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Judge Rules Against Trump In Tax Records Subpoena Fight; 18-Year-Old Musician Billie Eilish Urges People To Vote For Biden; Russia Announces Large-Scale Trial Of COVID-19 Vaccine; Kremlin Critic Hospitalized After Suspected Poisoning; Georgia Governor Slams Leaked Task Force Report On His State; President Donald Trump: Ex-Adviser Bannon's Fraud Arrest A "Sad Event". Aired 11a-12p ET
Aired August 20, 2020 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. KAMALA HARRIS (D-CA) VICE PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I accept your nomination for Vice President of the United States of America.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HALA GORANI, CNN HOST, CONNECT THE WORLD: Democratic Vice Presidential Nominee Kamala Harris makes history. What this moment means for the
representation of black and Asian Americans? Plus, one of the Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics is now in the hospital after a suspected
poisoning. We'll have the latest.
And as new Coronavirus cases grow across Europe Russia claims progress in the race for a vaccine. Hello, I'm Hala Gorani; this is "Connect the
World." We will have more on the historic VP nomination in a moment but we begin with breaking news out of the United States.
The American President Donald Trump's Former Campaign Adviser and Chief Strategist has been arrested and charged with fraud. Federal Prosecutor
says Steve Bannon and three others defrauded a private fund raising campaign for the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.
The man allegedly funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to the group for personal expenses among other things. Let's get the latest with
CNN's Kara Scannell; she joins us live from New York with more. Talk to us about what the Southern District of New York prosecutors are alleging in
this case against Steve Bannon and several others?
KARA SCANNELL, CNN REPORTER: That's right Hala. So these charges announced today and an indictment by the prosecutors with the Southern District of
New York charging Steve Bannon and three others with defrauding investors in this go fund need that they had created called we will build the wall.
This from crowd sourcing fund-raiser was intended when donors donated their money was intended to go towards construction, but prosecutors say that
Bannon and others have used money to pay themselves in which they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollar on personal expenses.
Now prosecutors have charged Steve Bannon and a few other men with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to
commit money laundering. Those charges carry a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison if Bannon is convicted.
Now we have not been able to get any comment from Steve Bannon. His lawyer has declined to comment. The White House has also declined to comment and
referred questions to the Department of Justice. So Bannon was arrested this morning and taken into custody here in New York.
He will be presented later today. Now we are under these Coronavirus protocols. So our understanding at this point is that this hearing will be
a virtual hearing and it will not be a traditional court hearing. But Bannon is likely to be released since there is no expectation the
government will seek to remands.
But a very significant development and big charges against someone who is very close to the president one of his top strategist and just a real big
development in the Trump universe now about 2.5 months before the Presidential Election, Hala.
GORANI: Right. And - with the law in the president's close orbit are nothing unusual Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen
and now Steve Bannon. And speaking of the law, a judge has ruled against Donald Trump in a fight over his financial records. Tell us more.
SCANNELL: Yes, so this has been an ongoing legal battle that had been going on for about a year. It went up to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the
Supreme Court said that a president does not have absolute immunity from a state grand jury investigation.
Manhattan District Attorney's Office or the County prosecutors here in New York are investigating Trump and the Trump Organization for their business
dealings going back several years. Now the Trump's legal team after the Supreme Court ruled had re-challenged the subpoena, saying that it was too
broad and that the prosecutors were harassing the president.
Well, the judge here this morning solidly agrees with the prosecutors saying that this must move forward. He ruled relatively quickly after the
arguments, now it is expected that Trump's legal team will try to appeal the decision, but it's increasingly becoming very clear that the
prosecutors will be able to obtain eight years of the president's and his company's business and personal records, financial records and that
includes his tax returns.
[11:05:00]
SCANNELL: As we will wait to see now if the Trump's lawyers do decide to appeal. But the courts here have been moving very quickly on this because
time is of the essence there is an ongoing investigation into Trump and for the Trump Organization relating to their financial dealings, Hala.
GORANI: OK. Kara Scannell thanks very much with our breaking news there. Steve Bannon, the Former Trump Strategist arrested on two counts. One count
of conspiracy to commit wire fraud another count on conspiracy to commit money laundering, thanks very much.
Now to the U.S. Presidential race Joe Biden will accept the Democratic Presidential Nomination Thursday a night after his running made history.
Senator Kamala Harris accepted the Vice Presidential Nomination becoming the first woman of color on a major party presidential ticket. Harris gave
a wide-ranging speech outlining her own upbringing and accomplishments, her goal as well in a Biden Administration came up as well as the scourge of
racism in America. Listen to a clip.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Let's be clear. There is no vaccine for racism we've got to do the work for George Floyd, for Breonna Taylor for the lives of too many others
to name, for our children.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, Harris also gave a scathing critique of the Trump Presidency saying constant chaos has left American adrift. She wove in her experience
as a prosecutor and state attorney general to take a veiled swipe at prior acquisitions leveled against the president listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: I have fought for children and survivors of sexual assault. I fought against transnational criminal organizations. I took on the biggest
banks and helped take down one of the biggest for-profit colleges. I know a predator when I see one.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, before Harris gave her acceptance speech, Former U.S. President Barack Obama delivered a scathing rebuke of Donald Trump you
barely hear direct criticism of a sitting president from a former on in the United States. Obama said America's democracy is at stake.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT: Donald Trump hasn't grown into the job, because he can't. The consequences of that failure are severe. 170,000
Americans dead millions of jobs gone while those at the top taken more than ever our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world
badly diminished, and democratic institutions threatened like never before.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, the woman who campaigned to be the first female U.S. President also took center stage Wednesday night. Hillary Clinton was among
that slew of powerful women who spoke at the virtual convention. The Democratic Party's 2016 presidential nominee issued a stark warning, saying
that people need to go out and vote and this is why she said it was important.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER U.S. DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Don't forget, Joe and Kamala can win by 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me.
We need numbers overwhelming, so Trump can't sneak or steel his way to victory.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, be sure to watch the final night of the Democratic National Convention as Joe Biden accepts the nomination for president for his party.
Other headliners tonight include Senators Cory Booker and Tammy Duckworth and rising stars Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance
Bottoms and California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Let's get more now on this historic evening and let's bring in CNN Political Commentator Paul Begala, he is also a long time Democratic
Strategist starting first in the Clinton Administration. Paul Begala thanks for being with us. After three nights of this virtual convention and as I'm
sure as you study the polls that have been coming out week after week are you confident in the Biden/Harris ticket and if so why?
PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I am. I think they've had a terrific launch at this convention and here is why? In 2016, here's where
the Democrats got wrong including me Hala. I no longer advise politicians expect through TV. But last cycle I did.
When I attack Donald Trump, it was just about his character. He is a bad man. He says hateful things. I didn't connect it up to people's lives.
Those clips you just played, President Obama he talked about the consequences of this failed leadership not just he's a bad guy.
[11:10:00]
BEGALA: Your life, your job, Senator Harris talked about your lives and your livelihoods. Secretary Clinton talked about the loss of jobs, health
care, loved ones, leadership in the world so they keep tying it back to voters' lives that's the most important thing.
Trump is an enormous distraction. He really is and Democrats at least believe his character is so low that they I think fixing on that too much
and not on his policies enough. But I think the Democrats are getting it right this time.
GORANI: Yes, because - but we did hear a lot of attacks on Trump's character do you want this man in office. Do you think there was enough
policy talk here and that the mistake that the Democrats that you're describing made in 2016 will not be repeated this time, do you think?
BEGALA: I do, as I say I think they have to connect up his failed character with their policies. You know he is bad guy but he has done - and because
that he has done these bad things to you, if you're farmer, if you're an office worker, if you're a retiree.
I expect Joe Biden tonight actually to attack a lot less and that's because President Obama, President Clinton, Michele Obama, Secretary Clinton they
all did the work for him. This is unusual. Usually parties use their elder statesmen and women to validate the new nominee.
This time they view some - the current president that liberates Biden tonight to be more positive and forward looking. It's very important for
guys been in politics 50 years to look forward not to just reside all of his accomplishment of the past.
GORANI: And that was going to be my next question. He's 77-years-old, he's been running or trying to run for president since 1988 what makes this time
the right time for a candidate like Joe Biden? And how much pressure is on Kamala Harris, she is 55. How much pressure is on her as the VP nominee to
energize voters this time around?
BEGALA: Well, a ton, and she carried it with such grace last night. It was really impressive. She's in an almost empty hall, completely empty. That's
an almost impossible situation for a politician and I thought she carried it off with such grace.
Not only does she have the weight of trying to drive excitement for the ticket, she has also got the weight of history. Obviously we've had 48 vice
presidents in American history every single one of them white, every single one of them males. So Kamala is breaking the pattern that way.
But I do think that Biden will be able to connect because this time the person in the moment comes together. I call him Joe, I've done this almost
disrespectful, but I've known him for 35 years and his most important quality is empathy, and that's never been more important to Americans and
today a great many Americans believe Mr. Trump lacks empathy for some reason there at the notion that he is may be somewhat self observed.
And unconcerned about the 170,000 Americans who are dead and the millions of jobs lost because of COVID. So I think this time Joe has run twice
before and didn't win a single primary. This time he won 45 primaries, 45 states because I think of the empathy, the healing, the unity, and that's
what I expect to see on display tonight.
GORANI: So as a strategist I want to ask you about the celebrity endorsements. Four years ago Hillary Clinton had Beyonce you just cannot,
this is the status if you're like A leister can't be Beyonce and we all know what happened.
Here, I noticed it was Billie Eilish who I'm very proud to say I knew who she was and I even did liked her single but any way that's for another very
happy about that. But this is - I think we have sound from which she told younger voters right? Let's run that.
BEGALA: Yes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILLIE EILISH, MUSICIAN: You don't need me to tell you things are a mess. Donald Trump is destroying our country and everything we care about. We
need leaders who will solve problems like climate change and COVID, not deny them, leaders who will fight against systemic racism and inequality.
That starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: So does the celebrity endorsement work? Because the Democrats always have - you know four years ago at the convention I mean, one awesome
A-lister after the other. Do they work? Is it worth bringing them on?
BEGALA: I think it can help, particularly someone like Billie Eilish who was young. Taylor Swift was not at the convention but she has stepped out
politically as a progressive. I think it helps because I think Biden needs especially to connect with young people.
And so when someone like Ms. Eilish who performed wonderfully last night, I have four kids, so I know who Billie Eilish is, to believe me you cannot if
you've kids. I thought her song was terrific, not that she needs my approval, but I think Joe especially needs that validation, he needs that
bridge someone of their generation saying he you know this old guy, he's actually pretty good.
He's actually on our side in all this. In addition to having four kids in the 20s, I teach at Georgetown.
[11:15:00]
BEGALA: This younger generation is more idealistic than mine and more activist than mine. I just think better than mine, and if Joe can connect
with them, he'll get an enormous energy.
GORANI: We've seen so many young people out demonstrating as well very politically engaged. Thank you very much Paul Begala for joining us.
BEGALA: Thanks Hala, great to see you.
GORANI: And once again great to see you, be sure to tune into CNN for the final night of the Democratic National Convention, this virtual unusual
convention and that it is virtual, where Joe Biden will accept the nomination for U.S. president. Coverage starts at midnight in London, 7:00
am Friday in Hong Kong.
Now tensions between the U.S. and the Middle East are in focus at the White House right now. Donald Trump is hosting the Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa
Al Kadhimi in person. Iraq says the leaders are discussing strengthening bilateral relations and current developments in the region. This is how you
would describe pretty much any high level meeting between two leaders.
Recently the pro-Iran Shiite paramilitary groups have ramped up attacks on American targets. This is of concern to the U.S. military in the region and
Mr. Al Kadhimi is under pressure from those groups to get 5000 American soldiers who are remind in Iraq out of the country.
A day ago the U.S. Secretary of State met with the Iraqi Foreign Minister, and we saw both men there at the White House, neither of them wearing a
mask and in close proximity to each other.
A prominent Kremlin critic is fighting for his life after a suspected poisoning. This is the moment which Russian opposition leader Alexei
Navalny was wheeled to an ambulance at a Siberian airport earlier on Thursday.
The anti-corruption campaign had been on a flight to Moscow when the pilot made an urgent landing, because Navalny suddenly became ill and ah this is
just - it is very difficult to watch. This was filmed by a passenger on board. Navalny is heard screaming in pain.
An aide says Navalny is in a coma in a Siberian hospital and connected to a ventilator. She says poison may have been mixed into the tea that he was
drinking at the airport before takeoff. Here is a picture of Navalny drinking from a cup at that airport. Our Senior International Correspondent
Matthew Chance joined me a short time ago from Moscow.
MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPON DENT: Well, that's the situation, as you've outlined that video is absolutely horrific, it was
taken by a fellow passenger who was also filmed being stretched on to an ambulance outside after that aircraft he was flying to Moscow.
They had to make an emergency landing in a Siberian City. Alexei Navalny is now in emergency hospital number one. Doctors, despite the suggestion or
the assertion by Navalny's supporters, that he's been poisoned for his political activities.
The doctors in the hospital are not prepared to make what would be an absolutely controversial diagnosis like that at this stage. Take a listen
to what the Deputy Head of hospital number one is saying right now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANATOLY KALINICHEMKO, DEPUTY HEAD PHYSICIAN, OMSK HOSPITAL: I can report that the patient is in our hospital. He's in a serious condition on
ventilator support but he is stable. Currently there are multiple diagnoses which we're trying to eliminate or confirm or still considering. Treatment
and diagnostic procedures are under way.
Laboratory research, consultations with the doctors of the related areas of professional interest in case conference and so on. Naturally poisoning is
considered as one of the possible reasons of the deterioration in the condition, but beside that there could be a number of acute states that
lead to the same clinical signs. We are working on everything to eliminate, confirm. Unfortunately I cannot tell you more.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHANCE: Well, let's be clear Alexei Navalny is by far the country's most prominent opposition figure. He has been an outspoken critic about
corruption that takes place in this country, calling out officials for their inexplicable sort of items of wealth, like fancy watches, cars,
houses things like that is immensely popular, anti corruption campaign that he leads.
Sometimes his social media platform attracts millions of views inside Russia and because of that there is a real throne in the side of the
Kremlin. Now the Kremlin has had, of course, said that they're aware of the situation. Comments here, they wish him a speedy recovery.
[11:20:00]
CHANCE: And but of course Russia has a very checkered record of silencing critics like Alexei Navalny with violence with poison. And there are
numerous examples of that in the past and of course the speculation right now and the fear is that this is just another example of Russian outspoken
critic being silenced in world, Hala.
GORANI: All right, Matthew Chance. Coming up on the program Russia just revealed new information about its Coronavirus vaccine. We'll update you on
who when and where the vaccine will be tested? And what experts are saying about whether or not it can be effective? We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: We have some new details about one of the high profile figures in the fight against COVID in the United States. You're familiar with his name
by now Dr. Anthony Fauci. We're learning that he is out of surgery after having a polyp removed from his vocal cord.
The infectious disease expert was still taking part in interviews and online events up until Wednesday. He tells our Dr. Sanjay Gupta that he's
doing just fine after his procedure. He was under general anesthetic he will need though to cut back on speaking so fewer interviews. Fauci has
addressed his raspy voice in the past saying the only way for vocal cords to get better is to keep your mouth shut.
Russia has revealed new information about its Coronavirus vaccine efforts announcing today that the Sputnik vaccine will undergo mass testing across
the countries - across 5 countries starting next week. The CEO of the Russian Investment Fund which is funding the vaccine said the goal is to
meet international phase III clinical standards even though the vaccine is already registered for use.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIRILL DMITRIEV, CEO, RUSSIAN DIRECT INVESTMENT FUND: Already next week the first registration clinical trial will start that cover more than 40,000
volunteers in full compliance with international best practices. That will be a randomized blinded placebo controlled trial. It will be a very
important trial that will go parallel to vaccination of the eligible group.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, CNN's Elizabeth Cohen joins me now from Atlanta. And what's unusual here is that the vaccine is already being administered before the
mass testing even takes place.
ELIZABETH COHEN, CNN SENIOR MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Right. Hala that's not the way the rest of the world does it. You test it out in tens of thousands
of people first to make sure that it works and to make sure that it's safe.
And what the Russians have said is oh, we did some earlier testing and don't worry trust us it's safe. So many things to take apart there, first
of all they haven't published any of that earlier data. So if they really did do earlier research where is that data no one can take a look at it to
see if it is what they say it is.
[11:25:00]
COHEN: Second of all that data would have been on dozens, maybe hundreds of people. That's not nearly enough to see if it's safe. It's certainly not
enough to say if it's effective. So for all those reasons, the Former FDA Commissioner, Commissioner of the Food & Drug Administration here in the
U.S., Scott Gottlieb, he said I wouldn't take it. I think that says it all, Hala?
GORANI: All right. Elizabeth Cohen thanks very much for that update. An alarming new statistic from the World Health Organization has Europe
preparing for even more COVID-19 challenges ahead.
According to the W.H.O. the region is now reporting an average of 26,000 daily new cases since lockdown measures were eased this week Italy, Germany
and Spain all reported their highest daily infection numbers in months. Anna Stewart joins me now with more. She's live in London. What is behind
the spike? Is it the summer holidays and people getting together in bigger groups?
ANNA STEWART, CNN REPORTER: Well, there are a number of factors that played. The W.H.O point in fact that lockdowns have eased, that there has
been travel particularly seeing more cases in young people and warning against mass gatherings and parties.
In addition to some of the numbers you mentioned there from the W.H.O was also the one that, there were 40,000 more cases in Europe in the first week
of August compared to the first week of June and that is of course when many of those lockdowns across Europe were lifted.
Now we also track these cases country by country, you mentioned a few of the countries there. I'll mention Germany, particularly as they have
reported their highest number of daily cases since April over 1,700 cases there.
Very worrying, but you have to keep that into context. Germany at its peak at the beginning of April had over 6,000 cases a day. So we're far from
that, but we are seeing a big surge in Germany, Spain and Italy also reporting their highest daily increases this week.
And what we're looking at here is well - are we looking at a spike country by country? Or are we looking at - there might be much more worrying which
the beginning of a second wave of Coronavirus?
And the fact that it's happening now has experts concerned. This is the summer months this is when it's warm. We're being warned as we go into
autumn and winter, and temperatures drop, that's when it will be harder to contain the spread of the virus.
So if we're heading into those cooler months in Europe and the baseline of Coronavirus is probably much higher than many had projected. It is pretty
concerning. Some good news, though. We are seeing some countries perhaps in a bit of a decline.
I know in the UK we talk a lot about the quarantine list, which countries you can and can't go to without quarantine in the return. There are rumors
that Portugal may be removed from that list but overall we're seeing pretty worrying numbers out of some of the biggest countries, Hala.
GORANI: All right. Anna Stewart thanks very much. We'll have a lot more after a quick break. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:30:00]
GORANI: Welcome back. The UK says that it is deeply concerned about the suspected poisoning of the opposition leader in Russia, Alexei Navalny. The
Kremlin critic is fighting for his life in a Siberian hospital where he's connected to a ventilator.
Navalny had been on a flight to Moscow from Siberia when he suddenly became very ill prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing. Russia has been
accused of using poison to try to silent its critics many times before.
Former Russia spies Sergei Skripal and his daughter survived a nerve agent attack in the UK in 2018. In 2006 former Russian agent Alexander Litvinenko
died from radioactive polonium 210 poisoning in London.
Viktor Yushchenko, the pro-western Former Leader of Ukraine survived dioxin poisoning in 2004. Years before she was shot dead, Journalist Anna
Politkovskaya lost consciousness after drinking tea on a flight.
In 2004, she said a nurse told her she was poisoned. A year earlier, Scotland Yard warns that Russia planned to stab oligarch Boris Berezovsky
with a poisoned pen. He was found dead at his London home in 2013 with a noose around his neck.
Russia denies any involvement in these cases. Kremlin critic and Russian opposition politician Vladimir Kara-Murza says he's been poisoned twice in
2015 and 2017. He joins me now from Washington, D.C. Thanks for being with us Mr. Kara-Murza. First off, when you heard about Navalny, what through
your mind?
VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA, RUSSIAN OPPOSITION POLITICIAN: Well, thanks for having me on Hala. It's good to be on your show - for different reason. Well, to
be honest, this whole thing is like a horrific groundhog day for me, because when I see and read what symptoms Alexei Navalny exhibited, it's
one for one exactly the same in my two poisoning, it's coma, organ failure, brain swelling, artificial --.
First all, before we say anything else, before we talk about the reasons for those responsible or any politics in this, I just want to say that I
want to wish Alexei Navalny and his family, loved ones all the strengths and the perseverance and God's help to pull through this and to stay alive
to get back to health. That's the most important things right now.
But it's also very important that once hopefully everything is good with him and with his health that those people who did this to him are
responsible. And also those Kremlin propagandists who have started straight away from early this morning, pulling out these fake theories and fake
stories that he drank some alcohol or took some medicines. That's what they do every time.
You mentioned a few seconds ago that long slate of poisoning attacks against the people who have on one way or another across the paths of
Vladimir Putin's regime. Two names you mentioned among the names were Alexander Litvinenko and Viktor Yushchenko. Well, if remember, the Kremlin
propaganda did exactly the same thing.
Well, Litvinenko was poisoned on British soil in 2006. There were these stories in Kremlin and connected media that he was actually selling
polonium himself. He swallowed it by accident. Yushchenko they said, when he was poisoned in 2004, he had the botched cosmetic surgery or whatever
other nonsense they came up with it.
So actually this propaganda drum beat accompanying the poisoning of Alexei Navalny is one of the best possible pieces of evidence if there - was a
needful one of what exactly this is. And this is absolutely clear and beyond any doubt, what this is and I think we must say it loudly and
clearly.
This is deliberate poisoning; this is a politically motivated attack on someone who is one of the most prominent, most effective and most powerful
voices in our position to the authoritarianism and also to the corruption and nepotism of Vladimir Putin's regime and his close circle.
As you know, Alexei Navalny has for a long time now specialized in his very loud, very prominent anti-corruption investigations into Putin's and his
close circle. He's also been very effective in other ways, I mean, as you know, he himself is not allowed run for elections in Russia as there are
many other oppositions leaders including myself, he is not allowed to do register his own political party.
But even without being on a ballot, he's able to influence elections in an important way, right. For example, last year many pro-regime candidates
were humiliated in legislative elections in Moscow, thanks in large part to Alexei Navalny's campaign.
So there is absolutely no doubt on my mind about the reason and the perpetrators. And it's very important that they are responsibility, but the
most important thing for now is that he pulls it through, that he stays alive, that he goes back to good health.
It's very important there is international attention to this case. And I want to thank you for covering the story. Because as I know again for my
own two experiences, international attention can save a life. And it is important to save a life now. So it's very important that we have those
strong statements, the members of Congress and the U.S. on both sides from European leaders as well.
[11:35:00]
GORANI: Yes, we'll wait to see what the U.S. President has to say about it. If anything today, he is hosting the Iraqi Prime Minister at the White
House but when I saw that image, that social media picture of Navalny drinking tea in an airport cafeteria.
When somebody has that kind of feels that they are in such danger with really almost a bull's eye you know on their back constantly, what kind of
precautions would you have - what kind of precautions were you taking and despite those you say you ended up being poisoned not once, but twice.
KARA-MURZA: Well, first of all, it's not that I say. That's was the official diagnosis from the hospital toxic action by unidentified substance
which translated from medical to normal human language means poisoning that - I don't know with what.
That's a whole separate interesting story by the way. After I was poisoned the second time in 2017, my wife managed to take some blood samples to the
U.S. to the FBI lab, which is supposed to be the best toxicological lab in the world.
And they conducted the tests presumably or maybe they found something and then they classified the results. They refused to hand them out to me. They
refused to give them to members of Congress, they refused to release at a spot of the freedom of information request. So earlier this year, I had no
choice, but to go to court against the FBI and an American court. And by the court order, they have to produce the documents by October 15th.
So, hopefully maybe we will have a little bit of knowledge into the reason for now. But the most important thing also to say now is that there must be
international spotlight on what is happening to Alexei, because it's much easier to be able to know to commit a crime in darkness than it is when a
spotlight is on. So let's keep the spotlight on.
You asked about the precautions. The only real precaution that is could take and I did take is that my family is not in Russia. My wife and kids
are not in Russia for reasons I don't think I need to explain to anyone.
I myself went back home almost immediately after both poisonings, and resumed my work in Russian opposition, because I think frankly the best
gift those of us for against Vladimir Putin could give to the Kremlin is if we all gave up and ran away.
And we're not going to do that, neither of us. And I know Alexei definitely will not. Again he's been one of the most prominent effective and powerful
voices in opposition to the Kremlin. And I hope that he pulls through this, goes back to good health and continues his very important work for our
future.
GORANI: And I've got to go one more question here. Do you trust that the hospital where he's being treated, I mean, do you trust that these
hospitals, this one in Siberia in particular that he's getting the best possible care, that there's no doubt whatsoever that he's getting the best
treatment? Is that something that you have trust in?
KARA-MURZA: Well, I can say that our country has some of the most amazing doctors in the world. I can testify to this from personal experience people
who take the hypocritical seriously and who are amazing professionals.
And so, I trust and hope in the doctors who care for him. But again it's not the question here about medical professionals; it's a question about
political will. And so, it is very important that the doctors are allowed to do their jobs. That Alexei's wife Yulia Navalny who was initially not
even allowed to see him in hospital, because they were demanding the marriage certificate as proof they she is his wife.
I mean the whole world knows Alexei Navalny and that she is his wife. But they were asking for a marriage certificate to allow her in. Now thankfully
they did allow her in. I know that she has been able to go and see him.
And so, I have no reason to have no confidence to the doctor - definitely trust Russian Doctors, I am leaving testament to that. The most important
thing is that the Russian authorities allow the doctors to do their jobs and that the international community makes sure that the spotlight
continues to be switched on.
GORANI: And are you going back to Russia?
KARA-MURZA: Absolutely. The only reason I'm outside of Russia now is because of all this quarantine and pandemic, the air travel has been
disruptive. I'm a Russian politician. You can't be in politics without being in the country that they don't work.
And so, again the only precaution I took is that my family is not in Russia for obvious reasons that I'll be back as soon as all these quarantine
measures are over. And worst thing was happening in Belarus now that CNN President at protest against the authoritarian regime there of Alexander
Lukashenko there are many important similarities between the two regimes.
When Putin came to power, in Russia he started basically following the model that Lukashenko showed previously in Belarus for dismantling
democracy and establishing authoritarian rule. Boris Nemtsov the late leader of the Russian opposition called what Putin is doing in Russia, the
Lukashisation (ph) of Russia in reference to Lukashenko.
Yesterday by the way was 2000 days since Boris Nemtsov of the Russian opposition leader was gun down in front of the Kremlin Walls in central
Moscow. To this day, the Russian authorities are continuing to protect the organisms and masterminds of his assassination.
But what's happening in Belarus is very important not only for Belarus itself needless to say, but also as inspiration and as an example for
Russian citizens and for Russian society because if you looks at the trends in Russian public opinion, these trends have been absolutely unmistakable.
[11:40:00]
KARA-MURZA: Vladimir Putin's public support in Russia if there ever was one has plummeted, has collapsed. If you look at the recent polls from the
Levada Center, more or less - independent polls in Russia, you will see the public confidence in Vladimir Putin has plummeted to just 23 percent.
And that's an authoritarian system where not everyone will be willing to honestly stay at their opinion. If you look at the recent sham plebiscite
that Putin held in July to try to violate the constitutional term limits on the presidency, they recently held this forensically exercise with a week-
long voting, with no independent observation with massive ballot fraud in the end it is because Putin knows he never will be able to win an honest
vote among Russian people.
So, what's happening in Belarus today, it's important President, because on the four years time, there is presidential election in Russia.
GORANI: Yes, we would like--
KARA-MURZA: And if Putin decides to run and violation the term limit, I think we'll see strong public reaction.
GORANI: All right. Vladimir Kara-Murza thanks very much for joining us. And as you mentioned there not a happy occasion there with Alexei Navalny
reportedly poisoned and being treated in a coma currently in a hospital in Siberia. Thank you very much for joining us from Washington.
And still ahead this hour, the U.S. State of Georgia is seeing thousands of new COVID cases every day, but the Governor is defending his response
nonetheless. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Coronavirus cases are still increasing by the thousands in some U.S. states. In Georgia, for instance, there were more than 2,000 new cases
in a single day. States like Florida, California and Texas are also struggling. CNN's Correspondent Natasha Chen is live from Atlanta with more
on what's behind these rising numbers. Natasha?
NATASHA CHEN, CNN U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Hala, we're hearing from the State of Florida today that they just surpassed 10,000 total deaths since the
pandemic began. And here in Georgia the state is receiving sharp criticism from the White House Coronavirus Task Force report that says this state is
seeing the highest per capita circulating infection rate in the entire country.
The White House Coronavirus Task Force has a dire warning to Georgia and Kentucky, as new cases of Coronavirus continue to climb and schools
continue to tackle reopening. Georgia has seen the highest daily numbers of Coronavirus cases per capita.
The state's Governor is lashing out over a leaked report from the task force, obtained by the Atlanta General Constitution warning Georgia needed
to take stronger measures.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRIAN KEMP, GEORGIA GOVERNOR: This is what is so frustrating about pandemic politics and leaked reports. All I'm asking for is Georgians to get all the
information.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHEN: In Kentucky more than half of the counties are in the danger zone according to the taskforce. The Governor says the positivity rates are more
than 5 percent.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANDY BESHEAR, KENTUCKYGOVERNOR: It means we're in the midst of statewide spread that we got to stop. And I believe we can stop, but you can't
address the problem without admitting there's a problem.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:45:00]
CHEN: Meanwhile more schools and universities are making decisions about reopening. The University of Alabama is going ahead with in-person learning
and sports activities, but reopening is also posing some problems for schools.
At the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, more than 350 students are in isolation due in part to an off campus party.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONDE PLOWMAN, CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-KNOXVILLE: If we want to be here on campus, it's going to be a different kind of experience. We can
do this, but students have to step up and do their part.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHEN: Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina are suspending their sports programs for at least for a few days after clusters on their
campuses. The University of Mississippi announced 16 new cases, 15 student athletes and one staff member.
Even pre-college students are affected. The College Board canceled SAT test for nearly half of the enrolled students on august 29th due to testing side
closures. And Detroit's Teachers Union is voting to authorize a safety strike.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TERRENCE MARTIN, PRESIDENT, DETROIT FEDERATION OF TEACHERS: It is not an action that we take lightly; we will do whatever we need to do to ensure
the health and safety of our members.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHEN: And there is a lot of frustration among educators across the U.S., as school districts try to grapple with how to bring kids back into the
classroom or to teach them virtually. Here in Georgia and the natural Atlanta area, the largest school district in the state, is having a board
meeting tonight and there are teachers planning to protest outside of that. And one of them told me at least 50 people signed up to speak publicly this
evening, Hala?
GORANI: And how in the UK there was a big story about how students weren't able to take in-person testing, and then an algorithm kind of determined
their grades, and some of these grades were really off.
And how in the U.S. and a state like Georgia, are they dealing with exams that normally happened in person to determine whether or not someone's
grades can get them certain universities, for instance?
CHEN: Absolutely, that is a very big concern for a lot of parents, who in the same district I was just talking about also protested, but protested to
have in-person instruction, because they were very concerned about whether their children would be getting the proper education, the proper grades
that they need to go to college, et cetera.
GORANI: Natasha, I have to break away here and go to Donald Trump the U.S. President at the White House here. Let's listen in.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: --dealing with him at all. I know nothing about the project, other than I didn't like when I read
about it, I didn't like it. I said this is for government, this isn't for private people. And it sounded to me like showboating and I think I let my
opinion be very strongly stated at the time. I didn't like it, it was showboating, and maybe looking for funds, but you'll have to see what
happens.
I think it's a very sad thing for Mr. Bannon, I think it's surprising. But this was something as you know just by reading social media and by reading
whatever it is, and by speaking to Mike and Mike and all of them, I didn't like that project. I thought that was a project that was being done for
showboating reasons. I don't know that he was in-charge, I didn't know any of the other people either, but it's sad, it's very sad.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Roger Stone and Michael Flynn, Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, what does that say about your judgment that these are kind of
people--
TRUMP: Well, I have no idea.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: --and also lawlessness
TRUMP: Yes, yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: --around--
TRUMP: We know there was great lawlessness in the Obama Administration. They spied on our campaign illegally. And if you look at all of the things
and all of the scandals they had, they had tremendous lawlessness, but I know nothing about, I was not involved in the project.
I have no idea who was, but I can tell you, I didn't know the three people that were talked about where people that I did not know. I don't believe I
have a met him, I don't think that should be a privately financed wall. I don't think it's too complex, it's too big.
And we're now up to 300 miles, almost in another week, week and a half we'll be up to 300 miles of wall at the highest level they were even having
construction problems I was reading, the little I know about it, I got from you.
I was reading where they having construction problems with the wall that they had a small area just to show people that they could build a wall. And
they were having a lot of problems where it was toppling over and other things. And I didn't like it because I didn't want to be associated with
that.
We build a powerful wall. It was a wall that is virtually impossible to get through its very, very tough. It's very strong. And it's everything the
border patrol wanted. And I didn't want a wall that was going to be an inferior wall.
And I felt this was going to be an inferior wall. So, I didn't know that. I didn't know about Bannon's involvement, but I didn't know the other people,
but I do think it's a sad event. And again, Steve has had a great career at Goldman Sachs; he's had a career with a lot of other people. I haven't
dealt with him at all over years now, literally years.
[11:50:00]
TRUM P: And I guess, this was a project he was involved in, but it was something that in fact you can see I made statements about it a long time
ago, something that I very much felt was inappropriate to be doing. OK.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President, the end of the - one of the very important issues to stabilize the country in Iraq. How are Americans going
to support ending the militia war in Iraq?
TRUMP: You know you're very hard to understand, could you maybe help me with that. Go ahead, try it again.
MUSTAFA AL-KADHIMI, PRIME MINISTER OF IRAQ: The United States helped Iraq enormously in defeating ISIS, and also in toppling the Saddam Hussein
regime. We're working on building a strong relationship that is based on joint interests between Iraq and the United States that is based on
economic interest for the better future of the Iraqi people and the United States people.
TRUMP: I got to - when we came into office, ISIS was running rampant all over Iraq and Syria. And we knocked out the 100 percent of the ISIS
caliphate, but the Obama administration did a very, very poor job. They were running rampant all over. We came in and did a real job and we got rid
of that. And that was a good thing.
And now we're working with Iraq. They use the great American dollar, which is the most powerful currency in the world. And they are starting to do
well, and we're with them and these gentlemen in particular, we've developed a very good relationship, and hopefully it's going to be very
strong for your country.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thanks Mr. President. There have been 32 attacks in the last ten months on U.S. interests in Iraq, particularly in the green
zone and U.S. military bases. How you're going to help Iraq to hold these attacks by pro-Iranian militia, and to hold these people accountable? And
sir, if I may also, there is some report in that the U.S. troops will withdraw from Iraq totally in three years. Is this true?
TRUMP: So, at some point we obviously will be gone. We've put it down to a very, very low level. We deal where there are attacks. We take care of
those attacks, so we take care of them very easily. Nobody has the weaponry we have. Nobody has anything of what we have. We have the finest, the
greatest military in the world.
When somebody hits us, we hit back harder than they hit us. So we handle it. In addition to that, Iraq has been very helpful where necessary, but we
have been taking our troops out of the Iraq fairly rapidly.
And we look forward to the day when we don't have to be there and hopefully Iraq can live their own lives and they can defend themselves, which they
have been doing long before we got involved.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: About the bounties, you say you hit back hard, but we haven't seen any definitive strike back for bounties upon Americans.
TRUMP: Well, you don't know about the bounties. I mean, you tell me if you know something, you can let us know, but you obviously don't know very much
about it. But if we found out that would be true, if we found that would be a very - it would be a fact, what you just said, we would hit them so hard,
your head would spin. Go ahead.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President how do you see the role of the Kurds in Iraq? How it's important relationship between Baghdad and Egypt?
TRUMP: Well, the Kurds helped us greatly in defeating the - as you know the ISIS and getting the ISIS 100 percent of the ISIS Caliphate. So we have a
very good relationship with the Kurds and we've also treated them very well.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The end of the militia roles in Iraq is very important tool to - the country. How America can help ending the militia roles, and
how can help Iraq in the democracy process?
TRUMP: Well, what we're doing is we're helping where we can, but again that's a country, that's a separate country. They have a Prime Minister,
and they have people in office, and they have to run their country. We've been in Iraq for a long time.
I won't say whether or not I said we should be there, but frankly, I didn't think it was a good idea, but I was a civilian, so who's going to listen to
me? But I made my point pretty clear, I guess as clear as a civilian can do it. But we were there, and now we're getting out. We will be leaving
shortly. And the relationship is very good.
[11:55:00]
TRUMP: We're making very big oil deals. Our oil companies are making massive deals. And that's basically the story. I mean, we're very happy
with the relationship that we have developed over the last couple of years.
I thought before that, frankly, the United States was being taken advantage of, but we're going to be leaving and hopefully we're going to be leaving a
country that can defend itself.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There were air strikes on Northern Iraq in the Kurdistan region killing one civilian. I know in your talks and your meetings here,
you talk a lot about the sovereignty of Iraq.
Is that something that you're looking for help from the United States? And Mr. President, if that's something that Iraq is asking for help, in terms
of the interference from the neighbors, not just Iran, but other neighbors where they're attacking northern Iraq?
TRUMP: Well, they'll have to make a specific request, but certainly the Prime Minister has my ear. So if he does that, we'll take a look. There do
have, it's a very unstable part of the world. And I'm not talking about Iraq. I'm talking about the whole of the Middle East.
It's a very, very unstable part of the world, but we're there to help, and because of the relationship, we would certainly be willing to lend you the
kind of support that you need.
AL-KADHIMI: Definitely the Turkish attacks are not accepted. On the other hand, the Iraqi constitution also does not allow Iraq to become used to
attack any neighboring country.
We are entering dialogue with Turkey to rectify this situation. And I look to solving this problem with Turkey and getting our neighbor's the Turks to
understand Iraq's circumstances. But once again, the Iraqi constitution does not allow Iraqi territory to be used to attack any neighboring
country.
TRUMP: I will say this, the United States and me in particular has a very good relationship with Turkey and with President Erdogan. And we'll be
talking to them, but we have a very, very good relationship with Turkey and with President Erdogan.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. President just a follow-up on the troops question, sir. Do you have a time frame for the full and complete withdrawal of U.S.
troops from Iraq?
TRUMP: Mike, what would you say to that?
MIKE PENCE, U.S. VICE PRESIDENT: As soon as we complete the mission. The President has made very clear he wants to get our forces down to the lowest
level as quickly as we possibly can. That's the vision they've given us and we're working with Iraqi to achieve that.
TRUMP: At the lowest level energy - the lowest level in Afghanistan than we have been in many years. We'll be down to about 4,000 troops in
Afghanistan. And that will be when?
PENCE: Couple of months.
TRUMP: Yes, within a few months, couple of months. As you know, in Syria we're down to almost nothing, except we kept the oil. But we'll work out
some kind of a deal with the Kurds on that. But we left where we kept the oil, and we left the border, we said Turkey and Syria can take care of
their own border.
We don't have to do it. And that worked out well. I remember when I did that, I was scorned by everybody. They said this is terrible why it, that's
now two years ago. We did it when Mike Pence went over and met with the various parties and very successfully and we removed our troops.
Nobody was killed, nobody. And now they protect their own border like they have been for hundreds of years. And we've left, but we did keep a small
force and we kept the oil. And we'll make a determination on that oil fairly soon.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just one domestic question, sir, the Manhattan case about your taxes has now ruled that you do need to give your - turn over
your taxes, do you have a reaction to that?
TRUMP: Well, the Supreme Court said, if it's a phishing expedition, you don't have to do it, and there is a phishing expedition. But more
importantly, this is a continuation of the witch-hunt, the greatest witch- hunt in history. There's never been anything like it where people want to examine every deal you've ever done to see if they can find that there is
comma at a place.
No President has ever had to go through this. The Supreme Court shouldn't have allowed this to happen. But no President has ever had to go through
this. But what the Supreme Court did do is say, if it's a phishing expedition, my interpretation is essentially you don't have to do it. So
we'll probably end up back in the Supreme Court. But this is just a continuation of the most hideous witch-hunt in the history of our country.
