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Porn Star Dishes Dirt on Alleged Trump Affair; Trump Told Women They Reminded Him of His Daughter Ivanka; Melania Trump Issues Statement Protecting Son; Pulse Nightclub Shooter's Father Was FBI Informant; Source: Trump Signals About to Boot V.A. Secretary; Zinke Under Fire for Spending Abuses; Army Veteran Deported for Drug Use; Rubio Reacts to Criticism over Gun Policies. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired March 26, 2018 - 13:30   ET

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

[13:30:00] GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Although, he said during the campaign that all the women who had accused him of various degrees of sexual harassment or involvement were lying, he has been held back from commenting on this. Presumably, good advice, I would think, from his attorneys. But the story is very believable, I would say. She is somebody who just told the story as she saw it. She did take $130,000, we know that, but, anyway, it does sound -- the specifics are so specific.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: And you know, Karoun, Anderson interviewed Stormy Daniels on "60 Minutes," but he also interviewed Karen McDougal, a former Playmate on CNN, and both women spoke to him about what was said during their respective conversations with Donald Trump, he raised the notion that both of them reminded him of his daughter, Ivanka. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STORMY DANIELS, FORMER PORN STAR: He's like, wow. You, you are special. You remind me of my daughter.

KAREN MCDOUGAL, FORMER PLAYBOY PLAYMATE: You know, he's very proud of Ivanka, as he should be. She's a brilliant woman, she's beautiful -- that's his daughter and he should be proud of her. He said I was beautiful like her and you're a smart girl. There wasn't a lot of comparing, but there was some. I heard a lot about her.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: So what do you think?

KAROUN DEMIRJIAN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Of course, he's proud of his daughter, but that's very strange and orthodox and, in a way, very off putting, sort of advanced flirtation when you're about to sleep with somebody. It wouldn't pass the ick test for a lot of people.

But what's remarkable is there were a lot of points in both of these interviews who -- remember, I don't think they coordinated their interviews. The Karen McDougal interview aired after Stormy Daniels. They both said they reminded him of his daughter, going to the bungalows, the lack of protection they used in the encounters. It seems like -- if the allegations are true. He's got a way in which he does these things. The fact their stories do match up on all these points that you can't really pull out of thin air, especially on the Ivanka front, gives them a lot of credibility. And they're very genuinely seeming people when they're talking about these encounters in as much detail as they are.

BLITZER: The spokeswoman for Melania Trump, the first lady, issued a statement: "While I know the media is entertaining such salacious gossip, I would like to remind people there's a minor child whose name should be kept out of news stories when at all possible."

That's the response we're getting from the first lady's communications secretary.

BORGER: Yes. You can only imagine what Melania Trump is going through. She knew who Donald Trump was when she married him, I presume. But she had a very young child at the time. And here he is having two simultaneous affairs, walking one of the women, Karen McDougal, around the apartment in Trump Tower, which I think would set any wife off, and she's trying to protect her kid. Because he's old enough for his friends at school to be watching this and hearing their parents talk about it. And I'm sure it's really difficult for her. We know that, for example, they travel in separate cars now when they go to Andrews to get on an airplane. It seems to me this has created quite a rift, although Melania is not talking about it. And it's difficult.

DEMIRJIAN: And he is completely innocent in all of this. He did not make the decision to marry Donald Trump. You can't speculate what he knew or didn't know going in. And this sort of thing, when you're 11 or 12 -

BORGER: Eleven.

DEMIRJIAN: Eleven. It's a difficult time, anyway, to be a kid. And when your parents are going through something that's all over the headlines, that's hard. And yet -- and yet -- this is the president we're talking about. It is not just a gossip story. There are potential legal issues at play here as well, so it's not something that can just be ignored.

[13:34:21] BLITZER: Awkward situation, indeed.

Thanks so much, guys, for joining us. We'll have much more on this story coming up.

We'll stand by for the White House press briefing coming up as well. We'll see what they have to say over there about all of this.

In addition, there is other news, including a stunning revelation. The father of the Pulse nightclub shooter was a secret former FBI informant for a decade in the years leading up to the massacre in Florida. You'll hear why.

And a U.S. Army veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan, but now he's just been deported to Mexico. We have the story and the backlash. That's coming up as well.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: There is a twist to case against a woman accused of aiding her husband in the 2016 at the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. A massacre that left 49 people dead. Attorneys for Noor Salman are calling for a dismissal of charges or a mistrial following new revelations about the father of the Pulse gunman. According to a motion filed by the defense, Sadik Mateen was a confidential FBI source from 2005 through June 2016. Mateen is currently under investigation for money transfers from Turkey and Afghanistan after documents were found on the day of the Pulse attack.

Let's discuss with CNN law enforcement analyst, former FBI supervisory agent, Josh Campbell.

Josh, what impact, if any, do you think this will have on the case?

[13:40:05] JOSH CAMPAIGN, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANAYST: I think it will be a distraction. I can't see it being anything beyond that. Obviously, the government has some answers they need to provide as far as why the delay, was is this information only now being provided. But I think it would be challenging for anyone to accept the fact what defense is essentially saying here. Their points are because the father was an FBI informant that, somehow, he was conspiring with Omar Mateen and not her, which makes no sense. The second point they're trying to is, because he was an informant and the FBI and government didn't provide that information, they're going after her in order to hide their own failure, which, again, makes no sense. It's the old adage, if you can't attack the facts, attack the government. Obviously, the government has answers they need to provide, but I don't see this affecting the case long term.

BLITZER: Why did it take so long for the government to provide this information to the defense, that the shooter's father was an FBI informant?

CAMPBELL: That's a good question, and we are owed those answers as to why it was held. It's up to the government to provide that type of information to the defense so they can prepare and try to state their case. But again, remember where this information came from and how we found out about it. The government told us. If it was human error, we need to know about that. If there is some other reason for the delay, we need to know about that, but I don't think we should ascribe some type of malicious action right now.

BLITZER: And the money transfers coming from Afghanistan and Turkey was discovered in his apartment. What does that mean?

CAMPBELL: It's interesting. If you look at some of the reporting, it was a voluntary review and consent search where the search was voluntary. I don't see it as him trying to hide anything at the beginning. Why did he let them in? That will be part of the investigation, why did these funds go over. I'm not saying he's as pure as the white snow here, but I'm saying it's ridiculous for her to state that she is innocent because he may not be a prudent person. BLITZER: Josh Campbell, thanks very much for that update. Appreciate

it very much.

There's other news developing over at the U.S. Department of the Interior.

I want to go quickly to Sara Ganim, who is getting new information for CNN.

Sara, tell us what you're learning about the secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke.

SARA GANIM, CNN CORRESPONDENTR: Hey, Wolf. Three different hiring people in three different departments told CNN essentially the same story, and that is Secretary Zinke, one of his talking points has been over the last year that diversity is not important, and rather, that he wants the right person in the right job so that he can get the best people.

Now, this has upset many people who heard him say this over the last 12 months or so. A lot of people believe that the Department of the Interior has long suffered from a lack of diversity, both in race and in gender, and that these kinds of comments are only making women and minorities who work there feel less welcome.

Now, what the department has said in response to this is that he flat- out denied he said it. They're calling it anonymous claims and saying they're just flat-out untrue. The spokeswoman, who I spoke to, I think it's important and fair to note she is a woman herself who has worked with Zinke for a number of years going back to his days in Congress. She told me, quote, "I am hopeful these are the results of a misunderstanding and not a deliberate mistruth."

BLITZER: This isn't the first time he's been accused of something along these lines. Coming up with the wrong tone when it comes to these kinds of sensitive issues. Tell us about that.

GANIM: That's right, it's not the first time he's been accused of something like this. Just about a week ago, he came under quite a bit of fire for greeting a congresswoman, Colleen Hanabusa, from Hawaii, with the Japanese greeting. It came after she asked him about a hearing for funding to preserve Japanese internment camp sites in 1932. This goes back to the same theme that the folks I spoke to said this comes across to them as an insensitivity, as a lack of understanding for why diversity is important, because of the different perspectives that it brings. A number of people -- it's become known to us that a number of people have made complaints along these lines to several different departments who are now investigating, and the result of those investigations we may see in the coming weeks -- Wolf?

BLITZER: He's made the point that, as a Navy SEAL, he was trained at least in part in Japan and he had a very close relationship with the Japanese. He was trying to underscore that when he uttered those words during that congressional testimony, certainly meant no harm as a result.

But I'm sure you'll continue to work your sources and get more on all of this.

Sara, thank you very much for that report.

GANIM: Thanks.

[13:44:47] BLITZER: Coming up, in the past three weeks, five senior staffers have left the White House. And as the White House revolving door turns, sources tell CNN that the secretary of Veteran Affairs could be next.

We're also standing by for today's White House press briefing. Deputy press secretary, Raj Shah, expected to answer reporters' questions. No doubt he'll face a bunch of questions about the president's expulsion of 60 Russian diplomats from the United States, as well as lots of questions on Stormy Daniels' new allegation.

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[13:49:43] BLITZER: Yet another shake-up in the president's cabinet is now expected any day. A source says Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin will be the next to go. In recent weeks, tensions between Shulkin and the White House have grown, became public in the wake of damaging government investigations into alleged spending abuses.

To discuss this, I'm joined by Paul Rieckhoff, the founder and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.

Paul, thanks for joining us.

Clearly, you have been a close observer of the Veterans Administration for more than a decade. In your opinion, what kind of job has he done?

PAUL RIECKHOFF, FOUNDER & CEO, IRAQ & AFGHANISTAN VETERANS OF AMERICA: It's been a bumpy few weeks, Wolf. Overall, the big concern here is drama, drama, drama. If there wasn't so much else happening in Washington this week, this would be probably front-page news. Shulkin has received good marks in the first year from veterans groups and others but with multiple I.G. reports and political in-fighting it's been tough for him. We have asked our 4,000 members and only about 24 percent of them right now support his performance. He's had a tough couple of weeks. He's under fire right now. Unfortunately, veterans are caught in the middle again. If you look back this is what happened for V.A. secretaries a lot lately. Obama lost Shinseki, Bush lost Nickelson. It's been turbulent decade and a half for the V.A. generally and vets are caught in the middle.

BLITZER: What do you think, should Shulkin be fired by the president?

RIECKHOFF: Our members are unhappy. As an organization we haven't taken a formal position but talking to veterans across the country, his stock continues to plummet. If he is in this position now where he's got political in-fighting around him he might be paralyzed. The president has an important decision to make. Run reason he has the support is he's a moderate holdover. Many veterans groups are concerned if he's knocked out the person who follows him could be more extreme. This is about a bigger political fight for the future of the V.A., the soul of the V.A. There is tremendous fighting in Washington over whether or not to expand privatization of the second-largest bureaucracy in the federal government. We are talking $200 billion and 300,000 employees. It is a massive part of the government most people aren't tracking on.

BLITZER: The president floated the idea of moving Rick Perry, the Energy secretary, over to Veterans Affairs. There are a bunch of other names that have come forward as well. Among those names, including Rick Perry, who do you like?

RIECKHOFF: Our members are men and women who served post-9/11. We like to see someone from our generation, someone who can break through partisan gridlock, who understands the wounds and issues of a new generation. 20 percent of our members are women. We'd like someone who can support women veterans. The issue here is it's like musical chairs. It's all instability. That's the concern from our membership. This is unstable. If you are trying to get your G.I. Bill check paid or go in for VOC-Rehab this affects your life. We need this to be stable and it is in the cross hairs of nasty fighting that's hurting veterans.

BLITZER: Let's get your thoughts on the case involving Miguel Perez, a U.S. Army veteran, who served two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He was deported to Mexico last week. Perez came to the United States legally when he was 8 but his citizenship was denied because of a felony drug conviction. Perez said his PTSD led to drugs and alcohol, didn't get help he need from the Department of Veterans Affairs. What's your opinion? Should Perez have been deported?

RIECKHOFF: I don't think so, personally. I think if you ask most members, they would want to see a path for him that focuses on treatment. This is a guy who clearly has wounds of war, who suffers with post traumatic stress disorder. I don't think we want to see our heroes thrown out like trash across the border. The politics of deportation are front and center. But when it zeroes in on a veteran who served two combat tours, it may bring to light how the policies are short-sighted.

I know Senator Tammy Duckworth has taken up the case and has asked for an allowance here. Most veterans want more treatment on mental health, more lenient and more accommodating justice system. Veterans courts are popular among the veteran community. We'd like a pathway of understanding and support, rather than making our troops feel disposable.

BLITZER: Paul Rieckhoff, thank you very much for joining us.

RIECKHOFF: Thank you, Wolf. Appreciate the attention on the issues.

BLITZER: Thank you.

We have another story just coming in to CNN. Florida Senator Marco Rubio speaking to CNN about the criticism that's been levelled against him and his policies regarding guns by survivors of the Parkland, Florida, school massacre. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator, this is your first public event since the marches over the weekend. There was a lot of pointed criticism directed at you.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO, (R), FLORIDA: Yes. That's fine. People have a right to do that. I'm focused on meaningful changes that will make sure what happened in Parkland never happens anywhere. The only way you're going to make changes in our republic where people have strong opinions on both sides of this issue is for people with different opinions to come together and find common ground. That's what I'm doing. I'm working with at least half of the Parkland families directly to come up with commonsense, common-ground solutions to move forward. We have already achieved the Stop School Violence Act, Fix NICS, and we are moving forward on red flag laws. Anyone who wants to join the efforts is certainly welcome.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[13:55:30] BLITZER: We'll have more from the Senator coming up on CNN.

Also, other news, the porn star suing the president speaking out for the first time about their alleged affair saying she was threatened to stay quiet.

The White House, meanwhile, getting ready to respond to all of this. There will be lots of questions, no doubt. The White House press briefing coming up. Deputy press secretary, Raj Shah, will be asked questions about that, and the historic number of Russian diplomats President Trump has ordered expelled over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in the U.K. and his daughter.

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