will directly depend on the alliance and its strength.
(END VIDEO CLIP) SOLOMON: Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin believes that Russia has
the strength and the resources to end the conflict on his terms. Let's bring in Clare Sebastian, who joins us from London. Clare, what more do we know about a ceasefire proposal from Russia?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Rahel, this is what Russia proposed recently, a three-day unilateral ceasefire covering the victory day celebrations in Moscow. So, due to start on Thursday. It is not the first time Russia has proposed a unilateral ceasefire. And so far, neither of its previous attempts actually resulted in significant stoppage of violence.
Now, this is not only sort of smacking of a PR stunt because Ukraine has not signed on to this, nor is it -- said that it would provide any guarantees. President Zelenskyy said at the end of this last week, to foreign dignitaries visiting the victory celebrations. So, at this point, it's not exactly clear how much violence, if any, is going to stop on this ceasefire.
But I think this is part of Russia's attempt after the Vatican meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, after the mineral deal was signed, to make this kind of gesture to pull itself back into President Trump's favor. So, I think ultimately, though, it shows that they're not, you know, in a rush to seek peace.
And that was evident as well from a documentary that was released over the weekend, a very positive documentary from a Kremlin journalist, where he released an interview that was filmed about a month ago with Putin in a kitchen in the Kremlin, and he asked him about the risk of the war in Ukraine spilling over into nuclear war. Take a look.
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VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT, RUSSIA (through translator): They wanted to provoke us so that we made mistakes. There's been no need to use those weapons you just talked about, and I hope it won't be required. We have enough strength and means to bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with the outcome Russia requires.
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SOLOMON: Number one, it's only Russia that's been making any nuclear threats in this war. And so, the suggestion that the West is sort of pushing Russia into doing this is patently false. Russia is also the only country that has fired an intermediate range ballistic missile at Ukraine's fourth largest city in November.
And I think the second point is that, this was filmed at the end of March, but that was after two publicly announced phone calls.
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