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New Day Saturday

Protesters And Police Face Off In Rochester, New York During Daniel Prude Demonstration; Trump Highlights Protests To Amplify Culture War Campaign Message; Officials Warns Of COVID-19 Surge Over Labor Day Weekend; Mask Mandate, Capacity Restrictions Among New Rules At Graceland; Tenants Get Eviction Reprieve Until The End Of The Year. Aired 7-8a ET

Aired September 05, 2020 - 07:00   ET

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

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[07:00:00]

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Growing questions about why the video showing the arrest of Daniel Prude was not revealed until this week despite the incident taking place back in March.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's just scary being a black person, like how can I not be here?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We use Labor Day as a way to take the day off but unfortunately the virus doesn't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: A new model often cited by top health officials is surging its projections.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're rounding the corner on the virus.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's reported to have called them suckers and losers. Suckers for serving, losers for dying.

JOE BIDEN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: These statements are true. The President should humbly apologize.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What you see is a lack of understanding about why soldiers serve.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHRISTI PAUL, CNN ANCHOR: The sun is up and it looks like the clouds are, too, there in Atlanta. We are so grateful that you're up as well. Thanks for being with us. We appreciate your company as always and want to wish you a good morning on this Saturday. I'm Chris Paul.

MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Martin Savidge in for Victor Blackwell. PAUL: I want to start with breaking news right now. There was another

night of violent protests here in the U.S., this time, Rochester, New York after the release of body cam video showing the arrest of Daniel Prude, a black man who was pinned to the ground by police and later died. Masked protesters were heard shouting Black Lives Matter as they peacefully marched through downtown streets last night.

SAVIDGE: The demonstrations turned violent as the night wore on, with some protesters confronting customers at a restaurant.

Protests have been ongoing in Rochester since the release of the body cam video on Wednesday, nearly six months after Daniel Prude's death.

Overnight, the president retweeted video of the violence in Rochester.

PAUL: CNNs Kevin Liptak is at the White House. Good morning to you, Kevin. What are you hearing this morning?

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: Yes, the president retweeting this video depicting some of them may have been seeming to suggest that it could benefit him politically. The message and the retweet said, thank you from the Trump campaign team and he seems to be giving voice there to the idea that the scenes of violence will end up benefiting him in his reelection campaign against Joe Biden.

It's an idea that both the president and his advisors have spoken about over the, over the course of this summer as the president seeks to adopt this law and order mantle in his reelection campaign and tries to convince voters that these scenes will flourish if his rival Joe Biden is elected president. Now, of course, the President is the president right now and these scenes are happening under his watch.

What you've seen from the president over the course of this racial reckoning this summer is a focus on the violence, an intense focus on protests and riots, while not necessarily addressing what precipitated the violence in the first place. You saw that on display in Kenosha, Wisconsin this week where the President toured the scene of some damaged businesses. When the President was asked about systemic racism, he said that wasn't the issue. He said, we should be talking about violence, Christi.

PAUL: So, I want to move to the latest report to the White House apparently issued a memo banning some workplace training on racial issues specifically, are they giving a reason for that? What do you know about that this morning, Kevin?

LIPTAK: Yes, this was something of an under the radar memo. It was released yesterday afternoon, and it really seems to codify some of the President's views on systemic racism and put them into federal policy. And the memo the President's federal budget chief is directing the heads of federal agencies to dramatically alter their racial sensitivity training programs.

And in it, he writes, "It has come to the President's attention that executive branch agencies have spent millions of taxpayer dollars to date training government employees to believe divisive anti-American propaganda." It goes on to say, "The President has directed me to ensure that federal agencies cease and desist from using taxpayer dollars to fund these divisive un-America propaganda training sessions." The President has vocally railed against what he calls cancel culture.

He's resisted calls for changes, structural changes to the way policing is conducted, but the memo didn't specify was where these trainings that it cites are taking place. Instead, it suggested only press reports about them in it didn't give any details about them. Now, it's clear where the President may have come to learn about this. It's been the subject of several segments on Fox News over the past several weeks, Christi.

[07:05:31]

SAVIDGE: Interesting. All right, Kevin Liptak of the White House, thank you very much.

PAUL: Thank you, Kevin. Now, yesterday, President Trump continued to deny these reports that he's repeatedly disparaged U.S. service members killed in battle, and he touted time himself as an ally to veterans. Listen here.

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TRUMP: It's a fake story written by a magazine that was probably not going to be around much longer. It was a terrible thing that somebody could say the kind of things and especially to me, because I've done more for the military than almost anybody else.

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SAVIDGE: Democratic Presidential Nominee, Joe Biden, weighed in on the controversy saying this.

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BIDEN: If it's true based on the things he said, I believe your article is true. I'd ask you all the rhetorical question. How do you feel? How would you feel if you had a kid in Afghanistan right now? How would you feel if you lost a son, daughter, husband, wife? How would you feel for real? I've probably -- I've just never been as disappointed in my whole career with a leader that I've worked with, present or otherwise.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL: Also, reaction from Atlantic Magazine's Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, who wrote the article by the way, he defended his reporting.

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JEFFREY GOLDBERG, EDITOR IN CHIEF, ATLANTIC MAGAZINE: And so, what you see in all of these comments going all the way back to 2015 when he disparaged John McCain for getting captured. What you see is a, a lack of understanding about why soldiers serve and what constitutes heroism.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL: And we have to point out CNN hasn't independently confirmed the Atlantic supporting.

All right, so you're waking up, it's Labor Day weekend. We're heading into fall finally. And of course, health officials are warning of a possible coronavirus surge, as millions of you I know are traveling over this holiday.

SAVIDGE: CNN's Tom Foreman has the latest on all of it.

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TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Brace yourself for more super spreader events. That's the warning from health officials who fear with millions traveling over the Labor Day holiday, the pandemic could spike just as we enter fall when the flu and other illnesses may come into play.

JENNIFER NUZZO, JOHN HOPKINS CENTER FOR HEALTH SECURITY: We use Labor Day as a way to take the day off, but unfortunately, the virus doesn't.

ANTHONY FAUCI, MEMBER OF THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE: We don't want to go into that with another surge that we have to turn around again. So, it really is an important weekend.

FOREMAN: Infection shot up in some places after Memorial Day on the Fourth of July, too, despite warnings against big social gatherings. Like that motorcycle rally in South Dakota, which produced dozens of cases, private parties in many places, and numerous family events, like the wedding reception earlier this year that left a New Jersey woman and three of her children dead. For all that, President Trump keeps mocking Joe Biden for wearing a mask.

TRUMP: Did you ever see a man that likes a mask as much as him?

FOREMAN: Still, health experts say imagine an outdoor barbecue. The medical journal, BMJ, created this chart showing if you attend an event like that for a short time with a mask, your risk could be relatively low, depending on whether people are silent talking or shouting and singing, stay longer it gets worse. Take off your mask a while worse, still. And without a mask for a long time the risk explodes especially if the party moves indoors.

So, images like these are raising alarm bells. Hundreds of students at Iowa State seemingly ignoring safety precautions.

Are you guys concerned about coronavirus at all or no?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not really.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No, not really.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I personally think it's a hoax.

FOREMAN: Really?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think it's a hoax, but I think that I think if I were to get it, I'd survived.

FOREMAN: That is the attitude driving yet another warning this holiday from health experts watching college students on campuses everywhere.

DR. DAVID RUBIN, CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: Putting them on airplanes, in fact, you know, and sending them home to their parents doesn't make sense.

FOREMAN: If people listen the reward could be huge. A new projection from the University of Washington says, with universal masking, the U.S. could see through 300,000 deaths by the end of the year. But if restrictions are eased too soon, that number could be doubled by the New Year's holiday. Tom Foreman, CNN, Washington.

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[07:10:14]

SAVIDGE: Thanks, Tom, very much. Coming up, we're going to Graceland. How the Memphis, the state of Elvis Presley, is planning on safely welcoming guests making the pilgrimage there this holiday weekend.

PAUL: Also, a Mississippi man is free this morning after prosecutors decide not to try his case for a seventh time. We'll give you all the details. Stay close.

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PAUL: Fourteen minutes past the hour right now, and this morning Curtis Flowers, is a free man after prosecutors in Mississippi decided not to take his case to trial for a seventh time.

SAVIDGE: Flowers was tried six times on murder charges and he spent 23 years in prison. One of his attorneys said the case never made sense going on to say that the evidence corroborated his innocence.

PAUL: After his last trial back in 2010, a Montgomery county jury found him guilty and he was sentenced to death on appeal. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled flowers deserved a new trial. They said the state's lead prosecutor engaged in unconstitutional racial discrimination by striking African American jurors from the panel.

[07:15:21]

SAVIDGE: This Labor Day weekend will be a critical coronavirus test for the United States, that's the message from health officials across the country including Shelby County, which is home to Memphis, Tennessee.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DR. BRUCE RANDOLPH, SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE HEALTH OFFICER: I think

this is a very important point in our response to the pandemic, how things turn out this weekend, and the subsequent results of the activities of this weekend will determine which directions we go in the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: In case you didn't know, Shelby County is also home to Elvis Presley's Graceland which is open to visitors this holiday weekend.

PAUL: Yes, it reopened actually back in May, and that's when we last spoke to Joel Weinshanker, he's the Owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises and Managing Partner of Graceland Holdings, and he's back with us this morning.

Joel, good morning to you.

SAVIDGE: Good morning, Joel.

JOEL WEINSHANKER, OWNER, ELVIS PRESLEY ENTERPRISES: Good morning, Christi. Good morning, Martin.

PAUL: Good to have you here. I want to get your, your thoughts on what the Health Commissioner there said or the Health Officer in Shelby County, Dr. Randolph. He said, he's worried about events and the transmission he reminded people can happen in a crowd of three or a crowd of 300. How are you balancing all of that?

WEINSHANKER: Well, that's a great question. So, crowds of 300 don't exist at Graceland. You know, right now we're having a great deal of social distancing. We have less than 25 percent of the capacity as we normally do, which is beneath what Shelby County has allowed us to do.

So, we've actually gone, you know, in this case below and beyond, to make sure that there's a great deal of social distancing. As you're -- I'm sure you're aware in Shelby County masks are the rule, and that's a wonderful rule. Dr. Jeff Warren, a Member of the Memphis City Council actually led a bill that got passed within the Memphis City Council in Shelby County, so that, you know, masks are needed in, you know, in person when you're outside.

So, we're practicing social distancing. We're having, you know, everyone's wearing a mask. We provide master people who don't or -- with -- if they don't come with masks. And we've not had since, as you mentioned, May, we have not had any spread within Graceland.

SAVIDGE: You know, when you opened, as we said, May 21st, we spoke to you last on the 23rd, and you told Victor Blackwell then that the tour of the mansion feels like a presidential tour now. How are the adjustments been going and I'm wondering, what's the feedback you're getting from those who visit?

WEINSHANKER: So, the feedback has really been amazing. People have said, you know, wow, this is -- even people who had come before -- because you know, 20 million people have visited Graceland and said that it's a tour like no other. And with us, with Graceland, everyone, every one of our guests, his family. When someone came into Elvis' home, even if he didn't know, and we treated them like family. So, this is really about our employees.

You know, when people talk about stakeholders, you know, our guests, our stakeholders, our employees, our stakeholders, and we need to make sure everything's done safely, and at the same time, especially with the inability in Washington to pass any legislation, you know, we need to make sure that our employees can eat. We need to make sure that our employees, you know, can take care of themselves.

PAUL: You get a little emotional about that have, have one of your employees told you about how it's been for them?

WEINSHANKER: You know, it's, it's been tough. So, you know, we've done everything that we can. We continue to do more. We you know, Tennessee is you know, it's a great place for people to do business, but unfortunately, you know, the unemployment insurance is one of the lowest in the country. So, without the federal support, it's really difficult for people to do well.

SAVIDGE: You have a number of big events that are coming up. I know you've got Miss USA; you've got Miss Teen USA, they're coming to Graceland in November. I think you told another network that tickets sold out in just a matter of minutes, which is wonderful news, certainly. But I'm wondering how many people are you expecting? And then can you sort of share with a plan you've got in place to keep everybody safe during these pageants and the of course related events?

WEINSHANKER: So, absolutely. So, just like at Graceland, were one of the reasons -- listen, if we would have been at full capacity, we would have sold out it's just it's an amazing event. It really does empower women. And importantly, when you look up the makeup of these pageants, there is a real amazing representation of women of color which is so important, which is one of the reasons we got involved.

So, we're less than 25 percent capacity. So, all of these events are less than 25 percent. And the pageant, you know, (INAUDIBLE), who's been they've been running these pageants for a long, long time have really stepped in, they have a plan approved by the Shelby County Health Department, so that was very important. We didn't go on sale; we work closely with the department to make sure that the department thought what we were doing made sense.

All guidelines, city, you know, county, state federal guidelines, so to make sure that everything worked, and then we're going to make sure there really isn't a lot of interaction, and there's going to be very, very frequent testing going on.

[07:20:45]

PAUL: You said that you're doing everything obviously to stay open for your employees, and for the guests who want to come. Is there any point Joel, where you would look at what's happening if there is some sort of surge in the fall where you would have to shut the doors temporarily? WEINSHANKER: Oh, the minute it's unsafe. So, so, so at the end of the day, we've been able to do this in a perfectly safe manner, as there has been a surge in Tennessee. So, there has been a surge from, from the onset from you know, from when we -- but we have not had spread within Graceland.

So, the second note that changes, we make a determination. It's about keeping our employees, keeping our guests safe. We've been able to do that. We've been able to have people -- you know; this isn't people yelling and screaming, this isn't hundreds of people at a waterpark. We've been able to do this in a very, very safe manner. We have an inordinate amount of space.

So, unlike, you know, some facilities at Disney where you see them packed to the rafters during normal times, we don't do that during normal times. This is a very different type of experience. It's an amazing American experience. But the second that it's unsafe and the second is shown to be unsafe, that's when we take a pause, as we should.

SAVIDGE: Joel Weinshanker, thank you so much. It's good to talk to you, catch up with you again, we wish you your employees and your visitors. Let's say great time there at Graceland. Thanks.

PAUL: Good luck, Joel. Thanks for being with us.

WEINSHANKER: Thank you.

PAUL: So, in a year that's it's already taken so much from so many people. We've all felt it. Imagine the threat of losing your home on top of all of this. That's the reality for so many people today. We're talking about the rapidly growing crisis. That's next. Stay close.

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[07:26:43]

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FAUCI: Well, any disruptions of the normal course of events of a person's life clearly can be deleterious to everything we care about with public health. I mean, when you evict somebody and homeless, we know how vulnerable the homeless are to so many things including things like COVID infection of the coronavirus. So, I mean, the one thing we don't want to see is a lot of people who would not have been homeless to now be homeless. That just complicates everything we're trying to do from a public health standpoint.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PAUL: Dr. Anthony Fauci there, obviously, talking about evictions as a public health risk. Now, bear in mind more than eight million people have been unemployed now for 15 weeks or more. So, it's almost unimaginable to think about, at this point, you've lost your job.

Now, you might lose your home. But that's the reality that a lot of people are facing, including Nakia Lewis, she's with us from Louisiana and she's alongside Attorney, Hannah Adams. They're here to talk about what's fast becoming another crisis in the pandemic. Ladies, it's so good to have you here. Thank you, Nakia. Good to see you this morning.

I understand, you are, I call you a fellow mom, as many of us are, we want so badly of anything that we do in this world, we want to take care of our kids. Help us understand what it's like for you right now knowing that yes, you might have this umbrella until January 1st, but, but how is this eviction potential weighing on you?

NAKIA LEWIS, AT RISK OF EVICTION: This protection is helping me out a lot, because it's relieving me of some stress where usually I'm able to pay my rent on time, I'm doing fine. But now, with this relief, it's helping me to be able to pay what I can afford without having that heartache of feeling like if I don't make my full payment that this is what I'm going to be faced with.

So, it's helping me out a lot and it's relieving some of the stress off for me because going from having three jobs to having one job now is, and not knowing the certainty of that job is hard. And I wanted to -- this helps me to be able to take that pressure off where I, you know, I could have some relief and not knowing like month to month that I could be evicted from that before payment.

PAUL: How are your kids doing?

LEWIS: Um, my son, he's, he's fine. He's, since this all started, there was some things that I could afford and that I can't afford. So, he's home but he's mostly by my mom's house because like luxury of having Internet service, you have to -- I had to do a lot of cutbacks. And he's over there because he has to do his schoolwork and everything is virtual.

And he's, you know, I want him to be home with me. He comes home, but he can't be here because Monday to Friday, because he has homework and he has to be online. So, it's, you know, as a mom, as a parent, you put on a poker face to protect the kids.

[07:29:44]

PAUL: I'm so sorry. I know that, that's -- it's so hard to be away from our kids. I get that. Hannah, I know that you too, say this is a huge relief. Of course, for people at least temporarily, obviously.

[07:29:59]

I understand though that you are concerned about landlords that they may find creative ways to evict people. What is it that you fear? How do you think they can get around this mandate?

HANNAH ADAMS, STAFF ATTORNEY, SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA LEGAL SERVICES: Sure, absolutely. So, we're obviously very, very excited about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evictions for nonpayment until the end of December.

Tenants should know that in order for this protection to kick in, they have to provide a declaration to their landlords, explaining, you know, that they lost work, that they're making their best efforts to make partial payments, and that they've attempted to access whatever government assistance is available. And that declaration can actually be downloaded online on the CDC web site.

But, yes, we're -- we are concerned about implementation and also landlords trying to find creative ways around this. All throughout COVID, we've seen some -- I guess you could say bad apple landlords trying to take the law into their own hands, trying to force tenants out by refusing necessary repairs.

You know, it's the middle summer in Louisiana, I can't tell you how many clients I have right now who are struggling to pay rent, and all of a sudden, their A.C. is out for two months and nobody will fix it.

Or, you know, even going as far as to shut off the utilities or even change the locks illegally without going through the courts. Or, you know, even finding, you know, minor lease violation that, you know, wasn't a problem before now, but all of a sudden, it's coming out. Because the order does permit landlords to pursue eviction for things like criminal activity, other types of lease violations that aren't related to nonpayment.

So, we're definitely going to be vigilant with our clients and also encouraging the courts to do so as well. So, to make sure that people are only getting evicted for very serious -- very serious violations that actually do threatening the health and safety of others, and that the landlord has met their burden of proof on that.

PAUL: Nakia, I know that you went back to work this week, at least, as you said, to one job. How is that going? It's -- Is it that the job in foodservice?

LEWIS: Yes, it is. It's at -- it -- one of the universities here in New Orleans. And it's hard because with everything that you hear on the news, as going on with the universities, with the kids not being practicing social distancing.

It's hard to go to work because you're working around people and my biggest problem is going to work, doing what I have to do, but bringing home something to my family that could, you know, potentially hurt us and kill us with somebody because it's so serious.

And going to work and you find out sometimes that, you know, they are telling you that the sales are not there. So, I could have a job on Tuesday, but on Wednesday, I could turn around and be laid off and I'm back to square one, not knowing how I'm going to provide for my family.

PAUL: We're showing some sweet pictures there of you with your kids.

Hannah, the only thing about this order that went into effect yesterday is that it doesn't forgive rent owed -- you know, rent that has backed up. So, if someone can't afford their rent now, how are they expected to pay four, five months at a time when this is over? What's being done to try to manage what will happen January 1st if there's not another stimulus package?

ADAMS: I mean, you're absolutely right. We're basically kicking the can down the road here and staring down a huge debt crisis for our low and middle-income renters, because you're right, the order does not forgive rent, it doesn't cancel a renter's rent obligation, the rent is still due, and frankly, the landlord's mortgage payment is also still due.

So, you know, you're absolutely right. Without some kind of relief for renters and homeowners trying to pay their mortgages, we're going to have a massive problem come January 1 when all of this rent becomes due.

And a problem that goes beyond just a wave of evictions, you know, the same way we were expecting now that may now be bumped down the road a little bit, it's going to be a wave of renter debt. And that debt doesn't go away, you know, people's paychecks could be garnished. It can be reported to collections, and then, it can affect somebody's ability to get a future apartment.

So, this, you know, this is going to be a huge problem and we're just bumping it down the road a little bit. Without some kind of relief, I don't really know what renters are supposed to do to catch up.

PAUL: And we, you know we don't want anybody to be homeless. We certainly don't want it to happen in the middle of a pandemic because that is, you know, as Dr. Fauci said, a public health crisis.

Hannah Adams, we thank you for the work you do. Nakia Lewis, we are wishing you the very best with your family. Please keep in touch with us. We hope that everything continues to go well for you. I know that it's hard right now, but we're certainly thinking of you.

LEWIS: Thank you.

ADAMS: Thank you so much.

[07:34:55]

PAUL: Absolutely. And you know every Saturday, we're highlighting cities across the U.S. with resources to help those of you who need it. So, right now, grab your phone, or a pen, and a piece of paper, and write this information down that we have for you or for someone that you know might need the help.

First of all, let's go to Connecticut. 211, it's a program of United Way of Connecticut and connects people with local services including utility assistance, food, child care, elder care. 211 will also help you if you are homeless or if you have a housing emergency.

So, for legal assistance, The Greater Hartford Legal Aid created an information line to answer COVID-19 related questions for people who are living in poverty. And in Delaware, the food bank in Newark directly provides food assistance in the area and other statewide services as well, including resources for both food, insecure seniors, and college students, as well as job training, and they're open daily. And then, in Florida, if you're facing a housing hardship, Governor Ron DeSantis extended his moratorium on evictions and foreclosures connected to COVID-19. That is extended until next month, October 1st. Officials recommended you contact the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program in your area for funding assistance. And please be sure to call these places for more details as you need them.

SAVIDGE: In other news, several Trump administration officials and other world leaders say Russia is responsible for the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. But why won't President Trump condemn Russia? We'll discuss that next.

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[07:41:05]

SAVIDGE: President Trump chose not to condemn Russia for the suspected poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: We haven't had any proof yet, but I will take a look. It is interesting that everybody is always mentioning Russia, and I don't mind you mentioning Russia, but I think, probably, China at this point, is a nation that you should be talking about much more so than Russia because the things that China is doing are far worse. If you take a look what's happening with the world.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: Actually, there is proof. Navalny, he is being treated at a hospital in Germany. Officials there say, (INAUDIBLE) that tests prove beyond doubt that Navalny was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent. The NATO chief described the attack as an assassination attempt.

This is a perfect time to bring in CNN national security analyst Samantha Vinograd and former senior adviser to national security adviser in the Obama administration. Good morning to you, Samantha.

SAMANTHA VINOGRAD, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Good morning.

SAVIDGE: So, the president, at that press conference said more than once that he is tough on Russia. His own administration officials have condemned Russia. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, calling the -- I think, clearly reprehensible. So, why is it the president just will not condemn Russia?

VINOGRAD: Well, Martin, Trump certainly sounds more like a surrogate for the Kremlin than the president of the United States. Kremlin officials are saying that there isn't evidence. Kremlin officials are saying that Germany hasn't shared proof.

As you just pointed out, U.S. officials have said they found Germany's findings highly credible. Trump's own White House issued a public statement on Twitter indicating that Novichok was used. That Russia has used Novichok in the past, and vowing to hold those in Russia accountable for this assassination attempt.

Trump on his own part refuses to criticize the Kremlin by indicating that there isn't proof, which is inaccurate. It appears that Trump is stalling for time because he wants to do anything possible to avoid being cornered into criticizing the Kremlin this close to the election. Likely because he knows that Putin is currently supporting him. Putin is working to implement influence operations to get President Trump re-elected. And Trump is willing to do anything possible to placate Putin to keep that all on track.

SAVIDGE: Well, to your point, the president was asked if he had any reason to doubt the results from Germany. Here is what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I don't -- I hear Germany has made of -- wasn't definitive or almost definitive, but we have not seen it ourselves, no. But he we have not seen it ourselves. But I would certainly be OK with that. They want to do something. They want to take action. It shouldn't happen. It shouldn't happen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SAVIDGE: It is almost awkward to listen to. And I'm wondering your reaction?

VINOGRAD: Well, let's just call a lie, a lie. Germany did a toxicology test. Germany issued a public statement. Germany briefed NATO members including the United States. Germany has shared information with the United States. The White House did issue a public statement again indicating that Novichok was used.

Those statements, I worked at the White House are based on intelligence and based on information. They don't just happen based upon some thought that somebody has in the press shop.

So, the president here is clearly lying. And, again, is doing anything possible to avoid criticizing Putin.

SAVIDGE: And given that, then, what actions do you see if anything taken by the United States against Russia?

[07:44:55]

VINOGRAD: Well, the White House actually already outlined some potential steps. The White House indicated that they would look at implementing financial sanctions against those responsible in Russia. They can do that under legislation. We use that same legislation to issue sanctions the last time that Russia implemented a chemical weapons attack that targeted assassination attempt during Trump's tenure. That is one option.

But, at a bare minimum, Martin, we should start with having a president that cares about a chemical weapons attack against a civil society member, against an opposition member. I would expect to see more coordinated statements from world leaders. I would expect to see more financial sanctions. And the fact is, President Trump is an outlier here. The only person on his side of the field is Vladimir Putin and he is isolated from other world leaders, he is isolated from his own team as he continues to avoid condemn -- to avoid condemning the Kremlin.

SAVIDGE: Right. He avoids and then he deflects to other nations like China. Samantha Vinograd, great to have you on the program. Thank you.

VINOGRAD: Thank you.

PAUL: So, Hollywood trying to make a comeback. More movie theaters are reopening in the U.S. now. The new movie has everyone talking and some of the other big entertainment stories this week. That's up next. Stay close.

First though, in today's "FOOD AS FUEL", CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard, shares with us how we can follow a Mediterranean diet specifically to stay healthy.

JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: A Mediterranean diet offers a number of health benefits. Here are some easy steps to start your journey into the Mediterranean style of eating.

Cook with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter margarine or refined oils like soybean and canola oil. Add foods rich in healthy fats to recipes and snacks. These include sunflower seeds, nuts, olives, and avocados. Choose whole-grain, bread, and pasta instead of the refined varieties, and eat less red meat. Instead, add fish and other seafood to a few meals each week. Also snack on lots of fruits and vegetables. Adding a starter salad to each meal is a great way to get more greens.

Now, for the beverages, water should be your first choice. Also, switch from whole milk to a one percent skim or milk alternatives like almond milk. And yes, a glass of red wine each day is optional, but talk to your doctor about the limits that are recommended for you.

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[07:51:50]

SAVIDGE: Movie industry was brought nearly to a standstill by the pandemic, but that could be changing as the world's biggest movie theatre chain, AMC is now opening back up.

PAUL: I mean, not only that, but there's a new movie out that has an awful lot of hype and might be able to fill the seats, some are thinking. CNN's entertainment reporter Chloe Melas has the latest.

CHLOE MELAS, CNN ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: Good morning, Christi and Martin. Well, it is a big weekend for the movie industry.

Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated thriller "Tenet" has opened in select theatres across the United States. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tenet, it will open the right doors, some of the wrong ones, too. Use it carefully.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MELAS: This is the first major film to debut in theatres since coronavirus caused movie theaters to shut down across the entire country. So far though, the film has defied expectations as it has opened in countries around the world last weekend, making over $50 million at the international box office.

This also comes as AMC has announced earlier this week that it would open 140 more of their movie theaters across the country this weekend.

Now, speaking of movies, Mulan hit Disney+ on Friday. But it's going to cost you $30 if you want to see it right now. But if you guys -- if you and the family can wait just three more months, you're not going to have to pay if you are a subscriber to the Disney+ platform.

Now, when it comes to Hollywood, here's some other news. Dwayne The Rock Johnson revealed in an Instagram video this week that he and his family, they tested positive for coronavirus, but they have since recovered.

This is what he told fans. "I can tell you that this has been one of the most challenging and difficult things we have ever had to endure as a family." Now, he says that he thinks that they actually contracted coronavirus from family friends and he encouraged fans to do everything they can to slow the spread.

And lastly, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, while they are continuing to carve out their own space in Hollywood since their recent move to Sunny Los Angeles, the duke and duchess of Sussex have signed a multi- year production deal with Netflix. What does this mean? Well, it means that they are going to be producing films, documentaries, docuseries, scripted shows, and even children's programming for the streaming service. It's a very similar deal to what former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama are doing with Netflix.

Christi and Martin, this comes just six months after their dramatic exit from their royal duties. But it will be interesting to see what happens.

[07:54:18]

PAUL: No doubt. Chloe, thank you so much.

Listen, there is new hope this morning in the search for survivors of that massive deadly explosion in Beirut last month. What rescue crews detected under the rubble that has people in Lebanon and around the world praying for a miracle right now.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PAUL: You know it's been a month since that massive deadly explosion in Beirut. Well, there is hope this morning in Lebanon that there could be a survivor.

SAVIDGE: Yes, rescuers say that they have detected breathing under her stairwell in the rubble of a collapsed building. One rescuer says the breasts that were detected are "not the strongest sign", but the rescue effort has captivated people in Beirut. Including the work of a search dog that has become something of a celebrity in the country after helping detect the possible survivor.

More than 190 people were killed in the August 4th blast, thousands more injured, and more than 300,000 were displaced from their homes.

The next hour of NEW DAY continues right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Growing questions about why the video showing the arrest of Daniel Prude was not revealed until this week despite the incident taking place back in March.