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Hiroshima Survivor Honors Americans Killed; Sanders Rally in San Pedro, California; Sanders/Trump Debate Possible; Clinton Dogged by Improper E-mail Use. Aired 2:30-3p ET

Aired May 27, 2016 - 14:30   ET

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


(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

[14:30:00] WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "When the A- bomb fell, I was on my way to school," says Shigeaki Mori, who was 8. He remembers red planes, black rain, mountains of bodies, including American POWs in this survivor sketch, detained 400 meters, a quarter mile, from ground zero.

(on camera): This small memorial marks the spot where they died, the old military police headquarters. Leveled by the A-bomb, today, an office building.

"I thought we should have a memorial for the Americans who died in the A-bomb," he says.

But the U.S. kept Hiroshima's POWs top secret until the 1970s, when declassified documents gave Mori a list, 12 American names, their ages, where, and how they died.

SHIGEAKI MORI, HIROSHIMA SURVIVOR: Thank you very much.

RIPLEY: Every weekend, for more than 20 years, he borrowed U.S. phone books from the library, calling every name that matched until he found the families.

"They didn't understand why I was doing this at the beginning, he says. They were very skeptical. It took a while to gain their trust."

But he pushed on wanting the families to have closure.

"He continued for 41 years. It took so much patience. I think only he could do that," says Kayoko Mori.

The POWs included the crews of two downed American bombers, the Lonesome Lady and the Taloa (ph). Mori gave the families previously unreleased details of their captivity and he offered to register their names on the official list of victims. The youngest, Airman 3rd Class Normal Rolland Bissett (ph), of Lower Massachusetts, just 19.

Decades of searching, and today, 12 American POWs officially registered at Hiroshima's Hall of Remembrance.

(on camera): Did you think you'd live to see an American president visit here?

(voice-over): "It's like a dream," he says. I'm so happy."

He wants President Obama to know he and other survivors simply want to share their stories, share their memories so the world never forgets.

Will Ripley, CNN, Hiroshima, Japan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN ANCHOR: Next, we are monitoring protests live outside of a Donald Trump event in Fresno, California. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton also campaigning today in California. We have reporters covering all of the angles.

You are watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:36:45] KEILAR: Welcome back. I'm Brianna Keilar, in for Brooke Baldwin.

You are looking at Bernie Sanders talking live in San Pedro, California. Let's listen in.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I), VERMONT & DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: -- not more important than the future of this planet.

(CHEERING)

SANDERS: And together, we are going to transform our energy system away from fossil fuel to sustainable energy and energy efficiency.

(CHEERING)

SANDERS: And together, when we do that, we are going to create millions of great jobs here in California and all over this country.

(CHEERING)

SANDERS: But our campaign is not just taking on the billionaire class. And it's not just taking on a corrupt campaign finance system. It is dealing with issues like a broken criminal justice system.

(CHEERING)

SANDERS: All of you should know that it is an international embarrassment that our country has more people in jail than any other country on earth. We are spending $80 million --

KEILAR: All right. We'll continue to monitor Bernie Sanders there in San Pedro, California.

This is what we have been talking about, a possible battle royale. Two animated foes with huge fan bases, and $10 million at stake. Not talking about the next pay-per-view Vegas boxing match, but Bernie Sanders versus Donald Trump in a debate. That was started as late- night comedy fodder. It is now snowballing into the realm of plausibility. Here's Donald Trump yesterday.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & CEO, TRUMP ORGANIZATION: I'd love to debate Bernie. But they have to pay a lot of money for it. Look, I'm in first place. I have won. I'd say something over $10 million.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KEILAR: And Sanders who's been game, since this thing to say to appeal to Trump. He tweeted, "I'm delighted that to debate. Let's do it in the biggest stadium possible."

Joining me to talk more about this is Stephanie Myers, a Trump supporter and a former contestant on "The Apprentice;" and we have Emily Tisch Sussman, a Democratic strategist and a campaign director for the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Stephanie, to you first.

Just paint a picture for us about what this debate would look like, do you think.

STEPHANIE MYERS, TRUMP SUPPORTER & FORMER "THE APPRENTICE" CONTESTANT: I think this debate would be phenomenal. Number one, we're not losing focus on the fact that Mr. Trump's willing to raise $10 million to $15 million for women's health issues. I think that's a great idea. Look, he enjoys and takes care of women. Women's health issues are very important. Also, I think it's a great idea because he can help mentor Bernie and push him along. Guess what? Carry him all the way and crush him in the end.

KEILAR: Is this going to happen, Emily, do you think?

EMILY TISCH SUSSMAN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST & CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS ACTION FUND: I mean, it might happen. There's nothing that Trump loves more than a good media stunt, which is what this is. It is a very big media stunt. Look. We have been talking about it far number of days. He said he would do it if he can raise $10 million to $15 million. This seems odd considering he's been strongly under fire, particularly in the last week for the fact he pulled this stunt and said he had raised $6 million for veterans. That money never came through. And odd to put the price on. I would guess this conversation continues, continues, continues. Sanders has everything to try to get in it and it makes him look legitimate. The math is strongly against him in graining the nomination. He will continue to go with it. But then what I would guess happen is Trump finds a reason not to do it. It's punching down. He is the actual Republican nominee and doesn't have a reason to do it.

[14:40:39] KEILAR: He would elevate Bernie Sanders.

You mentioned that event that Donald Trump did in Iowa, I believe it was, instead of participating in a debate there, which was to benefit veterans. He was asked about that yesterday. He said he'll release that information that's something that folks demanding of him.

Stephanie, do you think if you're gaming this out, you think this is going to happen?

MYERS: I think it's going to happen. I think that people need to see what they both have to say. And quite honestly, I think Bernie needs the help, the attention and the free press. Everybody will always listen to what Mr. Trump has to say, and if Bernie needs to ride off the coattails, let him.

KEILAR: What does this do, Emily, for the Democratic Party?

TISCH SUSSMAN: I mean, it's a very strange situation where somebody who was still running for the Democratic nomination, who was not previously a Democrat, would then debate the Republican nominee. It is a very strange and unprecedented kind of situation. I know you had quotes earlier of Senator Manchin saying it was ridiculous. I believe he may have used more colorful language than that.

KEILAR: It was an expletive, you're right, yes.

TISCH SUSSMAN: A little more colorful than that. Look, for Democrats, it's a -- for everybody, it's a very odd situation, but particularly for elected Democrats. What kind of precedent does this set? This is actually not the nominee of the party. So why would he be debating the Republican nominee? It makes no sense.

KEILAR: Yeah. It would be extraordinary.

Stephanie Myers, Emily Tisch Sussman, thanks to both of you.

And next, a report this week by the State Department, by the independent inspector general there, has Hillary Clinton's e-mail back in the spotlight. Could this report widen the so-called trust gap that she is facing with many voters?

Plus, we are continuing to watch protests outside of a Donald Trump rally in Fresno, California. We'll go there live. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:46:37] KEILAR: Hillary Clinton has more than just Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump to overcome. Polls show the Democratic front runner continues to suffer from major trust issues with voters. This is a gap that may widen following a State Department report from the independent inspector general there that is critical of her use of a private server when she served as secretary of state. The report also found that Clinton and several staffers refused to cooperate with the investigation.

CNN's chief political correspondent, Dana Bash, has more on how the report couldn't come at a worse time.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE: Oh, thank you. Thank you.

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Shoulda, woulda, coulda, sentiments any candidate is loath to express on the campaign trail.

CLINTON: As I've said many times, if I could go back, I would do it differently. I know people have concerns about this. I understand that.

BASH: Yet, for Hillary Clinton, this week's State Department inspector general report about how she mishandled e-mails as secretary of state could be especially damaging, feeding a central liability with voters, honesty and trustworthiness.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Would you vote for someone that you don't trust?

CLINTON: Well, people should and do trust me.

BASH: Yet, all through the Democratic primary contests, voters who said the most important quality was trustworthiness, only voted for Clinton in three states.

SANDERS: I do question her judgment.

BASH: It's a vulnerability Bernie Sanders has worked hard to exploit, maybe not so much about her e-mail issue, but he has spent months accusing Clinton of being in the pocket of big business and wall street. Her refusal to release transcripts of paid speeches to Goldman Sachs hasn't helped.

(CHEERING)

CLINTON: There are certain expectations when you run for president. This is a new one.

BASH: The State Department's damning report has given Donald Trump a fresh round of ammunition against her.

TRUMP: As I say, Crooked Hillary. Crooked Hillary.

(CHEERING)

TRUMP: She's as crooked as they come.

BASH: Assuming Clinton is the Democratic nominee, she already knows Trump's playbook.

TRUMP: Bad judgment. Skirting on the edge all the time. And you look back at her history, and this is her history.

BASH: But people's views of Trump are exactly the same. 64 percent say he's not honest and trustworthy either. (on camera): Running against Donald Trump, will Hillary Clinton have

a big disadvantage if voters don't see her as honest and trustworthy or will it even matter?

JENNIFER AGIESTA, CNN POLITICS POLLING DIRECTOR: In most polling on the question of honesty and trustworthiness, the two candidates run about evenly. It's sort of a wash. Neither one is seen as having an edge there.

BASH (voice-over): Still, the most likely test for November will be which argument wins. This one --

TRUMP: If Crooked Hillary Clinton is in charge, things will get much worse.

BASH: -- or this.

CLINTON: But I think voters are going to be looking at the full picture of what I have to offer, my life and my service, and the full threat that Donald Trump offers our country.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[14:49:43] KEILAR: And next, comedian, W. Kamau Bell, goes to Portland to get an up-close look at the music scene, coffee shops and, yes, the hipsters. He joins me next live. Don't miss that.

Plus, we're monitoring protests live. These are outside of a Donald Trump event in Fresno, California. Those for him, those against him. We'll go live there.

You're watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KEILAR: Living on Mars. It sounds like something out of science fiction, right? It is closer than you think. Some companies are looking at ways to build colonies in space.

And "CNN Money's" Vanessa Yurkevich goes inside one of those businesses.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VANESSA YURKEVICH, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Space exploration is a $330 billion a year industry. It's expensive and it's dangerous. But it may hold the key to our dwindling resources here on earth.

TORY BRUNO, PRESIDENT AND CEO, UNITED LAUNCH ALLIANCE: You know, I have a vision within just a couple of decades where there's going to be over 1,000 people living and working in space.

YURKEVICH: This is Tory. He runs United Launch Alliance, known as ULA. For the past decade, ULA is responsible for 80 percent of the U.S. rocket launches.

Today, they're planning for the industry's next big challenge, living in space. How? A brand new rocket called Vulcan. It stays in space 20 times longer and has a reusable engine. Cost savings? $60 million.

BRUNO: With that new rocket, it's going to be possible to actually build things in space.

YURKEVICH (on camera): So that means that we'll essentially be able to build communities up there?

BRUNO: Absolutely. They have to have infrastructure, places to live, homes. And this new technology is going to enable that.

YURKEVICH (voice-over): This community will be Cislunar 1000. By 2046, ULA estimates the colony will have a gross space product of $2.7 trillion a year. And a large portion of that revenue will come from mining asteroids.

BRUNO: The great discovery of our time that I think has gone largely unnoticed is that water is everywhere. It's going to change everything here. You know, we toil and we struggle here on earth, often due to a shortage of resources. Well, I'm going to change all of that.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[14:56:45] KEILAR: These days, Portland, Oregon, known for hipster culture and its progressive life style, but in the past, the population was much more diverse. What changed?

Comedian W. Kamau Bell sees firsthand how gentrification is slowly changing the face of America in this Sunday's new episode of "United Shades of America."

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

W. KAMAU BELL, CNN HOST, UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA: OK. So I'm guessing you come here and get sushi as a kid?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, no. Sushi was the last thing in the world out here. No sushi.

BELL: Not a lot of sushi joints in the old neighborhood?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

BELL: You are trying to tell me when you were a kid, they weren't selling kombucha on tap in your neighborhood?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No.

BELL: That's what you're trying to tell me? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You didn't have no Kombucha in the neighborhood.

Places like where this building is across the street here?

BELL: Yeah.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was a little place called the Wing Shop.

BELL: The Wing Shop?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah. He sold -- you get three chicken wings, you know, and a couple of slices of toast.

BELL: OK. All right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: $1.50.

BELL: $1.50?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah, man.

BELL: How can you push that business out of the neighborhood?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm telling you, man, it was crazy.

(LAUGHTER)

BELL: That building.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: that's all brand new building.

BELL: That's all brand new?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everything is all brand new.

BELL: And a lot of it is all brand new within the last five years?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. And the buildings that are still remaining, none of the same people.

BELL: So the buildings that have tenants?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All new tenants. I don't think there's one person that had a business here back in the day that is still in business now.

BELL: That's a damn shame.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah.

BELL: That's a damn shame.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah.

You wouldn't know you were in the same neighborhood. I mean, it is that different. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KEILAR: Kamau is with us now live.

And you see all the differences there, Kamau. Why has Portland changed so drastically?

BELL: Just to be clear, I don't want people to think I'm picking on Portland. This is the case in a lot of major cities where the property values fall and they fall so low the artists move in and build it back up and it's transformed, and then people with -- white people with money move in. It's a national story. But with Portland more severe because Oregon has a history of laws that restricted black ownership and also black people moving into the state and it's just more severe in Portland than other cities.

KEILAR: You hear people looking at cities -- you say Portland, but we are also talking about Harlem, the bay area in California, Atlanta. You see gentrification. People say it's a bad thing. But you see two sides of this, right?

BELL: That it depends on how you move into the neighborhood. You are allowed to go where you want to mostly in this country, and it feels like moving into the neighborhood is one thing but moving on top of the neighborhood is what we're talking with gentrification where you sort of impose what you want on the neighborhood without thinking about the residents who still live there. Like, we talked to a woman named Beverly, and like the whole downtown district of her neighborhood has changed. There used to be a lot of shops, and now one organic food store, too expensive for her.

KEILAR: You are going to be exploring this about gentrification, whether it's about race, class, politics. We're looking for to that, Kamau.

You can see W. Kamau's journey through Portland and really what this means across the country on "United Shades of America," on Sunday at 10:00 p.m., only on CNN.

[14:00:08] Happy Friday to you. I'm Brianna Keilar. Brooke Baldwin is off.

Donald Trump has defied the party --