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President Donald Trump on State Visit to the U.K.; Trump in Britain for Three-Day State Visit; Trump Meets with British Prime Minister May on Tuesday; Congress Resumes with Impeachment Question Looming; Public Impeachment Support Up Slightly to 41 Percent; Trump on Meghan Markle, "I Didn't Know That She was Nasty"; Kushner Casts Doubt on Palestinians' Ability to Self-Govern; Pompeo Manages Peace Plan Expectations. Aired 11a- 12p ET
Aired June 03, 2019 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: We continue our breaking news coverage of the state visit to the United Kingdom by President Donald Trump and you
see him there exiting Westminster Abbey just a few minutes ago. He laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown warrior. He's on his way with the first
lady to Clarence House where he'll be taking tea with Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, the Duchess of Cornwall as well. We understand Prince
Harry will be there as well.
Just a few moments ago after the first portion of that visit to Westminster Abbey we caught a glimpse of Ivanka Trump, the President's daughter and
advisor and Jared Kushner, her husband. Well we have to informed minds here in the U.S. and the U.K. in U.S. and U.K. politics for you. Our White
House reporter, Kate Bennett, Bianca Nobilo on the U.K. angle. So Kate, talk to me a little bit about -- because you cover the first lady. She has
a role in all of this, a ceremonial role. But this after all is a ceremonial day, so it's important.
KATE BENNETT, CNN WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: This is sort of her wheelhouse, right. This is the stuff that the first lady of the United States, a job
that has no job description, nor salary, nor defined sort of role in specifics. She is the de facto representative. She's a part of the first
couple. So this is very much where Melania Trump excels. She's very private. She's very reclusive. We don't hear from her a lot. But these
moments on the global stage are sort of her time to shine. Clearly, she has planned her outfit. This hat was custom-made. It doesn't happen
overnight.
And she's also been in charge -- she's going to be in charge of tomorrow night's dinner, reciprocal dinner, at the ambassador's residence. And
certainly, she's actively involved in a lot of the planning. The Trump children, the adult Trump children will be at both dinners. That was sort
a from what I understand a last-minute addition, sort of late in the game for the Trump kids to be there. We don't see them a lot in Washington.
It's not as though Tiffany Trump is having dinner over at dad's house.
GORANI: And Kate, just jumping in. These are live images from outside Clarence House and you can see the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles as
well. They are waiting for the presidential motorcade to arrive and this is where this teatime will happen, Bianca, between the two couples, Prince
Charles. But also Prince Harry if he's there. It's an important passing of the baton as far as Prince Charles is concern. First you saw him
reviewing the guard there at Buckingham Palace rather than his mother the Queen and now we have Prince Charles' children part of today's ceremonial
festivities.
BIANCA NOBILO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is. It's a high-profile moment that will have the world's eyes upon him. In the role of the figurehead --
GORANI: There is the President and first lady.
NOBILO: There he is and they are escorting him into where I believe they will have tea in the garden room of Clarence House. And it is as you say a
significant moment for Prince Charles. But there's been discussion about what exactly they are going to speak about. Because if we look at the
causes which are very close to Prince Charles' heart. They are the environment and climate change. He's championed sustainability, rain
forest project, conservation projects through his entire time as Prince of Wales.
In fact, something that President Trump and Prince Charles maybe do have in common they both tow it close to the line and overstepped the mark
occasionally. Prince Charles has actually been criticized for going too far in the political realm when he has this position as the King to be.
When he needs to keep some of his opinions a bit more (INAUDIBLE) as well.
GORANI: The Royal family and President Trump couldn't be more different in one aspect. They know how to not speak their mind and the President knows
not how to speak his mind.
BENNETT: You're right. His adult children sort of tend to be like their father. Donald Trump Jr., often tweets these mean sort of aggressively
defensive things that his father tweets. Eric Trump is a little more quiet and Tiffany Trump we rarely ever hear from.
But you know, the President did that interview a couple of days ago saying that he wanted the next generation meeting between his children and the
Royal family which I think would just be oil and water and it's not necessarily going to happen. Now they might be in the same room, ballroom
tonight at the dinner and tomorrow night as well, with Prince Charles and Camilla though. But the fact that the idea they would sit in a room
together --
GORANI: We want to be almost like a dynastic passing of the, you know, from one generation to the next of power. I mean here this is an
institution. It will be here. We know what will happen with Prince Charles and his children. This is what it is. It's a Royal Family and
there is a succession. But not in America. So it's an interesting comment to make.
BENNETT: It is. I think the one child of Donald Trump may have a political future, some people say, is, of course, Ivanka Trump. And she is
involved in her father's administration as a senior official.
[11:05:00] So this is not unusual that she's there. We might see her extend her political career. But certainly it is sort of somewhat bizarre
to assume that just because your children of Donald Trump that you will ascend to some certain level of presidency. It is apples and oranges.
GORANI: Let's talk about the controversies. Because the President in an interview with "The Sun" -- tabloid newspaper, Rupert Murdoch owned paper -
- was asked about Meghan Markle and comments she made about him during the 2016 campaign. He said he wasn't aware of them but didn't know. He said
that she was nasty. That didn't start the trip out on a great way.
NOBILO: No, the President hasn't been happy with how his comments have been portrayed in the media. You're right, it was Tom Newton done and Tim
Shipman. Two well-known journalists in the U.K. that went to meet him in the Oval Office. They had this discussion and then they presented the
President with remarks that Meghan Markle had made before she met Prince Harry. When she said she would consider moving to Canada if he became
President. He was misogynistic, et cetera, et cetera.
President Trump said he didn't know she was nasty. Went on to compliment her in other ways and hasn't been pleased with how it's being portrayed
since. But it's unlikely to be raised in the context of this afternoon tea with Prince Harry and Prince Charles. They're going to try and keep to
topics which are diplomatically amenable to the situation.
GORANI: And he also called, Kate, the mayor of this city a stone-cold loser.
BENNETT: Yes, these are sort of popular terms. Some unfortunate probably. But the term nasty is a word that the President used to describe women
before that he's come up against. Loser is what he often uses for men that he is opposed to. So these are sort of common names in his name calling
repertoire that he uses from time to time. But certainly not getting off on the right foot. But I think if we -- I always say if we try to apply to
normal labels to a Donald Trump presidency, we'll always end up tripping over ourselves with just how unique and unprecedented it is.
NOBILO: It's interesting how response to President Trump is somewhat divided along party lines in the United Kingdom. There isn't -- there
aren't people who are terribly excited that President Trump is coming. They feel like it's going to be a diplomatic mine field on all sides of the
House of Commons.
But in particular we've seen Sadiq Khan's comments. Who's the Labour Party's Mayor of London. Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition, he
could potentially become Prime Minister when Donald Trump is still President if there's a general election, is boycotting the state banquet.
He'll also likely going to attend the protest. A number of his front bench, so who would be cabinet if Jeremy Corbyn became Prime Minister, are
also attending these demonstrations against Donald Trump.
Meanwhile the government, Theresa May and her peculiar position in office but not in power, about to step down in a number of days' time, and her
cabinet are trying to be a lot more diplomatic. They're playing along the lines of real politic. They understand that this is a very important
strategic ally for the U.K. They are using terms interestingly which also often apply to Boris Johnson, the notion that President Trump is
controversial, so we expect it to have some controversial elements to the visit. But this is an important alliance. You want to thank the U.S. for
everything it does for us and so on. So it does seem to be dividing at least at the top echelons of politics, between those two.
GORANI: And this is just not any time in the U.K. This is post Brexit referendum and maybe the price to pay for Brexit is a much, much closer
relationship in terms of trade with the United States that might open up some markets. Let's say the pharmaceutical industry to the U.S. In
previous -- in the context of the EU would not have been the case. But I want to ask about tonight, the state banquet, Kate, because the first lady
certainly I'm sure has spent quite a bit of time thinking about an outfit and really the optics of it all. This is a show tonight.
BENNETT: There is some importance to that. Last time they were here they had tea with the Queen at Windsor that was not the same in terms of the
grandiosity of this evening. You know, again, this is something that she has been planning for several weeks. Meeting with the State Department
protocol folks. Getting all of her ducks in a row in terms of how tonight plays out. Certainly the United States has lots of traditions dating back
many, many decades.
The British Royal family is a big deal. The Queen has met first lady dating back to Jackie Kennedy, which, you know, and also Laura Bush and
Michele Obama, Barbara Bush, Betty Ford. They have all said in their memoirs separately how nervous they were to meet the Queen. So certainly,
Melania must be feeling some of that pressure.
Even though they did meet last summer there is a lot of sort of -- she has to get it right and she's very particular about getting it right. This is
the one thing that she really enjoys doing. It's something she's very good at. The staff at the residence in the White House all love working with
her for just her attention to detail and her kindness to them and how much she focuses on this sort of pomp and circumstance.
[11:10:00] So tonight certainly will be a big deal for her. I wish I had some teasers on her gown.
GORANI: Have you been able to figure out by the way the President -- the present, I should say, that the President and his wife gave the Queen?
BENNETT: Very closed lip on that. I have not heard what that is yet. But I'm dying to know. Because she puts a ton of thought into those gifts and
that's should be something she's focused on.
GORANI: You were telling us about how she gifted in Japan a specific gift there to the Emperor.
BENNETT: The Empress. Yes, they were just last week or several days ago and she gave the Empress of Japan a pen made from oak from a tree on the
Harvard University campus. Because the Empress had studied economics there many years before. Those are the types of thoughtful gifts that are
usually touchstones of either the two countries or a personal element. Something thoughtful in that way and I would imagine the same thing will
occur with the Royal family.
Thank you, Kate and Bianca. And will get back to you soon. And let's take a look at Mr. Trump's day so far receiving a greeting on a monumental
scale. Take a look.
(SCENES OF TRUMP'S ARRIVAL IN BRITAIN)
GORANI: There's pomp and circumstance as the red carpet is very literally rolled out. Donald Trump first met Prince Charles. Who he's having tea
with this hour and then her majesty herself. It's day one of Mr. Trump's three-day visit to the U.K. and he's arrived with both entourage and family
in tow. And white it seemed was the theme of the day. The color was sported from people of both sides of the Atlantic.
His visit has been marked with elaborate regal displays. Just minutes ago the U.S. President took part in a time-honored tradition, and that was as
we were covering it live here on CNN, the laying of a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior at London's Westminster Abbey.
As we were discussing in a few hours the American President will sit down for a lavish state banquet with the Queen. As Max Foster found out like
anyone visiting the Queen, they'll want him to be on his best behavior.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The last time the President visited the U.K. he was accused of arriving late and leaving the Queen
waiting. In fact, he was on time and it was her majesty who was early. He did raise a few eyebrows however during the military inspection when he
walked in front of his host. Then he criticized U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May's handling of Brexit in an interview with a British newspaper.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I actually told Theresa May how to do it which she didn't agree -- she didn't listen to me.
FOSTER: He's done the same again ahead of this visit. Telling "The Sun" newspaper he thinks the U.K. allowed the European Union to have all the
cards. In the same interview he praised May's archrival Boris Johnson. He's running to replace her in the upcoming Conservative party leadership
contest. Saying he's a very good guy.
Last year's visit was an informal working one when this is a full state affair with all the pomp and pageantry that British can throw at it.
Including a lavish state banquet. That's been known to throw previous Presidents, Barack Obama famously spoke through the national anthem.
BARACK OBAMA, THEN U.S. PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: To the Queen.
FOSTER: In an unusual but not unprecedented move President Trump is bring all his adult children to the palace banquet. He told "The Sun" he wants
Ivanka, Tiffany, Eric and Donald Jr., to hold the next generation meeting with Princes William and Harry. Though a royal source confirmed to CNN
that one isn't planned.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be amongst the guests at the banquet however and Prince Harry will be at an earlier lunch. Notable in her
absence during the entire visit will be the only American Royal the Duchess of Sussex. The official line is that she's on maternity leave looking
after baby Archie.
MEGHAN MARKLE, BEFORE SHE BECAME DUCHESS OF SUSSEX: As misogynistic as Trump is --
FOSTER: She famously accused Donald Trump of being misogynistic and divisive during his 2016 presidential campaign. I didn't know that she was
nasty, the President told "The Sun". I hope she's OK.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: And that was Max Foster reporting.
The U.S. President will be pushing his America first policy while he's in town. What does that mean for the traditional relationship between the two
longtime allies? Kann von Hippel was a top counterterrorism official at the U.S. State Department during the Obama administration.
[11:15:00] She's now director-general at the think tank, Royal United Services Institute. Thanks so much for joining us. So, foreign policy --
what is likely to emerge from this big state visit here? How will relation -- what will he be pushing in terms of how he would like the relationship
between U.K. and the U.S. to be post-Brexit.
KANN VON HIPPEL, DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ROYAL UNITED SERVICES INSTITUTE: Actually, I'm not sure there's a lot he can push. He's dealing with
essentially a lame duck Prime Minister who is leaving office shortly. And so, he is very aware he won't be able to seal any deals. I think they are
pushing forward some sort of trade agreement with U.K. when Brexit happens but we still don't know when that will happen.
GORANI: And if it will happen.
VON HIPPEL: Right. So I think it's more of a good feeling visit. I don't think it will have a big impact on foreign policy.
GORANI: But he's made some comments about domestic U.K. policy domestic politics that have ruffled feathers. He said, not surprisingly, he said
that essentially it was almost an endorsement of Boris Johnson when he said the former U.K. foreign secretary that he would be a good leader. And also
saying Nigel Farage, the leader of the Brexit party, should handle negotiations with the EU on Brexit.
VON HIPPEL: Earlier he wanted Nigel Farage to be the ambassador to the United States, if you recall. I mean, I think that will resonate with some
in this country but many will find it irritating that he's dipping his hands into domestic politics.
I think at this stage most world leaders and politicians in other countries know what Trump is doing. They understand his unpredictability and they
are just managing it. And so, even the Prime Minister's office was saying, when he wanted to visit Boris, they weren't bothered by it. Whereas early
on they were much more bothered by it. Because it was such a break from the normal rules of diplomacy.
GORANI: What do you make of just the popular reaction to this visit. It hasn't been as passionate as the first working visit. I find that
interesting. I wonder if it's partly Trump fatigue or how do you explain it?
VON HIPPEL: I mean, I think so. Let's see what tomorrow's protests are like. I agree with you. I was thinking the same thing when I was walking
over here. It's kind of a hassle to get here because of security. But actually it's -- I think it's the resilience in this country that people
learn how to adjust to these type of visits.
GORANI: What will the UK's relationship with the U.S. look like after the Brexit? Because the price to pay for Brexit is having to forge much closer
alliance not just with the U.S. but with some Middle Eastern countries that may have very dubious human rights records. Because you need to open up
new markets.
VON HIPPEL: Right. I mean, I think it will be complicated. I think that this country is very aware that he makes promises that he doesn't always
keep. And so, yes, in front of the queue or back of the queue they are also aware that he changes his mind all the time. If you look what
happened with Mexico. You know, a new NAFTA and now potential tariffs on NAFTA. So I think everyone is pretty of aware that he's very erratic and
inconsistent. And so, I don't think they are likely to take promises that seriously.
GORANI: What about Huawei. Because the U.S. is clearly putting pressure on the U.K. to distance itself completely from Huawei. Even though there
was some consideration to using Huawei for parts of the 5G network that were not as vulnerable to security threats.
VON HIPPEL: Yes, I don't think this country has made up its mind yet. I think it's really put China on the back foot. Because it's unclear at this
stage that the U.S. is trying to maybe block China's rapid advance in technology, or if it is Huawei specific and concerns about eavesdropping
and other technology that can be used elsewhere. It's not entirely clear what the motivation is. And I think within the U.S. government those who
know that it's a very small circle. So you may not find the answer by asking some people inside the embassy, for example. I think it's kept to a
very small circle what the plans are on China.
GORANI: Will the U.K. outside of the EU be -- I mean, will it have to not just listen and take on board what the U.S. says but really feel the
pressure and have to essentially obey the U.S. Because it becomes a much more vulnerable single country outside of this big bloc.
VON HIPPEL: I think the U.K. will try to forge an independence on a number of deals and it will not always go along with the United States, in
particular on the military side. I really don't think that would happen. Say if the U.S. goes war with Iran, I think the U.K. would not do that. So
I don't think it will become the sort of obedient servant situation at all. But I think the U.K. will take some time to adjust post-Brexit anyway. I
mean, it's been in this relationship for 40 years.
GORANI: That's true and there are many areas are of disagreement where the U.K. has said very clearly, it's not on the same page. And the Iran
nuclear deal is an important one.
VON HIPPEL: Oh yes, and climate change. I mean there are a number of areas where the U.K. has already stood apart. Let's anticipate that global
Britain might mean something that may surprises all of us.
GORANI: And lastly, the fact that the U.K. is putting on this display and it's only done it for two other Presidents in the past. Why do you feel
the U.K. felt the need to go to really to bestow upon Donald Trump the highest possible honor that it can?
VON HIPPEL: Look, I think many other countries know that he likes the bling and the displays. We saw that with the Chinese.
[11:20:00] GORANI: And the Japanese.
VON HIPPEL: And Japanese. I mean, it didn't really work that well for China. So let's not assume that this kind of display will impact the
relationship in a significant way.
Thank you very much, Kann von Hippel. Thanks for joining us. We really appreciate your time.
We'll see you in a little bit, Becky. But for now, back to you in Abu Dhabi.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST: Thank you very much indeed.
And still ahead this hour we're going to get to you Washington, folks. U.S. Democrats again facing a big question. Whether to go ahead with
impeachment proceedings against the President. Where things stand as we speak on Capitol Hill. That's up next.
And the President's senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner causing some controversy after he cast out Palestinian's ability to govern
themselves.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: Queen Elizabeth II presenting some gifts to President Trump early on today. Her majesty gave Mr. President Trump a first edition copy
of the "Second World War" by Winston Churchill from 1959. Of course, the U.S. President and his wife in the U.K., in London. First lady Melania
gifted a specially commissioned silver box we are told.
We'll continue our coverage of this day of festivities as Mr. Trump and his family visit the U.K.
Back home in Washington, lawmakers still making their calculations on the "I" word, impeachment. New polling shows a slight rise in public support
for starting proceedings but the majority remains against. And at least for now so does top House Democrat Nancy Pelosi. She is back on Capitol
Hill with Congress back in session after a weeklong recess. And in that period, we saw Robert Mueller give his one and only public statement seen
by some as an open invitation to impeach. Lauren Fox joining us live from Capitol Hill. Lots of discussion, Lauren, about why the House Speaker and
indeed the majority are reticent to start proceedings. Surely the bigger question is this, is there a case?
LAUREN FOX, CNN POLITICS CONGRESSIONAL REPORTER: Well that is what Democrats are trying to figure out in the moment. Essentially Nancy Pelosi
has argued that Democrats need to stick with their strategy of simply investigating the President.
[11:25:04] Her pitch to her caucus has long been that look our strategy is working. We're winning court cases to get the President's financial
information. Let's continue building that case because this is a partisan issue when we bring it before the American public. And as you noted in
that poll, only 41 percent of people support the idea of impeachment. That's hardly a majority at this point and I think that that is exactly
what Democrats fear.
You go into the 2020 election. You have a lot of House Democrats who won in districts that the President won in 2016 having to go back and run in
2020 for re-election. Democrats after little nervous about losing the majority if they go too strongly, too quickly on the impeachment question.
ANDERSON: Nancy Pelosi, famously suggesting recently that Donald Trump is goading the Democrats into impeaching him. What does she mean by that?
FOX: Well essentially, I think one of the fears is that, you know, Democrats in the House moving forward with impeachment proceedings but when
it went to the Senate it will go nowhere. And that's because Republicans still control the United States Senate. Therefore you have this very
partisan fight in the House of Representatives going nowhere in the Senate.
You look at that 2020 election, President Trump can essentially say, look you know Democrats were overreaching here. It went nowhere in the Senate.
I'm still President. And you know, I deserve to be re-elected. And I think Democrats biggest fear here is going too hard on impeachment and then
losing their majority in the House or not winning the White House back in 2020. There's a little bit of a long game that has to be part of this
calculation.
ANDERSON: It's the line between oversight and overreach, I guess. A complicated calculation for the Democrats as the U.S. President of course
is in the U.K. Thank you for that.
After weeks of protests and sit-ins in Sudan, protests that took down their President, opposition leaders say security forces have started to break up
a sit-in outside the defense ministry and it has turned deadly. At least 13 protesters have been killed. Hundreds of others have been injured while
Sudan's military council denies it dispersed that sit-in by force.
Well the person who shot this video tells CNN they saw security forces chasing this car, stopping it at gunpoint, then attacking the driver and
passenger with sticks. And we are unable to bring you live coverage from Khartoum at this hour as we had hoped.
Several sources on the ground tell CNN that mobile internet has been shut down following the deadly crackdown. Protest leaders trying to get the
word out however they can. In the case of a complete internet and communication shut down protest and rallies across the country they say
should continue. And try and continue to make touch -- get in touch with Khartoum for you.
Coming up we head back to London for more on the U.S. President's first state visit to the United Kingdom. But Donald Trump managed to ruffle a
few feathers before even making this trip. We will explain more on that after this.
[11:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: You're watching CNN, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with me Becky Anderson. Welcome back to our special coverage of Mr. Trump's visit to
Britain. As that continues, Hala Gorani is outside Buckingham Palace for us, following every step of the U.S. President's visit -- Hala.
GORANI: Thanks very much, Becky. New pictures now of Prince Charles and Camilla meeting with the Trumps a few minutes ago at Clarence House. They
had tea with the Royals. The U.S. President is receiving a welcome full of all the pageantry that you would expect from the Royal family here in
London.
He managed though on his way to insult some of his hosts before even landing in the country. In a series of tweets this morning Donald Trump
slammed the London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, calling him a stone-cold loser and remarking on his height. Mr. trumps insults come after Khan called the
president a global threat in a scathing op-ed. Here is what Khan told Sky News.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SADIQ KHAN, LONDON MAYOR: I don't think we should be rolling out the red carpet. I don't think this should be a state visit. And why do I say
that? I think a close ally is akin to a best friend, and the thing about a best friend is, of course, you stand shoulder to shoulder with them at
times of adversity, but you have to call them out when you think they're wrong. There're so many things about President Donald Trump's policies
that the antithesis of allies in London but also allies of the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Meanwhile, Donald Trump is now denying he ever called the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, nasty. Despite the fact the comment was
recorded. Meghan's husband, Prince Harry, joined the Queen during her lunch with the President earlier this afternoon. And we understand that he
was also present at Clarence House for teatime.
Joining us is CNN's Abby Phillip, who's traveling with the President. But first, let's bring in Clarissa Ward outside the U.S. ambassador's
residence, Winfield House in London. There were a few gaffs, but this is an extremely important visit for the U.K. here welcoming the U.S.
President, especially in post-Brexit U.K.
CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Hala. I mean, Britain is entering a new era. It's not clear when, it's not clear
when. It's not clear what it will look like. It's not clear who Britain's allies will be as it goes into this post-Brexit world. So it's important
now more than ever for the U.K. to really consolidate and cement these old alliances, and particularly, of course the special relationship as it's
called between the U.S. and the U.K. Which has been through some fairly turbulent times since President Trump took power. Some major disagreements
ongoing about Iran, the nuclear deal, President Trump putting a lot of pressure on the U.K. not to work with the Chinese company Huawei on
developing is 5G network. And then of course the Brexit debate itself, which President Trump has not been shy about voicing his opinions on.
So the purpose of this state visit in essence, Hala, is essentially to underscore the depth and important and substance of the relationship
between the two countries. And I think a lot of people will be breathing a sigh of relief as they have watched the events unfold so far. That they
have gone very smoothly. During the President has carried himself in the way one would expect to see an American President carry himself.
[11:35:05] And you know, that the United Kingdom has done a formidable job of rolling out the red carpet, of presenting the pageantry and pomp that
only the United Kingdom is able to do. And that hopefully that will at least smooth the waters ahead of tomorrow where potentially things could
get a little more raucous, a little more off script as the sort of the political themes begin to emerge with President Trump meeting -- holding
bilateral meetings with outgoing Prime Minister, Theresa May -- Hala.
GORANI: All right, Clarissa, today is all about the Royal welcome. Tomorrow will be a day for politics, with the outgoing Prime Minister.
Abby Phillip, what does the President hope to get out of this particular trip to the U.K.?
ABBY PHILLIP, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think these that images we've been seeing all morning are a major part of this visit for the
U.S. side. I think seeing the President being honored in this way with a state visit that not everybody gets this the kind of welcome from the Royal
family. You know, the pomp and circumstance of it all is something that in and of itself, is valuable to this President.
These are images that are being broadcast all across the United States, all across the world, and it paints him in a more positive light than he is
often painted in. And on a personal level, I think President Trump often prefers these kinds of visits. When he goes to foreign countries and he's
treated with this kind of -- with this kind of respect. That's when he is at his happiest. That's when he is enjoying, I think, this element of the
job the most.
But as Clarissa mentioned, there is a really important political side of this. And I think on the U.S. side, they are trying to lay the foundation
for what the future of the relationship with the U.K. might be going forward. And that future is going to look a little different from what it
looked like before. This is an administration that's made no secret about how much they support a Brexit deal.
This President has been very critical of Theresa May's handling of this, and he's also voiced the support for Boris Johnson. Who is running to
replace her. He has voiced support for Nigel Farage, one of the Brexit campaigners. And in that way, he has inserted himself very strongly into
the domestic politics of this country. The purpose being to set a new path for the U.K. and the U.S. relationship in which the priorities of this
administration -- which are little bit different.
They focus on coming out of the Iran deal, for example, on establishing strong borders. One of the reasons President Trump has been so supportive
of Brexit. Establishing a strong trade deal. These are all things that President Trump wants to do directly one on one with the United Kingdom,
and I think try to lay the groundwork this week for a future relationship in a post Theresa May era is a huge part of what this trip has ended up
being about. And will see so much more of that tomorrow.
But I think these dual mandates, and not to mention that President Trump, I should add, has been not shy about fighting back against the people in
British politics, who are very much against him. And I think he -- it was not an accident that that tweet criticizing the London Mayor Sadiq Khan
came out just minutes before he touched down in London. It was because he wanted to make a statement that he was willing to fight back even as he was
about to go into a very ceremonial visit in the U.K. He's not letting go of that side of his personal in spite of all of the positive images that we've
seen after that.
GORANI: And I don't think many people would be surprised by that particular development. Abby for, thanks very much and Clarissa Ward as
well at Wingfield House.
My next guest says the President's visit is well timed, providing reassurance to the U.K. that the special relationship -- a term coined by
Winston Churchill, by the way -- is still as strong as it prepares to exit the European Union. I'm joined now by Jan Halper-Hayes. She's a former
member of the Trump transition team and former vice president of Republicans overseas. Thanks for being with us. And just a little note to
our viewers that we understand that the presidential motorcade has now left Clarence House. Should be back on its way to Buckingham Palace. We saw a
Marine One landed Buckingham Palace. So any moment now, we should see that convoy make its way here down the mall to Buckingham Palace.
But in the meantime, let me ask about the Sadiq Khan op-ed, followed by the presidential tweet calling Sadiq Khan a stone-cold loser and questioning
his height. What do you make of it? I know you support Donald Trump, but do you think this is appropriate communication from a President?
JAN HALPER-HAYES, FORMER TRUMP TRANSITION TEAM MEMBER: Well I'm not sure I even go into appropriate or normal, because those are not words, I use for
Donald Trump in any situation.
[11:40:00] But I think Sadiq Khan and Donald Trump are acting like they're very childish. They have continual spats over Twitter, and Donald Trump
always says he punching back. Well there was a scathing op-ed calling him a fascist. Saying that he was just a menace to world order. And so, it
doesn't surprise me that Trump was going to, you know, shoot his arrow.
GORANI: What do you make of the fact that the President really -- according to his critics -- meddled in U.K. politics by expressing a
preference for Boris Johnson to replace Theresa May. And also, suggesting Nigel Farage should be part of the negotiating team in Brussels.
HALPER-HAYES: Well, I did think that was rather interesting, but he's not the first president that did it. Because when Obama was lame-duck and came
over here and we were going to vote, he said if you vote to leave for any trade deal, we're going to put you at the back of the line. When he was
going out of office very shortly.
So again, it doesn't surprise me because Trump often and why the people that like him, he says what people are thinking and sometimes too afraid to
say.
GORANI: So how important is this visit do you think for the U.S. President? Because the optics for him are favorable. Soon the
presidential race will heat up. He'll have a Democratic contender as the field will narrow. And will become much more obvious who the front-runner
is for the Democrats in terms of the person who will challenge President down Trump for the presidency. Is this important for him back at home
these optics?
HALPER-HAYES: I don't think the optics as important. I think the optics are more important for his kids than they are for him. What he's very
concerned about our two things. Huawei, 5G, and also national security and trade deals.
GORANI: But he loves us attention.
HALPER-HAYES: Oh, you know what, Donald Trump always loves attention. But in terms of it being his priority, he really is a man of action. He always
wants to solve problems. He wants to deal with things. And he's not going to let this trip go without being able to really make it clear that if they
use core components of Huawei, we're not going to be sharing information with the U.K. He really wants to get that point across.
And the other thing is that we do have a lame duck here, but -- and so he doesn't exactly know who's going to be the next Prime Minister. But he
wants to communicate that as soon we leave the European Union, there would be a trade deal. And I was just talking to Congressman Holding, and he
said they pulled out the old trade deals and they've been working on it to get ready for this. This is not something that's going to take a long time
to do.
GORANI: Well usually -- I mean here's the thing, trade deals usually do take a long time to finalize. Is there a risk perhaps that this is being
oversold on the part of the United States. Telling the U.K., don't worry Brexit. Send Nigel Farage to Brussels, finally we got (INAUDIBLE). Here's
your trail deal, you're good.
HALPER-HAYES: You know, there's always some of that humor that you can add to this. But seriously it's not Donald Trump, it's the Congressmen on the
Ways and Means committee who have been working on it. And we did before the European Union -- I mean it's old, but we did have a trade agreement.
And it's updating it. Then it becomes the negotiations.
GORANI: It was done 45 years old.
HALPER-HAYES: Oh, yes, exactly. That's what I said.
GORANI: That's one old piece of paper though.
HALPER-HAYES: Yes, exactly.
(CROSSTALK)
GORANI: Jan Halper-Hayes, thanks so much for joining us. Appreciate your time. Becky, back to you.
ANDERSON: Thank you for that. That is the story out of London for you. We are out of Abu Dhabi. This is CONNECT THE WORLD.
And coming up, the architect of the White House's yet to be released Middle East peace plan. Suggests he is not certain Palestinians are ready to
govern themselves. Those controversial comments from Jared Kushner, up next.
[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANDERSON: It's a quarter to 8:00 in Abu Dhabi, a quarter to 5:00 in the U.K. And that is where President Donald Trump is meeting Prince Charles for
tea, as we speak. Soaking up the Royal pomp and circumstance during his state visit.
His senior adviser has caused controversy with comments about another part of the world before joining his father-in-law in London for today's
festivities. Jared Kushner sat done with "AXIOS". Have a listen to what he had to say about the Middle East.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you believe the Palestinians are capable of governing themselves without Israeli interference?
JARED KUSHNER, WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISOR: I think that's a very good question. I think that that's one we'll have to see. The hope is they,
over time, can become capable of governing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They being the Palestinians.
KUSHNER: The Palestinians. I think that there are some things that the current Palestinian government has done well and there are some things that
are lacking. And I do think that in order for the area to be investable for investors to come in and want to invest in different industry and
infrastructure and create jobs, you need to have a fair judicial system. You need to have freedom of press, freedom of expression, tolerance for all
religions.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well I'm joined by Oren Liebermann in Jerusalem, and to be honest -- and this may sound controversial -- there will be Palestinians
who question the quality of current Palestinian leadership, but they won't want Jared Kushner lecturing them on that, will they -- Oren?
OREN LIEBERMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: No, not at all, and you get a sense of it right from that answer there. What was Jared Kushner's goal when he
talked about it investable? Are the Palestinian territories investable? Would an investor want to come in and put his money in Palestinian
businesses? And that simply isn't what the Palestinians want from a peace plan. That's not what they want from any process. They want a state. And
that seems to be something Kushner and the peace team are oblivious to at this point.
ANDERSON: The former American special envoy for Israeli/Palestinian negotiations, Martin Indyk -- who is a regular guest on this show --
rebuking the fundamental cash focus nature of Kushner's approach that we just heard from him. Calling it naive, even patronizing. You ask
Palestinians to forsake their aspirations to be a free people in their own land for a, quote, better life, end quote, under occupation. And it goes
on to say the Israelis refuse to settle for that. Why should we expect Palestinians to do so? Which really echoes what you've just said and gets
to the heart of where we are at present. Which is where?
LIEBERMANN: That's an excellent question. Look, the Bahrain conference, which is an economic workshop as they called it, is moving forward. And
that's part of the problem here, right? There is at least theoretically a political part to this peace plan, that is supposed to solve all of the key
issues. Which are, settlement security, refugees, Jerusalem, but we haven't seen any of that political plan. So far, they're only putting
forward the economic plan.
And that's giving Palestinians -- and that includes not only the leadership, but every Palestinian here -- the idea that they're being
bought off before the political part is put forward. And that is one of the many reasons why they're so against whatever it is that the Trump
administration is about to put on the table here.
ANDERSON: Well fascinating. Over the weekend "The Washington Post" reporting that Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has been talking down this
White House peace deal. He allegedly told Jewish leaders behind closed door that, and I quote, it may be rejected. Could be in the end, folks
will say it's not particularly original, it doesn't particularly work for me. That is, it's got two good things and nine bad things. I'm out. End
quote.
[11:50:06] I guess the question here is, is it clear who's in at this point and more importantly, who is out?
LIEBERMANN: The list of people who are out at this point is far more clear than the list of people who are in at this point. In his attempt to sell
the plan, Kushner went to visit the Jordanians. And they made it clear that they want to see as part of any peace plan that they're going to buy
into, a Palestinian state.
The Bahrainis, holding a conference at the end of this month, have also made it clear that any peace plan has to include a Palestinian state. In
that goes for many of the other Arab states who say outwardly at least, that a peace plan has to include a Palestinian state. So that gives you an
idea of who is out.
Who's in? That's ahead scratcher at this point. The Israelis -- that is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, hasn't even committed to the peace plan.
He simply said, look, we're going to review it. We're not going to rejected outright.
But if what Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says is right -- and he is certainly in the know or at least more in the know than just about
everybody else here -- then there are reasons and things that the Israelis won't like. And given Netanyahu's political reality, it seems that not
even the Israelis can say they're fully in at this point. So, like you said, Becky, it's ahead scratcher. Who is in here, I'm not quite sure what
the answer to that is at this point.
ANDERSON: Fascinating. It'll become clearer in the weeks ahead. That conference, that business summit, in Manama, in Bahrain, as you rightly
point out, at the end of this month, 25th, 26th of June.
All right, straight ahead it's been a busy day for the U.S. President in London, but there's still more to come. What's next for Donald Trump in
the U.K.? That's coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: We'll be going to the U.K. I think it will be very important. It certainly will be very interesting.
GORANI: The President setting the stage for his trip to U.K. comment about the Duchess caught everyone's attention.
TRUMP: I didn't know that she was nasty.
No, I made no bad comments. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We don't agree with everything he says.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, it's everything that Britain can muster, a full-on spectacular dazzle for the most power many man in the world. A lot
happening already. A lot more to come. Hala Gorani just outside Buckingham Palace for us. His afternoon tea with Prince Charles,
apparently wrapping up about now, and next a state banquet, we are told. What can we expect?
[11:55:00] GORANI: Right, we understand the presidential motorcade has now left Clarence House on its way to Buckingham Palace. We saw the
presidential chopper landing at Buckingham Palace. The chopper that will take him back to U.S. ambassador's residence, Winfield House. And as you
mentioned, Becky, the main event this evening is that big state banquet. The President, the first lady Melania, of course being hosted by her
Majesty the Queen. Prince Charles will be in attendance and Duchess of Cornwall as well. You said it. This is all that the U.K. can muster. It
is the full treatment. The full Royal treatment on this day one, tomorrow will be the political state visit.
We expect the President will meet with Theresa May. They'll be some sort of news conference after that. Today, though, is for the pageantry side of
things. Tomorrow will be about these one-on-one meetings with the Prime Minister. And also, we'll all be looking on the for statements from the
U.S. President on whether or not he, once again, was something to say about who should replace Theresa May. Back to you.
ANDERSON: Hala Gorani is outside Buckingham Palace.
We have connected your world from a booming start to Trump's visit to London. To growing mutterings about the "I" word, impeachment and whispers
in the shadows about a peace deal in the Middle East. Teaming up with Hala today in the hours from London. For all your news I'm Becky Anderson.
We'll do the same again tomorrow. That was CONNECT THE WORLD.
[12:00:00]
END
