Return to Transcripts main page
New Day
Dozens Killed in Stampede in Israel; India's COVID Crisis Worsens; Beau Wise is Interviewed about the Withdrawal from Afghanistan; Conspiracy in GOP Arizona Audit; Trump Supporters Bush Back on Vaccine; Frist Round of NFL Draft. Aired 6:30-7a ET
Aired April 30, 2021 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[06:30:00]
HADAS GOLD, CNN REPORTER, EUROPEAN POLITICS, MEDIA AND BUSINESS: Event actually takes place every year. And this is -- and this is an unusual event to say the least for -- for this community here especially.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was here earlier today. He said that it will be investigated. And he called on Israel to have a national day of mourning on Sunday.
Brianna.
BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, it is a terrible loss.
Hadas Gold, thank you very much.
JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: So, words not enough to describe the utter horror gripping India this morning. The country again shattering global records for new coronavirus cases at nearly 400,000. We've seen the devastating images of mass cremation sites. These weren't there a few weeks ago. These just started being used because of the enormous need. Hospitals on the verge of collapse. Not enough beds or oxygen.
Joining us now is Dr. Farah Husain. She is the head of the COVID ICU unit at a hospital in Delhi.
Dr. Husain, thank you for joining us.
You're calling this a tsunami. Explain to us what you're seeing.
DR. FARAH HUSAIN, HEAD OF COVID ICU UNIT, LOK NAYAK HOSPITAL: Good morning.
What we are seeing is nothing short of an apocalypse. We've had patients rush -- being rushed in, almost wards getting filled up overnight. Ninety patients in less than 12 hours. (INAUDIBLE) the problem with this virus is the second wave is extremely contagious, extremely aggressive, and it is affecting the younger population in a significantly different way that we had not expected.
We have been the largest dedicated hospital in Delhi. We've dedicated (ph) to more than 12,000 patients last year and have discharged them and made them go back home. But, unfortunately, this time it is overwhelming. It is extremely fatigued. We are feeling very, very tired. And the fact that we've not been able to control the numbers is something which is extremely shocking for us.
BERMAN: Your words are chilling, I have to say, Dr. Husain, nothing short of an apocalypse. And I think we can hear it in your voice how exhausting this is. I mean you've had COVID. Your five-year-old twins have had COVID. Your mother and father, your nanny all had COVID.
HUSAIN: Yes.
BERMAN: How hard has this been on you personally?
HUSAIN: It's been extremely taxing because while we are dealing with COVID at home, there are people who are reaching out for help, and I'm talking about close family, friends, close family. My best friend's mom, my sister's best friend's mom, it's -- it's just like no other house has been spared. It's an -- it's like bad -- COVID is there in every house. That's what we need to figure out and we need to work on and we need to really, you know, get people back on track. It's extremely important to (INAUDIBLE).
BERMAN: Why is this happening?
HUSAIN: It's --
BERMAN: I'm sorry.
Why is this happening now? How is this different from what we've seen in previous waves?
HUSAIN: I think this wave, the double mutant, is causing an immune escape. There is also the fact that we have a lot of, you know, people have sort of given up on the fact that this -- this could happen. They talk probably (ph), you know, we were out (ph) with it and the wave was over. The second wave has come as a shock to most of us. We were expecting it, but we were not expecting the numbers. That is where the problem lies, and that's why the structural basis of our health care system is getting worn out.
BERMAN: Thank goodness, I know you're vaccinated.
HUSAIN: Yes.
BERMAN: Are the vaccines going to be enough? I mean how do you stop this wave?
HUSAIN: I would like to, in fact, talk about my personal experience here. I have two elderly parents who are both with significant comorbidities. And my mom tested positive first. Because of it, she was taking care of my kids while I was at work, and, hence, my kids tested positive.
But I'm thankful to say we've all been doubly vaccinated. They've just had as (ph) regular flu. They've recovered. And I'm also now on my (INAUDIBLE). And I'm also slowly recovering. But the fact that, you know, you're not being able to -- you don't need the oxygen, you don't need to rush to a hospital when you have this kind of an aggressive strain because you're vaccinated. It is something that is a real hope for everyone. It is something that I would be very, very willing to promote and people should go ahead and take their shot as soon as they get the chance to do so.
BERMAN: Get those vaccines as soon as you can.
HUSAIN: Yes.
BERMAN: I certainly hope you have enough in the availability.
Dr. Farah Husain, thank you for being with us. We wish you the best. I know this is like nothing anyone has ever seen before.
Thank you.
HUSAIN: Thank you.
KEILAR: Apocalyptic.
BERMAN: Nothing short of an apocalypse, she says, and it's in every house. I mean the sense you get, and from our reporters there also, and we'll talk to them again throughout the show, is it's everywhere. It's house to house. Everyone you run across.
KEILAR: I think that really stands out as we are talking to report -- Indian reporters, American reporters who are covering India, they'll tick through their colleagues, their colleagues' relatives, their friends, their neighbors. It's really -- it's astounding.
BERMAN: And I've got to tell you, I'm concerned it's only going to get worse.
[06:35:00]
I don't even know what worse could look like at this point.
KEILAR: Next, U.S. troops beginning their withdrawal from Afghanistan as al Qaeda threatens to start a war.
Plus, CNN speaks with Trump supporters about why they're hesitant to take the vaccine. We'll hear about their reasons.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KEILAR: As of this morning, the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan is officially underway. And while it will mean the eventual end to America's longest war, it's coming with a new message from al Qaeda, an official warning of war on all fronts until the U.S. is, quote, expelled from the rest of the Islamic world.
I want to speak now with Beau Wise, who is a combat veteran who served in the war in Afghanistan. He's also the author of the book, "Three Wise Men," which tells the story of how he lost both of his brothers who were also in the military. He lost them in Afghanistan. Sergeant, thank you so much for joining us. I've been wanting to speak
with you since I first learned of the news that the U.S. would be withdrawing from Afghanistan completely by September 11th.
[06:40:02]
And, you know, you're someone that I think comes to mind for a lot of people because of the price that your family has paid in this war. And I just wonder how you're reflecting on this war considering that cost.
BEAU WISE, U.S. MARINE CORPS VETERAN, LOST 2 BROTHERS IN AFGHANISTAN: Well, I mean it's -- it's been such a long time.
And thank you so much, Brianna, for having me.
You know, I think a lot of things. As far as to stay or go, you know, I think a lot of parents and family members and spouses (INAUDIBLE). The only thing that I would say is that I just -- I -- I'm really not fond of dates. I would encourage the president, if I could, with all due respect, I'm not going to hold you to this date, sir. I would appreciate the fact that safety does not hold to the timeline and -- and that effort, whenever it's safest. If it's August, October of 2022 (ph), that's fine with me (ph).
KEILAR: You -- you worry about dates. You have said when you first learned of the news that you were relieved, which is something that I have heard from so many military folks and veterans and family members, but that you also have concerns about the Afghans who have worked with the U.S.
Can you tell me about that?
WISE: Absolutely. I mean in an effort to set them up for success, it's kind of one of the reasons for our -- why I feel the way that I do, you know, in setting them up for success and (INAUDIBLE) worries me a little bit. But, you know, everybody that's ever worked with the Afghans in (INAUDIBLE) backing (ph) the national army to command those properly, you know, would have the same thing, establish those relationships (INAUDIBLE), make sure that we set them up for success in every way that we can.
KEILAR: Beau, you're such an important voice on this. I do want to say, we're having a problem with your audio. We're going to take a quick break and then we are going to be right back with Beau Wise.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:45:58]
BERMAN: So, this morning, Trump conspiracy theorists and the former president himself are fixated on this Republican-led audit of the 2020 vote in Arizona's largest county. One Trump supporter is even convinced Arizona will be the first domino to fall in overturning the election. It won't.
CNN's Donie O'Sullivan all over this. And some of the reporting about, you know, the president himself is asking everybody what's going on in Arizona, Donie.
DONIE O'SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, John.
Yes, the big lie lives on. You know, the results in Arizona have been checked, checked, and checked again. This is a Republican-led audit, a Republican paid for audit that is being described as essentially a farce, even by some election officials, who are Republican in Arizona.
But to some Trump supporters who believe in the big lie, it is the sign, a sense of hope that the election results could still be overturned.
Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'SULLIVAN: Were you disappointed when Trump lost the election?
JP WOODRUFF, ARIZONA VOTER: I was disappointed in the lack of truth and the -- and the election fraud that took place within it. And it's coming out right now in Arizona, and it's going to be a domino effect of the truth that's moving forward.
What happens after that, I don't know. But I know that the truth is, there's only so many voters that are in one county that can vote, and the numbers far exceed that. It's commonsense mathematics.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'SULLIVAN: Obviously it's not going to happen. It's silly stuff, really, but we can't ignore it. This is all part of the big lie that's undermining American democracy. And it's the exact same sort of thing that fueled the January 6th insurrection.
KEILAR: And you also talked with Trump supporters, Donie, about the vaccine. What did they say?
O'SULLIVAN: Yes, that's right, Brianna.
I want to show you first this incredible new CNN poll over the past 24 hours that showed 44 percent, almost half of Republicans, say they will not get the vaccine. That's compared to 8 percent of Democrats.
I've been speaking to some of those Republicans.
Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
O'SULLIVAN: Are you getting vaccinated?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No. I don't need the vaccine. I had COVID last March. Sick for all of five hours. I don't need a vaccine for that.
O'SULLIVAN: The CDC recommends even if you had COVID you should get vaccinated.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, they can recommend stuff.
O'SULLIVAN: It's got emergency approval, right, and we're --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But who's the emergency -- who's determining the emergency approval?
O'SULLIVAN: So do you think Trump is wrong on this one?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know, I don't -- I don't know what the situation is on but I know I'm not wrong. And we're the independent freedom people of American and we make our own decisions.
O'SULLIVAN: You're not getting vaccinated either, are you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.
O'SULLIVAN: Even though it's the Trump vaccine?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't care.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't care whose vaccine it is. And something -- and (INAUDIBLE).
O'SULLIVAN: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: President Biden got it while President Trump was still in office. You know, so, yes, it is the Trump vaccine. I have no intention of getting it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't -- we don't blindly follow what President Trump did or didn't do. It's the fact that he promoted individual freedom and your ability to excel is why we support the movement. It was a movement. He just happened to come along at the right time to help (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'SULLIVAN: And, you know, guys, I think this is really interesting because, obviously, I think, you know, we've heard about Trump's adviser calling for him to do a PSA for the vaccine, but you can see there, some of his supporters, even his biggest supporters say they will not take it no matter what. And I think that's leading to a bit of a Catch-22 situation here whereby Trump, if he did come out and say, take it, you know, really, really, really pushed it, I think it would be helpful. But also, and he may know this, it may also alienate some of his base, as you saw there.
KEILAR: Yes, who's following who might be the question, right, Donie?
O'SULLIVAN: Yes. Precisely. You know, and I think a lot of these people, some folks I've spoken to said they've never gotten a vaccine in their life. Others have got the flu shot before. But because COVID has been so politicized and it -- because essentially Trump, you know, tried to downplay the seriousness of the virus for so long, people see not taking the vaccine, unfortunately, as a sort of badge of honor.
BERMAN: Yes. The tragedy is, is it shouldn't be a political decision, right? And clearly, in some ways, for some people, it has become that.
Donie, thank you so much for your reporting.
O'SULLIVAN: Thanks, guys.
[06:50:00]
KEILAR: While many parts of the world begs for vaccines, as Donie just showed, the U.S. can't seem to convince a big part of the population here to take it. So states and businesses essentially are bribing Americans to take the vaccine.
In West Virginia, the state is offering a $100 savings bond to get the shot.
BERMAN: Target, Trader Joe's, Kroger, Publics, Disney, Dollar General, Olive Garden, McDonald's among the companies offering time off or one- time bonuses to employees who do receive the vaccine.
BERMAN: Lyft and Uber offering free rides in underserved communities. Staples and Office Depot offering to laminate your vaccination card for free.
BERMAN: And if you like beer, you're human, Sam Adams is ordering free rounds in its "Shot for Sam" campaign. Budweiser is doing the same.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ON SCREEN TEXT: We can't wait to see our Buds, but when we do, let's do it safely.
Your first round's on us if you've been vaccinated.
Show us at abeeronbud.com.
Budweiser.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KEILAR: Heck yeah, some people might say there.
A Major League Baseball team offering $10 discounted tickets.
BERMAN: You might say heck yeah on "The Waltons" in like 1978.
A White Castle get a free -- at White Castle you can get a free dessert on a stick.
BERMAN: And at the nation's -- at Nation's Famous in Coney Island, you can get a free dog.
BERMAN: And at Krispy Kreme, a doughnut for a dose. I -- I actually, like honestly, think that bribing is the wrong way to
look at this. I think it's incentivizing. And if you look at the polling, 43 percent of Americans who are hesitant say part of the reason is because they can't do it, you know, they can't get to the place, it's complicated, they need time off work. Companies should provide free leave to go do it. A company has a reason to want its employees to get vaccinated. So why not offer a bonus if they do it? It means they can come back to the office and work more quickly.
KEILAR: And also there's that, you know, if you get the vaccine, it's this sign of, hopefully, right, you get to do these fun things again in a -- it's safer to do them. So it's encouraging people to partake in normal life.
BERMAN: Although I am -- I'm just going back in my head. I'm like, I could have had a free beer if I had done that? I don't -- I -- you know, I need to get myself the free beer for getting vaccinated.
KEILAR: I think you can still get the free beer.
BERMAN: OK, good.
KEILAR: You just need to show your vaccination card.
BERMAN: That's the important thing.
KEILAR: All right, we'll make sure that happens.
More trouble for Matt Gaetz. A new letter from a close associate lays out in great detail how he and Gaetz allegedly paid for sex with multiple women, included a minor who was 17 years old at the time.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:56:52]
BERMAN: Drama and excitement and a great quarterback going to the New England Patriots in the first round of the NFL draft.
Andy Scholes, though at Churchill Downs for tomorrow's Kentucky Derby, has more in this morning's "Bleacher Report."
You knew I had to say something, Andy.
ANDY SCHOLES, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: I knew you were excited about the Patriots getting Mac Jones at pick 15, which was unexpected last night. But the first round of the NFL draft always such a great night, 32 young men realizing their dreams of making it to the NFL. And we had fans back at the draft this year in Cleveland, about 50,000 fans on hand for the first round despite the crummy weather. Those closest to the stage all vaccinated.
Now, pick one, no surprise, the Jaguars selecting quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson. He was watching with his family in South Carolina. The Jets then going with quarterback Zach Wilson out of BYU. Just last summer Wilson was driving DoorDash to make extra money. Now he's heading to the big apple as the second pick in the draft.
A big question of the draft was, what would the 49ers do with pick number three? They ended up taking North Dakota State's Trey Lance over Alabama's Mac Jones. Lance started just 17 college games at quarterback at the FCS level.
The Bears, meanwhile, once again trading up to try to find their quarterback of the future, making a move up from 20 to 11, take Ohio State's Justin Fields. They had to give up this year's and next year's first round pick to the Giants in order to move up. And Bears fans certainly hope that this move works out better for them than when they traded up to take Mitch Trubisky.
Now, before the draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting some huge news that last season's NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers does not want to play for the Packers anymore. The Packers, though, telling CNN, after that report, they are committed to Rodgers next season and beyond.
All right, and we had fans at the NFL draft. We are going to have fans here tomorrow for the Kentucky Derby. They're expecting between 40,000 and 50,000 fans here, John. Essential quality is the favorite for tomorrow's big race. But they actually have a horse that was named after you, John, Rock Your World. It's the second favorite.
BERMAN: Andy Scholes, thank you very much for that.
SCHOLES: All right.
BERMAN: Good morning, everyone. I'm John Berman, alongside Brianna Keilar, live in the nation's capital on this NEW DAY.
A reported confession letter implicating Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz for allegedly paying for sex with a minor.
KEILAR: Defiance as Rudy Giuliani breaks his silence since the FBI raid on his home and his office. What he says agents took from him.
BERMAN: Plus, it's one of the most critical battleground states in the nation. Now Florida Republicans closer to putting limits on voting into law.
KEILAR: And an Asian-American political candidate in Texas says a Tea Party leader yelled "white power" at him. And that candidate will join us live.
[07:00:09]
BERMAN: All right, welcome.
