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New Day Saturday

There Are 50,000-Plus New COVID-19 Cases In U.S. For Third Straight Day; President Stokes Culture Wars In Speech At Mount Rushmore; Experts Urge Caution During Holiday Weekend As COVID-19 Cases Rise; Airlines Anticipate A Fraction Of Usual July 4th Travelers This Year; Protests Erupt Outside Aurora, Colorado Police Precinct; Polls Paint Troubling Picture For Trump. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired July 04, 2020 - 07:00   ET

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

[07:00:00]

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: In some of the hardest hit areas are struggling to keep up.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's set up a perfect storm.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If people gather on Fourth of July, the same way they did in Memorial Day, it could lead once again to an increase in the number of people who lose their lives.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing more American than making a sacrifice by staying home to keep a family member safe, a neighbor safe, or a stranger safe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is an administration that can't seem to come up with a plan.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The virus has breached the President's inner circle.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Kimberly Guilfoyle, the girlfriend of Donald Trump, Jr. and the top fundraiser for the reelection campaign test positive in South Dakota.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning to you. I'm Christi Paul.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN HOST: And I'm Martin Savidge in for Victor Blackwell. Happy Fourth of July.

PAUL: That's right. Saturday, July 4th, we are glad to have you with us. Listen, we want to talk about the COVID and what's happening right now because there's some real concerns from health experts about the pandemic, particularly this weekend because this is a Fourth of July, like we have never seen in the middle of a pandemic. They're saying don't let your guard down. The concern, the big gatherings of course, the barbecues, beaches

fireworks, that it could increase the infection rate even more. Events we know are being scaled back, safety measures are being enforced. At beaches from the West Coast to the East. There are some places closing them entirely in fact, such as Southern California.

SAVIDGE: The U.S. enters the holiday weekend after reporting more than 50,000. That's right, 50,000 new cases for a third straight day. 37 states are seeing an increased trend of new cases, only one per month is seeing a decline.

And then, late last night we learned that the coronavirus has now breached the President's inner circle. Kimberly Guilfoyle is a top Trump campaign official, and the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. And she's isolating after testing positive COVID-19.

PAUL: I want to go to CNN Sarah Westwood right now at the White House. Sarah, what are you learning about, about her? She's asymptomatic?

SARAH WESTWOOD, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Oh, good morning Christi and Martin and yes, Kimberly Guilfoyle is asymptomatic according to a spokesperson for Trump victory finances, which she's the National Chairwoman. She's self-isolating after testing positive for coronavirus, and she was in South Dakota at the July 4th event that President Trump attended last night at Mount Rushmore. She had not had contact with the president, yet she tested positive, obviously left the event after receiving that diagnosis.

And thankfully, her boyfriend, Donald Trump Jr. the President's son has tested net negative but he did -- he is also self-isolating after all of that. But despite that, and the fact that cases are surging in states around the country, we did not hear much about coronavirus in the President's July 4th address at Mount Rushmore last night. Instead, we heard a dark message of preservation of American heritage and history, the president railed against what he described as a merciless campaign to erase history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our nation is witnessing a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, to fame our heroes, erase our values, and indoctrinate our children.

Our children are taught in school to hate their own country, and to believe that the men and women who built it were not heroes, but that were villains.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WESTWOOD: The President also went after cancel culture and double down on a message that we've heard from him before going after some of the destruction and other aspects of the protests that we've seen around this country.

He also signed an executive order establishing an outdoor park that will be called the National Garden of American Heroes, which will contain monuments to American figures from history he did not specify exactly who would be represented in that outdoor park or where it will be located. But it shows that the President doubling down on this message so much that he is pushing for more statues and not less Martin and Christi.

PAUL: Sarah Westwood, always good to have you. Thank you.

SAVIDGE: You know, the Fourth of July always we want to get together with friends and family but the fear is that the impact of Independence Day celebrations could have an impact on the rising number of coronavirus cases. So, how cautious are people over this holiday weekend?

PAUL: Across the country, Fourth of July events, as we said are being scaled back. There beaches that are closed or they do have social distancing rules.

More state and local leaders are rethinking their stance on mandating fake face coverings and health experts fear what will happen if too many people let their guard down. CNN's Polo Sandoval is at Coney Island in New York, usually packed there on the Fourth of July. First of all, Happy Fourth of July to you. Secondly, what are you seeing there this morning, Polo?

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's a fairly quiet morning at least for now. There's some preparations underway; some folks that are working on the beach right now and a few people strolling on the iconic Coney Island boardwalk but those crowds at least we are expecting to see a larger presence later today as New Yorkers do head to the beach.

I'll be exercising those social distancing measures that authorities are recommending. Like what you mentioned is important here, there is a real concern not just here in New York, really across the country that the Fourth of July could mean possibly a perfect storm in terms of coronavirus here, that's according to one health expert that we heard from, from Boston.

[07:05:34]

Multiple factors here, some people may feel more confident, maybe traveling across the country. There are, of course, states that do continue with their reopening so others are either pausing or scaling back. And then finally, of course those Fourth of July celebrations, potential gatherings that we are likely going to see across the country, which of course we've heard from authorities, there's certainly nothing wrong with families coming together, especially those who live together.

But those social distancing measures wearing those masks, of course, going to be extremely critical because when you look at the map here, you're seeing way too much read, way too much orange. As you mentioned only Vermont right now showing a decrease in cases. So, across the country as a whole, COVID is still in remains a very real threat.

So, there is a concern here that Fourth of July will potentially lead to yet another surge in cases more than what we're already seeing. What we are noticing the IBF authorities are there many fireworks show that are being canceled, parades are being canceled, the Mayor in Miami Beach closing beaches here, implementing a certain guideline, including a curfew.

And say, look, there's going to be nothing more American than staying home and celebrating with your family, though. However, we are certainly going to expect families to still go out and do -- people that are going to at least try to enjoy the day and celebrate together, but of course the key is by taking those precautions. Here in New York, it is again relatively quiet right now on the boardwalk.

We do expect people to come out to the beach later today. But Martin and Christi, as we get, get ready to send things back to you, of course, just consider what's happening, for example, in Florida, where that continues to be the state that leads the, the number of cases and then of course, Texas, Arizona, California -- four states that continue shattering their own records, in terms of COVID cases.

SAVIDGE: Well, Polo, have a good day out there. We'll keep checking back with you to see how things are. Thanks.

PAUL: Let's bring in Dr. Jennifer Caudle, she's a Family Physician, Associate Professor at Rowan University's Department of Family Medicine.

Dr. Caudle, always good to have you with us. Thank you for being here.

DR. JENNIFER CAUDLE, FAMILY PHYSICIAN AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE: Thank you.

PAUL: I wanted to ask you, as we get started with this, what your main takeaway is from the numbers that we're seeing, the rising number of cases, yet the number of people who are dying is not rising. What is your takeaway from that? Those new statistics that have come in?

CAUDLE: Right, so the rising number of cases tells me just like it tells all of us that we are not done with this yet. We are still very much in the throes of this pandemic and it's prudent for us not to be naive, especially as we go into this holiday weekend.

The deaths, we know that deaths can lag behind by a couple of weeks. So, what I'd really like to see is in the next couple of weeks how those numbers shift, if at all, because if anything we see deaths is lagging behind the actual cases.

SAVIDGE: Doctor, I wanted to bring in the Surgeon General because, you know, what he has to say obviously influences many Americans when it comes to their health. Listen to his comments just before the whole day.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEROME ADAMS, U.S. SURGEON GENERAL: It's not a yes or no. Every single person has to make up their own mind. There are going to be people going to beaches, going to barbecues, going to different environments, and they have to look at their individual risks. As you mentioned, CDC says larger gatherings are a higher risk. You have to take that into account.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: What are your thoughts on that doctor? Is it an individual decision, or do we have a national kind of responsibility?

CAUDLE: Yes, so, so it's so interesting that you play that clip because I actually tweeted the Surgeon General yesterday after I saw that clip, clip. And I tweeted directly to him, you know, publicly that, you know, I -- with all due respect, I would have said to avoid large gatherings.

And I literally put that in a tweet because I feel that way. I mean, yes, the bottom line is, is it an individual decision? Of course, it is. No one can literally make you stay home at this point, that they can't handcuff you and keep you in your house if you choose to leave.

And also, yes, as you mentioned, we do have a responsibility not only to ours to ourselves, but to the country into other people. But the bottom line is in the middle of this pandemic, we're seeing cases that are rising in Texas, Arizona, Florida, other places. We know we are far from done with this.

The CDC has recommended against large gatherings. It's prudent, I think, for medical physicians for physicians, health care workers and the rest of us to say, hey, look, you know, look, you do have a choice, but you should stay home and avoid large gatherings. So, I actually tweeted that out yesterday that I actually say, avoid large gatherings. That's what needs to be done at this point.

PAUL: I want to ask you to about this new report that that there's been a mutation and that mutation shows that the virus is more infectious. But the, the -- it's no, it's no more virulent, it's not going to totally cause more deaths based on what they found. It sounds like good news on the surface to some degree, more people might get sick, but they may not -- more people might not die. Help us understand, is this or is this not less dangerous?

[07:10:32]

CAUDLE: So, that's a really good question. I think time is really going to tell us really how we can think about this mutation, but let's put mutations in perspective. You know, viruses mutate, that's actually one of the things they just do. It's not entirely surprising that we've come across a mutation with this virus.

And, and you're right, this particular mutation seems to be that it's more infectious, meaning that it can spread easier, faster, quicker, more readily, but it's not necessarily more virulent, which means it's not necessarily any more deadly than what we have seen, which in that respect, is good news, right?

It's good news that it's not more deadly or that it doesn't seem to be. You know, I think that time is going to tell you -- the coronavirus and COVID, this is a very new condition. A new, new virus for us. It's an it's a new disease state, every single day, we're learning more and more.

So, you know, to be honest with you, I think the verdict is still out about how this is going to play into our total landscape of infections and cases and things like that. But at least at this point, it doesn't seem to be more virulent, which that is a good thing.

SAVIDGE: What do you make doctor of the age of those who are impacted going down? It's gone down significantly from those that we saw, you know, with elderly patients to now very young. Is that a change of the disease? Or is that a change of practices by people?

CAUDLE: That's a really good question. You know, once again, I can't say for sure, because, you know, there's likely multiple factors playing a role here. And, you know, when we get months away from this, I think we'll have a better idea of what's going on but that that the thought seems to be, and I have to say I agree with this, that we are seeing younger people having this condition and it may be due in part at least to change in, changes in behavior.

Younger people may be more willing, or more readily going out, the beaches, the clubs, the bars, etc. You know, the swimming pools, the Memorial Day events and things of that nature. Look, you know, this is I've said this before, and I'll say this again, you know, young people are not necessarily immune. We know that young people can get the disease. I think that there's this myth or this feeling that, oh, if I get it, and I'm a young person, it won't be so bad, I'll be just fine.

Well, the truth of the matter is that yes, complications tend to be lower and less in younger people, but they're not necessarily benign. I've said this before, I've had patients and I've known people that have gotten COVID that are young and healthy, that have had strokes, that have had loss of sense of taste and smell that have lasted for weeks and weeks. The fatigue, the shortness of breath, even after they've recovered technically from COVID, they've still remained symptomatic.

So, I don't want any young person or anyone out there for that matter thinking, oh, if I get it, it's going to be a walk in the park. We hope it will be, and likely for young people it will be. But it's not necessarily like that for everyone. And of course, we know young people, just as other people can spread it to those who are higher risk. So, so, you know, we need to stop sort of thinking that this is not such a big deal, because we know it can be and we really got to take that into consideration.

SAVIDGE: A great point, Dr. Jennifer Caudle, thank you very much for joining us. Great to have you on the program.

PAUL: Thank you so much, Doctor.

CAUDLE: Thank you.

PAUL: Look, we know usually, you have some travel plans most likely for this weekend. And everything looks so different this year, Americans are still determined to get away though. How changes to air and ground travel are working to try to keep you safe in the process?

SAVIDGE: Plus, protesters flooded the streets of Aurora, Colorado last night over the death of Elijah McClain after a selfie taken by officers at McClain's memorial site sparked immediate outrage. We'll have more on that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:18:04]

SAVIDGE: A pair of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and several other warships are set to conduct military exercises in the South China Sea. The American show of force comes as China conducts controversial military drills of its own in disputed international waters.

PAUL: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Chinese drills highly provocative in a tweet yesterday. Now, the exercises are coming amid heightened tensions obviously between the U.S. and China over several issues, including what will happen with Hong Kong. But native Navy officials say the drills had been planned for a while and they're not in response to any recent political or world events.

SAVIDGE: Well, this would normally be one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. But of course, because of the pandemic, this holiday is looking very different.

PAUL: Yes, there's a skyrocketing infection rate more people are however, traveling again, but it's not going to look like what you are used to. Here's CNN's Pete Muntean with more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETE MUNTEAN, CNN AVIATION CORRESPONDENT: This weekend, airlines are anticipating the most passengers of the pandemic but only a fraction of a year ago.

MICHAEL BARON, TRAVELER: We plan this trip approximately a year ago. And certainly, I need a vacation.

MUNTEAN: Fliers like Michael Baron have a higher chance of being on a full flight. American Airlines announced it is now selling every seat. It joined United, which has been selling middle seats throughout the pandemic. Major airlines are now requiring that passengers were mask but even still, some lawmakers are demanding social distancing on board.

JOSH EARNEST, CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, UNITED AIRLINES: It's very, very difficult if not impossible to socially distance onboard an aircraft. Keeping the seat next to you open is not going to make a material difference.

MUNTEAN: Fear of flying is one of the reasons AAA thinks road trips will drop only three percent this summer. Travel analytics firm in INRIX says the distance that drivers are traveling has returned to pre-pandemic levels in many states and holiday traffic could feel more like normal. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: By the Born Bridge, there was a parking lot, I was stuck there for about 30 minutes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Each and every one there's a spray set attached.

MUNTEAN: Amtrak is restarting trains that are cleaned after each trip and it's leaving every other seat empty.

[07:20:11]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The summer is a peak travel season for Amtrak, but ridership is still low.

MUNTEAN: Regardless of how they get there, Americans are facing holiday travel that is far from the norm. A TSA checkpoint in Atlanta was shut down temporarily when a worker tested positive for coronavirus.

JOHN SEIDEN, GENERAL MANAGER, HARTSFIELD-JACKSON ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: This is probably the most different Fourth of July travel day we've had, maybe ever.

MUNTEAN: One more difference, the TSA is opening up more lanes at security checkpoints across the country. The goal is to speed passengers through more quickly to keep exposure to employees low. The TSA says the number of its workers who have tested positive for coronavirus is now nearing 1000. Pete Muntean, CNN, Reagan National Airport.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: So, we know that it's Independence Day in the U.S., but in England they're calling today as Super Saturday. We are live from London with you because pubs and restaurants are reopening. How the U.K. hope to avoid some of the mistakes people say were made here in the U.S.?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:25:30]

SAVIDGE: Protesters returned to the streets of Aurora, Colorado yesterday demanding justice for the death of Elijah McClain, another unarmed black man who died last year. Thousands of protesters marched to the Aurora Police Precinct, chanting his name and demanding action.

PAUL: Now, the three Aurora police officers were fired yesterday over photos mocking McClain's death. The fourth resigned earlier this week here. Here's CNN's Omar Jimenez with the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OMAR JIMENEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Newly released pictures show multiple officers out of the Aurora Police Department posing gleefully near the site where Elijah McClain was placed in a chokehold back in August of 2019. One of the photos actually shows an officer mimicking a literal chokehold.

Now, the police chief there, Vanessa Wilson fired three of the officers, the fourth one involved resigned earlier this week on Tuesday. The Chief says, she was alerted to the photos a little over a week ago, but that they were taken back in October of 2019. And one of the officers that was fired was actually among the officers that responded to the initial interaction with Elijah McClain, back in August of 2019.

Again, and the Chiefs words, they don't deserve to wear a badge anymore. Now in the wake of this, there are multiple simultaneous investigations going on even before these photographs were released. For starters, the FBI and Department of Justice say they have been looking into this case since 2019, with a review specifically focused on whether a federal civil rights investigation would be warranted.

That's also a possibility that we've heard from the family attorney of something. They've said they might be forced to file by the time that this is said and done on the local level. The city of Aurora wanted to make clear that despite the firings of these officers, this is not where the city's response ends, pointing to an independent investigation coming from the city of Aurora that is set to be underway.

Now, the family throughout all of this, it has been a tough time as they have had to relive a lot of the trauma that they've been going through since this happened back in August of 2019. They released a statement Friday night, saying in part: "Just when you think the Aurora police cannot get any worse, they reach a new low."

They went on to say in a more scathing part of the statement: "APDs conduct is no different than that of white supremacist at the height of the Jim Crow South who snapped smiling pictures of themselves at the scenes of brutal, lethal lynching of black men."

The family lawyer said this was absolutely not acceptable. And one of the main point she made is among a similar point we've heard from protesters across the country that despite these officers being fired, one of her main concerns is where they could be hired next? Omar Jimenez, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: Omar, thank you so much. Now we have heard from the Police Officers' Union. They say, the investigation into the photos was done in "an unprecedented fashion." A statement from the Aurora Police Association criticized the interim police chief and said the probe violated the officers right to due process and it said: "This investigation is a rush to judgment."

SAVIDGE: Meanwhile, the U.S. isn't the only country where coronavirus is surging overnight. Mexico reported more than 6,000 new cases and nearly a quarter-million cases. It has now surpassed Italy in total number of cases and nears France when it comes to the death toll.

PAUL: So, restaurants bars other businesses are back open in Cuba but with restrictions. The islands been on strict lockdown since March and this is the first time in three months residents in Havana are able to even visit the beaches.

The United Kingdom has joined the list of countries reopening as well but restricting American tourists specifically. This week, the European Union upheld a ban on travelers from the U.S. but the policy in the UK isn't as strict: Americans can enter the country now, so long as they agree to isolate themselves for two weeks.

SAVIDGE: Meanwhile, pubs across England have reopened and the people are rejoicing. Salma Abdelaziz joins us now from London. And Selma people have dubbed today's Super Saturday, right?

SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN FIELD PRODUCER: That's absolutely right, Martin, and if you know anything about British culture, you know the pub is the cornerstone of culture here in the U.K. It's an absolute institution. So, everyone is so excited to be able to go down to their local and grab a pint as we can say.

[07:29:52]

But someone was able to get ahead of the curve, call it a royal perk, but yesterday Prince William was able to get a drink at a pub near his country home. And now I'm here at my local which has just reopened. Doors flung open 30 minutes ago, they have a couple of customers. And I actually have with the manager here, Ivana, who I want to introduce you too.

IVANA UHERSKA, PUB MANAGER, THE BRICKLAYERS ARMS: Hi.

ABDELAZIZ: How do you feel about reopening?

UHERSKA: I mean, I'm very happy to be back at where -- again, I can't wait to see our lovely customers. I mean, in regards to virus, there's always a worry but they can live in the fear, and we have done up to the best our ability to just protect our customers and --

(CROSSTALK)

ABDELAZIZ: And I know you've taken a lot of steps to protect your customers.

UHERSKA: We have.

ABDELAZIZ: Can you show me what restrictions, how you're going to follow these new regulations.

UHERSKA: Well, we have one-way of system in place. We have markings on the floors to keep reminding customers of this -- their distancing. I mean, we do have a book (INAUDIBLE) to get -- let --

(CROSSTALK)

ABDELAZIZ: So that everyone can sign-in for track and trace purposes.

UHERSKA: Yes, for the -- yes. We've got clean and news pens. We've got a rise in chairs to protect our bar stuff and our customers obviously. And, I mean, what else? I mean, we do have sanitizers as well, and we advise customers to use them to stop the spread. And that's (INAUDIBLE).

ABDELAZIZ: Well, thank you so much, Ivana. I wish you the best of luck with reopening.

So you can see there. That's the new reality here. As you know, usually in London, these pubs during the summertime are absolutely packed, you're shoulder to shoulder. But this is the new world order, and the question is, can businesses adapt to this state -- to these changes rather, and still be profitable. Martin?

SAVIDGE: All right.

PAUL: Well, yes. Not just that, but will people actually adhere to those markings once they get into a bar. Salma Abdelaziz, always good to have you. Thank you.

SAVIDGE: Yes, picked me up a bag of crisps.

Meanwhile, as England begins reopening, the U.S. is undergoing a spike in coronavirus cases. But that did not stop the president from holding a campaign rally last night. We'll discuss what he had to say, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:36:44]

PAUL: 7:36 is the time right now. I want to wish you a happy Fourth. Thank you for spending your Saturday morning with us.

So, speaking to a crowd of supporters at the base of Mount Rushmore last night, the president chose not to focus on the coronavirus pandemic, though it's been in the news a lot, it's killed more than 100,000 Americans.

He tailored his message to his base, warning that the country's history is under attack from what he called far-left fascism. But is a message resonating with the country at large?

There's a new poll from Monmouth University that has the president losing to Joe Biden by 12 points nationally with nearly three-quarters of voters saying the country is headed in the wrong direction. That's a record for the poll.

Handling the coronavirus, just 40 percent of Americans say President Trump is doing a good job. That number has been on a bit of a steady decline for the president since March.

With the U.S. were -- with us rather to discuss, Axios politics and White House Editor Margaret Talev is with us. Margaret, it is good to see you today.

MARGARET TALEV, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning. Happy Fourth, Christi. PAUL: Happy Fourth to you, as well. So, I want to ask you about that, that poll. Is the U.S. on the right or wrong track? 18 percent said they're on the right track, 74 percent say the U.S. is on the wrong track. This is part of the Monmouth poll.

Now, the definition of wrong track that may mean different things to different people. But is there any indication that there's one overriding issue that voters consider to be the wrong track?

TALEV: Yes, well, look, the president's national ratings have gone down consistently along with the progression of the coronavirus pandemic. And what you're seeing in this poll and consistently in other polls is a real concern that the federal government has not handled this properly.

And in this Monmouth poll, you're seeing a couple of other trends that track with this also the feeling, you know, that people are not taking the virus seriously enough, the virus -- that reopenings are happening too quickly, and that individual Americans are not taking the individual steps they need to do to protect their fellow citizens.

And so, when you see the president messaging at Mount Rushmore, in a crowd with thousands of people, most of whom are not wearing masks, that does appeal to elements of his base, but the real question politically and there are major health questions as well, but the political question is does this appeal anywhere outside of the president's base?

So, the president is calculating that what he must do is energize and turn out his base. But nationally, what you see in the polling trends is that a majority in the country is really, really concerned about the way the virus has been managed from the president's perspective.

PAUL: Well, not only that but an age group that really came out for him well in 2016, aged 65 and up, now has former Vice President Biden at 59 percent with President Trump at 38 percent, compared that to just June; Biden at 15 percent -- 50 percent and President Trump had 46 percent. But then, in 2016, it was Clinton at 45 percent and Trump with 52 percent.

We're four months from an election. Four months.

TALEV: Yes.

[07:40:04]

PAUL: How flexible are these numbers, do you think, Margaret, depending on what happens over the next three or four months?

TALEV: Yes, that senior citizens vote that you mentioned is really striking and crucial for a couple of reasons. But one is that former Vice President Biden has always been popular with seniors.

If you look four years ago or five years ago, when it was thought that he might be a candidate and then he didn't run in 2016, he led a hypothetical President Trump or hypothetical candidate Trump back then with the senior vote. So, one is that Biden's always been popular with this group. But two, is that the president's popularity has really declined.

When you look at those Monmouth numbers, something like five and 10 surveyed said that their mind is made up that they could not vote for President Trump. But about four in tens mind is made up that they could not vote for Biden. So, the competition here is in a pretty small sliver in the middle, and then it is about turnout. And that's why you see President Trump going back to the base again and again because it's really -- his only option.

PAUL: And speaking of his base, I want to watch with you one of the new ad -- the campaign ads from President Trump's campaign. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You have reached the 911 police emergency line. Due to defunding of the police department, we're sorry but no one is here to take your call. Our estimated wait time is currently five days.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL: Is that accurate for one and how effective might it be?

TALEV: Yes. I mean, no. It's not accurate. So, the ad goes on to suggest that if you're dealing with issues such as murder or rape, it will take you five years to get to the police to respond.

Or five-day, sorry. To get the police to respond. It is stoke, it is an attempt to stoke people's fears. And I think the question of how accurate, how like on point it will be, again, has a lot to do with the base. This is about bringing out the fears of people who already believe this to be the case.

Most Americans concerned right now are not about whether the police can respond in time to an event like this, there is about whether or not they will contract this virus or someone in their family, some of who they love will, and whether the federal government will be able to manage that.

PAUL: All righty, and real quickly before I let you go, also in this Monmouth poll, I wanted to ask you, they had asked the people polled, would you feel uncomfortable voting in person if the election were held right now? And 40 percent of Biden supporters said, yes they'd be uncomfortable. Only six of Trump supporters said that, that they would. What messaging do Democrats need right now to try to get people out to those polls?

TALEV: Democrats messaging continues to be to vote absentee whenever possible and to push states to make sure that the absentee provisions are in place. Democrats are not calling for people who with major health conditions to rush out to anything public, including polling. But what the messaging looks like in November, I think, will depend a lot about what the virus statistics are at the time, as well as those national numbers.

But again, that is the one place where the president can maybe find a window on the senior's gap that he faces. Is that the seniors are going to be among the most afraid to go in person to vote if they have absentee as an option.

PAUL: And people that support him show up, usually it seems. All right, Margaret Talev, thank you so much for waking up early for us on a holiday weekend. We're grateful for you.

TALEV: Me too. Have a great holiday. Thanks so much.

PAUL: Thank you. You, too.

SAVIDGE: Federal prosecutors say they've uncovered what could be evidence of shady business dealings between Ghislaine Maxwell and alleged serial sexual abuser Jeffrey Epstein.

Officials say Maxwell and Epstein exchanged more than $20 million back and forth between their bank accounts for a five-year period beginning in 2007. Legal experts say that the transfers raise questions about whether or not the payments were legitimate or used to mask some kind of illegal conduct.

Maxwell is charged with recruiting, grooming, and sexually abusing girls as young as 14, as part of Epstein's alleged sex trafficking ring. Maxwell has been connected to Epstein for decades. She denies the allegations that been made against her.

PAUL: Well, still ahead, fast-moving developments today in the NFL. The Washington Redskins, now saying they will do a thorough review of the team's controversial name. Could a change be coming?

[07:44:36]

SAVIDGE: But first, a quick programming note, it is the Fourth of July like no other. Don Lemon and Dana Bash, host an evening of fireworks and an all-star musical lineup with Jewel, Barry Manilow -- we've got Don McLean, and well, that's just a few. CNN's "FOURTH OF JULY IN AMERICA" that airs tonight at 8:00 Eastern.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAVIDGE: Facing public and financial pressure, the Washington Redskins take a step that may pave the way towards a new name.

PAUL: The team says it's conducting a thorough review of the controversial nickname, it dates back to 1933. Team owner Daniel Snyder has strongly been against a name change in the past.

Now though, there may be a shift. He says he wants input from others and is taking into account the tradition and history of the franchise here. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, released a statement, saying, he's supportive of this important step.

SAVIDGE: This comes after the investment group worth combined, $620 billion reportedly threatened to end their relationships with Redskins sponsors, PepsiCo, FedEx, Nike if the team didn't change its name.

[07:50:07]

PAUL: And baseball's Cleveland Indians, says they're reviewing the long-debated nickname which has been in place for 105 years. Now, two years ago, the team did make a notable change by removing a cartoon caricature as its logo and has long been criticized as being offensive to Native Americans.

SAVIDGE: Well, as you get ready for your fourth celebration, strong to severe storms they could threaten your socially distant holiday cookout this afternoon.

PAUL: CNN's Allison Chinchar has the forecast for you. Good morning to you, Allison. What does it look like today?

ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I guess it kind of depends on what you'd rather have. Would you rather have triple-digit temperatures that have the sunshine or would you rather have lots of strong thunderstorms, but maybe some slightly cooler temperatures?

Because those are going to be the really two big things that we're talking about for today. The main threat for severe storms is going to be focused across the northern Plains for today. Especially, states like Montana and portions of North Dakota.

The main threats there are going to be damaging winds but we can't rule out the potential for an isolated tornado.

But the eastern half of the country, especially, the southeast, the main focus here is going to be some scattered showers and thunderstorms. Especially, cities like Atlanta, even Little Rock, and Jackson Mississippi. But heat is going to be the focus across states like Texas.

Again, Dallas looking at a high temperature of 98 but that feels like temperature is certainly going to be into the triple digits. But a city like Rapid City, for example, that's where you're going to have the potential for some of those strong to severe thunderstorms.

Out to the west, a beautiful day for a city like Seattle today. High temperatures in the low 70s, we will have some sunshine back into the mix. A little bit hotter for places like Phoenix, Tucson, as well as Las Vegas. But you will have the sunshine to go back into it.

Then, the ultimate question is what about the forecast tonight when you're going to have fireworks? Some of the really good spots guys are going to be New York, Chicago, and also a place like Houston.

PAUL: All righty, Allison Chinchar, we appreciate it. Thank you so much. Happy fourth, by the way.

CHINCHAR: Thanks.

PAUL: So, we want to try to give you a smile, of course, in the mornings as well. Look at this. Beautiful 102 years young lady. What she has survived will shock you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[07:57:04]

PAUL: So, 102 years young in New Hampshire. This woman is a survivor.

SAVIDGE: She beat the 1918 flu cancer and now, coronavirus. CNN's Gary Tuchman has her amazing story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: We headed to New Hampshire to meet this remarkable woman who just recovered from the coronavirus.

Do you feel lucky today?

GERRI SCHAPPALS, 102-YEAR-OLD SURVIVOR: I always feel lucky. I never had any real problems in my life, everything seemed to fall into place.

TUCHMAN: An incredible attitude, considering all that has happened in the life of 102-year-old Gerri Schappals. Julia Schappals is her daughter. When her mother was a baby, a little over 101 years ago --

JULIA SCHAPPALS, DAUGHTER OF GERRI SCHAPPALS: She had these what we call the Spanish flu, which was of -- a huge pandemic during the First World War.

TUCHMAN: That's right. Gerri Schappals' family says she survived the influenza pandemic in the early 20th century and the coronavirus in the early 21st century. Back in 1918, little Gerri and her mother were both seriously ill.

J. SCHAPPALS: And the doctor told her father, they're both going to die. Prepare yourself, but that's my medical opinion.

TUCHMAN: But daughter and mother survived. Gerri went to college, got a bachelor's and masters, became a teacher, and got married right after World War II. Her husband died almost four decades ago. But they had two children and there are now three grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. After Gerri retired, she had breast cancer and colon cancer, and she beat both.

Can I call you Gerri?

G. SCHAPPALS: Delighted.

TUCHMAN: It's delightful to meet you.

G. SCHAPPALS: Thank you.

TUCHMAN: How are you feeling?

G. SCHAPPALS: Wonderful.

TUCHMAN: You're an amazing woman.

G. SCHAPPALS: Why?

TUCHMAN: I'm going to tell you, why. You're modest, but you had coronavirus, and 101 years ago, you had Spanish flu, and you survived it twice. You're an amazing woman.

G. SCHAPPALS: I am.

TUCHMAN: Gerri is a resident of the senior living community in Nashua for several years now.

J. SCHAPPALS: Hey, mom.

TUCHMAN: On this day, her daughter came to pay a visit.

J. SCHAPPALS: How are you doing?

TUCHMAN: Social distancing and masks still required.

J. SCHAPPALS: So, how are you doing?

G. SCHAPPALS: You keep the mask on.

J. SCHAPPALS: Yes, we have to keep the mask on. Yes. Do you recognize the top? You should. I stole it from you. Don't think you're getting it back.

TUCHMAN: The employees of her senior community were upset and saddened when Gerri tested positive for the coronavirus. But when they told her the diagnosis.

LISA VALCOURT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUNTINGTON AT NASHUA: She had an incredible attitude and she, you know, took every day, and said, I guess I'm sick, they're told me I'm sick, but I'm not sick.

TUCHMAN: But like the Spanish flu and the two bouts of cancer, 102- year-old Gerri Schappals, managed to fend off the coronavirus as well.

Thank you for letting us meet you. Thank you.

[08:00:02]

G. SCHAPPALS: My pleasure.

TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN, Nashua, New Hampshire.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL: What a lovely lady. Hey, the next hour of NEW DAY starts right now.