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Hala Gorani Tonight
U.S. Economy Grows 4.1 Percent Fastest Pace Since 2014; Trump Rips Cohen, Denies He Knew Of Trump Tower Meeting; Trump Hails Strong U.S. GDP Numbers; Putin Ready To Go To Washington, Invites Trump To Moscow; North Korea Hands Over Possible Remains Of U.S. Troops; Trump Threatens Sanctions On Turkey Over Detained Pastor; Russia's View Of U.S. President Donald Trump; Election Commission Expected To Confirm Khan Victory; CBS Stocks Falls On Reported Article Alleging Misconduct; Lunar Eclipse Coincides With Blood Moon And Mars Sighting; Old Meets New: The Art Of Ikebana. Aired 3-4p ET
Aired July 27, 2018 - 15:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:00:17]
Hello, everyone. Live from CNN London. I'm Hannah Vaughan Jones in for Hala Gorani.
Tonight, he said he's do it, and he did. Donald Trump is taking a victory lap as U.S. growth hits its highest point in years.
But in the midst of good news, clouds, now Trump's former attorney says the president knew in advance about a highly controversial 2016 meeting in
Trump Tower.
And a total eclipse of the moon, this hour a rare celestial event is happening. We'll tell you where in the world you can catch a glimpse.
So, an economic turnaround of historic proportions. The words of Donald Trump as he faces the White House pro starting today on a day he could
indeed be forgiven but smelling the roses. Like that garden, the economy feels like it's in bloom with the growth spurs of more than 4 percent over
the last three months.
And that's something Mr. Trump suggests would not smell half the sweet by any other presidents.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: As the trade deals coming one by one, we are going to go a lot higher than these numbers
and these are great numbers. These numbers are very, very sustainable. This isn't a one-time shot. I happen to think we are going to do
extraordinarily well in our next report next quarter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: But a last every rose has its thorn and right now the one in Trump's side seems to be his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. The president
is disputing Cohen's reported claim that he knew and approved of the 2016 Trump Tower meeting with the Russians before it happened.
After all, the president has long denied needing anyone up or indeed down the garden path. Now whatever rough winds may or may not be about to shake
the presidential landscape. We have a diamond in the rough in the form of Jeremy Diamond who is live in Washington for us now.
Jeremy, good to see you. So, let's talk about the economy first. Credit where credit is due. This has been a good news day for Donald Trump.
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yes. It certainly has been. You know, the economic report that came out just this morning showing 4.1
percent GDP growth this last quarter is certainly positive economic news. Another sign of a strong economy, the economy under this president.
But at the same time, there is a but in the situation that we have to talk about and the but is that despite the president's rosy assessment of the
long-term economic health of the economy, there are still a lot of questions about whether or not this 4.1 percent growth or 3 percent, 3.5,
whatever it may be can indeed continue through the rest of the year.
That is not quite clear right now, particularly when you think that the 4.1 percent, according to a lot of economists was really inflated in part by a
lot of exports that came out of the United States as a result of the president's trade war with several other countries trying to get those
exports out before those retaliatory tariffs come into effect.
JONES: Yes. Donald Trump more happy, of course, to tout his economic success when he was speaking earlier. No mention, though, of Michael
Cohen, and this is, of course, a press event where he didn't take any questions from anyone presumably had he been taking questions, someone
would have asked him about it. The president is more than happy to be more vocal on Twitter, though?
DIAMOND: Absolutely. The president did take to Twitter this morning to push back on all of these allegations that Michael Cohen is talking about
once again saying that he had no knowledge of this meeting that Donald Trump Jr., his son, as well as Paul Manafort, his former campaign chairman,
and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law, had with this Russian lawyer, who at the time, if you will recall, Donald Trump Jr., thought he was actually meeting
with a Russian government lawyer, who is going to provide him with dirt on Hillary Clinton directly from the Russian government.
So, if Donald Trump did indeed know of this meeting, as Michael Cohen, is alleging through sources who've spoken with CNN then that would be quite
damaging to the president, would suggest that he had knowledge and agreed with his intentions to have Russia provide damaging information.
Something that a lot of folks in this town might talk about bringing up this talk again about collusion. However, it is unclear what the legal
implications would actually be. And again, Michael Cohen's credibility definitely in question over the last several days.
You know, he has been known to lie in the past sometimes on the president's behalf as his personal attorney, and so obviously, his credibility now he
is going back on his word with regards to this meeting is going to come into question.
But again, indicating through sources that he is willing to talk to the special counsel, Robert Miller, and to make these allegations under oath,
we'd have to see after that if there is any corroborating information or any corroborating witnesses to bolster that account.
[15:05:05] JONES: Yes, we're going to be talking about this a lot more through the course of the next hour as well. No doubt the days and weeks
ahead. Jeremy, for now, thanks very much indeed.
Now for all the other questions and controversies that may surround his presidency, Donald Trump has delivered though on one of his biggest
campaign promises. That, of course, the economic growth.
For more on this significant of that, let's speak to Stephen Moore, CNN's senior economic analyst and a former adviser to Mr. Trump himself.
Stephen, great to see you as always.
Donald Trump very keen to say earlier that he has delivered not just on the economic results for America, but he has done what he has made America
proud again. He's made America great again. Even though as far as to say that the United States is now the envy of the whole world. I mean, we got
to give them credit, but has he over stated his own role in the results out today?
STEPHEN MOORE, CNN SENIOR ECONOMIC ANALYST: Well, you know, the outline of U.S. being the economically the envy of the world actually Donald Trump
borrowed that from the front page of the "Wall Street Journal" just a couple weeks ago.
And you know, our economy really is searching right now, and it has been strong both in terms of economic growth numbers, obviously, that came out
today. Also, you know, we've had really, really solid jobs reports.
In fact, you know, our problem in the U.S. now, I've talked to manufacturers and businessmen -- women and men all the time and they say
they just can find enough workers to fill all the jobs. That is a nice problem for a country to have.
How much credit does Donald Trump deserve for the economic surge? Look, I think he deserves, you know, some of the credit. I mean, we changed -- I
work with Donald Trump during in the campaign, fit the economic program together.
We wanted to change directions from where the economy had been headed and the policies under Obama. We cut taxes. He raised them. We got rid of a
lot of the regulations and we promote American oil and gas production.
By the way, that is a big factor in the U.S. economy right now is the huge increase in output of our fossil fuel production in this country. So, it's
a positive picture. Your question was whether this can be sustained. We will see. I do not have a crystal ball.
I don't think the president has one, but you know, the last one is good until he will see if we can sustain it.
JONES: Well, he doesn't have a crystal ball, but he didn't go as far to actually say a figure, but he was very keen to say that he thought that the
next quarter was going to be just as successful if not more. He does have some history on this in predicting things correctly.
Let's listen to what he said back in 2016. This is on the campaign trail about future growth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: It is time to start thinking big once again, that is why I believe it is time to establish a national goal of reaching 4 percent
economic growth. My great economists don't want me to say this, but I think we can do better than that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: Stephen, he just done that exactly 4.1 percent is the latest results out today and the concern, though from some economists is that this
is just the boost before the stagnation, especially with trade wars looming. Your thoughts on that?
MOORE: By the way, I'm glad you showed that little clip because I remember we were -- Larry Kudlow and I were meeting with Donald Trump before that
meeting and we told him we think we can get to a 3.5 to 4 percent growth. He said I want 5 percent growth but you know --
JONES: But he was referencing you.
MOORE: Four percent -- what was the question again. Well, one of the clouds on the horizon. You're right that the trade situation is a negative
you know right now. I mean, by the way, I think we made some real progress on Wednesday with the European Union deal. It's just a handshake right
now.
But if that goes forward, you're looking at not higher tariffs, but you're looking at lower tariffs across the Atlantic Ocean and that's a victory for
free trade. The big question, of course, that lingers is what about Mexico, Canada, we are close to getting a deal with Mexico.
And then, of course, the big, big issue for the U.S. and for Donald Trump is dealing with China. China is the bad actor on international scene. If
he can get an agreement with China on trade, where they agree to buy more products from the United States, which is what Trump wants. Then you could
see a big, big continued boost in the American economy.
JONES: Yes. I mean, you talked before to us, Stephen, about zero tariffs has been the ultimate goal here and he mentioned there about the meeting
with Jean Claude Juncker, the European Commission president as well. They kind of suggested that they might be pushing towards zero tariffs in the
future.
But from that conversation and what we learned from it, do you think that the idea of a trade war, the threats of a trade war is just a negotiating
tactic from Donald Trump. It's not that he's actually going to really follow through on it.
MOORE: I have always thought it is a negotiating tactic. You know, I've said on your show and CNN all the time that you have to understand Donald
Trump. You have to understand his book "The Art of the Deal." He is a negotiator. He always opens with the strongest hand and negotiates from
there.
I thought he got a good deal out of Europe because he put these 20 percent auto tariffs on the table and as you know, the Germans couldn't live with
that. That would really do dump their economy. They came to the negotiating table.
[15:10:10] We got a better deal that I think will benefit both countries. You know, China is just a tougher situation. Beijing is kind of got their
heels stuck in the ground. You know, the danger here is that instead of with China, we got lower tariffs, we get this tit-for-tat escalation of
tariffs.
And then that could be a negative for the economy going forward, but I'm going to say I think Trump is on a bit of a roll here. I think sometime in
the next few months. Beijing is going to come hand and hand and say let us make a deal.
And if that happens, it will be good for the global economy or good for the U.S. The other thing, by the way, just one quick point.
JONES: Sure.
MOORE: The other thing that is holding back the economy somewhat is what I mentioned before, do we have enough workers, you know, do have enough
workers. We probably need more immigration right now because the businesses can't find the American workers to fill a lot of these jobs.
So, we need a new immigration system that -- legal, legal immigration. That if they come legally, that will help the economy a lot.
JONES: You've been an adviser to Donald Trump, maybe he should take your advice on that one as well for future policies as well. Stephen, always
good to have you on the program. We appreciate your analysis. Thank you.
Now Donald Trump no doubt wants to shift the focus from what could be an incredibly damaging claim from his former attorney and fixer, Michael
Cohen. That claim goes directly to the president's own actions.
Essentially alleging that he was personally willing to accept Russian help during his campaign for the presidency. Sources tell CNN Michael Cohen
says Mr. Trump knew in advance of that Trump Tower meeting with Russians.
He is willing to tell that to Special Counsel Robert Miller. President Trump tweeted that he did not know of that meeting accusing Cohen of making
things up. Mr. Trump's personal attorney is also attacking Cohen's credibility telling CNN that he's, quote, "Lied all his life."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RUDY GIULIANI, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTORNEY: I honestly don't think it's that significant. But in any event, that doesn't matter, it didn't happen.
That's the supposition and a person who is found to be an incredible liar. He's got a tremendous motive to lie now because he's got nothing to give.
Says all of a sudden, I feel (inaudible). I do not think any believes that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: Well, that's a big change from where Rudy Giuliani called Cohen an honest, honorable lawyer.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GIULIANI: I do not expect that Michael Cohen is going to lie. I think he's going to tell the truth as best he can given his recollection, and if
he does that, we are home free.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: It may not just be Cohen's word at issue here. Michael Cohen says there were several other people, witnesses in the room when Donald Trump
was informed of the Russian's offer.
Let's bring in CNN's legal analyst, Renato Mariotti, to help us break all of this down. Renato is former U.S. federal prosecutor joins us now.
Great to see you. Let's talk about this meeting that everyone is talking about, the 2016 meeting in the Trump Tower. Why does what Michael Cohen
know about meeting matter to the whole of the special prosecutor probe into collusion and possible obstruction?
RENATO MARIOTTI, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, what Michael Cohen appears to be prepared to say is that Donald Trump himself was aware of the meeting and I
think just as importantly, and now we are focusing maybe as much on this.
He knows exactly what Mr. Trump was told about the meeting. He also knows what questions if any Trump asked about the meeting and knows exactly, you
know, what Trump and his son, and the others in that meeting expected to get out of the deal with the Russians.
So, under US law, what matters often is what the agreement was that you had, what your intent was, and in Mr. Cohen's recollection can help
establish what the president's intent was, what if any agreement he had with the Russians and so on.
JONES: It's not just Michael Cohen's recollection that is key here. We also understand that and may indeed have been other witness to this.
People who can perhaps corroborate Michael Cohen's claims of Donald Trump's prior knowledge.
This is what the ranking House Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee had to say to CNN earlier on about these other potential
witnesses.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
REPRESENTATIVE ADAM SCHIFF (D-CA), RANKING MEMBER, HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: This was a core area of our concern that we asked every witness
about including Michael Cohen. I can tell you that with certain witnesses who might be those corroborating witnesses in what Cohen has to say, they
refuse to answer our questions.
So, Hope Hicks would not answer our questions about how they fashion that false statement that portrayed this is a meeting about adoptions. Corey
Lewandowski wouldn't answer those questions. Steve Bannon wouldn't answer those questions. I would assume that Bob Mueller is going to force him,
has forced them to answer those questions. So, the question is, does any of that testimony corroborate Michael Cohen?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: Renato, will Bob Mueller, the special prosecutor has been able to get to those other potential witnesses and as Adam Schiff says there, will
he'd been able to force them to tell the truth about what they knew or didn't know?
[15:15:10] MARIOTTI: There is no question that Robert Mueller has the ability to subpoena those witnesses and force them to speak with him. And
in addition to that, he can also force them to answer questions unless answering the question would incriminate them.
In other words, it would tend to show that they are guilty of a crime. That is the only circumstance under which Mr. Mueller wouldn't be able to
force them to testify. Now he could provide them with immunity, which could force them to testify, but that is what he would have to do.
But in any event, you know, the pressure of potentially having to testify in front of Moeller may, you know, cause some of them to tell the truth.
Whenever you have a meeting with a lot of different people involved, when there is a criminal investigation, you tend to find out what happened
because not everyone is willing to lie and cover up.
JONES: Right. One extraordinary photograph that emerged today, Renato, so I want to bring this up for our viewers, this is in Washington airport, an
airport gate, and in this image on the left inside the screen. You can see the special prosecutor, Robert Miller, and on the right, you can see Donald
Trump's first son, Donald Trump Jr., Don Jr. there as well.
Now, of course, these two are no doubt got a lot to discuss with regards to possible collusion and the ongoing probe as well. Donald Trump and the
whole of the Trump team seemed to be very keen on continuing to discredit the special prosecutor at the moment.
Do you think that that's because Donald Trump, the president is gearing up to fire Mueller or because he is increasingly fearful of him?
MARIOTTI: Well, I think certainly he is concerned about him and one thing to remember in the United States is that often where this ends up is
impeachment proceedings, which are essentially the type of trial that is conducted in the United States Congress.
So, public opinion matters, the opinion of politicians that are going to be potential jurors matters. So, anything you can do to discredit the
prosecutor in terms of public opinion could be helpful to the president.
And I will say that when I investigated and prosecuted criminal defendants, it was not uncommon for them to attack the prosecution. What is different
here, of course, unfortunately, is that this man is the president of the United States and he's willing to do that, which means that he has more of
a microphone.
JONES: Renato Mariotti, always good to talk to you. We appreciate it. Thanks very much indeed.
Now the dust has barely settled from Donald Trump's first summit with Vladimir Putin of Russia, which is widely criticized by politicians in
Washington. But now plans maybe in the works for a summit part two. Russia's president says he is ready for talks under what he calls the
necessary conditions.
Let's go live to Matthew Chance in Moscow for the details on this. So, Matthew, as things stand right now, when and where might these two come
back together again?
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the date has not been set and Vladimir Putin, the Russian president has left things
purposely vague. Of course, in much the same way that Donald Trump has now kicking the next summit into early next year.
But what was interesting coming from these remarks from the Russian president, which he made in South Africa during a BRICS Summit, an economic
summit, in that country is that he said the invitation to Donald Trump, to President Trump, had already been made.
Perhaps shedding a bit more like for what was exactly discussed in the Helsinki Summit. They had that several hour-long face-to-face meeting and
that no one else was there apart from the translators.
It's been a bit unclear what was exactly discussed. Perhaps one of the things that was discussed is the possibility of meetings, further meetings,
between these two figures -- Hannah.
JONES: With regards to the summit that we have already had and what was said or not said between the two leaders, U.S. lawmakers have been trying
to get to the bottom of it in Congress for some time now. Is there just the same similar amount of fervor in the Kremlin or in the Russian duma to
get to the bottom of what was said?
CHANCE: Well, no, not really in short, but I think the Russians have been a little bit more forthcoming in terms of what kind of stuff was discussed.
The Russian Defense Ministry has come out and said he needs to follow-up on joint U.S.-Russian plan to return refugees to their homes in Syria, various
other reconstruction projects in Syria.
The Defense Ministry has spoken of. Clearly, a topic that was discussed. There's been all sorts of other sort of leaks and allusions and references
that have been made by Russian officials.
But I think what is really interesting that's come out of all of this is a sort of sentencing, which perhaps the Russian president and the U.S.
president. The meeting was not that successful from a Russian point of view.
[15:20:09] I mean, of course, he was on the face of it Vladimir Putin came off as being very dominant. President Trump came off as being much more
deferential or even submissive to his Russian counterpart.
But I think there is a sense here that that may backfire in Russia and they may create a political backlash, is indeed it already is doing in United
States, which would be negative for the interests of Russians.
So, I think there is a bit of reticence here for a sequel for Helsinki two, for another summit, which is why I think Vladimir Putin said in his remarks
earlier today that the conditions have to be right for a meeting to take place.
They just don't want a summit for the sake of it, they want some progress. They want the political atmosphere in United States to be less hostile
before a summit takes place.
JONES: Matthew Chance live for us in Moscow, thank you.
Still to come tonight on the program, North Korea returns what is believed to be the remains of U.S. troops killed in the Korean War. A live report
coming up from Seoul.
Plus, tensions are rising between the U.S. and Turkey. They are arguing over the fate of an American pastor and there are even threats of sanctions
now. The latest ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un appears to have made good on a promise to U.S. President Donald Trump returning what's believed to be the
remains of U.S. troops killed during the Korean War some 65 years ago.
A U.S. Air Force plane carrying an initial 55 cases arrived on Friday morning at Osan Air Base in South Korea after obtaining them in Wonsan,
North Korea. Mr. Trump offered public appreciation for what he calls a great moment for so many families.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT TRUMP: I want to take Chairman Kim for keeping his word. We have many others coming, but I want to thank Chairman Kim in front of the
media for fulfilling a promise that he made to me and I am sure that he will continue to fulfill that promise as they search and search and search.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
JONES: Now Will Ripley has more on this now from the Seoul and joins me now live from the South Korean capital. Will, good to see you. Donald
Trump there saying that Chairman Kim had made good on his promise, but he has set a time, didn't he?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, he has to be relieved because remember it was just one week after the summit in Singapore,
Hannah, that President Trump declared that 200 sets of remains had already been returned. He said that in front of a huge crowd at one of his
rallies.
And of course, that turned out not to be true. More than six weeks, much longer than the Trump administration expected for what they thought was
going to be a relatively straightforward confidence building measure between the U.S. and North Korea.
And it really does underscore, frankly, the difficulty that it's going to be for the Trump administration in future negotiations about more
contentious, more difficult issues such as denuclearization.
[15:25:12] But you know the significance for certainly Korean War families who come here to the Korean Peninsula, you know, thousands of families that
have never had closure more than six decades after the war.
Sons and husbands and fathers who left to fight, never came home and families never knew exactly where they died. At least for 55 of them, if
these remains do turn out to be American, and it will take months if not years to complete the DNA verification process.
This will give them some semblance of closure and this is the first-rate repatriation from North Korea that we've seen in more than a decade. So,
it has to be encouraging for the U.S., but also a bit sobering to realize that it took six weeks to get this done. Just imagine how long the whole
denuclearization process is going to take if it happens.
JONES: If indeed it happens. Will, always good to talk to you. Thanks so much.
Now tensions are on the rise between the U.S. and Turkey over its refusal to release an American pastor. President Trump now threatening large
sections on Turkey as a result of this.
An Israeli official says U.S. President made a deal to help free, this man, Andrew Brunson in exchange for Israel's release of a 27-year-old Texas
woman who have been held in Israel on suspicion of aiding Hamas but was recently released.
Well, Turkey denies the deal. Brunson is being held in a Turkish prison since 2016, was released to house arrest this week, but he is still not
allowed to leave the country. His trial is now ongoing.
Joining me now on the phone is Gulnur Aybet, a senior adviser to the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulnur, thank you so much for
being with us on the line. We understand now that Pastor Andrew Brunson, he is currently on trial.
As I just said he is under house arrest at the moment, but there has been no release. Has Turkey reneged on a deal made with the United States to
ensure the release of this man?
GULNUR AYBET, SENIOR ADVISER TO TURKISH PRESIDENT ERDOGAN (via telephone): First of all, there's been a working group that will establish to address
and resolve the outstanding legal issues between the U.S. and Turkey. This is regarding both the Brunson case and Atilla case, the jailed banker in
the United States.
Nothing has been reached there now. (Inaudible) that's been negotiated has been done under that working group and there has been no such deal as was
reported in this newspaper and our understanding is that there is a lack of coordination between the White House and the State Departments.
Because it seems the White House's remarks came as a surprise to the State Department. Of course, this is none of our business, but this lack of
communication shows that the tweets that were put out by both President Trump and Vice President Pence weren't really part of a well-thought-out
coordinated strategy.
JONES: Yes, but at the same time, there's obviously been, yes, a miscommunication along the lines, that the U.S. is now threatening heavy
sanctions on Turkey as a result of this. So, it does suggest at least that there was at least an assumption on the White House's part that Andrew
Brunson would indeed be released.
AYBET: I mean, where that assumption came from is a mystery. Obviously, like I said, there seems to be a lack of communication somewhere within the
US administration, of course, and we can't really comment on that because that is none of our business.
But, on the other hand, you know, there is a legal process going on with regards to Mr. Brunson. He was released to house arrest by a decision of
the court based on his health condition.
And this was considered a very welcome development by both the U.S. and Turkish leadership. In fact, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo mentioned that
the U.S. welcomed this development. So, you know, there was never any promise made or even any insinuation made that he would be released because
this is an ongoing case.
And you know, the next time that he will appear in court is in October. So, it's impossible in any country to cut short an ongoing case before the
due court appearance and force the judiciary to reach a decision before that.
Anyone with any notion of due process ought to know that. So, I mean, it's a very unrealistic expectation if there was one as such.
JONES: Critics, though, would say that President Erdogan, the Turkish president has now allowed himself sweeping powers to silence dissenters, if
you like, and that Pastor Brunson is just one of the many, many victims of those sweeping powers.
AYBET: Well, no, I mean, the new system actually does have a much more effective separation of powers than the previous one and it's probably the
most civilian constitution that Turkey has ever had.
[15:30:01]
So I completely don't agree with those remarks at all. There is an ongoing legal case and Mr. Brunson has been charged with some very grievous charge
and then they need to be looked at in a very lengthy process, because this is the country that is presently going through a very high in national
security environment, under attack by three separate terrorist groups, both the sector and the general movement and the PKK PYD in Syria across the
border which are helping the PKK attacks within Turkey and also Daesh.
And the United States on the other hand has not been helpful with regards to the extradition of (INAUDIBLE) and which still have an outstanding issue
with the way they are helping the YTG militants across the border. So those two issues also have to be resolved.
JONES: OK. And if it is just miscommunication, then it's got very serious consequences, of course, if indeed United States just go through with its
threat of sanctions.
We do have to leave it there, but we appreciate you discussing this case with us tonight. Gulnur Aybet, thank you.
OK. Still to come on the program, the former cricket superstar who looks like he will be running Pakistan. Hear the thoughts of someone with a very
unique perspective on Imran Khan.
And how a story that hasn't even been published yet is causing CBS the stocks to stumble. Stay with us for more.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: The ongoing news coverage about Russia and Donald Trump appears to be affecting the U.S. president's image in Moscow. You may be surprised to
learn, it's not all that positive for him there. Even after he and Putin seemed to get along so well, of course, at their recent summit. CNN's
Matthew Chance has this report.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's one thing being branded pro- Russian by critics at home. But now even Kremlin-controlled media is slamming Donald Trump for not standing up to Moscow.
It's really odd. You just can't bash your own country especially when you're its president says the host of this Russian current affair show.
Trump blaming U.S. stupidity for bad U.S.-Russian relations makes him smell like a Kremlin agent. His co-anchor adds.
They were discussing the fallout of this, the first one-on-one summit between the U.S. and Russian president in Helsinki earlier this month.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today.
CHANCE: Critics say President Trump was overly deferential even submissive next to Vladimir Putin something the Russian leader himself seem to pick up
on at one point throwing his U.S. counterpart lifeline describing to the media how he had been held to account by the U.S. president.
[15:35:18] VLADIMIR PUTIN, PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA (via translator): President Trump's stance on Crimea is well known and he sticks to it. He speaks
about the illegal annexation of Crimea to the Russian Federation. We have a different point of view.
CHANCE: Looking back on the Helsinki summit, it feels like a milestone on a long path of Russian disillusionment with Donald Trump and a sign of how
President Trump has now seen in Russia. Many here had high hopes that a page could be turned on the strained relations between the two countries.
In reality, President Trump has been unable to deliver that. A fact blamed by both the White House and the Kremlin on the political climate in the
United States.
CHANCE: Still the Russian disappointment with President Trump is palpable. Where ones there was celebration at his election victory there is now only
resignation at what he can really change.
Matthew Chance, CNN Moscow.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: Any politician running for high office is desperate for name recognition. Well, that's one thing that Pakistan's Imran Khan didn't have
to worry about, already idolized as one of the greatest cricketers ever to play the game. He swapped the flamboyant celebrity lifestyle for the world
of populist politics.
And it's a decision that seemed to have paid off. His party has apparently swept to victory after Wednesday's general election. But if you thought
this would be a coronation for a man with legendary sporting status, then think again. Every other party is crying foul alleging ballot rigging.
So, where does this lead the country then? Let's get a unique perspective on all of this. Reham Khan is an author and journalist. And she's also
Imran Khan's ex-wife joins me in the studio now.
Reham, thank you so much for joining us.
REHAM KHAN, EX-WIFE OF IMRAN KHAN, JOURNALIST: Thanks for having me.
JONES: You obviously have had an intimate relationship with Imran Khan through your marriage in the past. The measure of the man. We all know
him as the great cricketer. Can he be a great leader?
KHAN: Well, I think everyone in Pakistan who hasn't known him in an intimate fashion, I think he's been a part of all of our lifestyle the last
40 years. He's been a celebrity, he's got the World Cup home. And some of the failings that we've noticed over the years are the facts that he can be
very -- he seem to be very impulsive and sometimes, very bash.
My view, of course, I have some insight info and the problem is, when you want things very desperately, then the certain compromise that you will
make and suddenly some of the compromisers seen recently in the last few months have been quite shocking.
Now, it doesn't come of a shock to me because I have that little insight. But it has bene shocking to his followers and as an ideological supporter
of his party, because remember, I voted for him in 2013 before I married him, and we've been letdown on several locations. And for example, the
sort of people who have joined the party, they are not exactly anti-status quo. He seems to have collected all status quo. So it's desperation which
is upsetting for us.
JONES: I've heard you mentioned in the past that Imran Khan saw this as his birthright, this becoming prime minister or his political leadership.
You've talked a little bit about the compromises he may have had to make in climbing the ladder. Do you think he's completely compromised his
political integrity and the man that you knew when you married him?
KHAN: Well, you see, when I married him, it was just like an extension of my votes. It was like a personal vote that I believe in you and I'm going
to support the mission. What I saw was exactly what's happening, what everyone seem today. For example, somebody who's obviously very liberal in
his personal life and not his past but his time with me and even until recently for him to use the blasphemy, for him to use the religious -- the
extreme right card. It's not what the party stand for, or at least we didn't think that that is what the party stand -- stood for.
Also, again, the anti-status quo narrative. So his rhetoric doesn't match his actions. For example, we've just seen the speech when he sort of self-
proclaim the (INAUDIBLE) for himself. He settle all the right things. He confined forth with it. But I know that we've seen this so many times
before. The first time that I interviewed him back in 2013. He said that he would convert the (INAUDIBLE) into a library and that the grounds would
be open to women. He promised all of these things of human rights. And in the last five years, we've not been able to get women protection bill
(INAUDIBLE)
JONES: So a lot of the criticism then against him is that he is a military puppet and that he's in the hands of the (INAUDIBLE) as well. Would you
agree with that assessment?
KHAN: I would go a step further and say he is the ideal puppet. Because when you want something so desperately and when you've been repeatedly in
public compromising on ideology and this was a thing with us as well. A lot of people say, why the break-up? What happened? They keep telling him
that it was -- I couldn't compromise on principles. So I couldn't compromise that you talk about anti-corruption, but there are corrupt
people in your party. You talk about there's cronyism in other parties, but what's happening (INAUDIBLE) was disqualified, the Supreme Court is
taking the decision. And you saw him even in the speech that happened yesterday.
[15:40:27] So cronyism, status quo, corruption, he's let us down in so many occasions. And with him being the puppet is just that I feel that he wants
it so desperately that he's going to compromise on a lot of things where Pakistan has moved ahead. So certainly, we don't have that sort of
extremist, religious feeling in Pakistan in 2018.
JONES: You will ask -- there'll be a lot of people who will be watching this and thinking that you perhaps have an axe to grind given how badly he
is your ex-husband as well. Can you not be excited for Pakistan? The fact that it has moved away from this dynasty politics and that suddenly someone
fresh of new ideas?
KHAN: Well, I mean, I would be if didn't know a little bit more. But even if -- even if you just put aside the fact that I have inside and so look at
the facts. So for the last six months, for example. He first puts in a (INAUDIBLE) gang rape in his party and we make a lot of human crimes and he
says, oops, I made a mistake. So even if it isn't -- even if it isn't -- even if it isn't intentional, isn't that lack of competency? I'm sorry,
but I don't take that as an excuse.
Again, the vertical elements as well and we've just seen that he's not in the power yet and he's already on a personal vendetta with people already
appointed. So I'm really worried about the fact that what is he going to stand up for? Is he going to, for example, stand up for women rights? So,
the things that I'm saying are those things that are in the public eye. I'm not talking about the things that I've put in the book, but of course,
in the book, I gave you an insight. For example, if he's selected a candidate that everyone has had a problem, I give you the insight info of
what exactly happened.
I don't have a personal vendetta and I'm not happy for Pakistan, because it's not Imran. If it wasn't Imran, it's actually there would be another
puppet. So for me, Imran is -- the way this -- the rigging has happened has been so blatant to show very clearly who the boss is, and the boss is
neither Imran or any other politician and that's the worry that I have as Pakistani citizen.
JONES: You certainly do have a very unique insight and we appreciate you sharing that with us, Reham. Thank you very much indeed for coming on.
And now, shares in the American network CBS have fallen on reports that the New York Magazine is about to drop an expose on the corporation and its CEO
Les Moonves. Dylan Byers has been following this story for us joins me now from Los Angeles.
Dylan, this story has not even published yet and already the share price is being hit. Tell us more.
DYLAN BYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's absolutely right. So what you have here is you have a pending story from the New Yorker that will have sexual
assault -- sexual harassment allegations against the chairman and CEO of CBS, Leslie Moonves. The problem is, is that none of us know exactly what
those allegations are yet because the New Yorker has not published a piece. So everyone at CBS indeed, everybody in Hollywood and in the greater sort
of media and entertainment industry is sort of waiting on pins and needles.
The latest guidance we have is that this report will be coming out sometime this evening here in the States and then we'll have to wait and see and
that is the attitude right now at CBS. Wait and see. Wait and see what they actually have. It's our understanding that many of the allegations in
here go back several decades. Certainly, there'll be a statement in there from CBS CEO, Les Moonves. There will be a statement in there from CBS
itself. But until it comes out, it's really wait and see.
And meanwhile, CBS shares are taking a hit. They fell down by as much as seven percent, have corrected a little bit to about five percent. But
obviously, it's a potential blow to the company.
JONES: Wait and see, and that's exactly what we will do as well. Dylan, thanks so much for telling us what you know so far. We appreciate it.
Still to come tonight, the longest lunar eclipse of the century coinciding with some other rare celestial events. The latest of this astronomical
story coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[15:45:20] JONES: The longest total lunar eclipse of the century is happening in some parts of the world right now. But here is what makes it
even more special. It is a bloods moon. Sunlight passing through the Earth's atmosphere, lights the moon in a dramatic fashion, turning it red.
This is what it looks like in fast forward and if that weren't enough, Mars will also be the closest to Earth it's ever been in the last 15 years. A
cherry on the top there for stargazers out there.
Unlike a total eclipse, no glasses are required. You can just step outside and enjoy the show. Unless, of course, you're in North America. It will
still be too bright out to see from that part of the world, unfortunately. So, what is responsible for this astronomical trifecta? Meteorologist
Allison Chinchar is with us live to explain also.
Allison, why and how does this blood moon happen?
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: All right. So a lot of people familiar with the concept of solar eclipse. We talked a lot about this
last year. And with the solar eclipse where I am standing is where you would have the moon, but this is different. This is a lunar eclipse. So
you have the sun, then comes the earth, then comes the moon. The earth effectively creating a shadow on the moon.
So here's what you have. You have that partial shadow, that's called the penumbra, OK. And you have that tighter full shadow that takes places.
That's the umbra. Now, also notice too that red hue that the moon takes on. Basically what happens is when that light comes from the sun and
travels over towards it, the blue light undergoes much stronger atmospheric scatterings. So the only color that's really left for us to view on the
moon is that deep red, almost a rust or a blood red color. That's what you're going to see.
As you mentioned, no glasses are absolutely necessary. However, one thing that may hinder is the actual weather. We talked about this and we'll
break it down a little bit further about who actually is going to be in the good zone.
So let's take a closer look at that, for example, OK? Here's a look at the area. Now, the total eclipse itself, this red portion is actually going to
last just about an hour and 45 minutes total time. But when you include the partial eclipse, now you're talking nearly four hours. That's why
we've been talking about this being the longest one of the century. This is key, if you're lucky enough to be in a place where you actually get to
see it.
So let's break down that map and talk about exactly where some of these locations are going to be for some of these areas. Because again, as we
mentioned, not everyone is going to get to see it. Folks in North America, unfortunately, you're not going to be one of them. And really even
portions of South America are not going to get a chance to see some of this.
So let's talk about it, OK? This dark shaded area here, this is the area that is going to see a partial eclipse. We're talking areas of Japan,
China, Russia, stretching down towards Australia. You'll get to see some and you will get to enjoy that beautiful deep red color. You're just not
going to get the total lunar eclipse. Those areas are going to be a little further west. We're talking India. Areas of the Middle East and portions
of Africa as well. That's going to be the prime viewing location.
Now, once you go even further west, portions of western Africa and really much of Europe. Places like Spain, Germany, even around the U.K. and much
of Scandinavia, again, are just going to be in that partial eclipse zone. As well as the portions of extreme eastern South America. You may be able
to see it.
However, just because you may in these zones doesn't mean Mother Nature is going to cooperate. So let's kind of break down some of the cities we've
been talking about here. Cape Town, South Africa, mostly clear skies at max eclipse time, which should be about 10:21 p.m. local time. You are
actually going to have fantastic weather conditions. So if you have the chance, get outside. Enjoy it while you can. Because by the time the
eclipse end, we do expect a lot of extra cloud cover to roll back into the area. So you want to be on earlier end of that to be able to enjoy as much
as the eclipse as possible.
[15:50:24] Abu Dhabi, good visibility, mostly clear skies during the max eclipse and temperature should be just about the mid-30s. The good news of
here, no matter what time you go out, the eclipse should have great fantastic weather conditions. Cairo, Egypt, mostly clear. Looking at max
eclipse time about 10:21 p.m. local time. And again, clear skies all the way from start to finish.
New Delhi, on the other hand, not so much a good location. We have not only cloudy skies to start, but then also the chance for some scattered
showers and thunderstorms on the backend of this as well that will likely hinder visibility.
And also, Hannah, one that we've got rain in the forecast there too, so unfortunately, your best chance is going to be right at the very beginning.
But even then, it's probably going to be at least just a little bit of scared.
JONES: Shame. I was looking forward to it. But anyway, as you said, we've got all the rain now after all the sun here in London. Allison,
thanks so much for explaining it. Appreciate it. Thanks.
And when we come back after the break, it looks like there's some murder plot. Tying that up, stick them in the sack, toss them in the lake, but it
really is one of the strangest world records you'll ever see. That story is coming up in the next few minutes.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: Flower arrangements is deeply raised in Japan's history. And the century's old art is making a comeback, but whether they're following age-
old principles or disrupting tradition artists in Tokyo are experimenting of ways to give flowers new life.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOSHIRO KAWASE, JAPAN'S MOST INFLUENTIAL PRACTITIONERS OF IKEBANA (through translator): I consider flowers to be Gods (INAUDIBLE) the country. In
Japan, all things in nature are worshipped, like flowers.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Toshiro Kawase is one of the country's most influential practitioners of Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement. Born in
Kyoto in 1948. He subscribes to no particular school and is unconcern with mere aesthetics.
KAWASE (through translator): The Japanese have been arranging flowers by continuously drawing portraits of the soul.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With a vigor that belies his 70 years, Kawase bends and shapes the branches, cutting the stems, trimming the leaves and arranging
the plants to create moments of contemplation.
[15:55:00] In the chic Aoyama neighborhood of Tokyo, Makoto Azuma and his team are unpacking the morning shipment of flowers.
MAKOTO AZUMA, JAPANESE FLOWER ARTIST (through translator): Flowers make you think about time. They are living things destined to one day decay and
then disappear. Both the people who work with flowers and those who receive them can't help but be aware of this fact.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: With singular, surgical focus, Azuma creates pieces that blur the lines between bouquet and sculpture, mix in flowers of
different life spans and manners of blooming but all faded to perish in two weeks' time.
Along with his old friend and photographer Shunsuke Shiinoki, Azuma has found a way to grant the flowers a form of everlasting life by freezing
them in acrylic or capturing images of them in extreme conditions like space or the deep sea.
AZUMA (through translator): What kinds of expressions would flowers to have in space? Or if we put them deep in the ocean, how would they move
under water? I wanted to put flowers in severe circumstances to see how they look and to pursue a new kind of beauty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: And finally on this Friday edition of the show, congratulations for 64-year-old Bulgarian man named Yane Petkov. He has set a world record by
swimming 3.3 kilometers. NO great feat, you might think but he did it tied up in a sack. Yes. Tied up swimming. Apparently a recognized thing. And
he could even set a world record for doing it. Well, to you. Petkov who is a life guard when he's not swimming around in a sack. It broke the
record hailed by a man from India who has swum three kilometers with his hands and feet bound, but not while in a sack.
Apparently, the sack part of it just not affects whether or not you get the record. But of course begs the question, why? Why do it? But anyway,
many congratulations to him.
Thank you also for watching tonight. I'm Hannah Vaughan Jones in London for you. Stay with us here on CNN "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is of course
coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
