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New Day Saturday
FBI Scrutinizing Pulse Nightclub Surveillance; Area Hospital Had Mass Shooting Drill Just Weeks Before; New Revelations Shed Light On Killer's Dark Past; GOP Delegates Launch New Push To Stop Trump; George W. Bush To Stump For GOP Senate Races; Iraqi Prime Minister: Most Of Falluja Retaken From ISIS; Veterans Form New Gun Control Group; Disney Installs New Fencing After Toddler Dies; ISIS Social Media Swamped by Porn, Gay Pride; Russian Athletes Barred from Summer Games. Aired 6-7a ET
Aired June 18, 2016 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[06:00:11] UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): The chasm among Republicans is widening.
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'm an outsider and historically they don't love the outsiders.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's going down in flames. Looks like he's taking the Republican Party with him.
TRUMP: President Obama is trying to make terrorism into guns.
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: If we don't act, we will keep seeing more massacres like this.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thousands who fled Falluja wait in this camp while the battle rages nearby.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Disney taking new steps to protect guests from alligators.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I quickly grabbed my son, grabbed him out of that shoreline and brought him up to safety.
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CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. So grateful for your company. We're touching on all of those stories. I'm Christi Paul. But do want to get you to, of course, my colleague, Victor Blackwell who is live in Orlando. Hi, Victor.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Christi, good morning to you. This city, Orlando, is still reeling now nearly a week after the attack at Pulse Nightclub. At least five funerals today for some of the 49 people who were gunned down at that massacre at the nightclub. But now talking about the investigation, authorities are still
on the scene trying to piece together the killer's motive. FBI's analyzing surveillance video now showing the shooting rampage inside the club.
One key detail as investigators say that the shooter paused several times to use his phone, even posted on Facebook. Here's one of the posts.
And this is a quote, "You kill innocent women and children by doing U.S. air strikes. Now taste the Islamic state vengeance."
Also a final warning here, he says in the next few days, you will see attacks from the Islamic State in the USA. Now these posts prompted a friend to call him during the attack.
Now that friend is under intense scrutiny as authorities try to figure out what was going on in the killer's mind. I want to bring in now our Polo Sandoval with the latest on these developments in the investigation.
Polo, let's start with this phone call between the shooter and his friend.
POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Victor, we do know that he had plenty of time, the gunman that is, had plenty of time to make several phone calls including to that friend. We are told by investigators that he called to essentially say goodbye.
Police and investigators have actually spoken to him. Have not released a whole lot of information based on what he told them. However, he was just one of at least four phone calls that were allegedly made by the shooter as he was holdup inside that bathroom.
We do understand that he called 911 dispatchers. We do understand he called his wife. Also a producer on a local television station, and then, as you mentioned, his friend.
Obviously going to be very crucial to get as much information from them as much as possible as they try to build a better idea of who this man truly was and who his acquaintances were.
Because we did hear from federal prosecutors that they are looking into the possibility that at least other people at least had some knowledge that this attack could have been in the works, Victor.
So again, those witness statements are going to be crucial for investigators as police continue moving forward with the case -- Victor.
BLACKWELL: Let's talk about the surveillance video, we know that's being analyzed by the FBI. Of course, this will show just a morbid scene inside this club that went on for hours. But do we know specifically as it relates to the investigation and usable information as they try to piece together this motive do we know what they are looking for? SANDOVAL: Yes. His movements inside that club that night is going to be something that investigators are taking a close look at. You have an individual who basically took his time when he was inside that bathroom, inside that club as well so police and the FBI will have to take a close look at that video.
We are told they've been analyzing his movements inside, but at the same time they have not released a whole lot of details. The head of the FBI was on the ground here yesterday basically to meet with first responders.
That was according to Director James Comey, his main goal was to shake as many hands of those first responders that they can to make sure they know they have the support of the federal government.
It's already been nearly seven days now since this shooting happened. Obviously, they are still moving along with this case.
BLACKWELL: Let's talk about the medical response as well. Because after the shooting the local hospitals, the Orlando Regional Medical Center, Florida Hospital in Orlando, flooded with those trauma patients. We're hearing from some of the surgeons what was going on there while they were actually on lockdown. What are we learning from them?
SANDOVAL: Yes. It's been seven days, but we are now beginning to hear some of the stories of just how tense those moments were only a few blocks from the Pulse Nightclub itself.
[06:05:06]You have to remember the medical center was really just down the street. So now we're getting to hear from medical responders and how they were concerned not only about saving people's lives, but also about possibly -- again possibly -- having a gunman inside that medical facility after several reports began to circulate. Take a listen.
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DR. CHADWICK SMITH, TRAUMA SURGEON, ON-CALL THE NIGHT OF SHOOTING: We barricaded the doors to the trauma bay and kept caring for the patients. I know these guys here were -- we were all feeling that pressure and Dr. Gola (ph) was tasked with rolling a patient to the operating room and did so thinking that there might be a shooter out there.
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SANDOVAL: Obviously was a very real concern for them back when those initial shots were fired. Now investigators are faced with the tough task of finding more answers. For the people in this city, Victor, just finding some sort of solace and peace.
BLACKWELL: All right, Polo Sandoval reporting for us this morning. Polo, thank you so much.
We are also learning new details about the killer's really dark past and some of the details are disturbing. Some things we've learned actually make it seem as if he was a man preparing to die.
And now his wife, his friends, the places he frequented are all under intense FBI scrutiny. Our Drew Griffin has more.
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DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Law enforcement sources say in the weeks leading up to the attack, the killer made numerous preparations, including making sure his wife had access to bank accounts and adding her name to important documents like his life insurance policy.
He bought his wife an expensive piece of jewelry and transferred his share of a home where his sister and brother-in-law current will you reside for just $10. FBI agents visited the mosque where the Orlando shooter prayed.
Mosque officials telling CNN the agents were looking for anyone who knew him or know anyone he associated with. The FBI director visited the crime scene in Orlando for the first time as his investigators continue to examine what Omar Mateen's wife knew about this attack and when.
CNN has learned the couple communicated during the attack. According to law enforcement sources, Noor Salman called her husband multiple times after news broke of the shooting.
At around 4:00 a.m., two hours after the shooting began, he texted her asking if she saw the news. At one point she responded telling him she loved him. Police notified the gunman's family, first knocking on his sister's door at 4:00 a.m. She called her parents breaking the news to the rest of the family.
Sources tell us if the weeks leading up to the attack the gunman spent a significant amount of money, including money spent on weapons used for the attack. And we are learning more about the gunman's background.
According to school records obtained by CNN, Mateen was disciplined 31 times in elementary school. One report from third grade called him, quote, "verbally abusive, rude, aggressive, much talk about violence and sex."
In high school, he was suspended a total of 48 days. Among incidents are two that involved, quote, "fighting with injury."
Meanwhile, in Orlando, Officer Omar Delgado was one of the first responders to Pulse Nightclub and pulled several victims from the club.
OFFICER OMAR DELGADO, EATONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT: I had my flashlight. We kind of look around. Somebody yelled out a person's moving.
GRIFFIN: A co-worker told him one of the victims he pulled to safety was in a press conference at the hospital. DELGADO: I'm one of the ones that helped you get out of harm's way.
GRIFFIN: The two reunited on Thursday.
DELGADO: Oh, my god, it was amazing. It was a feeling that you just can't describe, can't put in words, knowing that you helped save someone.
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BLACKWELL: All right, Drew Griffin reporting for us there. Christi, I'm going to send it back to you in Atlanta. We'll, of course, continue our coverage here from Orlando throughout the morning. Again, five funerals of the 49 who were killed here almost a week ago happening today.
PAUL: My goodness. Certainly thoughts and prayers with all of those families and their friends. Thank you, Victor, so much. We appreciate it.
A group of veterans, many of whom have served in combat, say, you know what? Enough is enough here. They are forming a new gun control group. You'll hear from them. And why the NRA says they're going to oppose this group.
Also, new momentum building for the "Anybody But Trump" movement. With a month to go now until the Republican convention, a faction of GOP delegates seem to be looking at changing the rules.
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The Iraqi government says it is well on its way to victory in Fallujah planting the nation's flag for the first time in the city's center for over two years.
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[06:13:37]
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TRUMP: The party is doing very well. The party is actually liking me. You know? I'm an outsider. I'm an outsider. And historically they don't love the outsiders. But I think they're starting to like me.
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PAUL: Donald Trump says the Republican Party, as you heard there, they like him. One group of GOP delegates says -- not so much. They're mounting a new effort to block Trump's nomination next month at the party convention.
The faction's looking, as we understand it, as changing the rules here, freeing up delegates bound to Trump to vote for whomever they want. This was the subject of a call Thursday night. One person on that call was Cruz supporter, Steve Lonegan, who explained these talks of a coup at the convention.
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STEVE LONEGAN, TED CRUZ SUPPORTER: This is about saving the Republican Party. I want to say, this isn't about dumping Donald Trump or never Trump. I was never part of that. It is about nominating a candidate that will support the values of the Republican Party and defeat Hillary Clinton.
Right now Donald Trump, he made it very clear in his speech tonight, he's going down in flames. He looks like he's taking the Republican Party with him.
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PAUL: CNN political commentator, Democratic strategist, and Hillary Clinton supporter, Maria Cardona with us as well as Scottie Nell Hughes, political editor at rightalerts.com. She is a Trump supporter.
Ladies, so good to see you this morning. Thank you. So Scottie, I want to start with you. RNC Communications Director Sean Spicer (ph) seems to be batting down any reports of a revolt so to speak.
[06:15:06]Saying in part here, quote, "There is no organized effort, strategy or leader of this so-called movement. It is nothing more than a media creation and a series of tweets."
That's not in line with what CNN is hearing directly from some delegates involved. There is a plan to unbind delegates and allow them to vote for whomever they choose.
At the same time, we have Speaker Ryan, who is telling his colleagues in the house they should, quote, "Follow their conscience." Let's listen together here.
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PAUL RYAN (R), HOUSE SPEAKER: The last thing I would do is to tell anybody to do something that's contrary to their conscience. Of course, I wouldn't do that. Look, believe me, Chuck, I get this is a very strange situation, this is a very unique nominee.
But I feel as a responsibility institutionally as speaker of the House that I should not be leading some chasm in the middle of our party. You and I know what that will do. That will definitely knock us out of the White House.
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PAUL: This is coming after Donald Trump's reaction to Orlando that really ruffled some people's feathers that made them very uncomfortable. Poll numbers that show him behind Secretary Clinton by six to ten points. At the end of the day, doesn't he need these delegates and what can he do to sway them, Scottie?
SCOTTIE NELL HUGHES, CHIEF POLITICAL EDITOR FOR RIGHTALERTS.COM: First of all, this phone call that happened was a very small minute number. In fact, I'm hearing maximum two dozen folks. Once they actually get to 1,237, then I'll worried. This is the latest Hail Mary pass that like all the other attempts are going to turn out to be just fumbles.
They are not having a reality check. Going into the general election, this so-called Republican Party is already at a major disadvantage.
If you look at the actual Electoral College, you know, the Republicans only have about 102 votes compared to the Democrats in the blue states with 242. So all of this is doing -- all people like Steve Lonegan is trying to do is help Hillary Clinton.
So Maria, I am more than welcome to give you Steve Lonegan because his actions right now are helping you a lot more than they are anywhere near to helping the Republican Party.
PAUL: OK, and that could do when we talk about who needs votes. Maria, I want to talk about the Democrats because we still have Bernie Sanders out there. He hasn't dropped out of the race. He hasn't endorsed Secretary Clinton.
One of his top supporters, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, that's she's not prepared to endorse Secretary Clinton. How imperative are these voters to her?
MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, Bernie Sanders supporters are very important to the campaign for Hillary Clinton and to make sure that she wins in November. But let's remember that the Democratic Party process just ended this part week with the primary here in D.C.
And Hillary Clinton won overwhelmingly 80 percent of the vote. And as we know, she and Bernie Sanders had a meeting. It was a very good, positive meeting.
Bernie Sanders came out of that as well as Hillary Clinton with the commitment to make sure that they both work together and that the party works together to defeat Donald Trump in November, which is the number one imperative for both Hillary Clinton, as well as Bernie Sanders.
But you know, it is very early still. We have a month to go until the convention. We've already seen some of Bernie Sanders' superdelegates switch to come over and support Hillary Clinton.
She's gotten the support of the AFL-CIO this week and so everything is moving in the right direction. Bernie Sanders is saying the right things. A lot of Bernie Sanders supporters are starting to support Hillary Clinton.
So we feel very, very good about where we are with the Democratic Party, about what Hillary Clinton's message is, and you know, you focus on the big contrast which is going on in the Republican Party, and we are in a very, very good place right now.
PAUL: It does seem from the outside to seem that way, no doubt about it. "The New York Times," Scottie, is calling George W. Bush an unlikely savior. That was their headline, for Senate Republicans facing these tough re-election races, largely because they say of Donald Trump.
Do you think the last Republican president should be out campaigning for the presumptive nominee as opposed to for these other Senate races?
HUGHES: It would be nice. Obviously, you would welcome his help. George Bush didn't really help Jeb too much either. Either way, we've learned that this election cycle is not about what politician you get out there to stump with yourself.
For all of those Senate and House members right now that are worried about their own seat and they don't want necessarily to link themselves to the top of the ticket, you know, my question is are you representing your own self or the people of your district?
If you're in a district that overwhelmingly went Mr. Trump, the problem is not -- it's not Mr. Trump. It's you if you are worried about your own seat. Let's remember back in 2008, John McCain at the top of the ticket, we lost major.
The Democrats got the super majority with John McCain at the top. So that didn't obviously work for the establishment guy didn't work. Let's try to go this route.
I promise you if you have voted right, voted conservative, more conservative that supported Mr. Trump, more states like the south that are known for being red and known for being conservative went for Mr. Trump.
[06:20:09]So all of these folks that are right here saying they are trying to save conservatives and save the GOP, they are a very small faction. I agree with Sean Spicer and Reince Priebus, who traveled with Mr. Trump to Texas this week.
We are actually a very unified party. The problem is the squeaky wheel seems to be getting all of the energy and the attention right now. So hopefully at one point we'll be able to get on board or as Mr. Trump says, just please be quiet and let us win the White House.
PAUL: All righty, Scottie Nell Hughes and Maria Cardona. Maria, you'll be back with us back hour. The way she's chuckling, I think she has something to say about that.
CARDONA: I do.
PAUL: But it is always so good to have both of your voices here. Thank you, ladies.
I want to let you know we're following breaking news out of Iraq this morning. ISIS has been nearly kicked out of Falluja, but this is a crisis that is still ongoing. Wait until you hear about what's happening inside that city. Stay close.
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PAUL: It's 24 minutes past the hour right now. The Iraqi prime minister is declaring the city of Falluja nearly completely free from ISIS control for the first time in nearly two and a half years.
Ben Wedeman has just arrived outside the city. He's on the outskirts there joining us via phone. Ben, what can you tell us about what you're hearing, what you're seeing?
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (via telephone): We're at the very edge of Falluja. What I'm seeing is almost all of the houses and buildings on the edge of the city are either completely destroyed or severely damaged.
Now I can hear the stumps of incoming artillery rounds within the city itself and we are also hearing the occasional crackle of small arms fire.
[06:25:12]So even though Iraqi officials are very eager to announce the city is nearly liberated, it does appear that there are battles ongoing.
Now we were told that it was mostly the southern and central parts of the city that have been retaken by the Iraqi government -- outskirts of southeastern Falluja (inaudible) it really appears that perhaps the liberation of much of Falluja are --
PAUL: Ben, can you hear me? Are you still here? I'm sorry, I think we lost Ben Wedeman. We will get him back because we still have questions about the humanitarian crisis that the U.N. is talking about inside that city, and also what's happening with the Mosul dam.
That threatens nearly half a million people if it collapses. We're wondering how secure that is as well. Hopefully Ben can join us again in just a bit.
But again, the news this morning from the Iraqi prime minister is that the city of Falluja is nearly free from ISIS control but there are still small pockets there within the city.
You heard Ben Wedeman say he did still hear small arms fire from his vantage point in the southern part of the city there on the outskirts of it. So we'll try to get him back and get the latest as this continues to be a developing story throughout the morning there.
But on the heels of the shooting in Orlando, several combat veterans are now saying, you know what, assault style weapons should stay out of the hands of most civilians. Gun control again at the forefront. We'll talk about it in a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:30:50] BLACKWELL: Welcome back. I'm Victor Blackwell. Our top story this Saturday -- terror in Orlando. And what could be learned in the wake of the shooting that left 49 people dead?
After 15-hour Democratic filibuster, there is now a vote on a series of amendments that could take place as early as Monday. Senators will vote on a bill that would prevent people on the FBI's terror watch list from purchasing guns.
Now it is unlikely to pass but it's a prime topic of conversation on the campaign trail and in homes across the country. Maybe you've been part of a similar conversation. Military assault style weapons like the one used in the shooting. Along with the handgun that the gunman used.
Let's focus in on this assaults style weapon. This SIG Sauer MCX, it's one of the many variations of the Vietnam era AR-15 design. These types of rifles are also used in the attacks. We know at the Aurora movie theater, Sandy Hook Elementary School, San Bernardino attack. So should these weapons be restricted, should they be banned or at least closely regulated?
Now there is a new group that's adding their voice to the gun control discussion. It's called Veterans Coalition for Common Sense. It was started by General David Petraeus and retired astronaut Mark Kelly. General Stanley McChrystal is also a member.
And in "The New York Times" this week, he wrote about gun violence and he said this -- let's put it up on the screen. "This is a national crisis. And as a combat veteran and proud American, I believe we need a national response to the gun violence that threatens so many of our communities."
Our own CNN military analyst Lieutenant General Mark Hertling is a member of this group and he is here with us this morning.
General Hertling, good morning to you. And you agree with General McChrystal on that point.
MARK HERTLING, CNN MILITARY ANALYST: Absolutely, Victor. We've been --those of us in the military have been attempting to lend our voice to this for a very long time. The combination of Astronaut Kelly, Mark Kelly and David Petraeus to pull this together and certainly Stan McChrystal stepping up, one of the most honored soldiers of our time, has been allowing us to pull a lot more people together. And we're building quite a momentum using veterans to address common sense in terms of gun control. Not from a Democratic side, a Republican side, or an NRI side or special interest group, but from an American side.
BLACKWELL: So then what is the proposal? Restrictions, banning the weapons for civilian use, or regulation? What's the proposal?
HERTLING: Well, most of us are gun owners. I'm a gun owner. So we believe in the Second Amendment rights, but we also believe that there has to be some additional rigor in terms of the way these guns are purchased and the actual sale of some types of weapons.
And we also are taking a look at the bills actually being looked at on Monday. The terrorist gap measure, but also the registration bill are two very important ones to kind of get these things under control.
BLACKWELL: OK. We invited the NRA and other groups on to join this discussion this morning. They declined that offer. But here's what a former Navy S.E.A.L. said in a video defending the use of these type of weapons by civilians on the NRA YouTube account.
Here's a portion of the video.
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UNIDENTIFIED FORMER NAVY SEAL: And I guarantee if the founding fathers had known this gun would have been invented, they wouldn't have rewritten the Second Amendment. They would have fortified it in stone, because they knew the only way for us to stay free was by having whatever guns the bad guys have. This firearm gives average people the advantage they so desperately need and deserve to protect their life, liberty and happiness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: All right, the firearms give average people the advantage they so desperately need and deserve to protect their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
You say what?
HERTLING: I say that, you know, the combination of saying -- knowing that the founding fathers would have allowed these kinds of things, that's illogical.
Victor, I've been around weapons all my life and I'm also a tanker. That would be like saying, hey, you know, the founding fathers didn't realize we were going to have M-1 tanks. Allow them on the street, too.
We've got to combine the safety of our citizens with the democratic right and the liberties associated with the Second Amendment. And having these kind of assault weapons on the street, knowing what they do, is just illogical and it lacks leadership to get them away from people that might use them to kill innocents.
[06:35:07] BLACKWELL: Another Portion of that argument we didn't play, but I will explain to you, said the ban -- and I'm paraphrasing here -- only stops law abiding citizens from getting access to these. The criminals will still get them. Where there are major bans on sales of weapons - Chicago and D.C., all the way to Paris and Brussels, the criminals get them and it won't stop terror attacks.
HERTLING: That's illogical. And, again, doesn't apply to leadership.
You know, it would be the equivalent of saying, hey, requiring someone to have a driver's license only stops legal people from driving. No, it doesn't. It checks you. It makes sure you have the qualification to use these kind of weapons, and it keeps them away from people who are the equivalent of drunk drivers or people who have constant accidents. That's what we're looking for. Just common sense.
BLACKWELL: Right. General Hertling, thanks so much for being part of the conversation. We're going to have the other side of this conversation with someone who is adamantly in support of civilians being able to own similar guns, this SIG Sauer MCX used here and the AR-15, which we've discussed at scenes like this many times of the past few years.
Christi, I'll send it back to you in Atlanta.
CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: All right. Good conversation. Thank you so much, Victor and General Hertling.
Now a lot of gun control advocates, as you heard there, complain that it is just far too easy for anyone to get their hands on guns. So CNN studied up on this and here's what we found.
In all, but handful of states, there really are no hoops to jump through. Believe it or not, it is easier to get a puppy than it is -- or a gun, rather, than it is to get a puppy. In most cases, you have to be 21, show I.D., you have to be asked to provide personal references in order to get a pet sometimes and in some cases, the adoption agency may do a home check before they hand over a puppy to you.
To get a gun, you don't have to worry about references. You don't have home visits.
You have to go through a lot of hoops to get your driver's license. You know how this goes, don't you? You have to submit proof of your identity, past vision and written tests, drive around for weeks on your learner's permit. Then drive -- take the driving test and pass that. Some states even put you under a probationary status.
For a gun -- no test. In most states, you don't even need a license or permit to buy it, and there is no probationary period after you get that gun.
Let's talk about passports. First, you need to prove that you're a citizen. Submit paperwork and a photo. Go through a background check. Usually takes about six weeks. A gun? Takes just a few minutes.
And if you're buying from a private seller, you don't have to go through a background check at all in most states.
So let's say that you're ill. You're going to have an easier time buying a firearm in some cases than you will cold medicine. There is a limit to how much of certain cold medicines you can buy every month. And the reason for that is the active ingredient in those cold medicines is a key ingredient in making meth. So they do pay close attention to that. But there is no federal law that limits how many guns you can buy. And, finally, for those of you who know what this it like, divorce. Ending a marriage can take up to six months. For a gun, most of the time, there is no waiting period at all to obtain one, even if you do have to wait, it's normally no more than a handful of days.
So just some things to put that in perspective there for you.
Meanwhile, I want to switch here to a story that has really gotten a lot of people very emotional this week.
The gator attack in Florida. A father says a gator stalked his son. Video shows alligators just inches from theme park rides, which has a lot of people asking -- should Disney have done more to protect its guests from alligators?
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[06:42:11] PAUL: I have some new information we want to get to you that's coming in to CNN.
A 5-year-old boy has been attacked by a mountain lion, we're told. This happened last night near Aspen, Colorado. The local sheriff's office saying the boy was playing outside with his older brother when that animal attacked.
We want to show you some video of the type of mountain lion that we're talking about there. This one involved -- or the one involved in this attack we are talking about this morning was hunted down by authorities and was killed, we understand. But the mother did pull the animal off her son and he now, we understand, is in fair condition at a Denver hospital. His mother was treated for minor injuries as well and just released.
So good to know that both of them are OK this morning.
But it's just another example of animals and children and this conversation we've been having all week about this new attraction for visitors at the Grand Floridian today I want to tell you about.
Temporary fencing. Look at this. Installed along the edge of that lagoon there, where the toddler was snatched and killed by an alligator Tuesday night.
This, of course, is happening as other guests have come forward to describe their own terrifying encounters with gators at Disney's resorts.
Take a look here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DAVID HIDEN, SAVED SON FROM ALLIGATOR AT DISNEY: He's kind of maybe in ankle deep water, looking around. And then all of a sudden, I'm looking over his head and I see this alligator that I would estimate six feet plus or minus bee lining straight for him about 15 yards back. So I quickly grabbed my son, grabbed him out of that shoreline and brought him up to safety. Then I looked over to the left and another alligator caught my eye and that alligator was maybe five to eight yards away going for him as well.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: So let's talk to CNN legal analyst and criminal defense attorney Page Pate about all of this.
Page, first of all, I'm wondering if Disney has a bigger obligation to guests here? I mean, they're living in this environment where alligators are indigenous.
So what are Disney's responsibilities?
PAGE PATE, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, this is not something that should have been a surprise to Disney given the location, the fact that they've seen alligators on the property before. The fact that they've had encounters between alligators and other people, they should have at least warned visitors that alligators could be in a lagoon. It's not very difficult.
PAUL: So the no swimming wasn't enough.
PATE: Not enough, because this kid wasn't swimming. And you need to know what the risk is. Is it the risk of drowning or is it the risk that you're going to have a large reptile come out of the lagoon, and grab your child and pull him back in.
So I think they need to be specific about the type of risk that a visitor may encounter when you go out to the lagoon.
The other question is besides failing to warn about this risk, should they have done anything when they recognize that there is an alligator in the area.
We know that they have had alligators removed from different areas --
PAUL: They have done that.
[06:45:00] PATE: Absolutely. And it's easy to do. I mean, this is a large corporation. It is a large property, but they are aware of the risk and it is their obligation to keep people safe.
PAUL: So with that, with that said, do you think the Graves Family will sue them or do you think it will even get to that point?
PATE: I can't imagine. There is not going to be a lawsuit here. There is just going to be a big check. All Disney will want to do is resolve this case, I think as quickly as possible. I don't think the liability is really debatable here.
And more importantly, the press. The public is in an outcry here. Because they expect, when they take their family to a place like Disney, they're going to be safe. So I think Disney will want to settle this and settle it quickly.
PAUL: So that's my question. Because as I said at the beginning, alligators are indigenous to this part of the country. Disney is on a huge property where they naturally live. So how does Disney from this point on in your estimation and from a legal perspective, how do they protect themselves and their guests moving forward?
PATE: Well, Christie, they can't guarantee safety. They can't guarantee that they'll never be another encounter between an alligator and a visitor. But they can do the best that they can.
They can take reasonable steps, number one, to warn people about the risk. And number two, to mitigate the risk or try to prevent something like this from happening when they know that there is an alligator in an area where small children are going to be.
PAUL: So if there had been a sign that said alligators could be in this lagoon, that would have protected Disney a little more than it did this time around?
PATE: A little more. That answers the first question about should they have warned of this known risk.
But the second question is still, were they negligent. If they knew that there were alligators in the area, should they have taken affirmative steps to go in and remove the alligator. So it's really two separate legal questions.
PAUL: OK, got you.
Page Pate, we always appreciate your insight.
PATE: Thank you.
PAUL: Thank for being here.
PATE: Absolutely.
PAUL: Absolutely.
All right, coming up --
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LAURIE SEGALL, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: They've been taking down hundreds of ISIS members' Twitter accounts and replacing the content with pornography and gay pride memorabilia.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Tech correspondent Laurie Segall speaking to a hacker who's taking over hundreds of ISIS social media accounts and posting images of gay pride. This, of course, in the aftermath of the Orlando massacre.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [06:51:00] BLACKWELL: Welcome back. I'm Victor Blackwell, live, in Orlando.
Social media accounts belonging to ISIS members have come under increasing attacks since the Orlando nightclub massacre. As you know by now, the shooter pledged his allegiance to ISIS during the attack.
Well, hackers sympathetic to the LGBT community have been trolling hundreds of ISIS accounts and posting messages of gay pride.
Tech correspondent Laurie Segall of CNN Money spoke with one hacker about why he is -- and we should say this, breaking the law, and what he hopes to accomplish.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEGALL (on-camera): How long does it take you to successfully take over an ISIS member's account on Twitter?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER (via telephone): Once I get the information I need, I can be in an account as fast as 60 seconds.
SEGALL: ISIS has been waging a cyber war online. Then there are the folks that are fighting against ISIS and these guys aren't doing it legally. They're hackers. One of them I've been talking to for months. He goes by the name Watullah Ghost (ph), that's his alias.
Now his latest move is he's been taking down hundreds of ISIS members' Twitter accounts and replacing the content with pornography and gay pride memorabilia.
So I'm going to call him up and ask him why he's doing this. And also how easy is it to hack into the Twitter account of an ISIS member.
Hello?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: Hey, Laura, how you doing?
SEGALL: What exactly have you been doing with ISIS accounts?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: Lately, we started hijacking their accounts, taking over their accounts. Basically just to troll them, to annoy them and make fun of them, and take screen shots, phone numbers, IP addresses, this whole nine yards.
I have all that information on all the accounts I've ever taken. Then we got the idea, there were others had the idea also of spreading porn through the accounts.
SEGALL: And so why pornography?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: We thought that putting porn, naked images would offend them. And I'm sure it has offended other Muslims, but that wasn't our goal.
SEGALL: Now that this horrific tragedy has happened in Orlando, you guys have been also putting up gay pride messages.
Can you talk me through that?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: I saw the news and you know, you had all those people, those innocent lives that were lost. And all the people -- everyone was mourning. And I just felt there was something I could do so I took their images, their flags, and I left a message on a lot of the accounts in support of gay pride.
SEGALL: You don't believe that the government is doing enough. You don't believe that the social networks are doing enough.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: If social networks were doing enough, we wouldn't be out there doing what they're doing. I get beheading images. I get threats. We're going to kill you. We're going to do that. And that's great. Because they're focusing on me right now so that means they're not able to do something else.
SEGALL: Why is it so personal to you?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: Sometimes you just have to stand up for what you believe in. If you want change, you have to make that change.
SEGALL: Even if it means doing something illegal?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE HACKER: Even if it means doing something illegal. If the change is for the good, it's got to be done.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLACKWELL: One front in the war against ISIS.
Our thanks to Laura Siegel there.
And Christi, we want to send it back to you in Atlanta.
PAUL: All right, Victor, because we've got some new information we want to share with you today as we talk about some things happening overseas.
First of all, Russians shod out of the Olympic Games.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (through translator): Let me emphasize that we have never supported any violations in sport.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PAUL: Russia's president there reacting to his country's track and field athletes being banned from the summer Olympic Games due to allegations of doping.
But CNN getting word this morning that host city Rio is claiming they're out of money, declaring a state of emergency now. So what does that mean for the Olympic Games?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[06:57:55] PAUL: Well, opening ceremonies for the summer Olympics. And you think about this. They're just seven weeks away. And now troubling signs that part of Brazil won't even be ready.
The city of Rio de Janeiro, where most Olympic venues are located insist that it is prepared. However, some areas outside the city have run out of money to finish critical projects.
And declaring a state of emergency, the state's governor warns failure to meet the August deadline could lead to a, quote, "total breakdown of security, health and transportation."
And as we talk about what's happening with the Olympics, don't look for Russian track and field athletes competing under the Russian flag at the Olympics there.
Their band from international competition has been extended due to persistent and widespread allegations of state sponsored doping.
The IAAF says some Russians may compete in Rio as neutral athletes if they prove they're clean.
CNN's Fareed Zakaria asked Russian President Vladimir Putin himself about all of this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
FAREED ZAKARIA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Putin, let me finally ask you one question about news reports about Russian athletes. There are now two major investigations that have shown that Russian athletes have engaged in doping on a massive scale, and that there's been a systematic evasion and doctoring of testing and lab samples. And I was just wondering what your reaction to these reports is.
PUTIN (via telephone): I'm not sure I understood what this meant. The program had a change in the samples that were taken from the doping tests. If the samples are taken, they always move to the international organizations and we cannot affect them in any way. They are never stored in the territory of the Russian federation. They are going to Mezen (ph), or to some other city, I don't know.
They can't be re-opened and rechecked. And I believe experts are doing that at the moment. The doping problem is not only related to Russia. It is the problem that is relevant for the whole sports world. And if someone trying to politicize this area, it is a big mistake.
