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Trump's Non-Apologetic Apology; Russia Considers Helsinki Summit to be a Super Success; Thai Boys Finally Going Home; British Prime Minister Faces Grilling Over Exit Strategy; Sanni Plans to Sue MP and Prime Minister for Outing Him; EU Slaps Google with Record $5 Billion Fine; Mbappe to Donate World Cup Winnings to Children's Charity. Aired 11-12p ET
Aired July 18, 2018 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I said the word would instead of wouldn't. I think that probably clarifies things.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Except it's clearing up exactly nothing. A non- apology, a non-retraction, a non-explanation, and so to many nonsense. A grammatical tweak doing nothing. Right ahead we're on the ground in
Washington and in Moscow as Donald Trump fights his Russia problem. Then - -
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THAI BOY RESESCUED FROM CAVE (through translator): I thought this was really a miracle. I didn't know how to respond to that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: From tragedy to miracle. The Thai boys and their coach telling the world what happened in their own words. We'll have all of that for you
tonight. Plus, they'll kick, they'll scream, they'll call her every name under the sun, but nobody actually really seems to want her job. The
latest on Brexit this hour.
We are connecting all that and more for you this hour. Welcome to CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson in Abu Dhabi where it is 7:00 in the
evening. A packed show for you this hour. And sorry seems to be the hardest word in many of our stories today as you will see with the U.S.
President deciding to avoid the word altogether as his White House wrestles with the blow back from comments in Helsinki. Where his apparent siding
with Vladimir Putin rather than his intelligence community -- when it came to Russian's rolling the attack of the election -- prompted outrage at home
and abroad in fact. So, what's the damage control framing. Well, a qualified reiteration of support for his intel chief's conclusion. Have a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place. Could be other people also.
There's a lot of people out there.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And there was also a mea culpa for Mr. Trump framed as misspeaking.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: In a key sentence in my remarks I said the word would instead of wouldn't. The sentence should have been, I don't see any reason why I
wouldn't or why it wouldn't be Russia. So just to repeat it, I said the word would instead of wouldn't.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, both explanations satisfied few of his critics, and prompted the now familiar rash of mocking social media posts. More on
those just ahead.
But the commander-in-chief was back on the metaphorical war path with his favorite weapon this morning tweeting just hours ago. So many people at
the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki. He continued by saying that there were, quote, big results to
come and this. Some people hate the fact that I got along so well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this.
It's called Trump derangement syndrome. And there's that exclamation mark he loves so much. Abbey Phillip is in Washington. Sunlen Serfaty is on
Capitol Hill and Sam Kiley's in Moscow for us. Abbey, help us sort the facts from the furor, if you will.
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, if it were only so easy as changing one word out of the President's comments at that press
conference with Putin on Monday, then all of this probably would never have happened. But the White House was scrambling yesterday to figure out how
to roll this back, in part out of fear that this would simply get out of hand. The President was taking criticism from both Republicans and
Democrats, from allies and foes alike here in Washington.
The President said yesterday to reporters that he meant to say he wouldn't have any reason to believe that it wasn't Russia, but the President's
comments at the press conference with Putin were much more expansive than that. He called into question some of the key findings of the intelligence
community assessment. He was asked about who he trusted, whether it was U.S. intelligence or Russia and he seemed to equate both of them. He also
declined to take an opportunity to criticize Vladimir Putin or at least reprimand him in the context of that press conference.
So, Becky, very few people really taking this walk back for what it is. But as you pointed out this morning, the President has been trying to put
forward his own narrative about this summit.
[11:05:00] Saying that it was a roaring success and that he achieved a lot for the world, but we have to wait to see what that might be.
ANDERSON: Let's take a look at this through the prism of the Kremlin, if you would.
SAM KILEY, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, here in Russia it's been a period of sort of unmitigated joy turning to incredulity rather
mirroring what's been going on in Washington. If you take the leading Russian TV stations' daily panel political chat show called "60 Minutes" --
much like the American equivalent -- this was a show last night that had openly -- began to openly wonder whether or not Mr. Trump was, indeed, a
Kremlin agent. Something that is pretty inconceivable that would be allowed to go on without a bit of a government nudge and wink or approval.
Nobody's been arrested since they said it. But let's take a look at the exchange. Because by Russian standards pretty extraordinary to speculate
whether or not Vladimir Putin, former head of the KGB, was actually running the U.S. President. This is how it played out last night, Becky.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translator): America is to blame for the deterioration relations. He wrote this on Twitter even before the meeting.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translator): Look, it's really strange. He's the President of that exact country. How can he say that? It's really
odd.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translator): Well, you can't bash your own country especially when you're its president.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (through translator): Well, yes, especially when he says that because of the foolishness and stupidity of the United States we
have bad Russian/American relations. This smells like he is a Kremlin agent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KILEY: Smells like a Kremlin agent. If it walks like one, talks like one, perhaps it is one is the implication coming across from that host of "60
Minutes," Becky. It's not the sort of thing I imagine you would say without evidence. I'm not suggesting they've got any evidence at all, but
it does show the extent really of contempt now being shown for the U.S. President here in Russia.
Now we shouldn't be surprised by that. Russia and the United States are bitter rivals up until this rapprochement between the two Presidents, the
two countries were bitterly, bitterly divided and very, very cold relations over the -- for example, illegal occupation of Crimea, destabilization of
Ukraine and atrocities in Syria and of course, the allegations against the Americans that they've been trying to undermine the Putin administration
over the years -- Becky.
ANDERSON: Stand by, Sam. I want to get to Sunlen here. Twitter, of course, all over this story. After all, it is the President's favorite
platform for official statements. This one frankly speaks for itself. Another with a playful twist. The beloved "Toy Story" hero Woody being
renamed "Woodnty". But while Twitter can't get enough of it, what are the lawmakers where you are doing about all of this?
SUNLEN SERFATY, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, some as far, Becky, and not much. That's actually something very concrete. We have certainly
heard a lot of outrage from many Democrats and many Republicans up here on Capitol Hill criticizing President Trump for his performance in Helsinki.
But what that amounts to up here is a lot of vocalizing this disapproval but not a lot of action yet.
There are many proposals that have been talked about in the last 48 hours up here on Capitol Hill from lawmakers on how they can potentially push
back on President Trump coming from both Democrats and Republicans, but at this time it's hard to see what will actually break through from Democrats.
You have some like Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Shaheen, saying look we need President Trump's translator from that meeting in Helsinki to come up here
on Capitol Hill and testify. Other saying, we at least need at the very least the notes coming from the translator of that meeting.
There are other proposals like resolutions to embrace the intelligent community. That falls short of actually being a bill that has any teeth,
so to speak. You also have one proposal from Senator Marco Rubio that seems to be what many Republicans are rally be behind that would impose
sanctions for any country that they find out medals in U.S. elections.
We heard from Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, yesterday. And he seemed to indicate that could be the direction they are pushing towards.
And certainly, we've heard from Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, over in the House that potentially if additional sanctions are needed that they
could consider that. But as of now, Becky, nothing actionable, nothing concrete. You have a lot of proposals but uncertain what, if any, will be
actually be cleared up here on Capitol Hill.
ANDERSON: So, discussions on the Hill, Sam, suggesting that words do matter.
[11:10:00] And so, does the record of them although nothing being done as of yet. What looks like a further gaffe, the official White House
transcripts of the remarks by Mr. Putin and Trump, omits part of a journalist's question. Where he asked the Russian leader whether he wanted
Mr. Trump to win and did Putin order election meddling. Instead the question is transcribed like this.
And did you direct any of your officials to help him do that?
With President Putin replying transcribed as follows, yes, I did. Yes, I did, because he talked about bringing the U.S./Russia relationship back to
normal.
An unfortunate mistake at this time. An article in the "Atlantic" detailed some audio issues at the time. Worth noting though, Sam, the exchange is
absent altogether from the Kremlin transcript. Be all of this as it may, is it yet clear what was agreed. Sorry. Go on.
KILEY: Well, I think -- sorry to interrupt there, Becky. I think that there has been very hard to interpret these things. There's no suggestion
about some secret agreement being made. I think what Putin was doing there, it's not uncommon for him to use sarcasm as humor to try to pop
issues, particularly if they're getting quite close to issues that he finds uncomfortable. In all of these meetings and if you look back at a lot of
the things that Putin has said, he's never really denied that Russians in the broadest sense of the word, whether they be Russian hackers, that he
wants described as artists responding to a nationalistic desire to help mother Russia. Through to hints that other people may have done it.
He's never really denied that there was Russian efforts to influence the political landscape over the 2016 elections. And I think in this case he's
sort of saying -- trying to say anyway using sarcasm as humor, yes, you're OK, so we did it because he was in favor of us. I don't know that there
should be over interpretation of that but, you know, again, I would or wouldn't go down that road.
ANDERSON: Thank you, Sam. Nicely done. Sam's in Moscow. Sunlen is on the Hill. To both of you, thank you.
Well, Mr. Trump defined on his NATO trip you will remember repeating that it was a success and in an interview with Fox News calling into question
the logic of the alliance's principle of collective defense where an attack on one member, of course, is an attack on all.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TUCKER CARLSON, FOX NEWS, TUCKER CARLSON TONIGHT: Why should my son go to Montenegro to defend it from an attack?
TRUMP: I understand what you're saying. I asked the same question. Montenegro is a tiny country with very strong people.
TUCKER: Yes, I'm not against Montenegro or Albania.
TRUMP: Right, No, by the way, they're very strong people. They have very aggressive people. They may get aggressive and congratulations, you're in
World War III. Now I understand that. But that's the way it was set up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So, President's still bullish despite the battering that he's had amid all the outtakes and the headlines. We've yet to hear much about
what was actually discussed or agreed on at the summit. Did the deal maker in chief seal anything in Europe? And will his apology of sorts calm the
storm long enough for us to find out? To answer that question or at least try, I'm joined now by CNN's military and diplomatic analyst John Kirby.
What do you make of all of this? And is it clear at this point whether anything of substance was agreed upon?
JOHN KIRBY, CNN MILITARY AND DIPLOMATIC ANALYST: No, it's not clear right now that anything of substance was agreed upon. However, Becky, we can get
a couple of hints by the way the Russian foreign ministry reacted yesterday. You may have seen them put out a tweet saying that they are
ready now to begin discussions and dialogues with the United States military over ways in which we can cooperate better, and they specifically
mentioned Syria.
So, it is entirely possible that in that meeting with Putin, Trump agreed to some sort of pathway forward in Syria. Now we know the administration
wants to get Iranian influence out of Syria. We know that Trump has said he wants to pull U.S. troops out of Syria. Maybe there was some sort of
bargain struck with the Russians on that. Because the Russians would like nothing better than for the United States to leave Syria. So, we'll have
to see.
But it's not very clear right now what was agreed upon. I will tell you sitting there -- I was in Helsinki and watching that press conference. My
first reaction was U.S. national security was hurt and damaged by the President's obsequiousness in his deference to Putin and his failure to
really challenge President Putin. Not just on election interference but on a whole scope of other issues for the public to see.
[11:15:00] ANDERSON: And we thought it had been a car crash when the U.S. President left the NATO meeting, of course, which was just three or four
days before that. This is what defense spending of selected NATO members looks like. Because this is a big bugbear, wasn't it, for the U.S.
President. Who says that NATO in the end was a very successful summit because he got people to spend more. The U.S. spending 3.5 percent. For
other members are meeting their 2 percent commitment already. The rest like France and Germany are not. And that was the point that he was
making. So, we have the world's largest arms exporter urging allies to spend more on their military, likely from the U.S. Is this just a salesman
president at work, this transactional president? An honest broker you could or might say.
KIRBY: No, I wouldn't call him an honest broker, but I do think you're right, Becky, in saying, transactional. He does tend to look at foreign
policy and defense policy as win, lose, very transactional. Up, down, and that kind of thing. And he is fixated on this percent GDP on defense
spending as a measure of the willingness of allies to pony up to the support that they get from the United States. He looks at NATO as sort of
this like a deal. And he talks about the United States protecting Europe. Well, yes, we do contribute more to NATO than any other nation but it's not
about us protecting Europe. NATO actually protects us. Article 5 has only been inculcated once and that was in defense of the United States after
9/11.
And he also fundamentally misunderstands the Wales Agreement from 2014. They have these nations until 2024 to get to at least 2 percent. They
could exceed it. He fails to recognize that three more nations, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania will all reach that goal this year. And while he
took all the credit that he wanted for expanding millions, billions being poured in, of course, that's not the way it works. Right? You don't pour
money into NATO, you basically ascribe money to your defense spending.
And what he also missed -- and this to me is the most important thing, Becky, is that NATO has been transforming for the last four to five years.
I was involved in that myself at the Defense Department and the State Department and they are not just -- it's not just about more money, Becky,
it's about more capabilities. They are deploying out of area. They are still in Afghanistan. And they are trying to develop better capabilities
for the modern types of threats that we're facing. It's not just about defense spending.
ANDERSON: Yes, I understand. John, there has been criticism of what Trump supporters at least see as a hysterical and over the top media coverage of
all of this. Here's one headline after the Helsinki meeting. Putin's attack on the U.S. is the country's modern-day Pearl Harbor.
And that quite frankly you can say was the least of the criticisms. I just wonder whether you think this kind of coverage is helpful to our
understanding of the situation. It doesn't seem very factual.
KIRBY: So, I think that he deserved the criticism he got for his disgraceful performance in Helsinki. And I have been as measured as I can
be, but even I said on air that in my view on that day our commander-in- chief was a disgrace. And he did set back our national security. So, I think he deserved the criticism that he got for the damage that he could
have done and might actually have done to our national security.
But Becky, I take your point and it's a good one. As we analyze what he's doing and what he's saying, because both are important, as President of the
United States, we need to do so in a measured tone based on facts. And provide the proper context around it because we run the risk if we over
react of playing right into his hands. And right into the hands of his supporters who immediately just decry fake news. And every time he's
criticized he only gets that much more popular with his base. So, what we've got to do is try to find a way to explain the context around these
decisions in a way that his base can understand for themselves. The very damage that he's doing.
ANDERSON: Just as I'm listening to you, you could have been explaining what we should be should be doing. What the West and the media in the West
might be doing around President Putin as well. An odd juxtaposition I have to say in 2018. John, thank you for joining us.
KIRBY: Yes.
ANDERSON: Well, as if President Trump's comments Tuesday didn't attract enough attention, one more statement he made has caused a bit of a stir.
Mr. Trump said during his visit, the Queen, quote, a terrific person. Reviewed her honor guard for the first time in 70 years.
That is not correct. That is not factual. That is not even close. The Queen has actually reviewed her honor guard regularly during her 66 years
on the throne. Just thought we fact check that one for you.
While the current President makes waves, a former U.S. President speaking out on his tour of Africa. Barack Obama says he's fed up.
[11:20:00] Speaking to a group of young Africans leaders in Johannesburg He explained the source of his recent frustrations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Women in particular, by the way, I want you to get more involved. Because men have been getting
on my nerves lately. I mean, I just -- every day I read the newspaper and I just think, brothers, what's wrong with you guys? I mean, what's wrong
with us? I mean, we're violent. We're bullying. You know, just not handling our business.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Barack Obama.
Well, enough of politics. Still to come, their stunning rescue caught the world's attention, yours and mine. Well now the young Thai football team
and their coach speaking out about what was their harrowing experience. The latest from Chiang Rai in Thailand. Up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, RESCUER OF THAI SOCCER TEAM: How many of you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: After more than two weeks trapped in a flooded cave and another week in the hospital the young Thai football team there are finally headed
home. Earlier we saw the 12 boys and coach leave the hospital in Chiang Rai looking remarkably healthy. The group then walked into a news
conference wearing matching jerseys and with footballs in hand. Asia correspondent, Jonathan Miller, joining us from Chiang Rai in Thailand.
What did they say, Jonathan?
JONATHAN MILLER, ASIA CORRESPONDENT: Well, Becky, we couldn't imagine this moment a couple of weeks ago when they could have all gone so very badly
wrong. But tonight, the wild boars are out of hospital, alive, and kicking and recounting this extraordinary ordeal they've all been through.
We've heard moving stories about how they had learned about the death of the Thai Navy SEAL and they paid tribute to him, the youngest and smallest
of the boys, very moving little tribute to him. We've heard many tales about what went on down there and the first boy to speak tonight was a
Christian ethnic Burmese tribal boy called Adul Sam-on.
[11:25:03] Who was the one who spoke English in that clip that we saw of the divers when they first entered the cave and he described that magic
moment when he first realized that they had been rescued.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ADUL SAM-ON, RESCUED BOY FROM CAVE (through translator): I said, hello. At first, I thought, they're Thai. They must be officers. It turned out
they're not. So, when they got out from the water, I was a bit surprised. So, I just greet them. I thought this really miracle and I didn't know
what to respond to them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MILLER: Well, among the tales of real camaraderie and survival here that we heard tonight, you know, the boys were talking about when they realized
that they were first trapped and how they tried to swim out and realized the exit was blocked. And they finally found this muddy ledge to shelter
on and the water level kept on rising. You can only imagine how terrifying that must have been.
They apologized to their moms and dads profusely and some of them said how mad they thought their moms and dads would be at them for having gone down
there in the first place. But you know, those moms and dads who've been at the hospital this past week or so have just shown such relief and love for
those children and tonight finally will be receiving them home.
They have surprises for them, presents, favorite dinners, redecorated rooms, brothers and sisters and then after all of that the boys will be
heading off on holiday. Altogether they are taking a vacation elsewhere in Thailand. And I think this is a good thing, Becky, because, you know, some
of the child psychologists have been slightly weary of the Thai doctors' determination that the boys are completely fit and mentally healthy.
Because they've looked at the state of those Chilean miners who were rescued eight years ago. These were men used to being underground and many
years on so many of them are still manifesting signs of post-traumatic stress. So, there still wary that those boys could yet succumb to anxiety
or depression or some of these symptoms of PTSD.
ANDERSON: Yes, let's hope not. But a very good point that you're making there as we watch video of these kids knocking the ball about. It's
absolutely wonderful. A very ardent, surreal element to what has been this rather amazing story, Jonathan. The CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, Elon Musk,
apologizing for suggesting that one of the rescue divers, Vern Unsworth, was a pedophile. These comments came after Unsworth said Musk's effort to
bring a small submarine to rescue the 12 boys was a publicity stunt. Today Musk tweeting an apology, well doesn't exactly seem full on. How is all of
that playing out where you are, if at all?
MILLER: well, Vernon Unsworth does not appear to be on Twitter. But we've checked with his family tonight. He's actually flying back from Bangkok
tomorrow to the U.K. where he spends some of his time. This is a man, he wasn't a diver but he's a caver and he lives part of the year in north
Thailand here and is -- and it's his maps of that cave which were the basis of the rescue effort. And so, when he was interviewed the other day by CNN
and he suggested that Vernon -- sorry, that Elon Musk's mini submarine be used in some sexual capacity because it was a completely useless device,
too rigid and a PR stunt.
This is when Elon Musk sort of laid into him in the manner you described. And I've got the tweet that Musk put out today. He said, his actions
against me do not justify my actions against him and for that I apologize to Mr. Unsworth. The fault is mine and mine alone. So, he thinks that
he's settled it. But it may be settled in court for all we know. Because Vernon Unsworth wouldn't comment to CNN tonight when we approached him for
a reaction to this apology and it may yet go further.
ANDERSON: All right. Jonathan, thank you. It's been some weeks that we have now been talking about this case. It's just wonderful to have got to
where we have today with the images that we've seen. Tremendous, thanks, mate.
[11:30:00] Now you can learn more about the Thai football team and their daring rescue at CNN.com. "FROM TRAGEDY TO MIRACLE", this is, you know,
this is an incredible story that has captured the attention of the world. Check it out, CNN.com, "FROM TRAGEDY TO MIRACLE".
Just ahead, one of the biggest pro Brexit voice has explained why he resigned from Theresa May's cabinet and why he thinks Brexit doesn't have
to be so difficult.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Welcome back. Quick reminder of our top story this hour. The U.S. President says he accepts his own country's intelligence on Russian
election meddling sort of and he misspoke he says, during his press conference with Vladimir Putin, sort of, he says. And that clarification
satisfied critics, or sort of not. Today President Trump continues to defend his performance in Helsinki tweeting that it was loved by many
people at the higher ends of intelligence. And those complaining are haters who wanted to see a boxing match.
To the thorn in Theresa May's side now that is Brexit. Earlier today the British Prime Minister faced her last question time before the summer
break. And she was attacked by both Labour and members of her own Conservative Party about her plans to get out of the EU.
[11:35:00] (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDREA JENKYNS, CONSERVATIVE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: Did the prime minister inform the house at what point it was decided that Brexit means remain?
JOHN BEROW, SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: Prime minister.
THERESA MAY, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: Can I say to honorable friend. At absolutely no point because Brexit continues to mean Brexit. And I could
say to my honorable friend, I know that she wants us to talk about the positives of Brexit and I agree with her. I think what we need is a
solution that is going to work for the United Kingdom and sure we leave the European Union and embrace that bright future that we both agree.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well that question from one of her own. Now these cross-party attacks on the Prime Minister becoming rather predictable at the Palace of Westminster
these days. Let's get more from CNN's Bianca Nobilo. Who is just outside those hallowed halls. And just when you thought that she'd run out of
critics today, the tussle haired former foreign secretary stood up to condemn if not her, at least her Brexit plan, that being Boris Johnson.
Did we just hear the launch of a bid to topple the British Prime Minister by Mr. Johnson today?
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN WESTMINSTER: Well, Becky, we didn't hear the starting gun being fired, but I think it's a little more complicated than that. So,
on the surface Boris Johnson by his standards delivered an incredibly measured speech. He's a huge fan of rhetorical flourish and over-the-top
language. He studied rhetoric and he really indulges in it most of the time when he speaks. And he's got a reputation for not taking himself too
seriously. There are plenty of incidences for when he was London mayor that come to mind.
But today the speech was very measured. As you mentioned he didn't attack the Prime Minister personally. In fact, he praised her courage and her
resilience. But he did lay into her Brexit strategy. Basically, saying that she reneged of the promises of her Lancaster House speech. Which set
out a fairly hard Brexit. But he did say Brexit could be salvaged. Let's take a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BORIS JOHNSON, FORMER BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: It is not too late to save Brexit. We have time in these negotiations. We have changed tack
once and we can change again. The problem is not that we failed to make the case for a free trade agreement of the kind spelled out in Lancaster
House, we haven't even tried.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
NOBILO: That was his main point, that there was still cause for optimism. That enough of an attempt hadn't been made to steer Britain down the course
to a hard Brexit where it would be fully independent. Now to come back to a question, Becky, it didn't sound like a leadership bid. As we said, no
personal attacks against the Prime Minister. It was very calm and controlled but that is precisely why I think it is actually the beginning
of an oblique leadership campaign.
Because the chief criticism of Boris Johnson is always levered when he's mentioned as a possible leader of the Conservative Party, is the fact that
he's not a serious enough contender. He doesn't have the statesman-ly quality. He isn't considered, he isn't cautious enough. Well, this was
one of the first speeches that we've heard of his where he seemed to prove that he was, in fact, all of those things. So, watch this space, Becky. I
really think precisely the fact that it didn't seem like a leadership bid is exactly why it might be.
ANDERSON: Very good point. Bianca, thank you.
All this Brexit unrest comes in the wake of an explosive finding from the U.K. Electoral Commission that the Vote Leave campaign violated election
laws. In the final weeks of June of 2016, Vote Leave was running up against its spending limit so according to the commission it transferred
more than 600,000 pounds, just under $1 million to a small organization called BeLeave. Much of that money ended up going to a Canadian data
analytics firm. One major reasons this scheme was discovered was a man named Shahmir Sanni. He was a volunteer for both Vote Leave and BeLeave.
He knew about the money being funneled between the groups and he blew the whistle on it. He joins me live from our London bureau. Briefly describe
why you got involved in the first place, your role and why you blew the whistle.
SHAHMIR SANNI, VOTE LEAVE WHISTLEBLOWER: Well, I started off the Vote Leave as a volunteer. And then within Vote Leave they had a multitude of
outreach groups which were created to target specific demographics to increase the chances of people voting leave, standard campaign practice and
BeLeave was one of them.
[11:40:00] So, I started volunteering for Vote Leave within Vote Leave for BeLeave. By the end of the campaign BeLeave had become a separate --
through the advice of lawyers and the senior staff, two volunteers, Darren Grins and myself, set up BeLeave as a separate organization. And after
that we received 625,000 pounds to give directly to AIQ. And obviously at the time we didn't know that it was illegal because we were being advised
by lawyers. It was only through my own self-reflection that I came to terms with the fact that actually this went against electoral law and I
came forward.
ANDERSON: All right, I know you're raising money on the internet to help fund your lawsuit against Prime Minister May's government. I want you to
explain why. I know that so far, you've raised more than 36,000 pounds via crowd funding for your lawsuit. What do you hope that that will prove? I
want to talk about Brexit and the outcome or the fallout from your whistleblowing shortly. We just want you to answer that first question if
you will.
SANNI: Well, when I came forward -- Number Ten released the press release saying that I had essentially come forward with the information because I
was a bitter boyfriend of one of the political advisors to the Prime Minister. In fact, the political adviser wasn't the only person that I
told the electoral commission and authorities about. It was a number of people. Including Vote Leave as an entire organization. Now, Number Ten
used my sexuality as a weapon to intimidate and silence me and deter the story. And they called my allegations just that, allegations.
But now they've been proven by the electoral commission to be fact. And the reason why it's important is because it's this entire issue goes to the
heart of Number Ten. Boris Johnson, for example, called my allegations ludicrous and said that Vote Leave had acted totally legally and now we
know that that's entirely not true. So, we really need to be asking questions as to how much did Number Ten know? How much did Boris know?
And how much did cabinet ministers that were involved with Vote Leave know about this, the breaking of the law.
ANDERSON: I mean, some people will say, well, we're talking about less than $1 million, 700,000 quid, but it broke the law and that is what the
electoral commission has deemed. Now a political cartoon from the esteemed "Times" newspaper shows Theresa May being poked and prodded towards a
second referendum and a very risky looking path there.
Do you want to provoke that, another vote, another referendum? Because it would be extremely difficult to prove that this over spend by the leave
campaign actually tipped the vote in favor of Brexit. So, I wonder if you are provoking the idea of a new referendum, where would that get Britain?
SANNI: Well, one, it doesn't matter whether it would have tipped the referendum this way or the other. All we know is that it could have gone
the other way if the law had not been broken. Secondly, this isn't another referendum. This is a first referendum without the breaking of the law.
That any argument against -- if we go through with Brexit, I mean I find it surreal that there are MPs arguing for this current Brexit process when we
know the first referendum was totally based on the breaking of the law. That's not how democracy works. In this country democracy is based on
following the law. Our campaigns and our elections are based on following the law. That is the core and foundation of democracy. And if our
referendum was not based on the law, then it is not a democratic referendum.
ANDERSON: We don't normally do this as Brits. We don't normally ask people how they vote but given that you were campaigning for the U.K. to
leave the EU, I have to assume you would have vote leave the first time.
SANNI: Yes.
ANDERSON: Would you vote to remain?
SANNI: No.
ANDERSON: Would there or should there be another referendum?
SANNI: No. Because the whole point of why I've done this is because I voted leave because I believe in sovereignty and democracy. It's why many
people voted leave. They voted leave because they wanted to have their own rules. They wanted to take control. But the facts of the matter are that
this government, including cabinet ministers and former cabinet ministers like Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Priti Patel, among many others are
complicit in referendum that broke the law. So, there's really no question about it. You're either for the law or you're for what? Like breaking the
law.
ANDERSON: Shahmir, thank you for coming on. Shahmir Sanni with us on the show today. That's an important story and one that we should not forget
within the context, the wider context of this whole Brexit debate that is going on and paralyzing British politics at present. British people I'm
sure are completely fed up with it.
[11:45:00] Live from Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD. Coming up, the European Union has slapped Google with a massive fine. Find out why the
search engine is in hot water. That's next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Well, in the past 24 hours I will wager you that you have googled something. The powerful search engine dominates the search space.
Doesn't it? But now the European Union says that dominance was void in part by anticompetitive behavior. And Google has been slapped with a
massive fine, $5 billion to be exact. That is a lot of zeroes. Well, Google says they will appeal that decision. CNN's Anna Stewart following
the story from London. And Anna, massive fine here. Why is Google in so much trouble? And just how damaging is this for the company?
ANNA STEWART CNN LONDON: Massive fine, Becky, $5 billion. Actually, something like 40 percent of its annual profits. And I was tickled this
morning when I actually googled what Google's market share is and I can tell you that some 80 percent of consumers in Europe and all around the
world use androids. So that is a huge dominant market leader. That in itself is not illegal. What the EU has said is illegal, is the fact that
it's not allowing competitors in. Here's what the Competition Commissioner had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARGRETHE WESTAGER, EUROPEAN COMPETITION COMMISSIONER: Today the commission has decided to fine google 4.34 billion euros for breaching EU
antitrust rules. Google has engaged in illegal practices to cement its dominant market position in internet search. It must put an effective end
to this content within 90 days or face penalty payments.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STEWART: And those penalties are pretty hefty as well, Becky. About 5 percent, apparently, of worldwide turnover based on each day. So that
would be pretty hefty. It's got a lot to change in 90 days. It's all of its contractual agreements with mobile operators, with phone makers,
unbundling its App Store from its apps. It's got a lot to do in 90 days. Google is of course refusing all of this. And has already set its appeal.
It didn't take long. It was kind of hit the appeal button straightaway. So, another big fine and another appeal for Google.
ANDERSON: And an awful lot of money for a lot of lawyers out there. Well done, thank you, Anna.
Up next on CONNECT THE WORLD, a visit to a World Cup stars hometown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NABIL LARBI, MBAPPE FAMILY FRIEND: His father is from Cameroon. His mother is from Algeria and he's a mix of that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: And why his neighbors think that adds up to a champion on and off the pitch.
[11:50:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Earlier this week hundreds of thousands of screaming French fans packed the Champs-Elysees to welcome home their World Cup heroes. The
crowd chanted, we are the champions, while hoping for a glimpse of the glorious Les Bleus. The center of the hero worship 19-year-old Kylian
MBappe. He is the second teenager to ever score in the World Cup final. Part of his reward, a welcome to the club from predecessor Pele. Melissa
Bell goes to Mbappe's hometown to see how they feel about the local son turned global superstar.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MELISSA BELL, CNN PARIS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The party on the Champs-Eysees may be over, but the town of Bunde still has a definite
spring in its step. Pictures of its most famous son Kylian Mbappe are everywhere. Including on the stadium where as a boy he took his first
footballing steps. Nabil Larbi is a family friend.
NABIL LARBI, MBAPPE FAMILY FRIEND: Kylian is our son. He's Bunde's son, you know. Mbappe is a pure product in Bunde. We can say that because
Mbappe is from a mixed family. His father is from Cameroon, his mother is from Algeria and he's a mix of that. And this is the image of Bunde and
the image of the French team. So, for somebody who doesn't know suburbs, he can imagine only bad things, drugs, violence and so on. But for the
real people who lives in suburbs, all the contrary. We have in Bunde all the religion, all the countries here, living here. So, we learn.
BELL: For all those who knew a young Mbappe including his childhood friends Hasan and Rayanne, he was remarkable for both his kindness and for
his talent.
RAYANNE MEZOUAR, MBAPPE CHILDHOOD FRIEND (through translator): He tries to represent Bunde as the place he came from. He hasn't forgotten his
beginnings, where he lived. He's kept contact with everyone. He could have cut ties to hang out with people high up, but he stayed humble.
BELL: His friends also believe that his father, Wilfried, who was also their coach was critical to MBappe's development as a footballer and as a
man. Wilfried MBappe seen here at the Elysees with his younger son, Ethan, on the night of the World Cup celebration, is known in Bunde for his
charitable work. And in that his son has followed in his footsteps promising to give his winnings from the World Cup to charity and helping a
group of school children from Bunde to come to Moscow for the World Cup.
[11:55:00] They're now back home. But they have gained one crucial insight from watching one of their own do so well.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everything is possible.
BELL (on camera): And Kylian Mbappe has already given back to his hometown in so many ways when he inaugurated this facility last year. He explained
that in his day the nets had been torn and the pitch damaged. Now he wanted to encourage the next generation to dare to dream. Melissa Bell,
CNN, Bunde.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: What a good lad he is. And remember to come join us on social media. We are up on Facebook. Facebook.com/CNNConnect. You can always
catch me on Twitter as well, that's @BeckyCNN. I'm Becky Anderson. That was CONNECT THE WORLD. From the team working with me here in the UAE, it
is a very good evening. We leave you with video of a man found with $15,000 of unpaid toll violations in the back of his car. We've all been
there heavenly. Good night.
END
